MAPUTO, Aug 1 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Daniel Chapo officially launched the "Infrastructure Land Project" on Thursday in Faiquete, Vilankulo District, Inhambane Province, marking the start of a nationwide initiative to provide affordable housing and promote sustainable urbanization.

During the ceremony, 1,200 fully serviced land plots, equipped with roads, water, and electricity, were handed over to beneficiaries. The project, with an initial investment of 40 million meticais (about 632,211 U.S. dollars), aims to address the country's housing deficit, particularly among young people, who make up 60 percent of Mozambique's population.

The government outlined key strategies for the initiative. These include regulating the housing market to lower costs and promote the use of locally sourced building materials; developing comprehensive infrastructure such as schools, health centers, and recreational spaces in the new settlements; and fostering public-private partnerships to boost financing and introduce sustainable construction technologies.

Climate resilience measures have been integrated, such as drainage systems to prevent flooding and the preservation of natural lagoons to support tourism, said the president.

The president also urged beneficiaries, especially young people, to meet construction deadlines and contribute financially to ensure the project's sustainability. "These plots are a step toward reducing rural migration and building resilient cities," he said.

The national plan envisions the development of 49,000 fully serviced plots across the country, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.