12/11/2025
NUL CELEBRATES WORLD TOWN PLANNING DAY
The National University of Lesotho (NUL) buzzed with energy last week as students, lecturers, government officials and planning professionals gathered at the Roma campus to celebrate World Town Planning Day (WTPD).
The event, hosted by the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Urban and Regional Planning Section, in collaboration with the NUL Planning Students Association (NULPSA), spotlighted the power of good planning to shape vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities across Lesotho.
Celebrated every November, World Town Planning Day is a global platform for highlighting the importance of urban and regional planning in improving the quality of life for people everywhere.
At NUL, this year’s event brought together passionate voices — from students eager to learn, to seasoned planners and government officials eager to share lessons from real-world practice.
Lively discussions and presentations tackled critical topics such as urban growth, climate resilience, housing, and community design, emphasizing that thoughtful planning is essential to building cities that work for everyone.
“Urban planning is not just about buildings and roads,” one presenter remarked. “It’s about designing communities that promote equity, opportunity, and sustainability.”
Speakers also reflected on how urban and regional planning contributes to Lesotho’s national development goals, especially in balancing growth with environmental stewardship.
Participants agreed that a people-centred approach - one that listens to community needs - is the key to sustainable progress.
For students, the celebration was both inspiring and affirming.
Many shared their excitement about joining a profession that directly impacts how people live and interact. “As future planners, we want to help make Lesotho’s towns more liveable, inclusive, and forward-thinking,” said one enthusiastic NULPSA member.
The event concluded with a strong call for collaboration among academia, government, and the private sector to drive innovation and practical solutions in planning. Attendees left motivated to contribute ideas that shape a better Lesotho - one that’s built on thoughtful design and sustainable vision.
As the day came to a close, one message resonated throughout: good planning builds stronger communities. For NUL, World Town Planning Day wasn’t just a celebration — it was a renewed commitment to reimagining the future, one plan at a time.