un-habitat | 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

3 DISCLAIMER

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this report do not imply of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries, or regarding its economic system or degree of development. The analysis conclusions and recommendations of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme or its Governing Council.

Copyright © United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), 2009

UN-HABITAT ANNUAL REPORT 2008

HS Number: HS/1120/09E ISBN Number (Volume): 978-92-1-132086-2 ISBN Number (Series): 978-92-113-1928-6

All rights reserved

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) P.O. Box 30030, 00100, Tel +254 20 762 3120 Fax +254 20 762 3477 www.unhabitat.org

Editor: Thierry Naudin Editorial Assistants: Tom Osanjo, Eric Orina Design and layout: Marta Gonzálvez Printer: UNON Printshop Cover Photo © UN-HABITAT Printed in Nairobi

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contents

A message from the Executive Director 6

Chapter 1: Effective advocacy, partnerships and monitoring 8

Chapter 2: Promotion of participatory planning, management and governance 22

Chapter 3: Promotion of pro-poor land and housing 30

Chapter 4: Environmentally sound basic infrastructure and services 36

Chapter 5: sTRENgthened human settlement finance systems 40

Chapter 6: Excellence in management 46

2008 milestones 52

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aunting and UN-HABITAT field staff are local and therefore well pressing as aware of local needs, requirements, challenges and they are, constraints. This enables us adjust to local circumstances environmental to the instruments and policies devised by UN-HABITAT Dissues like climate change experts in order to improve urban conditions. and energy depletion do more than challenge our As a UN institution, we were able yet again in 2008 current social and economic to influence national government policies and help patterns. With forensic align these to the international agenda as defined at clarity, they also highlight all a series of major meetings, from the 16th Session of the factors and forces, from the Commission on Sustainable Development in New individual to national to York in May to the UN-sponsored climate change global level and back, whose interactions make our 21st negotiations in Poznan, Poland in December. century so complex – and so vibrant. This was one Top of the list of these meetings was the fourth session of the big lessons we learned in the year 2008. of the World Urban Forum. The Forum held in Nanjing, in November 2008, has now clearly established Today and more than ever before, cities are home to itself on the international agenda as the world’s humanity’s great expectations. The challenges are there premier conference on cities, where a broad range of for all to see day after day. Meeting those challenges participants meet to discuss a comprehensive agenda. would open up a wealth of opportunities for all. Much as we should like to control them, the best we can We also worked hard during the year to help central probably do at this stage is to make sense of the forces and local governments to strengthen their abilities in behind , and try to steer them in the right every aspect of urban life – legislation, policy-making direction. and decentralization, along with the building of administrative, managerial, operational and financial Against this background, UN-HABITAT showed again capacities. in 2008 that it is particularly well-placed both as an observatory and a catalyst of the forces at play in Again, in this sense we could think that we are in urbanization. Cities have acted as engines of national control. But here again, we are not. development for decades, yet in almost every country As noted earlier, a wide variety of factors are at in the world the responsibility for them is fragmented st among various government departments and local play in 21 century urbanization. With the myriad authorities. By comparison, UN-HABITAT’s mandate opportunities it can create for all segments of society, in the international sphere is uniquely focused on the private sector is a major shaping force in cities, and urban needs: sustainable shelter and cities for all, as municipal authorities across the world are well aware mandated by the Habitat Agenda and the Millennium that their specific comparative advantage has a lot to do Development Goals. with their attractiveness for business.

We are also one of those rare United Nations Much as cities can be springboards of opportunity, institutions that combine hands-on with operational though, they are also home to increasing social and normative approaches, which we can bring to good disparities, , pollution, waste and environmental effect on the ground, as this Annual Report recounts problems. This is the sort of damage which in some detail. We even go one step further: we are in environmental and welfare-oriented civil society a position to deal with the local communities whose organizations seek to mitigate, often filling in for the advancement we directly are mandated to promote. shortcomings of business or public authorities.

With this you could think that we at UN-HABITAT are in For all those efforts, expanding slums reflect the extent control of the whole chain. to which the poor are both victims and unwilling agents of environmental degradation and the informal economy. The fact is that we are, and we are not! Just as slums are the unacceptable face of economic and urban policy failure, disasters and conflicts further

6 A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

point to our collective state of unpreparedness in an our cities and their future, and within reach of the levers extreme and cruel sort of way. Even the short-term that can influence these cross-currents. future catches us unprepared, and all-too often cities plan blind, if at all. No wonder, then, that UN-HABITAT This is why UN-HABITAT’s Medium-Term Strategic found itself helping rebuild homes and lives after and Institutional Plan (2008-2013) is anchored on the conflict and disasters, from Lebanon to Afghanistan to principle of partnerships, rather than on the capacities to Peru over the course of 2008. of the United Nations or of UN-HABITAT alone. It focuses on six key areas, each of which we have chosen Let’s face it: realities have overtaken our well-established as a chapter heading for this Annual Report. formal systems. These realities are so complex and As agreed by the 58 member States of the Governing intricately linked that no single type of power, political, Council which oversees our work programme and administrative, economic or social, can expect to exert budget, these areas are: (i) effective advocacy, any influence over them on their own. Most of us also monitoring and partnerships; (ii) the promotion of know that even collectively, we cannot change those participatory planning, management and governance; systems wholesale overnight. (iii) the promotion of pro-poor land and housing; (iv) What we can do together, though, is to form environmentally sound basic infrastructure and services; partnerships for gradual change. We are looking to (v) strengthened human settlements finance systems; do more with the academic world and civil society. and an institutional component, (vi) excellence in In the private sector, we work with companies that management. have joined the United Nations Global Compact, a UN Thanks to partnerships in all our areas of operations, we initiative to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt at UN-HABITAT can act as catalysts in order to change sustainable and socially responsible policies in the areas today’s daunting urban challenges into sustainable of human rights, labour, the environment, social services opportunities – for all. delivery, and anti-corruption.

With its rich range of well-articulated operational, technical and conceptual expertise, UN-HABITAT showed again in 2008 that it is uniquely placed to strengthen local capacities and leverage all available public or private resources and energies in favour of positive urban change. We did so for local communities and authorities through participatory governance, paving the way for vibrant, rights-based civil societies as well as sustained social and economic stabilization. This in turn creates opportunities for the private sector to test more sustainable economic models on the ground, opening up new business perspectives.

Donors recognize UN-HABITAT’s unique role, especially as we work as one, and also increasingly with other United Nations agencies as part of the ‘One UN’ initiative that is already bearing fruit in many countries. In 2008, UN-HABITAT devised more than 20 such ‘One UN’ programmes in as many developing countries.

Our multiple partnerships also act for us as channels for constant dialogue, especially with municipal authorities, Anna K. Tibaijuka grassroots civil society organizations and business firms. Partners keep us ever alert to fresh concerns and best Executive Director, UN-HABITAT practice, responsive to any shifts in the forces shaping Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations

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CHAPTER 1: Effective advocacy, partnerships and monitoring

“Enable all key stakeholders in the public, private and community sectors to play an effective role – at the national, state/provincial, metropolitan and local levels – in human settlements and shelter development.” --- The Habitat Agenda

8 Effective advocacy, partnerships and monitoring

In this area, the strategic goal for UN-HABITAT Emphasis is also placed on strengthening monitoring capacities is to improve urban policies from of governments in human settlements the local to the global level. management.

Lessons learned from country-level Advocacy Technical partnerships activities go into the formulation of As part of efforts to ensure UN-HABITAT’s country-level global policy options and guidelines. sustainability of local ownership of activities are focused on supporting projects and policies, UN-HABITAT governments in the formulation of maximizes the use of national expertise policies and strategies to create and Partnerships and procurement, supporting national strengthen a self-reliant management Partnerships with a wide range of execution in developing and transition capacity. In some countries, institutions and bodies are the linchpin countries. In 2008, more than 90 per partnerships with local stakeholders of UN-HABITAT’s operational, capacity- cent of UN-HABITAT’s project personnel – including central or local government building and even normative activities. were national experts. From a longer- and non-governmental organizations They enable the agency to play its full term point of view, this ensures stability, – require some capacity-building if they role as a catalyst for all the resources ownership and mainstreaming of are to be effective. – human, technical, institutional and recognized international standards in Technical and managerial expertise financial – required to bring about national policies. (including monitoring activities and sustainable urban change, and 2008 collection of data and best-practice) saw some more progress on this score. This chapter provides a general 50 countries is provided for the assessment of the development problems and overview of UN-HABITAT partnerships As of the fourth quarter of 2008, opportunities specific to human and advocacy in 2008, the specifics of UN-HABITAT had cooperation settlements. which are detailed in further, relevant programmes and projects under chapters of this report. execution in 50 countries, the Country-level activities also seek to majority of which were in the least identify and analyze policy options, developed countries. More than 20 design and implement housing and Stronger links with the UN other countries were benefitting from urban development programmes, system the support of UN-HABITAT’s global help mobilize national resources and The pilot deployment of the One programmes. external support for improving human UN programme in eight countries settlements conditions. in 2008 has further reinforced UN- As a direct response to increasing HABITAT’s operational links with other demands from developing countries, This national capacity-building UN agencies, with each contributing the organisation’s in-country activities process involves central government their own comparative advantage to have grown significantly over the last institutions, local authorities, and their projects. The list includes: decades from expenditures totalling partners in community based and USD 18.7 million in 1988 to close to non-governmental organizations, Food and Agriculture Organization, USD 100 million in 2008. universities, and research institutes. International Labour Organization,

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More regional ‘State of the Cities’ reports

Also in 2008, a State of of Latin American and Russian Cities report was Cities report the outcome of cooperation with the UN Economic between UN-HABITAT Commission for Latin and Russia’s Ministry of America and the Caribbean, Regional Development. The will be published to coincide report available in Russian with the 5th World Urban (CD and paperback) and Forum to be held in Rio de English (CD only)) describes Janeiro, in 2010. the impact of the ongoing The 2008 State of the transformation process on World’s Cities highlights Russian cities and highlights some disturbing new challenges and achievements trends, which include in implementing the the fact that growing Habitat Agenda and the inequalities in income and Millennium Development access to adequate shelter Goals. The first of its kind, UN-HABITAT’s have become socially and this document includes authoritative, biennial State economically unsustainable, analysis and data from local of the World’s Cities report posing such threats as social urban observatories in four (now in its fourth edition) is unrest, reduced economic Russian cities, applying a major plank in the agency’s efficiency, reduced level of methodologies worked out advocacy efforts and regional investments and, diversion with the assistance of the or country reports are now of funds to security; no UN-HABITAT Global underway in partnership fewer than 25 million Urban Observatory. with UN regional economic people in Africa are at commissions. UN-HABITAT is risk of sea level rise from currently working with the climate change, with the The series of UN- UN Economic and Social most vulnerable cities being HABITAT regional surveys Commission for Asia-Pacific Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), started in late 2008 with the on the first State of Asian- Alexandria (Egypt), first State of African Cities Pacific Cities report, to be Cotonou (Benin), Dakar Report – A framework for published in 2009 (), Freetown (Sierra addressing urban challenges with the UN Economic and Leone), Lagos (Nigeria), in Africa, in cooperation Social Commission for Asia. Maputo (Mozambique), with the UN Economic Mombasa (Kenya) and Commission for Africa. Another ‘first’, the State Tunis (Tunisia).

10 Effective advocacy, partnerships and monitoring

One UN Fund, UN Capital Social Commission for Asia-Pacific, Other, non-UN institutional partners in Development Fund, UN Development UNESCO, UN High Commissioner 2008 included the Council of Europe Programme, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Industrial Development Bank, the European for Refugees, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UN Development Organization, the UN Commission, the African, Asian and International Research and Training Office of the High Commissioner for Inter-American Development Banks Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, the UN Permanent and the Organization of American Women, UN Non-Governmental Forum on Indigenous Issues, the UN States. Some of these partnerships are Liaison Service, UN Office for the Population Fund, World Bank, World going to be strengthened in 2009, and Coordination of Humanitarian Food Programme and World Health extend to the European Investment Affairs, and the UN Special Organization. Bank. Rapporteur on Adequate Housing. The scheme enables every agency to In June 2008 UN-HABITAT joined contribute its own specific experience the United Nations Inter-Agency Government partnerships Standing Committee, putting the and expertise to operational and As an inter-governmental institution, technical UN-HABITAT projects. institution on a new footing in global humanitarian operations. It was UN-HABITAT works in close cooperation The agency also worked closely with agreed that UN-HABITAT would take with the central governments of the UN Central Emergency Response the lead role in the shelter sector. The countries in need of assistance and of Fund, International Organization Committee was established in 1992 donor countries (including international for Migration, the UN Economic to shape UN humanitarian policy cooperation agencies). Details of such Commission for Latin America and and ensure coordinated and effective cooperation appear in the successive the Caribbean, the UN Economic and response to crises. sections of this report.

Aerial view of Durban, South Africa, 2002. Photo © UN-HABITAT

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UN-HABITAT also acts as a catalyst for public policy-making. A good example World Habitat Day 2008 of this was the second Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing On 6 October 2008 the global celebration of World Habitat Day and Urban Development. Held in was held in Angola’s capital under the theme of ‘Harmonious mid-May 2008 in the Iranian capital Cities’. Tehran, the event brought a fresh focus on sustainable urban development Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos and senior officials as participants highlighted the links of his government joined UN-HABITAT in the celebration. He between growth, equity and identity. took the opportunity to announce a series of major social housing initiatives. These included a plan to upgrade , cities and villages The meeting took place against a for the benefit of all as well as a new national housing programme. background where, with the current average urbanization rate of 42 percent At a ceremony, best practices from China, Mexico, Russia and and a growth rate of 2.5 percent in the Rwanda were awarded the Scroll of Honour. The region, cities in Asia-Pacific will have to Building and Social Housing Foundation presented its own World accommodate an additional 1.7 billion Habitat Award to best practices from the USA and Vietnam. people in the next 40 years. This will represent a doubling of the current urban population.

In Tehran government ministers and representatives from 37 countries adopted an action plan to guide regional cooperation in the area of sustainable urban development, which also underpins UN-HABITAT’s Medium- term Strategic and Institutional Plan for 2008-2011. The action plan focuses on five key themes: urban and rural UN-HABITAT Scroll of Honour awarded to the City of Juarez, Mexico at the Global planning management, urban slum Celebrations of World Habitat Day 2008 in Luanda, Angola. upgrading, water and sanitation, Photo © Copyright owned by BSHF housing finance and natural disasters.

organizations to further common and future partnerships with civil Civil society partnerships objectives. Community-based society organizations, UN-HABITAT in Civil society organizations bring their organizations are ideally placed 2008 devised a dedicated cooperative expertise to bear on UN-HABITAT’s to activate networks and provide communication framework. The projects, technical activities and information on which projects can relevant draft proposal has been research. The fact that 26 percent of build, as well as to know the status of submitted for comment to a wide all the new legal arrangements UN- what is being or has been implemented range of organizations. HABITAT contracted in 2008 were with on the ground. International non- non-governmental and community- governmental organizations mobilize From a more strategic point of view, based organizations highlights the their own, broader networks with the 4th World Urban Forum (WUF) major role of civil society in the local their own unique perspectives and held in Nanjing, China in November implementation of the Habitat knowledge. UN-HABITAT’s role is to 2008 gave UN-HABITAT a major Agenda and the relevant Millennium leverage these resources in order to opportunity for closer dialogue with Development Goals. promote the Habitat Agenda and the civil society as represented there by Millennium Development Goals. major international and smaller, local UN-HABITAT is almost unique in organizations and businesses from that it deals directly with grassroots In order to make the most of ongoing around the world. Their strategies with

12 Effective advocacy, partnerships and monitoring

Welcome to the Habitat UN-HABITAT advises on food crisis Business Forum 2009! Coming in the aftermath of food shortages and related unrest in Innovative Cities will be the region, the 2008 State of the African Cities Report co-authored with the theme of the first Habitat the UN Economic Commission for Africa gave UN-HABITAT an Business Forum, to be held opportunity to formulate a number of topical recommendations for in New Delhi, India on governments. 7-9 July 2009. The event Devising dynamic and effective urban supply and distribution will provide international services for Africa is a matter of great concern as the population in business and industry a urban areas is expected double by the year 2030. privileged opportunity to rekindle direct links or Today, food patterns have changed with the rise of Africa’s middle network with representatives classes, and the region’s food production and supply systems are of relevant public, private, less and less able to meet urban demand for six main reasons: (i) professional, academic and the development of dependable food infrastructure (production, non-governmental bodies. transport, markets, industry) is not keeping pace with urban growth; The forum will discuss a (ii) urban food demand outstrips the production capacity of the number of topical themes surrounding areas; (iii) urban spatial expansion increasingly converts including: affordable land peri-urban food producing areas to other uses; (iv) changing urban and housing; water, sanitation socio-economic composition raises demand for different staple foods, and waste management; including imported and highly processed foods, (v) urban regulation ‘green’ technologies; the and multi-storey buildings change food cultures, and (vi) urban rather digital city; and disaster than rural markets are becoming the source of food supply, with prevention, management transportation costs assuming a rapidly growing share of food prices. and reconstruction. The The joint recommendations from the two UN agencies are that 2009 Business Forum will governments should strategically position themselves for changing urban be held in partnership with food requirements as well as for the need for supply strategies and systems the Federation of Indian in the short, medium and longer terms, if they are to continue to feed their Chambers of Commerce and increasingly urban societies. Industries and the China Real Estate Chamber of Governments should stimulate agricultural production, improve Commerce. infrastructure to facilitate inputs into agriculture and outputs from agriculture to cities, and make sure that proper water management enables conversion of non-productive areas to food production for internal use and future export.

regard to sustainable urbanization takes the form of various publications from all major regions and cultural were discussed at length with UN- which provide back-up and guidance backgrounds of the world, with HABITAT and other partners. for both capacity-building and agendas ranging from housing to operational activities of UN-HABITAT water to women’s empowerment to Civil society is also a partner in and relevant partners. youth to human rights to emergency UN-HABITAT’s normative (or policy- relief. oriented) activities, with the twin aim In 2008 UN-HABITAT worked in of providing up-to-date research and partnership with some 40 major to reach out to a wider audience. This non-governmental organizations

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4th World Urban Forum: Swelling cities pose fresh global challenges, leaders warn

At the epoch-making Fourth Session of the UN- be forced deeper into poverty by prevailing economic HABITAT World Urban Forum hosted by the Chinese conditions. city of Nanjing, the strongest message coming out New studies published by UN-HABITAT at the was that the swelling cities of the world are posing Forum showed that some five million people were fresh challenges every day. The 3-6 November 2008 being added to the population of the world’s cities Forum drew nearly 8,000 participants from some 155 every month, as demographic changes ensured that countries, with its exhibition alone attracting more than humankind became irreversibly urban in 2008. 20,000 visitors in just four days. Said Mr. Odinga: “The UN predicts that by 2030, These staggering figures are testimony to the fact the number of city inhabitants will be over five billion, that the Forum, held every two years, is now firmly or 60 per cent of the world’s population. We have been established as the world’s premier conference on cities. warned that unless policy makers undertake a radical The buzzword on everyone’s lips was “harmonious rethink, we face disaster. When we look at the progress urbanization”, and barely a speaker missed a chance to of human migration to urban centres over the years, give their views of what a harmonious city is all about. we will know that time is not on our side, and we will treat 2030 or 2050 as if they were next year, if not next Setting the tone in the opening statement, Mr. Jiang week.” Hongkun, the Mayor of Nanjing, said: “Building harmonious cities is our vision. This session of the In her address, Mrs. Tibaijuka, said: “Since the end Forum convened to discuss the theme, harmonious of last year, we have witnessed a succession of crises, the urbanization, will promote new ways of building cities scale and pace of which took us all by surprise. The year at home and abroad.” started with a fuel and food crisis, after climate change had been confirmed as a fact of life to which we must The city was adorned with flyers and posters adapt or perish. Before we could come to grips with welcoming Forum visitors and laser light shows lit these serious matters, a sub-prime mortgage meltdown up the night skies from high rise buildings in the in the United States was to unleash a financial crisis modernized city. whose contagion has been so fast and so vast that the Against the background of the global financial crisis, entire world is now grappling with the effects. world leaders at the meeting warned that new threats “The financial crisis, the threat of global recession had emerged on the international development agenda, and the huge swings in commodity prices and as developing countries grapple with the effects of the stock markets further threaten the foundations of growing tide of people swarming cities in search of globalization that have underpinned global growth better livelihoods. for the past decade. We are witnessing a resurgence of Kenya’s Prime Minister , Mr. Raila Odinga said the protectionism combined with credit contraction that urbanization challenge now facing countries in the can further exacerbate and worsen a global recession.” developing world had already snowballed into a “crisis UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon also warned of global dimensions” while United Nations officials delegates that the attainment of the Millennium warned some 1.2 billion slum dwellers worldwide may

14 Effective advocacy, partnerships and monitoring

4th World Urban Forum: Swelling cities pose fresh global challenges, leaders warn

Development Goals could be threatened if the The success of the Forum was due to the intense urbanization crisis was not effectively addressed. interest shown by our participating partners from nearly every walk of life. “There are many billions of people suffering from a lack of affordable housing and all the facilities that make And it was also thanks to the tremendous efforts of life decent,” the Secretary-General said. “We must work the People’s Republic of China to ensure that everything together and generate the political will to have a smooth in Nanjing worked smoothly, even though the meeting implementation of the Millennium Development Goals was held in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake – and work more closely and harder than before.” one of the most devastating in living memory anywhere in the world. Not least, it also followed closely on the The Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, heels of the 2008 Olympic Games in China. Dejiang Zhang, told the gathering that in the light of the population challenges facing his country, China “In expressing our heartfelt appreciation, it is itself was opting to adopt a coordinated development important especially to cite here the Vice Premier of approach between its cities and regions, with special the People’s Republic of China, Dejiang Zhang; China’s emphasis on energy saving and climate change Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, mitigation. Jiang Weixin; the Governor of Jiangsu Province Lou ZhiJun, and the Mayor of Nanjing Jiang Hongkun; for For the poor represented by civil society groups, for their warm welcome to us and our delegations. And young people represented by youth groups, or women’s not least Mr. Qi Ji, Deputy Minister of Housing and organizations, the “harmonious cities” concept carried Urban-Rural Development, and the Forum, Chair, a message of hope easy to understand in a rapidly Deputy Mayor Lu Bing of the City of Nanjing,” said urbanizing world. Mrs. Tibaijuka. Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director United “This word of thanks goes out also to their assistants, Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, warned that in a their staff and the ever attentive multilingual young new urban age with most people living in cities, urban people who were at every venue to give a helping hand crime was likely to increase. – and always with a smile. “The rise in crime is bound to continue and “If we think back on the Forum, it is the smiles and accelerate as urbanization – especially in Africa and the kindness shown us all that remain uppermost in our Caribbean – continues to grow at a rapid pace. This minds,” she said. She also thanked the Governments carries important implications for global – and not of Norway for providing financial support towards civil simply local – security,” he said. society participation at the Forum and the Kingdom He cited reports on regions where crime had had of Bahrain for sponsoring the Khalifa bin Salman Al an impact on development – for example in Africa, the Khalifa Award, which will from now onwards become a Balkans, the Caribbean and . His office standing feature of the biennial event. had demonstrated the link: under-development increases vulnerability to crime, and crime hurts development.

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Some Forum highlights

The World Urban Youth Forum development policies and practices. Government More than 500 youth activists from over 50 countries, representatives, experts and women from grassroots gathered on the eve of the Forum for a two-day World organizations outlined recommendations on gender- Urban Youth Forum. Hosted by the Nanjing Municipal responsive planning, adequate housing, land tenure Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Youth and partnerships. Speakers included the Deputy High League, it was the third biennial session of its kind. Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Kyung-wha They unveiled a groundbreaking fund to finance Kang, YWCA General Secretary Mrs. Nyaradzai youth-led development projects around the world. The Gumbonzvanda, and Vice Mayor of Nanjing Mrs. Wang Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-Led Development, Yonghong. is initially financed through a USD2,000,000 grant African Mayors over two years from the Government of Norway. Other governments and donors are invited to contribute. African Mayors from the Lake Victoria region signed an exchange agreement with the Yangpu District of the Women’s Roundtable Municipal Government of . UN-HABITAT teamed up with the Nanjing Women’s Business leaders Federation and the Commonwealth Association of Planners to review the problems women face in cities Private sector leaders brainstormed on how to build and how best to address gender concerns in urban greener cities. They sought ways to ensure responsible

Photo © City of Nanjing

16 Effective advocacy, partnerships and monitoring

Opportunities for business Some Forum highlights A major force behind the reshaping of 21st century cities, business is a crucial agent of change as far as sustainable business practices for sustainable urbanization and policies are concerned, including basic services, climate the core principles that could underpin it. They also change and energy conservation. This is why the agency discussed affordable technologies and business models in 2007 launched the Business Partnership for Sustainable Urbanization in an effort to build partnerships under the that could work for the urban poor at the bottom of corporate social responsibility agenda. the economic pyramid, so that cities and towns are safer, more equitable, harmonious – and better for In 2008, through its Private Sector Unit, UN-HABITAT business. expanded dialogue and cooperation with the business community, including global, medium and small-sized Top Asian planner is rewarded enterprises. These partnerships can leverage business The 2008 UN-HABITAT Lecture Award was resources around specific global, regional and local conferred upon Professor Anthony Gar-On Yeh of initiatives, in the process opening up fresh perspectives and the University of Hong Kong, one of Asia’s foremost opportunities for the private sector. urban planners. The award recognizes outstanding and In 2008, UN-HABITAT leveraged the capacities of a number sustained contribution to research and thinking in the of top international firms in favour of local projects involving human settlements field. The Award rotates regionally crucial areas like water, sanitation, housing, urban data every year and in 2008 it focused on the Asia-Pacific management and finance (for details, see the relevant region. After a glittering ceremony in Nanjing, Prof. sections in this Report). The programmes involved top Gar-On Yeh delivered his lecture entitled, GIS as a international firms in banking and finance, broadcasting, Planning Support System for Harmonious Cities. information and communication technologies, housing, food and manufacturing. The Forum exhibition At the World Urban Forum in Nanjing, Chinese From an operational point of view, UN-HABITAT can act as municipal authorities and organizations showcased a facilitator for business sector participation in manageable, best practice in four exhibition halls. In the flexible small-size projects in some 120 countries. The agency’s international hall, scores of partners from all over the comparative advantage lies in its familiarity with local, world displayed their own achievements. The launch including institutional, conditions, allowing for maximum resource optimization and tangible response to local needs of the new UN-HABITAT brand attracted thousands and requirements. of visitors to the agency’s stand, where copies of the World Cities and African Cities reports were available, Business and related bodies are also keen to share expertise among other publications. and to advise UN-HABITAT on new ways of improving living conditions and achieving harmonious cities. This includes Skills ‘bottom up’ development of market chains, responsive The agency coordinated 23 training sessions held business practices as well as designing innovative business by Habitat Agenda partners at the Nanjing Forum models and affordable, flexible technologies that are which attracted 850 participants. adaptable to climate change. This is the purpose of UN- HABITAT’s Business Partnership for Sustainable Urbanization. Financing In an effort to gain from private sector experience and A special session discussed the global financial business models and through its Business Partnership crisis and its impact. Another examined public-private for Sustainable Urbanization (created in 2007), UN- partnerships in housing and urban development, HABITAT works on a database of business ‘best practice’ including new approaches to urban and community in relevant areas, including pro-poor housing, informal development. entrepreneurship and innovative uses of new information and telecommunication technologies.

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Water is a crucial issue in urban areas, devising a Gender equality action authorities. Further partnerships have as recognized by the Millennium plan in line with a resolution of the 21st been launched with an organization in Development Goals, and in 2009 the Governing Council in 2007; bringing Kenya called GROOTS, and the Huairou UN-HABITAT-sponsored Global Water gender concerns into local government; Commission to hold training workshops Operators Partnership is to become fully and integrating the gender dimension based on ‘local to local’ dialogue. operational, providing a platform for in land and development. The latter improved institutional capacity in the two objectives gave rise to a number of Together with the Caribbean coming years. advocacy events and partnerships with Association for Feminist Research a wide range of institutions. The plan and Action and the UN International A partnership between UN-HABITAT which was widely discussed at a World Research and Training Institute for the and Google.org plays a major role Urban Forum seminar co-hosted by Advancement of Women, UN-HABITAT in the monitoring of Millennium Norway, was scheduled for approval by began conducting a global survey on Development Goals. On top of the 2009 Governing Council. women’s empowerment and gender statistical improvements, an initiative mainstreaming in local governance in launched in 2008 with Google.org 25 countries. will contribute to the development of Local mainstreaming of gender innovative, integrated monitoring and issues Dissemination of the Gender in Local benchmarking tools. A pilot scheme Governance sourcebook is proceeding Since 2003, UN-HABITAT has been will be run in Zanzibar (Tanzania) and in in earnest. In September 2008, the conducting an integrated programme seven towns in the Lake Victoria area Federation of Canadian Municipalities on empowering urban women (Africa). used it to train female political leaders. entrepreneurs through housing Similar drives were undertaken in Partnerships are also the linchpin of development and land rights. The Ghana, Israel, and southern Africa. the Global Land Tool Network. The programme supports (i) baseline An international conference on scheme enables UN-HABITAT to surveys; (ii) grants for revolving funds in decentralization, local power and share experience and expertise for support of housing development and women’s rights was held in the development of innovative, well- women’s empowerment; (iii) training of in November. Building on a series of adapted land management tools. These paralegal officers specializing in human projects (supported by the International in turn contribute to poverty alleviation rights in general and women’s human Development Research Centre) in sub- and the Millennium Development rights in particular; (iv) training women in enterprise development and business Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South Goals through land reform, improved and Southeast Asia, and Latin America management; and (v) establishment of land management and security of and the Caribbean, the conference housing co-operatives for women. tenure. Members of this demand-driven took a critical look at decentralization network include NGOs, international Local governance is another crucial and local governance with regard to financial institutions, research and sphere where women’s participation women’s participation, representation training institutions, donors, professional and influence in decision-making and and access to public services, giving bodies and individual experts from planning must be promoted. In March participants an opportunity to identify around the world. 2008, the agency’s regional Office gaps and themes for further research. for Latin America and the Caribbean Results of previous gender assessments A gender action plan is hosted a Women- and girl-friendly have been used to formulate ready and mainstreaming cities competition. A similar competition interventions aimed at redressing continues was held by the Regional Office for Asia inherent gender imbalances in water and the Pacific. Adequate shelter for all requires gender and sanitation programmes and improving the lives of women. A equality and empowerment, which in UN-HABITAT is also collaborating noteworthy example is the launch of turn is vital to participatory, sustainable with a women’s body called Femun a number of sanitation micro-credit and harmonious urban governance. in Peru and the Institute of Local schemes that were designed on the To carry out this mandate in 2008, Government Studies in Ghana to build basis of the gender assessments carried UN-HABITAT focused on three areas: the gender-related capacities of local out in Africa.

18 Effective advocacy, partnerships and monitoring

Land and economic empowerment UN-HABITAT has joined in partnered with UNIFEM, the UN Capital Development Fund and the UN Development Programme for a joint scheme to promote gender and local economic development in five countries. The programme builds local government capacities to mainstream gender perspectives in planning and budgeting as well as facilitating participation of women and community organizations. Women in an informal market in Liberia. 2008. In July 2008 during the session of Photo © UN-HABITAT the UN Economic and Social Council, UN-HABITAT organized a Women Parliamentarians and Leaders Caucus in , which included a study tour. The event was part of the agency’s programme for women’s economic empowerment through housing development and land rights.

UN-HABITAT continues to produce and disseminate publications to promote advocacy and capacity building in gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Youth working for a sustainable urban future Construction of the Youth Training facility in Mavoko, Nairobi, Kenya UN-HABITAT’s Youth Programme in Photo © UN-HABITAT 2008 continued to strengthen the agency’s efforts to engage young people in sustainable urbanization work. Emphasis was laid on The Global Partnership Initiative on United Nations agencies, multilateral implementation of the agency’s Urban Youth Development (GPI), institutions and private foundations to nd Strategy on Enhanced Engagement launched at the 2 World Urban Forum provide meaningful solutions to urban of Young People. The strategy focuses in Barcelona in 2004, remains a major youth challenges. on participatory approaches and platform to integrate the Millennium models that promote employment, Development Goals with development programmes at the city level. This Local support for youth entrepreneurship, training, capacity- resource centres building and crime prevention, and Partnership continued to focus on, stresses the role of young people in the and working with, urban youth, local In 2008 UN-HABITAT and local alleviation of poverty and inequality. governments, civil society, other relevant governments set up One-Stop Youth

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Information Resource Centres in several UN-HABITAT in 2008 intensified support June 2008 has been training African cities. The centres prepare to its “We are the Future” centres young people from urban slums young people for employment through in towns and cities recovering from in construction technologies, training services (entrepreneurship, conflict and disaster, concentrating access to affordable housing and digital technologies), engagement on youth-led services for orphans and improved livelihoods. Triggered in local government and access to vulnerable children. The focus was by a grant from United Nations recreational activities, along with on health, nutrition, arts, sports and Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, support programmes in environmental computer technology to promote both the scheme has since received protection and participatory planning. peace-building and entrepreneurship. significant financial support from The one-stop centres provide health the Government of Norway and the services (including HIV/AIDS testing and Government of Finland. education). Strong municipal support is African youth training centres reflected in both financial contributions In 2008, 30 young people from the and physical space allocations. A Youth Empowerment Programme overcrowded Nairobi slum of Kibera, launched in Nairobi, Kenya in and the informal settlement of Mavoko received on-the-job training in the production of low-cost bricks for the Moonbeam Youth Training Centre. A new flagship magazine for a new urban era Another 60 were trained in leadership and management skills, business UN-HABITAT used the occasion development as well as in information of the fourth World Urban Forum and communication technologies, in Nanjing, China to launch a new complete with certification to enhance flagship magazine. The new quarterly income opportunities. Plans were publication, Urban World, replaced underway to turn it into a regional Habitat Debate as the agency moves training centre. An additional 200 forward with the times, with a more young people started skills training in modern magazine for our growing building and related trades. Graduates global audience in this rapidly can combine marketable skills with urbanizing world. apprenticeships, including with ongoing The new magazine, one of the first construction projects by UN-HABITAT’s products of our Mid-term Strategic Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme. and Institutional Plan (2008-2013), So far, implementing partners Umande was born in 2008 right at the historic Trust and Environmental Youth Alliance crossroads where the world irreversibly have enabled over 300 young people to entered a new urban era. Valencia, Spain. For the first time graduate through the scheme. our magazine carries advertising We know that governments and from companies around the New partnerships in 2008 involved the municipalities of Addis Ababa, municipalities simply can no longer world, including those which Kampala, Kigali, Nablus and Nairobi. tackle the problems of urbanization and have joined the United Nations Cooperation with Nest Kenya, poverty alone. Much of the financing Global Compact, a UN initiative Horisont Norway, Environmental and much of the expertise for such to encourage businesses worldwide Youth Alliance, Umande Trust, the change has to come from the private to adopt sustainable and socially sector. Nanjing Youth Federation and the responsible policies in the areas International Olympic Committee And so our new magazine of human rights, labour, the (IOC) was also secured to support is a joint venture with a private environment, social services youth empowerment at a global level. sector company, Pressgroup delivery, and anti-corruption. Holdings Europe S.A. based in

20 Effective advocacy, partnerships and monitoring

A USD1million fund for young agents of urban change

Partnerships help UN- youth in development strategies, Government officials HABITAT mobilize all energies particularly in the context of said the new UN-HABITAT behind its sustainable urban sustainable urban development, Youth Fund would also agenda and none may be more and we believe that UN- promote vocational training precious for the future than HABITAT should be a lead and credit mechanisms to those of the younger generations. agency in this process,” said Mr. encourage entrepreneurship This is why in 2007 the agency’s Erik Berg, of Norway’s Ministry and employment regardless of Governing Council approved a of Foreign Affairs. “We also gender, in collaboration with Norwegian proposal to establish believe that a dedicated fund for the private sector and other a new scheme for young targeted support of youth-led UN bodies. In all of these areas, underprivileged urban people, initiatives can be an excellent they said, the Fund would also known as the Opportunities Fund mechanism for implementing be used to ensure that gender for Urban Youth-led Development. this.” concerns are properly integrated. The new scheme is The operational details of Recent years have seen designed to help dynamic, the scheme came into force after mounting calls for the underprivileged young people final adoption by the UN- recognition of the critical role of to turn urban challenges into HABITAT Governing Council youth in development. The scale opportunities for individual held in Nairobi between 28th of the challenge and opportunity and collective advancement. March and 3rd April 2009. is now recognized by such global Under the scheme, young institutions as the World Bank, The 58 governments people are invited to tell UN- which devoted its 2007 World represented on the Governing HABITAT how they would Development Report to youth Council agreed that the new tackle major challenges like development. Fund would strengthen youth- poverty, HIV/AIDS, poor related policy formulation. Available statistics show that education and health, crime The scheme should help on the whole, young people aged and unemployment at their governments, civil society 15-24 years represent 18 percent local level, and the best ideas are organizations and the private of the world’s population. Africa rewarded with grants to support sector to improve the way is host to the largest segments: in deployment on the ground. they address the concerns of countries like Kenya, Tanzania, With the new Fund, young this vibrant segment of any Zambia and Zimbabwe, people act as agents of change population. Establishment of those aged 25 years and below at grassroots level, turning cities the Fund was mandated under a constitute about 70 percent of into better places. As for UN- 2007 resolution from the UN- the population. HABITAT, the scheme provides HABITAT Governing Council, The UN-HABITAT a further opportunity to identify which meets every two years. At Youth Fund marks high-level best practice, as new approaches the 2006 World Urban Forum recognition of the need for to urban improvement are tested in Vancouver, Canada the Youth practical support for youth-led on the ground. Forum had recommended the initiatives. It should lead the establishment of a dedicated The funding for the scheme way for other organizations and fund for youth-led development, comes through an annual governments to place youth at building on a UN-HABITAT USD1 million grant from the the core of their development Governing Council resolution Government of Norway. “There strategies. in 2003. is an urgent need to mainstream

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CHAPTER 2: Promotion of participatory planning, management and governance

“Enable all major stakeholders in the public, private and community sectors to play an effective role – at the national, state/provincial, metropolitan and local levels – in human settlements and shelter development.” --- The Habitat Agenda

22 Promotion of participatory planning, management and governance

UN-HABITAT’s efforts to promote and improve and processes developed in the course inclusive decentralization, management and of normative and capacity-building work. These institutional changes governance and stronger local authorities are guided will promote the integration of by a landmark 2007 resolution of its related sectors to promote interaction Governing Council. between programmes.

If it is to be sustainable, 21st century In October 2008 at UN-HABITAT Decentralization urban planning, management and headquarters in Nairobi, an In order to capitalise on progress governance must be participatory, and expert group meeting brought made in the international dialogue on therefore decentralized. This allows for together a wide range of expertise decentralization and strengthening better responses to local needs and and perspectives in managing of local democracy, UN-HABITAT and requirements and favours community sustainable urban development. United Cities and Local Governments ownership of projects. Faced with A consensus emerged on the have been developing guidelines the challenge of participatory urban challenges of strengthening planning, on decentralisation, as mandated governance, many central, local and management, and participatory by the Governing Council. This municipal authorities as well as other governance, with the identification of work has raised great expectations stakeholders turn to UN-HABITAT to significant similarities in the challenges of poor communities at local level. strengthen their performance with a facing countries of the North and In this regard, UN-HABITAT has view to developing safer, more liveable, South, (rich and poor, developed benefited from the political support productive and inclusive cities. In and developing) with regard to these of a considerable number of national 2008 the agency moved to streamline issues, despite other differences. The governments, including India, and its own mechanisms for improved meeting produced a comprehensive from financial contributions from efficiency. Strategy Paper which will guide UN- Norway and France. HABITAT in the design of interventions In August 2008, UN-HABITAT set up and work programmes in UN-HABITAT has now sub-contracted a dedicated task force to develop and participatory planning, management United Cities to carry collect country implement an ‘Enhanced Normative and governance. profiles in support of the Global and Operational Framework’. The Observatory of Local Democracy and move is designed to provide an To strengthen the multi-functionality Decentralisation. United Cities will integrated approach to support of urban planning, management also explore and identify appropriate Governments and their development and governance, UN-HABITAT has methodologies for the development partners to achieve more sustainable also undertaken some institutional of tools and indicators to support the urbanisation, as mandated under re-alignment with the creation of implementation of the Guidelines on the Medium-Term Strategy and an Urban Design and Planning Unit. decentralisation, and on top of this Implementation Plan. One of the This unit also has an agency-wide will also disseminate the Guidelines. main objectives is better alignment mandate to lead in the development between the agency’s normative and of prototypes adaptable in real United Cities has developed country operational activities. situations through tools, techniques, profiles with assistance from UN-

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HABITAT and a network of European Initiative in 2008. The scheme issues of violence, crime and insecurity experts in local democracy. The first helps local governments strengthen through global, regional and country set of useful country profiles has been climate change mitigation and level activities. completed and made available to UN- adaptation measures and to work HABITAT. with urban communities to address At global level, partnerships have infrastructural and governance issues. been strengthened with the United UN-HABITAT has also been working The resources and tools include Nations Office on Drugs and with a Group of Experts on participatory environmental planning Crime, with the development of a Decentralisation to identify the needs, and management methodologies methodology for joint missions, as elucidate the concepts, and explore to conduct vulnerability and risk well as identification of common the appropriate methodologies to mapping surveys. The scheme also tools. In addition, partnerships have develop tools and indicators for local develops adaptation guidelines been established on armed violence adaptation of the Guidelines. for local authorities and promotes prevention (with the UN Development innovative solutions like energy- Programme and other agencies) efficient buildings. and on gender-based violence (with The challenge of climate UNIFEM). Joint work plans and change The Cities in Climate Change Initiative mobilization of resources have also UN-HABITAT has created the is currently under experimentation been launched. Sustainable Urban Development in four conurbations: Maputo Internally, urban safety has been Network to intensify debate on (Mozambique), Kampala (Uganda), incorporated in the slum upgrading sustainable urban development Sorsogon (Philippines) and Esmeraldas initiative. An ongoing assessment solutions through existing global (Ecuador). Five additional cities in of urban safety issues within slum networks as well as regional, national Africa are joining the initiative soon. upgrading initiatives will be concluded and local partnerships. in 2009. As part of the Urban Development Safer cities In June 2008, the Youth Crime Network, UN-HABITAT launched In 2008 UN-HABITAT continued to Prevention and Cities Summit took the Cities in Climate Change support local governments addressing place in Durban (South Africa). The

24 Promotion of participatory planning, management and governance

Photos © UN-HABITAT event showcased experiences of launched and a prevention toolkit bilateral agreements that have been youth-led urban development and has been developed with Chile’s concluded between higher education prevention initiatives across the Universidad Alberto Hurtado. In Asia, institutions since 2006. Setting globe. Youth leadership in violence pilot activities have been launched in common rules and standards, the prevention was promoted, as well Cambodia and India. proposed scheme would expand as the development of resilient cooperation between UN-HABITAT communities. The summit also In Africa, UN-HABITAT continued and higher education institutions launched a Youth-led Platform on in 2008 to build capacities and around the world, facilitating links Urban Development and Crime partnerships for the prevention (including research and training) Prevention. Participants discussed the of crime and violence, including a between universities in developing use of arts and culture for community Youth Violence Prevention Week and developed countries. development and experiences of which attracted over 5,000 young police-youth dialogue towards safer people in Kenya. Further progress has Based on the principles of reciprocity communities. been made toward the creation of and mutual benefit, the scheme a regional training centre for ‘city to would bring together institutions UN-HABITAT also documented and city’ collaboration and exchange on willing to promote socially and assessed tools for local action in 2008, urban security issues . environmentally sustainable urban including female safety audits and development in accordance with gender-based violence prevention Millennium Development Goals. Academic partnerships initiatives, together with youth-led Under the scheme, sharing of prevention initiatives and policing UN-HABITAT discussed the Habitat knowledge and capacity building innovations, particularly in the context Partner University scheme with a would also involve practitioners and policy-makers. of urban slums and developing number of relevant institutions in countries. Nanjing (China) in November 2008. The proposed scheme (which comes Training and capacity building In Latin America, UN-HABITAT has under the UN-HABITAT Sustainable devised a regional strategy for safer urban development network) consists If sustainable urbanization is to drive cities, local initiatives have been of an umbrella framework for the both policy and practice, adequate

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training and capacity-building have Senegal in 2008, UN-HABITAT and In Lebanon, UN-HABITAT is a crucial role to play. As mandated partner ENDA TM-ecopop together adapting four training programmes by the Medium-Term Strategic and began to build municipal capacities (including on financial affairs Implementation Plan, UN-HABITAT to implement a new national and conflict management) to the focuses efforts in a selected set framework for participatory specific needs of local authorities of countries in order to maximize budgeting. and stakeholders engaged in post- impact. conflict reconstruction. In Morocco, together with Agence In the crucial water and du Sud and other partners, sanitation area, substantial UN-HABITAT is assisting with Eastern Europe: Economic support was provided to participatory implementation of focus institutional participatory the local Agenda 21 in southern mechanisms, especially with provinces. In Eastern Europe in 2008, respect to the structuring and programmes with local authorities training of community-based In partnership with the Ford focused on the management of organizations and the design and Foundation, UN-HABITAT also economic development. implementation of demonstration supported the biennial Mashariki In Serbia, UN-HABITAT’s Settlement projects with strong community [i.e., ‘eastern’] Innovations in and Integration of Refugees participation. Community- Local Government Awards. This Programme (financed by the based demonstration projects East African scheme promotes Government of Italy) has built were under implementation in a and rewards poverty reduction institutional capacities for social number of countries, including and excellence in public service housing development such as Vietnam, Nepal, Laos, , delivery, good governance, and housing agencies at municipal Mexico, Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, enhanced local democracy and and Nigeria. These projects decentralization. It is part of UN- level, and helped to boost local have not only demonstrated the HABITAT efforts to advocate and government capacity in urban effectiveness of community-based disseminate good practice in pro- planning and information systems. approaches, but have also helped poor urban governance. UN-HABITAT designed the next to extend water and sanitation phase of the initiative, the services to poor communities. Settlement and Integrated Local Africa In Africa, ‘Training of Trainers’ and Development Programme, which workshops for local government The UN-HABITAT-sponsored Lake takes stock of lessons learned leaders took place in Liberia (with Victoria City Development in Serbia and nurtures a similar non-governmental organizations) Strategies mobilize municipal process in Albania and Bosnia. The and Zimbabwe (in cooperation with authorities along Lake Victoria (East agency also launched on a new the Urban Council of Association of Africa) to address the absence of project strengthening central and Zimbabwe). effective planning. The initiative has local capacities to apply for and provided an institutional framework manage funds for pre-accession to In the Democratic Republic of that facilitates building capacities the European Union. Congo, the Facultés Catholiques in participatory decision-making at de Kinshasa was retained as the local and national levels. In Kosovo, UN-HABITAT completed the anchoring institution for a the first phase of its capacity- programme (including participatory The overall improvement in building programme for various planning and gender dimensions) environmental governance in aspects of urban (including launched in the capital. In participating cities has proven participatory) planning in selected Mozambique, a capacity needs the effectiveness of the scheme. cities and institutions. Now in its assessment was carried out for Several small towns around Lake second phase, the programme three municipalities as part of a Victoria have also been receiving provides financial support to similar programme for which the spatial planning support, providing investment projects based on government is looking to appoint a basis for infrastructure and municipal urban plans. Thanks to a local anchoring institution. In service plans. financial support from the Swedish

26 Promotion of participatory planning, management and governance

Ambassador Elisabeth Jacobsen of Norway and UN-HABITAT’s Executive Director, Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka during the signing ceremony of the funding agreement on 3 April 2008 to support UN-HABITAT’s.programmes, Nepal, 2008. Photo © UN-HABITAT

Somalia: A successful UN partnership

Somalia provides a good (Italian NGO) and Oxfam- practices. The scheme also illustration of what UN-HABITAT Novib contributed their specialist improved donor coordination and partnerships working as OneUN expertise in cities and major towns, programming for the urban sector. within the UN system and civil with UN-HABITAT acting as lead In the Somali capital, society can achieve even in coordinator for local governance Mogadishu, UN-HABITAT and challenging conditions. and service delivery. Saaciid, its long-standing local The Somalia Urban On top of strengthening civil society partner, support Development Programme was civil society and community community-based dialogue, a four-year dedicated umbrella participation, the scheme contributing to peace and scheme co-funded by the promoted an increasingly stabilization and encouraging European Commission and the democratic, inclusive, and stakeholders to improve UN Development Programme. accountable system of governance, living conditions and develop The International Labour as well as more efficient and community-based partnerships. Organization, UNICEF, UNA socially effective local management

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International Development Agency, 2008. A new tool on gender and UN-HABITAT’s action in Kosovo participatory budgeting was also has been a major contribution to published. peace. Decentralization is one of the pillars In Albania, UN-HABITAT is of participatory governance. In this providing technical assistance area too, UN-HABITAT looked to project to develop capacities in update its own guidelines. Further eight municipalities in order to to similar action in Asia and Africa, implement a loan from the Council the regional office moved to revise of Europe Development Bank for the agency’s Decentralization the construction of 1,100 social Guidelines for America and the housing units. Caribbean at a conference with the In Moldova, UN-HABITAT helped main local government associations strengthen national capacity for in the region and representatives local economic development of the national governments. initiatives in the context of a Implementation of the resulting national medium-term framework action plan started in 2009. and Integrated Local Development In 2008, UN-HABITAT arranged a scheme of the UN Development partnership with UNDP New York Programme. The initial focus is on in order to facilitate its e-learning five selected towns. course on key competencies for local elected leadership. The Latin America and the course benefited 32 UNDP national Caribbean officers based in 27Asian, African and Latin American countries. A workshop with UNIFEM and the Huairou Commission took place UN-HABITAT also published two in that will be duplicated training handbooks on participatory in several communities with the local governance in 2008: help of the UN Development Gender in Local Government Programme in the area. – A sourcebook for trainers (in English and Portuguese) which A similar sub-regional project for partners in Canada, Ghana, South Central America was developed Africa and other countries are in 2008 to strengthen local now using at their own initiative; Busy market place, Jinja, Uganda, 2005. government capacities in integrated and Participatory Budgeting in Photo © UN-HABITAT risk management, with financial Africa – A Training Companion support from the International (in English and French). of Excreta, Wastewater Sludge, Development Centre. and Biosolids Management: In the water and sanitation area, Moving Forward the Sustainable UN-HABITAT produced a number and Welcome Uses of a Global Technical guidance of major publications in 2008, Resource. A wide range of training Local elected leadership, local including: a Step-by-Step Guide manuals and tool kits were also economic development and on How to Set Up and Manage prepared for use in training and participatory budgeting featured a -Level Multistakeholder capacity-building activities. prominently among the themes of Forum, a Manual on the Rights- 12 training workshops UN-HABITAT Based Approach to Water and The agency also published a organized with various partners in Sanitation and a Global Atlas book, Human Rights Cities – Civic Engagement for Societal

28 Promotion of participatory planning, management and governance

Busy market place, Jinja, Uganda, 2005. Photo © UN-HABITAT

Development, co-authored with these have involved community In the small island states of the People’s Movement for Human empowerment and development the Pacific, UN-HABITAT’s Rights Learning. for peace-building, strengthening ongoing partnership with the municipal and community Commonwealth Local Government governance and reconstruction of Forum conducted a popular Local Disaster management physical and social infrastructure. Elected Leadership training in Fiji Together, UN-HABITAT programmes and Tuvalu. Also in 2008, leaders in Afghanistan was a major focus improved living conditions for Kiribati and Tuvalu came together for UN-HABITAT post-conflict 4.7 million people in 3,258 for the first time to discuss major activities in 2008 as the country communities. They include a issues of common concern. looks to recover from two decades variety of training manuals in three of war. Over the past several years languages.

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CHAPTER 3: Promotion of pro-poor land and housing

“We reaffirm our commitment to the full and progressive realization of the right to adequate housing, and to provide legal security of tenure and equal access to land to all.” --- The Habitat Agenda

30 Promotion of pro-poor land and housing

UN-HABITAT’s strategic goal in this area is to bring national Nairobi and Mombasa. The agency also supports the Kenya Land Sector and local government as well as Habitat Agenda partners to Donor Group which includes the implement improved land and housing policies for the sake of Swedish International Development sustainable urbanizati on. This involves technical assistance and Agency, USAID, the International ground-breaking research into new instruments and concepts. Fund for Agricultural Development, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the British Department for International Development, the Slum upgrading and poverty and Rwanda. In Tanzania, the World Bank, ’s GTZ and the agency supports a plan to upgrade Slum upgrading is a major plank in Government of Italy. informal settlements in Dar es UN-HABITAT’s pro-poor land and Salaam with assistance from the housing strategy and Africa is the In Macedonia UN-HABITAT assisted World Bank. most rapidly urbanizing region in with preparation of a law on formalization of illegal settlements, as the world. In 2008 the agency led In Kenya, UN-HABITAT supports well as for a central digital database of a Support Programme for Western three slum-upgrading programmes in and Central French-speaking urban plans. Africa as part of its Cities without Slums initiative and with support from the Cities Alliance, the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the Municipal Development Partnership. This involved the formulation of development strategies for six cities (including Cotonou, Dakar, Lomé and Ouagadougou) and countrywide programmes for Mali and Senegal. In Mali, the participatory national programme, helps identify opportunities to mobilize public and private investment in slums improvement.

Other African countries receiving slum-related support, including at municipal level, are Burundi, Cape Verde, Congo DRC, Egypt Newly completed houses, Self Build Housing project Jinja, Uganga, 2005. Photo © S.Mutter

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In the Philippines, the agency is access to land and basic services, involved in grassroots poverty- more democratic decision-making Business helps with reduction programmes. as well as public accountability and disaster recovery transparency. The agency is now The international business sector supporting a shelter construction and Stronger institutions employment generation programme. last year worked in partnership with UN-HABITAT in Indonesia as the In Egypt, UN-HABITAT assists in country was still recovering from the strategic urban plans for the Greater Responding to conflict and late 2004 earthquake and tsunami. Cairo Region and for small cities. disaster Coca Cola Company, Fomento In Nigeria, UN-HABITAT provided In recent years, UN-HABITAT has Social Banamex AC Mexico, technical support to devise plans expanded its focus from assistance the International Community for seven urban areas in two states, to local authorities to more direct Foundation Asia Society, the which included capacity-building and support for vulnerable groups Association of community consultations. – displaced people, returnees or Housing Corporations and VARA disaster victims. In Rwanda, the agency assisted with Broadcasting Corporation joined institutional development and capacity UN-HABITAT is currently engaged in efforts with the Citizens of Fukuoka, building of the ministry in charge of post-conflict projects related to land in and the Red Crescent Society urban development, including studies Afghanistan, Congo DRC, Liberia and of the (among into urban environment rehabilitation Nepal. others) and contributed to the and improved access to basic Aceh Nias Settlements Support In occupied Palestinian territories, infrastructure through pilot actions. Programme. The scheme assisted UN-HABITAT and a broad range some 3,600 households in 21 In South Africa, UN-HABITAT helps of partners are involved in several communities. improve consultative coordination of projects, including a long-term ‘special spatial development in Eastern Cape human settlements programme’ Province. and the first phase of a human facilitating access to safer land, and settlements and housing policy joint UN post-disaster assessment programme. mechanisms. The agency Land use also continues to support the The agency participated in UN formulation of the country’s National Effective use of land is a driving system efforts to assist Georgia force of economic development Humanitarian Response Programme in the aftermath of the conflict in and in 2008 UN-HABITAT assisted and to help strengthen post- August 2008 with an assessment of Madagascar with the formulation earthquake reconstruction. the impact of the crisis on housing, of a national land use planning land and property rights of displaced framework, as well as of urban and In Somalia, UN-HABITAT has been people. Working closely with the UN peri-urban land policies in support of providing emergency assistance the country’s land reform programme, High Commissioner for Refugees, for resettlement, protection and including the drafting of manuals and UN-HABITAT formulated measures reintegration of returnees and guidelines. for long-term activities to help the displaced people, as well as shelter country cope with the situation. provision in eastern, tsunami-affected In 2008 in Somalia, UN-HABITAT areas. completed a joint Urban Development In Pakistan, UN-HABITAT was Programme with the European again heavily involved in post- In the Indian Ocean and Asia, Commission, UNA, Terre Solidali disaster recovery in 2008, including the agency supported several and Oxfam-Novib, among other technical support for the Earthquake post-tsunam, post-earthquake partners. The scheme contributed Reconstruction and Rehabilitation programmes in Pakistan, the to ongoing social, financial and Authority, post-flood information Philippines (shelter recovery) and the economic recovery through improved management and coordination, Maldives.

32 Promotion of pro-poor land and housing

Promoting transparency Tackling forced evictions In 2008 and for the first time UN-HABITAT provided training Unlawful forced evictions are on the increase worldwide in frequency, in ‘Transparency in land number, scale, and degree of violence, affecting the lives of millions of people, administration’. In Africa, four many of them poor. Unlawful forced evictions, as practiced in most places, dedicated regional events attracted are at odds with the Millennium Development Goal 7 Target 11 on slum 114 delegates from 19 countries. reduction. These included representatives of central and local government During 2008, UN-HABITAT improved the capacities of its Advisory land offices and anti-corruption Group on Forced Evictions, which advocates alternative solutions including watchdogs, traditional authorities, the agency’s own programmes. Now providing substantive support to community-based organizations, the group is a pool of 15 technical from academic, governmental, non- professional associations, governmental and grassroots backgrounds. academia, the private sector and In several countries including Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ghana the media. and Italy, the UN-HABITAT advisory group is facilitating the dialogue between public authorities and civil society organizations to achieve In Latin America, UN-HABITAT negotiated alternatives to forced evictions. answered an appeal from the Peruvian Government after a major earthquake and developed a set New tools, new partnerships and particularly where the poor are of six capacity-building guides for affected local governments. The In 2008 UN-HABITAT further added to concerned. Shelter Profile Studies guides focused on pre- and post- its seminal, cutting-edge technical and are now being implemented as a disaster register and cadastre of strategic shelter research. This included demonstration project in Malawi, tenure and are now routinely used the development of a concept note Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda. by all affected municipalities. and draft strategy paper to support land and housing reforms, enhancing The 2005 UN-HABITAT The Global Land Tool Network security of tenure and promoting slum Humanitarian Response improvement and prevention. Helping with the development Review identified land issues as of innovative, well-adapted land a critical gap in the international To improve shelter delivery and management tools is the Global Land community’s post-disaster and housing sector performance, UN- post-conflict response capacity. In Tool Network (GLTN), whose main HABITAT is currently developing a objective is to contribute to poverty 2007, the Early Recovery Cluster ‘Shelter Profiling’ tool.A ssessing had requested the UN Food and alleviation and achievement of the the state of the housing sector Agriculture Organization and UN- Millennium Development Goals provides governments and various HABITAT to develop guidelines on through land reform, improved land stakeholders with a comprehensive how to address land issues after a management and security of tenure. analysis of housing and land delivery natural disaster. In 2008 and as the guidelines on land in post-natural systems; the process also sheds light Partnerships and sharing of expertise disaster contexts were under on the mechanisms of access to land, is the linchpin of this network, which production, the Early Recovery housing finance, basic infrastructure, brings together international NGOs Cluster also requested UN-HABITAT building materials, technology and financial institutions, research to develop a set of guidelines for and labour. This diagnosis in turn and training institutions, donors and post-conflict land issues. As a supports the required institutional, professional bodies. The network result, two sets of guidelines are regulatory and policy reforms at local currently brings together 36 global currently under development to and national levels. In particular, the partners, 58 member organizations respond to the specific information Shelter Profiling tool identifies any and more than 600 individual needs of the humanitarian gaps and bottlenecks interfering members. community and land experts. with housing market mechanisms,

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the development of a land policy Rebuilding Iraq framework for the country. A common framework of agreement In 2008 UN-HABITAT’s Iraq Programme provided for the rehabilitation of has been established to harmonize 2,450 housing units for the urban poor (including internally displaced people) and donor interventions. 245 educational facilities. The programme focuses on infrastructure and services as well as the housing and urban sectors. Its accumulated budget since 2004 amounts to just under USD100 million. Indigenous People Housing policy reform is well underway in Iraq. It benefits from technical UN-HABITAT is also supporting the production of a policy guide that support from the new Training & Knowledge Centre at the Ministry of will add the urban component to Construction and Housing. Housing strategies are under deployment for three the more generic “Guidelines on major cities, including Erbil. By the end of year under review, the Government of Indigenous Peoples” developed Iraq was preparing for a housing conference to be held in January 2009. by UNDG to mainstream and UN-HABITAT also provided capacity-building – both on-the-job and integrate indigenous issues in UN formal technical and vocational education – with local job creation one of the operational activities. The project tangible outcomes. In the urban sector, the programme focused on local area came in response to the 5th session development, solid waste policy and management, as well as local governance of the UN Permanent Forum on and promotion of the private sector. Indigenous Issues and benefits from cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Organization n 2008 the network developed a build partnerships, harmonize for Migration and the UN Economic Land Administration Domain Model development interventions and Commission for Latin America and which can document both customary take full advantage of existing the Caribbean. and statutory rights and is about capacities. This is in line with the The guide, which is part of a specialist to be tested. The network also agency’s Medium Term Strategy series, will help local and national developed gender evaluation criteria and Institutional Plan. It is also governments on policies, legislation, for the assessment of land tools from consistent with the Paris Declaration and consultative/participatory a gender perspective. The network’s on enhanced development aid dedicated Global Inventory now lists through actions and indicators mechanisms in connection with more than 800 land-related initiatives that are amenable to monitoring. indigenous peoples’ rights in urban after taking in as many as 159 from The declaration was endorsed by areas, including gender, youth and Africa in 2008. over 100 countries in 2005 under environmental issues. the aegis of the Organization At national level, GLTN works Also in 2008, UN-HABITAT arranged a for Economic Cooperation and partnership with the New York office through member states and partners Development. to support the implementation of of the United Nations Development land policies where there is potential UN-HABITAT was one of the Programme in order to facilitate its e- to achieve systemic, pro-poor reform. founding members of the learning course on key competencies Development Partners’ Group on for local elected leadership. The UN-HABITAT is also undertaking Land in 2004. This group supports course benefited to 32 national activities which link normative the Government of Kenya, officers of the UN programme and operational dimensions at through the Ministry of Land, in based in 27 Asian, African and Latin country level, in an effort to American countries.

34 Promotion of pro-poor land and housing

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

ASIA Two new country offices were established: one in , where partnerships are in the works with national Advocacy and local authorities as well as the Global Housing Foundation; A UN-HABITAT delegation headed by Mrs. and the other in Barbados to serve English-speaking Caribbean Tibaijuka attended the 4th Tokyo International countries, in cooperation with the UN Development Conference on African Development, a major event Programme. for Asian-African development cooperation organized Also in 2008, the governments of Argentina and Brazil every four years by the Government of Japan, the United invited UN-HABITAT to establish local offices complete with Nations and the World Bank. respective Habitat Programme Managers, and at the time of On World Habitat Day in early October, UN- writing the agency’s regional office was still at work on the HABITAT organized an international symposium, relevant Memorandums of Understanding. Towards Harmonious Cities in East Asia. Barbados, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico A seminar for the preparation of the first, and Nicaragua collaborated with UN-HABITAT on specific forthcoming State of Asian Cities report was held global programme events in 2008. in November with the UN Economic and Social Technical cooperation Commission for Asia-Pacific at the World Urban Forum. Technical cooperation programmes were established Strengthening the International Urban Training Centre in Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, and will continue through 2009. The UN-HABITAT regional office maintains UN-HABITAT’s partnership with the International participation in Cities Alliance projects in Brazil (Belo Urban Training Centre, which is sponsored by Gangwon Horizonte), Chile, Costa Rica and Ecuador. Province, Republic of Korea was further consolidated The UN-HABITAT regional office also continued in 2008. In May, an expert group bringing together to benefit from its well-established relations with major Asian training institutions in the field of sustainable regional groupings such as the Association of the Ministers urban development made a number of practical of Housing (MINURVI), the Latin American Federation of recommendations for more effective service provision. Cities, Municipalities and Associations (FLACMA) and civil Training events were organized on a number of urban organizations such as the Habitat International Coalition. environmental issues, particularly on ecological restoration and sustainable urban energy. The partnership with MINURVI had a major outcome in 2008 as ministers endorsed a UN-HABITAT proposal to Three publications are in preparation: an produce a report on the State of Latin American and Caribbean introduction to sustainable urbanization, an “eco- Cities and appointed focal points for follow-up. As for the restoration” catalogue and a sourcebook on sustainable partnership with FLACMA, it gave rise to a Decentralization urban energy. Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean. Taking example on previous, similar events held in Asia and Africa, LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN UN-HABITAT experts sat with representatives of central governments and the main local authority associations to revise New country offices the agency’s existing Decentralization Guidelines. As a result of The UN-HABITAT regional office continued building its this conference, an action plan was proposed to be carried out implementation capacity and presence, with direct activities during 2009. in 19 countries through technical cooperation projects and After a year of consolidating the Latin American normative/operational activities including with the Cities and Caribbean regional team, new projects are being Alliance. negotiated and some have started implementation.

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CHAPTER 4: Environmentally sound basic infrastructure and services

“We commit ourselves to the goal of sustainable human settlements in an urbanizing world through efficient use of resources and by providing all people with equal opportunities, thereby contributing to the achievement of national sustainable development goals.” --- The Habitat Agenda

36 Environmentally sound basic infrastructure and services

In 2007, a landmark Governing Council resolution detailed a Environmental Programme has been further translated into a joint set of guiding principles for basic service provision. In this area, implementation plan for 2008- UN-HABITAT looks to expand access to environmentally 2009, focusing on climate change, sound basic infrastructure and services, with a special focus solid waste management in Nairobi, on the non-served and underserved populations. ecomobility and biodiversity. In 2008, UN-HABITAT worked to Over the past two decades, UN- America) and Nanjing, China, with a strengthen local technical partners HABITAT has worked with more special session during the 4th World and anchoring institutions in order than 100 cities in the world in an Urban Forum. to mainstream the Environmental effort to integrate environmental Planning and Management UN-HABITAT institutionalized issues in planning and management approach devised by the agency. processes. The vehicles for this were the linkage between urban the Sustainable Cities and Localizing environment and urban planning At the same time, a documentation Agenda 21 programmes. A number approaches with the creation of exercise included an analysis of of evaluation and transition meetings an Urban Environmental Planning lessons learned. Reports have been in connection with these two schemes Branch in October 2008. produced in China, Cuba, Nigeria, took place in 2008: Senegal (French- Peru, the Philippines, Senegal and The agency’s Partnership speaking Africa), Mexico City (Latin Zambia. Framework with the United Nations

The Mekong Region Programme

The Mekong Region Water and Sanitation Programme Vietnam and three in Yunnan province, China is a collaborative effort between governments of the Greater (benefiting an estimated 40,000 people), with Mekong Sub-region, the Asian Development Bank and UN- another project commenced in Cambodia. HABITAT. The objective is to help Mekong riparian countries UN-HABITAT’s support for community-based achieve the Millennium Development Goals in the water and water and sanitation (including water conservation sanitation area and for the benefit of over one million people. and demand management) has enabled the city of The scheme is also expected to provide an enabling Puer, China to attract additional capital expenditure environment for further investments and support in the water and sanitation sector. In the city of for the region as a whole. It is a major contribution Jinghong, China, a major tourist attraction, UN- to sustainable urbanization and economic growth HABITAT mitigates water and sanitation shortages. in the region, including enhanced connectivity, In recognition of the achievements of the competitiveness and greater sense of community. programme, the Government of the Netherlands As part of the scheme, fast-track projects have has recently agreed to provide additional funds. been implemented in eight towns in Laos, two in

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community-based organizations. Cities have their say on climate change Over 600 persons benefited from the training and capacity Cities are major energy consumers and producers of greenhouse gas emission, building programmes, including and therefore it was apt that they had their say in ongoing negotiations over mayors and professional staff, climate change. The Cities in Climate Change Initiative gave them an opportunity utility managers, system operators to do so when experts from all over the world met in Poznan, Poland in early and women’s organizations. The December 2008 for the UN Climate Summit (‘COP-14’) to discuss a new training programmes, which framework to tackle climate change after the Tokyo Protocol expires in 2012. addressed areas such as financial The Warsaw office of UN-HABITAT and the Polish Society of Architects management of utilities, water together organized a conference on Environmentally friendly cities – Coping with demand management, solid waste urbanization and climate change for representatives of municipal authorities and management and water quality monitoring and public sanitation, related associations. They highlighted the linkages between urbanization and have improved the institutional climate change and discussed the development and implementation of long-term capacity of service providers, raised strategies for environmental protection. awareness of sector issues among policy makers and empowered community organizations for a Water and sanitation and sanitation sector. In 2008 greater role in the sector, in the Training and capacity building programmes targeted water service process facilitating the sharing of is a major aspect of UN- providers, regulatory agencies, experiences. HABITAT’s activities in the water municipal governments and

Water Cycle Painting, Senegal, 2004. Photo © UN-HABITAT

38 Environmentally sound basic infrastructure and services

Assistance in business planning was provided to four utilities in the Lake Support from the business sector Victoria Region and to the Zanzibar Water and sanitation is a privileged sector for UN-HABITAT’s efforts Water Authority in Tanzania, and is to act as a catalyst of technical and other support to local projects from now being extended to the Harar Water and Sewerage Authority in major international business firms, as demonstrated in India, Nepal and Ethiopia and another three utilities Laos in 2008. in Lake Victoria. Demand for this Coca Cola India promotes water conservation and rain harvesting type of assistance is expected to through schools in India as well as household water treatment in urban increase in the coming years, with Nepal. The contribution includes financial support and assistance in utilities under pressure to improve project design. their financial performance and creditworthiness as a precondition In southern India, the BASF Foundation provides financial support for securing funding for to a post-tsunami water and sanitation reconstruction project in investment. Cuddalore. The project provides 10,000 people with access to safe drinking water and sanitation. UN-HABITAT in 2008 also launched Australian mining company Oxiana Ltd supports a community- a programme to improve the based water supply project for 13,000 residents of Vilabouly, Laos. The energy efficiency of utilities company has signed a cooperation agreement with the state-owned and to promote greater use of renewable energy. Energy audits water utility, and initial surveys and community consultations have been were substantially completed for completed. three major utilities in Africa, and feasibility studies to examine the potential for promoting renewable In the Philippines in 2008, the training institutions involved in energy technologies were also agency strengthened the ability sustainable urban development. launched in Kisii town in Kenya of local governments and their The meeting made some practical (micro-hydro) and another 16 partners to improve priority urban recommendations on improved towns in Africa (biogas). environmental services and reduce training methods. UN-HABITAT’s In Latin America and the poverty. local office provided training on a Caribbean, UN-HABITAT is involved number of urban environmental In Kenya, UN-HABITAT is involved in projects under the ‘One-UN issues, particularly on ecological Millennium Development Goal in four water-related schemes: the restoration and sustainable urban Achievement Fund’ sponsored Nairobi River Basin Programme, energy. by the Government of Spain the Dallas (Embu) Integrated Basic Three publications are in with several UN agencies. The Urban Services Project, and the preparation: an introduction following projects were approved: Kibera and Kisumu Integrated to sustainable urbanization, an governance in water and sanitation Water Sanitation and Waste (Mexico, Ecuador), gender equality Management programmes. “eco-restoration” catalogue and a and women empowerment (Brazil) sourcebook on sustainable urban and environment and climate In Mozambique, a programme is energy. change (Ecuador). Other topics improving water and sanitation In 2008 UN-HABITAT and the like ‘development and the private in Quelimane City, while another Centre for Housing Rights and sector’ have been proposed in one provides for environment Evictions backed up their operational Brazil and . mainstreaming and adaptation to climate change. and technical efforts with a joint In China, UN-HABITAT is promoting publication, a Handbook on the sustainable urbanization in In Asia, an Expert Group Right to Water and Sanitation. Shenyang and Wuhan. Meeting brought together

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CHAPTER 5: Strengthened human settlement finance systems

“We commit ourselves to strengthening existing financial mechanisms and developing innovative approaches to finance the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, supporting adequate shelter and sustainable human settlements development.” --- The Habitat Agenda

40 Strengthened human settlement finance systems

UN-HABITAT’s strategic goal is to improve access to – since they are the ones taking the financial risk of repayment. sustainable financing for affordable housing and infrastructure. SUF works with local actors to make slum upgrading projects Urbanisation of poverty is one of UN-HABITAT provides a mix of “bankable” – that is, attractive to the largest challenges the world advocacy, tool development, retail banks, property developers, is facing today. The persistent normative work and projects on housing finance institutions, problems of poverty and slums the ground to establish effective service providers, micro-finance institutions, and utility companies. are largely due to weak urban local finance systems in support The facility has pilot projects in economies and finance, in the of sustainable urbanization. The Ghana, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and absence of the instruments and agency is actively engaged in making private and public capital available Tanzania, where various approaches institutions required to support are being tested to support the housing and infrastructure finance. for housing and the necessary infrastructure, and has undertaken purpose of the Pilot Programme. The Habitat Agenda identifies several activities at the operational 2008 saw the launch of a new financial constraints as a major and policy level in 2008. type of scheme designed to help deterrent for adequate shelter. local communities mobilize funding Consequently, it calls for domestic for slum upgrading. The first so- resource mobilization as well More formal funding for slum upgrading called Local Finance Facilities were as sound national policies. The introduced in Ghana, Indonesia mobilization of local and domestic The UN-HABITAT Slum Upgrading and Sri-Lanka and complement the capital is a major component of Facility Pilot Programme, existing range of Pilot Programmes UN-HABITAT’s strategic vision for established in 2004, is a technical under UN-HABITAT’s broader Slum the financing of cities and shelter. cooperation and seed capital Upgrading Facility. facility with a central purpose: to The current global financial test and develop new financial Local finance facilities help crisis presents an additional instruments and methods for community groups access formal challenge for financing affordable expanding private sector finance commercial credit through credit housing and basic infrastructure, and public sector involvement in enhancements and guarantees, demanding effective responses. slum upgrading on a large scale. further mitigating risk with The credit crunch will have serious It is funded by the governments of technical support to bring projects implications for economies around the United Kingdom, Norway and to completion. the world. Although the crisis has Sweden. its roots in the sub-prime mortgage The first such facilities were markets in developed countries, The Slum Upgrading Facility established in the municipalities it will also have far-reaching operates under the premise that of Solo and Jogjakarta, Indonesia, implications for financial markets slums can be upgraded successfully and in SAEMA and Tema, Ghana. and economies all over the world, when the existing slum dwellers are Also in 2008, Sri-Lanka set including global partnerships for involved in the planning and design up a nationwide local finance development. of upgrading projects as “clients” facility. In these countries, the

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Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo © S. Mutter

Slum Upgrading Facility and the Local Finance Facilities Experiments and Local Finance Facilities together are designed as long-term innovations supported over 20 specific projects sustainable ventures, run by Significant progress has also been that had been put forward by local dynamic and varied boards. They achieved in 2008 with regard to stakeholders; the projects opened finance themselves from the the implementation of Governing up access to a range of institutions investment income derived from Council Resolution GC 21/10, including retail banks, property the Credit Enhancement Funds “Strengthening the Habitat and developers, housing finance and established at the core of each Human Settlements Foundation: facility. service providers, micro-finance experimental financial institutions and utility companies. In 2008 the SUF also supported mechanisms for pro-poor housing The schemes also provide community efforts to mobilize and infrastructure”. These opportunities to test a variety of and organize around slum activities included the following: upgrading, as well as building financial approaches with a view - Field-testing ‘Experimental, strong partnerships with local to future replication. A nationwide Reimbursable Seeding and authorities and higher levels of local finance facility is underway in other innovative Operations’ Tanzania. government. for urban poor housing finance,

42 Strengthened human settlement finance systems

infrastructure and upgrading strategies and policies as processing and approval of follow through community groups, and well as balanced urban-rural up investments. UN-HABITAT also development, including local looks to leverage resources from - Strengthening the capacity of economic development pilot governments, local financing local financial and development projects in Africa’s Lake Victoria institutions and the private sector bodies to carry out those region (see chapter 2 for details).. for basic infrastructure. innovative operations, and to support the capacity of UN- As far as advocacy is concerned, During 2008, these two HABITAT to enhance them. the agency further explored approaches showed good results. the synergies between urban In Africa, collaboration with the Key activities in 2008 have economy and finance. At the African Development Bank has included the development World Urban Forum in Nanjing, led to over USD132 million in of operational procedures a special session discussed approved projects for Zanzibar and an Operations Manual the global financial crisis and Kenya. Ongoing project with the Working Group of and its impact, spearheading formulation work in Ethiopia the Committee of Permanent a subsequent dialogue on and the five countries in the Representatives, which endorsed ‘productive and equitable cities’. Lake Victoria basin is expected these documents. UN-HABITAT This highlighted the importance to lead to a further USD184 also hosted an international to urban residents of productive million in follow-up investments expert meeting in April 2008 to municipal expenditure on in 2009-2010. In Asia, the define the ‘experimental financial improved housing and basic Memorandum of Agreement mechanisms’ approach and gather services. Another seminar at the with the Asian Development project ideas in different countries. Forum promoted public-private Bank envisages a total partnerships in housing and investment of USD321.5 million In mid-2008, the Executive urban development, including over the 2007-2011 period. Director made a number of new approaches to urban and The collaboration with the specialist appointments at community development. development banks was further regional level and established strengthened in 2008 following a Steering and Monitoring the signing of Memorandum of Committee for the experimental Water and sanitation Understanding with the Inter- mechanisms approach, which American Development Bank, includes international experts With only another six years remaining to meet the with subsequent projects under experienced in low-income development in Bolivia, Colombia housing and infrastructure Millennium Development Goals, and with huge funding gaps still and Mexico. Consultations finance. The inaugural meeting have also been initiated with took place on 25- 26 September posing a major constraint on expanded access to water and the European Investment Bank 2008 in Nairobi and reviewed 13 regarding a possible collaboration project proposals. UN-HABITAT sanitation services, the need to increase the flow of investment that would aim, initially, at has subsequently consulted the deployment of water and with various potential partners into the water and sanitation sector remains primary focus sanitation projects in three large to develop business plans for of the UN-HABITAT Water and towns in Kenya, Tanzania and experimental operations in Africa, Sanitation Trust Fund activities. Uganda. Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin In this respect, the agency America and the Caribbean. Plans to leverage funds from seeks to use partnerships government institutions, banks with the development banks and the private sector for water to link its own work on pre- Advocacy: Exploring and sanitation have also been synergies investment capacity-building and demonstration projects to the launched, especially in Asia. In 2008, UN-HABITAT promoted banks’ lending priorities, as a Noteworthy examples include urban economic development means of expediting the design, the mobilizing of USD208,000

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from a local mining company Technical ‘Review’ series practical ‘how-to’ knowledge in Laos (which is matched by and techniques. The branch also In 2008 UN-HABITAT another USD531,000 for the local produced guides and instruments strengthened the normative governments) and leveraging on social housing finance, social work of human settlements some USD2.5 million from the housing investment funds, finance with the launch of a National Housing Bank of India community-based mortgage Human settlements finance to provide for micro-finance for finance, urban community funds system review’ series, a timely water and sanitation. and community land trusts. contribution in the middle of The success in leveraging a global financial crisis. Seven A separate report reviewed resources hinges on a great country reviews were published the challenges of affordability, extent, on the effectiveness of in 2008, covering developing accessibility and sustainability the Water and Sanitation Trust regions and including Bolivia, in adequate housing provision Fund’s pre-investment activities China, Indonesia, Peru, South for all. Another highlighted the and, also the impact of the pilot Africa and Thailand. importance of governments and projects in achievement of the public instruments in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. UN-HABITAT also launched housing needs of the poor. In this regard, the pilot projects a report series on Human implemented have provided settlements finance tools In 2008 UN-HABITAT also access to water and sanitation for and best practices. The series published a guide to Asset- an estimated 750,000 people in looks beyond systematic based Approaches to Community 2008. and policy issues to focus on Development.

Photos © UN-HABITAT

44 Strengthened human settlement finance systems

Somalia: Municipal out in Hargeisa (the capital of Berbera to enhance municipal finance systems Somaliland) in 2004 and 2005. revenue collection and improve improved service delivery. Accounting and The Urban Land Information information management systems Somalia is a good example of what database was subsequently came on stream in seven Somali UN-HABITAT can do to build the used in Hargeisa to develop a municipalities. capacities of municipal finance computerized property taxation departments and improve systems system with proper staff. The In 2009, following a ministerial for public sector accounting interlinked property database and request, accounting and and revenue collection by local automated taxation system has information management systems authorities and water utilities. since resulted in a remarkable will be established in the Somali rise in municipal property tax Ministry of Interior, the Magistrate The strengthening of municipal revenue. At the same time, of Accounts and the Hargeisa finance systems in north- service delivery was improved by west Somalia (“Somaliland”) Water Agency (the latter in a number of capital investment partnership with Italy’s Africa was strongly linked to land projects, including road-paving, ’70). UN-HABITAT also envisages management activities, allowing upgrading five public markets and a fully fledged capacity-building for better urban management streetlights along major roads. and increased municipal revenue intervention for 2009–2010, to from land and property taxes. A In 2008, similar property surveys be aligned with the UN Joint GIS-based property database was and Geographical Information Programme on Local Governance created from a comprehensive System database developments and Decentralized Service property inventory carried continued in Boroma and Delivery.

Photos © UN-HABITAT

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CHAPTER 6: excellence in management

“We recognize the need for an integrated approach and concerted action to achieve the objective of adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements development, and will strive for coordinated implementation of international commitments and action programmes.” --- The Habitat Agenda

46 excellence in management

The strategic goal for UN-HABITAT is to deliver Competency profiling for professional staff has already the results planned under its Medium-Term Strategic reduced gaps for effective and Institutional Plan effectively and efficiently. programmme delivery. Staff development and training has intensified, in particular in the area UN-HABITAT’s future success in urban on its integrated programme of of monitoring, evaluation and poverty reduction and improving cities normative and operational activities. results-based management, with depends on effective institutional more than 40 staff trained in the UN-HABITAT has also been reform. Guided by an Action Plan latter. for the Medium-term Strategic and harmonizing its operations with best practices drawn from within the Institutional Plan (2008-2013), UN- To deliver cost-effectively, UN- UN system in business processes, HABITAT significantly strengthened its HABITAT realised that its business knowledge management, auditing, delivery capacities during 2008. Key processes needed an overhaul monitoring and evaluation. achievements include matching up to and throughout the year it honed the ongoing United Nations reform its operating procedures. It also prepared for the adoption in 2011 process, implementing results-based Results-based of International Public Sector management, strengthened human management Accounting Standards – considered resources and administrative systems, the most transparent for public- and improved resource mobilization Building a results-oriented sector institutions. and communications. management culture has been a core objective of the organization in 2008. Guided by the strategic plan, Resources to achieve United Nations reform UN-HABITAT developed a results results framework for the six focus areas. More effective country support is a These will become the principal means For effective programme delivery as priority for UN-HABITAT in the context for ensuring joint commitment to, and defined by the 2008-2013 plan, UN- of United Nations reform process accountability for, focus area results. HABITAT needs predictable funding. and the 2005 Paris Declaration on The framework is the cornerstone of The top resource mobilization Aid Effectiveness. The production the agency’s monitoring, evaluation, priorities in 2008 were to expand of 33 Habitat Country Programme accountability and supervision systems the donor base, increase general- Documents by the end of 2008 for better programme delivery. strengthened engagement with purpose contributions, as well as the national governments, United proportion of funding coming from Nations Country Teams, and the UN multi-year framework agreements. Strengthened human Development Assistance Framework. resources, administrative In early 2008, a new Resource This has enabled UN-HABITAT to and management systems Mobilization Unit was set up to define its own comparative advantage ensure a more corporate approach as part of the integrated United Staff skills and expertise are to resource mobilization, building Nations country framework, building UN-HABITAT’s greatest assets. confidence, and strengthening

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specific focus areas were launched with other bilateral donors. The An online European Commission funded a ‘catalogue’ of projects multi-year programme in slum In order better to publicize its upgrading in several countries in the African, Caribbean and Pacific ongoing activities with current group included in the European and potential partners, UN- development cooperation scheme. HABITAT is to make available Partnerships are central to the an online catalogue of ‘bankable catalytic role of UN-HABITAT, projects’ in the various regions and integral to the resource and countries. This will come mobilization strategy. United as part of the agency’s efforts to Nations and other partners have improve marketing and attract shown an increasing degree more core funding. The online of interest in cooperation and catalogue will showcase UN- provision of assistance in post- HABITAT’s specific comparative conflict situations, particularly in advantages as well as the set of the housing, land and property services offered in connection rights sector. In the private sector, with its specific mandate, i.e., agreements were reached with sustainable urbanization. The BASF, Google.org, Coca-Cola and catalogue will also provide donors Oxiana Ltd (now known as OZ and partners with a ‘one-stop Minerals). These arrangements shop’ enabling them to leverage mark a step forward in mobilizing their resources with ongoing broad partnerships for the country or regional programmes financing of affordable housing and projects. and related urban infrastructure.

Morogoro food market, United Republic of Effective communication Tanzania, 2003. OUR RESOURCES AND Photo © UN-HABITAT through new, EXPENDITURE compelling branding UN-HABITAT receives most consistent messaging and Building more effective and clear of its income from voluntary communications. As part of communication has been a core contributions received from the roll-out of the resource objective for UN-HABITAT in governments and inter- mobilization strategy, a set of 2008. Better alignment towards governmental donors. Other Guiding Principles and a Code of sustainable urbanization is to be Conduct for resource mobilization achieved through greater effective partners such as local authorities, in UN-HABITAT were issued, in a communication and information the private sector, multi-lateral bid to facilitate common standards sharing at all levels within the organizations and other United for approaching development organization and with its closest Nations system organizations also partners. development partners. make contributions mainly to specific programmes. The year 2008 also saw a trend A new branding concept for UN- towards multi-year framework HABITAT was launched at the 4th UN-HABITAT’s main sources of agreements. The Government World Urban Forum in November funding are: of Norway signed a Programme 2008 and implemented across the Cooperation Agreement for 2008- organization. - Regular Budget allocations 2009, and discussions regarding approved by the General framework agreements for Assembly against assessed

48 excellence in management

cooperation – or go towards the Foundation for normative work.

In 2008, UN-HABITAT received General Purpose contributions amounting to USD 20 million and special purpose funding of USD 134.2 million. Of the Special Purpose funds received, USD 45.5 million was for Foundation activities and USD 88.7 for technical cooperation activities.

Part of the agency’s earmarked funding goes to the following trust funds: Youth following the proceedings of World Urban Forum in China, 2008. Photo © UN-HABITAT The Water and Sanitation Trust Fund contributions of Member States - Special Purpose contributions (core funding) which are earmarked In its drive to achieve the voluntary contributions from water target of the Millennium - General Purpose contributions Governments and other donors Development Goals, UN-HABITAT towards the United Nations for the implementation of set up a Water and Sanitation Habitat and Human Settlements specific activities included in the Trust Fund in 2002 to help Foundation (Foundation). approved work programme municipalities reach out to the These are the non-earmarked poorest and offering contributors voluntary contributions from an opportunity to target a high- Governments. This core HOW THE MONEY IS USED priority sector with a clear set of funding is allocated according objectives. to priorities agreed by the UN- The contributions are either HABITAT Governing Council used for direct project execution To date, the fund has signed at the country level – technical agreements of USD 12,455,556 (Canada), USD 32,480,500 (the Netherlands), USD 23,758,980 (Norway), USD 26,134,371 (Spain), figure 6.1: distribution of funds received by un-habitat during the year USD 5,573,586 (Sweden), 2008 USD 3,000 (Poland), USD 150,000 (Coca Cola India), USD 208,000 (Oxiana Ltd/Lane Xang Minerals), Special purpose 27% USD 1,800,000 (Google ) and USD 100,580 (United Nations 12% General Trust Fund). 81% 7% 54%

The Special Human Settlements Programme for the Palestinian People

*Note: The core funding is comprised of General Purpose contributions and the The Trust Fund for The Special UN Regular Budget Human Settlements Programme

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Fund has signed agreements of The Medium-Term Strategic and USD 7,890,000 (Saudi Arabia), USD Institutional Plan 750,000 ( Bahrain), USD 100,000 (Oman), USD 500,000 (USA), USD 296,582 (Sweden), USD 67,380 TABLE 6.1: Contributions received towards the MTSIP (Sudan), USD 50,000 (Russian Federation), USD49,980 (China), Donor Amounts Amounts in US$ USD 354,000 (Arab Authority Sweden (2007) sEK 3,000,000 469,920 for Agricultural Investment and Italy 1,200,000 1,744,800 Development) and USD 199,985 (Al-Marktoum). The total amount Canada (CMHC) cAD$ 75,000 73,972 of USD 10,257,927 was received Norway NOK 17,000,000 3,393,208 during the period of 2003-2008. Sweden (2008) sEK 21,000,000 2,686,845 Total 8,368,745 Donor contributions The increase in contributions to UN- HABITAT shows strong support for for the Palestinian People was work with research institutions to its work and achievements. In 2007, established to address the housing collect socio-economic data through UN-HABITAT’s Governing Council situation and related human the creation of urban observatories, endorsed the agency’s Medium Term settlements needs of people support the development of a Strategic and Institutional Plan for living in the occupied Palestinian Palestinian human settlements policy 2008-2013 and approved a budget territories. The objectives of the (with related strategies for housing of USD 15 million for 2008-2009 Programme are to build institutional and urban development), establish a to kick-start the plan, focusing on capacity and coordination planning framework, and implement projects that will help accelerate its mechanisms in the field of human housing and settlements upgrading. achievement. settlements, promote affordable mechanisms for housing finance, The Technical Cooperation Trust Ensuring more sustainable funding UN-HABITAT relies on a small group figure 6.2: Trend in donor contributions (2001 - 2008) of contributors for the majority of its funding. In 2008, the agency embarked on an aggressive resource-mobilization strategy in order to better its fund-raising efforts, widen its donor base and achieve more sustainable funding for its work; this will be achieved through annual donor conferences with development partners to engage them more actively in the work of the organization.

“Thousands of people are displaced and at risk. Supplies of food, water, fuel and essential medicines are acutely low in many densely populated areas.

50 excellence in management

The Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan

TABLE 6.2: Total Contributions – Top 10 donors, 2006-2008

2006 2007 2008 USD 135,474,837 USD 164,477,770 USD 165,841,979 Country 0% Country % Country % 1 sweden 12 1 spain 11 1 spain 11 2 Netherlands 10 2 Norway 10 2 Norway 11 3 canada 8 3 sweden 10 3 Japan 10 4 Norway 8 4 Netherlands 8 4 United Kingdom 7 5 European Union 7 5 Regular Budget 7 5 Regular Budget 7 6 UN Regular Budget 7 6 canada 5 6 sweden 7 7 United Kingdom 3 7 italy 4 7 European Union 4 8 Afghanistan 2 8 United Kingdom 2 8 canada 2 9 italy 1 8 European Union 2 9 Netherlands 2 10 switzerland 1 10 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 2 10 United States 1 Others 40 Others 39 Others 38

Nanjing International Conference Centre. Photo © City of Nanjing

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2008 milestones

“We recognize the need for an integrated approach and concerted action to achieve the objective of adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements development, and will strive for coordinated implementation of international commitments and action programmes.” --- The Habitat Agenda

52 2008 Milestones

The year 2008 started on a sad note for UN-HABITAT and President Susilo Bambang the entire UN community in Kenya as the host country was Yudhoyono of Indonesia feted UN- HABITAT for its work in post-disaster engulfed in chaos that erupted after disputed presidential reconstruction in his country. elections at the close of the previous year. Mrs. Tibaijuka, in an earnest appeal to an end to the mayhem, sounded the alarm In April, the Government of Norway pledged USD 25.6 million that the violence was not only affecting Kenya but had far- to help implement a new medium- reaching implications on other countries in the region as well. term strategic plan aimed at strengthening the agency. In that “Transport corridors from the port figures of the dead and displaced same month, Mrs. Tibaijuka took of Mombasa through Kenya are were simply unacceptable. part in the Olympic Torch Relay in restricted, causing supply chain Every effort had to be made to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. disruption to our humanitarian arrest and reverse the situation and peace-keeping operations in a country where the world Giving a lecture at the Warsaw in the region, for example for body, counting all staff and School of Economics, Mrs. Southern Sudan, Uganda and their dependents, make up an Tibaijuka outlined the crucial role of parts of the Democratic Republic estimated 15,000 people, most of urbanisation to staff and students of Congo,” Mrs. Tibaijuka said. them Kenyans. of the prestigious Polish institution. Speaking to over 400 students In the same month, Tanzanian The month of February saw a and to faculty members headed by Head of State Jakaya Mrisho landmark agreement signed the Rector of the School Professor Kikwete honoured UN-HABITAT between the executive branch Adam Budnikowski, representatives when he inaugurated the of the European Union and of central institutions and rehabilitation works the agency UN-HABITAT that will see 90 media, Mrs. Tibaijuka underlined carried out at Nyamwala Springs, municipalities in 30 countries some 600 kilometres north east of improving living conditions in the economic dimension of Dar es Salaam. a sustainable way. This marked urbanisation phenomena. As the country’s leadership tried the first time that the agency “Cities drive national economies in to put an end to the crisis, UN has received a grant from the industrialised countries and even EuropeAid Co-operation Office Secretary General Ban Ki-moon nations in economic output” the and its ACP fund benefiting the paid a morale-boosting visit Executive Director, adding that African, Caribbean and Pacific to Kenya where he reiterated this may be observed also in the group of countries. the world body’s support to its developing world, where cities members of staff based there. United Nations Secretary General generate a large share of national The Secretary General noted Ban Ki-moon appointed Dr. Awni income. The importance of cities that the situation in Kenya had Behnam as Commissioner General for national economic and social deteriorated and that the violence for the organisation’s pavilion at development cannot be overlooked, had spread, adding that the the Shanghai World Expo 2010. especially by the future elites.

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The 16th Session of the countries, as well as Pakistan and During the same period, UN- Commission on Sustainable Palestine opened in Nairobi with a HABITAT joined the United Development was held in New call on the agency to support and Nations Inter-Agency Standing York in May and it recognized improve its staff training so that Committee (IASC), putting the the importance of sustainable project funds are better and more agency on a new footing in global urbanization for overall efficiently managed. humanitarian operations. The IASC sustainable development. That was established in 1992 to shape UN-HABITAT’s Director of the same month UN-HABITAT and the humanitarian policy and ensure Regional Office for Africa and the UN Environmental Programme, coordinated and effective response Arab States, Alioune Badiane, in collaboration with the Local to humanitarian crisis. appealed to the managers to Governments for Sustainability be more active in directing their UN-HABITAT’s role within the (ICLEI) launched two publications respective countries towards community of humanitarian with selected case studies from self-financed projects and organizations involves human around the world on cities, programmes, saying developing settlements recovery in shelter-, ecosystems and biodiversity countries should not expect land- and property-related issues. outside help to finance low-cost In Durban, South Africa, some 600 A report by UN-HABITAT was housing. Badiane stressed that participants from around the world released at the meeting showing developing countries should find congregated for the International that when it comes to land and the money at home to provide Youth Crime Prevention and property rights around the world, housing for the poor. Cities Summit, which opened there is no doubt that women get with strong calls for young people the short end of the stick. Women The month of June saw UN- to stand firm against violence and own less than 10 percent of the HABITAT’s work in Afghanistan on governments to invest more in property in the developed world, receiving a major boost after youth-friendly policies. while in the developing world it high-level visits by the then United is only two percent, the report States First Lady Laura Bush and The Kingdom of Bahrain and found. U.S. Transport Secretary Ms. Mary UN-HABITAT announced the E. Peters. establishment of the Shaikh In her foreword to the report, Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Secure Land Rights for All, Mrs. The First Lady met with Habitat Award. The award Tibaijuka stated: “Secure land and representatives of Afghanistan’s promotes the ideals and principles property rights for all are essential Women’s Teacher Training of good governance and equity in to reducing poverty, because they Institute. Established in 2004 housing and urban development underpin economic development with funding from the United policies and practice. The award and social inclusion. Secure land States Agency for International carries a cash prize of USD 100,000. rights empower people in both Development, the institute is It is to be presented to a single rural and urban areas to improve supported by UN-HABITAT. The winner every two years at their homes and livelihoods. At the officials Mrs. Bush met included the World Urban Forum. The same time, they help to promote UN-HABITAT Programme Manager, reward will go to an individual good environmental management, Ms. Hamida Noor, and two literacy person, or groups, or institutions improve food security, and assist experts, Ms. Mari Anwary and Ms. responsible for an initiative deemed directly in the realization of human Storai Firozi who work with her as outstanding in implementation rights, including the elimination of members of the National Literacy of the Habitat Agenda, discrimination against women, the Centre. The Centre supports a the achievement of human vulnerable, indigenous groups and community-based project known settlements-related Millennium Development Goals, and the other minorities.” as ‘Learning for Community Empowerment’ which serves over promotion of international and In the same month a seminar 300,000 adults and older youth in South-South cooperation through for UN-HABITAT Programme 20 Afghan provinces. the exchange and transfer of Managers from 17 African lessons learned from experience.

54 2008 Milestones

In a month that was packed with a warning by the country’s Prime However, recognizing the efforts activities, young people drawn Minister that sustainable urban that have already gone into the from two Nairobi slums were development must combine good preparations for the Forum by poised to be the first beneficiaries governance, energy efficiency, Habitat Agenda partners and UN- of a donation by UN Secretary effective water management and HABITAT, the Government of China General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, which is air pollution controls based on confirmed that it would host the event in Nanjing on 3- 6 November being administered by UN-HABITAT. proper urban planning. 2008. At the beginning of the previous Towards the end of June, the th July saw the Second African year, while visiting Kenya, Mr. Ban announcement that the 4 World Urban Forum would still be held in Ministerial Conference Ki-moon was deeply moved at the on Housing and Urban Nanjing, China was welcome news. poverty he witnessed in Kibera, the Development (AMCHUD II) take After an earthquake in China’s largest slum in Africa. This drove place in Abuja, Nigeria where Sichuan Province, the country’s him to pledge a personal donation Head of State Umaru Musa Yar’ Ministry of Housing and Urban- to help train young people living in Adua warned African housing Rural Development, which was Nairobi’s slums. ministers that governments had hosting the event, had suggested to move beyond talking to action a possible postponement of the June also saw the successful on the urgent task of delivering meeting to enable staff to focus on staging of the World Cities Summit housing, utility services and in Singapore. The highlight was the reconstruction effort.

Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka speaks at the Global Celebration of World Habitat day 2008, Angola, 2008. Photo © Copyright owned by BSHF

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pollution management. AMCHUD The 2008 State of the World is a new regional forum backed by Cities Report was launched in the UN-HABITAT to help governments same month. On that occasion, deliver on the Millennium Mrs. Tibaijuka said that the then Development Goal of reducing prevailing financial crisis ought to global poverty. have been viewed as a “housing finance crisis” in which the poorest In August, more than 2,000 of poor were left to fend for water experts from 140 countries themselves. gathered in Stockholm for the 18th annual World Water The much-anticipated 4th Session Week convention. Addressing of the World Urban Forum was the meeting, HRH the Prince of held in November. The Mayor Orange congratulated delegates of the Chinese city of Nanjing, for helping reduce the number of Jiang Hongkun, China’s Minister people around the world without of Housing and Urban-Rural access to water and sanitation. Development, Jiang Weixin, and Dejiang Zhang, the Vice Premier Dutch Crown Prince Willem- of the People’s Republic of China, Alexander, who serves as Chair Fourth Session of the World Urban Forum, welcomed delegates saying of the United Nations Secretary- China, 2008. that the theme of the Forum General’s Advisory Board on Water Photo © UN-HABITAT – Harmonious Urbanization – was and Sanitation, said that efforts to ceremony for the UN Pavilion at the critically important to the Chinese achieve Target 10 of Millennium government, which attached Development Goal N° 7 (halving Shanghai Expo 2010 and held a meeting with Mr. Yu Zhengsheng, great importance to integrated the number of people without the Communist Party Secretary of development. access to safe drinking water by Shanghai on the UN’s participation, 2015) were now starting to pay off. In the same month, an independent the chosen theme being ‘Better international jury, chaired by Ms. City, Better Life’. “The number of people living Banashree Banerjee of India, without improved drinking water The month of October started announced the winners of the 2008 has now dropped well below with the well-established World Dubai International Awards for one billion!” he pronounced to Habitat Day. In Angola, President Best Practices to improve the Living loud applause. “More than half José Eduardo dos Santos and Environment. the global population now have senior government officials led the The year drew to a close with piped water to their homes, and celebrations in the capital Luanda. the number of people using the UN Climate Summit held unimproved water supplies Mrs. Tibaijuka called on the in Poznan, Poland to discuss a continues to decline. That is thanks Angolan authorities to allocate new framework to tackle climate to your hard work.” 10 percent of the country’s oil change. The United Nations income to upgrade their towns, Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki- During a visit to Shanghai, cities and villages for the benefit moon, said the world had to avoid China Mrs. Tibaijuka signed a of all, especially the poorest of backsliding in the fight against Memorandum of Understanding the poor and with respect for the global warming and devise a and Participation Contract on human rights of all. She said she “Green New Deal” to fix the twin behalf UN-of HABITAT, the Lead was pleased that the Angolan climate and economic crises. In agency coordinating the United authorities were using the occasion an address to more than 100 Nations System’s participation in of World Habitat Day to announce environment ministers from around the Shanghai World Expo 2010, a series of important social housing the world, he said the crises were which will focus on cities. She also initiatives. an opportunity to address both officiated at the ground-breaking challenges simultaneously.

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