Visionary Reports

The city of Douala is abuzz with anticipation as preparations for the Douala Urban Planning and Construction Days (JUD) enter their final stages.

The city of Douala is abuzz with anticipation as preparations for the Douala Urban Planning and Construction Days (JUD) enter their final stages. Bertrand Beb Ikoue, coordinator of the one-stop shop at the Douala City Council, recently assured the public that everything is in place for a successful event, scheduled to run from June 10 to 13. Ikoue’s remarks came during a recent press briefing organized by the city council’s communication department, alongside other departmental heads and local media. The meeting provided a crucial platform to update journalists on the progress of various urban development initiatives, including public lighting projects and road repairs aimed at filling potholes, all contributing significantly to improved urban mobility.A major focus of the discussions was the upcoming JUD, a key event poised to offer Douala residents a wealth of knowledge. Attendees can look forward to lectures and masterclasses led by top-tier specialists covering critical topics such as land use management and innovative construction techniques and materials adapted to the Cameroonian context. The event will bring together construction professionals, investors, and financing institutions, fostering vital connections and discussions. “We’re set for a successful three-day event,” affirmed Bertrand Beb. He outlined a diverse range of activities planned for the Maison de Parti in Bonanjo, the event’s venue. Key highlights shall include:- Debate Conferences: Engaging discussions on pressing urban development issues.- Master classes: Sessions led by leading professional orders, including the National Order of Architects of Cameroon, the National Order of Civil Engineering Engineers of Cameroon, and the National Order of Urbanists of Cameroon.- Interactive Contests: Stimulating competitions designed to involve the public, such as architecture, video, and design contests.- Major Construction Forum: For the first time, the event will host a large forum bringing together companies involved in construction and the commercialization of construction materials.A significant innovation in the third edition of JUD is the dematerialization of urban planning administrative acts. “We want to inform the population of Douala City that from July 1, 2025, they will be able to apply for various permits and acts online, in a completely dematerialized way, within the Douala community,” Beb announced. This marks a major step forward in streamlining urban administrative processes.

The event is expected to attract a significant turnout, with projections of 10,000 to 15,000 attendees. This anticipated growth reflects a positive trend, as Beb noted an “exponential increase in the number of construction permit requests received and indeed the number of construction permit requests delivered.” The objectives of the JUD are clear: to involve local companies in raising public awareness regarding construction quality and living environments and to provide platforms for exchange, proposals, and prospecting for local businesses and employer organizations. These efforts aim to foster the development, attractiveness, and competitiveness of Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital.

.Henry Wana