SUVA’S housing crisis is directly tied to the city’s limited land availability.
Senior Lecturer in Land Management at the University of the South Pacific, Asenaca Nawaqalevu said this was a challenge that continues to constrain urban development and homeownership opportunities.
During discussions following the launch of the Suva City Council’s Voluntary Local Review (VLR) report, Ms Nawaqalevu, who previously served in the Suva City Council for nearly 20 years, said the city’s geographical boundaries leave little room for expansion.
“Suva’s challenge right now is that it’s got limited land,” she said.
“You go one direction and reach Lami, the other direction, Nasinu, there’s no more land.
“Within city limits, we may have to look at vertical development to maximize space.”
She added that while high-rise residential development might be a practical solution, affordability remains a key concern, given current salary levels and rising housing costs.
“Everything is getting out of hand. Salaries remain low while housing prices are exorbitant. Interest rates and policies need to support more realistic housing strategies.”
Ms Nawaqalevu also raised concerns about outdated planning laws, specifically the continued reliance on legislation dating back to 1946.
She argued that rather than amending the old framework, there is a pressing need for a complete overhaul.
“The current planning framework is outdated.
“It has brought us this far, but today’s urban challenges, especially with the findings of the VLR, call for a new, clearer, and more relevant legislative structure.”
She noted that some stakeholders are already working on initiatives to identify land within Suva for development, in line with the widespread public desire for homeownership.
“The people want a piece of land. That’s the ultimate goal.
“The VLR can help by identifying the gaps and providing direction on how to address them.”
Suva’s housing crisis is directly tied to the city’s limited land availability.
Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
