The Local Government Training Institute (LGTI) is responsible for facilitation of human resources capacity building for Local Authorities. The Institute is responsible for provision of short, medium and long term in-service training in Local Government Administration s in order to enhance the knowledge, skills and performance of their employees.

The LGTI shall is responsible for following  functions:-

1. Facilitate the identification of training needs in Local Authorities;
2. Facilitate the development and implementation of human resources development plans and programmes;
3. Develop Curricula and materials for training programmes on Local Government Administration and Decentralisation;
4. Conduct seminars and skills development workshops in Provincial Administration Offices and Local Authorities;
5. Deliver short, medium and long term training in Local Government Administration and Decentralisation;
6. Contract local or foreign consultants/training institutions to deliver certain specialised training where possible;
7. Rehabilitate and maintain training facilities at Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute;
8. Acquire or construct other building facilities and equipment for conducting training; and
9. Undertake research and consultancy in areas of Local Government Administration and Decentralisation.

As part of the ongoing reforming efforts, the Government in 1996 dissolved the National Commission for Development Planning (NCDP). This led to the creation of Planning Units in most of the Ministries and the transfer of the function of Regional Planning to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing by then in the Town and Country Planning Department. In addition, the Department also assumed the function of overseeing housing developments in the country. This made it imperative to change the name of the Department to Physical Planning and Housing.

In 2001, Government reverted to centralised National Planning and therefore the function of Regional Planning has been transferred to Ministry of Finance and National Planning. In addition, a decision has been made for the housing development function to move to the department that is responsible for infrastructure development within the Ministry. These developments entail that the department will now focus on its core business which is essentially that of Town and Country Planning.

the Department in its current form is responsible for Town and Country Planning ; to plan for the development  and growth of urban, peri-urban, and rural areas in Zambia in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act Cap 283.

The Department is responsible for the following functions:-

• Formulate and review the Town and Country Planning Act, policies, strategies and any other relevant legislation;
• Prepare and enforce spatial development plans;
• Monitor and ensure the effectiveness of the spatial development plans in liaison with development agencies and stakeholders;
• Facilitate development of sensitisation programmes for communities; and
• Commission consultancies to prepare town and country plans