Chile unveils national urban development policy

SANTIAGO - Chilean President Sebastian Pinera signed a decree Wednesday to chart the course of the country's urban development in the coming 50 years.

The national urban development policy features urbanization reforms and outlined measures the government should take in the short, medium and long terms concerning environmental protection, economic development and conveniences for the disabled people.

A permanent advisory council is set up to ensure the effective implementation of the new policy.

Rodrigo Perez, minister of housing and urban development said this state policy will serve as a guide in making changes to norms, laws, regulations and institutions.

The policy is basically designed to redress the fact that urban development in Chile has traditionally been haphazard and marked by a lack of coordinated efforts.