“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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March 2003April 2025

“Reintroducing the Spatial Dimension in the Planning and Management of Latin American Cities,” Lecture Presentation by Yves Cabannes, 2003

Abstract

In March 2003, CUDS offered a lecture presented by Yves Cabannes, the Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, as part of the Urban Management Program for Latin America and the Caribbean from UN HABITAT.

The lecture covers past and current planning of spatial dimensions in Latin American cities and highlights the importance of spatial factors in social integration. It also touches on the significance of citizen participation and of partnerships among civil society, governments, and private sectors.

Presentation topics include: Land use plans in the 90s; (Mono) sector approaches to planning; Strategic City Planning (Barcelona); Influence of UN and Global Agenda in the 90s; and Participatory Action Planning with spatial dimension. The presentation addresses principles behind the term social inclusion, as “a multidimensional problem: territorial (physical), legal, social, cultural, economic and racial. It is a much more broader concept than poverty.” The presentation detailed four examples of urban upgrading projects that sought to solve issues of social exclusion and housing shortages in Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Presentation, Experiences 1-5, lessons in social inclusion from urban development projects in Latin American cities]

“Lessons from some experiences addressing at the same time the global development of the city, the inclusion of the poor communities in the perspective of building democratic, productive and inclusive cities.”

Experience 1: Comunidades, Fortaleza Metropolitan Region, Brazil.

Experience 2: Neighborhood Improvement Participatory Action Planning (City Consultation) in Mesa Los Hornos, Mexico City, Mexico, (1998-2000).

Experience 3: Mapping the social exclusion at city level: Exclusion and Inclusion Map of Santo André, Brazil.

Experience 4: The Spatial dimension of Social inclusion: Integrated Program for Social Inclusion, Santo André, Brazil.

Experience 5: Optimization of Vacant Land in Rosario, Argentina.
___

Project Year:	2003
Project Type:	Public Lecture
Geographic Regions:	^{Fortaleza and Santo André, Brazil / Rosario, Argentina / Mexico City, Mexico / Quito, Ecuador}
Reports:	Reintroducing the Spatial Dimension in the Planning and Management of Latin American Cities: (Presentation)
Authors:	Yves Cabannes
Sponsors:	^{Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS), Harvard Graduate School of Design}
Categories:	Reconciliation and Development, Urban Planning

ID:	2003_03_001

Related I2UD Projects

Related I2UD Photography Galleries

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

Gallery 16: Venezuela: Caracas, 1989

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March 2002April 2025

“Svishtov: A Community-Based Investment Program for Municipal Development,” Technical Assistance for Capital Investment Strategy in Svishtov, Bulgaria, 2002

Abstract

A 2002 report “Svishtov: A Community-Based Investment Program for Municipal Development” addressed the capital investment strategy in Svishtov, Bulgaria, involving an implementation strategy designed to encouraged financial partnerships among civic groups, the private sector, and the municipality to address city-wide and neighborhood improvement priorities.

Based on this initiative, the Svishtov municipality received a 2004 award from the Conrad Adenauer Foundation of Germany for innovations in Bulgarian municipalities. The initiative was also featured in a 2007 World Bank publication on participatory budgeting (Anwar Shah, ed).

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Introduction, “Svishtov: A Community-Based Investment Program, p.2]

“In Bulgaria, the current investment planning process for municipalities, regions and the central government is not able to mobilize the financing that is so desperately needed for municipal investments nor effectively leveraging local resources. Many municipal projects submitted for funding from central and regional sources are not funded and remain on waiting lists for a considerable period. This has a direct impact on citizen participation in the planning and budgeting process. Citizens are often unsure if their participation will prove meaningful. The lack of meaningful participation at the local level is often a result of a feeling that “nobody will listen to us.” Additionally, local authorities feel frustrated because regional and national projects that have a significant impact on local development policies are carried out with little consultation from local authorities.”

“Tight municipal budgets and an increasing demand for improved services among residents and businesses is leading to new public/private partnerships that focus on mobilizing community-based resources to improve the urban environment. This places a challenge to the local governments to integrate effective and sustainable participation of the local communities and businesses in improving the quality of the living environment.”

“This case study describes initiative currently underway in Svishtov to develop a community based investment program. The program is suitable for smaller municipalities that can fund local programs from their own resources and can mobilize external funds for community-based activities. The methodology concentrates on developing a more responsive planning system for community based programs that complements the existing investment process that is primarily oriented towards larger scale projects. While elements of the community-based investment program are specific to Svishtov such as project selection criteria that reflect the programs that are a priority for the municipality, the process can be adopted to other municipalities.”

Project Year:	2002
Project Type:	Technical Assistance
Geographic Regions:	Svishtov, Bulgaria
Reports:	Svishtov: Community Based Investment Program for Municipal Development (Report, January 2004)
Authors:	^{John Driscoll; Marianna Eneva; Anna Laskowska;}
Sponsors:	^{RTI International; USAID}
Categories:	Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading

ID:	2002_03_001

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September 2001April 2025

“Assessment of Participatory Budgeting in Brazil,” Research Assessment, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2001-2003

A CUDS report on “Assessment of Participatory Budgeting in Brazil: The Experience of the Participatory Budget In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil” assessed the extent of citizen involvement fostered by participatory budgeting. The report measured the efficiency of resource allocation in local planning and management within Brazilian communities in Rio Grande do Sul.

Documents include a 2001 summary of research on Rio Grande do Sul, and a 2003 final report with accompanying Annexes.

Excerpt: 1.0 Executive Summary, p. 8

The main objective of the study is to assess the extent to which participatory budgeting (OP, or Participatory Budget is “Orcamento Participativo,” or Particatory ) is fostering the efficient and democratic allocation of resources and citizen involvement in the planning and management of their localities. The report draws upon extensive field research undertaken by the Center for Urban Development Studies in: Porto Alegre (population 1.3 million), the initiator of the OP in 1989; Gravatai (population 230,000), an industrial city in the Porto Alegre metropolitan area; Caxias do Sul (population 360,000) an urban center in a predominately rural area; Belo Horizonte (population 2.1 million), which implemented the first participatory housing budget (OPH); Santo Andre, (population 650,000), in the Sao Paulo metropolitan region, the city which has interlinked its participatory planning and budgeting processes; and, Rio Grande do Sul (population 10.2 million), the only state to have successfully implemented participatory budgeting.”

Excerpt: Table of Contents (Final Report, June 2003)

Project Year:	2001-2003
Project Type:	Research Paper
Geographic Regions:	Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Reports:	Assessment of Participatory Budgeting in Brazil: (Summary, The Experience of the Participatory Budget In Rio Grande do Sul Brazil, (September 2001) Assessment of Participatory Budgeting in Brazil: (Final Report, June 2003) Assessment of Participatory Budgeting in Brazil: (Annexes, 2003)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; John Driscoll; Liz Meléndez San Miguel; Mona Serageldin; Elda Solloso; Luis Valenzuela; Consuelo Bravo; Clara Solá-Morales; Thomas Watkin.} ^{In collaboration with Brazilian officials: Yves Cabannes (Regional Coordinator, PGU/LAC); Maria Gezica Baladares (Municipal Housing Secretary); SMHAB, Belo Horizonte; Tarson Núñez (Formerly Director of Regional and Urban Planning, State of Rio Grande do Sul; André Passos (General Coordinator, GAPLAN, Porto Alegre)}
Sponsors:	^{Inter-American Development Bank}
Categories:	Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading

ID:	2001_09_001

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January 1995April 2025

“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

Abstract

This report “Community-Based Urbanization and Favelas Rehabilitation Processes,” was written by Mona Serageldin and CUDS specialists in 1997, and published in The Architecture of Empowerment: People, Shelter and Livable Cities, Academy Editions.

This housing case study of Fortaleza, Brazil examined the four interlinked urban programs in Fortaleza, which formed a coordinated framework for public and community action to address the human and environmental aspects of rapid urbanization. Programs combined capacity building, participation, civic engagement, and community-based management of local resources.

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Final Report, 1997]

“Fortaleza’s interlinked urban programs (Mutirão 50, Comunidades, Casa Melhor and the Integration Council) created a framework for coordinated public and community action addressing the human aspects as well as the environmental dimensions of rapid urbanization. The programs combined capacity building, participation, civic engagement and community based management of local resources. Fortaleza, the capital of the Ceara State, in the Northern region of Brazil, has a population of 2.5 million inhabitants, over half of whom live in more than 350 irregular settlements, known as “favelas”, lacking infrastructure and services. Rapid demographic growth and sustained migration from rural areas has fueled their proliferation. Since 1973, a new favela has developed every month . . .”
. . . .

“The goal of the Mutirão 50 pilot and the Comunidades programs is to create an interface for coordinated action by the different actors involved in urban development. The process capitalizes on the complementary roles of NGOs that have the capacity to innovate and lead an outreach and mobilization effort, and the public authorities that can foster institutionalization and replication of successful actions. The programs have 3 strategic objectives: to create a setting for self-built mutirões housing; to generate employment opportunities; and to set in motion a process of sustainable development.“

“The programs reinforce citizen participation and the autonomy of community based organizations by building up their capacity to negotiate with public authorities and broadening their vision and understanding of the wider socio-economic context. The Comunidades program is managed by a special commission, referred to as the Integration Council. It includes two representatives of each of the partners involved: the State, the municipalities, the university and the technical school, the NGOs and the community groups. . . “
. . . .

“Close ties to education and research institutions help develop innovative approaches to the three complementary and integrated action lines of the program: Housing construction institutional development and job creation. In light of the importance given to technical training, the collaborative effort with educational institutions is considered critical to the program’s success.”

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	1995
Project Type:	Research Paper
Geographic Regions:	Fortaleza, Brazil
Reports:	Community Based Urbanization and Favelas Rehabilitation Processes: (Final Report, 1997)
Authors:	Mona Serageldin; Boguslaw Trondowski; Sameh Wahba
Sponsors:	^{Center for Urban Development Studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design}
Categories:	Urban Planning

ID:	1995_00_006

Related I2UD Projects

Related by – Migration

“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

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August 1994April 2025

“Lublin Local Initiatives Program” & “Lublin Old Town Rehabilitation Project,” Technical Assistance for Urban Upgrading in Lublin, Poland, 1994-2000

Abstract

Between 1994 and 2000, the Unit for Housing and Urbanization and its successor, the Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS), worked on the Lublin Local Initiatives Program to promote urban development in Lublin, Poland.

The Lublin Local Initiatives Program focused on rehabilitation and revitalization in Lublin’s neighborhoods to improve the quality of life by introducing the involvement of citizens in the planning process through participatory and empowerment strategies and the mobilization of local resources.

The Unit/CUDS subcontracted for the consulting firm Planning and Collaborative Development International (PADCO) and USAID/RHUDO Warsaw funded the mission to prepare guidelines for the development of Lublin’s municipal, technical and managerial capabilities. The project included tenant participation and housing rehabilitation components. This work by the Unit and CUDS earned a Best Practice Award for excellence in improving the living environment at the Habitat II Conference in Istanbul in June 1996.

Documents fall into three groups: First, the Lublin Neighborhood Partnership Initiative documents (1995), including a Program Review mission, a Final Report, an Organizational Framework and Work Plan, A Strategy and Impact Assessment Impact Table, a paper on “Local Government Finance” by David Jones, and a Summary on “Initiating Neighborhood Partnerships” by Dr. Mona Serageldin and Ewa Kipta.

Second, a “Lublin Old Town Rehabilitation Project” proposal for the community supported upgrading plans for the historic Old Town region of Lublin, with Summary by Dr. Mona Serageldin from July 1996, “Lublin Seminar on City Revitalization: Revitalization of Distressed Urban Neighborhoods.”

Finally, a “Program Review Mission Field Report” November 1996 for the Polish cities of Szczecin and Lublin, with a “Lublin Field Report” from January 1997.

CUDS and I2UD continued to rework Lublin-related documentation throughout the 2000-2010s for educational case studies or presentations. See two examples below for the Lublin Local Initiatives Program: Institutionalization of Community Based Development (Case Study, March 1997) and Lublin Local Initiatives Program: A Success Story (Report, October 2000).

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	1994-2000
Project Type:	Technical Assistance
Geographic Regions:	Lublin, Poland
Reports:	Lublin Neighborhood Partnership Initiative: Program Review Mission (Mona Serageldin, October 1995) Lublin Neighborhood Partnership Initiative: (Final Report, November 1995) Lublin Local Initiatives Program: Initiating Neighborhood Partnerships (Summary by Mona Serageldin and Ewa Kipta) Lublin Neighborhood Partnership Initiative: Organizational Framework and Work Plan to Institutionalize Approach (October 1994) Lublin Neighborhood Partnership Initiative: Strategy and Impact Assessment (Table, 1994) Lublin Neighborhood Partnership Initiative: Local Government Finance (David Jones, March 1995) Lublin Neighborhood Partnership Initiative: Strategy and Impact Assessment Table (1994) Lublin Neighborhood Partnership Initiative: Report on Technical Workshops (April 1995) Lublin Local Initiatives Program: Institutionalization of Community Based Development (Case Study, March 1997) Lublin Local Initiatives Program: A Success Story (Report, October 2000) — Lublin Old Town Rehabilitation Project: (Proposal) Lublin Seminar on City Revitalization: Revitalization of Distressed Urban Neighborhoods (Summary, Mona Serageldin, July 1996) — Program Review Mission: Szczecin and Lublin (Field Report, November 1996) Program Review Mission: Lublin (Field Report, January 1997)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; Janne Corneil; John Driscoll; Ewa Kipta; David C. Jones; David Neilson; Richard Shortt; Bogue Trondowski; Anna Zietek}
Sponsors:	^{USAID Regional Housing and Urban Development Office; Lublin Neighborhood Partnership Initiative}
Categories:	Reconciliation and Development

ID:	1994_08_001