Posted on

“Belize Municipal Development Plan,” Urban Growth Plans for Corozal, Orange Walk, Benque Viejo, San Ignacio & Santa Elena, Belmopan, Dangriga and Punta Gorda, Belize, 2012-2014

Abstract

Between 2012-2014, the I2UD team worked to improve the urban planning capacity of Belize, by developing Municipal Development Plans (MDPs) for seven municipal government: Corozal, Orange Walk, Benque Viejo, San Ignacio & Santa Elena, Belmopan, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda. The project was collaboration with The World Bank, sponsored by the Belize Social Investment Fund.

The method followed was based on the 2015 UN Habitat Cities and Climate Change Initiative: Planning for Climate Change Toolkit. The Institute’s contributions outlined baseline social and economic data, used to generate cadastral and land utilization databases. The plans supported building urban planning skills among local authorities, to upkeep infrastructure development plans over time, with examples from economic capital improvement programs. Documents include expression of interest, inception reports, strategy reports, workshops and presentations, progress reports and guidance manual reports from 2012 to 2014.

Key goals included:
— To Develop comprehensive municipal development plans to improve land use planning and livability within their territories;
— To Identify strategies that promote the development of local economic activities;
— To Improve local revenue generation to finance public improvements through an efficient collection of locally based fees and taxes;
— To Improve the efficiency of local financial management; and
— To Engage the participation of stakeholders and community groups to ensure that proposed plans and investments targeted priority needs.

Project Year:2012-2014
Project Type:Comprehensive Plans
Geographic Regions:Belize (Corozal, Orange Walk, Benque Viejo, San Ignacio & Santa Elena, Belmopan, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda)
Reports:
Belize Municipal Development Plan: Dangriga Climate Change Report

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Strategy Report (May 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Guidance Manual Final Report (June 2014)

—

Supporting Documents:

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Expression of Interest (February 2012)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Final Inception Report (February 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Final Inception Report Annex 2 Summaries (February 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Introduction to Planning (Presentation, May 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Module 1 Follow Up Sessions Summary

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Module 2 Agenda

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Module 4 and 5 Presentation (March 2013)

—

Templates:

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Template for Municipal Profile (March 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Template for Demographic and Socioeconomic Profile (March 2013)

—

First and Second National Workshops:

Belize Municipal Development Plan: First National Workshop Presentation (May 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: “Preparation of Municipal Development Plans,” (November 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Second National Workshop (Presentation, December 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: First National Workshop (Summary Report, June 2013)

—

Progress Reports:

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Progress Report 1, “Preparation of Municipal Development Plans,” (June 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Progress Report 2, “Preparation of Municipal Development Plans,” (September 2013)

Belize Municipal Development Plan: Progress Report 3, “Preparation of Municipal Development Plans,” (December 2013)

Authors:Marion Cayetano; Lucien Chung; John Driscoll; David Dunbar; James Kostaras; Maren Larsen; Borja Lopez; John McGill; Jan Meerman; Ian Morrison; Juan Pablo Bocarejo; Mona Serageldin; Linda Shi; Elda Solloso; François Vigier
Sponsors:Belize Social Investment Fund; The World Bank
Categories:Urban Planning; Urban Finance; Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading
  
ID:2012_10_003

Tags

Posted on

“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]: 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:



Authors:David C. Jones; Mona Serageldin; Elda Solloso; François Vigier;
Sponsors:UN-Habitat
Categories:Urban Finance
  
ID:2004_07_001

Tags

Posted on

“Development Corridors and Urban Development Strategies” and “Slum Improvement Strategies and Social Inclusion,” Presentations by Dr. Mona Serageldin, 11th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, São Paulo, Brazil, 2004

Abstract

Dr. Mona Serageldin authored a presentation, “Development Corridors and Urban Development Strategies,” for the 11th UN Conference on Trade and Development in June 2004 held in São Paulo, Brazil. Her speech addresses the challenges affecting urban management and development at national and local levels.

Additionally, Dr. Serageldin presented a slide presentation on “Slum Improvement Strategies and Social Inclusion” on a panel titled “Metropolitan Policies, Urbanization and Regularization of Informal Settlements” at the 11th UN Conference. This presentation details a case study from South Africa, reviewing slum upgrading efforts, details of national expenditures, and housing patterns. Photography depicts people and neighborhoods, economic enterprises, and housing in South Africa. Continues with detailed images of people, neighborhoods, city housing and housing density in urban places from around the globe.

Excerpt


[Excerpt: “Development Corridors and Urban Development Strategies,” pages 1, 2, 4-5.]

1.0 Positioning Cities in the Increasingly Complex and Competitive Global Economy
“Europe took an early lead in exploring the urban configuration that would result from unification and economic restructuring. The French National Planning Agency produced, in the late eighties, a landmark study ranking cities according to indicators of strength in the high-tech and high-value added sectors. The resultant diagram delineated the major economic regions and growth nodes in Western Europe. The main transportation corridors linking the larger centers, act as the backbone of the system, structuring networks of interlinked cities and channeling development along their alignment.

1.1 Structuring Development Corridors
Throughout the decade of the 90’s, globalization reshaped patterns of production, leading to the emergence of interlinked clusters of entrepreneurial businesses working through strategic alliances. Looking at Montpellier, France and the region around the technopole as an example shows that each economic cluster has its own pattern of spatial interconnections and dispersion based on functional, physical and virtual links. Technological innovation and fierce international competition are constantly reshaping these patterns, adding and eliminating whole categories of businesses and redirecting the flows of private investment to new and more advantageous locations.”

….

2.0 Coping with unprecedented mobility and large migratory flows
“Attempting to slow the growth of the metropolitan areas in order to divert population and activities to lagging regions is ill advised. Such policies have met with little success at a very high cost to the nation. Their wisdom is to be questioned at a time when unprecedented mobility has multiplied the capacity of the larger centers to contribute to the development of by-passed regions and economically distressed areas. Commuting from surrounding villages and towns, migration from rural areas and small provincial towns, lifts people out of poverty and contributes to channeling large flows of remittances to these lagging regions.”

Project Year:2004
Project Type:Presentation
Geographic Regions:São Paulo, Brazil
Reports:

Authors:Mona Serageldin
Sponsors:11th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, June 2004, São Paulo, Brazil
Categories:Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading
  
ID:2004_06_001

Related I2UD Projects

“World Migration Report,” Background Papers on Displacement, Migration and Resettlement in MENA (Middle East and North Africa), International Organization for Migration, 2014

“Migration, Remittances and Housing in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Study on Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa, with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), 2007-2008

“Migration, Remittances and the Empowerment of Women in Central America and the Andean Region,” for PROMESHA, Lund University, 2007-2008

“Habitat III Regional Report for the Arab Region,” for UN-Habitat (ROAS) and United Nations (ESCWA), 2015-2016

“National Urban Strategy for Governorates in Iraq,” Development Strategy for Phase II of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Iraq Ministry of Planning Local Area Development Programme (LADP II), 2014-2018

“National Urban Policies in Arab States,” Regional Assessment and Case Studies on NUPs in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, 2014

UN-HABITAT Spatial Regional Plan and Assessment for the Kurdistan-Iraq Region Housing Program, 2014

“Inclusive Cities and Access to Land, Housing, and Services in Developing Countries,” Urban Development Series: Knowledge Papers, February 2016, No. 22. World Bank’s Social, Urban, Rural & Resilience Global Practice, 2016

“Basic Services for an Urbanizing World,” Third Global Report on Local Democracy and Decentralization (GOLD III, UCLG). Chapter on “Middle East and West Asia” by Mona Serageldin, I2UD, 2013

World Bank MNA Urban Action Plan – Policy and Strategy Papers: “The Evolving Regional Urban Agenda: Key Challenges and Opportunities,” & “From Spring to Renaissance: Repositioning the Arab Cities,” 2013

“GCC Regional Spatial Strategy – Elements and Considerations,” Urban Development Plan, UN-Habitat Gulf States Regional Office Workshops, 2013

State of Arab Cities 2012 UN-Habitat Report & Conference – “Challenges of Urban Transition: Municipal Management and Urban Development Conference For Sustainability in Arab States,” Kuwait, May 2012

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

Executive Training Course 2006: “Strategic Planning for Sustainable Infrastructure Development,” Workshop Curriculum with Case Studies, Pretoria, South Africa, 2006

“Development Corridors and Urban Development Strategies” and “Slum Improvement Strategies and Social Inclusion,” Presentations by Dr. Mona Serageldin, 11th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, São Paulo, Brazil, 2004

“Migratory Flows, Poverty and Social Inclusion in Latin America,” Research Report by Dr. Mona Serageldin with Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), 2004

“Community-Based Urbanization and Favelas Rehabilitation Processes,” Case Study in Academy Editions, “The Architecture of Empowerment: People, Shelter and Livable Cities,” for Fortaleza, Brazil, 1997

“Review of Ongoing USAID Shelter Sector Activities in Morocco,” Report by Dr. Mona Serageldin with ICMA, TSS Inc. for USAID/Morocco Office of Housing and Urban Programs, 1992-1998

Design Studio 1989: “Rabat’s Urban Fringe,” Urbanization Analysis of Rabat, Morocco – Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1988: “Urban Infrastructure Planning and Programing in Developing Countries,” Chapters 1-7, Seminar Curriculum

Gallery 2 – Côte d’Ivoire: Adjamé, Abidjan, 1990-1995

Gallery 4 – Chile: Santiago, Concepción, and Talcahuano, 1992-1993

Galleries 6-7 – Egypt: Cairo and Helwan, 1986, 1990

Gallery 16 – Venezuela: Caracas, 1989

Tags

Posted on

“Community Based Credit for Housing, Infrastructure, and Microenterprises,” Micro-Finance Housing Shortage Study for Quito, Ecuador, 1995

Abstract

In 1995, the Unit for Housing and Urban Development (HU-GSD) researched a mico-finance study on housing shortages in Quito, Ecuador to assess the impact of USAID’s Regional Housing and Urban Development Office for South America (RHUDO/SA) Ecuadorian Credit Program.

The Unit’s research presented solutions for housing shortages in Quito, Ecuador. The study discusses mechanisms for the extension of credit to lower income households through community based credit institutions, including productive housing loans, micro-enterprise loans, infrastructure provisions, loan refinancing to solve housing shortages in Quito.

Documents are an Executive Summary, and the Main Report (1995). Supporting documents include a Microenterprise Component from January 1995, A Market report by Thomas J. O’Malley “Ecuador’s Secondary Market – Findings Possibilities and Recommendations,” and a Summary memo titled “Reaching the Bulk of the Housing Problem With Loans – Gustavo Riofrío to Mona Serageldin.”


[Excerpt: Executive Summary]

“The study reviewed the structure and operations of various institutions involved in housing in Ecuador. The strategic objective was the development of micro finance instruments offering lower income households credit for housing and housing related finance on terms that are affordable, convenient and responsive to their needs.

The purpose of the study was to: 1) Assess the RHUDO’s current credit program as it relates to efficient urban improvement; 2) Assess the feasibility of expanding the Program into the areas of productive housing loans, micro enterprise loans, and infrastructure provision as well as the possibility of refinancing these loans.

Microenterprise Development: The study recommends advocating the concept of a “productive house” used as shelter and as income generator as an integral component of the self improvement strategies of lower income families. It allows them to upgrade their economic conditions as well as their living environment. Home based income generating activities are particularly important in helping women address some of their financial needs. For the working poor, income generation is an integral part of housing development. Investing in the house helps establish and expand home based micro-enterprises. Building on this concept the study focuses of the following components:

– Linking micro-enterprise and home improvement finance through the credit unions.
– Utilizing the same credit channels to lend directly for housing and micro-enterprise development.
– Refinancing portfolios of productive housing loans in order to leverage capital resources.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:1995
Project Type:Research Paper
Geographic Regions:Quito, Ecuador
Reports:





Authors:Mona Serageldin; David C. Jones; Sherif Lotfi; David Neilson; Thomas O’Malley; Gustavo Riofrio; Kimberley Wilson
Sponsors:USAID Regional Housing and Urban Development Office; Regional Housing and Urban Development Office for South America (RHUDO/SA) Ecuadorian Credit Program.
Categories:Urban Finance
  
ID:1995_03_003

Related I2UD Projects

Gallery 16 – Venecuela: Caracas, 1989

Tags

Posted on

“Introduction to Local Finances,” Teaching Monographs and Case Studies on Finance Management, by Visiting Lecturer David C. Jones, 1994-1999

Abstract

Between 1994 and 1999, David C. Jones was a visiting lecturer at the Unit for Housing and Urbanization. Jones lead seminars in the GDS International Training Programs for urban development practitioners. His contributions from I2UD’s records include the following materials:


Teaching monographs:
– “Municipal Government and Public Utilities: Financing and Management of Public Sector Infrastructure”
– “Financial, Economic and Social Impacts of Operational and Development Activities in Urban Communities”
– “Cost Definition and Recovery for Infrastructure, Land and Property”
– “Cost Measurement and Pricing of Local Public Services”

Case Studies:
– “Harvardia”
– “Harvard Yard Development Enterprise (HYDE)”

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:1994-1999
Project Type:Teaching Monographs
Geographic Regions:Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Reports:
“Municipal Government and Public Utilities: Financing and Management of Public Sector Infrastructure” (David Jones)


“Financial, Economic and Social Impacts on Operational and Development Activity on Urban Communities” (David Jones, July 1994)


“Cost Definition and Recovery” (David Jones, 1999)


“Cost Measurement and Pricing of Local Public Services” (David Jones)


“The Harvard Yard Development Enterprise (HYDE)” (David Jones, Case Study)


“Harvardia,” (David Jones, Case Study)

Authors:David C. Jones
Sponsors:Unit for Housing and Urbanization at the Harvard Graduate School of Design
Categories:Urban Planning; Urban Finance
  
ID:1994_07_002

Related I2UD Projects


“Planning for Climate Adaptation Program” for Four Dominican Republic Municipalities: Santo Domingo National District, Santiago de los Caballeros, San Pedro de Macoris, and Las Terrenas, 2015

“National Urban Policies in Arab States,” Regional Assessment and Case Studies on NUPs in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, 2014

“Arusha Urbanization Strategy and Urban Development Plan,” Development Strategy for Arusha Municipality, Tanzania, 2009-2012

ICLRD: Urban Reconciliation Case Studies for Public Housing Estates in Ireland and Northern Ireland, with Study Profile on the Basel Metropolitan Area, 2010-2012

Executive Training Course 2006: “Strategic Planning for Sustainable Infrastructure Development,” Workshop Curriculum with Case Studies, Pretoria, South Africa, 2006

IEP 2003: “Infrastructure and Partnerships for Local Economic Development” in Pretoria and Bloemfontein, South Africa, International Education Programs, 2003

IEP 2002: “Strategic Planning for Local Development & Urban Revitalization,” Program Overview, International Education Programs, 2002

Workshops on “Strategic Planning and Management of Municipal Infrastructure Programs,” from Review of Grant-Funded MIPs in South Africa, May-June 1999

“Housing Microfinance Initiatives,” Case Study for USAID Microenterprise Best Practices Initiative, 1999-2000

ITP 1998: “The Role of Public/Private Partnerships in Urban Improvements,” with Case Studies on Kreuzberg, Berlin (Germany), GIS Mapping on Cape Cod (US) and the Maarouf Quarter of Cairo (Egypt), 1998

“City of Szczecin Capital Improvement Program,” Case Studies for Technical Assistance Program, Szczecin, Poland, 1996

ITP 1994: “Revitalization in Older Urban Spaces,” Upham’s Corner, Dorchester, Boston, South Boston, and New Haven (US); Montpellier (France); and Cork (Ireland) with Case Studies, International Education Programs, 1994

“Introduction to Local Finances,” Teaching Monographs and Case Studies on Finance Management, by Visiting Lecturer David C. Jones, 1994-1999

Tags

Posted on

“Financing Infrastructure Upgrading Programs,” Two Urban Development Research Papers, Dr. Mona Serageldin, 1989-1991

Abstract

From 1989 to 1991, Dr. Mona Serageldin authored two related papers on financing urban development for the Unit for Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University: “Financing Upgrading Programs (November 1989) and “Financing Infrastructure Upgrading Programs (March 1991).

The papers assessed the exchange components of local and foreign currency, as cost factors in urban development upgrading projects. Dr. Serageldin focused on three main needs to establish effectively financed upgrading programs: 1) Construction of new infrastructure networks, 2) Building and improvement of community facilities like schools and health centers, and 3) Creation of homeowner credit mechanisms to improve residential properties. Municipalities in Jordan, Tunisia, and Hafsia provided example case studies.



[Excerpt: “Financing Upgrading Programs, November 1989”]

“…Upgrading is widely held to be the most effective mechanism to expand the supply of housing for limited income groups and improve living conditions for the urban poor. By providing the support infrastructure, it opens up opportunities for new economic activity.”

“Despite highly publicized haranguing by U.N. Habitat, housing is no longer viewed as a priority for public expenditure by international funding organizations and bilateral aid agencies. The debt situation in developing countries implies a widening gap between urgent needs and potential resources. Demographic pressure and the economic crisis have concentrated efforts on economic development and employment generation rather than social infrastructure.”

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:1989-1991
Project Type:Research Paper
Geographic Regions:Global / None Specified
Reports:

Financing Upgrading Programs: (Mona Serageldin, November 1989)


Financing Infrastructure Upgrading Programs: (Mona Serageldin, March 1991)

Authors:Mona Serageldin
Sponsors:Unit for Housing and Urbanization at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (1989); USAID Office of Housing and Urban Projects (1991);
Categories:Reconciliation and Development
  
ID:1989_11_001

Related I2UD Projects

Tags