The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a crucial tool for balancing urban growth with environmental protection in Zambia. This article assesses the effectiveness of EIA within urban planning processes, with particular focus on the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011 and the Urban and Regional Planning Act No. 3 of 2015. It examines how EIAs are integrated into urban development to mitigate risks such as pollution, habitat loss, and resource depletion, especially in rapidly expanding cities like Lusaka. The study adopts case studies and scholarly analysis to evaluate both the strengths and limitations of the framework. The findings highlight notable strengths, including mandatory EIA approvals for environmentally significant projects and provisions for public participation, which promote sustainable decision-making. However, persistent challenges undermine effectiveness. These include weak enforcement mechanisms, limited institutional capacity, data gaps, and overlapping mandates between the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and local planning authorities. Such shortcomings often result in incomplete assessments and unaddressed environmental impacts. The study concludes that while EIAs have improved the integration of environmental considerations into urban planning, regulatory and institutional deficiencies restrict their full potential. It recommends stronger inter-agency coordination, capacity building for ZEMA, and clearer guidelines for harmonising EIA requirements with planning procedures under the Urban and Regional Planning Act. Ultimately, reforms are necessary to enhance the role of EIAs in fostering ecologically sustainable and resilient urban development in Zambia.

Keywords: Environmental Impact Assessment, Urban Planning, Regulatory Effectiveness and Sustainable Development