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

Abstract

I2UD produced a regional assessment report of National Urban Policies (NUPs) in Arab States in 2014, to describe and analyze contextual factors and the evolution of policies in major Arab states. The assessment included five in-depth case studies of NUPs in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan, which reflect the geographical diversity in the area, as well as current policy objectives, opportunities and challenges in implementation for the region.

In a related report from April 2016, Drs. Mona Serageldin and François Vigier addressed a broader scope of NUPs, including European and global factors, in a paper titled “National Urban Policies and the Role of Sub-national Governments.”

Case study analysis focused on cross-cutting themes of compact and connected cities, inclusive cities, and climate-resilient cities. The final outputs included these case studies, a regional synthesis report, and a table of country profiles in relation to national urban policies.

Documents include an initial expression of interest, inception report, case studies for each country, final assessments, an executive summary, annexes and methodological notes, and an additional memo on informal settlements in Egypt.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	2014
Project Type:	Regional Report
Geographic Regions:	^{Egypt / Jordan / Morocco / Saudi Arabia / Sudan}
Reports:	NUP in Arab States: (Full Report, February 2017) NUP in Arab States: (Expression of Interest, August 2014) NUP in Arab States: (Inception Report, March 2015) NUP in Arab States: Methodology for UN Habitat NUP in Arab States: Executive Summary (Serageldin and Vigier, April 2016) NUP in Arab States: UN Habitat Partnership with the Arab States NUP in Arab States: Informal Settlements in Egypt (Memo) NUP in Arab States: Annex 1 Country Profiles NUP in Arab States: Case Study Method and Analysis Guide for National Urban Policies Case Studies: NUP in Arab States: Egypt (Case Study) NUP in Arab States: Sudan (Case Study) NUP in Arab States: Saudi Arabia (Case Study) NUP in Arab States: Jordan (Case Study) NUP in Arab States: Morocco (Case Study) NUP in Arab States: (Final Assessment Report)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; François Vigier; Maren Larsen;}
Sponsors:	^{UN Habitat (Regional and Metropolitan Planning Unit, Urban Planning and Design Branch);}
Categories:	Urban Planning

ID:	2014_08_001

Related I2UD Projects

Related by – City or Community Case Studies

“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

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

Related by – Regional Assessments

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

“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

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

“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

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

Related I2UD Photography Galleries

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

Tags

January 2012January 2024

“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

Tags

March 2008December 2023

“State of African Cities,” Research for Regional Chapter on North African Cities for UN-Habitat Reports, 2008 and 2010

Abstract

In 2008, a team from I2UD prepared research for regional chapters on Northern Africa for the first UN-Habitat “State of African Cities Report.” Topics covered include demographics and urban growth, cities as engines of economic growth, urban poverty and housing conditions, environmental challenges in urban areas, and urban governance. Countries addressed in the North African regional chapter include Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, and Sudan.

Documents are an Institute for International Urban Development Final Report on the North Africa Region from July 2008 (This report notes: “A condensed version of this report was used in UN-Habitat’s 2008 State of African Cities Report, published in November, 2008”). Following are two documents for the State of African Cities from 2008 and 2010 (Educational Use and Read Only, © United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), 2008, 2010). I2UD, headed by Dr. Mona Serageldin and Dr. François Vigier, also authored a follow-up report, “Governance, Inequality and Urban Land Markets,” in 2010.

Project Year:	2008-2010
Project Type:	Research Paper
Geographic Regions:	^{Algeria / Egypt / Libya / Mauritania / Morocco / Tunisia / Sudan}
Reports:	State of African Cities: North Africa Region (Institute for International Urban Development, Final Report, July 2008) — State of African Cities: (Full Report, 2008) State of African Cities: (Full Report, 2010)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; François Vigier; Christa Lee-Chuvala; Erick Guerra}
Sponsors:	^UN-Habitat
Categories:	Urban Planning

ID:	2008_03_001

Related I2UD Projects

Related I2UD Photograph Galleries

Gallery 1 – Algeria: Algiers, November 1987 and September 1988

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

Gallery 10 – Morocco: Fes, Casablanca, and Rabat, 1983-1993

Gallery 13 – Tunisia: Tunis, 1978-1990

Tags

July 1989June 2024

“Environmental Health Factors in Housing,” Design Study for the Rapid Urbanization of Low-Income Settlements in Urban-Fringe Districts, 1989

Abstract

“Environmental Health Factors in Housing” was a study from 1989 by the Unit for Housing and Urbanization — addressing the link between rapid urbanization and rapid densification of low-income housing settlements in economically struggling cities — called the “Third World” in 1980s-era economic terminology.

The report addressed the environmental hazards, poverty, disease and slum housing conditions emerging in areas around housing developments built recently but lacking adequate infrastructure for socio-economic longevity and community health. The Unit presented their aim to form a model for affordable, practical design criteria that paid attention to both economic and social factors for urban-fringe districts.

Documents include working reports from April, July and August 1989, a Study Summary, and a Research Strategy and Methodological Guidelines by Rafique H. Keshavjee (Ph.D. Orville Solon, Ph.D.) from December 1989.

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Study Summary, I. Overview, July 1989, p. 2]

“Most urban settlements in lower-income countries, whether they are new settlements built by the government, established informal communities or new squatter areas, are subject to tremendous pressures of population growth and economic and physical change. The greater the pressure for development, the more rapid the transformations brought about by this maturation process. This continuous growth and change can rapidly transform their original physical forms beyond recognition and alter the community’s social and economic functions. The process is further intensified when governments introduce improvements such as water, sewerage, basic services and housing. For example, carefully planned housing projects designed according to standards which assume a segregation of commercial and residential activities will find that, overtime, these activities will occur simultaneously in the same area.

The need of low-income families to generate additional income and living space results in the construction of new rooms and apartments which were often not anticipated in the original design of the site or its infrastructure. In such cities as Karachi, Dhakka and Cairo, where housing shortages are high, additions to structures can reach over six stories in less than five years, raising densities from under 400 to over 1,000 persons per hectare. The most dynamic aspect of transformation within a community affects housing, small scale commercial establishments and the disappearance or overuse of communal open
spaces.”

…..

[Excerpt: Study Summary, III. STUDY DESIGN, July 1989, p. 7]

“The purpose of the Study is to develop practical, affordable design criteria which are responsive to the social and economic dynamics of low-income settlements. It will focus on aspects of housing and community design which have received little attention in the past. Most notably, the long-term impact of rapid growth in low-income urban settlements and the effect of the resulting transformation of housing and environmental conditions on the health of the residents. The definition of this linkage and the development of appropriate environmental design criteria, will allow decision makers to choose physical improvements that will maintain their positive impacts as a community matures.“

Project Year:	1989
Project Type:	Environmental Climate Research Paper
Geographic Regions:	Global / None Specified
Reports:	Environmental Health Factors in Housing: (April 1989) Environmental Health Factors in Housing: (August 1989) Environmental Health Factors in Housing: (July 1989) Environmental Health Factors in Housing: (Summary, July 1989) Environmental Health Factors in Housing: Research Strategy and Methodological Guidelines (December 1989)
Authors:	^{Rafique H. Keshavjee, Ph.D.; Mona Serageldin; François Vigier;}
Sponsors:	^{World Health Organization; Ford Foundation;}
Categories:	Climate Change and Resilience Building

ID:	1989_07_001

Tags

January 1988December 2023

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

[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
Authors:	^{Peter Cook; Mona Serageldin;} ^{Geeta Pradhan; Mr. Tareq Wali (Senior Architect at the Physical Planning Directorate in the Bahrain Ministry of Housing);}
Sponsors:	^{Physical Planning Directorate in the Bahrain Ministry of Housing; Aga Khan Unit for Housing and Urbanization at the Harvard Graduate School of Design;}
Categories:	Design Studios; Education;

ID:	1988_00_004