Habitat III Regional Report for the Arab Region: Papers on “Inclusive cities,” “Migration and Refugees in Urban Areas,” and “Land Structure, Process, and Outcome,” for UN-Habitat (ROAS) and United Nations (ESCWA), 2015-2016

Abstract

In 2016, the Institute for International Urban Development (I2UD), led by Mona Serageldin and François Vigier, acted as main contributor to a report, “Habitat III Regional Report for the Arab Region,” implemented under the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

Topics include “Inclusive cities,” “Migration and Refugees in Urban Areas,” and “Land Structure, Process, and Outcome.” Documents are a range of preliminary draft materials, expert group meeting materials, and full report. Presentations are from Expert Group Meetings in Beirut and Cairo, and for the May 2017 ICNUP Conference. Two draft issue papers from 2015 were presented at the Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador in October 2016.

Project Year:2015
Project Type:Regional Report
Geographic Regions:Beirut, Lebanon and Cairo, Egypt (Meeting Locations) / Quito, Ecuador (Conference Location)
Reports:














Authors:Mona Serageldin; FrançoisVigier; Barbara Summers; Maren Larsen; Johann Friedl
Sponsors:UN-Habitat; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA); UN-Habitat Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS)
Categories:Climate Change and Resilience Building
  
ID:2015_10_003

Related I2UD Projects

“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

Abstract

In 2013, I2UD prepared a chapter on the Middle East and West Asia (MEWA) region, for the Third Global Report on Democracy and Decentralization (Gold III): “Basic Services for an Urbanizing World.”

I2UD’s Chapter on “Middle East and West Asia,” (p. 59-64) (see below) addressed four components: 1) Assessing the role of local and regional authorities in the provision of basic local public services; 2) Determining obstacles to local authority and services; 3) Exploring best practices underway or in development in the region; and 4) Proposing recommendations to improve service delivery through the greater involvement of local and regional authorities.

Documents include a complete Gold III Report “Executive Summary,” with the I2UD Chapter on “Middle East and West Asia.” Presentations relate to case studies presented by I2UD on Barcelona and Marseille. The I2UD research team was led by Mona Serageldin, with Sheelah Gobar, Warren Hagist, Carolina Morgan, and François Vigier also from I2UD, and Ozdemir Somnez from the Istanbul Metropolitan Planning and Urban Design Centre of Turkey.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:2013
Project Type:Research Presentations
Geographic Regions:Middle East / Western Asia
Reports:
GOLD III Report: Basic Services for All in an Urbanizing World (Executive Summary)

Excerpt: I2UD Chapter on “Middle East and West Asia,” (p. 59-64)



Supporting Documents and Presentations:
GOLD III Report: Middle East and West Asia (I2UD Final Draft, June 2013)

GOLD III Report: (Recommendations)

GOLD III Report: Middle East and West Asia (Barcelona Overview and Conclusions Presentation, July 2013)


GOLD III Report: Middle East and West Asia (Barcelona Presentation, July 2013)

GOLD III Report: Middle East and West Asia (Barcelona Presentation, January 2013)

GOLD III Report: Mediterranean Authorities Forum, Marseille (Presentation, April 2013)

Authors:Mona Serageldin; François Vigier; Sheelah Gobar; Warren Hagist; Carolina Morgan; Ozdemir Somnez
Sponsors:United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Categories:Urban Planning
  
ID:2013_02_001

Related I2UD Projects

“The Unplanned Areas Upgrading and Employment Enhancing Programme in Egypt,” Needs Assessment and Activity Design Study for Informal Settlements in Cairo, Giza Governorates, Egypt, 2011-2016

Abstract

Between 2011 and 2016, I2UD worked with the Egyptian Government, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and Social Fund for Development (SFD) to create a risk assessment study for four informal settlement areas — ‘Izbit Khayrallah and Al Zawya al-Hamra in the Cairo Governorate and Mīt ‘Uqba and Ard el-Lewa in the Giza Governorate.

In October 2012, I2UD submitted an Expression of Interest for consultancy on a project in Egypt, titled “Redevelopment and Upgrading of Selected Unsafe and Unplanned Areas in Cairo and Giza Governorates.” I2UD posited Egyptian authorities could evaluate current informal settlements as key components in the Greater Cairo Plan to forestall future development of unregulated settlements.

From 2015-2016, I2UD partnered with the Tarek Waly Center (TWC) and Environmental Quality International (EQI) on the “Needs Assessment and Activity Design Study.” The study reviewed policies and institutions that impact the delivery of services in four informal settlements. I2UD and TWC identified the kinds of micro-finance services, making strong emphasis on community participation via assessment, and outreach training for community members.

Documents include a 2012 Expression of Interest, I2UD’s Deliverables No. 1 to No. 4 in multiple volumes, and a January 2016 presentation for the Cairo Governor, titled “Investment Programme for Izbit Khayrallah and Al Zawya Al-Hamraa, Cairo: The Unplanned Areas Upgrading and Employment Generation Programme in Egypt.”

Project Year:2012-2016
Project Type:Risk Assessment and Local Development Strategy
Geographic Regions:Cairo, Egypt / Giza, Egypt
Reports:
Needs Assessment and Activity Design Study: Deliverable 4 (Final Report, July 2016)

Presentation to Cairo Governor, “Investment Programme for Izbit Khayrallah and Al Zawya Al-Hamraa, Cairo” (January 2016)



Full Document List:

Expression of Interest, “Consultancy Services on the Redevelopment and Upgrade of Selected and Unsafe and Unplanned Areas in Cairo and Giza Governorates” (October 2012)


Deliverable 1:
Final Methodology and Workplan: Deliverable 1 (June 2015)

Deliverable 2:
Deliverable 2 Vol 1, Needs Assessment and Situation Analysis Report: (November 2015)

Deliverable 3, Volumes 1-5:
Deliverable 3 Vol 1, Overview of the Activity Design Study (February 2016)

Deliverable 3 Vol 2, Izbit Khayrallah Activity Design Study (February 2016)

Deliverable 3 Vol 3, Al Zawya Al Hamraa Activity Design Study (February 2016)

Deliverable 3 Vol 4, Ard Al-Lewa Activity Design Study (February 2016)

Deliverable 3 Vol 5, Mît ‘Uqba Activity Design Study (February 2016)

Deliverable 4:
Needs Assessment and Activity Design Study: Deliverable 4 Final Report (July 2016)

Needs Assessment and Activity Design Study: Deliverable 4 Final Report Appendix (July 2016)
Authors:Tareq Abdalla; Wafik Arif; Mohamad Ashraf Al-Sayed Afifi; Abd el-Aziz el-Sayed Abd el-Aziz Mosa; Emad El-Din Nabil Al Bayoumi; John Driscoll; Emad Farid; Tarek Hamed; Maren Larsen; Enas El Mudaris; Mounir Neamatalla; Bruce Purdy; Shimaa Shaheen; Elda Solloso; Barbara Summers; Tarek Waly; Tariq Zulficar
Sponsors:French Development Agency (AFD); Social Fund for Development (SFD); European Union
Categories:Urban Finance
  
ID:2012_10_004

Related I2UD Projects

“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-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:Albania / Bosnia and Herzegovina / Kosovo / 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
Sponsors:World Bank
Categories:Climate Change and Resilience Building; Urban Planning
  
ID:2012_09_001

Related I2UD Projects

“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, May 2007, Washington, DC, USA.

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) entitled “Beyond Titling: Summing up ‘Urban Land Use and Land Markets.'” See an excerpt from the Preface:


[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:
Delivery of Security, Infrastructure Services and Access to Finance through Community-Based Approaches (Report, 2007)

SIDA, Fourth Urban Research Symposium: Beyond Titling (Report, 2007)
Authors:John Driscoll; Christa Lee-Chuvala; Dritan Shutina; Felicity Chan; Carolina Morgan
Sponsors:World Bank
Categories:Urban Planning
  
ID:2007_00_001

Related I2UD Projects

“Strategic Planning and Management of Local Development,” Proposal for Executive Education Program for Brazilian Municipal Officials, October 2001

Abstract

In October 2001, the Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS) at Harvard University Graduate School of Design submitted the proposal “Strategic Planning and Management of Local Development” for the Executive Education Program for Brazilian Municipal Officials.

The proposal outlines a week-long program that includes the themes of strategic framework for local development, capital improvement programs and participatory budget process, management of infrastructure services, assessing the impacts of municipal capital investments, and strategic approaches to planning and management of local services.

This document is a valuable reference model for creating similar proposals within the urban development field. In addition, “Annex 1, Relevant Experience” includes summaries of previous IEP seminars (1999-2001) held by CUDS for urban development engineers, industry representatives, and municipal leaders.

Project Year:2001
Project Type:IEP; Education
Geographic Regions:Brazil (Porto Alegre, Fortaleza, Sao Paolo, and Rio de Janeiro)
Reports:Executive Education Program for Brazilian Municipal Officials (Proposal, October 2001)
Authors:CUDS Team
Sponsors:Center for Urban Development Studies, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:Executive Training Program; Education
  
ID:2001_10_001

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

Abstract

The Design Studio from Spring 1988, “Urban Infrastructure: Planning and Programming in Developing Countries” was developed by Dr. Mona Serageldin, with students and scholars from the Aga Khan Unit for Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

The 1988 Design Studio outlined problems and urban infrastructure programs, illustrated by maps, demographics and case study reports. Curriculum materials give particular attention to support for the urban poor, with case studies on Indonesia, Bahrain, and Zhejiang Province in China. Seven chapters address infrastructure issues in light of rapid urbanization, including unemployment and underemployment in urbanizing countries, and an increased demand for basic needs like water supply and shelter.

A final Design Studio student report, on the Kingdom of Bahrain, features 99 pages of rich spatial, social, commercial and architectural overview of the historic city of Muharraq, Bahrain. Muharraq (Arabic: المحرق or al-Muḥarraq) is Bahrain’s third largest city. See: Organization of World Heritage Cities. Section 5.0 features a paper condensed from Arabic, by Dr. Tareq Wali: “Traditional Urban Fabric and Architecture,” including a substantial list of Tables, Maps, and References. Sections cover the historical evolution of the district: 5.1: The Development of Muharraq; 5.2 Morphology of the Traditional Urban Fabric & The Organization of Space; 5.3 Commercial Element; 5.4 Residential Elements; and Annex: Notes on Building Materials and Architecture.



[Excerpt, Chapter 6, Paper B, The Urban Operational Perspective. “Introduction to the Course Background,” for “Urban Infrastructure, Planning and Programming in Developing Countries, p. 1.1]

“Virtually without exception in the cities and towns of the developing world, the ability to plan, finance and implement urban development programs and infrastructure programs in particular, is in a state of crisis. Severe deficiencies exist and are growing in nearly all sub-sectors. Explosive population growth, partly through immigration from rural areas and in the cases of the largest cities, natural growth, have placed pressures on city authorities for increased services. For instance, the population of the urban areas in developing countries is likely to grow by 1 billion over the next two decades. Simultaneously with growth to date, the state of existing services has universally deteriorated.”

“At the same time the governments in these countries are trying valiantly to cope with what are prime concerns; large and growing unemployment and under employment, and raised expectations by their peoples of access to minimum basic needs in water supply, shelter, etc. These pressures though countrywide, are visibly focused in the urban areas, and thus influence political, administrative, financial, and economic decisions, not always in a coherent or rational manner.”

“Urbanization involves costs to the public sector which amount to large shares of total public spending. Dense human settlement requires levels of servicing – for health reasons, if no other – which are not as essential elsewhere. Rising incomes increase demands for water, electricity, road space, telephones are similar public services. Expectations for urban amenities and appearances are high, and the costs of providing them are also high. Growth of the larger cities often involves diseconomies of scale – longer pumping distances for water and traveling distances for commuters, for example. In some of the largest metropolitan areas, geographical shape and terrain accentuate the costs of growth: Bangkok, Bombay and Mexico City come to mind. Soaring land prices add to the costs of private and public sector development.”

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:1988
Project Type:Urban Design Studio
Geographic Regions:Indonesia / Muharraq, Bahrain / Zhejiang Province, China
Reports:
1988 Design Studio: Chapter 1 Course Introduction

1988 Design Studio: Chapter 2 Institutional Aspects of Urban Development

1988 Design Studio: Chapter 3 Urban Development and Multi Sectoral Investment Planning

1988 Design Studio: Chapter 4 Selection of Appropriate Infrastructural Standard and Integration of Systems

1988 Design Studio: Chapter 5 Identification Feasibility and Appraisal of Urban Infrastructure (David Cook)

1988 Design Studio: Chapter 6 Paper A Operation and Maintenance

1988 Design Studio: Chapter 6 Paper B The Urban Operational Perspective

1988 Design Studio: Chapter 7 Institutional and Financial Aspects

1998 Design Studio: Indonesia (Case Study)

1988 Design Studio: Kingdom of Bahrain (Student Report)

1988 Design Studio: Zhejiang Multi-City Project (Case Study)
Authors:David B. Cook; Mona Serageldin; Geeta Pradhan; Tarek Waly; Jens Lorentzen; John Kirke; David Gilmore
Sponsors:Unit for Housing and Urbanization, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:Design Studios; Education
  
ID:1988_00_004

Related I2UD Projects


Design Studio 1981: “Housing Design in Islamic Cultures” in Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1984: “The Revitalization of a Traditional Urban Quarter” for the Medieval Darb al Ahmar District, Cairo, Egypt, Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1984: “Design, Technology and Logistics for Large Housing Projects,” in Algeria, India, Iraq, Malaysia, Mali and Singapore, Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1987: “Arad New Town,” Land-Fill Development Solutions for Arad New Town, Muharraq Island, Bahrain, Seminar Curriculum

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

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

Design Studio 1990: “The Medina of Tunis,” Urban Regeneration for the Historic Hafsia District, Tunis, Tunisia, Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1992: “Cairo and the Medieval City” &”Urban Regeneration in Medieval Cairo,” in Cairo, Egypt, Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1993: “Rabat’s Urban Fringe,” Rabat, Morocco, Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1994: “A New Urban Center for Adjamé, Abidjan, Ivory Coast,” Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1995: “Urban Regeneration and Housing in a Transitional Economy: Lublin, Poland,” Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1996: “Strategic Urban Redevelopment in a Transitional Economy in Gdansk, Poland,” Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 1997: “Strategic Planning and Local Development,” Seminar Curriculum

Design Studio 2003: “Urban Strategies for Economic Recovery: A Revitalization Strategy for New Bedford, Massachusetts,” Seminar Curriculum