The critical role of Master Planning as a solution to the challenges faced by Pacific cities was at the centre of discussions during the Seventh Pacific Urban Forum (PUF7) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Pacific cities and communities are increasingly confronted with overlapping and intensifying risks. Rapid urbanisation, combined with climate-related hazards such as cyclones, flooding, and sea-level rise, is placing unprecedented strain on infrastructure, services, and natural systems
A special session at the PUF7 on the role of master planning in shaping resilient and sustainable urban development across the region was co hosted by the Pacific Climate Change Centre of SPREP and the National Spatial Planning Authority Office of Tonga’s Ministry of Lands and Surveying.
A key priority emerging from discussions was the need to better integrate traditional land tenure systems with modern planning approaches to enable inclusive and sustainable urban growth.
“By actively engaging local communities and local leaders, we gain valuable insights into cultural practices”, said Mrs. Tupou Lauaki – Senior Urban Planner, National Spatial Planning Authority Office, Tonga.
There are a myriad of challenges facing our Pacific cities and communities - coastal subsidence and environmental degradation further threatens the safety and long-term viability of settlements, while the expansion of informal settlements continues to challenge housing, transport networks, and essential utilities.
“We’ve seen these dynamics particularly pronounced in growing urban centres such as Suva and Honiara, where population growth is outpacing planning systems and resource capacity,” said Mrs. Cindy Vunagi – Director, Physical Planning, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, Solomon Islands.
“Against this backdrop, master planning is emerging as a vital tool for the Pacific. It provides a structured, long-term framework to guide urban growth in a way that is both strategic and inclusive.”
Master planning allows governments and communities to anticipate and manage risks, integrate climate adaptation measures, and ensure equitable access to land, housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunities. The special session during the PUF7 underscored that Pacific islands require planning models that are tailored to their unique geographical, cultural, and social contexts.
With the Pacific Small Islands Developing States being amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite contributing less than 0.03% to the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, master planning is a very real solution.
“In the Pacific context, master planning must go beyond conventional urban design,” said Mr Tuileva Tuileva
“It requires approaches that respect customary land tenure systems while incorporating modern planning frameworks. This balance is essential to safeguard cultural identity and community cohesion while enabling sustainable development.”
During the session participants discussed solutions for critical questions facing the region, such as how to balance customary land systems with modern planning frameworks, how to manage rapid urbanisation while limiting informal settlement growth, and how to incorporate indigenous knowledge into formal planning systems.
The role of emerging solutions—such as renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, and appropriate smart technologies—was also explored in light of resource constraints.
“Effective master plans in the region must be community-driven ensuring local ownership and participation, climate-resilient integrating adaptation and disaster risk reduction and flexible and adaptive to respond to changing environmental and socio-economic conditions,” said Mr. Jeffrey Kaitip – Director, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vanuatu.
The panel brought together leading practitioners from across the Pacific, including Mrs. Cindy Vunagi – Director, Physical Planning, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, Solomon Islands, Mrs. Tupou Lauaki – Senior Urban Planner, National Spatial Planning Authority Office, Tonga, Mr. Jeffrey Kaitip – Director, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vanuatu, and Mr Viliami Tupou – Chief Spatial Planner, National Spatial Planning Authority Office, Tonga.
Their contributions highlighted practical experiences, ongoing challenges, and innovative approaches being implemented in their respective countries.
In closing, Dr. Alexei Trundle of the University of Melbourne reflected on one of the region’s most complex challenges: balancing urban development with cultural integrity. He noted that while master planning is a powerful tool for building climate resilience, it must be carefully implemented to avoid perceptions that it could alienate communities from their customary lands.
These insights will contribute to the outcomes of the 7th Pacific Urban Forum, reinforcing master planning as a central pillar for building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready cities across the Pacific.
The Seventh Pacific Urban Forum was hosted by the Government of Papua New Guinea and the National Capital District Commission of Port Moresby from 24 to 26 March. It brought together representatives from across the Pacific’s national and local governments, along with development partners, civil society, academia, urban practitioners, and the private sector, to showcase solutions for the region’s growing cities and towns.