TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT FOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Role of the Technical Department for Planning and Development (Cameroon CTD Context)

The Technical Department’s mission is to design, implement, and monitor the council’s physical development projects in line with the Communal Development Plan (PCD). Its core functions directly stem from the transferred competencies in public works, town planning, land management, and economic development.

1. Planning, Urbanism, and Town Development

This function involves organizing the physical space of the municipality and ensuring controlled development.

• Urban Planning Documents: Prepares and revises town planning documents and land consolidation plans to guide urban growth.
• Permit Issuance: Manages the entire process for issuing building permits, demolition permits, and land subdivision authorizations, ensuring compliance with municipal codes and zoning regulations.
• Construction Control: Conducts site inspections to ensure buildings and constructions conform to the approved plans and public safety standards.
• Council Property Management: Oversees the administration and conservation of the Council’s private and public domain and assets.

2. Infrastructure and Public Works

The department is the executor of the council’s infrastructure program.

• Road Network: Designs, constructs, and maintains the municipal road network, including rural farm-to-market roads and urban streets.
• Drainage and Sanitation: Develops and manages drainage systems and participates in the local management of waste, public hygiene, and sanitation, in liaison with relevant departments.
• Public Utilities: Participates in the planning and monitoring of essential infrastructure networks like water supply, electricity, and public lighting.
• Public Transport: Organizes and manages public urban transport and traffic circulation plans in collaboration with relevant state services.

3. Economic Planning and Project Management

This function involves strategic oversight and coordination of development activities.

• Development Planning: Leads the technical elaboration, monitoring, and evaluation of the Communal Development Plan (PCD), translating community needs into actionable projects.
• Project Execution: Serves as the technical office for all council projects, including drafting technical studies, tender documents, and supervising the execution of works by private contractors or through Régie (direct council management).
• Inter-Municipal Liaison: Acts as the key technical liaison with external partners, sectorial Ministries, and other CTDs (inter-communality) for joint projects and technical assistance.
• Land Matters: Handles basic land administration tasks, including land surveys and addressing minor land disputes, though the central State still holds significant authority in land registration.

The Technical Department is thus responsible for shaping the physical environment of the municipality and guaranteeing that all investments are technically sound, legally compliant, and aligned with the long-term vision of the local community.

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