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

Abstract

The Urban Design Studio from Spring 1995, “Urban Regeneration and Housing in a Transitional Economy: Lublin, Poland” was a seminar led by Professors Mona Serageldin and David Neilson in the Spring 1994 semester at the Graduate School of Design (GSD) at Harvard University. The 1995 Studio continued a series of studies on urban issues in societies undergoing economic restructuring, institutional transformation, and social change – specifically Lublin, Poland.

The 1995 topic built off a real development strategy written by the Unit for Housing and Urbanization in 1994-1996, for the urban environment and housing situation in Lublin. See original reports: “Lublin Local Initiatives Program” & “Lublin Old Town Rehabilitation Project,” Urban Upgrading in Lublin, Poland, 1994-2000.

Curriculum components include an implementation strategy for public and private roles, public investment strategies, leveraging and cost-recovery options, housing typologies, street cross-sectional typologies, land use patterns, and block structures. Documents include a studio overview, syllabus and an extensive report on “Urban Regeneration and Housing” in Lublin, Poland.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	1995
Project Type:	Urban Design Studio
Geographic Regions:	Lublin, Poland
Reports:	1995 Design Studio: Urban Regeneration and Housing Lublin Poland (Studio Overview) 1995 Design Studio: Urban Regeneration and Housing Lublin Poland (Syllabus and Report)
Authors:	^{Mona Serageldin; François Vigier; David Neilson; Janne Comeil; Nadar M. El-Bizri; Shimpei Ago; Ott Gira; Bert Hoffman; Hiroaki Inoue; Alyn Janis; Annette Kim; Victoria Marquis; William Doebele; Sonia Hammam; Carol Johnson; Alex Krieger; Barry Shaw}
Sponsors:	Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture
Categories:	Design Studios; Education

ID:	1995_00_001

Related I2UD Projects

Related by – Design Studio Seminars, 1981-2003

Related by – Work in Lublin, Poland

“Strategy for Technical Assistance and Training: Housing and Land Management in Poland,” Report by Dr. Mona Serageldin, 1992

Design Studio 1995: “Urban Regeneration and Housing in a Transitional Economy,” Lublin, Poland, Spring 1994

Habitat II Conference: “Leadership and Best Practices,” Dr. Mona Serageldin, Istanbul, Turkey, June 1996

International Education Program (IEP) 2000, Lublin Local Initiative Program (Case Study)

International Education Program (IEP) 2000, Szczecin Local Partnership Program (Case Study)

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

January 1994July 2025

“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 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 focuses 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).

Related context: 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

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

January 1992July 2025

“Strategy for Technical Assistance and Training: Housing and Land Management in Poland,” Technical Assistance Report by Dr. Mona Serageldin, for Gdańsk, Gdynia, Kraków, Lublin, Poznań and Szczecin, Poland, 1992

Abstract

The paper “Strategy for Technical Assistance and Training: Housing and Land Management, Poland” was prepared in 1993 by Dr. Mona Serageldin, in her capacity as consultant to the International City Management Association (ICMA).

Serageldin’s report was based on interviews and meetings with urban infrastructure officials in 6 Polish cities from 1992 (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Kraków, Lublin, Poznań, and Szczecin). The report covers issues relating to housing and land management, strategic planning, infrastructure finance, real estate development, privatization, and the promotion of private sector participation in urban development in Poland. The analysis concluded with a framework for structuring effective local relations to address major municipal finance concerns.

Excerpt

[Excerpt: Preface, page 6; List of Photographs and Illustrations]

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	1992
Project Type:	Technical Assistance Report
Geographic Regions:	Poland (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Kraków, Lublin, Poznań, and Szczecin)
Reports:	Strategy for Technical Assistance and Training: Housing and Land Management, Poland (Mona Serageldin, January 1993)
Authors:	Mona Serageldin
Sponsors:	USAID Regional Housing and Urban Development Office; International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
Categories:	Urban Planning

ID:	1992_00_001

Related I2UD Projects

Related by – Work in Lublin, Poland

“Strategy for Technical Assistance and Training: Housing and Land Management in Poland,” Report by Dr. Mona Serageldin, 1992

Design Studio 1995: “Urban Regeneration and Housing in a Transitional Economy,” Lublin, Poland, Spring 1994

Habitat II Conference: “Leadership and Best Practices,” Dr. Mona Serageldin, Istanbul, Turkey, June 1996

International Education Program (IEP) 2000, Lublin Local Initiative Program (Case Study)

International Education Program (IEP) 2000, Szczecin Local Partnership Program (Case Study)

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

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

October 1990July 2025

“Regularizing the Informal Land Development Process,” International Case Studies for the USAID Office of Housing and Urban Programs, Mona Serageldin, 1990

Abstract

In 1990, Mona Serageldin and the Unit authored a report on urban development case studies, “Regularizing the Informal Land Development Process,” in fulfillment of a contract with the USAID Office of Housing and Urban Programs.

The report focused on organizational disconnects between informal housing and formal planning development for urban communities, considering case studies on land development and legal aspects for nine urban municipalities: Navi Mumbai, India; Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; Mexico City, Mexico; Caracas, Venezuela; Cairo, Egypt; Amman, Jordan; Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Conakry, Guinea; Kinshasa, Congo; and Lusaka, Zambia.

Case studies discuss three points for each city region: 1) Informal land development processes; 2) Regularization of informal land development; and 3) Legal and institutional frameworks for land regularization. Documents include the 1990 report in full.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:	1990
Project Type:	Land Development Case Studies
Geographic Regions:	^{Navi Mumbai, India / Jakarta, Indonesia / Bangkok, Thailand / Mexico City, Mexico / Caracas, Venezuela / Cairo, Egypt / Amman, Jordan / Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire / Conakry, Guinea / Kinshasa, Congo / Lusaka, Zambia}
Reports:	Regularizing the Informal Land Development Process: (Mona Serageldin, October 1990)
Authors:	Mona Serageldin; John Driscoll; María-Luisa Fernández; Laurent Perrin; Randa Tukan; Phoebe Manzi
Sponsors:	USAID Office of Housing and Urban Programs
Categories:	Urban Planning

ID:	1990_10_001

Related I2UD Projects

Related by – City or Community Case Studies

Related I2UD Photograph Galleries

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

Gallery 5 – Congo: Kinshasa, 1989

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

Gallery 16 – Venezuela: Caracas, 1989

January 1987July 2025

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

Abstract

The Design Studio from Spring 1987, “Arad New Town” of Bahrain, was led by Professors François Vigier and Mona Serageldin under the Department of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University in 1987. The document is a syllabus for the 1987 topic, a new land development site in the late 1980s in Muharraq Province, Bahrain: Arad New Town.

Excerpt

[Excerpt, Design Studio Syllabus, 1987]:

“The objective of this year’s studio… is to explore solutions that are responsive to the life styles of the future inhabitants of a satellite development in Bahrain, off Muharraq Island, and integrate the modern technology required to create a large-scale project with the cultural traditions of Bahrain and the Gulf area. The policy initiated several years ago to undertake land fills on the coral reefs girding the islands that make up Bahrain offers a rare opportunity to “create” the site as an integral part of the design of the new town. The land fill’s location near the historic town of Muharraq allows the taking into account of the functional, economic, and social interrelationships between the new town and its older neighbor.”

“Arad New Town is to be built on a land-fill (whose geometry has yet to be defined) to be located on a 3.7 square kilometer coral reef and tidal flat extending from the bridge linking old Muharraq and Arad to the village of Halat an Naim […] A bridge will be constructed between the site and old Muharraq over the channel that will have to be created to maintain the viability of the ecologically sensitive Dawhat al Muharraq marsh. The new town offers a unique opportunity to simultaneously address ecological, design and implementation issues.”

Project Year:	1987
Project Type:	Urban Design Studio
Geographic Regions:	Arad and Muharraq, Bahrain
Reports:	1987 Design Studio: Arad New Town (Syllabus)
Authors:	François Vigier; Mona Serageldin
Sponsors:	Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture
Categories:	Design Studios; Education

ID:	1987_00_001

Related I2UD Projects

Related by – Design Studio Seminars, 1981-2003

Related I2UD Photograph Galleries

Gallery 3 – Bahrain: Manama and Muharraq, 1980s