capital city,compounded bypoorfarming practices alongwiththespreadof marginal landanddesertification, havetriggered massmigration fromtherural hinterland. Inturn,theeverdecreasing carrying capacity oftheruralsectorhas -17- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Librarygivenrisetolowdensity andascattered settlement pattern. Concomitantly, the townsandmajorcitieshavefacedovercrowding andpoorlivingconditions. Unemployment andunderemployment andotherurbanproblems haveoverlystretched the meagreresources ofmunicipal authorities. Theconjunction ofurbanillsandrural deprivation haveoftenfrustrated development efforts intheregion. 30.73Inthelightoftheabove,thedevelopment ofhumansettlements management capacity within adecentralized administrative andfinancial framework, alongwith theneedfortrained personnel forthedesign andimplementation ofinfrastructure andservices, constitute amajorchallenge tothecountries oftheregion. 30.74 Theobjectives of~the subprogramme aretoassist memberStatesinredressing therural/urban imbalances through theformulation andimplementation ofcoherent regional policies, programme andprojects, inparticular by: (a)Strengthening theindigenous construction sector, including the production andutilization oflocally produced building materials within a decentralized administration andfinancial framework conducive forattracting venture capital, andtheparticipation oftheprivate sectorandthelocal population intheprovision ofinfrastructure andservices; (b)Directing moreresources totheruraleconomy fortheprov~s~on of infrastructure andservices commensurate withtheroletheruralsectorisexpected toplayinthenational development process; (c)Promoting asystematic exchange ofinformation andexperience between memberStatesinthefieldofhumansettlements development. (b)CQurseofactionoftheSecretariat 30.75 Thethrustofactivities will'focuson: (a)prganizing workshops andseminars, preparing studies, reports and technical publications' dealing withtheformulation andimplementation ofpolicies, programmes andprojects, whichwillemphasize thelocation ofinfrastructure and services, aswellastheefficient distribution ofactivities andpopulation along withanappropriate administrative andfinancial framework foraccelerated rural reconstruction anddecentralization ofmajorcities, andmobilizing resources both locally andinternationally forthepromotion ofanindigenous construction sector, including theproduction oflocalbuilding materials; (b)Assisting memberStatesinthepromotion ofanetwork oftraining centres andinstitutions specializing inthefieldofhumansettlements, inordertotrain personnel fortheimplementation ofplanned activities; (c)Assisting memberStatesinthecollection andprocessing ofinformation datainthefieldofhumansettlements withaviewtoestablishing aregional data base. -18-a Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibrarySUBPROGRAMME 10.INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT (a)Objectives 30.76 Thelegislative authority forthesubprogramme derives fromGeneral Assembly, Economic andSocialCouncil andEconomic Commission forAfrica resolutions, themostrecent andpertinent ofwhichareAssembly resolution 44/237; Council resolutions 1987/20 and1989/115: andCommission resolutions 531(XX), 564(XXII), 588(XXII); 656(XXIV)and662(XXIV). 30.77Industrial policies andstrategies formulated attheeveofindependence havegivenrisetotheestablishment ofimport-intensive andtechnologically dependent industries inmostcountries ofAfrica, bothintheconsumer- and capital-goods subsectors. Inaddition, mostoftheseindustries werenotdesigned forthesatisfaction oftheneedsofalargedomestic market. Asaresult, inmany cases,basicindustries, suchasch~mical engineering andmetal,havenotbeen givenadequate attention andexcessive dependence onimported factorinputscoupled withnarrow demandhaveturned manyindustries intonon-profitable ventures, which ledtowidespread under-utilization ofinstalled capacity ortheclosing ofmany industries. Inaddition, small-scale industries, whichareexpected tocreate employment andcontribute substantially tothedevelopment ofAfrican economies,
**Analysis**
The text discusses the development challenges faced by countries in a specific region, including issues related to urbanization, rural poverty, and industrial development. The document highlights the need for a decentralized administrative and financial framework to address these challenges, as well as the importance of promoting local construction sectors and training personnel. It also touches on the need for a regional data base and the promotion of small-scale industries. Overall, the text seems to be focused on economic development and industrialization in a specific region.

**Category**
Economic development, Industry