Professional Documents
Culture Documents
53 UN-Habitat Model Projects 2013/2014
53 UN-Habitat Model Projects 2013/2014
HS&
ISBN
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Excerpts may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated.
2
53
UN-HABITAT MODEL PROJECTS | 2013/14
3
4
The City of the 21st Century values urbanization and agglomeration
economies, and prioritizes integrated public transport systems,
walkability, green areas and efficient use of energy. This city is
generally more compact and is characterized by multifunctional use
of space, where zoning is kept to the minimum.
Joan Clos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat © Julius Mwelu/UN-Habitat.
INTRODUCTION
5
Good cities do not come about by accident. THE CITY OF THE 21st CENTURY
The prerequisites for a good city are broad
community consensus, longstanding political
Sustainable
Solid institutions
being and security to their inhabitants,
Competitive
Multicultural
Innovative
guarantee the supply of water, energy and
food, and promote a compact and diverse
urban structure in which innovation, trade
and economic prosperity are encouraged
and which definitively protects that urban
communal space in which individual rights
and opportunities are most respected.
Results like these have never been achieved
through spontaneous urbanization, nor by the
adoption of wrong-sighted decisions.
3. URBAN ECONOMY 83
3.1 Improving Municipal Finance 84
3.2 Turning Local Assets into Economic Drivers 87
Economy
3.3 Comprehensive Urban Economic Development Strategies 90
3.4 Community Empowerment for Improved Livelihood Economies 93
3.5 Urban Youth Fund 96
13
1.1
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
spatial distribution of people, resource, as well development opportunity. In general, the overall
as the use and consumption of land. Although understanding of cities in national development
such a process is strongly linked to social and is very limited, and so is the appreciation of the
economic development, many countries lack the structural transformations represented by the
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
supporting policies and frameworks that can dynamics of growth in urban centres.
leverage the process for increased development
gains and guide it towards sustainable patterns. The development of a National Urban Policy
”
While urbanization creates huge wealth and is the key step for reasserting urban space
Brazil, China and South opportunities, enables better use of assets and and territoriality. It is also vital in providing the
Africa are examples where creates new ones, in many countries, particularly needed direction and course of action to support
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
clear national urban policies have in the developing world, these aspects are urban development. The Policy provides an
been vital in orientating action to not harnessed for development. In fact, in the overarching coordinating framework to deal with
tackle inequality and to energize developing world, urbanization challenges often the most pressing issues related to rapid urban
the development process.” seem to outpace the development gains. development, including slum prevention and
regularization, access to land, basic services and
In order to harness urbanization, mitigate infrastructure, urban legislation, delegation of
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
its negative externalities and promote an authority to sub-national and local governments,
“urban paradigm shift”, there is need for financial flows, urban planning regulations,
a coordinated approach and clear policy urban mobility and urban energy requirements
directions. This is lacking in many countries, as well as job creation.
where several government departments are
in charge of dealing with different aspects
AND DESIGN
©Ben Hubbard/IRIN
ECONOMY
URBAN
the national urban system and its spatial
configuration concretized through national
Approved at the highest level, a National Urban UN-Habitat has supported several urban policy and regional spatial plans for territorial
URBAN BASIC
Policy should provide the general framework to development processes including those of development;
SERVICES
orient public interventions in urban areas and Burundi, Malawi, Mongolia and Sri Lanka (c) better coordination and guidance of
be a reference for sectoral ministries and service (National Urban Sector Policy Framework). actions by national actors, as well as lower
providers. It should also be the key reference for levels of government in all sectors;
legislative institutional reform. The Policy is UN-Habitat’s contribution to this model (d) increased and more coordinated private and
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
also a good instrument for public and political project will include country assessment; public investments in urban development
awareness of the gains to be obtained from advice on setting up of national processes and and consequent improvement of
sustainable urban development, as well as stakeholder participation; documentation of cities’ productivity, inclusiveness and
an opportunity to promote consultation with good practices to support national processes; environmental conditions.
urban stakeholders. analysis of urban planning policies and
instruments; facilitation of local-national
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
1 Identification of urban development priorities
DEVELOPMENT OF A
2 Guidance on the future development
NATIONAL RESULTS
3 Better coordination and guidance of actions
URBAN POLICY 4 Increased and more coordinated investments
Urban Policy
Lebanon is small country with 4,223,553 inhabitants, 87 per Previously, a laissez-faire approach had prevailed in the
cent of whom live in urban areas. The country’s most important urban domain. Now, steps have been taken to correct
agglomerations are around the cities of Beirut (the capital) and that situation. The Physical Master Plan for Lebanon
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
Tripoli. Economic growth in the country is driven by a great was prepared in 2005 as an attempt to guide land use
dynamic in cities. The urban development process is also facing management. A National Social Development Strategy was
challenges in providing equitable economic opportunities and drafted in 2007, aiming to improve the social welfare of
access to social services for all, and creating a lasting healthy the Lebanese by providing better social safety nets and
urban environment. promoting homeownership among low-income families.
4,223,553
URBAN BASIC
Strategic Plans.
SERVICES
Rural
Key activities to support national urban development in Lebanon
include developing regional plans and regulatory instruments;
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
REVIEW OF NATIONAL
AND GOVERNANCE
FRAMEWORKS FOR URBAN
AND REGIONAL PLANNING
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Many cities have been experimenting with different legal systems, land property laws
new planning instruments and approaches, and decentralization models, all of which are
SLUM UPGRADING
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trying to tackle old and new challenges related significant in determining the role of planning
to exclusion, poverty and rapid urbanization. and its regulatory powers in formal government
However, even in the most successful processes. However, three key weaknesses of
”
local experiences, these modern planning the planning framework are generally identified.
The review of National instruments and approaches have often not They are
Frameworks for Urban been institutionalized and replicated.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
the mismatch between local level needs and
and national urban planning frameworks is (c) weak capacities for implementation and
increasingly recognized in many countries. enforcement.
”
Policy dialogue at national
level and its ability to
reflect on the frameworks that
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
support urban planning remains Cities Dialogue at the third session of the
fundamental in enabling Services related to this model project World Urban Forum. Vancouver, Canada.
© Globe Foundation
planning innovations to be include identification of key emerging
institutionalized and replicated on issues to be integrated in the planning
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a broader scale.
HOUSING AND
policies, legislation and instruments; advice from academia also have an important stake in
on setting up of national processes and legislative review and reform. As far as urban
stakeholder participation; documentation of planning legislation is concerned, associations
This model project’s objective is to improve the good practices made available to national of local governments also have an important
national frameworks for urban and regional processes; analysis of urban planning role in discussions on urban planning and
planning and thus support more effective policies, legislation and instruments; and urban development related laws.
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
selected issues such as climate change This project would provide technical assistance frameworks; and
adaptation/mitigation; urban safety/social to a government-led legislative reform process (b) updated roles of different spheres of
cohesion; or local economic development. It and would build on existing institutional government, civil society and the private
will encompass reviews of policies, legislation structures. The review of these frameworks sector to ensure effective urban and
and institutional capacity. will be implemented with national associations regional planning.
of professionals. Partners from civil society and
AND DESIGN
Urban and Regional Planning
UN-Habitat has been engaged in Kosovo (within its context In 2003, the Law on Spatial Planning came into force. The
of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of Ministry, with the support of UN-Habitat, drafted the law
1999) since the end of the conflict in 1999. The agency has to promote the common interest of Kosovars. This required
ECONOMY
2003
URBAN
harmonization with ongoing European spatial development
principles and plans. The law foresees two levels of planning:
central, covering the entire territory of Kosovo (Kosovo Spatial
URBAN BASIC
Plans) and spatial plans for special areas; and local, which
SERVICES
comprise municipal and urban development plans in addition
to urban regulatory schemes.
SLUM UPGRADING
The year in which the law on Spatial Planning,
HOUSING AND
Ministry in drafting the Kosovo Spatial Plan and those of all
drafted by the Ministry with the support of of Kosovo’s municipalities. UN-Habitat helped to build their
UN-Habitat, came into force to promote the capacities for developing municipal and urban plans.
common interest of Kosovars.
The overall aim was to consolidate the new planning
approaches, policies and legislation by making them more
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
UN-Habitat: Catalogue of Model Projects | 2012/13 URBAN RESEARCH AND
19
1.3
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
City-regions and metropolitan areas, in fact increasingly, land is converted to urban uses
ecoregions, defined on both natural and without proper urban and regional planning
human features, are dynamic concentrations the consequences will have far-reaching
of activities. They hold enormous potential effects on land and energy use, climate
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
for social and economic interactions and change and the world’s economy at large.
”
the development of vibrant settlements and
City-region and landscapes and they are already playing an Urban and regional planning at the scale
metropolitan plans are important role as engines of national and of the city-region is, therefore, crucial
suitable for infrastructure regional development. to balance economic and environmental
optimization, location of strategic aspirations. City-region and metropolitan
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
facilities and to maximize gains However, largely due to the absence of plans are suitable for infrastructure
related to regional development coordination and planning, population growth optimization, location of strategic facilities
and competitiveness, which tends to result in large conurbations, as and to maximize gains related to regional
has key implications for urban population spills from the core municipalities development and competitiveness, which
mobility and the urban economy. to occupy land in nearby urban centres, has key implications for urban mobility
without accompanying services and amenities. and the urban economy. The patterns
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
disaster linked to floods or erosion can be cases, adequate institutional framework increase efficiency in the use of resources
AND DESIGN
prevented, and recreation opportunities and good coordination for planning and in the urban agglomeration through
can be created while allowing for decision-making at the supramunicipal the identification of urban and regional
population and economic growth. They level need attention. This approach moves functions and patterns that contribute to
also help to identify suitable areas for away from sectoral interventions as well as sustainable development within the territory.
new, denser developments within and partial solutions. Instead, it deals with the It focuses on the spatial development of the
ECONOMY
Hungarian red train at station.
URBAN
© Ungor/Shutterstock or metropolitan area; documentation of city-
regional planning experiences, capacity-building
for planners, city managers, metropolitan
URBAN BASIC
authorities and leaders; evaluation and revision
SERVICES
of urban metropolitan plans; and support for
implementation through partnership building.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
Strategies will result in
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
(e) more effective investments in
infrastructure and other facilities; and
(f) reduced disaster risk for cities and
other investments.
UN-Habitat incrementally implemented the Lake Victoria The initiative mobilized city authorities and other stakeholders
City Development Strategies initiative in three phases to prepare development strategies that uphold popular,
between 2002 and 2010. The initiative, funded by the private and public participation and decision-making in
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, was efforts to improve the living conditions and environment for
implemented in eight municipalities across the Lake Victoria urban dwellers. The initiative aimed to deal with the absence
Basin of East Africa: Kisumu and Homa Bay in Kenya; Mwanza, of effective planning and complement the master planning
Bukoba and Musoma in Tanzania; and Kampala, Jinja and approach by introducing holistic, participatory planning in
Entebbe in Uganda. urban settlements on the shores of Lake Victoria.
MUNICIPALITIES BENEFITING FROM CITY The overall purpose was to enable city authorities to better
ECONOMY
URBAN
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES INITIATIVE attend to priority local environmental issues and better achieve
sustainable urbanization by providing them and their partners
with an improved environmental planning and management
URBAN BASIC
Jinja
Kampala
Major results were a City Development Strategy, including
Entebbe sector investment strategies for improved basic urban services.
Kisumu
Capacity-building activities targeting the full range of local actors
SLUM UPGRADING
KENYA
HOUSING AND
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
CITY CLIMATE CHANGE
AND GOVERNANCE
MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION
STRATEGIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
The effects of urbanization and climate change to manage climate change; slow response to
are converging in dangerous ways. Although climate disasters because of lack of capacity
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
cities cover less than 2 per cent of the earth’s and resources; and lack of public awareness on
surface, they consume 78 per cent of the climate variability and climate change-induced
world’s energy. Cities are responsible, directly or hazard mitigation. With the increasing availability
”
indirectly, for a high proportion of greenhouse of financing mechanisms supporting low-carbon
The review of National gas emissions. At the same time, it is cities, and development and the opportunities offered by
Frameworks for Urban in particular the urban poor, in the developing the green economy, it is crucial for cities of
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
adapting to its risks. Local action is indispensable develop mitigation and adaptation strategies to
to this effort. Presently, many cities are unable to climate change. This model project is likely to be
deal with climate change. The reasons include expanded to several additional countries, including
a lack of relevant city policies and action plans; those of emerging economies, with a particular
existence of regulations on urban planning and emphasis on Urban Low Emission Development
environment which have not been adjusted Strategies, also known as Urban LEDS.
in adopting more holistic and participatory (a) strengthened capacity, within local
approaches to stop or reverse climate
disruption. These interventions have a special
institutions to put in place policies and
action plans for climate change adaptation
100
78%
Percentage
focus on integrating the dimensions of youth, and mitigation;
gender and decentralization. (b) better coordinated response to climate change
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
50
2%
AND GOVERNANCE
policy dialogues between national and local (e) appropriate climate change policies, consumption of total
governments; and peer exchange opportunities, plans and solutions to urban sectors world energy
including cooperation between cities. implemented and good practices scaled-
URBAN BASIC
AND DESIGN
Climate Change
When the UN-Habitat Cities and Climate Change Initiative To better support national level activities, in 2009 UN-Habitat
began in 2008, cities in the Philippines generally failed also commissioned a “National Scoping Study: Philippine Cities
to appreciate that they had a role in dealing with the and Climate Change”. That year, the Climate Change Act of
ECONOMY
URBAN
Sorsogon City was selected as a pilot project to showcase the change into the Comprehensive Land Use Plans.
requirements for a climate change resilient human settlement.
A vulnerability assessment was made and lessons learned were In Sorsogon City a comprehensive response to climate change
URBAN BASIC
documented for replication. Based on the city consultations, has emerged. All future investments are being assessed in light
SERVICES
the climate response included priority actions under housing of their climate change responsiveness. In close collaboration
and basic infrastructure, livelihoods, environmental management with the Department of Interior, additional pilot cities have
and climate and disaster risk reduction. The development and also developed a comprehensive climate change response.
implementation of pilot initiatives is on-going.
SLUM UPGRADING
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A Presidential Executive Order was issued, requiring all
local government units to review their Comprehensive
Land Use Plans ensuring that disaster preparedness is fully
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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25
1.5
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
Regional infrastructure corridors are emerging that provide commercial and business
as new engines of growth. Very often, investors with environmentally sound
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however, this growth is unplanned, thereby infrastructure and services. These corridors
missing out on a wide range of social, offer an economic location from which
”
economic and environmental opportunities. to manufacture good, with access to
transport and energy However, it need not be so. This is because markets and adequate land for residential
corridors could have parks along existing and planned transport and development. However, in the absence of
that generate additional energy energy corridors with key infrastructure and urban and regional planning, infrastructure
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
from locally available resources other investments there is a great opportunity corridors often combine with challenges
using small-scale renewable energy to design and plan more productive cities and such as uncontrolled rapid urbanization,
technologies such as wind farms, regions. Such corridors provide enormous slum proliferation, rural to urban migration
solar, biogas and hydroelectric opportunities at the national and regional and land shortages.
plants, and geothermal systems. levels to inject into urban planning processes
integrated access to transport and markets, Large development corridors are beginning
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
expansion strategies that make the most be designed to take advantage of existing
AND DESIGN
of infrastructure investments in the area, and planned infrastructure (roads, power
in order to enhance local development and transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines and
sustainable urban patterns. Such strategies railways) in order to guide the growth of new
will, in particular, establish the spatial and urban priorities.
social development framework to respond
ECONOMY
URBAN
to reinforce the corridor functions. For dwellers living in these corridors; and (e) more
instance, transport and energy corridors dynamic urban growth and sustainable local
could have parks that generate additional development using the assets and advantages
URBAN BASIC
energy from locally available resources using that corridors offer.
SERVICES
small-scale renewable energy technologies
such as wind farms, solar, biogas and
hydroelectric plants, and geothermal The strategies will prevent problems of
systems. This way, the underutilized
congestion along the corridor; organize
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economic potential existing along such
corridors could be tapped for local and and guide the extension of urban
national development.
areas along the corridor; enhance the
Services related to this model project access to the corridor infrastructure and
include the organization of forums to bring
REHABILITATION
together the different stakeholders working
on development corridors; formulation of
territorial development scenarios for corridors;
prioritization and provision of urban planning
support for the nodes for a given corridor;
development of options for territorial
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
harmonious growth; review of related regional
plans in order to prioritize investments;
support for local development to maximize
opportunities from corridors; and promotion
of dialogue in order to empower municipalities
to participate actively in the governance of
Corridor
The Ibadan – Accra Corridor in West Africa has developed corridor, and this in a differentiated way according to the
rapidly with clustered settlements spread over 650 km, linking framework in the four countries. Territorial planning is providing
these Nigerian and Ghanaian cities with Lagos, (Nigeria); a framework to create social and economic value in the area by
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
Cotonou, (Benin) and Lomé (Togo). Some 25 million people live deciding on appropriate agglomeration of human settlements,
along the corridor. Governments, with international assistance, energy infrastructure, land use and economic activities.
have invested in the last decades on major power lines,
pipelines, railways and roads linking major cities and towns. The initiative has been conceived to support national and local
These infrastructure are not always fully utilized but represent governments in identifying development opportunities as a
great potential for economic growth. UN-Habitat has developed result of the existence of the corridor. Expertise on urban and
a framework to contribute to this corridor in terms of enhancing land-use management has been vital in order to create an
ECONOMY
URBAN
energy access to people and encouraging industrial development enabling environment for social and economic investments.
for job creation as means to fight poverty. Multi-stakeholder talks are the key to facilitating common
reflection on the implementation of harmonious and inclusive
URBAN BASIC
Urbanization and infrastructure development in the corridor planning. As a result, the stakeholders get recommendations
SERVICES
are occurring without appropriated territorial and urban on urban and territorial policies and actions. They also receive
planning. UN-Habitat’s territorial planning perspective in this suggestions on opportunities and options for territorial
corridor aims at providing a territorial basis for adequate balancing for reviewing regional and urban plans, as well as
decision-making in the defined area of influence of the energy ways to prioritize public and private investments.
SLUM UPGRADING
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Accra (Ghana)
25 Million
28 UN-Habitat: Catalogue of Model Projects | 2012/13
1.6
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
PLANS FOR INTERMEDIATE
AND GOVERNANCE
CITIES AND MARKET TOWNS
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Intermediate Cities and Market Towns territory and position in the network of cities.
presently host more than 60 per cent of the The adoption of more appropriate planning
world urban population and are experiencing tools can help these cities tap into local assets
the fastest population growth among all cities. in order to harness them for better regional
SLUM UPGRADING
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In the next 20 years, these cities and towns development.
will absorb more than 60 per cent of the
overall urban population growth. They play UN-Habitat has wide experience in planning
”
an important role as nodes within urban and for intermediate cities and market towns
National planning territorial networks, and as potential hubs for through its Localizing Agenda 21 Programme
programmes focusing on local development. However, they often lack in several countries. National planning
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
planning are very rarely appropriate in guiding and market towns within an urban and a
their growth, as well as in supporting decision- regional framework, through urban planning,
making and where to invest. As a result, these that helps to generate more harmonious
cities often deplete precious natural resources development. This framework covers the
and fail to exploit the economic opportunities urban space and the population dynamics
linked to their privileged relation with the integrating the rural areas.
evaluation and revision of urban and regional of plans for intermediate cities and market
AND DESIGN
for staff of the planning departments to use required for population growth, and
60%
these tools; building partnerships to support expansion of services and infrastructures;
implementation of urban and regional plans; (c) the creation of improved management
and development of financial solutions to solutions for rapidly growing centres;
implement these plans. (d) the integration of rural areas and their
economic base and market functions; and
In each country a group of 3 to 5 intermediate (e) the design of balanced solutions
ECONOMY
URBAN
better national and regional planning and towns within the national urban system. growth that the cities and towns will absorb
SERVICES
”
planning effort.
UN-Habitat has wide
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AND DESIGN
Intermediate Cities
Bayamo is Cuba’s second oldest city, with a population of The Pact envisions sustainable urbanization for Bayamo
150,000 in 2004. The city has a rich history but development and sets out the tasks for thematic working groups whose
has been relatively slow compared to other provincial capitals. composition reflects the key stakeholders concerned. These
ECONOMY
URBAN
By publicly signing an “Urban Pact” for the city in 2003, the Government of Belgium. In Cuba, the Programme worked in
Mayor and 200 local actors committed themselves to concrete close collaboration with the Institute of Physical Planning and
measures to curb these urban environment problems that the Programme for Human Development at the Local level. In
URBAN BASIC
hampered Bayamo’s development. This document provides the parallel with the pilot project in Bayamo, a capacity-building
SERVICES
foundation for a more sustainable future for the city. The Pact centre was developed in the city of Santa Clara, in the middle
formally endorses the work of a four-day “Consulta Urbana”, of the country, as a mechanism to mainstream innovative
a city consultation which focused on the pollution of the Río urban planning and management concepts at the national
Bayamo, solid waste management, public transport and the level. By 2008, this experience was successfully replicated in the
SLUM UPGRADING
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quality of public spaces. other intermediate cities of Cienfuego, Holguin and Santa Clara.
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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31
1.7
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
DENSIFICATION PLANS
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Urban growth of the past 30 years has largely in order to provide the city with a spatial
resulted in crowded slums and sprawling structure that can support socioeconomic
settlements in the urban fringe. Cities are and environmental sustainability. In order
consuming land, increasingly, to accommodate to create this structure, expansions and
SLUM UPGRADING
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new developments. In some regions, urban densification plans are needed to enable
”
land has grown much faster than the urban cities to accommodate the expected growth
City expansions and population, resulting in less dense and, in in the next decades in a sustainable way.
densification plans shall general, more inefficient land use patterns. City expansions and densification plans shall
provide for a rational urban In addition, this is often happening in the provide for a rational urban structure to
structure to minimize transport absence of a viable spatial structure. Pressure minimize transport and service delivery costs,
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
and service delivery costs, optimize on land also results in increased land prices optimize the use of land, and support the
the use of land, and support the and consequent occupation of marginal land protection and organization of urban open
protection and organization of by slums or leapfrogging development with spaces. The densification initiatives include
urban open spaces. urban sprawl. As a result, living conditions suburban densification, area redevelopment,
deteriorate and low density makes it costly and layout of new areas with higher densities,
inefficient to provide services and infrastructure. brownfield development, building conversions
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
has supported Egypt in defining new city
AND DESIGN
limits and to structure expansion for 50
small towns. The agency has experience
in assisting in the integration of internally The transformation of land use from rural
displaced persons in Somalia and South
Sudan, using these techniques. to urban uses creates wealth and value, it
ECONOMY
URBAN
of intervention would also free more land for building; and development of financial the development of city expansions and
development, thus reducing speculation and solutions to implement these plans. densification plans are
increasing accessibility for the poor, as well as
URBAN BASIC
local revenue. The transformation of land use City expansions and densification plans (a) the creation of spatial structures in order
SERVICES
from rural to urban uses creates wealth and can be realized in large areas of vacant or to support urban development and attract
value, it produces assets and income. Tapping underutilized land in central areas or on investments;
into such wealth is a key challenge for local the fringes of the city. These plans need to (b) availability of large areas of land for
governments in any developing city. By avoiding provide sufficient land supply to minimize the development, thus reducing land prices
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
leapfrogging practices, urban expansions fight fragmentation of the built-up area, particularly and speculation;
against speculative behaviour, minimize the farther out of the urban periphery. (c) increase in urban densities,
city’s ecological footprint and reduce pressure of accommodating population growth more
development on environmentally sensitive areas. In addition, city expansions and densification efficiently; and
plans are to be developed in a progressive (d) minimization of the city’s ecological footprint
Services related to this model project include manner, selecting some areas which could with more compact cities. Additional
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
(g) mixed use of land that increases social
heterogeneity and generates economic
densities.
Densification Plans
Small and intermediate cities in Egypt are faced with relative Since its inception in 2002, the project has prepared urban
high pressure for land development and important constraints plans for nearly 50 cities using participatory methods and
in terms of available land. In cities of less than 60,000 an assessment of local assets and opportunities. The plans
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
inhabitants, the lack of clear urban development strategies include a careful identification of extension areas, as well as
was hampering urban development and spurring informal land optimization of land use, particularly of public land owned
development, with many undesirable effects on urban quality by different governmental actors. The plans also identify
and efficiency. key structuring interventions, including completion of the
connectivity grid and the location of key transport nodes. For
Since 2007, UN-Habitat has been supporting the General Egypt, detailed plans of the expansion areas are also being
Organization for Physical Planning in preparing strategic developed, adopting innovative instruments such as land
ECONOMY
URBAN
urban plans for 50 small cities, each with fewer than 60,000 readjustment and owners’ consortiums.
inhabitants. Through a decentralized and integrated approach,
the project has taken on urban development and land Capacity-building for urban actors is also provided in order
URBAN BASIC
management issues related to expanding the urban fabric to ensure further transfer of knowledge and facilitate the
SERVICES
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
URBAN DESIGN FOR VIBRANT
PUBLIC SPACES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Public spaces play a crucial role in providing Public spaces include parks, green areas and
cities with the key support for social streets. They need to be well integrated into
interaction, economic exchange and cultural the city, thereby improving its overall visual
expression. They also often embody the city’s character. Areas beneath cities (such as those
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
soul and image as well as being a powerful connecting subways) can also be considered
attraction for economic activities and creativity. public space. If well planned - along the
”
Due to the lack of specific policies, weak networks of water, energy and communication
In order to reinvigorate capacity of public authorities, lack of proper lines - space underground could enhance the
the role of streets in the design, inappropriate or inexistent management functionality and attractiveness of the city.
economic, social and environmental and poor maintenance in many cities, public In addition, since design interventions alone
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
potential of the city. their public spaces.
systematically to improve safety and social they can offer recreational services, livelihood
AND DESIGN
”
public spaces are to enhance the cultural and (a) better visual quality of the city, with a
functional characteristics in a specific context, defined landscape; UN-Habitat has successfully
enhance social interaction and cohesion, and (b) improved use of public spaces and assisted in the design of
maximize economic vitality. This is achieved by increased economic and social activities; public spaces in Kosovo and
maximizing access and use of public spaces by (c) reduced conflicts and crime; and participatory design of urban
ECONOMY
URBAN
all citizens, resulting in an overall improvement (d) increased social cohesion and efficiency. markets in Somalia.
of urban quality of life.
URBAN BASIC
AND DESIGN
4,000
Crime, insecurity, social tension and exclusion and a general
proliferation of neglected and degraded areas have plagued
many Mexican cities for decades. Recognizing the responsibility
of government to “return” the cities to its residents, the
ECONOMY
URBAN
using public spaces to upgrade marginalized or informal public spaces throughout Mexico have either been recovered,
neighbourhoods and, after an initial survey, focused on cities revitalized, redesigned or reutilized, thereby helping to
and metropolitan areas considered to have an insufficient reinforce the social fabric of the concerned communities.
URBAN BASIC
number of accessible or useable public areas. The main The Programme also strengthened the capacity of local
SERVICES
elements of the Programme are physical improvements to public authorities in designing and managing their public spaces. The
spaces, including increasing mobility and pedestrian access, and Programme is a practical demonstration of how public spaces
providing more recreational spaces, and ensuring community are instrumental in democratizing the spatial elements in the
participation in the improvements and development of activities city, in improving the sense of well-being of citizens and in
SLUM UPGRADING
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around these spaces. The Ministry funds communities willing to facilitating basic service delivery to urban dwellers. Across
undertake similar activities in their neighbourhoods following Mexico public spaces have become vibrant places of recreation
guidelines based on the experiences from the Programme. and relaxation since becoming safer.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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37
1.9
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
INTERMEDIATE CITIES
AND MARKET TOWNS
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
As the world urbanizes with more than 50 economic exchanges of intermediate cities
per cent of humanity now living in towns and and market towns. The project also aims
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
cities, it is the intermediate cities and market to strengthen the unique physical and
towns which are growing fastest in many morphological characteristics of such towns
regions of the world. These are also places and cities through urban design. Particular
where the challenges of rapid urbanization emphasis is given to streets, plazas, parks and
are most prominent. These cities and towns, public infrastructure as well as some aspects
”
which are often technically and financially of privately-owned spaces such as building
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
UN-Habitat has developed underresourced, face multiple challenges such as facades or domestic gardens.
much expertise in urban poor design and management of public spaces.
design for intermediate cities and By optimizing endogenous factors, this
market towns through its normative UN-Habitat has developed much expertise approach will enable the cities to nurture
and operational work. in urban design for intermediate cities and their “soul” - that is their identity emanating
market towns through its normative and from their particular culture, history, location,
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
operational work. For example, the agency has climate, economic activities, arts, vernacular
provided such help to various cities in the Lake architecture, sports activities and other
Victoria Region of East Africa and in Serbia. attributes. The visual appearance, functionality
and attractiveness of these cities will be
The main aim of this model project is to enhanced through this project.
enhance social interaction, cultural and
URBAN PLANNING
following key results for intermediate cities:
AND DESIGN
(a) citywide designs for compact, medium
to high build densities, enabling efficient (a) citywide compact, medium to high build
public transport and thresholds to support density developments enabling efficient
concentrations of economic activity, public transport and thresholds to support
services and facilities; concentrations of economic activity,
ECONOMY
URBAN
innovative urban design initiatives.
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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39
URBAN PLANNING
Displaced People
After the conflict, Serbian cities were faced with the need to and minorities, emphasis was placed on the design of the
integrate internally displaced persons and other vulnerable settlement area and of the buildings. As a result, new
groups. Being poorly equipped and resourced, they were facing buildings were carefully blended into the existing urban
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
local development challenges, as well. fabric and their layout and organization of public space was
designed to augment the quality of the entire neighbourhood.
UN-Habitat, with support from the Italian Government, The impact has been positive in terms of integration. New
undertook a multifaceted support project focusing on integrated neighbourhoods were established with the support
provision of social housing, upgrading of marginal of additional measures to redress social segregation and
settlements and citywide planning and design, supported vulnerability. The approach was further strengthened
by territorial information systems. The project aimed to by providing municipalities with urban planning tools
ECONOMY
URBAN
enable municipalities to better orient local development and information management systems to enable further
and investment opportunities. Besides delivering several orientation of investments.
hundred social housing units for internally displaced persons
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
DESIGN OF MIXED USE COMPACT
NEIGHBOURHOODS
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
One glaring manifestation of rapid The design of the City of the 21st Century
urbanization in many cities is urban sprawl. should move away from reliance on fossil fuel,
This phenomenon has resulted in people high dependence on the motor car, highly
commuting over long distances to places of segmented urban form, land use controls
SLUM UPGRADING
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work, for shopping, for sports and for leisure with segregated spaces largely steered by
plus the other facilities that cities offer. private interests.
”
The design of the City of the Long commutes have consequences for high This paradigm shift should emphasize
21st Century should move energy (fossil fuel) consumption by public and multifunctional land uses where zoning
away from reliance on fossil fuel, private transport. They increase greenhouse is kept to a minimum and economies of
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
of society, with clear differences in the way options. Facilities such as health, libraries,
urban space is produced, appropriated, retail and government services cluster around
transformed and used. Though mixed, the key public transport facilities and intersections
city with high density development that is to maximize convenience. A city that gives
linked to mass transit systems can become priority to public transport, walkability, green
more environmentally and socially sustainable. areas and efficient use of energy, and where
to meet the urbanization challenges of the have the following key results for cities:
AND DESIGN
twenty-first century.
(1) Compact mixed-use neighbourhoods
UN-Habitat has developed and consolidated a that integrate various urban
lot of expertise in sustainable neighbourhood sustainability principles.
design through its pioneering urban planning (2) Urban renewal which incorporate infill,
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
work in Somalia and Kosovo. The agency is densification and mixed-use solutions.
well placed to provide this expertise to cities, (3) Pedestrian friendly streetscapes and facades,
civil society sectors and national governments. and attractive neighbourhood recreational
centres and parks.
The main objectives of this model project are (4) More inclusive communities and increased
to assist cities to social cohesion among city residents.
ECONOMY
URBAN
and lively.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
AND DESIGN
in Bossaso
Bossaso, a Somali port city on the Gulf of Aden, is one the negotiated with the local authorities. UN-Habitat’s permanent
fastest growing and largest urban centres in the country. The shelter interventions also worked in the framework of the
pace of urbanization, coupled with the low institutional and plan. Slum upgrading interventions, construction of permanent
UN-Habitat engaged with the Bossaso local authorities Within the 10 years of UN-Habitat’s engagement in Bossaso,
at various levels, including governance and institutional the local authorities accepted the permanent settlement of
ECONOMY
URBAN
support, infrastructure and basic services rehabilitation, slum internally displaced persons and refugees in the city. Shelter
upgrading, as well as provision of permanent shelters to and security of tenure was provided to 1,670 internally
internally displaced persons and the urban poor. At the same displaced persons and urban poor households. Land was
URBAN BASIC
time, consultations and presentations on urban planning and obtained for the permanent resettlement of an additional
SERVICES
design concepts took place. UN-Habitat, with the key local 2,700 displaced persons and slums were upgraded to the
stakeholders, prepared a spatial analysis which formed the benefit of 7,000 urban poor. UN-Habitat engagement in
basis of a citywide strategic urban development plan. Two Bossaso continues and additional work is building on the
neighbourhoods were looked at in detail: the port area in need achievements of the past years.
1,670
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
of reorganization and the Bariga Bossaso neighbourhood, lying
on the eastern side of the city, which was host to most of the
displaced persons.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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43
44 UN-Habitat: Catalogue of Model Projects | 2012/13
URBAN LEGISLATION,
2 LAND AND
GOVERNANCE
45
2.1
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
Legal systems are among the major The objective of this model project is to guide
impediments that prevent innovative mayors national governments and municipalities
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
and urban managers from starting reforms in undertaking urban legal framework
and overcoming the pressing challenges of assessments and regulatory reforms as
their cities and urban systems. strategic interventions, to tackle the growing
challenges of informality and improve the
Many cities are burdened by laws that do responsiveness and efficiency of urban
”
not match the prevailing urban reality. governance. Projects may target priority issues
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
UN-Habitat is developing Worse still, the capacity to enforce laws and in areas such as land, planning, municipal
mechanisms for the creation regulations that are already in place seems finance or housing, or they may aim at a
and dissemination of legal knowledge to be lacking. The multiplicity and rigidity of comprehensive assessment.
and a network to develop capacity laws and regulations compel citizens to pursue
and access external expertise. informal routes to conduct land and property In either case, a robust process to verify the
transactions, to do business, to acquire means objectives and priorities for the laws under
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
particular emphasis on the incorporation of
AND DESIGN
diverse perspectives and agendas. Reform (a) an increased awareness of legal systems
options are then developed and prioritized operating at the city and national levels;
with preliminary impact analyses generated (b) recommendations for more robust
around each option. These impact analyses strategies to reform urban legal systems;
include implementation and compliance and
ECONOMY
URBAN
processes for the monitoring and review of
key elements of the reformed legal systems. finance or housing, or they may aim at a
comprehensive assessment.
URBAN BASIC
These services are provided in a capacity-
SERVICES
building structure that emphasizes “learning
by doing”. In support of this approach,
reliance on external expertise is replaced with
a combination of improved local capacity
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
and greater access to global and regional
professional networks and reliable information
sources. UN-Habitat’s knowledge pertaining
to legal reform will be used to support
cities implementing this project. In addition,
UN-Habitat is developing mechanisms for
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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47
URBAN PLANNING
In partnership with the Government of Mozambique, UN- land readjustment, which would ultimately improve land use
Habitat is part way through a strategic urban legislative reform and value as well as make the area inclusive and attractive. The
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
process to provide the necessary fundamental structures for project is undertaking planning and development assessments
robust urban and economic development. Specifically, urban as well as suggesting urban legal and planning frameworks to
development legislation is being reviewed to identify where guide future development. A focus on the links between urban
improvements in land use development (for example, better legislation, urban development and local economic capacity is
housing) can be made and ultimately encourage investment in also being explored to promote local economic initiatives.
a key economic zone of Mozambique.
Through this partnership with the Government, other key
ECONOMY
URBAN
The project focuses on a strategic urban coastal area in the institutions and local city-based organizations, the project
country: the Northern Development Corridor from Nacala shows how an increase in the urban land density, mixed land
(one of East Africa’s port cities with the greatest potential use and value-capturing mechanisms can improve urban
URBAN BASIC
for development) to Nampula, a large town to the north. This development, urban financial investment and economic
SERVICES
area is being transformed into an economic development opportunities. The project also proposes to show how
zone that the Government wants served with the “right urban strengthened legislative reforms support governments to
development structures” in order to attract robust investment. improve revenue collection and thus overall service provision
Nampula and Nacala are directly involved in the proposed zone and economic attractiveness. The project is suggesting that
SLUM UPGRADING
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and are typical of the country’s cities facing many challenges partnership with the private sector could be an innovative
UN-Habitat is providing strategic advice and support on the method for urban development and funding of infrastructure
key legislative reforms required and the needed linkage with because of the derived mutual benefits. In doing so, an
other urban development plans and strategies. Specifically, it outcome of mutual benefit is achieved. The project is expected
is providing advice on how the legislative assessment could to finish in early 2014.
influence the design of key urban development projects like
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL
AND GOVERNANCE
FRAMEWORK FOR URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Legal systems underpin all facets of urban ensure that they are tailored to actual needs and
management and governance. They affect circumstances. This combined consolidating and
SLUM UPGRADING
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land and property development; planning reforming approach has a potential to enhance
and construction; business establishment the legal regime and make it a dynamic catalyst
”
and operation; provision of basic services for urban development. The project aims to
UN-Habitat has experience and infrastructure; and mobility. Efficient and develop a comprehensive legal and institutional
in the implementation of equitable laws and institutions are the basis of framework that will deal with key functions
law and policymaking processes that effective urban management and governance. of urban management and governance. Cities
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
and regulations that create gaps, overlaps
and high transaction costs that undermine The foundation of the development of
efficiency and equity. comprehensive legal frameworks is to be able
to map all existing primary and subsidiary
There is a widespread need for legislative legislation and the manner in which this is
consolidation to simplify systems and reform to linked to institutional structures (political,
informal) in practice. This allows for an analysis implementation of law and policymaking started to create legal knowledge and
AND DESIGN
of how the legal framework is actually used as processes that have led to legislation. It develop capacities to attend to this key area
set against how its various components were also has know-how with the institutional of urban development. Working together
originally intended to be used. This approach strengthening and capacity assessment with prominent urban legal networks, using
to mapping and institutional analysis requires a and development associated with the cutting edge tools and methodologies it
consultative process operating simultaneously implementation of legislation. UN-Habitat is would backstop cities that would implement
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
at various levels within government and also linked with prominent legal networks this project.
non-government structures. Its effectiveness that could support legal development in
depends significantly on the position
”
of trust held by the coordinator of the
process. As the analysis is completed, the UN-Habitat is also linked with prominent legal networks that could
process can be moved to one of developing support legal development in United Nations Member States.
recommendations based on identified
ECONOMY
URBAN
AND DESIGN
Management
An overlapping and unresolved institutional and legislative To implement the Berlin Statement, UN-Habitat is helping
framework characterizes Iraqi land management. This the Government and key agencies to achieve improved land
situation has developed as a result of successive governments management based on a comprehensive legal framework. The
ECONOMY
URBAN
In response to this situation, UN-Habitat supported the The scale and sectoral complexity of the project means that
convening of the High-level Working Group for Regulating Land it is being implemented in partnership with a cross-section of
URBAN BASIC
Tenure and Utilization. Upon the recommendation of the Group, Iraqi government agencies and other local actors as well as
SERVICES
the Prime Minister’s Office approved the Berlin Statement that with a number of United Nations agency partners, particularly
contained the following objectives for land reform: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and
the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, as
(1) manage land in an equitable sustainable and efficient well as with bilateral donor and technical agencies.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
manner and promote equitable access to land in
support of economic growth and poverty reduction;
(2) improve land management systems; and
(3) strengthen land tenure security, land market relations
and prevent or resolve land disputes.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
all key agencies.
LAND READJUSTMENT
AND GOVERNANCE
This model project facilitates the proactive and is further hindered by often complex
expansion of cities through large-scale governance structures and tenure regimes,
production of serviced land aimed at in many cases including the presence of
accommodating rapid urban growth, creating informal settlements.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
”
through land value capture. The methodology (e.g., Germany, Japan, Korea and Spain) has
UN-Habitat has places particular emphasis on accommodating demonstrated that land readjustment is a
considerable experience in the needs and situation of the urban poor and tool that local authorities can use to eliminate
designing and implementing or is known as PILaR: Participatory and Inclusive these bottlenecks and “reshape” cities,
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
backstopping land projects in many Land Readjustment. opening up space within them and at the
places (for example the Caribbean, urban fringe to development. In developing
Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Liberia, In the face of rapid urbanization and rising countries, the complexity of the urban land
the Philippines, Somalia and South demand for land, the supply of serviced land markets, multiple formal and informal land
Sudan), especially in the area of at scale remains a huge hindrance to the tenures, weak land administration and
land administration. horizontal and vertical expansion of cities. valuation systems have prevented the
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
Expansion areas at the urban fringe often effective use of land readjustment, creating
lack infrastructure and services while, within the need for a more specifically tailored
cities, sizable areas are underutilized and lack approach. Because land readjustment
adequate public space. The sustainable involves a fundamental renegotiation and
development of these areas is often beyond reallocation of rights and burdens in a
the financial means of municipal authorities given area, its foundation is an appropriate
URBAN PLANNING
then land readjustment project design and UN-Habitat expertise to provide a broader
AND DESIGN
implementation can follow. regulatory and technical package.
This project provides legal support to cities Results that this project will usher in include:
in the development of land readjustment
law and related matters. This begins with (a) increased supply of serviced land, with an
ECONOMY
URBAN
processes to engage landowners; assistance administration, in particular improved
with land contribution and land assembly; efficiency in urban planning and land
methodologies for reallocation and management; and
URBAN BASIC
servicing (creating public space and building (d) diversified revenue streams through new
SERVICES
infrastructure); processes and tools to infrastructure and basic services cost
convert land contributions into land-based sharing instrument (not always).
finance; and, advice on public funding for
infrastructure and services. These services
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
Experience in a number of developed countries (e.g., Germany, Japan,
Korea and Spain) has demonstrated that land readjustment is a tool
that local authorities can use to eliminate these bottlenecks and
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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53
UN-Habitat has considerable experience in In the face of rapid urbanization and rising
URBAN PLANNING
land projects in many places (for example the demand for land, the supply of serviced land
Caribbean, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Liberia, the
Philippines, Somalia and South Sudan), especially
at scale remains a huge hindrance to the
in the area of land administration. UN-Habitat horizontal and vertical expansion of cities.
has also been developing legal capacity and
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
AND DESIGN
Readjustment for City Densification in Medellin
(2012 – 2014)
UN-Habitat is supporting the Government of Colombia and The methodology is based on Participatory and Inclusive Land
its key stakeholders to undertake a substantial and innovative Readjustment (PILaR) and, therefore, involves engagement
ECONOMY
URBAN
Medellin has undergone significant transformation and become
a safer, more inclusive and economically vibrant city because
of innovative urban renewal schemes and processes. However,
1,324,804
URBAN BASIC
while Medellin has been the recipient of slum upgrading
SERVICES
programmes, informal settlements continue to grow due to the
ongoing influx of displaced persons.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
purposes, UN-Habitat has partnered with the Colombian
Government and the Municipal Government of Medellin
(in a co-financing arrangement) to review Colombia’s laws
and policy relating to land readjustment through a practical
pilot approach designed to create a reformed national
77,759
policy. Activities involve legal and institutional analysis,
2005
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
1938
Cities and developing countries struggle with confront thorny institutional issues as well as
fragmented land management approaches challenges related to large-scale horizontal
and institutions. This is even more so in expansion. A land policy anchored in a
countries where urban and rural land sustainable urban development framework will
SLUM UPGRADING
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management are under different jurisdictions strategically position cities as hubs of regional
and each exhibit other layers of plurality in and national development. It will do so by
”
the form of formal, informal and customary providing a macro and holistic context within
UN-Habitat has taken land systems. Except in rare circumstances, which the inevitable growth and extension of
lead in steering donor these systems are hardly coherent and rarely cities and broader environmental impacts can
coordination and strengthening the allow for seamless management of land and be better managed and harmonized.
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
wide land issues through land policies or harmonize spatial development (e.g., at city
other all-encompassing reform frameworks, region scale), and stimulate national and local
or both. In the absence of a policy mandate economies. This is best achieved through a
at local level, cities, through local to national locally owned and led process. Therefore,
dialogue, need to influence and benefit from the project, where necessary and possible,
comprehensive land policy development to will assist national and local government to
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
are reasonably compact, socially inclusive, well recognized advisory service and technical
economically productive, energy efficient, support to Kenyan National Land Policy.
multifunctional and which allow mobility. Further, UN-Habitat has taken lead in steering
donor coordination and strengthening the
UN-Habitat is uniquely qualified to provide capacity of development partners as they engage
technical support on land policy. In Kenya, for with the Government in planning, implementing
Nairobi, Kenya.
REHABILITATION
AND DESIGN
Country: impacts of land policy processes
In 2003, the Government of Kenya initiated the National Land Strategy. It also capacitated development partners, non-state
Policy Formulation, a process which culminated in a National actors and Government to fast-track implementation of land
Land Policy adopted in 2009 and a land chapter integrated reforms. The project has reinforced multi-stakeholder participation
ECONOMY
URBAN
”
to the Ministry of Lands and development partners. It has
designed land demonstration interventions, mobilized and UN-Habitat has continued to play a
coordinated donor funding to the Ministry of Lands for land catalytic role by providing Technical
Advisory Services to the Ministry of Lands
URBAN BASIC
reforms and chaired the Development Partners Group on
SERVICES
Land, while ensuring that land remains high on the agenda and development partners.
of development partners. The policy process has informed
drafting of land bills led by the Government through the
Ministry of Lands. The drafts include the National Land With the Swedish International Development Cooperation
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
Commission Bill, the Land Bill and the Land Registration Agency office in Kenya, UN-Habitat is funding a sector-wide
Bill. They are expected to revise, consolidate and rationalize capacity assessment for the implementation of the National
existing land laws and establish a National Land Commission. Land Policy, also within the framework of new institutions such
as National Land Commission and anticipated devolvement
With support from UN-Habitat and other partners, through the to the county level. The experience in Kenya is guiding land
Ministry of Lands, the project has enhanced harmonization, policy processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eastern
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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59
2.5
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
Urban land management dysfunctions which have certain land-related mandates (for example,
have stifled the development of vibrant and land use planning and land development
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
smart cities in developing countries include control) while other agencies at local or national
excessive zoning and segregation of urbanites, level operate other aspects of land services
low densities and sprawls in the suburbs, acute (such as registration). These activities are often
overcrowding and lack of public space in city uncoordinated and not harmonized.
”
centres and slums where poor tend to live.
At the operational and This model project aims to rationalize citywide
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
service delivery level, urban At the operational and service delivery level, land management at the operational level
land management is likewise urban land management is likewise fraught through a series of city-specific interventions.
fraught with practical difficulties with practical difficulties and growing risks. The These interventions range from refinement of
and growing risks. most common challenges that city managers land records, institutional reviews, as well as
face include inefficiency and corrupt practices strengthening of regulations and by-laws to
within land agencies; lengthy and cumbersome the improvement of service delivery models.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
procedures (the most recent survey on the Using land management as an entry point,
subject indicated that registering a property in the project promotes citywide, multifaceted
developing countries takes somewhere between and high impact interventions. By improving
70 and 100 days); very high transaction costs; land management and promoting coherence
and institutional fragmentation of land services and efficiency in the delivery of services, cities
(services spread over several agencies). Cities will be able to improve land markets and urban
URBAN PLANNING
housing, enhance basic service and infrastructure
AND DESIGN
delivery, and increase transparency and customer
satisfaction. These will be achieved through
city-led and, where possible, home-grown and
tailored interventions which respond to the specific
needs of either cities, or city-regions, or both.
ECONOMY
URBAN
(e.g. one-stop shop, web-based services,
customer service charters, decentralized
service delivery), local to national dialogue, for
URBAN BASIC
incremental development of land services in
SERVICES
slums; a knowledge network which includes
documentation on good practices; capacity
development activities, including support on
institutional assessment and change management .
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
A construction site in Hunchun, China.
The results that this project is likely to produce © UN-Habitat/Alessandro Scotti
are better enforcement of property rights
and improved service delivery; improved
management of land for the benefit of all
citizens; strengthened and empowered land Cities have certain land-related mandates
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
politically possible to implement and which
create an impetus for change. Prioritization of
interventions and incremental development
will also be important approaches to attain the
project goal and results.
Rapid urbanization puts pressure on local authorities to The intervention increased municipal revenue in Hargeisa from
maintain and expand the delivery of basic services. In a post- USD 144,000 in 2004 to USD 700,000 in 2010. The extra
conflict context, stable and responsive local governments earnings are being used to improve local service delivery, such
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
are extremely important in taking up urban challenges and as the paving of 19 urban roads, develop market facilities,
contributing to stability and peaceful development. rehabilitation of a bridge, increase municipal staff salaries and
purchase essential equipment for the municipality.
Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland, was the first Somali
town where, with the support of UN-Habitat, a Geographic MUNICIPAL REVENUE INCREASE IN HARGEISA
Information System was established in 2005. Since 2006, the
Cadastral Department of the Municipality of Hargeisa has
ECONOMY
700,000
URBAN
been using the System for property taxation and planning. USD
UN-Habitat introduced the System, provided software and
training to the municipal staff.
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
$
and geo-referenced spatial data. Attribute data was
SLUM UPGRADING
144,000
HOUSING AND
$
of service delivery. Other application of the System’s database
in Hargeisa include commercial license revenue collection
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
LAND ADMINISTRATION FOR
AND GOVERNANCE
NEIGHBOURHOOD REDEVELOPMENT
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Neighbourhood redevelopment and slum affordable and meet the land and property
upgrading programmes presuppose instituting realities of slums. They are innovative in that
suitable land administration infrastructure to they can be implemented, operated and
clarify and record land and property rights. maintained using their own capacities.
SLUM UPGRADING
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Evidence shows that this has not been
easy, mainly due to the land administration The objective of this model project is to
needs of informal settlements and the improve security of tenure, especially
”
inappropriateness of traditional approaches in informal settlements, through the
Cities can circumvent these to deal with the issue. Conventional land implementation of innovative land
long-standing challenges administration tools are far from adequate in administration solutions, in line with UN-
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
costs are prohibitive. centred tools to collect land and property
information quickly and in a participatory
Cities can circumvent these long-standing manner, and the processing and
challenges by employing alternative solutions management of information on a computer
that the global land community has started platform with land information systems
to deploy. These emerging solutions are flexible enough to handle the information.
property outside the formal records may have citizens to formal land and property systems.
AND DESIGN
”
to be introduced.
Conventional land Local ownership of the project and
administration tools are Expected results of this project are a empowerment of stakeholders, through a
far from adequate in meeting the strengthened local government capacity to series of capacity development activities, are
needs of informal settlements where clarify and record land and property rights crucial to achieving results. In addition, law
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
in informal settlements, improved land and reforms that accords recognition to new ways
property framework to undertake slum of recording land and property rights in slums
upgrading programmes, more secure access to could be vitally important.
AND DESIGN
Slum Dwellers
Recognizing the diversity of land rights, a critical step is to and analysis of data collected.. After barely three hours of
find ways to record them and to capture commonly neglected training, Mbale slum dwellers successfully interacted with
forms of tenure. As a response to this need, UN-Habitat - in the Social Tenure Domain Model. Slum communities are using
ECONOMY
URBAN
UN-Habitat and Slum Dwellers International have jointly co-finance from Cities Alliance and UN-Habitat - the project
implemented the Social Tenure Domain Model in the has capacitated slum communities to start transforming their
Municipality of Mbale in Uganda. The effort was part of future and livelihoods on their own. With affordable land
URBAN BASIC
the Government’s existing project initiative: Transforming the tools such as the Social Tenure Demain Model and appropriate
SERVICES
Settlements of the Urban Poor in Uganda. training, slum communities can build their own land records and
information system to shape their future. The project is expected
The project included field data collection, data entry into to be scaled-up in other Ugandan cities and in other countries in
the Social Tenure Domain Model software, as well as testing the next phase of activities.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
UN-Habitat - in collaboration with the International Federation
of Surveyors, Netherlands University of Twente and the World
Bank - has developed the Social Tenure Domain Model, which
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UN-Habitat: Catalogue of Model Projects | 2012/13 URBAN RESEARCH AND
65
2.7
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
Land systems often exclude or fail to promote separation) or when conflicts and disasters
and protect the rights of women and youth. disrupt normal communal life.
SLUM UPGRADING
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”
male relatives. In many countries, discriminatory and youth. The interventions will include
Young people access land laws block women’s access to land and advocacy and outreach activities that
and property through their property. Where the laws are progressive, lack of sensitize decision-makers and urban actors
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
parents. However, these rights are enforcement and obsolete practices discourage to the challenges and need to make urgent
lost in cases of domestic transitions the realization of these rights. interventions; and capacity development
(for example. parents’ separation) or to equip change agents with skills and
when conflicts and disasters disrupt Likewise, youth constitute the majority of the knowledge, including tools to evaluate
normal communal life. population in most cities. Yet, their access whether land interventions respond to the
to land is often limited due to disruptions in needs of women and youth. The project will
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
intergenerational equities often caused by deal with land issues from a viewpoint of
scarcity and inequitable distribution of land shelter, livelihoods and public space (leisure
and weak institutions. Young people access and sport) which have been identified as
land and property through their parents. crucial areas for youth in particular.
However, these rights are lost in cases of
domestic transitions (for example. parents’
URBAN PLANNING
experience in evaluating land interventions
AND DESIGN
with a gender lens in Brazil, Ghana, Nepal
and Uganda, as well as draw on knowledge
emerging through the Global Land Tool
Network’s ongoing work on youth and land.
ECONOMY
URBAN
dissemination of good practices. Other potential
services include knowledge sharing and peer-
to-peer exchange championed by grassroots
URBAN BASIC
groups; gender evaluation criteria; and capacity
SERVICES
development programmes.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
cohesion among city residents through secure © SPARC
and equitable access to land; improved
awareness on exclusion of vulnerable groups
and how land and property interventions can be Despite representing the population majority,
used to remedy the situation; and strengthened
capacity of government (country and/or city) women and youth are allocated limited rights,
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
non-governmental as well as professional and
grassroots organizations. Where possible,
linking land and property with livelihood
options or jobs might produce a snowball
effect in terms of achieving results.
Gender dimensions are not routinely captured in assessments A local committee has been established to oversee the
in the land sector. In response to the lack of evidence-based regularization process. Espaço Feminsita has a seat on
information on gender disparities in land interventions the this committee and plays a critical role in its deliberations.
Gender Evaluation Criteria was developed in 2007 by several The committee has used the gender evaluation criteria as
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
Global Land Tool Network partners, notably the Huairou a checklist prior to commencing work and throughout the
Commission, the International Federation of Surveyors, the process. By using a gendered approach, the local committee
University of East London and UN-Habitat. is ensuring that women and men are social agents in the
regularization process as well as being beneficiaries. This will,
With support from UN-Habitat and the Huairou Commission, amongst other advantages, prevent private contractors from
Espaço Feminsita, a feminist non-governmental organization discriminating against women in the titling process, assuming
in Recife, Brazil, has since 2009 been utilizing the gender that the as head of household men should obtain the title in
ECONOMY
URBAN
evaluation criteria as an advocacy tool in its effort to secure their names. Women’s groups will also lead when mediating and
tenure for the communities of Ponto de Maduro, a large solving conflict likely to arise in any land regularization effort.
informal settlement and home to over 8,000 low-income
URBAN BASIC
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
SOLUTIONS TOWARDS AN
INCLUSIVE CITY
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Diversity in contemporary urban societies not handled properly at the local level. Often,
is considered to be a strong asset. It can these differences are exploited for political ends
be a powerful basis for promoting urban when they become a source of conflict at times
sustainable development. As urban centres of tension and crisis. There are cities, however,
SLUM UPGRADING
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become more cosmopolitan a number of which have used these diversities creatively. Such
smart cities have recognized the potential of cities have been able to do so by projecting
diversity while also fostering social inclusion. the positive features of diversity to attract
”
Indeed, there is a positive relationship between investments, promote innovations, and propel
As urban centres become cultural diversity, innovation and creativity, cultural and economic vibrancy.
more cosmopolitan a number on one hand, and, on the other, the pace
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
the same time, harnessing and valorizing the
The harmonious coexistence of multiple social uniqueness of each. The project will promote
groups within urban settings needs to be the recognition of distinct identities while
nurtured and developed. Differences of culture, fostering the strength of the city as a collective.
places of origin, race, ethnicity, religion and Each social group will be made part of the whole
language can pose a major challenge when through policies, strategies and implementing
the city. Specific entry points will be identified intervention include robust systems for
AND DESIGN
and action plans developed for a gradual and peaceful coexistence; instruments for
incremental execution of the project. measuring progress in social inclusiveness; and
developed capacities for conflict mediation
UN-Habitat has developed a number of tools and resolution. Others are effective institutions
and strategies on promoting social inclusion. and process to deliver inclusive public policies;
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
Through its partnership with other United mechanisms for equitable allocation of
Nations agencies, UN-Habitat has developed opportunities among all social groups; linkage
robust expertise in working within settings to global networks of exchange of good
characterized by diversity. experiences; as well as dynamic city branding
capitalizing on social inclusiveness.
social groups within urban settings this project are rapid urban social and cultural
inclusion assessment; residential mapping;
needs to be nurtured and developed. information and communication technology-
AND DESIGN
Youth, Women in Rio de Janeiro’s Favelas
An example of mainstreaming social inclusion in a given Since 2011, UN-Habitat, together with the Instituto Pereira
policy has been available in Brazil since 2011 with the peace Passos and the State, has been implementing the social aspect
programme in the State of Rio de Janeiro, known by its of the UPP initiative and supporting the local government
ECONOMY
URBAN
2011
is local development – social (education, health, culture, and
sport), economic (employment, income, entrepreneurship, and
business creation), and environmental (open space preservation,
URBAN BASIC
parks, squares, quality of life). Whilst attending to security
SERVICES
concerns, the project aim is to build a “unique city fabric”.
SLUM UPGRADING
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positive about the UPP programme but look forward to its
The year since which UN-Habitat, together with the continuation after the 2016 Olympics.
Instituto Pereira Passos and the State, has been
implementing the social aspect of the UPP initiative
and supporting the local government in providing
citizenship and capacity-building for youth and women.
AND INSTITUTIONS
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
management systems at the local level. by good local institutions, designed according
When operations among communities and to local needs and to financial possibilities.
neighbourhoods, the private and public sectors The prevalence of appropriate checks and
”
fail to harness the full potential of each, then balances, with clear protocols, underline a
When operations among the overall functioning of the city suffers. sound management system.
communities and Similarly, when relations between local authority
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
neighbourhoods, the private and and other key stakeholders are lacking in The objective of this model project is to
public sectors fail to harness the full participation, accountability, transparency as well support local authorities to design and reform
potential of each, then the overall as overall civic engagement, the city will fail to urban institutions, systems and procedures
functioning of the city suffers. function optimally. so that they can deliver better basic services,
operate with an efficient management system
In terms of the everyday functioning of and are sufficiently resilient to overcome
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
ECONOMY
URBAN
Urban Governance Index; the Participatory
Budgeting Toolkit; the Transparency in Local
Governance Toolkit and the Urban Legal
URBAN BASIC
Framework Unpacking Tool. Cities working
SERVICES
in this project get appropriate strategies for
the identification of institutional strengths
and weakness, according to structural local
and national strategies to develop procedures
SLUM UPGRADING
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and process on basic services, by-law
revision, plan for resilience of institutions
under stress (economic crisis, social unrest,
conflict, climate change, resource shortage,
organized crime, etc.), training and capacity-
building as well as a road map for the UN-Habitat has at its disposal a number of global and
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
decisions, with transparency and efficacy, and
supported by civil society organizations as well
as by public-private-partnerships.
24
The Urban Governance Index that UN-Habitat has developed
is one of the tools on hand to assist cities in improving local
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
apply the Index and it was applied in Ulaanbaatar. The the Urban Governance Index (developed by
Urban Governance Index was integrated into new initiatives UN-Habitat) has been field tested.
implemented in the city, including a Cities Alliance funded
project on Ger Area upgrading, as a tool to monitor the quality
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
SOUND METROPOLITAN
AND GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Metropolitan coordination mechanisms are for the youth. These areas also offer few
becoming a key feature of urbanization basic services and are prone to failure in
in developed and developing countries. fully mobilizing local assets and competitive
A majority of the world’s big cities are advantages. They also suffer from a prevalence
SLUM UPGRADING
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constituted by composite municipalities of insecurity and a lack of proper coordination
coexisting with other types of authorities. among the multiplicity of existing authorities.
”
Demographic growth, spatial expansion,
Enormous problems of economic differentiation, social complexity, The objective of this model project for
poverty and inequality still cultural diversity and the need to overcome a given metropolitan area is to reorient
exist in many metropolitan areas, impediments of a multiplicity of institutions governance from its current institutional
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
Enormous problems of poverty and inequality metropolis as a whole. The constituents of the
still exist in many metropolitan areas, traffic strategy are legislations, institutional relations,
congestion is rampant, environmental management systems, and horizontal as well
contamination is common, including higher as vertical political relations. The project is
emission of greenhouse gases. Many such informed by the diverse range of expertise UN-
areas lack job opportunities, particularly Habitat has, the cutting edge it has developed
agencies that are working on aspects of plan for streamlining institutional relations; an
AND DESIGN
AND DESIGN
State and its Metropolises
UN-Habitat has recently joined efforts with Metropolis (the The aim of this joint initiative is to study the realities of
World Association of Major Metropolises) and the State of metropolitan governance in a number of urban agglomerations
São Paulo in Brazil to strengthen governance mechanisms in and raise the metropolitan agenda through sound multi-
ECONOMY
URBAN
flows and relations that assemble 173 cities with intense partners seek to deal with metropolitan challenges and support
functional integration. These cities are in a 200-km radius the achievement of economically qualified metropolises which
from the city of São Paulo and shelter 30 million people, can combine regional development and inclusive urbanization
URBAN BASIC
generating 82.5 per cent of the State’s gross domestic with equal access to opportunities for all.
SERVICES
product and more than a quarter of Brazil’s gross domestic
product. At the same time, the steady growth of the favelas
remains a challenge.
SLUM UPGRADING
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Given the rapid urbanization, the internalization of the economic
development and the population sprawl, the Metropolitan
Region of São Paulo has created a network of flows and relations
that assemble 173 cities with intense functional integration.
contributes to the degree to which one is linked to urban planning, governance and
enjoys full rights and privileges of a city, the reduction of vulnerabilities. It integrates
and in the process materializes citizenship. the fostering of urban safety into the
Effective safety enhances investments, valorizes everyday functioning of the city in terms of
SLUM UPGRADING
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20
product of normative ascription, the totality budgeting systems as well social and
of law reinforcement measures, preventive
”
mechanisms and social cohesion and urban
Unfortunately, very often safety also contributes to urban governance.
countries and cities focus
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
URBAN PLANNING
city. The objective is to help local authorities
AND DESIGN
in mainstreaming crime prevention across
the local and urban development agenda.
The ultimate result of the project is to improve safety
This can be done by urban planning and
neighbourhood upscaling, urban governance in the city, creating investment confidence as well as
and urban social cohesion. It entails the
AND GOVERNANCE
development of a policy framework that
pulls together a combination of tools
and services to formulate and implement
effective policies on prevention of crime and
violence in cities and to mainstream them
into urban development agendas.
ECONOMY
Johor Bahru.
URBAN
© UN-Habitat/Alessandro Scotti
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
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REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
UN-Habitat: Catalogue of Model Projects | 2012/13 URBAN RESEARCH AND
79
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AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
SLUM UPGRADING
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adopt more holistic and participatory solutions decision-making, programme design and
to crime prevention. implementation, as well as outcome and
impact analysis.
The ultimate result of the project is to
improve safety in the city, creating investment Local authorities and central governments
confidence as well as the reduction of crime- interested in applying UN-Habitat policies
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
related vulnerabilities. To obtain this result, for Safer Cities can benefit from coaching
UN-Habitat will deploy a comprehensive Safer and assisting through a network of
Cities Toolbox which includes situation analysis more than 50 internationally recognized
and diagnosis, participatory techniques, institutional partners, establishing city-to-
community policing, management of public city cooperation projects, formulating and
spaces, conflict resolution, institutional fundraising prevention project.
AND DESIGN
Women and Girls’ Safety
UN-Habitat’s Safer Cities Programme has partnered with The actions taken contributed to an outreach of 2,355
Jagori, a Delhi-based women’s resource centre to support a households; increased mobility of young girls and women and
youth and girls safety project in a resettlement area of New ability to confront issues of harassment on the streets; active
ECONOMY
URBAN
mindsets. The project was inspired by work that UN-Habitat police and the municipality
has conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Durban, South
Africa; and Nairobi, Kenya. The project is now reaching out to more households and other
URBAN BASIC
communities. The model established is going to be replicated
SERVICES
Jagori implemented the project with boys and girls in in other urban areas of India. There is interest from Mumbai
reclaiming public spaces for recreation, theatre and sports. to adopt the approach but funding has not been forthcoming.
It also advocated and raised awareness for girls’ safety by The model has also fed into several policy dialogues and
developing and disseminating community radio and theatre advocacy initiatives held with the Delhi State Government for
SLUM UPGRADING
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and photography. Other project partners involved were civil improved gender-sensitive infrastructure and programme. The
society organizations, women’s groups, youth leaders and State Government is now taking this forward in the citywide
government officials. framework for women and girls’ safety, which has been
developed. During focus group discussions, almost all of the
parents said their daughters were more confident and able to
move around alone.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
which entails starting early with changing mindsets.
the city will be a better place for its residents to live and work,
and for domestic and international investors to invest.
© UN-Habitat/Alessandro Scotti
83
3.1
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
The fundamental problem of municipal finance attractive to the private sector, privatization
URBAN BASIC
funds. Many cities and towns are seriously income from issuing of permits to business
under-resourced to meet an ever-growing operators, forming public-private partnerships,
demand for basic services, new infrastructure privatization of the provision of municipal
and maintenance. Revenues generated by services and obtaining grants from multilateral
SLUM UPGRADING
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municipal authorities are often insufficient financial institutions and development partners.
to meet the growing municipal expenditure
needs. For that reason municipal authorities UN-Habitat has the necessary expertise in
”
need to develop innovative mechanisms to knowledge and tool development. It can
Revenues generated by generate more revenue. Value capture is one also provide advisory, technical and capacity-
municipal authorities are of the popular tools used by many cities in building support to municipal authorities
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
often insufficient to meet the growing developed countries to raise revenue and in this area and deal with the financial
municipal expenditure needs. reap the benefits of urbanization. However, relationships between different layers of
this tool is hardly being used by the urban government.
authorities in developing countries.
URBAN PLANNING
this project by disposal, among others. As a result, the city
AND DESIGN
will be a better place for its residents to live
(a) evaluating existing revenue-generating and work, and for domestic and international
mechanisms currently used and investors to invest. The key mechanisms for
documenting best practices; achieving these results will include evidence-
(b) identifying innovative revenue-generating based assessment, revenue generation
ECONOMY
URBAN
new mechanisms, by helping them build
partnerships and by sharing best practices.
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Any municipal authority utilizing this service
will benefit from it in many ways, one of
which will be to generate more revenue for
this kind of activity. With this capability, the
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municipal authority will be able to provide
better infrastructure, utilities and services
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
urbanization.
Since 2001, UN-Habitat has been contributing to building UN-Habitat and the ministries of Interior and of Finance
and strengthening financial management systems at the as well as local government finance departments produced
local government level in Somalia. Starting with one district guidelines for municipal finance policy development in
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
in Somaliland under the Berbera Technical and Institutional Somaliland and Puntland. The local consultation process
Assistance Programme, the current phase of the intervention, on the guidelines has resulted in increased awareness of
a part of the United Nations Joint Programme on Local municipal finance and service delivery among a broad range
Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery, covers nine of stakeholders. A first step in this is the preparation of draft
districts in Somaliland and four in Puntland. ministerial decrees on service-based budgeting and accounting, as
well as on the official adoption of automated systems for financial
The objectives of this intervention are to management and reporting for local governments in Somaliland.
ECONOMY
URBAN
delivery; and
(d) enhance the provision of local services, either directly by organization Terre Solidali,
assisting the district administration or through public–
private partnerships.
UN-Habitat has installed
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URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
TURNING LOCAL ASSETS INTO
ECONOMIC DRIVERS
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Cities face constant pressure to be competitive The objective of this model project is to equip
and attractive to investors and talent. local governments of secondary cities with
Unemployment is a major challenge. In sub- tools and knowledge to better understand
Saharan Africa and South Asia, more than and exploit their local assets and urban
SLUM UPGRADING
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70 per cent of the labour force is vulnerable. development opportunities for growth, jobs
Youth unemployment is a particular concern. and increased tax revenue.
”
Youth are more than thrice as likely as adults
UN-Habitat’s approach to to be unemployed. The situation, responses Services offered by this model project include
local economic development and success vary among cities. Some cities technical and policy advice to help cities
planning process combines “know cease to reap economies of scale early in take stock of local assets, understanding the
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
and national economies are missing. However, doable, innovative and inclusive strategies such
there are also many success stories, including in as: skills development, job matching, “buy
the developing world, where cities reinvent and local” campaigns; density bonus for creative
diversify their economies primarily utilizing their development projects; business park and
own resources and capture a niche in the global cluster development, business and job fairs;
supply chain of goods and services. placemaking and urban design; value creation
and expansion projects; and creative and key technical, political, business and social
AND DESIGN
efficient use of physical, natural and cultural forces will be set up. Peer learning will be used
assets; and benchmarking. to inspire, critique and refine local economic
development visions and plans.
Results of this project include an action
plan centred on local assets and economic
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND DESIGN
Opportunities to Drive its Economy
The small Romanian town of Horezu experienced With the support of the UN-Habitat tools, the Horezu
socioeconomic distress and high unemployment following the Socioeconomic Development Strategic Plan was developed. In
restructuring and privatization of state-owned food, wood, 2007, the Foundation conducted an impact evaluation study
ECONOMY
URBAN
leaders in Horezu – a stakeholder-based strategic planning of the project, has continued to support Horezu and the region in
effort was initiated in 2004 to resolve local economic project development, resource mobilization and implementation.
development problems.
5,000
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
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The approximate number of employees and their households
that were affected by the closure of a large wood and
furniture industry in Horezu
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Well-planned and designed cities can for managing urban economic growth. The
generate higher levels of societal well- strategy will focus on optimizing economies
being, global economic growth and foster of agglomeration and urbanization to
sustainable development. In the absence create value and wealth; enhancing
SLUM UPGRADING
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”
absorb the flow of migrants in a productive endogenous growth factors and to improve
UN-Habitat is working way. As a result, the informal economy and policies, planning, resource allocation,
with United States and settlements are springing up in urban areas service delivery, livelihood and governance. It
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
South African partners to develop of many developing countries. In view of will also provide strategies to promote social
a guide on a comprehensive urban this, the need for a holistic urban economic inclusiveness and equity and to promote the
economic development strategy. development strategy is especially acute human rights approach to urban economic
in large and medium-sized cities in Africa, development, and design investment and
Latin America and Asia. Many cities of financing strategies for urban economic
developing countries have been unable development.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
banks; the private sector; professional paradigm shift in urban economic
AND DESIGN
bodies and local communities. UN-Habitat development. Cities should move away from
is working with United States and South piecemeal and chaotic development patterns
African partners to develop a guide and adopt a holistic development approach,
on a comprehensive urban economic guided by comprehensive urban economic
development strategy. UN-Habitat is development strategies. They should also In the absence of a
AND GOVERNANCE
also working with South Africans to have improved assets and increased economic
develop tools to promote urban economic productivity, urban competitiveness, social
development paradigm shifts. inclusiveness and cohesion. urban economic
development strategy,
urbanization is taking
ECONOMY
place haphazardly
URBAN
and cities are unable
to absorb the flow
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
of migrants in a
productive way.
SLUM UPGRADING
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RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
Porters carrying loads of second-hand
European goods down the hill from the border
checkpoint between Morocco and Spain.
© UN-Habitat/Alessandro Scotti
Development Strategy
Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province and the The Strategy focused on the city’s following development
largest economic centre in northeast China. It is a national problems:
demonstration city for comprehensive industrial modernization.
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
It has extensive air, rail and road connections to major Chinese (a) insufficient employment opportunities, high-level of poverty,
cities and is the region’s business, education, finance and low-level of entrepreneurship and weak social security;
manufacturing centre. (b) inadequate infrastructure, serious urban environmental
pollution, insufficient water sources and energy supply,
The major objective of Shenyang City Development Strategy irrational use of land and poor living conditions; low
was to provide it with a comprehensive urban economic productivity and great need for industrial upgrading;
development plan. The Strategy assisted the Shenyang (c) weak market mechanisms and lack of new competitive
ECONOMY
URBAN
of urban development programmes. UN-Habitat was the different sectors: Shenyang Municipal Government, Liaoning
SERVICES
initiator and facilitator of the project, which started in 1999 Provincial Government, national development agencies as well
and ended in 2001 as the private sector and civil society partners.
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
AND GOVERNANCE
FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOOD ECONOMIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Livelihoods mean more than an income; they The objective of this model project is to
comprise assets, activities and capabilities provide advisory, technical and capacity-
needed for a means of living. building support to urban local authorities
and local communities, and so help the
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
In cities, most of the poor are either urban poor to make their livelihood strategies
unemployed or underemployed and are more sustainable. The project will build
”
unable to afford even basic goods and services on UN-Habitat’s experience in setting up
Those who work in the and decent housing. Those who work in the One-stop Youth Resource Centres in Kigali
urban informal sector earn urban informal sector earn low incomes, (Rwanda), Kampala (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya)
low incomes, face insecure working face insecure working conditions, lack labour and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); promoting
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
their rural counterparts. Cities are also more community infrastructure in Mogadishu,
culturally diverse and socially fragmented, Somalia. It will also provide technical aid to
less safe and have high-income disparities. local government units and the urban poor
More importantly, it is the poor who face the communities to develop shelter upgrading
greatest vulnerability during post-disaster and plans for capital investment financing in
post-conflict situations. some key cities outside Metro Manila, the
assistance for internally displaced persons improved capacity of urban local authorities
AND DESIGN
”
in Afghanistan; and promote sustainable and local communities for developing
livelihood generation as a strategic entry point livelihood strategies for internally displaced In cities, most of the poor
for slum upgrading and urban renewal in persons and conflict-affected communities; are either unemployed or
low-income municipalities in San Salvador, El improved vocational skills and entrepreneurial underemployed and are unable to
Salvador. capabilities of the youth; and an improved afford even basic goods and services
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND DESIGN
Urban Livelihoods in El Salvador
In the low-income municipalities of Apopa and Santa Tecla the housing construction process. As a result, a comprehensive
in the metropolitan area of San Salvador, UN-Habitat has training and credit programme has been developed with the
developed and implemented the “Sustainable Urban Productive private sector. This programme has provided income-generating
ECONOMY
URBAN
In addition, in the development of this project, legislative and
Based on a bottom-up, participatory and multi-actor approach, institutional requirements to be tackled were identified. The
the project has focused on a value chain analysis of the slum project team made it easier for legislative changes and reforms
URBAN BASIC
improvement and the urban renewal process. The project to be made to overcome some of the shortcomings in the
SERVICES
has identified legal constraints, financial opportunities and evolution of the local initiatives.
institutional limitations to income generation at each step of
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HOUSING AND
opportunities for community credit facilitators, homebuilders
and actors of the community-based materials supply chain.
Globally, 85 per cent of the world’s young UN-Habitat recognizes the role of youth as
URBAN BASIC
people live in developing countries and an a major force for a better world. Through
SERVICES
ever-increasing number of them are growing the youth-led “laboratory” projects such
up in cities. For instance, in many African cities as the UN-Habitat Urban Youth Fund, the
at least 70 per cent of residents are under agency is increasing opportunities for the
30 years old. These youth are a potential urban young in developing countries to
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goldmine of innovation and wealth creation. improve living conditions for themselves
Similarly, if not harnessed, they could turn and their communities. Specifically, the
their energies to crime. All over the world, Fund makes grants and provides capacity-
”
young people are finding it increasingly building to urban youth-led organizations
UN-Habitat is working difficult to break into the labour market. for community projects which contribute
with United States and Youth make up 25 per cent of the global to sustainable urbanization and economic
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
South African partners to develop working-age population but account for 43.7 prosperity. The Fund supports over 200
a guide on a comprehensive urban per cent of the unemployed. This means that youth-led projects in at least 50 countries
economic development strategy. almost every other jobless person in the world in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Fund
is between the ages of 15 and 24. has, so far, been able to open a funding
window in Zanzibar and is working with the
Action is required to achieve economic governments of Nigeria and Mauritania to
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
and, consequently, contribute towards overall groups then receive intensive training in project
AND DESIGN
national development. management, including financial management
and monitoring and evaluation in order to
Results expected from the project are an ensure successful project implementation.
increased capacity of youth-led organizations
to initiate and manage projects, including Action is required to
ECONOMY
URBAN
is received, UN-Habitat facilitates the setting
up of an Urban Youth Fund at the national or
city level as well as the transparent selection
A One Stop Center in Kigali, Rwanda.
URBAN BASIC
© UN-Habitat/Julius Mwelu
SERVICES
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REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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URBAN PLANNING
One of the greatest challenges facing Zanzibar is the creation Centre has been funded for the 2011-2012 granting cycle to
of employment for the youth and enhancing their skills. In contribute to poverty reduction by providing job skills training
Zanzibar, youth are estimated to make up 36 per cent of the total to disadvantaged youth who wish to become self-employed.
population and approximately 23 per cent of the unemployed. The project is on track to provide training in carpentry,
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
Job creation in the formal sector has grown only marginally metalwork, building and construction, electronics, catering and
since 2000, resulting in unemployment and underemployment, housekeeping for 50 youth including those living with HIV/
particularly among the youth and secondary school graduates. AIDS. Though small in relation to the scope of the problem,
the purpose of this Window is to demonstrate the capacity of
In early 2010, the Government of Zanzibar, in partnership youth and youth-led agencies in Zanzibar, and act as a catalyst
with the Royal Norwegian Embassy and UN-Habitat, moved for other such programmes and interventions.
to tackle the challenges faced by the youth by opening the
ECONOMY
URBAN
Zanzibar Funding Window within the Urban Youth Fund. The Zanzibar Window is an example of how UN-Habitat is
creating innovative ways to engage governments and other
This Zanzibar Window provided USD 100,000 to support potential fund supporters. These windows allow for more
URBAN BASIC
youth-led projects on the Tanzanian island. Six projects were targeted funding on a local and regional level. UN-Habitat is
SERVICES
selected which focus on skills training for disadvantaged youth in talks with governments to establish similar windows in the
living with HIV/AIDS. Training is also given on entrepreneurship Middle East, Mauritius and Nigeria, as well as with civil society
and waste management. For example, the Mshikamano Youth groups such as the Rotary Club of Kenya.
100,000
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HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
“ONE-STOP MODEL” FOR URBAN
AND GOVERNANCE
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Though youth are vital to the prosperity and social life of the city. These programmes
of cities in the developing world, they assist youth to become leaders in their
still face many barriers — most notably communities and to lead healthy and
underemployment and unemployment and productive lives.
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HOUSING AND
a lack of access to basic services such as
healthcare and education — preventing Over the past nine years, UN-Habitat has
”
them from reaching their potential. Over 40 established, together with its partners, One-
UN-Habitat has developed per cent of all those without work are young stop Centres in five African cities with plans
an Urban Youth Centre people, and levels of unemployment tend to to expand to Asia and Latin America. Each
Training Manual series that be two to three times higher for this group One-stop is unique in the programmes it
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
to overcome these barriers through the
development of programmes that achieve UN-Habitat is able to provide support in
three key objectives: improve youths’ establishing the One-stop through the
livelihoods by increasing their employability; following services: identification and
decreasing their vulnerabilities; and convening of programmatic and financial
integrating them fully into the economic partners; undertaking of an assessment
provision of technical aid in the construction partners, One-stop Centres in five African cities
of the One-stop and training of staff in their
operation. UN-Habitat has developed an Urban
with plans to expand to Asia and Latin America.
Youth Centre Training Manual series that
outlines ways to establish and maintain the
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
AND DESIGN
Rwanda
Rwanda has one of the world’s youngest populations, with and information in employment, healthy lifestyles, civic
three-quarters of it being under 30 years of age; in Kigali, education and information communications technology.
two-thirds of the residents are youth. Over 1 million youth Since its inception, the Centre has trained 420 youth in
ECONOMY
URBAN
of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Rwandan National Youth and improve the livelihoods of youth. One example of
Council and UN-Habitat. UN-Habitat worked with these this in Kimisagara is their provision of space, training and
partners to develop the Centre’s work plan, and continues to technical support to the Rwanda Youth Alliance for Climate
URBAN BASIC
provide training of youth and youth workers. Actions, a coalition of 40 youth-led environmental initiatives
SERVICES
and organizations. The Ministry of Youth and Information
The Centre’s mission is to provide Kigali youth with Communications is planning to replicate the One-stop Model
opportunities to improve their livelihoods. The Centre in 450 locations including at district and sector levels across
serves an average of 1,000 youth per day through training the country through the YEGO strategy.
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HOUSING AND
KIMISAGARA ONE-STOP YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
AND PRODUCTIVE CENTRE
1,800
Number of youths
Trained on
REHABILITATION
Trained on
Internet technologies
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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101
3.7
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
OF YOUTH IN CITIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Never have so many young people around the Some of the greatest challenges facing cities
world been so healthy and literate, but the is generating data on the challenges youth
opportunities attached to the unprecedented encounter, including access to basic services
prosperity of cities keep eluding too many of such as education, sanitation and housing;
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
them. Youth often grow up in poverty and underemployment and unemployment; and
are excluded from the economic, political exclusion from decision-making. Without
and social life of their countries. In turn, this this data, city officials are unable to develop
”
breeds disillusionment and hopelessness and strategies, easily, that attend to this
Youth often grow up in upheaval. Indeed, much research has been exclusion. For example, without local labour
poverty and are excluded done on youth violence in the developing market information, it is difficult to plan
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
from the economic, political and world, especially in the Middle East and North effective employment training interventions
social life of their countries. Africa. This research has found links between to reduce unemployment.
youth unemployment and social exclusion, and
suggests that this may lead to political and
social instability, possibly violence. Yet violence
has not always been the last refuge, with
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
with city, national governments, or both, to its Urban Youth Research Network (a global
AND DESIGN
network of urban youth experts), UN-Habitat
(a) develop and implement a research is able to provide a range of research and
programme that allows the city to better strategic planning services. The project offers
understand the challenges faced and the following specific services:
the benefits provided by their youth
ECONOMY
URBAN
encompassing skills development, job
creation, sports and recreation.
Uberlandia, Brazil.
© UN-Habitat/Alessandro Scotti
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
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HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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AND DESIGN
AND DESIGN
UN-Habitat is one of the pre-eminent international agencies The World Urban Forum Dialogue series on Urban Youth is a
working on urban youth policy, research and programming. biannual publication, launched at the World Urban Forum,
Through its Urban Youth Research Network (a linkage of which highlights cutting edge research on urban youth
15 pre-eminent research agencies focusing on urban youth issues. The 2010 version launched in Rio de Janeiro focused
One of UN-Habitat’s flagship reports, the State of Urban Youth, UN-Habitat provides researcher services to cities in regards to
ECONOMY
URBAN
is launched biannually as part of the State of the World Cities policy and programming, bringing its networks and extensive
report. The State of the Urban Youth 2010-2011 edition reports experience to produce high-quality products tailored to the
that fairness is a major determinant of equal opportunity. It needs of cities.
URBAN BASIC
also says that the “right to the city” is more effective for those
SERVICES
who have access to services and education early in life. The
2012-2013 edition will focus on the role of youth in creating
prosperity within cities.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
The World Urban Forum Dialogue series on Urban Youth is a
biannual publication, launched at the World Urban Forum,
which highlights cutting edge research on urban youth issues.
107
4.1
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
The provision of water in cities has not kept for Cities” programmes in Africa, Asia, Latin
pace with high demand created by rapid urban America and the Caribbean, and the Mekong
population growth and increased economic and Lake Victoria water and sanitation
activity, especially in the developing countries. initiatives targeting small towns. The project
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
”
Organization and the United Nations Children’s urban slum population.
As centres of economic Fund Joint Monitoring Programme report, the
activity, where the number of urban dwellers without access to Services offered under the project will comprise
workforce, industry and institutions improved water supply had increased by nearly
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
are concentrated, cities offer 13 million between 2000 and 2008. As centres (a) technical, socioeconomic and environmental
opportunities for more efficient of economic activity, where the workforce, assessments;
and cost-effective delivery of water industry and institutions are concentrated, (b) development of investment plans;
supply services. cities offer opportunities for more efficient and (c) assistance in project design;
cost-effective delivery of water supply services. (d) institutional support and capacity-building;
The objective of this model project is to improve (e) development of innovative financing
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
access to urban water supply services in order to mechanisms, including private sector
build productive, healthy and liveable cities. support and partnership with financing
institutions; and
The project will draw from UN-Habitat’s (f) policy advice on tariff setting and better
expertise in supporting cities to improve their targeting of the urban poor.
water supply services through the “Water
URBAN PLANNING
and technical capacity for efficient and
AND DESIGN
sustainable provision of water supply services
resulting in vibrant industrial and service
sectors, improved health and well-being of city
residents and environmental sustainability.
ECONOMY
URBAN
ownership and sustainable management of
13
water supply services.
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
The approximate increase (in millions) of
REHABILITATION
urban dwellers without access to improved
water supply between 2000 and 2008.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
Girl gathers drinking water
from a community water pipe
© Dominic Sansoni/World Bank
Economic Growth Corridors of the Mekong The first fast-track project was rolled out at the end of 2005
Region and early in 2006 in Xieng Ngeun, the Lao People’s Democratic
Republic. These fast-track projects have demonstrated how
The rapid urbanization in the Greater Mekong Subregion has using participatory and community-based approaches, and with
far outstripped the extension of water supply and sanitation relatively small investments, access to water and sanitation can
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
services. 72 per cent of the total population of the Mekong be improved in 12 to 18 months.
region still lack access to either water or sanitation, or both.
With the increasing demands from the governments to meet
The Mekong Region Water and Sanitation Initiative programme targets of the Millennium Development Goals, further request
was initiated in 2005 in response to the governments of for scaling up the project has been made. Therefore, UN-
Cambodia, China (on behalf of Yunnan Province), Lao People’s Habitat is looking towards implementing the roll-out of Phase
Democratic Republic and Vietnam requests. The initiative 2, covering 23 towns and providing around 400,000 people
ECONOMY
URBAN
assists countries to attain their water and sanitation-related with either improved water or sanitation, or both.
Millennium Development Goals. The initiative is to be
2005
completed in 2015 with nearly 1.08 million people benefitting
URBAN BASIC
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
PROVIDING BASIC SANITATION
AND GOVERNANCE
SERVICES IN CITIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
The world will miss the sanitation target by programmes in Africa, Asia, Latin America and
SERVICES
more than half a billion people if the current the Caribbean, as well as the Mekong and Lake
trend persists . Between 2000 and 2008, the Victoria water and sanitation initiatives targeting
numbers of urban dwellers lacking improved small towns. Services offered will include
sanitation had increased by about 134 million .
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HOUSING AND
(a) conducting diagnostic studies on the
Provision of basic sanitation services plays an sanitation situation and identifying future
essential part in city planning and management. needs and gaps based on current trends;
”
Without proper approaches, cities risk the (b) development of basic sanitation plans;
The project will furnish cities growth of more slums and the potential threat (c) capacity-building and awareness creation;
with practical sanitation of diseases associated with poor sanitation. (d) promotion of sanitation as a business
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
support cities in developing and implementing (f) providing cities with knowledge that would
practical city sanitation plans where on- and enable them to learn from each other.
off-site sanitation systems work together.The
project will draw on UN-Habitat’s expertise in
helping cities improve their basic sanitation
services through the “Water for Cities”
© UNICEF/NYHQ2006-1846/Estey
REHABILITATION
AND DESIGN
Innovative Approach for Water and Sanitation
Solutions for the Urban Poor
The Government of Madhya Pradesh State with financing from Through the resources and expertise from UN-Habitat and
the Asian Development Bank, is implementing the Urban Water its partners, water and sanitation facilities were provided for
ECONOMY
URBAN
environmental infrastructure deficiency matrix, which is the community where construction of household toilets was
founded on citywide poverty mapping. impossible. The initiatives resulted in significant progress in
the lives of slum communities in terms of improving access to
URBAN BASIC
At the request of State and the municipal government safe water and sanitation, adoption of hygiene practices and
SERVICES
corporations of participating cities, UN-Habitat carried out mobilizing residents for community action.
a citywide Poverty Pocket Situational Analysis in 2005-2006
along with local non-governmental organization Water Aid
”
India. The survey identified poverty pockets with significant
SLUM UPGRADING
At the request of State and the
HOUSING AND
city populations, access to piped water supply and access to
individual toilets. It also highlighted the water and sanitation municipal government corporations
problems in the communities and identified water supply of participating cities, UN-Habitat carried
sources and sanitation options required for delivering the out a citywide Poverty Pocket Situational
maximum impact in the shortest possible time. Analysis in 2005-2006 along with local
non-governmental organization Water Aid
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4.3
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
Inefficient municipal water and sanitation service Water Operators’ Partnerships as an efficient
providers are a needless burden on the public and cost-effective approach for capacity
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
purse and hinder cities from securing access to development of water and sanitation municipal
basic services for the urban poor, marring national operators through not-for-profit peer support.
efforts to achieve the water and sanitation targets
of the Millennium Development Goals. The project will draw from UN-Habitat’s
expertise in the development of the Global Water
Meeting the main capacity needs of urban Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (Global WOPs
RISK REDUCTION AND
”
REHABILITATION
utilities helps reduce the financial burden on Alliance) – in operation since 2007 - to scale
Capacity is broadly recognized local authorities and frees money that is crucially up peer-to-peer support between water and
as a principle constraint to needed for other aspects of sustainable urban sanitation operators around the world. Since its
improved utility management. development. Utilities must be efficient and foundation, the Alliance has been promoting and
financially viable if they are to provide water enabling effective WOPs for the development of
and sanitation services to the public. Utilities capacity of municipal operators.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
operators to engage in effective partnerships with in extending water and sanitation services to
AND DESIGN
water operators by assisting them in the urban poor by enhancing municipal utilities’
efficiency and access to finance.
(a) evaluating their strengths and weaknesses
through performance and process The results will be achieved through partnership
benchmarking; with national and regional platforms of WOPs to
ECONOMY
URBAN
Beneficiaries laying pipes
for a water project. Nepal.
© UN-Habitat
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
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RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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115
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for Mwanza
Mwanza, on the southern shores of Lake Victoria, is Tanzania’s One of the unique aspects of this partnership is its strong
second largest city. A flourishing centre for commerce, trade emphasis on staff participation, development and satisfaction.
and education, rapid population growth is putting intense The expected results are
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
utility’s capacity to manage performance and investments UN-Habitat’s inputs into this project were financially small but
independently and sustainably for service deliver to all. catalytic. The Global WOPs Alliance works in a similar fashion
Through the WOPs, resident and visiting staff from Dunea, with its partners around the world to mobilize the needed
a leading public operator in the Netherlands, is providing human, technical and financial resources to scale up the
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
MWAUWASA with dedicated training and expertise to implement practice of Water Operators’ Partnerships for the sustainable
management and operational improvements that will help improvement of public operator capacity.
ensure the sustainability of current investments. The WOPs is also
complementing an ongoing programme to attain International
Organization for Standardization 9001 certification, which will see
MWAUWASA recognized as a fully autonomous and financially
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
CLIMATE CHANGE
AND GOVERNANCE
ADAPTATION IN CITIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
The world is grappling with a record number areas. These combined attributes position UN-
of devastating floods, more intense storm Habitat well to deliver an integrated programme
surges in coastal areas, droughts and growing of assistance to local authorities to improve
water scarcity. The economic development systems aimed at “climate proofing” of urban
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
of cities will become increasingly difficult to infrastructure, and to ensure that climate
sustain if the impact of climate change on change adaptation becomes a key component
urban infrastructure and services such as of infrastructure design and urban planning.
”
water supply, sanitation, transport networks, Technical support will be provided to cities in
The risk is likely to be drainage and energy facilities are not
more in systems serving the adequately managed. The risk is likely to be (a) climate change vulnerability assessments;
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
UN-Habitat has extensive experience in assisting
countries deliver basic services. The agency
is focused on urban issues and its experience
in undertaking climate change vulnerability
assessments and adaptation planning in urban
climate change resilient urban infrastructure assisting countries deliver basic services. The
and services. The results will be achieved
through partnership with local governments,
agency is focused on urban issues and its
the private sector and financing institutions experience in undertaking climate change
for investment in climate change resilient
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
A water utility.
© Victor Zablotskyi/World Bank
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
AND DESIGN
(Barrios de Verdad) Programme of La Paz,
Bolivia
In 2005, the Municipality of La Paz established The Real associations, youth groups and women’s associations are
Neighbourhood Programme to improve living conditions in the involved in these events. Each neighbourhood is designing and
However, with these amenities came new problems. The The project will end in 2013 and it is expected to benefit
Municipality identified many ecological risks associated 22,000 residents. Beneficiaries are expected to change their
with the increased loss of domestic water, increased water behaviour by developing good water use habits, understand
ECONOMY
URBAN
consumption and wastewater disposal. Hillsides were at risk the impact of climate change and apply measures for
from mudslides due to poor wastewater disposal by residents adaptation to climate change with the Municipality.
2010
who maintain their old habits. The implementation of sanitary
URBAN BASIC
units in the neighbourhoods also increased the demand for
SERVICES
water, thereby causing water stress in the city. The water
sources flow is already reduced in La Paz because of the
impact of climate change in the Andean region.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
In 2010, UN-Habitat and the Municipality started a project in
42 neighbourhoods of the Programme, urging responsible use
of water and raising awareness about the impact of climate
change on the city. The Municipality is holding workshops, The year in which UN-Habitat and the Municipality
organizing neighbourhood festivals, educational tours, started a project in 42 neighbourhoods of the
training of young guides on the issues. Local neighbourhood Programme, urging responsible use of water and
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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4.5
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
Between 50 and 70 per cent of solid waste The project will benefit from UN-Habitat’s
generated in cities remain uncollected, especially expertise in supporting cities to improve
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
”
are the cause of serious urban pollution and health Victoria Water and Sanitation and solid
The entry point will be to hazards. However, with good urban planning, waste management programmes in Asia
conduct diagnostic studies governance and legislation, cleaner cities stand a and Latin America. The entry point will be
on waste management problems better chance of attracting tourism and industries. to conduct diagnostic studies on waste
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
in cites that will form the basis for management problems in cites that will
developing an integrated urban The model project will assist cities in devising form the basis for developing an integrated
waste management strategy. integrated waste management strategies urban waste management strategy. This
which aim at strategy will include policy formulation
for improved urban wastewater and solid
(a) reducing the amount of waste produced; waste management. It will also include
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
(b) promoting resource recovery through modalities for policy application and
recycling and reuse; implementation, including institutional
(c) extending the coverage of waste support, capacity-building and awareness-
collection; and raising for policymakers and the public. It
(d) disposal of the remaining unavoidable will also provide opportunities for enhanced
waste in an environmentally safe manner. financing from development banks and
URBAN PLANNING
revenue, by applying tariffs. © UN-Habitat/Julius Mwelu
AND DESIGN
The results will include increased resource
and energy recovery from wastes; increased
jobs from waste management with minimal
occupational health hazards; improved waste
ECONOMY
URBAN
(a) better collection of city-based data on
liquid and solid wastes, and resources
URBAN BASIC
contained in the waste;
SERVICES
(b) support evidence-based policy formulation
on waste management, including the
application of tariffs, eco-labelling,
occupational health, sanitary disposal,
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
service regulation;
(c) support institutional and technical capacity
of cities to collect wastes, recover
resources and energy through recycling
and reuse, and dispose residual wastes in
an environmentally sound manner;
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URBAN PLANNING
Managua, Nicaragua
USD 3,000,000
In Central America, poor solid waste management is one Current solid waste management systems can be characterized
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
of the most important environmental issues facing urban by either poorly developed or poorly enforced legal
areas. Usually it is the poorest urban residents who suffer instruments, policies and plans; and inadequate financial
most acutely from these effects, living in areas vulnerable to planning and investment, limited development and application
contamination or where municipal solid waste management of cost recovery mechanisms. In response, this programme
services are absent. focuses on normative and policy support. Some of the key
outputs include comprehensive characterization studies of
Up to 88 per cent of the regions domestic waste can be recycled, household and municipal waste; technical and financial
ECONOMY
URBAN
made into compost or processed by other waste treatment analysis of municipal waste collection, transport and disposal
technologies. However, the vast majority of municipal solid systems and modelling of alternative future scenarios; and
waste management systems are outmoded, consisting of waste sector mapping and elaboration of a strategy for waste
URBAN BASIC
improve the efficiency of the solid waste management system. the rest of Central America (namely Costa Rica, El Salvador,
The initiative developed new models and tools including Guatemala and Honduras).
a Solid Waste Management Strategic Planning Guide for
municipalities and the software, WAGS, designed to advise
municipalities on establishing tailor-made, sound and efficient
solid waste management systems.
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
SUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY
AND GOVERNANCE
PLANS AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
In many developing countries and emerging equitable access to transportation services,
economies, transport-related environmental, better economic productivity and lower
social and economic problems are growing as negative environmental impacts.
fast and uncontrolled as cities.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
As the United Nations agency for human
However, successful cities across the settlements, UN-Habitat can offer a
globe show that effective systems for comprehensive package of knowledge,
”
urban mobility are essential for achieving advocacy and technical assistance to support
To ensure realistic socioeconomic growth overall. These systems national governments and local authorities
implementation perspectives, are also vital in ensuring that the positive in the development and implementation
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
is to assist national and local governments
in the planning and investment process
necessary for establishing sustainable
mobility systems in metropolitan areas.
The aim of the process is to achieve more
countries. These impacts are strategies that are adapted to local needs and
financially and socially feasible with regard to
(a) more compact settlement patterns for travel construction, maintenance and operations.
reduction and reduced energy consumption;
(b) integrated transport policies and In the context of assisting partners towards
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
planning for better access to housing and drafting strategy documents, UN-Habitat
employment opportunities; will avail international expertise and best
(c) mobility management and intermodal practices. It will also strengthen the technical
network for seamless urban transport systems; capacity of local and national governments
(d) more accessible and efficient public through training on planning for compact
transport systems; and better infrastructure development, institutions and system
for pedestrians and cyclists allowing for arrangements for public transport systems,
ECONOMY
URBAN
greater safety and liveability in cities. planning better infrastructure for pedestrians
and cyclists, and combining different modes
of transport in a city. To ensure realistic
URBAN BASIC
and building on previous engagements and partners at domestic or international level will be
partnerships, UN-Habitat will first initiate closely incorporated into the process.
SLUM UPGRADING
metropolitan areas.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
African Cities
The cities of Addis Ababa, Kampala and Nairobi are The expected results are a direct reduction of the growth
experiencing fast and uncontrolled growth of urban motorized of private motorized vehicles and thus the greenhouse gas
traffic. While walking is still the dominant mode in the emissions; that is 2.53 tons of carbon dioxide directly and
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
three cities, its modal share is falling. The majority of urban indirectly by 5.6 to 11.5 tons by year 2035. UN-Habitat is
residents rely on poor public transport while use of non- carrying out a baseline data collection of current greenhouse
motorized means of transport becomes increasingly dangerous. gas emissions per city, which will be used for analysis of
expected numerical impacts of such emissions.
Inefficient urban transport services and management,
inadequate infrastructure and high levels of air contaminants
are the key challenges currently characterizing the urban
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
URBAN ENERGY PLANNING
AND GOVERNANCE
ECONOMY
URBAN
Cities globally emit between 50 and 60 per in coastal areas, wind. Additionally, demand-
URBAN BASIC
cent of greenhouse gases, which rises to and supply-side management in the energy
SERVICES
approximately 80 per cent with the indirect provision offer important advantages to cities.
emissions generated by urban inhabitants.
Cities also consume about 75 per cent of The objective of this model project on Urban
the global (primary) energy, with more than Energy Planning is to assist national and local
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
half of the world’s population now living in governments to develop sustainable energy
”
cities. Urban energy planning, especially in and climate action plans and implement
Urban areas that are conjunction to infrastructure investments, has programmes. The programme looks into
traditionally considered as become a major deficiency in most cities of different energy resources and needs and
big energy consumers could also the developing world. develops planning methodologies/strategies
generate part of their energy needs for their applications.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
efficient building materials. Urban areas that sustainable urban development.
are traditionally considered as big energy
consumers could also generate part of their
energy needs by utilizing renewable sources
of energy and urban energy parks - also using
local renewable sources of energy: solar and,
policies and legislation to enable a gradual of passive building design would be adopted
transition to a low-carbon economy, with
environmentally sound urban infrastructure and
for new buildings, and if existing building stock
services. Other outputs include the development would be retrofitted to comply with these
of awareness and capacity-building tools on
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
principles.
AND GOVERNANCE
AND DESIGN
Africa
Demand for electricity is increasing more rapidly in East The project will directly influence in the region at least
Africa than the supply and generation capacity. Increasingly 600,000 housing units, 100 large office buildings as well
higher energy prices coincide with a tremendous inefficiency as numerous hotels, and public institutions. In doing so the
ECONOMY
URBAN
together consume more than 76 per cent of the primary
energy sources). Moreover, it is estimated that over 43 This project focuses on three levels of intervention: regional
per cent of the total electricity generation in the region (standardization and sharing knowledge in the East African
URBAN BASIC
is used in buildings. Commercial and residential buildings Community); national (amending building codes, regulations
SERVICES
also consume almost as much fossil fuel energy as the and standards); and local (raising awareness, or providing
industrial sector. Given this situation, UN-Habitat and the training and support in implementing building standards
governments of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and and by-laws in towns and cities). The project takes an
Burundi initiated a project to promote energy buildings in integrated approach, thereby not just focusing on building
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
East Africa. This Global Environment Facility-funded project codes and regulations.
was officially launched in late 2011 in collaboration with
the United Nations Environment Programme.
REHABILITATION
(the residential and commercial sector together consume more
than 76 per cent of the primary energy sources)
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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130 UN-Habitat: Catalogue of Model Projects | 2012/13
5 HOUSING AND
SLUM UPGRADING
131
5.1
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
The failure of urban planning and the environmental policies. This calls for immediate
URBAN BASIC
construction sector in matching demand for action to formulate a plan and nail down the vital
SERVICES
homes has resulted in a huge housing backlog steps required for reaching the new strategy.
that has led to the development of slums in a
variety of contexts globally. The Strategy to 2025 will challenge housing
myths and misconceptions. It will also identify
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
The Global Strategy on Shelter to the year those practices that are relevant and could
2000 called for approaches that would meet be adapted, correct past errors and tackle
”
the needs for shelter worldwide. The 2000 challenges. Thus, this strategy will aim to redirect
The Strategy to 2025 will Strategy supported 150 United Nations Member the efforts of all key actors in the housing sector to
challenge housing myths and States with assessments and formulation of achieve adequate and sustainable housing for all.
misconceptions. It will also identify indicators, development of policies, strategies
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
those practices that are relevant and and programmes, reforms and the privatization To achieve this goal, the Global Housing Strategy
could be adapted, correct past errors of public housing. 2025 will undertake a number of measures.
and tackle challenges. These include assessment of the Global Strategy
Now, UN-Habitat is developing a Global Housing for Shelter to Year 2000; development of
Strategy to the year 2025, as mandated by the the Global Housing Strategy 2025 initiating
agency’s 23rd Governing Council session. This a paradigm shift and engaging countries to
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
new strategy is to take into account the challenges undertake housing reviews and develop their
of providing adequate and sustainable housing own national housing strategies; engaging UN-
and basic infrastructure. In addition, it is to consider Habitat partners, local authorities and national
the need to integrate housing policies into broader governments, civil society, academia, the private
urban planning strategies and governmental actions, sector and external support agencies worldwide
aligning them with other social, economic and to support the implementation of the Global
URBAN PLANNING
National Habitat Committees; and formulate integrating the production of housing. Included deal with housing challenges in an integrated
AND DESIGN
a global plan incorporating the Third United are also the provision of technical aid to Habitat sustainable way. This effort should be part of
Nations Conference on Human Settlements Agenda partners and all levels of government in urban planning, urban economic development
(2016) and the Sixth and Seventh Sessions of the developing national housing strategies; update and legislation advocating for mixed urban uses
World Urban Forums (2012 and 2014). of housing and slum upgrading indicators in line and medium to high density, ensuring small urban
with the new Strategy; implementation of the footprints and rationalized mobility patterns.
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
”
A low income housing project
in Johannesburg, South Africa. Now, UN-Habitat is developing a Global Housing
© JOSHCO Strategy to the year 2025, as mandated by the agency’s
23rd Governing Council session.
In Ecuador, enabling shelter strategies led to the formulation The Social Contract has developed at least 180 activities
of the Social Contract for Housing. This is a democratic forum since its creation that served to raise public awareness on the
for the country’s civil society, supporting national dialogue on deepening of a common agenda on urban and housing issues.
housing with key stakeholders of the country’s housing sector.
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
or funding. Since August 2005, the Social Contract has which became a constitutional right in September 2008. This
been lobbying and constantly sharing knowledge among its platform of partners participates in the national housing
members and with policymakers, building capacity of the dialogue and in policy formulation.
URBAN BASIC
Since August 2005, the Social Contract has been lobbying and
SLUM UPGRADING
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
SUPPORT TO NATIONAL
AND GOVERNANCE
HOUSING POLICIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
For many countries, urban growth has become the role of lodging in national economic
synonymous with the growth of slums and development and employment generation.
informal settlements.
UN-Habitat offers its vast technical expertise
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
Slums are a clear manifestation of a poorly in support of governments which wish to
planned and managed urban sector and, in embark on broad housing reform. Imperative
”
particular, a malfunctioning housing sector. to the success of this approach is the Housing
The Strategy to 2025 will Each day a further 120,000 people are added Profile Tool that has been successfully
challenge housing myths and to the populations of Asian cities, requiring the applied since 2008 in at least 10 countries
misconceptions. It will also identify construction of at least 20,000 new dwellings of Africa, Asia and Latin America. This Tool
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
cent of the demand required to accommodate infrastructure supply and mobilize private and
urban residents. public finance for housing and other measures
specific to each country’s reality.
The objective of this model project is to support
governments to develop national housing UN-Habitat offers national and local
policies and strategies designed to maximize governments integrated services as part
bodies; non-governmental, community- The national housing policies and reforms © UN-Habitat/Veronica Wijaya
based and grassroots organizations; financial which UN-Habitat supports are evidenced-
institutions; as well as builders and private based, comprehensive. They communicate
sector developers - will have the institutional a clear vision of how a city or country can
and operational conditions to support the “house the next generation”, use the
housing sector more effectively and, in doing housing sector to boost employment and
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
so, contribute to the realization of the right to the economy, reduce poverty and improve
adequate housing for all. human development.
AND DESIGN
through Housing Profiling
In 2008, the Government of Malawi, through its Ministry People’s Federation, Habitat for Humanity; international
of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, asked UN- cooperation agencies such as the United Kingdom’s
Habitat to undertake an Urban Housing Profile to generate a Department for International Development and the German
ECONOMY
URBAN
carried out the profiling research over 11 months. The involved housing delivery were identified, notably the lack of
stakeholders were the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban institutional capacity, land delivery systems and housing
Development; the municipalities of Lilongwe, Blantyre and finance, and inappropriate infrastructure development for
URBAN BASIC
Zomba; academics from the University of Malawi; the private housing. The quantitative analysis found that Malawi needed
SERVICES
sector, including the Malawi Building Contractors and Allied 21,000 new houses every year until 2020, at an average cost
Trades Association; non-governmental and community-based of USD 6,970. Malawi recently formulated of a new draft
organizations such as Action Aid Malawi, the Malawi Homeless national housing policy and implementing strategy.
21,000
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
The number of houses that Malawi needed every year
until 2020, at an average cost of USD 6,970.
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5.3
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
DEVELOPING AFFORDABLE
AND GOVERNANCE
HOUSING PROGRAMMES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
3 billion people, or about 40 per cent of the supports municipalities and countries to
world’s population, will need housing, basic develop, implement and monitor new
”
infrastructure and services. This translates housing programmes through a set of
The Strategy to 2025 will into the need to complete 96,150 housing interrelated products. These products
challenge housing myths and units per day with serviced documented include development of policy guides and
misconceptions. It will also identify land from now till 2030. Supply is limited practical guidelines for policymakers, housing
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
those practices that are relevant and by inadequate governance systems, human practitioners and decision-makers programme
could be adapted, correct past errors resource capacities, as well as institutions and design, which involves reviewing existing
and tackle challenges. regulations which are either obsolete or lacking housing programmes and the housing sector;
in capacity, or are poorly informed. programme implementation, including the
necessary capacity-building of housing sector
The continuation of pervasive informal stakeholders; and monitor and evaluation of
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
enabling framework in which all stakeholders
AND DESIGN
(such as the private sector, non-governmental per cent of the world’s population, will need
and community-based organizations) have a
role in increasing housing supply. In conjunction
housing, basic infrastructure and services.
with programme development, UN-Habitat will
support policy analysis and policy reforms to
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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139
URBAN PLANNING
Erbil, the fourth largest city in Iraq and capital of Iraqi UN-Habitat carried out an organizational development and
Kurdistan, is growing rapidly. The natural population growth capacity-building assessment study of the Governorate. This
exceeds 5 per cent. Moreover, there has been virtually no study eventually led to the formulation of an action plan
housing finance available for the past 20 years. The housing that includes a capacity development scheme. UN-Habitat
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
situation has reached a critical point. Unless urgent measures also organized periodic meetings with the technical staff of
are taken to accelerate housing supply, urban services will municipal departments for the neighbourhood improvement
breakdown in Erbil. There will also be large-scale proliferation on matters related to infrastructure, law, financing and land
of slums, as well as illegal land and housing construction. management. The neighbourhood upgrading plan has been
Consequently, the quality of life will be eroded. completed and delivered to the Governorate office. The
Regional Government has set up an additional fund for more
In 2008, UN-Habitat supported the Ministry of Municipalities neighbourhood upgrades.
ECONOMY
URBAN
land, housing and finance. Strategy. This plan aims to deliver housing in this city of some 1.3
SERVICES
million inhabitants.
The current project aims to support the implementation
of the Strategy by strengthening the Erbil Governorate’s
capacity through institutional reforms. It will also enhance
The housing situation has reached a
SLUM UPGRADING
management of change.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING
PARTICIPATORY CITYWIDE
SLUM UPGRADING
ECONOMY
PROGRAMMES
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
Many countries, city-regions and cities around Rapid urbanization places remarkable strain on
the world face the serious problem of slums housing and serviced land supply systems. This
”
and informal settlements. Slums are vulnerable suggests that in absolute numbers the total
The Strategy to 2025 will to natural and human-induced hazards and population living in slums will increase, unless
challenge housing myths and their presence poses a serious threat to an robust measures and a twin-track response
misconceptions. It will also identify equitable and sustainable urban future. combining citywide slum upgrading and new
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
199.5 million, South Asia 190.7 million, land delivery systems, more and more
East Asia 189.6 million, Latin America and people who would otherwise qualify for
the Caribbean 110.7 million, Southeast Asia housing programmes are resorting to slum
88.9 million, West Asia 35 million and North settlements. This increases the complexity and
Africa 11.8 million. heterogeneity of slums.
150
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
110.7
AND GOVERNANCE
100 88.9
50 35
11.8
0
ECONOMY
URBAN
Sub-Saharan
Africa
South Asia
East Asia
Southeast Asia
West Asia
North Africa
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
Physical upgrading of slums and spatial The objective of this model project is to assist a number of participatory planning tools
planning leading to street networks, and city authorities or national governments to have been developed. These include tools
improved infrastructure makes social and design and implement participatory citywide for enumeration and mapping, programme
economic sense. Socially, upgraded slums slum upgrading programmes. UN-Habitat’s management guidelines and general guides to
improve the physical living conditions, experience from over three decades of support the implementation of complex slum
quality of life, and access to services and continuous work on slum upgrading will upgrading programmes.
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
of the future will be those in which slums are tools and knowledge. These can be harnessed implementation; and organizing tailor-made
turned into vibrant neighbourhoods that are for citywide slum upgrading programmes, problem-solving training workshops for city
fully integrated into the city’s fabric and urban strengthening institutional building as well officials, ministerial staff, non-governmental
management systems, rather than remaining as skills development of technical cadre from and community-based organizations involved in
as vast islands of informality, social exclusion, governments and other stakeholders involved housing and slum upgrading.
poor housing and underdevelopment. in these urban operations. In this process,
AND DESIGN
Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme
In 2008, UN-Habitat launched the Participatory Slum oriented. These consist of the ministries of Local Government,
Upgrading Programme which aims to improve the living of Finance or Planning (National Authorising Officer), any
conditions of slum dwellers. The Programme’s purpose is other relevant line ministry, the municipal focal points,
ECONOMY
URBAN
implementation. The Programme has the strong financial support Profile or city profiles, or both; 12 have presented slum
of the European Commission and its Intra-ACP Fund. Currently it upgrading project proposals and resource mobilization
is targeting 34 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, strategies; and a number of them are starting the
URBAN BASIC
of which eight have already joined the final phase. implementation phase. The Programme has successfully
SERVICES
established teams in 30 countries that work as Habitat
The implementation is done in a participatory manner engaging Committees. The Programme has built the capacity of 220
a wide range of local and national stakeholders. UN-Habitat urban decision-makers (country team members) in urban
guides the establishment of country teams that are action- governance, city management and slum upgrading since 2009.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
The Programme’s purpose is to strengthen the capacity of local,
central, and regional institutions and key stakeholders in
settlement and slum improvement by applying good
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
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5.5
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
HOUSING SUSTAINABILITY:
GREEN BUILDINGS FOR
SMART CITIES
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
The growing urgency to provide more homes housing stock fails to be sustainable and
to millions of households in the developing energy efficient, cities and countries will for
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
world, and the remarkable rate of illegal decades be confronted with dangerous energy
construction and housing production consumption patterns and predatory forms of
processes calls for a paradigm shift in urbanization.
housing policy, urban planning and building
”
practices. This becomes more urgent when the Housing is an opportune and strategic setting
Housing is an opportune and phenomenon of climate change is considered, with which to achieve the mutually beneficial
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
strategic setting with which to given that the building sector is responsible goals of climate change mitigation and
achieve the mutually beneficial goals for nearly 40 per cent of greenhouse gas adaptation, as well as of sustainable urban
of climate change mitigation and emissions in cities. This problem compels development in general. The planning of
adaptation, as well as of sustainable national and city governments to attend to residential areas, slum upgrading and urban
urban development in general. design, planning and technology standards renewal will help reduce the ecological
and norms that affect the planning of and carbon footprint of cities and the
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
residential areas, housing design and greenhouse gasses of the national building
production, and the construction industry. sector. This will leverage an unprecedented
There is an urgent need to develop practical gain in the search for the sustainable and
tools, knowledge resources and expertise in smart City of the 21st Century.
designing environmentally sustainable and
affordable green building solutions. If new
URBAN PLANNING
cities and national governments to identify toolkits, practical guides and technical aid
AND DESIGN
and implement environmentally sustainable which will lead to solutions should be
and affordable green housing solutions for
formal housing development. The project (a) sustainable housing building codes and
done by participatory
will also help governments identify and revised regulations at country and city levels; housing design, with
provide solutions for slum upgrading and (b) national and city strategies that lead to
AND GOVERNANCE
slum prevention programmes. The search for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
solutions should be done by participatory attributable to the entire housing life cycle;
the dwelling needs
housing design, with a specific focus on the (c) strengthened climate change adaptive
dwelling needs and aspirations of the urban capacity; and aspirations of
poor and vulnerable groups, including women- (d) more durable and resilient housing; and
headed households. (e) creation of green jobs, thus contributing
the urban poor and
to urban economic development. vulnerable groups,
ECONOMY
URBAN
The project provides technical aid to
formulate and adopt sustainable housing including women-
building codes and revised regulations at To achieve these results, a global network
headed households.
URBAN BASIC
country and city levels. It formulates national of expertise will support this project for the
SERVICES
and cities strategies which synergistically improved sustainability of housing.
provide reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions attributable to housing across
their life cycle, climate adaptive capacity
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
through durability and resilience to changing
climatic impacts. The strategy simultaneously
provides social, cultural and economic benefits
in the form of improved quality of life, poverty
alleviation, environmental protection and
improved health and safety.
Sustainability
Sudan has the largest population of displaced persons in the UN-Habitat facilitated the introduction of the new technology
world today; nearly 2 million of them are in Darfur. About through the import of machinery, construction of pilot
one-third of Darfur’s forests were lost between 1973 and buildings and provision of various training programmes
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
2006, due to the need to meet the growing housing needs of sponsored by the British and Japanese governments. The
internally displaced persons. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,
emphasizes the considerable potential of the stabilized
UN-Habitat’s activities in Darfur since 2006 have contributed soil block technology to promote labour intensive and
to raising awareness and building consensus on the adoption environmentally friendly construction practices. In addition,
of alternative building technologies. The aim is to lay the it drew attention to the opportunity to establish a building
foundation for a sustainable recovery process and sound land materials production and a construction training centre to
ECONOMY
URBAN
management following the return and reintegration of 400,000 enhance technical capacities, housing construction, support
internally displaced families in Darfur. The sustainable housing slum upgrading initiatives, stimulate local employment and
programme is helping to protect some 16 million mature trees entrepreneurship, and favour social reintegration of internally
URBAN BASIC
from being felled by the displaced families who need to rebuild displaced persons and ex-militias.
SERVICES
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
SUPPORT TO PROGRESSIVE
HOUSING LEGISLATION
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
UN-Habitat has a long-standing commitment improvements in the regulatory frameworks.
to and a history of supporting progressive UN-Habitat has played an important role in
housing policy, legislation and regulatory the adoption of progressive housing legislation
reforms, since the adoption of the Habitat in many countries, for example Ecuador, El
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
Agenda in 1996. In spite of these sustained Salvador and South Africa.
efforts, United Nations Member States have
”
not fully implemented some fundamental An enabling regulatory environment is crucial
An enabling regulatory elements of the Vancouver (1976) and Istanbul if cities are to progress, generate prosperity
environment is crucial (1996) Plans of Action and the Millennium and expand opportunities for individuals and
if cities are to progress, generate Declaration (2000). households to access adequate housing.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
and legal framework for the housing sector, The objective of the model project is to assist
including the adoption of legislation that Habitat Agenda partners and all levels of
regulates access to adequate housing and government in formulating and implementing
defines the rights and responsibilities of progressive housing legislation that contributes
the state and civil society. However, policy to the creation of inclusive and sustainable
implementation has not always followed cities, and which complies with international
sound analysis of the housing sector and, (a) improved understanding among national
in particular, the review of key legislation and local officials of the right to
affecting affordable housing provision. adequate housing;
(b) new or improved progressive national
Substantive technical advice on the content of housing legislation;
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
new or revised progressive housing legislation (c) improved compliance with international
will help national governments to create an law on the right to adequate housing; and
enabling environment for the progressive (d) in the medium to long-term, development
realization of the right to adequate housing. of more inclusive housing options for the
vulnerable segments of the population.
UN-Habitat offers a package of technical aid
comprising a review and analysis of current
ECONOMY
URBAN
”
UN-Habitat has a long-
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
Simeulue, Indonesia.
© UN-Habitat/Veronica Vijawa
AND DESIGN
Development
UN-Habitat is advocating concrete ways to institute a rights- The Urban Sector Housing Profiles incorporate an element
based approach to sustainable urban development. This is done related to the right to adequate housing. The experience with
through its Urban Development Policy Programme. Moreover, these Profiles in Ecuador, El-Salvador, Ghana, Malawi, Nepal,
ECONOMY
URBAN
– together constitute the experience that UN-Habitat will bring
to support contextualized and specific measures of support to
progressive housing legislation.
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
UN-Habitat has - in collaboration with the United Nations Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, under the United
Nations Housing Rights Programme - developed a number of
SLUM UPGRADING
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normative tools and knowledge products related to the right to
adequate housing.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: A
PEOPLE’S PROCESS APPROACH
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
The provision of adequate housing for all in on the ground. Because of that communities
urban areas has been an unresolved issue. The are able to monitor and contribute to
consequence of low housing delivery has most the effectiveness of interventions leading
often resulted in the rampant growth of slums, towards the achievement of the Millennium
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
where poor urban communities often establish Development Goals and equitable, inclusive, as
themselves in fragile environments particularly well as sustainable development.
”
susceptible to natural or man-made hazards,
UN-Habitat has a strong both of which are likely to increase in Local participation can be turned into
longstanding experience in frequency and severity with climate change. a powerful instrument to mobilize low-
accompanying local and national income communities around the planning,
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
governments to partner with all the Governments alone cannot tackle problems management and governance issues of their
key actors in housing, slum upgrading, of urban poverty, inadequate housing, slums city neighbourhoods; provided that their
reconstruction and vulnerability and vulnerability. Rather, governments need participation is meaningful, empowers them
reduction interventions. partnership with a wide range of actors and improves their daily lives. For this reason,
whereby, besides leading the decision-making participation is often most effective when
and implementation processes, governments initiated at the neighbourhood level through
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
act as enablers. Those actors include the individual or community projects which are
private sector, civil society organizations and relatively limited in scale and developed
communities. While the private sector can progressively with outcomes which are
contribute through its dynamism and financial achieved in the short, medium and long terms.
resources, the communities bring knowledge
of their needs and understanding of the reality
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
communities to become key partners in
achieving the Millennium Goals can be
tapped, nurtured and organized through an
processes, governments act as enablers.
appropriate enabling environment.
A residential area in
Tetouan city. Morocco.
UN-Habitat will guide local and national best practices and the lessons learned, © UN-Habitat/Alessandro Scotti
governments in ensuring that such enabling UN-Habitat will support the scaling up of
environments support communities in those interventions, converting them into
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
”
specific capacity-building and technical aid.
Additionally, it will support the resource While the private sector can contribute through its dynamism
mobilization process and the establishment and financial resources, the communities bring knowledge of their
of a sound management framework for needs and understanding of the reality on the ground.reconstruction and
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
URBAN PLANNING
Kabul, Empowering Communities in Afghanistan Development Councils and 27 Neighbourhood Development
AND DESIGN
Councils in three districts. These have enhanced the capacities
Since 1992, UN-Habitat has been working closely with the of relevant municipal staff and communities in developing
Government of Afghanistan to provide local governments and strategic action plans. The Programme has contributed
communities basic services and skills training. to improving infrastructure and basic services of 8,418
households (103,700 people); created city level jobs for at
ECONOMY
URBAN
settlements and the Programme’s continuation.
A recent example of UN-Habitat’s support is the Kabul Solidarity
Programme that the Kabul Municipality initiated in early 2011.
A recent example of UN-Habitat’s
URBAN BASIC
The Municipality’s vision is to reach out to all settlements and
SERVICES
households in the city. The Programme places emphasis on the support is the Kabul Solidarity
“people’s process” approach seeking community mobilization and
engagement in settlement planning, management and upgrading. Programme that the Kabul
Communities identify priorities whose implementation UN-Habitat
Municipality initiated in early
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and the Municipality supervised.
2011. The Municipality’s vision is
to reach out to all settlements
and households in the city.
155
6.1
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
humanitarian and post-crisis response are disasters from the mid-1970s to 2010. Over
SERVICES
to support national governments, local the same period of time, the damage caused
authorities and civil society in strengthening by disasters has increased a similar amount
their capacity for managing human-made and and the urban population from an estimated
natural disasters affecting human settlements. 1.5 billion to 3.4 billion. There is an obvious
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
Experience has shown that the potential for correlation between the population at risk, cost
”
development gain is highest in the immediate and frequency. UN-Habitat is prepared to act.
The normative framework aftermath of a crisis, and this is a key principle
for UN-Habitat’s work in underlying UN-Habitat’s efforts to deploy at The normative framework for UN-Habitat’s
this arena is its Strategic Policy on the earliest opportunity following a disaster. work in this arena is its Strategic Policy on
Human Settlements and Crisis, It is able to draw on its expertise in long-term Human Settlements and Crisis, together with
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
together with the Sustainable Relief development programming to support the the Sustainable Relief and Reconstruction
and Reconstruction Framework. earliest efforts at recovery and reconstruction Framework. These apply across all thematic
These apply across all thematic and reduce the periods of emergency demand. and cross-cutting units within UN-Habitat
and comprise an integrated urban response
Unsurprisingly, as technology develops, media strategy. The objective of the Emergency
and communications are more accessible Urban Response Model Project is to strengthen
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
and the number of disasters reported has the rapid response capacity of national, local
increased. According to the International and external institutions in order to build
Disasters Database of the Office of the United foundations for sustainable urban recovery
States Foreign Disaster Assistance and the and reconstruction.
Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of
Disasters, there has been an averaged 800
URBAN PLANNING
UN-Habitat experts drawn from experienced
AND DESIGN
(a) undertaking urban aspects of multi- (a clear dimensioning of human settlements field and headquarters personnel in
agency post-conflict/post-disaster needs requirements for recovery and collaboration with humanitarian partners, as
assessments, including housing, land, reconstruction following disasters; well as local and national counterparts. It is
planning and urban environment; (b) better coordination of emergency spearheaded by UN-Habitat’s Rapid Response
(b) preparing project and programme humanitarian support to victims of Facility, enabling quick deployment, urgent
”
(c) providing aid to partners, notably the agencies to implement strategic urban
ECONOMY
URBAN
International Federation of the Red crisis response programming and urban There is an obvious correlation
Cross and Red Crescent Societies, on reconstruction and rehabilitation activities; between the population at
transforming emergency shelter to and risk, cost and frequency. UN-Habitat
is prepared to act.
URBAN BASIC
permanent housing; the Office of the (f) establishment of key starting points for
SERVICES
United Nations High Commissioner for longer-term and more sustainable urban
Refugees, on determining solutions for reconstruction.
displaced families; the United Nations
Children’s Fund, on the provision of
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essential infrastructure; the United
Nations Environment Programme, on
environmental remediation efforts; and the
International Labour Organization (and
others) on developing early options for
livelihoods and jobs.
The earthquake that hit Haiti and its capital city, Port-au- At the neighbourhood level, the concept of the Community
Prince, on 12 January 2010 was described as the largest urban Resource Centre helps to provide technical expertise in
disaster in recent humanitarian history. Some 3 million people housing and reconstruction; foster the institutions; and
were victims, among them about 1.5 million made homeless develop dialogue between communities, municipalities and
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
in Port-au-Prince. Over 293,383 houses were either badly leaders. UN-Habitat provides assessments, planning and
damaged or destroyed by the quake. monitoring support for reconstruction of neighbourhoods and
informal settlements. Disaster risk mitigation and reducing
Immediately the earthquake struck, UN-Habitat deployed vulnerability to future crises is a fundamental cornerstone
its senior urban experts in support of the humanitarian of all interventions. In addition, UN-Habitat is providing
community, the Government and municipalities to devise an technical urban expertise to its partners (multilateral, bilateral,
urban reconstruction and safe return strategy. Two years after decentralized cooperation, non-governmental organizations
ECONOMY
URBAN
the earthquake, UN-Habitat is still providing significant policy and the private sector) to develop a coherent framework, share
and technical support for the urban emergency response, experience and expertise. UN-Habitat is supporting the central
recovery and reconstruction process. and municipal governments with appropriate capacity to
URBAN BASIC
Port-au Prince was proliferating with camps and congestion. human settlement needs and gaps in the affected areas, to
UN-Habitat launched a safe return initiative for the population facilitate rapid recovery.
from 6 camps to 16 neighbourhoods of the city and gave the
national and the municipal governments integrated urban
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
URBAN VULNERABILITY
AND GOVERNANCE
MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Inadequate urban planning, unregulated by emergency services and egress by urban
urban density, inadequate infrastructure populations, that strategic critical water
and basic services, poor local capacities supply and sanitation systems are protected,
and systemic economic marginalization all and that medical and emergency services are
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
contribute to increasing vulnerability to functional and sufficiently resourced.
crises. Rapid urbanization, poor quality
construction, unregulated expansion of UN-Habitat provides technical aid, in terms
urban settlements, weak governance of prevention and response, to cities at risk
”
capacities and climate change impacts are and those affected by crisis. The objective
The key challenge from all increasing cities’ exposure to hazards. of the Urban Vulnerability Model Project
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
challenge from all disaster events lies in together with partners and counterparts,
ensuring functional continuity of local this project involves deployment of
government through the disaster cycle. This specialized expertise to support planning,
includes planning for disasters based on engineering, security and the public works
hazard-vulnerability mapping to ensure that departments of local authorities in risk-prone
transport infrastructure can maintain access cities. UN-Habitat’s work in Kathmandu,
Mexico are a sample of cities where this kind is comprehensive multi-hazard mapping and implemented through local authorities and
AND DESIGN
of work has been done. analysis This is a crucial precondition for supported by partner agencies, notably the
developing adaptation and preparedness International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
Services provided through this project include planning for any urban risk reduction and civil society organizations, in collaboration
programme, and comprises one element of with professional and technical networks as
(a) assisting city governments and partners to the Urban Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation well as the private sector. The primary clients
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
develop comprehensive multi-hazard risk and Model Project and is associated with the City are the national and local governments.
vulnerability assessments as a baseline for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
urban preparedness and contingency plans;
(b) improving urban coordination in the
formulation and financing of urban
preparedness plans by facilitating and
building innovative partnerships among
ECONOMY
URBAN
Reconstruction work
in Afghanistan.
© UN-Habitat
AND DESIGN
Preparedness for Tijuana
The city of Tijuana, with its 1.8 million inhabitants, sits in In 2009, UN-Habitat, with International Federation of the Red
a seismically active region on the boundary of the North Cross and Red Crescent Societies, ProVention Consortium, the
American and Pacific plates. Future earthquakes represent risk Global Risk Identification Project and the Emergency Shelter
ECONOMY
URBAN
response plans in shelters after an earthquake; a Strategic As a result of the project, the city of Tijuana developed a
Plan Response in Shelters for Tijuana; and training of local disaster plan of action in case of an earthquake. In 2010,
personnel. Other interventions were guidelines for a large- the city passed a new civil protection law that further backs
URBAN BASIC
scale urban disaster response; strengthen coordination in cities disaster risk reduction by involving civil society and academia
SERVICES
to improve city recovery and preparedness effort; preparation in the process. In order to keep the shelter plan and know-how
of a long-term strategy to be repeated in other cities; and of all different parties up to date, the city regularly revises the
increase in knowledge and awareness of the present risk plan and organizes emergency response simulations based on
with the use of the method, in regards to government and it. After completion of the project, mayors of the five major
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
humanitarian professionals. cities in the State of Baja California and its Government signed
an agreement to replicate Tijuana’s experience Statewide.
The programme is being considered by federal authorities for
national roll-out.
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161
6.3
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
URBAN PREPAREDNESS
AND GOVERNANCE
Inadequate urban planning, infrastructure and The objective of this project is to strengthen
basic services; unregulated urban expansion the preparedness of cities through urban risk
and density; poor local governance capacities; and vulnerability assessments, urban hazard
the impact of climate change; and systemic mapping and analysis, and preparation of
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
”
increasing vulnerability to crises.
The Urban Preparedness In response to requesting United Nations
and Risk Reduction Model Globally, 80 per cent of the largest cities are Member States, UN-Habitat would deploy
Project is primarily implemented vulnerable to severe impacts of earthquakes, urban experts to attend to critical elements
through local authorities with the 60 per cent are at risk from storm surges of urban preparedness and risk reduction.
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
support of partner agencies and civil and tsunamis, and all face new impacts of The agency assumes this responsibility
society organizations. climate change. together with partners and counterparts,
notably in support of the International
UN-Habitat provides prevention and response Strategy for Disaster Reduction and its
scenarios to cities at risk and those affected global “Making Cities Resilient” campaign.
by crisis. The Urban Preparedness and Risk UN-Habitat’s intervention in Kathmandu,
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
Reduction Model Project is applied in high risk Nepal; Maputo, Mozambique; and Tijuana,
cities before disasters and conflicts occur, and Mexico; are just some cities where UN-
is a critical driver for “building back better” in Habitat has intervened in this way.
post-crisis urban interventions.
URBAN PLANNING
assisting city governments and partners to
requesting United
AND DESIGN
develop comprehensive multi-hazard risk (a) strengthened city level preparedness for
AND GOVERNANCE
management plans; preparation of built continuity after disasters; and
experts to attend to environment analysis consisting of risk (c) making crisis management programmes
profiles and retrofitting requirements for (ensuring protection of housing, land, critical
critical elements of safer buildings programmes. Other services emergency facilities, hospitals and medical
ECONOMY
URBAN
urban governance capacity review for city/ Others are
council staff, security, emergency and medical (d) improved regulatory systems for governance
response systems, community groups and and coordination of urban disaster
URBAN BASIC
other stakeholders; and policy and regulatory management; and
SERVICES
assessment to determine requirements for (e) improved capacity of local level government
ensuring sustainability of urban preparedness staff, institutions, civil society and private
(and response) programmes. sector stakeholders to support preparedness
and risk reduction.
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
The Urban Preparedness and Risk Reduction
Model Project is primarily implemented
through local authorities with the support
of partner agencies and civil society
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
Community Action Planning by Community
Development Councils (CDC) in Afghanistan.
© UN-Habitat
Sri Lanka is urbanizing rapidly, with at least 50 per cent of Citywide and community-specific vulnerability and disaster
its projected 22 million population expected to be living in risk assessments have been conducted in four cities; Disaster
urban local authorities by 2020. Around 70 per cent of this Risk Reduction and Preparedness plans have been drawn up
population and 80 per cent of national economic infrastructure for the four selected local authorities/municipal councils and
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
is concentrated in coastal cities and cities in disaster-prone integrated into building guidelines and aligned to city land use
hilly areas. These cities are highly vulnerable to salination of and development schemes. Other results are the establishment
water resources, storm surges, floods, landslides and malaria/ of a City Disaster Preparedness Committee in each municipal
dengue epidemics, all of which negatively impact human council/local authority; the establishment of community-based
settlements, city productivity and service delivery – especially Disaster Response Teams; the implementation of Disaster
for the poor. Mitigation Pilot Projects in each municipal council/local
authority; and the dissemination of lessons learnt and good
ECONOMY
URBAN
The primary goal of is project is to establish sustainable practices in the selected municipal councils/local authorities in
disaster resilient cities and townships and improve local and international forums.
preparedness before the next disaster strikes. It is being
URBAN BASIC
Lanka. The project improves the capacity of the implementing Sri Lanka is urbanizing rapidly, with at
cities by embedding expertise in departments to understand
and attend to urban risk reduction and build urban resilience.
least 50 per cent of its projected 22
UN-Habitat and its partners are implementing the project. UN- million population expected to be living
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
POPULATION DISPLACEMENT
AND GOVERNANCE
AND RETURN
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
With over 27 million people displaced within Typically, when families are forced to move,
their own countries and 15 million forced other parties acquire their land, housing
outside them, the prospects of managing and other property left behind, setting the
return, resettlement and relocation are stage for inevitable conflict or dispute when
SLUM UPGRADING
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daunting. UN-Habitat’s experience in several conditions are right for return. The primary
countries confirms the view of the Office objective of the Population Displacement and
”
of the United Nations High Commissioner Return Model Project is to provide sustainable
Typically, when families are for Refugees that while 26 per cent of solutions for families and communities
forced to move, other parties displaced populations are in serviced refugee uprooted and displaced by crisis.
acquire their land, housing and other camps, today up to 20 per cent are in urban
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
land or property left behind, displaced families conflict, integrating resettled families and
inevitably seek security, work and shelter in reducing dependence on aid.
cities, often settling in slums and forced into the
informal economy to survive.
(a) legal and regulatory assessment related to (a) increased legal and institutional capacity partner agencies, donors and civil society
land tenure, legal frameworks, grievances within national land administration organizations, in collaboration with
as well as location of displaced persons institutions for impartial resolution of academia, professional and technical
and stakeholder institutions; disputes and grievances over lost land networks and the private sector. The primary
(b) scaling and scoping assessments to and property rights, leading to permanent clients are national and local governments,
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
determine the number and typology of solutions for victims of involuntary host communities and displaced families.
grievances or disputes; displacement;
(c) institutional capacity assessment of national (b) increased capacity within local land
and local institutions responsible for land government institutions (e.g. planning,
administration and; public works, taxation and revenue and
(d) urban (or rural) extension planning to regulatory departments within local
acquire rights of use and occupancy on authorities) as well as customary bodies to
ECONOMY
URBAN
land for resettled displaced families. Other manage sustainable integration of resettled
services are populations;
(e) developing of integrated strategies and (c) better coordination of stakeholders engaged
URBAN BASIC
AND DESIGN
Conflict Mediation in Eastern Congo
Conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced The Programme has three objectives: first, create conditions
1 million people internally in that part of the country and sent for the return of internally displaced persons and refugees;
over 440,000 Congolese fleeing into neighbouring Burundi, second, support national governments to develop a sustainable
ECONOMY
URBAN
international strategy for security, stability and support. Since northeast of the country, and to South Kivu Province, in the
2009, UN-Habitat has been the technical lead agency in the east. Land mediation centres and land coordination groups set
country coordinating the land sector, mediation and resolution up and 1,890 households have acquired secure land rights.
URBAN BASIC
of disputes in partnership with UNHCR and the United Nations
SERVICES
Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, UN-Habitat is developing similar land conflict mediation,
MONUC’s successor. dispute resolution and policy reform programmes in Cote
1,000,000
d’Ivoire, Liberia and South Sudan. It is also embarking on
a Great Lakes Regional programme to restore the land and
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property rights of internally displaced persons and of refugees
in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
REHABILITATION
Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.
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167
6.5
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
Fragile states are those which face particularly countries include violent conflict, instability,
extreme poverty and development challenges organized crime, forced migration, human
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
and are at high risk of further decline, or trafficking and deteriorating public health.
even failure. Typically, government and state These countries account for one-sixth of
structures lack the capacity to provide public the world’s population of 6.5 billion, but
safety and security, apply principles and practices for half of the world’s infant deaths and
”
of sound governance or promote economic one-third of all people surviving on less than
UN-Habitat’s wide experience growth that benefits all. USD 1 a day. World Bank estimates show
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
growth prospects. People living in fragile UN-Habitat’s wide experience in over 20 of the
states are more likely to die early or suffer states defined by the OECD as fragile focuses
from chronic illnesses. In addition, they are primarily on urban governance. UN-Habitat’s
less likely to receive a basic education or largest fragile states programmes are in
essential health services. The regional and Haiti, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, South
international spillover effects from these Sudan and the eastern part of the Democratic
URBAN PLANNING
The Fragile States Model Project is supporting
AND DESIGN
nascent or re-emerging government structures (a) better managed urban systems;
at national, regional or local levels to put in (b) safer communities;
place sustainable urban management and (c) more accountable local government; and
governance systems. (d) a new policy and regulations empowering
decentralized local government.
ECONOMY
URBAN
municipal taxation and local revenue
management;
(b) technical advice, design and
URBAN BASIC
implementation of multi-stakeholder
SERVICES
urban crime reduction action plans;
(c) support to marginalized and vulnerable
populations for community-local dialogue
on urban development, slum upgrading,
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housing and basic services, and local
economic development; and
(d) support to all stakeholders for local-
national dialogue on enabling legal and
regulatory systems for decentralization,
transparency and urban management.
Afghanistan. © UN-Habitat
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
AND DESIGN
Informal Settlements
UN-Habitat has been providing the national, provincial and These highly inter-related activities aimed to achieve a
local governments of Afghanistan with technical support on settlement regularization process in which the inhabitants
an expanding number of urban reconstruction and long-term will benefit through increased levels of service provision, a
ECONOMY
URBAN
UN-Habitat assisted the city in settlements upgrading, parcel is registered under the occupant’s name and recorded
through an integrated approach to develop a City Profile in the municipality’s database. Occupants pay property tax
and Strategic Municipal Action Plan utilizing a participatory and are issued with a registration booklet. The increase in
URBAN BASIC
process. Key priorities are Community Action Plans - drawn the security of tenure has already resulted in considerable
SERVICES
up by Development Council - to identify priorities in each dwelling improvements by residents and new constructions on
community and improved revenues through land and financial previous vacant plots. Through this process, UN-Habitat, with
management and the levying of property taxes. funding from the Canadian International Development Agency,
contributes to settlements regularization affecting around
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100,000 in District 9.
7 AND CAPACITY
DEVELOPMENT
173
7.1
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
BETTER INFORMATION
AND GOVERNANCE
Rapid urbanization presents opportunities and much as possible, georeferenced. It will also
challenges to cities in the developing world. produce city trends and conditions.
As cities grow, they need adequate urban
indicators to support decision-making. The establishment of this information system
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
”
develop sound policies and provide efficient, academic and research institutes. UN-Habitat
Cities require an efficient basic services to their residents. Access to has implemented this approach in more than
system that collects, analyzes accurate, timely and updated information is 155 cities of Africa, Asia and Latin America
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
and disseminates data and other crucial for “Better Cities”. Cities require an and Caribbean countries. The system is a
information at the neighbourhood, efficient system that collects, analyzes and cost-effective project because UN-Habitat
city and national levels. disseminates data and other information at has already developed, tested and widely
the neighbourhood, city and national levels. implemented the information system and
related tools.
This model project aims to strengthen
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
(e) a city/human development index. This wealth
of information can be brought together
into a Local/National Urban Observatory that
information is crucial for “Better Cities”.
UN-Habitat can help set up.
UN-Habitat is the world’s pioneer organization in the collection UN-Habitat, through the Global Urban Observatory, has the
of urban indicators. In 1991, it initiated the Housing Indicators knowledge, experience and technical capacity to organize
Programme, which focuses on monitoring housing conditions local and regional workshops to train personnel of statistical
and related policies. In order to expand to a larger range of offices and local authorities in the collection, analysis and
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
AND GOVERNANCE
urban issues, the Programme evolved in 1993 into the Urban dissemination of city indicators. This effort reinforces local and
Indicators Programme. national capacities to produce evidence-based policies.
Since then, the expanded Programme has produced two main UN-Habitat has also supported cities and national governments
databases: respectively the Global Urban Indicators Database I to establish local and national urban observatories that serve as
and II, in 1996 and 2001. They were presented at the Habitat II a platform to collect and analyze indicators in a more sustainable
and Istanbul +5 conferences), which helped establish regional manner. Recently, UN-Habitat has received more than 35 requests
ECONOMY
URBAN
trends in key urban issues. In 2005, UN-Habitat produced from different countries for technical support to establish such
the Global Urban Indicators Database, collecting information bservatories and to train experts from these countries.
on the key issues of the Habitat Agenda. The database also
URBAN BASIC
URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
URBAN LEGISLATION, LAND
“CITY PROSPERITY INDEX”:
AND GOVERNANCE
MEASURING PROGRESS
ECONOMY
URBAN
URBAN BASIC
SERVICES
Cities are increasingly confronted with development of policy and practices. In 2002,
different development challenges such UN-Habitat developed a method to estimate
as poverty, inequalities, poor access to slum dwellers at country level that is today
basic services and adequate housing, and used in more than 80 nations. The Index is
SLUM UPGRADING
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environmental pollution. They lack adequate cost-effective because UN-Habitat has already
means to measure their state of health, wealth invested resources to develop the tool; cities
and other indicators that express a city’s state and countries are expected to cover the cost
”
of prosperity. of adaptation.
some cities may be well
advanced in infrastructure As a response to a specific request from This model project aims to assist local
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
the degree of prosperity of a city. development and areas of prosperity where the
city is lagging. For example, some cities may be
UN-Habitat has extensive experience in well advanced in infrastructure development
developing urban indicators and indices as but may need to put more effort into improving
well as assisting local authorities to integrate quality of life or environmental sustainability. The
them in city measurement tools for the Index can also be used to compare cities.
”
Prosperity
UN-Habitat developed a method to
estimate slum dwellers at country level of life
that is today used in more than 80 nations.
ECONOMY
URBAN
© UN-Habitat/Alessandro Scotti
SLUM UPGRADING
HOUSING AND
RISK REDUCTION AND
REHABILITATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
URBAN RESEARCH AND
AND DESIGN
The City Prosperity Index has raised a lot of expectations and The Index is not a static set of elements. Rather, it embraces
drawn positive responses from countries and cities. The Index other analytical tools and concepts that are relevant for each
has been tested in over 100 cities worldwide. In April 2012, city or that could evolve in the future.
the Index was presented at the Well-being African conference
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Different cities can take different paths to prosperity, and to be prosperous. Such dimensions include infrastructure and
prosperity indices enable decision-makers to identify any the environment. Finally, the Index includes different variables,
untapped method or resource that may have remained during classified into five different dimensions identified as foundations
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the pursuit of wealth. The Index focuses on factors crucial to (pillars) of prosperity: productivity; quality of life; infrastructure
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city managers in the process of developing prosperity-oriented development; environmental sustainability; and equity and social
policies. In Teheran, Iran, city authorities expressed interest to inclusiveness. UN-Habitat is drawing up an action plan to respond
integrate this Index to their current work on Social Justice and to the numerous requests from countries and cities to use the
the Urban Heart Project. Index in different development contexts.
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Different cities can take different paths to prosperity, and
prosperity indexes enable decision-makers to identify any
untapped method or resource that may have remained
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7.3
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While rapid urbanization comes with on the state of their cities.The State of the
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several challenges, the process provides vital Country’s Cities Report provides a quantitative
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opportunities for development. Most of a and qualitative city-based data and conducts
country’s wealth is created in its cities, which analyses of key urban development issues. As
in turn account for about 70 per cent of global such, it is an excellent basis for formulating
gross domestic product. Cities contribute to better informed urban policies and contributes
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”
quality of life and improvement of the natural development agenda.
Countries can receive environment. The need for comprehensive,
UN-Habitat’s help on the comparable and reliable information on UN-Habitat has developed a methodology and
design and use of urban indicators, cities is crucial within the context of a rapidly a specific approach that can be used to carry
the formulation of messages and urbanizing world. It is also needed in cities that out similar studies at country level. Countries
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findings, and the best way policy are facing population decline and deterioration can receive UN-Habitat’s help on the design
orientations are to be prepared to of the economic base. and use of urban indicators, the formulation of
support the formulating of local and messages and findings, and the best way policy
national action plans. This evidence-based information obtained orientations are to be prepared to support the
through the timely collection and analysis of data formulating of local and national action plans.
and policy evidence is necessary to overcome
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the challenges of urbanization and promote The State of the World’s Cities Report has proven
sustainable development for better cities. to be a useful advocacy tool for strengthening
the ability of governments, local authorities,
The general objective of this model project non-governmental organizations and the media
is to assist national governments to prepare to gain access to and make use of up-to-date
a well-informed and policy-oriented report information to formulate effective urban policies.
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monitor urbanization, produce and disseminate to assist mayors, policymakers, municipalities,
AND DESIGN
knowledge and best practices, as well as develop federal government bodies and civil society
capacity on emerging and strategic issues of to make evidence-based decisions in order
the urban agenda such as poverty, inequality, to improve their understanding of the
economic development and social inclusion. functioning and importance of urban areas.
The Report also encourages the establishment
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A supermarket in Tetouan. Morocco.
© UN-Habitat/Alessandro Scotti
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UN-Habitat, with support from various partners, has been This important support to the BRICS countries (Brazil,
helping various governments across the globe, successfully, in the Russia, India and China), which today represent 42 per cent
production of national State of Cities Reports. of the world’s population, is a major contribution to the
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AND GOVERNANCE
of International Eurasian Academy of Science and the China Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana and Tanzania – all funded by Cities
Association of Mayors, to produce the first State of China’s Alliance. New requests for assistance in producing similar
Cities 2010/2011: Better City-Better Life in accordance with reports have been received from Colombia, Jordan, Kuwait,
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the theme of the Shanghai World Expo. The report presents Lebanon and Nigeria.
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URBAN PLANNING
AND DESIGN
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BUILDING INTER-MUNICIPAL
AND GOVERNANCE
COOPERATION
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Large cities have expanded rapidly and often UN-Habitat’s capacity development approach
span multiple political and administrative focuses on improving the endogenous
boundaries. As a result, cities are often individual and institutional capacities.
comprised of several administrative units UN-Habitat has engaged significantly this
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with their own institutions, structures and way in areas that are integral to inter-
associated costs. At the same time secondary municipal cooperation (such as leadership,
cities, where the majority of urban growth is local economic development and financial
”
occurring, often do not have a large enough management). Drawing on these factors,
cities are often comprised tax base or other financial means for the UN-Habitat will offer a number of services
of several administrative provision of quality services. beneficial to inter-municipal cooperation.
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of this model project is to strengthen the municipal administrations, business process
capacities of institutions in two or more re-engineering, business case analysis
neighbouring municipalities to work and development, and other activities
together in performing administrative tasks, to allow for inter-municipal cooperation,
providing service delivery and promoting as well as supporting the design of joint
local development. management structures; training for officials
Capacity building.
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© UN-Habitat The project will draw on UN-Habitat networks from the perspective of a cost-savings/efficiency
of partners to support municipalities perspective and, importantly, from that of the
in undertaking feasibility studies for institutional capacities to cooperate and deliver
institutional municipal cooperation, services in such a fashion.
to build enabling and technical skills for developing capacities of the institutions to
inter-municipal cooperation. Others are perform the key functions, and monitor the Results expected from the model project are
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peer-to-peer learning with countries such performance of inter-municipal cooperation (a) significant service delivery cost reduction
as Spain with their mancomunidades and agreements. Such peer-to-peer exchanges for the institutions engaging in inter-municipal
France with their communautés urbaines can be valuable approaches to developing cooperation; institutional capacity developed
and communautés d’agglomération – all of institutional capacity. to forge and implement inter-municipal
which are free associations of inter-municipal cooperation arrangements – including
cooperation; capacity development for the Various entry points exist for inter-municipal better trained staff, rationale organizational
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enabling environment (policy and legislation), cooperation but typically they include basic structures, stronger contracting and
including supporting legal reforms and service provision (but could also include procurement processes and the like;
assisting municipalities in complying with economic development or other areas). improved service delivery capacity of the
inter-municipal cooperation legislation and Regardless of thematic entry point, a institutions involved; and an improved spatial
the consequent drafting of local agreements, participatory diagnostic will be undertaken. and urban coordination.
contracts and statutes. It will examine the feasibility of cooperation
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Delivery in Liberia (2008-2011)
Since 2008, UN-Habitat has been supporting the development Individual skills and policies on financial management and
of skills and know-how of local government personnel in strategic planning for local economic development have been
Liberia. UN-Habitat’s programme “Strengthening County strengthened. For the first time, a local economic development
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Once training needs had been assessed, the programme 2012 assessed the programme positively. This report
focused on institutional development plans, training design resulted in the United Nations Council for Science and
and delivery to develop leadership competencies, local Technology asking UN-Habitat to continue capacity-building
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economic development planning and implementation, and within Liberia’s government.
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2008
financial management. These were identified as important new
technical skills to be developed and strengthened amongst the
government’s workforce. This programme is fully aligned with
the policies of the Government of Liberia, responding to its
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decentralization policies and devolution of power to regions
and other local levels.
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The global financial crisis that hit in 2008 has This model project’s objective is to save public
severely impacted cities, with some facing at institutions money and improve their bottom
least a 50 per cent decrease in revenue and line by making them more efficient and cost
many scaling back services. conscious. This objective will be achieved
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”
However, between efforts to increase revenue change process that continually focuses
UN-Habitat has gained and to cut expenditure lies an overlooked reforms to improve both the bottom line
significant expertise in source of savings: the efficiency of a city’s and the underlying institutional capacity that
making public institutions more public institutions. creates an efficient institution.
efficient and cost conscious across
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numerous sectors. The degree to which public institutions are UN-Habitat has gained significant expertise in
efficient greatly affects a city’s performance of making public institutions more efficient and
increased profits and effective use of resources cost conscious across numerous sectors. Given
(i.e. their bottom line). Simply put, efficiency is this expertise, UN-Habitat offers services to
the ratio of produced outputs (or value) to the national and local authorities which are trying
resources used for their creation. The effects of to reduce costs (and in some cases increase
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improved efficiency extend beyond obvious cost- revenues) in their institutions – regardless of
saving factors to include increased legitimacy of the thematic focus.
government in the eyes of the public, as well as
potential gains in revenue generation.
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(a) institutional efficiency diagnostics, which
centres on identifying and understanding
the political, strategic and operational
hurdles to efficiency and helping define
where to focus and what kinds of
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administrative improvement and other focus.
techniques to realize the cost benefits.
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UN-Habitat can also help city leaders and
managers in communicating the success of
the changes introduced, both to staff of the
institutions and to residents. Institutions will become more efficient
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through a participatory diagnostic and
Results expected from this project are change process that will focus on aligning
organizational structures to the mandate (to
(a) significant improvement in the efficiency reduce overlapping roles and responsibilities);
of the institutions; streamlining business processes (by reducing
(b) improved public perception of city the number of days to complete tasks or
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as part of their decision-making and complex change processes. A pre- and post-
planning processes. assessment will illustrate the cost savings and
thus provide a clear indicator of success.
Budgeting in Africa
From 2007 to March 2012, UN-Habitat undertook the support and achieve sustainability and multiplication of the
programme “Capacity-building for Local Participatory approach to other municipalities in the countries.
Planning, Budgeting and Gender Mainstreaming” in eight
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AND GOVERNANCE
municipalities across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cities participating in the programme have acknowledged the
Mozambique and Senegal. importance of participatory budgeting as a tool for greater
civil society participation to decide on priorities for resource
The goal of the programme was to develop skills and allocation and public investment. Participatory budgeting is
strengthen the capacity of municipal stakeholders such as now law in Senegal.
local councillors, municipal staff and local authority officials,
non-governmental, community-based organizations and local The programme has confirmed that participatory budgeting
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training institutions. The programme developed and applied empowers the municipal team in conducting daily operations
participatory planning tools and participatory budgeting and planning of financial and investment plans. At the
instruments that provided opportunities for civil society completion of the programme, the countries requested
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participation at the city level. It also provided technical additional training of municipal staff to sustain the process.
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aid to local government authorities in the management of Best practices and successful experiences within the region are
participatory planning and budgeting cycles. disseminated systematically.
Through the project, UN-Habitat strengthened the capacity The programme made it possible to fund infrastructure projects
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of national and local institutions such as the Université such as improvement of the electricity network in Senegal;
Catholique du Congo, the Universidade Politécnica provision of markets, bridges and toilets in Congo; and the
(Mozambique) and Enda Tiers Monde/Ecopop (Senegal) with construction of health facilities for Mozambique.
the aim of maximizing impact, secure continuous in-country
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SMART DECISIONS FOR
AND GOVERNANCE
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Given the pace of change in cities, decision- to respond to urban challenges through targeted
makers often lack timely and relevant data and research, analysis and policy advice provided by
a thorough understanding of the issues their local and international universities.
urban centres face. One entry point would
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be to bring together the significant capacity Building on the strength of the Habitat
”
existing in universities and local governments Partner University Initiative and its members,
UN-Habitat will partner to support decision-making. UN-Habitat will set up urban university
key local universities platforms that will provide local and
with well-suited ones from other Good practices of university and city partnerships national governments with urban research
countries and engage them in exist. Interesting lessons can be learned from and provide advice in areas such as urban
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house and knowledge management hub for complementary capacity development services
urban research in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. for local government officials (training,
mentoring and advice) to enhance the
The objective of this mode; project is to strengthen planning and management capacities of
the capacities of local and national governments cities and to support local policy development
development of local and national universities of Habitat Partner Universities Initiative which
”
to respond to urban issues will be provided is committed to promoting sustainable urban
development through problem solving, Interesting lessons can be
The results expected from the project are collaborative learning and applied research. learned from an initiative
UN-Habitat will partner key local universities of almost 100 higher education
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(a) the establishment of Local Urban with well-suited ones from other countries
Knowledge Arenas and Urban Action and engage them in demand-driven research, an “Urban Sustainability Extension
Laboratories. This would make such cities policy and technical advice in a critical Service Programme” or the “Local
innovators in smart urbanization that is thematic or policy area identified with the Urban Knowledge Arena” hosted by
multifunctional and where economies of city. Customized professional and mid-carrier Uganda’s Makerere University.
agglomeration are maximized; and where capacity development for city practitioners
economic efficiency, equality and resilience and urban managers will also be provided to
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University charters around the globe stress the importance A number of additional partnerships are in the pipeline under
of education, research and service to the community. this initiative. The Federal University of Technology Minna, in
However, most find it difficult to adjust their curricula Nigeria’s Niger State, has asked UN-Habitat and the Habitat
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AND GOVERNANCE
to serve local needs and to develop relevant research Partner University Initiative to support the review of its
agendas. Good practices do exist, and an increasing Master Level programme. It also seeks help in setting up a
number of universities with urban planning, management course for local government training (certificate and diploma
or development courses are willing to support local programmes), and to set up a facility for targeted research,
governments in evidence-based decision-making. as well as technical and policy advice for municipalities in the
State. An initiative of almost 100 higher education institutions
UN-Habitat, in partnership with its university network, has in the United States with an Urban Sustainability Extension
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been supporting universities in providing demand driven Service programme have also approached UN-Habitat to
support to local governments. support the programme’s replication in other countries.
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