ICLRD: Urban Reconciliation Case Studies for Public Housing Estates in Ireland and Northern Ireland, with Study Profile on the Basel Metropolitan Area, 2010-2012

Abstract

Between 2010 and 2012, I2UD contributed to a research series by ICLRD on public housing in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, where residents and local officials worked to improve housing and community in economically and socially segregated public housing estates.

I2UD generated regional planning profiles for six metropolitan estates in Ireland and Northern Ireland: Springfarm, Gobnascale, Carran Crescent, Cranmore, Mahon, and Adamstown. ICLRD featured these reports at its annual conference and published the profiles in the journal “Borderlands.” The Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Housing Agency in Ireland also published the case studies. I2UD staff contributed roadmaps for developing shared services among local governments, training and education activities, and cross-border river basin research, including a comparative report on the Connecticut River Basin water quality in the northeastern United States.

Documents below begin with an Executive Summary “Shared Services Across Local Government” prepared for the Sixth Annual ICLRD Conference in January 2011, which focused on the theme of “Doing More with Less.” ICLRD contributed a detailed profile of the Basel Metropolitan Area developed in their research program on cross-border and inter-jurisdictional planning. A case study on the Boston Metropolitan Area is also included.

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Project Year:2010-2012
Project Type:Case Studies; City Profile; Urban Reconciliation
Geographic Regions:Ireland / Northern Ireland / Basel Metropolitan Area (Switzerland, France, and Germany) / Boston Metropolitan Area (USA) / Connecticut River Valley (USA)
Reports:



Authors:John Driscoll; François Vigier; Kendra Leith; Paddy Gray; Erick Guerra; Ursula McAnulty; Peter Shanks; James Kostaras; Deborah Peel; Brendan O’Keeffe; Kina Shi; Kendra Leith; Karen Keaveney
Sponsors:CroSPlaN, European Union INTERREG IVA
Categories:Reconciliation and Development
  
ID:2010_05_001

Related I2UD Projects

“Shaping and Managing Cross-Border Development,” ICLRD Executive Training Program Materials, for Irish Border Cities: Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region & Northwest Region, Ireland, 2010-2014

Abstract

Between 2010 and 2014, ICLRD led executive training programs, funded by the European Union, that were seen as contributing to the long-term peace and reconciliation process in the Irish border region. The Newry–Dundalk Twin-City training program led to a Council Memorandum of Understanding, based on a model designed by John Driscoll and ICLRD colleagues. This has been acknowledged by the EU as a best practice outcome, leading to further mutual support on tourism, green energy, and economic development projects in Newry-Dundalk.

The second training program, Northwest Training Program (October 2010 to June 2011), achieved similar outcomes. From the Executive Training and Animation Program (September 2013 to July 2014), successful training of Council Executives, Councilors, and senior local government staff led to new agreements to deliver cross-border services and provided a framework for long-term cooperation in spatial planning. Programs were delivered to geographical groupings of border counties that shared functional relationships. The training programs were reinforced with technical assistance to help progress a particular priority identified by participants in the training program.

John Driscoll and Caroline Creamer (Maynooth University) were responsible for overseeing the development, design, and delivery of these professional education programs. ICLRD was an early adapter of web-based learning, and each a program had a corresponding website, developed by Daniel Tsai and maintained by I2UD staff, including Carolina Morgan and Christa Lee-Chuvala.


– Newry/Dundalk Twin City Region Training Programme (November 2009 to May 2010)
– Northwest Training Program (October 2010 to June 2011)
– ICBAN Region Training Program (October 2011 to December 2012)
– Executive Training and Animation Program (September 2013 to July 2014)


[Excerpt: “BACKGROUND TO MODULE 1,” Executive Training Programme, September 2013. CroSPlaN II – An INTERREG IVA Funded Programme. Module One. Visioning Local Government: Reform, Realisation, Responsibility. Post Module Report, p. 2.]

“The Executive Training and Animation Programme for cross-border region councils, using the successful ICLRD model linking training and animation developed under CroSPlaN I, targets the 22 Councils involved in the three local authority-led cross-border networks, namely:

– Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN);
– North West Region Cross Border Group; and
– East Border Region Ltd.

“The programme will be delivered through a programme of plenary sessions, seminars, discussion forums and working groups…this programme will improve the quality of cross-border cooperation and provide a critical forum to bring together cross-border councils, selected cross-border bodies and central government departments to support joint solutions supported by collaborative agreements. The programme will consist of 10 modules; with post module reports to be prepared for the initial five plenary sessions.”
See more at: https://iclrd.org/activities-2/training-and-capacity-building-2/

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:2009-2010
Project Type:Executive Training Programs
Geographic Regions: Newry, Northern Ireland / Dundalk, Ireland
Reports:

Executive Training and Animation Program:
Authors:Kevin Murray; Ruth Taillon; Eimear Donnelly; Caroline Creamer; Peter Roberts; Jenny Pyper; Gaven Rafferty; Seán O’Riordáin; Sharon McNicholl; Louise McNeill; David Walsh; Linda McHugh; Juston Gleeson; Robin Hambleton; Tom Reid; Niall Cussen; John Fitzgerald; Connie Hanniffy; Kat Healy; Simin Davoudi; Neale Blair; Lorraine McCourt; Carrie Small; Andy Pollak; Joan Martin; Michael Curran; Jim Hetherington
Sponsors:CroSPlaN, European Union INTERREG IVA
Categories:Education
  
ID:2009_00_004

Related I2UD Projects

ICLRD: Spatial Strategies for Peace and Reconciliation on the Island of Ireland – Collected Research Reports by the International Centre for Local & Regional Development, 2006-2013

Abstract

From 2006-2013, the International Centre for Local & Regional Development (ICLRD) published applied research on urban reconciliation, community regeneration, and inter-regional and cross-border co-operation for the Island of Ireland, specifically the border regions between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland communities.

ICLRD’s research brought together universities, governments, and community groups to address the spatial aspects of peace and reconciliation on the Island of Ireland. ICLRD’s work details the challenges of building regenerative urban development across multiple contexts–political and economic dynamics within the Island of Ireland, between European Union councils in cross-border regions, and within local Irish communities. The project made a particular focus on encouraging communities to take a proactive role in creating a stable society in their regions.

Partners included CroSPlaN (European Union INTERREG IVA), the International Fund for Ireland, and the Higher Education Authority of the Irish Government. François Vigier contributed to this research for I2UD.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:2006-2013
Project Type:ICLRD Project
Geographic Regions:Ireland / Northern Ireland
Reports:
Authors:François Vigier; John Driscoll; Erick Guerra; Carolina Creamer; Karen Keaveny; Neale Blair; Cormac Walsh; Jim Hetherington; Lina Shi; Justin Gleeson; Andrew McClelland; Chris van Egeraat; Brendan O’Keeffe; Alastair Adair; Jim Berry; Stanley McGreal; Christopher Ryan; Karen Keaveney
Sponsors:CroSPlaN, European Union ITERREG IVA; International Fund for Ireland; Higher Education Authority (Government of Ireland)
Categories:Reconciliation and Development
  
ID:2006_06_001

Related I2UD Projects

ICLRD: Annual Conference Reports on Urban Planning for the Island of Ireland, with CroSPlaN, INTERREG IVA and InterTradeIreland, 2004-2017

Abstract

The International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) hosted over a dozen annual conferences on urban planning for the Island of Ireland, starting in May 2004. Conferences were organized around timely themes, to promote practical cross-border cooperation and networking between policy makers, government leadership, academics, and practitioners from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the European Union, and the United States.

Between 2004 and 2017, ICLRD’s conferences provided a venue to feature ongoing research projects and host international speakers and panelists on best practices in cross-border cooperation. Through these conferences, attended by over a hundred delegates each year, all participants gained an opportunity for networking among delegates. The conferences provided a safe and non-political place for senior government officials to consider cross-border cooperation.

A summary report published after each conference captured key messages, including links to the presentations and audio recordings of the proceedings. Sponsors included CroSPlaN, the European Union (INTERREG IVA), and InterTradeIreland. I2UD team members, including John Driscoll and Caroline Creamer (Maynooth University), had a major role in conference organizing.


[Excerpt: ICLRD Third Annual Conference, page 2]:

“A number of key issues were addressed during this 1-day event, and these included:

– The development of the collaborative framework to promote joined-up spatial planning on the island of Ireland;
– Financing collaboration: The role of the Irish National Development Plan (2007- 2013) and the Northern Ireland Executive’s Investment Strategy (2008- 2018);
– Implementing cross-border sub-regional strategies;
– Enhancing connectivity in small cross border towns;
– The role of housing in building sustainable communities; and
– Supporting evidenced-based spatial planning.”


“Implementing a Framework for Collaborative Action: Spatial Strategies on the Island of Ireland” (November 2006)

“Fostering Cooperation for Local and Regional Development through Cross-Border Spatial Planning” (January 2008)

“Achieving Balanced Regional Development: Dynamic Regions, Spatial Strategies and Collaboration” (January 2009)

“Preparing for Economic Recovery: Planning Ireland, North and South, Out of Recession” (May 2010)

“The Changing Business, Community and Spatial Planning Landscape: Doing More with Less” (August 2011)

“Planning for a New Future: “Can Planning and Cross-Border Cooperation Deliver Change in Ireland and Europe?” (April 2012)

“Cooperating Across Boundaries: Resilience, Imagination, Vision and Information” (February 2013)

“Celebrating Ten Years, Annual Conference on Place Making” (February 2017)

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:2004-2017
Project Type:Conference Reports
Geographic Regions:Ireland / Northern Ireland / European Union
Reports:
Authors:John Driscoll; Tim O’Connor; John Fitzgerald; Jenny Pyper; Deborah Peel; Niall Cussen; Frank Gaffiken; Siobhan Coughlan; Seamus Neely; John Briggs; Brendan O’Keefe; Ciarán Cuffe; Rob Kitchin; Aiden Gough; Mary Bunting; Liam Nellis; Jim Berry; Brendan Bartley; Mike Thompson; Henry Elvin; Gerard O’Hare; Seán O Laoire; William Poole; Michael D’Arcy; Caroline Creamer; Tim O’Connor; Justin Cleeson; Feargal McCormack; Shaun Henry; Linda McElduff; Claire Davis; Diamaid Lawlor; Mary Corcoran; Peter Roberts
Sponsors:CroSPlaN, European Union INTERREG IVA; InterTradeIreland
Categories:Reconciliation and Development
  
ID:2004_05_001

IEP 2003: “Infrastructure and Partnerships for Local Economic Development” in Pretoria and Bloemfontein, South Africa, International Education Programs, 2003

Abstract

Curriculum components from the 2003 IEP (International Education Program) “Infrastructure and Partnerships for Local Economic Development,” which was held in Pretoria and Bloemfontein, South Africa in August and September 2003.

Documents include agendas, case studies, project summaries, and reference materials. Noted work by Mona Serageldin includes “Decentralization and Urban Infrastructure Management Capacity,” a background paper for the 2001 Third Global Report on Human Settlements.

Additional contextual documents include: The “Best Practices 2001” submission for Middledrift, Eastern Cape, South Africa; an executive summary from May 2000 for the “Housing Microfinance Initiative”; a presentation of indicator reports by CUDS “Neighborhood Improvement Program, Neiva, Colombia”; and “Participant Evaluation and Comments” forms for the 2003 seminar participants.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:2003
Project Type:IEP; Education
Geographic Regions:Pretoria and Bloemfontein, South Africa (Program Locations) / Brazil / Boston, Massachusetts, US / South Africa / Bogotá, Colombia / Southwark, London, UK / Saint-Denis and Aubervilliers, France / Ahmedabad, India / Adjamé, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire / Szczecin, Poland
Reports:
Authors:CUDS Team
Sponsors:Center for Urban Development Studies, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:International Education Program; Education
  
ID:2003_08_001

Related I2UD Projects

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 19881991199419951997, 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.

“The Revitalization of Traditional Urban Centers in Puerto Rico,” Technical Assistance, 2003

Abstract

In 2003, team members at the Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS) at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design authored an urban documentation and technical assistance strategy titled “The Revitalization of Traditional Urban Centers in Puerto Rico.” The report built upon cooperation with academics and government officials in seven Puerto Rican municipalities: Isabela, Luquillo, Aibonito, Morovis, Cabo Rojo, Coamo, and Humacao.

The project was accomplished through collaboration with a new organization, the Directoría de Urbanismo, created within the Department of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico. The report identified regional planning capacities in municipalities, discussed concerns and needs, and addressed the strengths of existing community and their participatory programs. Documents include trip and summary reports for the seven municipalities.


[Excerpt: Summary Report, May 2004, Introduction, p. 5]

“In May 2003, the Center for Urban Development Studies of the Harvard Design School received a research grant from the Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies to cover travel expenses for a research study on the program for the revitalization of Urban Centers being led by the Directoría de Urbanismo in Puerto Rico.

During their first visit to the Island (June 2003), John Driscoll and Liz Meléndez San Miguel had the opportunity to work with staff members from the Directoría and meet with representatives working in 7 of the 18 municipalities included in the pilot program as well as the architects who worked on the development of the pilot revitalization plans. During a follow-up visit, ten months later (April 2004), 3 municipalities were visited and additional interviews were conducted to understand the program’s progress and learn more about future plans.”

“The following summary report reviews the information gathered to outline the importance of the program while posing questions on its future development and implementation.”

Introduction

“The urban centers of Puerto Rico manifest a complex array of problems characteristic of traditional urban centers around the world. The number of residents living in city centers continues to decline while the urban periphery experiences rapid demographic and spatial growth. Ongoing changes in the functional and economic needs of the city are resulting in the deterioration of the social and physical structure of certain areas, even as other areas are benefiting from new investments.

In Puerto Rico, the spatial dimension of the economic restructuring is evident both at the Island level as smaller municipalities, particularly those in the center of the Island, lose investment to the larger more powerful municipalities of the metropolitan areas, as well as the city level in the general decline of the traditional centers of social and economic activity throughout the Island. The resulting spiral of disinvestments can be characterized by the diminished quality of life for residents, declining economic opportunities, damages to historic structures and traditional edifices and the deterioration of the natural environment. Administrative and resource constraints have made it difficult for municipalities to address these issues and compete with larger metropolitan areas for resources. Many local municipal governments lack funding resources and adequately trained staff to undertake regular planning activities or implement special public works projects.”


Program for the Revitalization of Urban Centers

“In an effort to promote the revitalization of the 78 traditional urban centers of Puerto Rico, the central government, through the August 2002 Law for the Revitalization of Urban Centers, created a program to develop and coordinate projects and activities to revitalize the urban centers in the Island. The Directoría de Urbanismo, created within the Department of Transportation and Public Works in January 2002, is leading the program. The law declares that the Directoría will, in coordination with the mayors and with the assistance of the Planning Board, lead, coordinate and implement projects and activities to foster the rehabilitation of the urban centers, designate the areas to be impacted, develop rehabilitation plans, and implement appropriate projects.”
___

Project Year:2003
Project Type:Technical Assistance
Geographic Regions:Puerto Rico
Reports:
Authors:John Driscoll; Liz Meléndez San Miguel; François Vigier
Sponsors:David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University
Categories:Reconciliation and Development
  
ID:2003_05_001

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

Abstract

The curriculum components from the 1998 International Training Program (ITP), “The Role of Public/Private Partnerships in Urban Improvements,” include outlines of public and private partnerships for urban improvement initiatives. Case studies include city project overviews of the Kreuzberg District of Berlin; GIS Mapping of Eastham and Wellfleet in Cape Cod, Massachusetts; and the Maarouf Quarter in Cairo, Egypt.

Guest lecturers included: Pat Cusick, Executive Director of South End Neighborhood Action Plan (SNAP); Richard Dimino, Chief Executive Director of Artery Business Committee; Linda Mogelli Haar, Director of Planning and Zoning of Boston Redevelopment Authority; Richard Henderson, Associate Director of Port Planning and Development of Massachusetts Port Authority; James Kostaras, Senior Architect/Planner for Boston Redevelopment Authority.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:1998
Project Type:ITP; Education
Geographic Regions:United Kingdom / Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA / Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany / Maarouf, Cairo, Egypt
Reports:
Authors:Unit Team
Sponsors:Unit for Housing and Urbanization, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:International Training Program; Education
  
ID:1998_07_001

Related I2UD Projects

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 19881991199419951997, 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.

Habitat II Conference Research Papers: “Cities of the Global South” – “Leadership and Best Practices”- “Tenure Rights and Development Control,” Istanbul, Turkey, June 1996

Abstract

In June 1996, Mona Serageldin, representing the Unit for Housing and Urbanization (the Unit) at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, presented research papers for the United Nation’s Habitat II Conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Documents here include three papers presented by Mona Serageldin:

  1. “Cities of the Global South,” for a dialogue on Land Policy and Rural Urban Linkages.
  2. “Leadership and Best Practices,” for a panel on Governance and Best Practices.
  3. “Tenure Rights and Development Control,” for a forum on Building Housing to Feel at Home.

Panels were sponsored by the Urban Management Program (established by UN-Habitat, World Bank, and UNDP), the Institute of Public Administration (New York), and the Center for the Global South at American University (Washington, D.C.). An additional document, “GSD Participation,” summarizes the Unit’s overall representation at the conference, through affiliates’ presentations and awards given to municipalities where the Unit had been previously involved.


[Excerpt: “GSD Participation,” with Summary of CUDS at the Habitat II Conference]:

“Habitat II was the largest global conference on urban issues since 1976, when Habitat I was held in Vancouver. It attracted over 20,000 participants who debated critical issues, discussed the policy agenda and set directions for the coming decades…

“At the United Nations’ Habitat II Conference held in Istanbul June 3-14, 1996, two cities with whom the Unit for Housing and Urbanization at the GSD has worked over the past few years received Global Best Practices Awards for “excellence in improving the living environment.” They are Lublin, Poland, the Adjame district in Abidjan, Cote d’lvoire. The Unit also organized a special training program for a third recipient, the ANHI housing agency of Morocco.

“Nicolas You, coordinator for Best Practices and Local Leadership Program at Habitat explained that the object of the Awards is to highlight particularly successful actions that improve the human environment. The secretary general of the United Nations, Dr. Boutros – Ghali, presented the awards to the recipients in plenary session.”

“Secretary General of Habitat, Dr. Wally N’Dow stated: “The collection and dissemination of Best Practices will be an important and lasting heritage of Habitat II.” The Initiative will establish a database accessible on the Internet and a video library documenting these outstanding experiences in order to encourage transfer of knowledge, experience, and expertise. The Unit will participate in this interactive mode of exchange of ideas and learning.”

“Mona Serageldin, Professor of Urban Planning and Associate Director of the Unit participated on panels discussing “Best Practices and Good Govemance,” “Cities in the South, Preparing for the Next Millennium,” “Building Capacity for Better Cities,” and “The Dialogue on Land Policy.”

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:1996
Project Type:Conference
Geographic Regions:Istanbul, Turkey (Conference Location)
Reports:
Authors:Mona Serageldin
Sponsors:UN-Habitat; Center for the Global South, American University; Institute of Public Administration (New York); World Bank; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Categories:Evaluations and Assessments
  
ID:1996_06_001

Related I2UD Projects

“Technical Assistance for Gdansk Technical University Faculty of Architecture,”Curriculum Development, Gdansk, Poland, 1992

Abstract

In January 1992, the Unit for Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design developed short experimental courses to meet three main objectives in providing technical assistance to faculty at Gdansk Technical University in Poland. Strategy objectives covered included:

  1. Development economics and project feasibility analysis;
  2. Real estate economics and appraisals; and
  3. A development strategy for the Old City of Gdansk.

Short-term recommendations to the curriculum included fostering increased collaboration among teaching units by regrouping them into academic clusters sharing a common body of knowledge, developing new core courses, and strengthening studio projects to include realistic references to the new situation in Poland. Documents include professional training guidelines, proposal, and final report.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:1993
Project Type:Technical Assistance
Geographic Regions:Gdańsk, Poland
Reports:
Authors:James Canestaro; Alex Kreiger; Rodolfo Machado; Jerzy Soltan; François Vigier
Sponsors:USAID Office of Housing and Urban Programs
Categories:Education
  
ID:1993_03_001

ITP 1988: “Housing Affordability: Project Appraisal and Program Structure,” with Boston Redevelopment Authority Site Visit, International Training Programs, 1988

Abstract

Documents include case studies for the 1988 International Training Program, addressing the Boston housing economy and detailing site visits with the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Particularly informative is a paper by Mona Serageldin, “Housing Affordability: Project Appraisal and Program Structure.” This paper details a housing affordability model for urban housing development and provides various data sets, including tables of urban indicators and global household graphical statistics used for ITP sessions.

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:1988
Project Type:ITP; Education
Geographic Regions:Boston, Massachusetts, US
Reports:
Authors:Mona Serageldin
Sponsors:Unit for Housing and Urbanization, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:International Training Program; Education
  
ID:1988_00_002

Related I2UD Projects

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 19881991199419951997, 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.