about us - history

• what does PUMA stand for?

PUMA became operational in July 2002 as one of six divisions within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE).

Government agreed that PUMA would take the lead role in coordinating and planning the physical, social and economic environment of Apia as well as the rural areas of Samoa.

PUMA’s main activity is to address urban infrastructure problems such as sewage and drainage, whilst simultaneously developing a policy and planning framework, which would enable coordinated urban (and rural) development to take place in Samoa.

what does PUMA stand for?

The name ‘PUMA’ stands for Planning and Urban Management Agency. Between June 2001, and March 2002, with assistance from ADB through TA No. 3566-SAM, Capacity Building in Urban Planning and Management, the Government developed a new planning and urban management strategy to achieve the outcomes sought by stakeholders.

On March 27, 2002, the Government then approved the planning and urban management strategy, including the implementation of new institutional arrangements involving the creation of a new body, the Planning and Urban Management Agency (PUMA) within the then Department of Lands, Surveys and Environment (DLSE).