Making Better Cities Together

Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme (MuSPP)

Issue No. 03/07 • June 2007

EdEditorialitorial

This issue of the newsletter focus- has been approved. This is an impor- cal players more closely. The key word es on visioning. A long-term vision for tant milestone. /Pec has also cre- is ‘integrated planning’. We will discuss the future of a city is a crucial element ated a long-term vision, which is incor- more on this topic in future newslet- in planning for sustainable development porated in their plan. However, the plan ters. and improving the life of its citizens. is not the end and a plan as such will Similar to the motto of the programme not make things happen. It is now plan- ‘Making Better Cities Together’, a ‘bet- ning (for implementation) that matters, ter’ vision is about producing a vision rather than the plan. People are the im- together. A vision is not just a future portant factor in planning and the ca- dream, but a long-term perspective that talyser or implementers of change and takes into account the municipality’s as- development. Political will and support sets, opportunities and doesn’t ignore are crucial for real change to happen. its problems and challenges. And of Also recently UN-HABITAT and UITP, course, dreaming is part of it too. While various informal peer learning ac- the International Association for Public tivities are initiated among municipali- Transport, have signed a Memorandum ties and prove encouraging, this edition of Understanding. Both organisations offers a window on one of the formal aim at strengthening cooperation for peer-to-peer fora such as the - support to sustainable urban transport wide Conference on the State of Play for urban areas in general and to public of Municipal and Urban Development transport in particular. In addition, the Plans. 21st UN-HABITAT Governing Council led to various resolutions reflecting a most These aspects are witnessed by stake- needed support to engaging urban holders from our counterpart munici- youth in development and strengthen- palities. Articles by CEOs, planners and ing local authorities and decentralisa- civil society representatives are insight- tion among other. ful contributions reflecting different angles on the very diverse 4-day vision- I hope that this newsletter provides ing experiences. A special feature was inspiration for all Kosovo municipalities the participation of citizens through the At the time of writing, the EU has ad- and that it will lead to the advancement informal councils of civil society, estab- opted the ‘Leipzig Charter’. For the first of envisioning events, both in informal lished as part of the planning process. time, ministers at the Informal Coun- as well as formal fora and become an We thank all the authors for their valu- cil of Ministers for Urban Development integral part of their municipal develop- able contributions. and Territorial Cohesion have signed a ment process. text laying down guiding principles for The municipal development plan of urban development. This goes hand in Elisabeth Belpaire, Peja/Pec is the first one in Kosovo that hand with new governance involving lo- CTA/Programme Manager

PEJA /PEC HAS MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (MDP) AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN (UDP) On May 14th 2007, Peja/Pec Municipal received the consent from the Ministry ral Planning and all the participants who Assembly approved the MDP and UDP of Environment and Spatial Planning and contributed to the successful completion for 2006-2025.“These plans have vital are regarded to be in accordance with the of these plans, while emphasizing that importance for the economic develop- Kosovo Spatial Plan. Peja/Pec was the first municipality to ment and protection of the environment finalise these development plans and and the cultural-historical heritage of the On this occasion, Ali Lajçi, the Mayor, ac- would be a model for the other Koso- municipality”, it was said in the Municipal knowledged the work of the Directorate van municipalities. Assembly. The above mentioned plans of the Environment and Urban and Ru- Source: www.peja-komuna.org  MuSPP NEWSLETTER 3/07 • June 2007

IN FOCUS

A city needs a vision

A tolerant, contemporary, prosper- and succeeded at bringing together ous, clean, green, and accessible riv- civil society and government represen- erside city that provides economic, tatives. However the approaches, use, educational and cultural opportunities outcomes and results were diverse. and an environment attractive to all. They reflected those involved, the spe- cific municipal planning and political An attractive place with dynamic de- context, the stage of the planning pro- velopment; Regional terminal; An cess and the conducive environment open city with perspective; Bridge and openness of various actors. The for economic, and cultural develop- collective intention from participants ment; a port to the mountains; a to “hand over” their vision to the deci- place with unique bifurcation and rec- sion makers was a common element reation. An integrative city between in all the workshops. It is important capitals; a place with investment po- to note here that developing a vision tentials for its citizens; an ecological and handing over that vision to deci- friendly city where it is worth of living. sion makers, develops and strength- ens the civil society as well as giving These are in a nutshell the vision state- them sense of ownership of that vision. ments, for Mitrovicë/Mitrovica (North and South) and /Urosevac, We also want to put theory into action Once a vision is drafted, a successful drafted by civil society representatives, and learning practices. So far MuSPP communication and pubic debate is in collaboration with city planners. has organised 4 vision workshops, to- necessary for reaching broader com- gether with the municipalities, local mitment within the entire community. Visioning is an activity that brings NGO’s and informal councils of civil This gives the vision wider publicity citizens and stakeholders together to society. Participating municipalities and keeps it alive. Monitoring and re- shape a common vision for the future namely Mitrovica, Ferizaj/Urosevac, porting the achievements regularly to of their community (municipality, city, /Gnjilane and , used the the public is crucial to transforming the town or village). The goal is to derive workshops as an opportunity to under- vision into reality. A Vision for a City is written and visualized statements of a take reconciliatory efforts and to define not static; it should be revised or even community’s long term goals and stra- the local development vision in col- replaced by a new vision, whenever tegic objectives for sustainable urban laboration with civil society organisa- the circumstances of planning have and spatial planning. tions. The workshops provided a train- changed profoundly. ing opportunity for the participants, as Visioning is clearly a work in prog- With a special Leaflet “Visioning of your well as a platform for building trust. It ress to be continued in the other two City”, we want to promote the concept also broadened the participant’s hori- “MuSPP-municipalities” and eventually of Visioning as a crucial element in local zon. These envisioning events were an all over Kosovo. inclusive spatial planning processes, ap- eye- and-mind opener. The workshops plicable to all municipalities in Kosovo. followed a similar structure. All aimed MuSPP Team MuSPP NEWSLETTER 03/ 07 • June 2007 

MUNICIPAL Corner

A FLIGHT INTO THE FUTURE OF A TOWN

Impressions from the workshop on visioning of Ferizaj/Urosevac involving municipality and civil society representatives “We would be very happy if we could create a new image for our city, we would be very happy if, tomorrow, this image becomes part of the identity of a new Ferizaj/Urosevac”

During three days of our stay in Ohrid, we were, perhaps, its weirdest resi- dents. Whereas the people of Ohrid tended to their daily business by the lake, we, a group of people from Fer- izaj/Urosevac, had flown into the- fu ture of our town by creating visions for it. We should have been good pelicans to fill in the imaginary space that opened up in front of us. We knew that it was not going to be easy for us, moreover we felt that questions were being raised, such as:”why are you go- ing to Ohrid“, or “look, look you want to become architects, huh?”

But we broke the ice and we opened the memory book of the town, in cor- ners of forgotten memory we started noting the emergence of images of parks, swimming pools, steel bridge, etc. We started identifying distinctive correct enough. Somewhat late in time In fact it did seem to us full of dust, features, we placed the bifurcation of and space, we understood the sense very narrow and noisy. A couple of days the river at the center of the town, and of creating maps, of towns, something later, we made our visions public, they its branches followed the road juncture very futuristic. In fact, we became part covered our town as unknown clouds. and were making space to terminal. of a planning effort, part of a contem Some did not bother, others started Words such as productive, ecological, porary concept of the citizen being par saying “you did great; this town must mobile, modern, jewel, golden, green … ticipant in the construction and plan- have an identity”. We, very humble, to were at the heart of our thoughts in an ning of its town. “Making Better Cities some extent because we took the attempt to create a city identity. Our vi- Together” is the slogan of this concept responsibility, continue to be part of the sions looked like a fog on the lake in the promoted by the UN-HABITAT pro- drafting of the municipal and urban de- early morning hours. They were com- gramme. velopment plan, ready to convey emo- ing furiously, full of emotion and were tions of the people for a contemporary sometimes naive. Ideas, one after another, were shaping town. up our desire for the town. As a town From a long distance we were doing between two capitals, we wanted it to Retouches are, perhaps, not welcome, lots of things to the town; expanding, have a totally different style from the but remodeling can certainly be im- cleaning, erecting new neighborhoods, one it has today, we wanted it to be a posed. We were convinced that our adding a lake to it, determining an in- golden emblem in the plain of Kosovo. town needs remodeling, a different dustrial zone, recreational, sports and As those in love try to project the image viewpoint and treatment, a new vision. cultural center. We proclaimed it as a of their loved person, we projected the We would be very happy if we could mountain port, bridge of many banks, image of our town. We were far from create a new image for our city, we we put the railroad under the surface, it only for couple of days, but upon our would be very happy if, tomorrow, this in one way, we were providing urban return we were overtaken by senses of image becomes part of the identity of breathing space for the city… remorse, wondering whether we ex- new a Ferizaj/Urosevac. aggerated with our visions. The town On the maps, everyone was drawing a emerged grim; as if it was cautioning Afrim Demiri part of the future. Spatial observation us for having “cut” its new clothes to Member of the ICCS (Informal Councilof Civil of the town had to be closed in couple loose. Society) of lines that we were not drawing  MuSPP NEWSLETTER 3/07 • June 2007

CIVIL SOCIETY HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE SPATIAL AND URBAN PLANNING PROCESS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GJILAN/ GNJILANE

The MuSPP/UN-HABITAT programme participants thus demonstrates that, Outcome of this workshop in Ohrid in Kosovo, Municipality of Gjilan/Gn- the Municipality is closely connected was then presented to the people jilane–Department for Urbanism, Re- with all planning actors, particularly of the municipality and institutional construction and Environment (DURE), with the Civil Society. The workshop structures on 17 April 2007, in a meet- and the Informal Committee of the Civil was considered successful and MuSPP ing there were more than 200 partici- Society in Gjilan/Gnjilane have orga- deserves our appreciation for facilitat- pants, where they were asked to give nized a Visioning workshop for Gjilan/ ing and funding of this workshop. their thoughts, either supporting the Gnjilane, which took place in Ohrid. presented ideas, or to introduce any In the workshop there was a brief new idea, so that the draft Municipal This was a four-day workshop, with an presentation on the background of Development Plan (MDP) and the Ur- aim to develop a Vision for the future the Municipality, which was then pre- ban Development Plan (UDP) can be of the Municipality of Gjilan/Gnjilane. sented in a map. A SWOT analysis was further complemented. This would Participants in this workshop included then conducted on the Vision for the create the sense of ownership to all representatives from the Civil Society, Municipality; objectives and priorities the participants and the wider com- municipal officials and professionals, were presented in a chart form and munity in Gjilan/Gnjilane with regards and representatives of the MuSPP/ UN- were discussed by all groups. These to these two documents, and that all HABITAT. presentations brought new and ex- together would continue to work on tremely good ideas and it also became their implementation. During the workshop participants were clear that people in Gjilan/Gnjilane are divided into 5 working groups i.e. in- broadly concerned about similar is- This work report is a continuation of frastructure group, environment and sues, and that the proposals or solu- many previous activities, which will go land use group, demography and social tions were overlapping. on until the adoption of the MDP/UDP. matters group, economic development group, and municipal planners’ group, The Civil Society, greatly contributed which covered all the topics. to this workshop, and committed itself Sevdije Maliqi, to future involvement and assistance Director of Directorate for Urbanism, Recon- Throughout the four days, the level to the planning process. It is worth struction and Environment of commitment by all the participants mentioning that this was not the first was brilliant; there was also a warm contact with the Civil Society in the and cooperative attitude between the Municipality. MuSPP NEWSLETTER 03/ 07 • June 2007 

BRIEF PRESENTATION OF THE VISION OF GJILAN/GNJILANE 2015+ BY THE CIVIL SOCIETY

As a representative of the NGO “Kosovar Center for International Cooperation”, I had the pleasure of being part of the Civil Society during the Visioning exercise for the Munici- pality of Gjilan/Gnjilane covering the period from 2007-2015+. Although this was something new for me and for the other from the Civil Society in the Municipality of Gjilan/Gnjilane, this was yet another opportunity for us, ordinary citizens, to represent our nice dream and aspirations with re- gards to our municipality in the not so distant future, Vision for Gjilan/ Gnjilane 2015+.

The workshop held in Ohrid from the projects, privatisation and revival of regulations, which would increase 30 March–4 April offered positive re- enterprises,rational use of land, con- efficiency in the field. Thus, there sults. Perhaps the favorable working struction of an irrigation system and should be a better coordination environment alongside the workshop road infrastructure, etc., and at the between DURA, MESP, police etc. structure i.e. breaking into groups end the following was identified re- • Any development or regulatory contributed to the constructive out- garding threats: non-definition of the plan drafting initiative should be fol- comes. status of Kosovo, outbreak of dis- lowed by a moratorium of the situa- satisfaction because of severe social tion in the field – to stop urgently any The workshop kicked off with each situation, lack of economic subsidies, construction without permit. participant expressing their nostal- lack of electric power, decentralisa- • There should be an involvement gic view of what Gjilan/Gnjilane was tion, etc. by all relevant factors to increase the in the past, it quickly moved on to The elements of the analysis, and awareness of the citizens so that the current problems that concern others not mentioned here, encour- everyone gives its contribution for the citizens of Gjilan/Gnjilane and fi- aged participants to reflect on the the implementation of the vision for nally developed a vision. These were future so that this vision does not re- a better municipality, respectively for broadly the areas covered during main a nice dream only, but rather a a better place – schools, NGOs, other the workshop. The analysis of the reality. Therefore, the whole work of institutions... strengths, weakness, opportunities the group at the end of the workshop • Cooperation between institutions and threats (SWOT analysis) of the was presented via a Vision Statement (at all levels) and civil society as a existing situation contributed to the for Gjilan/Gnjilane 2015+: necessity and opportunity to move development of the Vision of how processes forward in a rather certain Gjilan/Gnjilane would look like as a Gjilan/Gnjilane of integration, a bridge way. municipality in 2015+. With regards between different cultures and sound to the strengths, the analysis identi- urban and rural environments, with In this context, civil society of Gjilan/ fied the following components: young its youth, natural potential and dias- Gnjilane expresses its readiness to and educated population, convenient pora towards continue working in this process. cross-national climate, strong dias- Perhaps, we will have the support of pora, fertile soil, Gjilan/Gnjilane as a At the end, we must underline the the citizens and that of institutions, border municipality, etc. Regarding recommendations drawn for the in- whereas we should also recognize weaknesses, the following were high- stitutions: and unreservedly appreciate the great lighted: poor leadership, high levels • Institutions at the local and cen- work and support UN-HABITAT has of unemployment, unfavorable fiscal tral level which are responsible for extended to the civil society, to the and credit policies, informal construc- the spatial planning area need to be institutions, and Kosovo in general. tion, transformation of fertile land more effective in terms of their into wasteland, etc. Opportunities: functioning in compliance with the Enver Këqiku foreign investments, attracting dona- applicable laws, and address any Executive Director of NGO”Kosovar Center tions through good needs for adoption of new laws and for International Cooperation”  MuSPP NEWSLETTER 3/07 • June 2007

PRIZREN MUNICIPAL PROFILE – WHAT NEXT?

On the 28th March 2007, the Munici- UN-HABITAT kicked off the workshop This workshop as well as providing use- pality of Prizren in collaboration with with a presentation on what is a SWOT ful comments and contributions to the MuSPP/UN-HABITAT organised a work- and how to undertake a SWOT analy- draft profile also provided the opportu- shop titled “Prizren Municipal Profile sis, followed by two presentations by nity for the Civil Society and municipal- – What Next?” The workshop involved the MPT introducing the draft Profile ity planners/officers to work together members of the Civil Society, the Infor- and investment capacity. The presen- in the spirit of inclusive participatory mal Council, of Civil Societies Organisa- tations provided the participants with planning process, alongside some ele- tions (ICCSO), the Municipal Planning the background knowledge that enable ments of capacity building. Team (MPT) and other stakeholders them to critically appraise the profile. within the municipal area. Finally the above exercise also added The workshop seamlessly continued value to the bigger picture of spa- The purpose of the Workshop was to with interactive discussions on capacity tial planning in Prizren by providing a appraise the draft Municipality Profile investments and the planning process. strong base for the Visioning Workshop prepared by the MPT and MuSPP/UN- The participants also expressed their which is the next step toward devel- HABITAT with a view to identifying interest in contributing to the next oping a robust Municipal Development key issues and challenges via a SWOT stage of this process. Plan (MDP) for Prizren. analysis.

Vision Workshop Prizren 2015+

“Prizren, it starts here…”

With the above motto, a group of citi- and professional planners was selected Prizren. But the good thing about using zens and professional planners from to draft a common vision during a 4 day this ‘standard visioning format’ for the Prizren expressed in clear terms that workshop from 3 to 7 June in Ohrid. visioning workshops done so far is that Prizren needs a new future, bearing in Furthermore the committed participants the outputs are always specific and dif- mind its tremendous history and cul- went through the whole planning cycle: ferent. tural heritage. The motto was accompa- learning the ABC of planning, making nied by an elaborate vision statement. collectively a memory map, selecting Every city and locality deserves its own topics and key issues, going through a future and should not have a vision im- Just like the Visioning workshops for SWOT analysis, identifying strategies posed to a municipality from elsewhere Mitrovice/Mitrovica, Ferizaj/Urosevac and objectives, and above all visualizing i.e. a ‘copied-pasted’ exercise. All part- and Gjilan/Gnjilane, a group of citizens the desired spatial structures of ners of the Visioning workshop, the par- ticipants and the organisers were very satisfied with the results and the format of the workshop of working together for the sake of inclusive and participatory spatial planning in Prizren.

On 18th of June, the Prizren Vision was publicly presented in the Municipal As- sembly Hall, with participation of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr My- bera Shala-Mustafa and covered by the local and national media. The CEO wel- comed the vision as a crucial input for the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and counts on the civil society and UN- HABITAT for continued commitment to work together with the municipal au- thorities towards a truly inclusive MDP. MuSPP NEWSLETTER 03/ 07 • June 2007 

Impressions from the work- /Djakovica applies Urban Governance Index

How is the budget of the munici- UGI, presented in to a all over the world which have already pality composed? Does the mu- number of stakeholders and partners taken part in the exercise. nicipality conduct a Customer Sat- that included local and central institu- Gjakova/Djakovica is not the first isfaction Survey? Is there a Vision tions of Kosovo and international or- Kosovo city to work with UGI. Statement? Is there a published ganisations, the municipality of Gjako- statement acknowledging the right va/Djakovica volunteered to use this During the development phase, Pris- of citizens to access basic services? tool to assess its performance. tina was invited to take part in the field testing of this tool. The mu- These and many more questions are Over two days, a team of municipal nicipality of Ferizaj/Urosevac has part of the Urban Governance Index officers, representatives of public utili- also showed a major interest in ap- (UGI), a tool developed by UN-HABITAT ties, members of the Municipal Assem- plying the tool in the near future. to analyse adherence of local govern- bly and representatives of civil society ments all over the world to the norms discussed the indicators and provided After discussions with the Ministry and principles promoted under the detailed answers to the set of ques- of Local Government and Admin- Global Campaign on Good Governance. tions. istration (MLGA), the MuSPP team and Ministry of Local Government The set of 25 indicators falls into four Once all the necessary data is collect and Administration will work to- categories reflecting the principles of ed and the calculation spreadsheet is gether to develop specific indicators effectiveness, equity, participation and filled, the municipality will receive re- relevant for Kosovo municipalities. accountability. sults and will be able to compare its Following a general introduction to the performance versus 24 other cities

“ZATRA” LOCALITY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PEJA AS A TEST CASE FOR THE URBAN SETTLEMENT PLAN

“Zatra” locality is identified as one of the MDP/UDP. During these information informal settlements and priority proj- meetings, residents of Zatra discussed ect in the Municipality of Peja/Pec ac- the needs and concerns of the people, cording to the Municipal Development and how these concerns and sugges- Plan (MDP) and Urban Development tions could be incorporated in the URP, Plan (UDP). so that they are incorporated in a rather The NGO “Syri i Vizionit” (Eye of the long-term perspective. Vision) has, in partnership with the Mu- nicipality of Peja/Pec, and the MuSPP/ Assessment of the situation through UN-HABITAT office in Peja/Pec, with SWOT analysis was done as part of an- the support of the atrc, IREX, USAID, other workshop, where selected subject initiated the project “Urban planning themes were: housing, environment, for the neighbourhood “Zatra”. infrastructure, employment, economic development, sports, tourism, etc. Out- Main objectives of the project are: comes of this analysis could be used nicipal data base. • Mobilisation of the community for the following the development of the urban NGO “Syri i Vizionit” will follow the next initial phase of the consultative process plan. phase of the work and the possibility of for the drafting of the Urban Regulatory Part of this project was a survey of the getting involved in other informal set- Plan (URP) for “Zatra” neighborhood, area, for a better understanding of the tlements by providing assistance to the and existing situation in urban, environ- community for a direct participation in • Carrying out of the socio-economic ment, and socio-economic terms. the decision-making processes for their and urban analysis for the Zatra Settle- To that end, specific questionnaires community as a livelihood. ment. were developed for data collection in Initially we set-out consultations for each of 350 households in this locality. Fatmir Ramaj the area, meetings with the residents Data collected in the questionnaires will Project coordinator of NGO”Syri i Vizionit” of “Zatra”, where they were informed of be organised and entered into the mu – Peja/Pec  MuSPP NEWSLETTER 3/07 • June 2007

Positive evaluation regarding the drafting the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Urban Development Plan (UDP)

The Mayor of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, far, and the way of averting obstacles, of the city, principles and goals for sus- Mursel Ibrahimi, the Chief Execu- difficulties and eventual weaknesses tainable economical development. tive, Sadri Ferati and the director of that can occur during the process. the Directorate for Planning Urbanism In defining the vision, it was said during Construction and Housing, Fejzullah Participants positively evaluated the this meeting, that the fundamental ele- Haxhani, during the meeting with the work done so far, and they agreed that ment of the third phase of the process director of the Consulting company “Lin while the draft document of the first would consists of preparing the future Project” Jusuf Haxhimehmeti, drafting phase will be amended according to the development concepts. the MDP/UDP, discussed the current planner’s suggestions, the work on the situation with regards to the planning second phase should continue, which Source: Municipal Newsletter NO.1/2007, process, work that has been done so means defining the vision for the future on 30 April

LEARNING FROM SWISS EXPERIENCES Learning from Swiss experiences

Currently municipality of Mitrovicë/ Mitrovica is in the process of drafting MDP/ UDP. A local company – Lin- project in cooperation with Swiss company METRON Raumentwicklung from Brugg were appointed to serve as support consultants for the mu- nicipality during the process of draft- ing the development plans. As part of planning process, from April the 16th- 18th, three municipal planners and two planners from the consulting company LINPROJEKT had a working visit to Metron in Switzerland.

The main purpose of this workshop was the presentation and finalisation of the report on the draft-document line existing traffic flows, designation was also present in Switzerland too. on situation analysis of urban and of pedestrians and cyclists paths, cre- The workshop proved again that with municipal development. ating conditions for vacant and green out direct contacts between all of areas, recreational areas, as well as these key actors in the strategic Part of the workshop was a field the concept of where high rise build- planning, there can be no viable study visit to Schlieren municipal- ings could and could not be con- planning. ity, who presented their experiences structed. The issues the above men- from drafting to the implementation tioned concepts are trying to address of a development plan for an area of where seen as similar to the ones of Authors: the city done by Metron Company. municipal planners are addressing. Fejzullah Haxhani, This presentation was followed with Director of Directorate of Planning, Urban- great interest as Schliereni with its Zoning proved to be a powerful mean, ism, Reconstruction and Housing industrial past is similar to Mitrovicë/ whereby investors are bound to Xhemshir Mulliqi, Mitrovica. closely cooperate with the municipal- Chief of planning section ity, thus preventing illegal construc- Bedri Asllani, Proposed concepts such as, mixing tion, a feature which to the surprise Municipal planner housing with employment, stream of planners from Mitrovicë/Mitrovica MuSPP NEWSLETTER 03/ 07 • June 2007 

un-habitat Corner

Poverty reduction and sustainable financial mechanisms as the focus of the 21st Governing Council

Every two years, UN-HABITAT’s work HABITAT, and national governments to and relationships with its partners address these issues. are examined in detail by a Govern- The session of the Governing Council ing Council composed of 58 mem- gave the opportunity to the Chief Tech- ber countries of the . nical Advisors and senior staff of country programmes operation under the Di- It is a high-level forum of government saster Management Programme (DMP) representatives at the ministerial level to meet, share experience and discuss that sets UN-HABITAT’s policy and ap- issues of common interest such as ex- proves the agency’s work programme change of staff within the existing pro- and budget for the next two years. grammes to benefit from the in-house expertise. The 21st Session of the Governing Coun- cil (GC21) of the United Nations Human They agreed to work on thematic papers Settlements Programme, (UN-HABITAT) based on the experience in the field and was held from 16 to 20 April 2007 at the documenting lessons learned. DMP runs UN-HABITAT headquarters in Nairobi, programmes in Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya and focused on the main theme Pakistan, Kosovo, Indonesia, Afghani- of Sustainable Urbanization: local ac- lel events provided an insight to the stan and Sri Lanka and has focal points tion for urban poverty reduction with progress on achieving Millennium in Lebanon and Uganda. an emphasis on finance and planning. Development Goals in the rapidly ur- banising world, pro-poor and gendered The Governing Council also approved Apart from the high-level ministe- land management policies and sustain- UN-HABITAT’s mid-term strategic plan rial meetings, this session of the Gov- able financial mechanisms to help im- and budget. erning Council offered a number of prove living conditions of the poor interesting parallel events attended through the public-private leverage Read more on Governing Council on by experts, civil society organisa- mechanism. UN-HABITAT’s webpage: www.unhabitat.org tions, and local government officials. With the focus on poverty reduction The Governing Council passed re and sustainable finance, these paral spective resolutions which urge UN-

UN-HABITAT PITCHES FOR URBAN PLANNING

UN-HABITAT this month reaffirmed its “Urban planning has a direct impact on the UN, states Habitat’s commitment to position that urban planning has be- climate as urban areas are major pro- sustainable energy use and sustainable come increasingly important in man- ducers of greenhouse gas emissions transport, key issues in climate change aging climate change because well and therefore have a significant impact mitigation as well as key elements of planned cities provide a better founda- on climate change. urban planning. tion for sustainable development than UN-HABITAT deals with climate change unplanned cities. and urban development, a key element As a result of this mandate, UN-HABI- of which is urban planning, as part of TAT must work with Habitat Agenda In a representation on her behalf at the its mandate. This is expressed in the partners to use urban planning and de- Climate Negotiations held in Bonn, Ger- Habitat Agenda under the Global Plan velopment as a mitigation measure for many, UN-HABITAT Executive Director of Action: Strategies for Implementa- climate change. Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka noted, that start- tion,” she said. ing from 2007, some fifty percent of the Source: www.unhabitat.org global populations were living in urban Mrs. Tibaijuka explained that the Agen- areas. da, adopted by all member states of 10 MuSPP NEWSLETTER 3/07 • June 2007

TRI PARTITE REVIEW MEETING (TPR) ON MUSPP PROGRAMME

Representatives of the UN-HABITAT/ part of the planning process to ensure on Urban Upgrading and Regulariza- MuSPP programme in Kosovo, Swedish a better life of its citizens is one of pri- tion of IS, workshops on experience Government/ Swedish International orities for Gjakova/Djakovica mu- sharing, and learning from cases at a Development Agency (Sida), Ministry nicipality. Achievements of the MuSPP local level are considered as achieve- of Environment and Spatial Planning programme in this municipality include ments of the MuSPP programme. (MESP) and six municipalities includ- also the Mobility Improvement Plan • Having civil society as a partner ing civil society representatives met in developed for MDP and establishment in the planning processes (in some Prishtina on May 10th 2007 to review of Informal Council of Civil Society cases through the established ICCS) the current activities of the MuSPP (ICCS). Establishing a Planning Unit re- was evident in each MuSPP activity. programme, discuss the challenges mains a challenge for the programme. • Provision of expertise on mobil- and further programme development. • Despite the political situation in Mi- ity issues affecting the planning pro- Ms. Elisabeth Belpaire, the Chief Tech- trovicë/Mitrovica which challenges cess and legislative support to nical Advisor of UN-HABITAT/ MuSPP the planning process, the MuSPP pro- municipalities to deal with planning Programme, reported on the pro- gramme achieved the bringing together challenges adds value to the pro gramme’s progress and challenges. of representatives of civil society and gramme and to partner municipalities. Counterparts from the MESP, Mr. Merx- han Avdyli the Deputy Minister, Ms. Karen McDonalds, Director of Sida in Kosovo, and Sazan Ibrahimi, direc- tor of the Association of Municipali- ties of Kosovo acknowledged the work done by MuSPP/ UN-HABITAT, (sup- ported by Sida) aimed at improving living conditions and contributions to economic development. Good prac- tices needs to be shared and the TPR meeting is a good occasion for this. Achievements in the planning process in municipalities within the MuSPP programme are numerous and vary from one municipality to the other. planners from both parts of the city to • A set of tools developed to build co- • The Ferizaj/Urosevac presentation work together in improving the living operation and experience sharing showed political and civil society willing- environment for their city through a vi on planning activities with and among ness to support the planning process. sioning workshop in January. Further municipalities and wider audience The “Visioning Declaration” integrating work continues to improve mobility were considered achievements of the the voice of citizens was submitted by and transport for each scale of the city. programme. civil society to the Mayor; “Mobility for • Peja/Pec municipality is an inter- all” translated into a “Mobility Center esting case as the first municipality Conclusions and focus areas for the Project” with public and private part- in Kosovo with the MDP endorsed by coming months: nership; a new ring-road proposal and MESP. Drafting a plan is not the end • Advancement of the current planning identification of Informal Settlements of the planning process; a real plan- cycle, finalisation and submission of with a Youth NGO engaged to under- ning process starts with plan imple- draft MDP’s for approval by end Oc- take a survey are just a few examples mentation and municipal planners/of- tober 2007. An approved plan is an of the progress in the planning process. ficers should be in a driving seat for important basis for the next planning finalizing the MDP/UDP and insuring cycle and capital investments. • Gjilan/Gnjilane municipality is that lessons learned from this case • Structural dialogue between MESP committed to an inclusive planning are shared with other municipalities. and municipalities with constructive process. Achievements include the • The undertake of an In-house product feedback mechanism and focus on strong inter-sectoral cooperation with by engaging civil society, the minority crucial areas a set of sectoral reports and strategies; community and inter-level and interde- • Replication and exchange good prac- Visioning with Youth on World HABI- partmental cooperation is considered tices between civil society organisa- TAT Day 2006 was a starting point of still a challenge for Prizren municipality. tions, municipalities getting the vision for the city followed • Informal Settlements (IS) still con- • Moving to action and visible results, by the Civil Society Vision Workshop tinue to be a top priority for the MESP, linked with UDP/MDP; not ad hoc and Public presentation and integra- but nothing can be implemented unless • Continuous communication with citi- tion of the results in the MDP/UDP. civil society is involved and informed. zens and political support for planning • Treatment of informal settlements as A Kosovo-wide awareness campaign MuSPP NEWSLETTER 03/ 07 • June 2007 11

SWEDISH DELEGATION VISIT PRIZREN

As part of the Tri-Partite Review This meeting gave the opportunity of town, articulated by the Mayor of Meeting, representatives of the exchanging ideas on planning issues Prizren. Swedish Government and Sida (the and provided concrete suggestions for Swedish International Development the future cooperation between the The site visit of the city, the presenta- and Cooperation Agency) in Kosovo, municipality and MuSP programme. tion of the state of play of planning and representatives of MuSPP/ UN- in Prizren by municipal planners and HABITAT visited Prizren municipality. “Prizren as tourist and trade centre; inter-active discussions made it clear The delegation was welcomed by Mr. the best municipality in vineyards; a that Prizren leaders and professionals Eqrem Kryeziu, Mayor of Prizren, Mrs. university city that complements the are committed to make the planning Mybera Mustafa, CEO and other mu- University of Prishtina”, is the vision process work better in Prizren. nicipal officials. for the future development of this

Family Picture of MuSPP team 12 MuSPP NEWSLETTER 3/07 • June 2007

Programme Development Meeting of UN-HABITAT/MuSPP

The Programme Development Meet- The tasks of the Informal Council of Civil ing (PDM) of UN-HABITAT/Municipal Society Organisations are focussed on Spatial Planning support programme promoting civil society’s participation in Kosovo was held on the 9th March in public debates, assist local govern- 2007 with the six participating Munici- ments in mobilising active engagement palities and other programme partners. of citizens in urban consultations, initi- The focus of the meeting was on the ate such meetings in cooperation with strengthening participatory planning local governments and last but not least via Informal Councils of civil society facilitate the establishment of sustain- organizations and restructuring plan- able cooperation mechanism between ning departments to accommodate civil society and local governments. spatial planning. The discussion on municipal planning The idea behind setting up Informal units, the second topic, began by ex- Councils of Civil Society Organisations amining the current situation within (ICCSO) is to bring civil society and the six participating municipalities in local governments closer together in relation to their duties and responsibili- their efforts to improve the quality of ties in implementing the law on spatial life in their respective municipalities planning alongside the capacity of de- and towns through participation of partments/directorates of urbanism in citizens and their organisations in the carrying out planning activities (it then planning process. Although there are highlighted the need for planning de- many NGOs and active citizens, their partments to be restructured to enable efforts are not always coordinated and them better respond to the present and complimentary to the work done by the future challenges in the context of an municipal administration. Therefore, urbanizing and globalising world). the establishment of a common plat- form through which the knowledge, As regards the planning unit, the dis- skills, and technical resources of civil cussion paper presented went forward society can be better utilised seems a to propose four alternative options ( very practical solution. see pictures) for large and small mu- nicipalities with a view to stirring spa- Working with municipal planners and tial planning in Kosovo closer to Euro- officers for gender issues, information, pean and international standards. The communities and returns MuSPP teams options varied in terms of the number facilitated the establishment of such of municipal staff engaged in the plan- councils in Peja/Pec, Gjakova/Djakov- ning process; degree of their engage- ica, Ferizaj/Urosevac, Gjilan/Gnjilane ment and the placement of the unit and Prizren. Members of the Informal within the municipal structure. Councils have been taking active role in the preparation of the visioning work- UN-HABITAT/MuSPP stressed that the shops and are instrumental in fostering paper was a discussion paper and an cooperation between civil society and evolving one and called for a free and most of them broadly welcomed the local government in longer terms. open discussion on the paper. This proposed options but needed some lead a seamless interactive discus- tweaking. In the light of those concerns The role of the ICCSO is not to replace sion among participants and a range and comments UN-HABITAT/MuSPP the Council of Planning Experts, whose of issues concerns were raised on the intend to further revise the paper to primary task is to provide expertise and proposed options. However most im- accommodate the comments made by technical advice on the planning pro- portantly there was recognition among participants and further consult all par- cess, but to represent broader interests participants for a shift from the current ties concerned. of citizens and to assist in making their state of play with regards to the struc- voice heard. ture of planning departments and MuSPP NEWSLETTER 03/ 07 • June 2007 13

Media corner

In the Media Corner we select some interesting headlines and quotes from news with regard to urban planning and devel- opments in Kosovo. The original articles can be copied in request

MITROVICË/MITROVICA GJILAN/GNJILANE reconstruction of the Lumbardhi river”. Their implementation will contribute to Citizens in planning, the key to Citizens, contributors to develop- the creation of green spaces in the city. good governance ment plan Source: Koha Ditore, 12/03/2007

This article provides insights from the “There will be no municipal and urban GJAKOVA/DJAKOVICA roundtable debate titled “Democracy im- development plan without taking ideas plementation on good governance from from citizens” states Sevdije Maliqi- A digital city – a vision for this the planning perspective”. Attended by Hyseni, Director of the Directorate for year civil society partners from the north and Urbanism, Reconstruction and Environ- south side of Mitrovica, the roundtable ment in Gjilan/Gnjilane Municipality. Based on the Sustainable Development concluded that representation of citi- Strategy, approved by the Municipal As- zens and civil society on planning issues wThis article also provides informa- sembly in 2005, Gjakova/Djakovica is is a key for good governance. tion on the planning process, and col- foresee to be “a digital city” by the end laboration with different stakeholders. of this year. Citizens and civil society representatives Acknowledgments are given to the are actors in visioning of the city, and Swedish Government for supporting the All institutions shall be equipped with the City Vision is important in having a UN-HABITAT’s programme which pro- telecommunication infrastructure based better life in the municipality. The Vision vides on-job assistance in the planning on optical fibres which is expected to for Mitrovica is part of the programme process to Gjilan/Gnjilane and some provide the necessary infrastructure “Making Better Cities Together” which is other municipalities in Kosovo. for integrating different services for the slogan of the Municipal Spatial Plan- Source: Kosova Sot, 26/03/2007 the benefit of citizens, businesses and ning Support Programme of UN-HABI- institutions in the municipality. The ar- TAT in Kosovo funded by Sida. PEJA/PEC ticle states that the completion of this Source: Koha Ditore, 26/03/2007 project will make Gjakova/Djakovica a Peja/Pec municipal and urban de- leader in this field. FERIZAJ/UROSEVAC velopment plan is approved Source: Koha Ditore, 05/03/2007

Ferizaj/Urosevac aims to promote This article carries information on the Lubljana 2025: The Capital as an citizens’ investments approval of the Peja/Pec municipal and Investment Project urban development plan for the period Political leaders of the Ferizaj/Urosevac of 2006-2025. This article provides interesting inputs municipality consider the municipal and The plan is prepared by a Dutch com- regarding the development of the Vision urban development plan as a capital pany and is the first Municipal Develop- of Ljubljana. Ljubljana’s development vi- project that the Municipality is dealing ment Plan in Kosovo endorsed by the sion should encourage the formation of with. Soon it will be open for public dis- Ministry of Environment and Spatial the city’s self-image, indicating what the cussion. Planning. city means to its inhabitants, and what Source: RTK, 14/05/07 their expectations are regarding its de- The article states that the municipality velopment. It is also a dominant factor was late in holding the public discussion PRIZREN for economic and social development. It as the project needed to be more elab- helps to uncover the city’s advantages orated. The Mayor of Ferizaj/Urosevac Municipal Government intends to and new opportunities for development, municipality complimented the work invest in environmental projects and is especially crucial in making initial of civil society and UN-HABITAT repre- strategic plans. sentatives for active involvement in the This article provides information about planning process. priority areas of development in the mu- Since the vision also strives to create nicipal agenda, including the creation of a collective consciousness among the According to these plans, Ferizaj/Uro- green oases in Prizren this year. city’s people, the broadest public should sevac will be an attractive city, with In this regard there have been, two have a say in it. dynamic development in all aspects of proposals accepted for the projects: Source: Slovenia Times, 11.05.07 life. “Creating spaces as per Urban Plan” Source: Kosova Sot, 27.04.2007 and a continuation of the project: “Bank 14 MuSPP NEWSLETTER 3/07 • June 2007

NETWORKING

CONFERENCE ON THE STATE OF PLAY OF MUNICIPAL AND URBAN PLANNING IN KOSOVO - SHOWCASE PEJË/PEĆ

On 19th of April, a Kosovo wide con- ference the state of play of municipal development planning was organized by Pejë/Peć Municipality, MuSPP/ UN- HABITAT, the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AMK) and the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (MESP).

The conference was held on the occa- sion of the conclusion of the approval procedure of Pejë/Peć’s Municipal De- velopment Plan (MDP) and Urban De- velopment Plan (UDP). Mr. Ukë Kelmendi, head of Pejë/Peć’s Directorate for Urban and Rural Plan- ning and Development and Environ- planners and decision makers from Settlement. The large attendance ment, considered the approval of the Kosovar, as well as representatives proves the importance of the Pejë/Peć plans as a major achievement by his from civil society organisations attend- plans as a learning case for other mu- directorate. ed the event. nicipalities. The conference ended with a field visit to the project sites of the Mr. Frank D’hondt, spatial planning co- Contributions were made by the staff Zatra Informal Settlement and the fu- ordinator of the UN-HABITAT/ MuSPP of Pejë/Peć’s directorate for urbanism, ture extension of the industrial area. programme, however stated that plan- as well as by the municipalities of Su- ning activities don’t stop with the ap- harekë/, Ferizaj/Uroševac The last step in the approval proce- proval of the development plans, but and Kamenicë/Kamenica, as well as dure was finally achieved on the 14th that this only marks the start of an ad- NGO “Syri Vizionit” which is involved of May, with the adoption of both the vanced municipal planning culture. in the implementation of the MDP/UDP Municipal and the Urban Development About 120 participants, mainly of Peja/Pec in Zatra Informal Plan by Pejë/Peć’s Municipal Assembly.

Kosovo delegation at Public Transport international workshop in “Sustainable urbanisation cannot even ers, scientific institutes and the public coach system. Today’s challenge is to es- begin to occur without taking into ac- transport supply and service industry. It tablish a coherent system linking urban count the role public transport plays in is a platform for worldwide co-operation and municipal transport services, in order securing quality of life in our cities and and the sharing of know-how between to secure and develop the share of public towns” Mrs. Tibaijuka, Executive Direc- its 2,900 members from some 90 coun- transport in Kosovo’s motorised mobility. tor of UN-HABITAT, said at the occasion tries, including Kosovo. of signing a memorandum of under- “Political will is an essential ingredi- standing with the International Associa- In association with the public transport ent for achieving sustainable mobil- tion of Public Transport (UITP) in Hel- enterprise of Skopje (JSP), UITP held a ity in our cities and regions” declared sinki on 24th May. Balkan regional workshop on 7th and Hans Rat, UITP Secretary General. 8th June. She underlined that UITP was “a strate- In order to translate understanding gic partner that brings a wealth of expe- The Kosovo delegation, organised by into action, UITP and UN-HABITAT rience and can foster transfer of knowl- Ministry of Transport and Communica- will team up to support all local ac- edge worldwide”. tions, included representatives of Koso- tors in further building the capacity to vo’s medium sized cities, supported by achieve this goal and to establish an The International Association of Public the MuSP Programme. integrated public transport system Transport (UITP) is the international or- within the coming months and years. ganisation for public transport authori- Kosovo can take pride in itself for a well ties and operators, policy decision-mak- functioning, high capacity, inter-urban MuSPP NEWSLETTER 03/ 07 • June 2007 15

FIELD WORKSHOP ON INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN GJAKOVA/DJAKOVICA

Dealing with informal settlements (IFS) Dealing with informal settlements (IFS) through the planning process is one of the main priorities of the Municipality of Gjakova/ Djakovica. In Gjakova/Djakov- ica, based on the criterion for informal settlements as indicated in the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (MESP) guideline, the following three neighbourhoods have been identified as IFS: “BREKOC”, “KOLONIA” and “PIS- KOTA”. For the purpose of experiencing i.e. see- ing, feeling and touching IFS, the Mu- nicipality of Gjakova/Djakovica, together with MESP, Kosovo Association of Munici- palities, OSCE, and UN-HABITAT/MuSPP, organised a workshop on the 26th April 2007. This workshop was also aimed at contributing to the drafting of local and central policies within the action plan on Informal Settlements, explore ways on how the Urban Plan can avoid new informal settlements from developing and how to improve the existing ones, alongside contributing to the develop- property matters remain still unresolved needed. ment of a network for studying IFS, as • Additional credible cadastre informa- Short-term intervention: construction of well as raising awareness. tion is needed as well as other informa- the road, installation of the power net- tion work, provision of sewage and waste col- The workshop provided the opportunity • Funding must be visible. Donors should lection services, construction of dykes for several visits to the above mentioned be identified, including Stability Pact Long-term interventions: fixing legal neighbourhoods, in each occasion par- which is working in the Regional Capac- status of the land, 50% of the families ticipants had the opportunity to see for ity Strengthening programme. do not have appropriate ownership doc themselves the reality about the IFS, In addition; the municipality should also uments. the achievements of the Municipality in allocate funds. • Consider resettlement of the popula- improve living conditions of the people • Training for the community is needed, tion in consultation and negotiation with living in these neighbourhoods, in par- and it must be consulted on any deci- the people. There could be difficulties ticular Brekoc, as well as what could be sion taken in view of their area. as some of the people do have valid done more for these IFS. document and may resist to the resettle- Kolonia: ment. During the discussion within this field • Involvement of the central level (Min- workshop, the following recommenda- istry) and Kosovo Trust Agency in resolv- I hope that recommendations drawn tions were drawn: ing property matters and provision of in this workshop will be translated into security to the inhabitants in the area specific actions to make these IFS an in- Brekoc: • Inhabitants in these settlements should tegral part of our town. • Directorate of Urbanism and Planning work together to improve living condi- I believe that the exchange of experi- is too busy to take over the process of tions, by using public transportation and ences between us, and lessons learned IFS identification, thus there is a need improving access to health services. So- from this field workshop, will greatly help for a designated agency for this matter. cial housing could offer a solution. It is other municipalities in trying to manage • Municipality needs staff for the identi- necessary to have public debates on the the challenges of informal settlements. fication of IFS. An action plan is needed vision of this area when drafting munici- with detailed responsibilities, which is pal and urban development plans. Pal Lekaj, more practical than a strategy. Chief Executive Officer of Gjakova/Djakovica • Brekoc has its urban regulatory plan Piskota: municipality with the analysis of urban situation, but •Short and long-term intervention is 16 MuSPP NEWSLETTER 3/07 • June 2007

Making Better Cities Together

To ensure a better life to all its citizens, Kosovo needs better cities. This can only be achieved by planning and working all together. “Mak- ing Better Cities Together” is the motto of the Sida-funded Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme, through which UN-HABITAT will support the municipal spatial planning in Kosovo. Kosovo cities and towns are in the process of drafting the municipal and urban plans. The plans are to be strategic and action oriented, detailed in the urban regulatory plans and implemented through private and public investments. The six secondary cities of Kosovo - Pejë/Pec, Gjakova/Djakovica, Prizren, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Ferizaj/Urosevac and Gjilan/Gnjilane - can contribute to a more balanced development of Kosovo and reduce the ongoing migration of population to the capital city, Prishtinë/Pristina. Through integration in the European urban network, the Kosovo cities and its citizens will be connected with other European cities. This can be achieved by attracting investments in sustainable urban development and improving access for all. Private investments are needed to match the public funds in order to provide better services to the citizens: decent social housing, hospitals, schools, roads, public transport and last but not least attractive public spaces to respond to the needs of the changing society. IMPRESSUM

Municipal Spatial Planning Suppport Programme in Kosovo

Office: Information & Communication/PR UN-HABITAT Kosovo Head of Office Lumnije Gashi Nazim Gafurri Str, No. 33, [email protected] Elisabeth Belpaire 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo [email protected] Tel:: +381/38/517835 More informations about Fax: +381/38/517836 UN-HABITAT/MuSPP www.unhabitat-kosovo.org

This Newsletter is made possible by the Government of Sweden through Sida. All views, opinions and conclusions are those of the authors. Articles without author bylines are part of the MuSPP team. Contributions regarding municipalities do not necessarily reflect the position and decision of the municipalities concerned. The content of these articles do not necessarily reflect UN-HABITAT’s position on issues raised or statements made and do not neccesarily reflect the views of Sida or the Government of Sweden.

Pruduction: MuSPP/Information & Communication Unit Communication & MuSPP/Information Pruduction: