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“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 the 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: 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
Reports:
Authors:I2UD: Maren Larsen; Bruce Purdy; Carolina Morgan; John Driscoll; Hans Freidl; François Vigier;
Co-PLAN: Dritan Shutina; Aida Ciro; Elvan Dajko; Ingrid Xhafa;
AIP (Gjilan): Florina Jerliu; Mrinë Godanca;
GONG (Croatia): Maja Horvat; Nives Miošić;
CSD (Kumanovo): Sonja Damchevska;
NALED (Pančevo and Šabac): Ivana Cikik; Maja Todorovic;
ATD (Tuzla): Elma Demir;
MANS (Montenegro): Alexander Maskovic; Vuk Maras
Sponsors:World Bank
Categories:Urban Planning
  
ID:2015_09_001

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“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, 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 and Co-PLAN team.

Documents include a Short Proposal, with a Full City Profile report and Inception Report. Following, there are a Focus Group Summary, Social Accountability Note Framework and Index Concept Note. From March 2013, there are 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:Albania / Bosnia and Herzegovina / Kosovo / North Macedonia
Reports:
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Authors:John Driscoll; Carolina Morgan
Sponsors:World Bank
Categories:Climate Change and Resilience Building; Urban Planning
  
ID:2012_09_001

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

Abstract

A 2007 research report by I2UD, “Delivery of Security of Tenure, Infrastructure Services and Access to Finance Through Community-Based Approaches,” was presented at the 4th World Bank Urban Research Symposium in May 2007 in Washington, D.C. The planning strategy examined the provision of land tenure security and basic infrastructure to marginalized groups in Albania and El Salvador. It encouraged a blend of community participation and cooperation among local authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and bilateral and multilateral organizations.

Documents include a synthesis of the Symposium published by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), “Beyond Titling: Summing up ‘Urban Land Use and Land Markets.'”


[Excerpt: Delivery of Security of Tenure, Summary]

“Incremental approaches to improving tenure security based on community participation and partnerships between local authorities, NGOs and bilateral and multilateral organizations can be effective in fostering social inclusion and facilitating access to urban land:
— In Albania, the Urban Land Management Program addressed the explosive development of informal settlements around Tirana by establishing a demand-driven program for the provision of basic services and engaging residents in the process of planning for community development.
— In El Salvador, the Fundación Salvadoreña de Apoyo Integral (FUSAI) has provided housing solutions to communities located on vulnerable or hazardous land through an integrated package of land provision, mutual-help housing construction and small housing loans. Despite the differences in context, both programs delivered security of tenure and provided basic infrastructure services to marginalized groups.”

Key Words: Security of tenure, infrastructure provision, informal settlements, social inclusion.

[Excerpt: Preface to Beyond Titling, by Thomas Melin, Head of Division for Urban Development at Sida]

“The Urban Research Symposium 2007 was held for the fourth time in Washington DC, USA, between May 14th to 16th 2007. The title of [2007’s] Symposium was Urban Land Use and Land Markets. These themes have preoccupied donors, multilateral organisations and civil society for decades but research is still insufficient due to the complexity of the issues.”

“Formal land delivery systems have often been inadequate to meet growing urban populations’ demands for secure tenure. The “informal land delivery system” – squatting, illegal subdivision of plots and pavement dwelling – has been the only answer. In order to improve poor people’s livelihoods, we need to better understand how the full continuum of informal and formal land markets operate; how new solutions to secure land for poor people can be developed; and how land can be used sustainably.”

Project Year:2007
Project Type:Research Paper
Geographic Regions:Tirana, Albania / El Salvador
Reports:
Authors:John Driscoll; Christa Lee-Chuvala; Dritan Shutina; Felicity Chan; Carolina Morgan
Sponsors:World Bank
Categories:Urban Planning
  
ID:2007_00_001

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IEP August 2000: “Boston, Massachusetts: Strategic Plans and Community Participation,” International Education Programs, 2000

Abstract

The Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS) at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design conducted an International Education Program (IEP) on “Boston, Massachusetts: Strategic Plans and Community Participation” in August 2000. The curriculum for the program included case studies and project summaries from influential offices and agencies from Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Many case studies were replicated for later years of the IEP program.

Multiple curriculum components are contained in each document. See individual cover pages for full section indexes, or the Program Reference Materials List (Volume 1 Index). For example, the document “Boston Strategic Plans and Community Participation (Case Studies)” contains multiple works:

  • A Civic Vision for Turnpike Air Rights (Strategic Development Study Committee, Boston Redevelopment Authority Boston, MA, 2000)
  • Private/Public Development of South Station (Center for Urban Development Studies, Cambridge, MA, 1995)
  • Boston 400 Guide to Community Participation (Boston Redevelopment Authority, Boston, MA, Summer 1999)
  • Choosing to Compete: A Statewide Strategy for Job Creation and Economic Growth: Executive Summary (Executive Office of Economic Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 1993)

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:2000
Project Type:IEP; Education
Geographic Regions:Boston, Massachusetts, US / Providence, Rhode Island, USA / New York Metropolitan Area, USA / Paris, France / Szczecin, Poland / Tirana, Albania / St. Petersburg, Russia
Reports:
Authors:François Vigier; Mona Serageldin; John Driscoll; David Jones; Christopher Rogers; Kath Phelan; Linda Haar; Thomas Nally; Carol R. Johnson; Deborah Goddard; Richard Henderson; Martin Nee; Jorge Martinez; David Knowles; Margaret Thalwitz; Robert Yaro; Kimberley Wilson
Sponsors:Center for Urban Development Studies, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:International Education Program; Education
  
ID:2000_08_002

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Beginning in 1982, the Unit for Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design hosted International Training Programs (ITP), an annual series of 2- to 4-week summer seminars designed to strengthen the decision-making skills of senior professionals in public and private agencies responsible for urban development.

The I2UD Digital Library holds curriculum materials for ITPs from 1988, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, and 1998:

The tradition of ITPs continued after 2000, when the Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS) (a re-organization of the Unit) continued training seminars as International Education Programs (IEP) from 2000-2004:

Programs included inter-linked modules, lectures, case studies, interactive computer simulation models, site visits to urban projects, discussion groups and networking with professional counterparts from international metropolitan regions. Sessions had a modular format and structured team teaching, taught by a team of senior faculty and guest lecturers. Programs ended with a synthesis presented through a project evaluation exercise. Participants used case projects to examine strategies from the viewpoint of both public and private partners — to assess the feasibility and potential impacts of policies and projects on the community and the city. Presentations by guest speakers, representing U.S. and international agencies, NGOs, and community groups, were also integrated within the pedagogic framework of each module.

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

Abstract

Mona Serageldin and the Unit for Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design prepared a mission report for Albania in 1994 on building a “Framework for Land Management and Urban Development in a Market Economy,” in collaboration with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The report addressed the development of strategies for technical assistance and capacity building in Albania, within the framework of USAID’s Municipal Management/Local Government Program in Eastern Europe. The report focused on land management issues, structure processes for urban planning, and developing the municipal capacity to meet opportunities in a market economy. Serageldin presented these findings and recommendations to the USAID Regional Housing and Urban Development Office (RHUDO).

From 1994 to 1996, the Unit team established an inter-jurisdictional Land Management Task Force and creating the framework and process to undertake a preliminary structure plan for Tirana, Albania. It also coordinated a team of experts providing technical assistance in the areas of infrastructure planning, land regularization, servicing of informal settlements, institutional development and community-based approaches to urban management, and the provision of infrastructure. Training was provided on strategic approaches for the planning and redevelopment of older neighborhoods.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:1994
Project Type:Mission Report
Geographic Regions:Tirana and Durrës, Albania
Reports:
“Framework for Land Management and Urban Development in a Market Economy,” Mission Report (May 1994)
Authors:Mona Serageldin
Sponsors:USAID Regional Housing and Urban Development Office
Categories:Urban Planning; Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading
  
ID:1994_00_001

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