SCC committee prepares questions to discuss SDTPS’s policy

The meeting was chaired by Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC), and attended by Her Excellency Halima Al Owais, Vice Chairperson, and Her Excellency Engineer Jamila Al Fandi Al Shamsi, Council Member and Chair of the Public Facilities Committee.

The session, held at the Council’s headquarters in Sharjah, brought together members of the Public Facilities Committee as well as several other Council members. Discussions focused on proposed questions and the drafting of enquiries directed to the authority in preparation for the upcoming session, which will address the department’s performance, programmes, and future plans.

Department responsibilities: Planning, land use, and urban priorities

The meeting reviewed the department’s core responsibilities, including planning and regulating land use, setting priorities for urban development, and updating the emirate’s survey maps. Members also examined the department’s role in preparing general and regional masterplans, ensuring the balanced distribution of services and infrastructure across different cities and regions, and keeping pace with Sharjah’s fast-growing demographic and urban expansion.

Key themes for the parliamentary discussion

Members explored several fundamental themes that will form the basis of the upcoming parliamentary debate. These include sustainable planning for new cities and emerging areas, continued development of planning and surveying services, improving the quality of services provided to applicants, and enhancing the use of smart technologies and geographic information systems in managing planning and surveying operations.

Strengthening coordination and enhancing services

Members also discussed the importance of strengthening coordination between the department and other service entities to ensure the integration of infrastructure projects and achieve balanced development across urban, central, and eastern regions. They emphasised the need to support the department’s plans to streamline procedures, accelerate transaction processing, and enhance the customer experience.

Council’s commitment to constructive parliamentary dialogue

Her Excellency Engineer Jamila Al Fandi Al Shamsi stressed that the Consultative Council operates in a complementary manner with government entities and is committed to ensuring that the upcoming session serves as a constructive platform for dialogue. She noted that the goal of the parliamentary discussion is to enrich government performance through objective and transparent deliberation, enhance the efficiency of urban planning, and support Sharjah’s vision for comprehensive and sustainable development aligned with the aspirations of the wise leadership and the community.

Focus on digital development and urban growth

She further highlighted that the next session will provide an important opportunity to review the Department of Town Planning and Survey’s efforts in developing digital services, expanding the geographical database, and supporting urban development projects that keep pace with the economic and social growth witnessed across the emirate.