evocc|Fiji sets up national blue town framework to guide sustainable growth

SUVAevocc, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's cabinet has approved the development of a national blue town framework to guide the creation of sustainable growth and stable incomes for communities that protect the environment instead of polluting itevocc.

The framework will be a blueprint for sustainable township development, including rural and regional areas and the maritime regions for the 14 provinces around the island nation, reported Fiji Broadcasting Corporation on Monday.

It will be a key part of moving towards a circular blue economy.

Townships in Fiji have evolved in an ad hoc manner with growing adverse impacts on the economy and environment.

Many of these unplanned developments of towns and cities are not conducive to the national vision for green and blue growth.

When planning towns and cities, the framework will include important principles from town planning to avoid duplication of efforts and waste of resources.

Fiji faces environmental challenges related to the degradation of land resources, increased risk of flooding and inundation of coastal settlements as an impact of climate change, unsustainable exploitation of marine resources, and the environmental impact of urbanization which undermines people's quality of life.■