“Continuity and Change” by Dr. Mona Serageldin, Topic Paper for 48th World Congress, International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP), 2004

Abstract

In 2004, Dr. Mona Serageldin prepared remarks in a report titled “Continuity and Change,” for a topic panel on “Governance for Urban Change” at the 48th International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP) World Congress in Oslo, Norway. Serageldin’s paper addressed change in urban zones, the value of consistency to preserve cultural heritage, in relation to urban dynamics and large migratory flows.

Documents include the report, as well as another IFHP panel presentation by Dr. Serageldin, titled “Managing Dynamics on Development and Change.”

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Introduction, “Continuity and Change,” Dr. Mona Serageldin, 2004]

“Culture is now recognized as an important dimension of development. Professor Amartya Sen has convincingly demonstrated this link from the standpoint of an economist and a philosopher. Culture and Development both embody concepts of continuity and change but attitudes vary regarding the value placed on the legacy of the past and the role this legacy should play in shaping the future. Cultural continuity provides a coherent framework which can integrate change while providing anchors that shape identity and references that affect social behavior.”

“The inability to manage change creates disruptions that tend to aggravate cleavages along ethnic, religious and class lines. It also affects governance in that it tends to encourage the transfer of imported models and the establishment of technocratic structures as an expedient solution. Yet devoid of cultural significance, these structures can neither motivate participation nor provide modes of empowerment and end up undermining the development of local institutions.”

“Dr. Ismail Serageldin has argued that the management of change in developing countries which have experienced sudden culturally disruptive transformations requires restoring the coherence of the socio-cultural framework so that it can evolve by incorporating new elements, adapting and responding to new challenges and generating new opportunities. This implies restoring some degree of continuity.”

“This presentation focuses on two major challenges to continuity confronting local authorities in both developing and developed countries: (1) Dealing with increasingly complex urban dynamics and (2) Coping with unprecedented mobility and large migratory flows.”
____

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Project Year:	2004
Project Type:	Research Paper
Geographic Regions:	Oslo, Norway (Conference Location)
Reports:	Continuity and Change (Remarks, Mona Serageldin) Managing Dynamics of Development and Change (Presentation Outline, Mona Serageldin)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin (CUDS)}
Sponsors:	^{Center for Urban Development Studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design}
Categories:	Climate Change and Resilience Building

ID:	2004_09_002

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“Comprehensive Plan for Makkah, Madinah and Mashaer,” Urban Development Strategy for Ancient Holy Sites in Saudi Arabia, 2009

“Sustainable Development Based on Valorizing the Historic Urban Fabric,” Paper by Dr. Mona Serageldin, 9th World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia, 2007

“Integrated Area Management Action Plan,” Urban Management Plan for the Ancient Walled City Icheri Sheher, Baku, Azerbaijan, 2006

“Revitalization of Kars Historic Center” & “Strategies for Sustainable Development,” Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building for Kars, Turkey, 2004-2008

“Cooperation and Capacity Building for Promoting Cultural, Natural and Built Heritage in Transylvania,” Technical Assistance Report for Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara and Târgu Mureș, Romania, 2004

“Continuity and Change” by Dr. Mona Serageldin, Topic Paper for 48th World Congress, International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP), 2004

“Historic Center of Mexico City” Diagnostic Summary, Technical Assistance for Mexico City, Mexico, 2003

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“Municipal Finance of Urban Development,” Background Report for UN-Habitat Global Report on Human Settlements, 2005

Abstract

In 2005 CUDS staff prepared a research background paper, titled “Global Report on Human Settlements: Financing Shelter and Urban Development” for the UN-Habitat Global Report on Human Settlements for 2005: “Financing Urban Shelter.”

The report emphasizes new approaches developed by emerging economies and poorer countries, where challenges are the greatest, and resource constraints are most acute. The chapter discusses the wide range of problems that face municipal authorities in financing urban development — based on extensive research and a review of more than 40 case studies — as community leaders respond to the challenges of major shifts in their economic base resulting from falling trade barriers and a globalizing economy. Case studies document sources of municipal revenues, the evolution of spending patterns as result of decentralization, and the impact of privatization of public services.

Excerpt

[Excerpt]: INTRODUCTION: This report was prepared as a background paper for the UN-Habitat Global Report 2005: Financing Urban Shelter and a summary was included as Chapter 3 of the Global Report under the title: “Municipal Finance: Conditions and Trends.

“It addresses the wide range of problems that face municipal authorities in financing urban development as they respond to the challenges of major shifts in their economic base resulting from falling trade barriers and a globalizing economy. Concurrently in, the devolution of administrative and financial responsibility from central governments has forced them to finance a growing proportion of their recurring and capital expenditures at a time when, in most countries, migrants constitute a growing proportion of their population. Local authorities have had to: (1) enhance their economic competitiveness; (2) meet the demands for public services; (3) expand and diversify the local tax base; and (4) generate funding for capital investments.

“Municipalities are but one actor in the financing of urban development, but in many ways they are the pivotal one because of their statutory powers and their ability to act on all sectors in a defined geographic space. Households and private enterprises are the developers and builders of urban communities and the owners and operators of economic activities. But unless the municipality can deliver to them the support infrastructure and services they need, orderly development will be impaired.

“In emerging economies, the rapid pace of urbanization and large migratory flows have increased the pressure on local government spending for urban development. In most of these countries decentralization laws were enacted in the decade of the 80’s and 90’s amid fiscal deficits, financial crisis and political unrest, eroding local revenue and disrupting access to funds for capital investment. In this report, the emphasis is placed on emerging economies and poor countries where the challenges are the greatest and the resource constraints the most acute. They are the areas targeted by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and associated 2015 targets adopted in 2001 (The Millennium Project, 2003). Reaffirming the world commitment to address the growing disparities in income and wealth among countries and within countries, multilateral and bilateral development organizations are placing a priority on poverty reduction.

The success of these efforts hinges on democratic local governance, partnerships involving communities and stakeholders in urban development initiatives, and strengthening the capabilities and resources of local governments as the pivotal partners in the development process.” [End Excerpt]

Project Year:	2004
Project Type:	Research Paper
Geographic Regions:	Global / None Specified
Reports:	Municipal Finance of Urban Development (Final) Municipal Finance of Urban Development (Outline) Municipal Finance of Urban Development (Table) Municipal Finance of Urban Development (Bibliography)
Authors:	^{David C. Jones; Mona Serageldin; Elda Solloso; François Vigier;}
Sponsors:	^UN-Habitat
Categories:	Urban Finance

ID:	2004_07_001

“Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme,” Review of International Urban Development Projects, for the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat), 1995

Abstract

In 1995, the Unit participated in the “Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme” by the the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat). In addition to 28 national profiles, documents include a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between the Unit and Habitat agency, and Best Practices guidelines for pre-screening cases. See an Excerpt from the Memorandum below.

The Programme highlighted international urban development projects as candidates for the UN’s Best Practices database. Documents address human settlement case studies in twelve nations: India, Australia, Austria, Kenya, Egypt, Argentina, Norway, Venezuela, Angola, Greece, Scotland, Philippines, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, and South Africa.

More details

The Unit evaluated 28 city programs, following UN-Habitat’s programme goals:

To develop and maintain a knowledge base on best practices in improving the living environment including their corresponding sources of knowledge, experience and expertise;
To promote the dissemination, sharing and exchange of lessons learned from the above-mentioned best practices and others by and amongst all key groups of actors and stakeholders in the human settlement and development process;
To facilitate the transfer of the knowledge, experience and expertise associated with best practices in improving the living environment through new and improved means of cooperation on a north-north, north-south and south-south basis including decentralized forms of cooperation;
To assist scholars and practitioners in their investigation of innovative approaches to urban development.

Excerpt

[Excerpt, “Guide to Documenting and Learning from Best Practices,” 1996. Introduction, page 6]

“The Best Practices Initiative began as a world-wide search for human settlements success stories. An official part of the preparatory process for The City Summit – the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) – held in Istanbul, Turkey, in June 1996. Best Practices Initiative generated over 600 submissions from 80 countries by the official deadline. These initiatives are testimonials to human ingenuity in the face of the challenges of an urbanizing world.”

“A two-stage, independent selection process produced a list of 104 Best Practices and highlighted 12 initiatives to receive the Tokyo and Dubai Awards for Excellence in Improving the Living Environment. The twelve Award recipients and many other initiatives were also on display at the Best Practices Exhibition, the largest single-theme exposition ever organised by the United Nations. The enthusiasm and interest generated by the Best Practices Initiative has led to its incorporation as an ongoing programme of UNCHS (Habitat): the Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme (BLP). The BLP will operate as a network of leading capacity-building institutions from around the world. Mandated to support the implementation of the Habitat Agenda – the Global Plan of Action adopted at Habitat II – through the continued sharing and transfer of Best Practices knowledge, experience and expertise, the BLP is launching a second call for submissions, culminating in a second round of Awards for Excellence in Improving the Living Environment in October 1998.”

“The purpose of this guide is to provide a framework for identifying, documenting and learning from BEST PRACTICES. In addition, this guide explains how individuals, groups and organizations can participate in a continuous exchange of know-how, experience and expertise in sustainable human settlements development.”

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	1995
Project Type:	UN-Habitat Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme
Geographic Regions:	^{Tamil Nadu and Delhi, India / New South Wales and Queensland, Australia / Vienna, Austria / Jua Kali Sector, Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya / Helwan and Cairo, Egypt / Tucumán, Argentina / Oslo Old Town, Norway / Caracas, Venezuela / Sambizanga, Angola / Keramitsa and Perama, Greece / Glasgow, Scotland / Naga, Philippines / Santos, São Paulo, Brazil / Potsdam, Mannheim, and Kiel Mettenhof, Germany / Eryaman and Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey / Nkonkobe (Alice), South Africa}
Reports:	Best Practices: Memorandum of Understanding (Unit and Habitat, BPL) Best Practices: A Guide to Documenting and Learning from Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment (Draft) BP, 11: The Big Issue, UK BP, 17: Poverty Alleviation Through Community Cooperation, Delhi, India BP, 59: Overcoming Social Disadvantage, Elizabeth Munno Parra Area, South Australia BP, 60: A Cross Sectoral Approach to Urban Development, Inala Ipswich Corridor, Queensland BP, 75: Integrated House cum Work Area Projects for Handloom Weavers, Tamil Nadu, India BP, 92: Plan for Reintegration of Homeless Persons, Vienna, Austria BP, 94: Identification, Reduction and Prevention of Crime, Kisumu Town, Kenya BP, 120: Urban Community Development for Resettlement Area of Ein Helwan, Cairo, Egypt BP, 134: Illegal Settlements, Rosario City, Argentina BP, 135: Indigenous Population Shelter, Argentina BP, 140: Oslo Old Town Community Participation, Oslo, Norway BP, 158: Catuche Association, Venezuela BP, 174: Peri Urban Upgrading Programme, Sambizanga, Angola BP, 194: A Vision and Strategy for Economic Development, Northern Rivers Region, New South Wales, Australia BP, 205: Programme for Social and Economic Integration of Disadvantaged Groups, Perama, Greece BP, 209: Action for Warm House, Glasgow, Scotland BP, 216: Sustainable Rural Settlements Development, Kermista, Greece BP, 218: Enabling Environment for Jua Kali, Kenya BP, 227: Urban Poor Programme, Naga City, Philippines BP, 246: Integrated Children and Family Program, Santos, Brazil BP, 247: A History of the Calpini Neighborhood, Tafi Viejo, Tucuman, Argentina BP, 355: Housing Cooperative, Ludwig Frank, Mannheim, Germany BP, 362: Family Oriented System Building of Wooden Apartment Houses BP, 363: Housing Model for Multi Generation Women and Families, Kiel Mettenhof, Germany BP, 364: Kirchsteigfeld Estate, Potsdam, Berlin BPs, 377: Transformation Project from Squatter Settlement to Urban Housing, Turkey BP, 430: Eryaman Project, Turkey BP: South Africa Video Projects, Middledrift, Eastern Cape
Authors:	^{Dr. Wally N’Dow, Secretary General of UN-Habitat; François Vigier;}
Sponsors:	^{United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat);}
Categories:	Evaluations and Assessments;

ID:	1995_00_007