The Habitat and Urbanism sub-sector’s main objective is to contribute to sustainable economic growth and well-being of the Rwandan population by improving habitat and urbanism infrastructure. More specifically, the sub-sector aims to improve: human, urban and semi-urban settlements; working conditions of public services; and public buildings for the Rwandan population.

Activities in the Habitat and Urbanism sub-sector are aligned with the objectives and development strategies outlined in the Strategic Framework Vision 2020, the EDPRS 2008-2012, the National Urban Housing Policy, the Urbanization Policy, the Act Governing Urban Planning and Building, the Building Control Regulation, and the policy on decentralization.

Since 2005, the sub-sector has also been engaged in an ambitious program to modernize cities in Rwanda, especially in the habitat areas, with strong interventions to curb the proliferation of unplanned housing and to improve living standards in irregular neighborhoods.

Financing tools for habitat (ex: Rwanda Housing Bank established in 1975 as a limited liability company to act as a housing finance institution as well as a property developer), established by the Government of Rwanda, and the promotion of private initiatives and assistance from development partners for housing production, are part of the response to the increasing demand for housing by vulnerable populations.

The sub-sector also supports the City of Kigali and Districts for better promotion of sustainable urban development through the provision of tools for urban planning (master plans, local development plans, etc.), and key programs as the first urban project PIGU (Projet d`Infrastructures et de Gestion Urbaine).

As well as realising urban plans and supporting the production of social housing, the sub-sector is a centre for all legal and technical documents relating to urban policy in Rwanda, to support several beautification activities - including the development of green spaces - and to develop a national programme for the improvement and elimination of informal settlements of Rwandan cities: "Rwandan Cities without Slums."

Finally, the sub-sector is working to establish a development strategy for Rwandan cities, and continued actions for appreciation and promotion of local building materials for housing. This is based on the need to facilitate a consultative dialogue, like the National Urban Forum, where local authorities, private sector and civil society can make their contributions to debates on sustainable urban development, urban planning, urban management and land management in Rwanda.