The City of Kigali announced on Tuesday, January 21 the approval of nine settlement sites, with a green light for issuance of construction permits. The City of Kigali estimates that 60 percent of the population lives in informal settlements vulnerable to risks induced by climate change. This percentage is expected to be reduced to 20 percent by 2035. ALSO READ: Govt issues new guidelines to reduce informal settlements On Tuesday, the city announced that nine additional settlement sites had been demarcated in Gasabo District for people to purchase and build homes. ALSO READ: Inside new model to upgrade informal settlements “These sites offer nearly 40,000 available land plots for purchase. They have been approved by the City Council. The benefits of purchasing land in demarcated and approved settlement sites include receiving immediate construction permits aligned to the city master plan,” states the city’s announcement. The approved settlement sites include Gatunda and Gasanze Phase 3 in Nduba sector, Gisasa and Masizi in Bumbogo sector, Masoro Phase 2 and Rudashya in Ndera, Nyagihanga Phase 1 in Rusororo, Nyagihanga Phase 2 and Nyagihanga Phase 7. ALSO READ: 10 major changes in the new Kigali master plan Landowners in many parts of Kigali have been voicing concerns about delays in obtaining construction permits for residential houses due to a lack of settlement sites known as “physical plans.” This is despite the fact that these areas are already designated as residential zones in the Kigali City Master Plan. ALSO READ: Why some landowners will wait longer for construction permits According to the master plan, physical plans are well-designed settlement sites with essential infrastructure, including public services, drainage, transport, economic activities, recreation, and amenities, all aimed at protecting the environment. The National Land Authority states that no resident can obtain a construction permit in such residential zones before physical plans are established. Landowners in these zones are urging the government to expedite the establishment of physical plans to facilitate access to construction permits for decent housing. According to the land authority, the national land use master plan, including physical plans, will be implemented in two phases: Phase One from 2020 to 2035 and Phase Two from 2035 to 2050. Each district has different phases, meaning that some areas have already received physical plans, while others are being developed gradually, depending on the available budget.