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7th Africities Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa, November 29th, 2015: Presentations, Case Studies, Workshop Documents

Abstract

Beginning in July 2015, Mona Serageldin, Daniel Tsai, and Barbara Summers from I2UD prepared presentation materials for the 7th Africities Conference, held on November 29, 2015, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Conference presentations include an Inception Report, and workshop documents and agendas from July 2015, in French and English. Case studies from July and November 2015 discuss Cairo and Khartoum. A final presentation, “Looking Back, Looking Forward: Johannesburg,” was given by Phillip Harrison (SA Research Chair for Spatial Analysis & City Planning of Johannesburg).


[Excerpt: Index and List of Figures for “Cairo Case Study for the Africities Conference Report,” I2UD, 2015]

Project Year:2015
Project Type:Conference; Workshop
Geographic Regions:Cairo, Egypt / Khartoum, Sudan / Johannesburg, South Africa
Reports:
Presentations:
Authors:Mona Serageldin; François Vigier; Daniel Tsai; Barbara Summers; Tarek Waly; Maren Larsen; Oriol Monfort; Philip Harrison
Sponsors:South African Cities Network (SACN); United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-A)
Categories:Urban Planning
  
ID:2015_07_001

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

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“Technical Assistance to Lesedi Local Municipality,” Design Framework for South Africa’s Neighborhood Development Partnership Grant (NDPG), Gauteng Province, South Africa, 2011

Abstract

In 2011, South Africa’s Lesedi Local Municipality contracted I2UD and engineering firm Worley Parsons RSA to provide technical assistance to the municipality, sponsored by South Africa’s Neighborhood Development Partnership Grant (NDPG).

The technical assistance proposal also developed strategic, sustainable plans and an urban design framework for four economically distressed townships within Lesedi Municipality. I2UD formulated development and urban design strategies to revitalize, upgrade, and take advantage of the strategic locations of communities in South Africa’s Gauteng Province.

Documents include an overview presentation, inception report, field report, and stakeholder meeting notes, and a Turn-Around template for Pre-2011 Priority Areas.

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Project Year:2011
Project Type:Comprehensive Plan
Geographic Regions:Lesedi Local Municipality, Gauteng, South Africa (Ratanda, Impumelelo, Kwazenzele, and Jameson Park)
Reports:
Authors:Mona Serageldin; Carolina Morgan; Alejandra Mortarini
Sponsors:Neighbourhood Development Partnership Programme (Republic of South Africa)
Categories:Climate Change and Resilience Building
ID:2011_08_001

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“Technical Assistance to Ezakheni, Ladysmith/Emnambithi Local Municipality,” Urban Development Strategy, South African Government Neighborhood Development Partnership Grant, 2010

Abstract

In 2010, I2UD developed a regeneration plan for Ezakheni, an economically distressed township in Ladysmith–Emnambithi Local Municipality located southeast of Johannesburg, South Africa. The Institute partnered with KV3 Engineers, with funding from the South African Government’s Neighborhood Development Partnership Grant (NDPG). I2UD’s urban development framework focused on renewal, connectivity, and socio-economic integration in the region. Note: In 2016, the Emnambithi Local Municipality and Indaka Local Municipality were regrouped into the new Alfred Duma Local Municipality.

The development strategies presented by I2UD included:

  • Developing an East-West corridor and a North-South spine;
  • Creating a hierarchy of road networks;
  • Improving the two main entrances;
  • Developing unused space in the urbanized areas for parks, housing, commercial and institutional uses;
  • Identifying existing and future nodes where new infrastructure will attract and support private investment; and
  • Providing appropriate setting for the generation of local job opportunities.

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Project Year:2010
Project Type:Technical Assistance
Geographic Regions:Ezakheni, Ladysmith/Emnambithi Municipality (now Alfred Duma Local Municipality), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Reports:
Authors:KV3 Engineers; Mona Serageldin; Alejandra Mortarini; Natalie Pohlman; Kendra Leith
Sponsors:Neighbourhood Development Partnership Programme (Republic of South Africa)
Categories:Urban Planning
  
ID:2010_02_001

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

Abstract

In 2009, I2UD submitted a development strategy, “Comprehensive Plan for Makkah, Madinah and Mashaer,” to promote the preservation and integrated urban development in Saudi Arabia for the Holy Cities of Mecca (Makkah Al-Mukarama) and Medina (Al-Madinah Al-Munawara), and the holy sites area of Mashaer (Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat) in Mecca. The project included a series of 6 workshops, led by François Vigier and supported by Moriyama & Teshima Architects & Planning, the Development Commission of Makkah Al-Mukarama, Al-Madinah Al-Munawara and Al-Mashaer Al-Muqaddasa (DCOMMM), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The development plan involved seven main steps:

  1. To buy land and compensate for lost development rights;
  2. To build world class developments;
  3. To facilitate informal area improvements;
  4. To improve mobility around Mecca;
  5. To beautify and improve the quality of space within the city and create peaceful places;
  6. To integrate Mashaer as a critical part of the city; and
  7. To support strategic infrastructure management.

Documents various component reports of the plan, documents from six workshops, including outlines and reports, and notes and reviews authored by François Vigier.

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Project Year:2009-2010
Project Type:Development Strategy
Geographic Regions:Makkah, Madinah, and the Mashaer district, Saudi Arabia
Reports:

Workshops:

Reports & Plans:
Authors:François Vigier
Sponsors:Development Commission of Makkah Al-Mukarama, Al-Madinah Al-Munawara and Al-Mashaer Al-Muqaddasa (DCOMMM); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Categories:Historic Districts
  
ID:2009_04_001

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“Land-Related Issues, Dhaka, Bangladesh,” Urban Sector Strategy Report, for Dhaka and Chittagong, Bangladesh, 2006

Abstract

In 2006, Mona Serageldin and other I2UD team members prepared the report on “Land-Related Issues, Dhaka, Bangladesh” for the World Bank. The project formulated an urban sector strategy summary for Dhaka and Chittagong, Bangladesh, emphasizing employment generation and poverty reduction.

The report was based largely on fieldwork in Dhaka and Chittagong, consisting primarily of interviews with residents of slums, evaluation of squatter settlements and informal areas, meetings and interviews with government officials, meetings with NGOs and micro-finance institutions, and visits to key projects.

The report discussed in detail the urban land market in Bangladesh, defined the different types of land tenure held by urban dwellers, assessed the role of local and district authorities in land management, evaluated land-related impediments on housing and development finance, and highlighted issues related to access to land and services by the urban poor.

Project Year:2006
Project Type:Development Strategy
Geographic Regions:Dhaka and Chittagong, Bangladesh
Reports:Land Related Issues, Dhaka, Bangladesh: (Mona Serageldin, April 2006)
Authors:Mona Serageldin; Arif Ahamed; Felicity Chan; Christa Lee-Chuvala
Sponsors:World Bank
Categories:Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading
  
ID:2006_01_001
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“Review of the South African Government’s Grant-Funded Municipal Infrastructure Programs,” Technical Reports on Nine South African Provinces, 1998-1999

Abstract

In 1998, the Unit for Housing and Urbanization reviewed the effectiveness of the South African Government’s grant-funded Municipal Infrastructure Program. The project involved field visits and detailed reports on economic conditions and progress on “Nine Noteworthy Projects” in South Africa’s provinces:

  • Klapmuts, Western Cape
  • Middledrift, Eastern Cape
  • Atteridgeville, Gauteng
  • Mhluzi, Mpumalanga
  • Itsoseng, North West
  • Ndaleni, KwaZulu-Natal
  • Cornelia, Free State
  • Naboomspruit/Mookgophong, Limpopo
  • Ritchie, Northern Cape

Documents include a letter of interest, draft contract, an inception report, multiple intermediate reports, and various supporting reports, data and maps, and presentation notes. The Unit also developed a workshop in 1999 based on this study.

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Project Year:1998-1999
Project Type:Technical Assistance
Geographic Regions:South Africa
Reports:
Authors:Mona Serageldin; David Cook; John Driscoll; David C. Jones
Sponsors:World Bank; Development Bank of Southern Africa
Categories:Evaluations and Assessments
  
ID:1998_08_001

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“Review of Ongoing USAID Shelter Sector Activities in Morocco,” Report for USAID/Morocco Office of Housing and Urban Programs, 1992-1998

Abstract

In 1992, the Unit for Housing and Urbanization (the Unit) at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design contributed to a USAID/Morocco urban planning report, “Review of Ongoing USAID Shelter Sector Activities in Morocco,” to address challenges of rapid urbanization. These materials present a rich regional profile of public housing and land use in Morocco circa 1991-1992.

The Unit’s contributions from June 1992 presented an economic analysis with financial metrics on urban shelter programs, measuring the impact of two Moroccan agencies: the ANHI Low Income Housing Program and the Tetouan Urban Development Program. Research noted the increased demand for basic services in Morocco’s cities, like water supply and shelter, in connection to widespread unemployment and underemployment for the urban poor. Workshop elements outlined problems and objectives for future urban infrastructure programs, noting where public officials must make decisions to compromise the needs of urban communities with government economic priorities.

Documents include the final report (June 1992), with a summary by Mona Serageldin. Also included is a Phase I Report (January 1998) outlining a strategic planning workshop on supporting the long-term operation of ANHI’s programs, as well as an accompanying document containing documentation, references, and appendices.


[Excerpt: 1.1 Background – “Review of Ongoing USAID Shelter Sector Activities in Morocco” (June 1992)]

“The ongoing USAID shelter sector activities in Morocco were conceptualized in 1985 within a context of accelerating urbanization and massive rural urban migration. The urban programs initiated by USAID focused on priority areas:

— Rationalizing the land delivery process and regularizing informal land development.
— Institutionalizing sound administrative and fiscal practices in infrastructure management and finance and the delivery of urban services.
— Widening the scope of private participation in the shelter sector by increasing the production of affordable building plots and expanding the role of private developers of low cost housing.
— Reinforcing decentralization by strengthening local managerial capabilities and enhancing local revenues.”


[Excerpt: 1.0 Background – Phase I Report: “Strategic Planning Workshop” (January 1998)]

“ANHI is a state enterprise in charge of providing access to safe and sanitary housing for lower income families in Morocco. Its activities include the purchase of land, its subdivision and servicing to resettle squatters and to market affordable housing plots, as well as the upgrading of infrastructure in under-serviced and unserviced informal settlements. ANHI operates under the Ministry of Housing umbrella. It is headquartered in Rabat, Morocco and has nine regional offices throughout the country. Since its creation in 1984, ANHI has produced an average of 10,000 plots per year. ANHI’s land purchases and other investment cost are financed with beneficiary advances, foreign and local borrowing, and auto financing. It has benefited from US AID support through HG loans and grants, including the currently active HG loan of $100 million which allowed ANHI to increase production to 15,000 serviced plots in 1994 and 1995.”

Dersa, Vertical Expansion of Buildings with Ground Floor Micro-Enterprises. See more photo Excerpts, below.

Taza, Low Cost Housing with Commercial Ground Floor

Figure 6-4 City of Taza, Al-Qods 1 Project “Residential Plots, Commercial Lots, Community Facilities, Green Areas”

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Project Year:1992
Project Type:Report
Geographic Regions:Morocco
Reports:
Authors:Samir Kanoun (TSS, Inc.); Mona Serageldin
Sponsors:USAID Office of Housing and Urban Programs; International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
Categories:Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading
  
ID:1992_00_004

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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 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 Bahrain, features 99 pages of rich spatial, social, commercial, and architectural overview of historic Muharraq, Bahrain’s third largest city. Section 5.0 features a paper condensed from Arabic, by Tareq Wali, “Traditional Urban Fabric and Architecture,” including a substantial list of tables, maps, and references. Additional 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.”

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

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Gallery 3 – BAHRAIN: Manama and Muharraq, 1980s