Established in 1999, the Urban Research Institute is a legal technical organisation which functions to assist the Minister of Communications, Transport, Post and Construction in the areas of research, technique and technology of urban planning and other fields as assigned by the Ministry. Its duties include: (i) translating Ministry strategy in terms of research, elaborating city planning for both urban and rural areas; (ii) elaborating drafts of norms and technical standards concerning the planning of urban and rural areas; (iii) attracting funds from domestic and international sources in order to develop the technique, technology and research capacity of the communications, transport, post and construction sector, as assigned by the Ministry; (iv) budgeting and utilising the approved budget effectively; (v) monitoring, inspecting and supporting the implementation of norms and technical standards issued by the Ministry; (vi) giving comments and consulting on the planning of urban and rural development; (vii) elaborating plans for training, providing educational courses, placements and management in the organisation of URI; (viii) encouraging and promoting practical research, applying advanced technology and processes within the sector; and (ix) performing other duties as assigned by the Ministry. The Institute comprises five divisions - Personnel and Administration, Research and Evaluation, Co-operation and Information, Town Planning and Urban Engineering.