“Social Sustainability and Citizen Engagement (SSCE),” Local Project Management for Phase 2 of the World Bank-Austria Urban Partnership Program (UPP) in Southeastern Europe, 2015

Abstract

In 2015, I2UD contributed to Phase 2 of the “Social Sustainability and Citizen Engagement” (SSCE) project. The project built off of the successful approach of the Social Sustainability Audit (SSA) implemented in Phase 1 of the World Bank-Austria Urban Partnership Program (UPP).

Local City Teams worked in Elbasan (Albania), Gjilan (Kosovo), Kumanovo (North Macedonia), Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Karlovac (Croatia), Kolašin and Ulcinj (Montenegro), and Pančevo and Šabac (Serbia), along with researchers from I2UD and Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat Development based in Tirana, Albania.

I2UD staff worked closely with Co-PLAN to manage the project and Local City Team partners to undertake the municipal assessments, including developing project methodologies in a participatory way, supporting Local City Teams in undertaking the local research and discussions, analyzing project outputs, and documenting best practices in increasing social accountability. Teams undertook research on the current status of participation, transparency, and feedback in municipal services and governance in each region. Teams held focus group discussions, interviews, participatory scenario development workshops and drafted City Action Plans to implement a catalyst project to enhance social sustainability and increase citizen engagement.

The project sought to increase knowledge and awareness of social accountability among local stakeholders including civil society, government officials, and marginalized urban residents; and to strengthen integrity in public service delivery by increasing the demand for good governance, social accountability, and civic participation in a regional perspective in each city.

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Technical Proposal]

“Phase 1 of this project resulted in detailed, analytical reports of each of the nine cities covering demographic, social, physical, economic, cultural, institutional and political issues….the city teams also identified vulnerable groups to be the focus of the second phase of the assessment. This selection was made on the basis of official information obtained from institutions responsible for the provision of various public services at a local level, findings from research studies made by international and national organizations, as well as other relevant documents (laws, provisions, local development strategies, etc.) and representatives from marginalized and vulnerable communities and NGOS consulted during the inception phase.”

Project Year:	2015-2017
Project Type:	Technical Assistance
Geographic Regions:	^{Southeast Europe: Elbasan, Albania / Gjilan, Kosovo / Karlovac, Croatia / Kolašin and Ulcinj, Montenegro / Kumanovo, North Macedonia / Pančevo and Šabac, Serbia / Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina}
Reports:	SSCE Initiative: Short Technical Proposal (June 2015) SSCE Initiative: Elbasan, Albania, Synthesis Report (January 2017) SSCE Initiative: Gjilan, Kosovo, Synthesis Report (January 2017) SSCE Initiative: Karlovac, Croatia, Synthesis Report (January 2017) SSCE Initiative: Kolasin, Montenegro, Synthesis Report (January 2017) SSCE Initiative: Kumanovo, Macedonia, Synthesis Report (January 2017) SSCE Initiative: Pancevo, Serbia, Synthesis Report (January 2017) SSCE Initiative: Sabac, Serbia, Synthesis Report (January 2017) SSCE Initiative: Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Synthesis Report (January 2017) SSCE Initiative: Ulcinj, Montenegro, Synthesis Report (January 2017) SSCE Initiative: Brochure World Bank-Austria (January 2018)
Authors:	^{I2UD: Maren Larsen; Bruce Purdy; Carolina Morgan; John Driscoll; Hans Freidl; François Vigier; Co-PLAN: Dritan Shutina; Aida Ciro; Elvan Dajko; Ingrid Xhafa; Archis Intervention Prishtina AI/P for Gjilan: Florina Jerliu; Mrinë Godanca; GONG (Citizens Organization to Oversee Voting for Karlovac Croatia): Maja Horvat; Nives Miošić; Coalition for Sustainable Development for Kumanovo: Sonja Damchevska; NALED – National Alliance for Local Economic Development for Pančevo and Šabac: Ivana Cikik; Maja Todorovic; Association for Research and Social Innovation for Tuzla: Elma Demir; MANS Network for the Affirmation of the NGO Sector in Montenegro: Alexander Maskovic; Vuk Maras;}
Sponsors:	^{The World Bank; Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat Development; Association for Research and Social Innovation ADT (Bosnia & Herzegovina); GONG (Croatia); Coalition for Sustainable Development (North Macedonia); Archis Intervention Prishtina (Kosovo); MANS (Montenegro); NALED Serbia;}
Categories:	Urban Planning

ID:	2015_09_001

Related I2UD Projects

Related by – Work in Albania

“Framework for Land Management and Urban Development in a Market Economy,” Mission Report for Albania, with Case Studies Annexes, 1994

“Delivery of Security of Tenure, Infrastructure Services and Access to Finance Through Community-Based Approaches,” Report on Albania and El Salvador for the 4th World Bank Urban Research Symposium, 2007

“Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Sustainable Cities Initiative,” Local Development Strategy for Durrës, Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Pristina and Skopje, with Co-PLAN Albania, 2012-2013

“Social Sustainability and Citizen Engagement (SSCE),” Local Project Management for Phase 2 of the World Bank-Austria Urban Partnership Program (UPP) in Southeastern Europe, 2015

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September 2012April 2025

“Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Sustainable Cities Initiative,” Local Development Strategy for Durrës, Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Pristina and Skopje, with Co-PLAN Albania, 2012-2013

Abstract

This project was undertaken in 2012 as a joint venture between I2UD and the Albanian firm Co-PLAN, as part of the World Bank-Austria Partnership Program for Strengthening Local Governments in southeastern European countries.

The program featured an assessment of Social Sustainability frameworks of five Balkan cities: Durrës (Albania), Banja Luka and Sarajevo (both in Bosnia and Herzegovina), Pristina (Kosovo), and Skopje (Macedonia), as part of an effort to increase the knowledge and awareness of social accountability among city stakeholders and to strengthen the integrity of public services. Local teams in each of the five cities worked in close collaboration with the I2UD-Co-PLAN team.

Documents include a Short Proposal, with a Full City Profile report and Inception Report. Following, are a Focus Group Summary, Social Accountability Note Framework and Index Concept Note. From March 2013 are several City Synthesis Profiles for Sarajevo, Prishtina, Skopje, Durrës, and Banja Luka. Finally, see a Final Reflections Report, a Regional Workshop “ICTs and Social Inclusion” Presentation, and a Regional Workshop Summary from April 2013.

Project Year:	2012
Project Type:	Local Development Strategy
Geographic Regions:	^{Durrës, Albania / Sarajevo and Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina / Prishtina, Kosovo / Skopje, North Macedonia}
Reports:	ECA Audit: Short Proposal (July 2012) ECA Audit: Inception Report Full City Profiles (October 2012) ECA Audit: Inception Report (November 2012) — ECA Audit: Focus Group Summary (November 2012) ECA Audit: Social Accountability Framework (December 2012) ECA Audit: Social Accountability Index Concept Note (Jan 2013) — ECA Audit: City Synthesis Report, Sarajevo (March 2013) ECA Audit: City Synthesis Report, Prishtina (March 2013) ECA Audit: City Synthesis Report, Skopje (March 2013) ECA Audit: City Synthesis Report, Durrës (March 2013) ECA Audit: City Synthesis Report, Banja Luka (March 2013) — ECA Audit: Social Accountability City Note, Sarajevo ECA Audit: Social Accountability City Note, Prishtina ECA Audit: Social Accountability City Note, Skopje ECA Audit: Social Accountability City Note, Durrës ECA Audit: Social Accountability City Note, Banja Luka — ECA Audit: Final Reflections Report (March 2013) ECA Audit: Regional Workshop “ICTs and Social Inclusion” Presentation (March 2013) ECA Audit: Regional Workshop Summary (April 2013)
Authors:	^{John Driscoll; Carolina Morgan; I2UD;}
Sponsors:	^{The World Bank}
Categories:	Climate Change and Resilience Building; Urban Planning

ID:	2012_09_001

Related I2UD Projects

Related by – Work in Albania

“Framework for Land Management and Urban Development in a Market Economy,” Mission Report for Albania, with Case Studies Annexes, 1994

“Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Sustainable Cities Initiative,” Local Development Strategy for Durrës, Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Pristina and Skopje, with Co-PLAN Albania, 2012-2013

“Social Sustainability and Citizen Engagement (SSCE),” Local Project Management for Phase 2 of the World Bank-Austria Urban Partnership Program (UPP) in Southeastern Europe, 2015

Tags

January 2012April 2025

“Urban Planning Guide for City Leaders,” Research for UN-Habitat Report, 2014 Edition

In 2014, Dr. Mona Serageldin, Elda Solloso, and Gil Kelley contributed to background research papers for the 2014 edition of the UN-Habitat publication “Urban Planning Guide for City Leaders.” The 188-page report sought to help local leaders to develop and communicate urban planning initiatives and to follow best practices in light of rapid urbanization.

Excerpt

[Excerpt:] Table 4.1, Adapted from research by Dr. Serageldin (page 97):

Project Year:	2012
Project Type:	Development Strategy
Geographic Regions:	Global / None Specified
Reports:	Urban Planning Guide for City Leaders: (Final Report, September 2014)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; Pablo Vaggione; Carolina Morgan; Elda Solloso;}
Sponsors:	UN-Habitat; Siemens;
Categories:	Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading

ID:	2012_00_002

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July 2005April 2025

“Romania Local Governance Bridge Program – Metropolitan Planning and Cooperation in Romania,” USAID-ROMANIA Report for the Association of Romanian Municipal Chief Architects, Ploiesti Metropolitan Area, Romania, 2005

Abstract

An USAID-Romania and ARD Inc. report on the “Romania Local Governance Bridge Program: Metropolitan Planning and Cooperation in Romania,” sponsored by USAID (Task Order 810) in 2005. The report outlines the development of approaches best suited to Romania, drawing upon technical assistance previously provided to the Municipality of Oradea and surrounding communes.

CUDS members John Driscoll, and Dr. Francois Vigier contributed by outlining technical assistance approaches to metropolitan development and governance used in Romania.

Excerpt

[Excerpt]: Introduction and Preface

“This report was developed based on joint missions with John Driscoll, Institute for International Urban Development and Mr. Liviu Ianasi, Vice-Dean of the School of Urban Planning in Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urban Planning and consultant to the Chief Architects Association and Ploiesti municipality.

“This report is based on a request to USAID to help the Municipality of Ploiesti to redefine its approach to implementing metropolitan development—spatial and metropolitan governance—and to assist the Romanian Chief Architects Association to identify different approaches to metropolitan development in Romania. This is part of a larger activity of the association to systematically highlight major challenges on various topics that are relevant to the planning activities of chief architects in Romanian cities.”

“This report is divided into the two major topics of the request for assistance: (a) an overview of metropolitan and inter communal planning approaches in the U.S., the EU and Romania; and (b) a review of current initiatives in Ploiesti and recommendations for subsequent activities. For the purposes of this report, the Association requested that an emphasis be put on reviewing U.S. experiences that could be relevant to the Romanian context. More extensive work on the EU dimension of metropolitan planning and inter-communal cooperation has been undertaken separately by the Chief Architects Association and covered in related work by Romanian consultants working on metropolitan initiatives in Romania. In the last five years, the concept of metropolitan and inter-communal cooperation and the emergence of specific proposals have gained momentum in Romania. There is an emerging body of experience and research within in both the fields of urban and public administration on the topic.”

“This report was developed based on joint missions with Mr. Liviu Ianasi, Vice-Dean of the School of Urban Planning in Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urban Planning and consultant to the Chief Architects Association and Ploiesti municipality… Ms. Simona Munteanu, Chief Architect of the Municipality of Ploiesti, worked with the consultants to review current initiatives for the Ploiesti metropolitan area and develop proposals for further cooperation. The consultants would like to thank ARD-Romania for the assistance provided during the course of this assignment.”

“Professor Francois Vigier, (formerly) Professor Emeritus at the Harvard School of Design and President of the International Institute for Urban Development in Cambridge Massachusetts contributed advice and text to the summary of the experience of metropolitan development in the United States. Ms. Muneanu, Mr. Andrei Luncan, Dr. Arh. Radu Radoslav and other members of the Subcommittee on Metropolitan Cooperation of the Chief Architects Association provided important insights to the current efforts in metropolitan development in Romania. The work of the Association should receive continued support given the potential impact of positively shaping urban growth in Romania. Discussions with Dr. Nicolae Taralunga and Dr. Sorina Racoviceanu of the Institute for Housing and Urban Development.” [End excerpt]

(Reproduced for Education and Research Fair Use. Copyright Information: This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by ARD, Inc. 2005. USAID Task Order 810: USAID Contract No. AEP-I-00-00-00016-00.)

Project Year:	2005
Project Type:	Policy Paper
Geographic Regions:	Ploiești, Romania
Reports:	Romania Local Governance Bridge Program: (Report, 2005)
Authors:	^{Francois Vigier (I2UD); John Driscoll (I2UD); Liviu Ianasi (Vice-Dean of the School of Urban Planning in Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urban Planning);}
Sponsors:	^{USAID-ROMANIA}
Categories:	Urban Planning

ID:	2005_07_001

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August 2000April 2025

“Decentralization and Urban Infrastructure Management Capacity,” Research Paper for UN-Habitat’s Third Global Report on Human Settlements, 2000

A CUDS research paper from 2000 provided an overview of decentralization and infrastructure policy in the USA since the 1990. The study stressed the expanding scope for private sector involvement and the growing role of non-governmental organizations and civil society in the delivery of infrastructure services for urban slums – properly termed informal settlements. The paper served as a background paper for UN-Habitat’s Third Global Report on Human Settlements.

[Excerpt: Background Paper, August 2000]

1.0 Overview: This background paper is based on an extensive review of infrastructure initiatives implemented since the early 1990s in different economic, social and cultural settings. Recent trends are assessed and creative approaches presented. In each case, the challenges faced and the context within which infrastructure problems have to be addressed determined the range of options and the choice of strategies. The remarkable results achieved by Best Practices are highlighted with a special focus on the ingredients underlying their success.”

[Excerpt: Table of Contents, Background Paper, August 2000, p. 2 of 31]

Project Year:	2000
Project Type:	Research Paper
Geographic Regions:	Global / None Specified
Reports:	Decentralization and Urban Infrastructure Management Capacity: (Background Paper, August 2000)
Authors:	^{Suzanne Kim; Mona Serageldin; Sameh Wahba}
Sponsors:	UN-Habitat
Categories:	Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading

ID:	2000_08_003

Tags

June 1996April 2025

Habitat II Conference Research Papers: “Cities of the Global South” – “Leadership and Best Practices”- “Tenure Rights and Development Control,” Istanbul, Turkey, June 1996

Abstract

In June 1996, Dr. Mona Serageldin and the Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS) presented research papers for the United Nation’s Habitat II Conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Documents here include three papers presented by Dr. Mona Serageldin for CUDS:

1. “Cities of the Global South” for a dialogue on Land Policy and Rural Urban Linkages.

2. “Leadership and Best Practices,” for a panel on Governance and Best Practices.

3. “Tenure Rights and Development Control” for a forum on Building Housing to Feel at Home.

Additional documents are a summary of Harvard’s Graduate School of Design participation in international research agendas, “GSD Participation.” Other papers were sponsored by the Urban Management Program of Habitat/World Bank/UNDP, the Institute of Public Administration of New York, and the Center for the Global South at American University in Washington, D.C.

Excerpt

[Excerpt: “GSD Participation,” with Summary of CUDS at the Habitat II Conference]:

“Habitat II was the largest global conference on urban issues since 1976, when Habitat I was held in Vancouver. It attracted over 20,000 participants who debated critical issues, discussed the policy agenda and set directions for the coming decades…

“At the United Nations’ Habitat II Conference held in Istanbul June 3-14, 1996, two cities with whom the Unit for Housing and Urbanization at the GSD has worked over the past few years received Global Best Practices Awards for “excellence in improving the living environment.” They are Lublin, Poland, the Adjame district in Abidjan, Cote d’lvoire. The Unit also organized a special training program for a third recipient, the ANHI housing agency of Morocco.

“Nicolas You, coordinator for Best Practices and Local Leadership Program at Habitat explained that the object of the Awards is to highlight particularly successful actions that improve the human environment. The secretary general of the United Nations, Dr. Boutros – Ghali, presented the awards to the recipients in plenary session.”

“Secretary General of Habitat, Dr. Wally N’Dow stated: “The collection and dissemination of Best Practices will be an important and lasting heritage of Habitat II.” The Initiative will establish a database accessible on the Internet and a video library documenting these outstanding experiences in order to encourage transfer of knowledge, experience, and expertise. The Unit will participate in this interactive mode of exchange of ideas and learning.”

“Mona Serageldin, Professor of Urban Planning and Associate Director of the Unit participated on panels discussing “Best Practices and Good Govemance,” “Cities in the South, Preparing for the Next Millennium,” “Building Capacity for Better Cities,” and “The Dialogue on Land Policy.”

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	1996
Project Type:	CUDS Presentations
Geographic Regions:	Istanbul, Turkey (Conference Location)
Reports:	Habitat II Conference: Cities of the Global South (Mona Serageldin, June 1996) Habitat II Conference: Leadership and Best Practices (Mona Serageldin, June 1996) Habitat II Conference: Tenure Rights and Development Controls (Mona Serageldin, June 1996) Habitat II Conference: GSD Participation (June 1996)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin (CUDS)}
Sponsors:	^{Unit for Housing and Urbanization at the Harvard Graduate School of Design}
Categories:	Evaluations and Assessments;

ID:	1996_06_001

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January 1995April 2025

“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