LOCAL STRATEGIES FOR ACCELERATING CASE STUDIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUCCESS TABLE OF CONTENTS

LOCAL STRATEGIES FOR ACCELERATING SUSTAINABILITY

This book was made possible by a generous grant from the Ministry of Housing, 04 07 10 13 17 Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Netherlands. INCREASING RESOURCES DEVELOPING A COHESIVE ORIENTING URBAN CREATING A FRAMEWORK ADDRESSING POVERTY IN International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN STRATEGY FOR PLANNING TO FOR INTEGRATED JOHANNESBURG, World Secretariat, City Hall, 16th Floor, West Tower, 100 Queen Street West AHMEDABAD, INDIA SUSTAINABILITY IN SUSTAINABILITY IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SOUTH AFRICA Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2N2 BURLINGTON, USA CURITIBA, BRAZIL IN HEIDELBERG, GERMANY Telephone: +1-416/392-1462 Facsimile: +1-416/392-1478 Email: [email protected] Web: www.iclei.org 20 24 27 30 33 ©May 2002, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Canada All rights Reserved. DEVELOPING A RESILIENT REDESIGNING LOCAL CREATING WORKING NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CITY IN KOBE, JAPAN GOVERNMENT IN ALLIANCES IN VANCOUVER, LOCAL IMPACT IN NORWAY FRAMEWORK FOR Printed on Sandpiper by Domtar, made from 100% post-consumer waste. MANIZALES, COLOMBIA CANADA LOCAL ACTION: CITIES FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN INTRODUCTION

At the 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable partners—international agencies, donors, local and > redesigning themselves for , implementation, over time, of a comprehensive Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, the global regional stakeholders and all spheres of government— > ensuring adequate resources to build effective strategy that reflects a community’s vision. Chapter community will assess and reinvigorate response to to work with them to advance sustainable local capacity, 28 of advises that the best strategies for Agenda 21, the global blueprint for a sustainable future development by implementing the following five > creating effective working alliances to address realizing sustainable development at the local level endorsed at the Rio in 1992. The 2002 key strategies. the complexities of ecosytem-based planning, will be achieved through consultation and consensus Summit will focus on action and implementation, on > Strengthen local government. > mobilizing to respond to international priorities, building among all stakeholders. The following case partnerships and on the strategies that will advance > Strengthen inter- and intragovernmental cooperation. > adopting sustainable cultural norms within summaries bear this out. sustainable development. > Foster international solidarity and cooperation. their communities, Local governments and their partners have built Since the Rio Earth Summit, and in many cases > Build a new culture of sustainability. > orienting urban planning and investment toward on their inherent strengths to become champions of predating it, local governments and their partners have > Accelerate the transition to sustainable communities resource-efficiency, and sustainable development. With the support of their instituted strategies for action that are accelerating the and societies. > creating resilient communities and cities. stakeholders, subnational and national governments, transition to sustainable, equitable and secure and international agencies, this work can be accelerated communities. Through local Agendas 21 they have Local Strategies for Accelerating Sustainability The examples in this compilation illustrate how long- to benefit the global community. established strategic planning processes for sustainable presents summaries of ten case studies and related term, integrative solutions to local social, economic development, tackling the fundamental challenges of examples that demonstrate the diverse ways in and environmental challenges have met with success. Full versions of each of the case studies, as well poverty alleviation, security, climate protection, and which these strategies are being carried out They highlight the importance of strong leadership as references and contact information for the conservation of natural resources such as water and soil, successfully in municipalities large and small, and vision, community involvement, and the necessity associated examples, are available on the Internet among others. worldwide. These comprehensive strategies for fiscal responsibility and meeting basic human (www.iclei.org/localstrategies) or by contacting the In the preparatory process for the Johannesburg and policy frameworks, unlike isolated applications needs. They illustrate the positive change that national World Secretariat of the International Council for Summit, local governments identified a number of of technologies or projects, address the complexities policies and programs can foster, and the value of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). successful strategies for advancing sustainable and underlying causes of problems on a system- partnerships and inter-municipal cooperation. development, which, if further supported, would wide basis. Through the implementation of these And finally, the cases featured here demonstrate accelerate progress worldwide. They called on their strategies, local governments are: that success typically results from steady STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION PROFILE NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA Strengthen Local Government To provide basic services for an Introduce fiscal and management Ahmedabad Municipal One of the initial reforms addressed Octroi. Octroi (an supply, sewerage, roads, bridges and solid waste In 1997, Newcastle, Australia, expanded urban area and reforms to enable the AMC Corporation (AMC), India entry tax on goods) has traditionally been the AMC’s management projects. It proposed to meet 30% of the established a revolving growing population, and improve to improve and expand basic Population: 3,515,361 (2001) major source of revenue, accounting for about total investment requirement from internal accruals, energy fund (REF) to increase living conditions in slum services and initiate urban Land Area: 191 km2 70–75% of total revenue. To increase octroi revenues, while mobilizing the remaining amount through funds available for energy neighborhoods in the face of development projects Municipal Budget: the valuation manual for tax assessment was updated municipal bonds and loans from financial institutions. efficiency programs. Often a cash losses and a deteriorating US$118 million (2000) based on current market prices. Octroi collection was Ahmedabad became the first city in India to request perceived lack of capital can financial situation further improved through a number of means including and receive a credit rating for a municipal bond issue. prevent local governments the deployment of police personnel for controlling touts The US Agency for International Development’s from undertaking energy and catching defaulters and the installation of weighing Financial Institutions Reform and Expansion (FIRE) efficiency programs that require machines at spot checks. Annual octroi collection Project played a multifaceted role in assisting significant initial funding. increased by 60%. Ahmedabad in developing the bond issue. The city Similarly, in 1994, AMC introduced a series of meas- was ultimately assigned an “AA” rating. Newcastle, established an ures to improve property tax collection, which accounts In 1998, AMC publicly issued secured redeemable AUS$300,000 REF to pay a Green for about 30% of tax revenues. A computer database bonds aggregating to a total of 1 billion Rupees. City Energy Coordinator and fund INCREASING RESOURCES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN was created to identify defaulters, while attention was bonds, as they are popularly known, had a face value energy saving projects. REFs focused on recovering major outstanding tax amounts. $1,000 Rupees (US$25) each (for cash at par). AMC rely on identifying energy cost AHMEDABAD, INDIA Annual property tax collection increased by 55%. sold 25% of the bonds to the Indian public and the savings and, in future budgets, In the mid-90s, AMC also introduced a number remaining 75% of the issue to institutional investors. allocating these savings to a Ahmedabad, the largest city of the state of Gujarat, is the of management improvements such as computerization Under pressure of an impending water crisis, REF so that the money can be seventh largest city in India. Known as the textile capi- of accounts and upgrading of the workforce. In April AMC was able to rapidly expend bond proceeds to reinvested in future energy tal of India, Ahmedabad is the commercial capital of 1996, the corporation introduced a computerized double- successfully implement an emergency bulk water supply efficiency projects. Since 1995, the state and is also a major industrial and financial city. entry accounting system, purchased new computers scheme known as the Raska Project in a record five Newcastle has reduced its In the midst of the overall prosperity of the city, a and recruited chartered accountants to introduce months. Designed to supply 65 million gallons of water energy bill by 40% and they large poor population has suffered from deprivation of the new system. a day to the city, the Raska Water Project consisted expect to exceed 50% by 2002. basic services and amenities. In 2000, 41% of the In 1997, about 40 chartered accountants and of constructing a pump house and laying pipelines to population lived in slums and low-income housing, business management graduates were recruited. bring water to 60% of the city’s population. with the bulk of the slum residents sharing the water Placed in key administrative and operational positions, As well, the healthy state of municipal finances also supply and many living without toilet facilities. these new officers are improving Ahmedabad’s service enabled AMC to partner with the business community, Prior to 1993, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation delivery while introducing a new work ethic. non-governmental organizations (NGO) and other (AMC) had accumulated a cash loss of over US$9 million In 1996, AMC prepared a five-year capital organizations to undertake new initiatives, including: and their financial situation was deteriorating. In 1994, investment plan worth US$150 million for water > a partnership with a textile company to redevelop WITH FUNDS FROM THE BOND ISSUE, THE AMC CONSTRUCTED the corporation launched a major effort to strengthen an important commercial artery; A NEW WATER PUMPHOUSE AND PIPELINES TO SERVICE 60% its capacity to develop commercially viable projects. > a Slum Networking Project in which the corporation OF THE CITY’S POPULATION. As a result, AMC was able to turn around its financial partnered with a textile company, an NGO and the position and achieve a closing cash surplus of slum community to improve basic infrastructure and US$50 million in 1999. provide water and toilets to households. The main credit for the financial turnaround and other development initiatives and administrative reforms goes to the dynamic leadership of a municipal commissioner who remained at the helm from 1994 to 1997.

04 Photo courtesy of the Indo-USAID FIRE Project ICLEI > Case Studies of Local Government Success 05 SHENYANG, CHINA KEY REPLICATION FACTORS STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION PROFILE The Sustainable Cities In March 2002, AMC went ahead with another bond One of the main reasons for inadequate levels of urban Building a New Culture of To broaden community Develop a long-term community City of Burlington, Vermont, U.S.A. Programme (SCP), operated by issue of the same amount to complete its original infrastructure is the inability to tap available capital to Sustainability understanding of the need for vision, based on sustainability Population: 39,824 UN-Habitat/UN Environment water and sewerage infrastructure scheme. The second finance infrastructure projects. Financial sector reforms long-term and interconnected principles, and a multi-faceted Land Area: 27 km2 Programme, builds capacities in bond is tax exempt. Ahmedabad is the first municipal offer opportunities for tapping capital markets. projects to revitalize the urban action plan to provide the Municipal Budget: US$158 million urban environmental planning corporation in India to issue tax-free municipal bonds. To routinely access capital markets or to form center (local economy and basis for nurturing a culture and management. The SCP successful partnerships with the private sector, local environment) in the face of of sustainability is founded on multistakeholder RESULTS governments will have to strengthen their capacity to regional suburbanization participatory approaches and Ahmedabad enjoys a high level of autonomy in revenue develop commercially viable projects. This will require promotes good urban gover- use in that it depends on the state government for appropriate pricing of services, efficient cost recovery nance. Shenyang, China, a SCP only 10% of its total revenue in the form of grants for mechanisms, sound accounting and financial participant, is home to one of primary education. In addition, management innovations management systems, professionalism of the work the largest heavy industry introduced by the municipal commissioner and sup- force, effective service delivery systems, and centers in China. For years ported by staff and elected officials helped AMC change development of capital investment plans. economic development in its image among the local citizenry. Shenyang took precedent Because of the fiscal and management reforms, CONTACT DEVELOPING A COHESIVE STRATEGY FOR over the environment. Ahmedabad built an extensive water project, developed Mr. P. Panneervel IAS, Municipal Commissioner mutual partnerships to improve traffic congestion and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation SUSTAINABILITY IN BURLINGTON, USA The city is now taking a different improved conditions in slums. Fax: +91-79/5350926 approach. Using a Local Agenda 21 Email: [email protected] The City of Burlington is the largest urban center in framework, a comprehensive LESSONS LEARNED Website: www.ahmedabadcity.org Vermont and its economic hub. Over the past two action plan for environmental Ahmedabad demonstrated that municipal bonds can decades, Burlington has become known for its progres- protection was developed. This work in India for raising finances for infrastructure proj- sive approach to governance and its strong tradition approach has led to radical ects. However, before actual issuance of bonds, local of activism. The government of Burlington, local decisions; in 1999 it was decided governments need to institute efficient project manage- organizations and residents have implemented many to close the Shenyang Smelting ment systems and procedures to reduce time delays diverse projects with a focus on Plant, one of the city’s largest and cost overruns. The most critical factor for obtaining development and principles of economic self-sufficiency, employers but also the market finance is a healthy municipal revenue base. equity, environmental protection and participation. largest source of air, water Raising awareness of its citizens and providing access and land pollution. to information are central to Burlington’s sustainability strategy. Over the years, Burlington has developed several mechanisms for citizen engagement in the gov- BURLINGTON’S PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED ernance process, including citizen commissions and CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE boards working with each municipal department. Burlington has also been active in a number of initiatives to improve the quality of the natural and built environment. > A major initiative to revitalize the city’s waterfront was undertaken in the 1980s which involved cleaning up abandoned industrial sites and creating community and recreational resources.

06 For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies Photo courtesy of Burlington Legacy Project 07 KOLDING, DENMARK CONTINUED > The municipally-owned Burlington Electric Department Project seeks to engage all citizens in a dialogue about In 1994 the Town of Kolding, A wide variety of stakeholders > economic security, local self-sufficiency and equity; Mayor Peter Clavelle. For Burlington, like the many has implemented many and effi- the principles and actions that will guide the community Denmark, signed the participated and the process > empowerment and responsibility; other municipal signatories, the is an ciency measures, which have resulted in a decrease over the next 30 years. Charter and committed itself to was particularly successful at > social wellbeing; important educational tool for enhancing citizen in community energy consumption by 18% since 1989. The planning process, Burlington’s most extensive pursuing sustainable municipal including women. The LA21 > ecological integrity. awareness about the complexities of sustainability and > Several projects have focused on creating equitable participation effort to date, was directed by a steering development. This commitment initiatives eventually resulted in for guiding the work of individuals and institutions. opportunities for local residents to participate in committee comprised of stakeholders from non- was acted upon in the town’s the identification of numerous The Legacy Plan provides a framework for implementing the economy. For example, the city has begun governmental and business institutions along with Municipal Plan in 1998. Among self-run community projects. these principles through a series of diverse actions. LESSONS LEARNED employment training programs including a job youth and municipal representatives. Their actions other actions, this document Projects include a profit- Collaboration among all stakeholders is the approach The commitment of local political leadership and readiness training center to provide resources and will have a major impact on the future of the city. obliges the municipality to generating composting initiative adopted for initiating these actions. Municipal representatives of the city’s major organizations to support for higher skilled jobs and Step Up For Over a period of a year-and-a-half, more than a increase its environmental and a biogas digester which departments and the stakeholder groups have made the concept of sustainability has been critical to the Women, a free program to teach low- and moderate- 1,000 residents contributed to the development of the management through green uses human waste to generate commitments to implementing components of the plan, process. Citizens and representatives of business, income women trade skills. vision through a multi-faceted participation process. planning and purchasing. methane that is then used as including providing information and resources. The local organizations and governments have become > Economic initiatives have helped to strengthen In March 2000, a “Summit on the City’s Future” was Kolding evaluates all products an energy source for lighting project steering committee meets quarterly to assess more aware of the critical issues facing the city markets for and access to locally produced goods held in which more than 300 participants finalized the and services on environmental and cooking. These projects are whether progress is being made on their commitments and the principles and necessary actions for and services. Legacy Project Action Plan. The plan presents goal criteria as well as on price and run by elected management and to ensure accountability in the implementation implementing sustainability. > In 1988, the city supported the development of statements that describe Burlington in 2030, priority quality. Kolding is the area’s committees independently of the process. Once a year, the city produces an annual Although Burlington’s collaborative approach has the Burlington Housing Trust Fund that assists non- actions for achieving these goals and indicators for largest employer and this action municipality, provide essential report, and a town meeting is held to evaluate the been one of its strong points, it has also been very profit groups to establish perpetually affordable assessing the city’s progress. Burlington City Council has considerable potential for services to the community community’s progress and assess whether any challenging to implement as there was initially no housing for low- and moderate-income households. unanimously approved the plan in June 2000. The widespread impacts. and have nurtured community changes need to be made to the priorities established institutionalized structure in place reflecting this new More than 750 affordable housing units have principles and objectives of the Legacy Plan have capacity. Working together for in the plan. model of governance. Finally, despite its success in been created. since been integrated into the city’s overall municipal JINJA, UGANDA a more sustainable future has raising the awareness of its citizens, Burlington’s development plan. In 1995, Jinja, the second largest become commonplace in Jinja. RESULTS experience has demonstrated the challenge of aligning In spite of Burlington’s success in the 1980s and 1990s The common vision that emerged through this urban center in Uganda, Through the Legacy Project, a number of changes have attitudes with behavioral change and that nurturing in improving its community, it became apparent that process is of Burlington as a regional economic center launched its Local Agenda 21 This process has changed resi- been implemented to make the governance system more a culture of sustainability is a long-term endeavor. these initiatives were not well connected to each other with an enhanced quality of life and economic security (LA21). Before this an unemploy- dents’ attitudes, instilling a spirit accountable and democratic, including changes to the and a broader method to promote sustainability was for all residents, a responsive government and extensive ment rate of 70% and of volunteerism, demonstrating City Charter that make municipal departments directly KEY REPLICATION FACTORS required. More recently, the city has faced a number of civic participation, and a healthy natural environment. widespread poverty prevented the value of resources and, per- accountable to the Mayor and hence voting citizens. Burlington’s strategy of fostering a culture of sustainability interrelated problems, including a shortage of affordable The Legacy Project was successful in formalizing a the municipality from collecting haps most importantly, building The Legacy Project has helped to further educate citizens has demonstrated the importance of adopting a long- housing, increased poverty, environmental degradation community vision which had been developing over sufficient taxes to provide basic their capacity. Local people are about the critical issues facing the city and the term, integrated approach to sustainable development and population decline, as a result of rapid suburban time, resolving a number of fundamental issues facing services. Most residents lacked more positive about their ability necessary actions for sustainability. and grounding a city’s sustainability framework in growth and other local development trends. the city and integrating many diverse policies and access to clean water and the to influence their situation, take One recent action that furthers the aims of the a set of principles that are defined by the community. programs into a comprehensive strategy for the city. system was care of their environment and Legacy Project was Burlington’s endorsement in June Nurturing broad citizen participation and collaboration Legacy Project This success was a result of the widespread participa- inadequate. Jinja’s LA21 set improve their living conditions. 2001 of the Earth Charter, a declaration of fundamental with community organizations in the visioning and In response to these new challenges and as the organ- tion of citizens and community organizations in the out to improve services to principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful implementation processes are key factors of success. izing component of its strategy to promote sustainability, process, the forum of open debate that was created, residents while protecting the Decentralization promoted by global society. In committing to the Charter, the city Burlington embarked on a comprehensive process to and the commitment of key stakeholders, including natural environment. the national government has recognized that the issues facing Burlington are not KEY CONTACT develop a community vision for the future of the city. political leaders, to the process. undoubtedly been a facilitating isolated problems, that other communities around the Mark T. Eldridge As well, the city set out to create a plan that integrates The challenge of the Legacy Project is to balance factor to the LA21 process, and world have similar concerns and values, and that Director of Planning and Zoning, City of Burlington its diverse initiatives into a common framework. future growth with the principles of sustainability that conversely, LA21 has encouraged sustainable development requires a global framework Fax: 1-802/865-7195 Initiated in 1999 by Mayor Peter Clavelle, the Legacy underlie the community’s vision: residents of Jinja to participate to unite human efforts. “If we could all be working Email: [email protected] in local government. from the same page, success is more likely,” states

08 ICLEI > Local Strategies for Accelerating Sustainability For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies 09 STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION PROFILE RESULTS BARCELONA, SPAIN Accelerate the Transition To guarantee a good quality Undertake a series of Municipality of Curitiba, Brazil achieve a collective dream. When a city accepts as its Curitiba has high rates of recycling, large amounts In 1994, the City of Barcelona, to Sustainable Communities of life for Curitiba’s citizens long-term, integrated urban Population: 1.6 million mandate its quality of life; when it respects the people of green space, a model transit system and social Spain, signed the Heidelberg and Societies over the long term, ensuring planning actions based on Land Area: 432 km2 who live in it; when it respects the environment; when programs reaching all members of the community. Per Declaration for Climate social inclusion, accessibility, valuing the individual that have Municipal Budget: US$600 million it prepares for future generations, the people share capita income is 66% higher than the Brazilian average. Protection and set a goal of public amenities, urban resulted in a model ecological, responsibility for that mandate, and this shared cause The city’s 30-year economic growth rate is 7%, reducing carbon dioxide transparency and environmental people-centered city is the only way to achieve that collective dream.” significantly higher than the national average of 4%. emissions by 20% of 1987 levels. sustainability for the city and Strong political leadership and continuity has been Future expectations relate to Curitiba’s metropolitan A key aspect of the city’s plan metropolitan area essential to long-term implementation of the city’s area, where the city’s strategy is being applied to is the exploitation of solar plan. Lerner, now governor of Paraná, was involved in improve the lives of people in the surrounding region. energy. In 1999, the city passed a developing the city’s 1965 Master Plan. In the same The following individual examples all reflect the municipal solar ordinance calling year, Lerner and his colleagues established the Urban city’s people-first strategy, and the benefits of integrated for the installation of solar Planning Institute of Curitiba (IPPUC) as an independent urban planning and system-wide sustainability. panels on new developments. In agency to supervise and implement planning. addition, the largest photo- A clear strategy and vision of the future in Curitiba Transportation and Land Use voltaic plant in the world is ORIENTING URBAN PLANNING TO SUSTAINABILITY IN and creation of an agency to make sure it was Integration of traffic management, transportation and planned for operation in 2004. implemented has meant that smaller decisions made land-use planning in the 1970s allowed the city to CURITIBA, BRAZIL over the course of years and in many individual minimize downtown traffic, provide more leisure areas TORONTO, CANADA programs have added up to a city that’s a model of and pedestrian zones in the city center, and encourage Moving the Economy, a five-year- Curitiba is the capital of the State of Paraná, a mainly ecological, people-centered urbanism. the use of public transport and cycling in order to old partnership between the City agricultural area in southern Brazil. In the 1970s and Although Curitiba is known internationally as a achieve an environmentally healthy city. of Toronto and Transportation 1980s, physical, economic and demographic growth sustainable, ecological city, it calls itself “the city of all Today there’s a model transit service used by Options, has laid a strong foun- was rapid and the city became an important industrial of us.” In almost any area of Curitiba’s urban planning more than 2 million people a day. While there are dation to support the growth of and commercial center. Curitiba’s population has over the years, it is possible to see how consideration more car owners per capita than anywhere in Brazil, sustainable transportation. It doubled to 1.6 million over the past 30 years. Despite has been given to people in the big picture—and and the population has doubled since 1974, auto has launched two pilot projects the major challenges that came with rapid growth, also to see the associated, system-wide sustainability traffic has declined by 30%, and atmospheric pollution to test the viability of new significant improvements have been made to quality benefits of integrated planning. is the lowest in Brazil. In addition, an inexpensive mobility strategies locally, of life in the city. This is what’s most unique about the city’s strategy: “social fare” on public transit promotes equality. The nationally and internationally. Curitiba is more than a city with a number of it maximizes the efficiency and productivity of trans- city has 200 kilometers of bike paths. The projects have led to an outstanding projects. The key to its success is the portation, land-use planning and housing development Downtown areas were transformed into pedestrian extensive communications net- underlying, cohesive strategy—with a focus on by integrating them so they support one another to streets, including a 24-hour mall with shops, work that links businesses and improving life for residents and on integrated planning— improve residents’ quality of life in the city. restaurants and cafes and a street of flowers with governments with information CURITIBA’S ECO-EFFICIENT, BUS-ONLY TRANSPORTATION that underpins all of its projects. Specific goals are gardens tended by street kids. This vibrant pedestrian about new mobility, experts and SYSTEM IS A MODEL FOR CITIES AROUND THE WORLD. THE social inclusion, accessibility, public amenities, urban zone encourages tourism, which generated on-the-ground examples of “SPEEDY BUS” RUNS ALONG A DIRECT LINE AND STOPS transparency, efficiency and environmental sustainability US$280 million in 1994, 4% of the city’s net income. where new mobility is making ONLY AT TUBULAR STATIONS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO MOVE for the city and metropolitan area. money. Moving the Economy’s PASSENGERS QUICKLY. The strategic vision that informs all aspects of New Mobility Sectoral Study, Curitiba is articulated by its visionary former mayor, completed in 2002, has identified Jaime Lerner, who led the city’s transformation, the directions government

“There is no endeavour more noble than the attempt to CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

10 Photo courtesy of Ricardo Almeida, Municipal Secretariat of Social Communications ICLEI > Case Studies of Local Government Success 11 CONTINUED Green Space LESSONS LEARNED STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION PROFILE and businesses should take as Curitiba is referred to as the ecological capital of Brazil, Curitiba’s officials found that the application of a city- Strengthen Local Government To address unemployment, Develop a plan to integrate the City of Heidelberg, Germany new mobility develops over with a network of 28 parks and wooded areas strategy with strong, coherent governance, design unaffordable housing, population management of the many and Population: 139,000 the next 20 years. The study has representing one-fifth of the city. Builders get tax breaks values and a focus on integrated systems can be used exodus to the suburbs varied programs and policies for Land Area: 109 km2 explored how Toronto and if their projects include green space. Waters diverted successfully to align the actions of planning departments and shifting demographics sustainable development, Municipal Budget: US$413.9 million other cities can benefit from into new lakes in parks solved dangerous flooding to meet strategic objectives. that threaten the city’s unique using environmental budgeting (466 million Euro) this trend. problems, while also protecting valley floors and The integration of different elements of urban economic, social and as the framework to control the riverbanks, acting as a barrier to illegal occupation, development avoided problems associated with piece- environmental fabric use of natural resources PORTLAND, USA and providing aesthetic and recreational value to the meal development such as pollution, traffic congestion By integrating land-use and thousands of people who use city parks. The city has and nonsustainable fuel consumption rates. transportation policies, the City 52 square meters of green space per person, Creative, cheap solutions that fit the city provided of Portland, USA, is developing up from 1 square meter in 1970. better solutions to Curitiba’s urban problems than a more compact, energy- more expensive approaches. efficient urban form that Waste Management reduces automobile dependency. The “green exchange” employment program focuses on KEY REPLICATION FACTORS An urban growth boundary social inclusion, benefiting both those in need and > Articulation of strong, local core values in a CREATING A FRAMEWORK FOR INTEGRATED guides development, and the environment. Low-income families living in shanty- city plan. Portland’s regional 2040 Growth towns unreachable by truck bring their trash bags to > Creation of an independent municipal authority RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN HEIDELBERG, GERMANY Concept protects natural areas neighborhood centers, where they exchange them for bus such as IPPUC to ensure planning continuity and and farmland while improving tickets and food. There’s also a program for children success regardless of political, economic and The City of Heidelberg is located on the Rhine plateau infrastructure. The concept where they can exchange recyclable garbage for school social challenges. in Baden-Württemberg and is a UNESCO-protected integrates transportation supplies, chocolate, toys and tickets for shows. > Integrated planning processes structured to assure World Heritage site and tourist center. Heidelberg, strategies and land-use policies Seventy percent of the city’s trash is recycled, and that planners in all areas know the strategy and are apart from tourism, has a science and research-based that strongly support strategic the money raised from selling materials goes into working with a shared vision and developing their economy. The city has long been a leader in growth management while allow- social programs. plans together. environmental management and sustainable ing each regional community to development and in 1994 signed the Aalborg Charter. develop its business center and Education and Capacity Building KEY CONTACT When the current mayor, Beate Weber, came into neighborhoods with their own Open University, created by the city, lets residents Luiz Masaru Hayakawa office in 1990, she found the existing city plan no characteristics. Public transit, take courses in many subjects such as mechanics, hair President, IPPUC longer fit with realities in the city. The population living foot traffic, bicycle use, road- styling and environmental protection for a small fee. Fax: +55-41/252-6679 in the city had increased only slightly, while the ways and freight movement are The “capacity building job line” includes business Email: [email protected] number of commuters coming in from the suburbs had addressed with a strong empha- incubators designed to help small companies get IPPUC website: www.ippuc.org.br risen sharply. The number of unemployed people and sis on locating jobs and housing established and prosper and the Crafts Lycée that trains Curitiba website: www.curitiba.pr.gov.br THE CITY OF HEIDELBERG, A PROTECTED UNESCO those looking for housing in the city had increased. near existing multi-modal trans- people for professions such as marketing and finance. WORLD HERITAGE SITE It was time to engage in a new city development portation infrastructure. As a planning process to move the city’s activities towards result, during the 1990s bicycle sustainable development. commuting almost tripled, Developed over two-and-a-half years starting in transit ridership increased by 1994, and with broad public participation, the planning 65%, and per capita gasoline process was framed by the idea of “Responsibility for consumption fell by 9%.

12 For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies Photo courtesy of the City of Heidelberg, Germany 13 BIELEFELD, GERMANY RESULTS the Future.” Social, economic and environmental factors Over a full budget cycle, Heidelberg used and adapted Bielefeld, a city of 325,000 in and that previous experiences are considered in the The city recently completed the first review of the were to be considered. The City Development Plan was the ecoBUDGET® system developed by the International northwest Germany, has been next period. The application of a budget cycle similar implementation of the City Development Plan. While to present a strategy to take Heidelberg to the year 2010. Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). The faced with excessive sprawl to the financial management process ensures that the some activities have been completed, others are long- Expanding on the city’s 1974 development scheme city subsequently introduced environmental budgeting and increasing motorized issues of the use of natural resources and environmental term commitments that will continue to evolve. The and incorporating the lessons learned through on an ongoing basis. transportation over the last few quality are returning to the political agenda regularly. city already has formulated environmental quality targets developing climate and transportation plans, the new Environmental budgeting is a management system years. Local environmental In a transparent way, municipal decision makers through the ecoBUDGET process, has presented an City Development Plan, for the use of natural resources that complements budgeting was seen as a strategic determine in advance the spending framework (targets), “undeveloped area structure concept” and an environ- financial budgeting and human resource management. aid to target setting in planning, and can be held accountable for meeting the targets or mental plan, and has reduced CO2 emissions from sets the comprehensive and integrative scope of action It applies periodic financial budgeting processes, especially related to the city’s overspending (debt to nature). municipal buildings through energy saving measures. for a policy which assumes responsibility for social mechanisms and routines to the management of natural climate protection, water provi- In Heidelberg, a project team with representatives In the environmental target area, Heidelberg is co-existence within the City and the conservation of resources so that city managers devote the same sion and open space activities. from various departments in the administration oversees now able to prove the success of its activities, moving an environment worth living in. Its core feature is amount of attention and concern to these resources Environmental budgeting has the implementation of the environmental budget, to quantify statements like, “we have improved the the commitment towards a develop- and to environmental quality. been integrated into most of the including presenting it to the mayor and city council for environment.” Heidelberg can now state: ment which meets the task of the “Local Agenda 21”… As a comprehensive system of municipal environ- departments involved. It plays approval. The environmental budget is seen as a > reductions in municipal CO2 emissions by (Source: City Development Plan) mental planning, controlling and reporting, environmental an increasingly important role “Meta-Environmental Management System” in that it 30% since 1993, budgeting constitutes the environmental cornerstone as Bielefeld politicians decided provides a framework to review the success of various > reductions in nitrous oxides (NOx) emissions by In the end, the plan looked at objectives under seven for Integrated Resource Management (IRM). IRM in early 2000 to introduce envi- actions. The environmental budget serves to build a 65% since 1986, target areas: urbanism, regional cooperation and relates the management of financial, human and natural ronmental budgeting into the network of departments and their various projects, each > reductions in drinking water consumption by development, employment, housing, environment, resources to one another, thus building a consistent local authority on a permanent with responsibilities to balance their respective “budget 12% since 1990, mobility, social matters, and culture. Existing commit- framework for effective municipal service delivery with basis, and are looking at extend- lines.” Heidelberg’s concept links the various single > reductions in specific residual waste by ments and plans, such as the climate protection and efficient resource use. ing the ecoBUDGET to include projects and policies to the environmental budget 49% since 1990. transportation plans, were incorporated into the Environmental budgeting does not attempt to express other accounts (indicators). (ecoBUDGET) and eventually the city’s Local Agenda 21 broader City Development Plan, although they are still environmental effects in monetary terms. To set limits (City Development Plan). Environmental budgeting has allowed the city to set followed separately as well. on, and follow the “spending” of natural resources, Heidelberg has expanded on the original environ- targets, and then use the resource management The environmental target area addresses overall budgets are based on five to twenty resource accounts, mental budgeting concept, keeping a budget for the process to ensure that the targets are being met. As improvement in the local environment and permanently using environmental indicators measured in physical city’s overall environmental consumption (municipality, Mayor Beate Weber puts it, “With environmental protecting natural resources such as water, soil and quantities. In Heidelberg, carbon dioxide (CO2) citizens, businesses, etc.). They now also have special budgeting we have a reliable basis for decisions and air. This section includes a call to establish an emissions, water consumption and residual waste budgets for environmental consumption by “big” can check if our aims are being met.” environmental budget as such a “scheme plays a vital generation were some of the indicators used. For each municipal projects (those requiring an environmental The cross-departmental nature of the environmental role for the initiation of sustainable development.” account (indicator) a mid-term (five to ten year) target impact assessment) and municipal institutions. budgeting procedure has served to educate municipal is set. Based on the state of each indicator from the staff not traditionally involved in that field on environ- reference year, annual or biennial targets are set to mental concerns and limits. Overall, environmental reach agreed mid-term targets. budgeting has proven to be a useful controlling instru- At the end of the budgetary cycle, an environmental ment for successfully meeting the environmental targets budget balance is established to inform the municipal set out in the City Development Plan. It will continue council of the progress towards meeting the targets. to support Heidelberg’s overall strategy going forward. Environmental budgeting as a management system ensures that objectives are not only discussed but actually adopted, that implementation is controlled

14 ICLEI > Local Strategies for Accelerating Sustainability ICLEI > Case Studies of Local Government Success 15 NORDHAUSEN COUNTY, GERMANY LESSONS LEARNED KEY REPLICATION FACTORS STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION PROFILE Nordhausen is a county of Heidelberg found that properly organizing before As the foundation of a sustainable community, Accelerate the Transition to To address immediate basic needs Involve the community in City of Johannesburg, South Africa about 100,000 citizens located in starting the budget process led to a more successful natural resources like air, water and land need to be Sustainable Communities and promote longer term selecting the most innovative, Population: 2.9 million (1998) central Germany. As a small outcome. For example, developing cross-departmental managed to ensure their long-term viability. The and Cities human security and sustainability technically relevant and Land Area: 2,300 km2 county with limited financial and groups, setting very clear targets linked to other ecoBUDGET model serves as a cornerstone for IRM, values among residents ecologically sound solutions Municipal Budget: US$1.04 billion staff resources, Nordhausen initiatives (such as linking climate protection targets a system to link the management of financial, where poverty and accessing to enhance local economic uses the ecoBudget approach to to the existing Heidelberg targets to reduce CO2 human and natural resources. basic human needs, such as development, and build integrate their environmental emissions), and setting in place systems to develop With environmental budgeting, Heidelberg has shelter, food and clothing are of community capacity to policies and programs into their and track budgets throughout the cycle were key to introduced a mechanism that sustains the attention of primary importance contribute to those solutions Local Agenda 21 in a cost-effective getting the process started. Part of this organization is municipal decision makers on natural resources and manner. As Sylvia Stüven from the development of a system for ongoing reporting. environmental quality through periodic target-setting, Nordhausen has stated, the As with many initiatives, a transparent system is controlling and reporting. Building a network within the county has found that, critical to success. For the environmental budget to administration to collect and analyze the necessary “… environmental budgeting work, a willingness to systemize policies, set priorities data from various initiatives, and to define the budget appears as the optimal and debate conflicts is absolutely necessary. accounts and targets together with the responsible instrument for a sustainable use Data availability proved to be a stumbling block. departments was important in making the ADDRESSING POVERTY IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA of natural resources on the basis Heidelberg found that the selection of indicators was mechanism work. of scientific, region-oriented limited by the available data—current, comparable, As part of the city’s overall development plan, environmental targets.” and easily and economically collected data are needed. environmental budgeting shows the success of the Nordhausen recently approved Given the time required to see effects from changes in cumulative and interactive effects the city’s initiatives Midrand is a neighboring municipality of Johannesburg, its second environmental budget environmental activities, the city also found the envi- have on natural resources in both the short and now part of the amalgamated City of Johannesburg. balance and environmental ronmental budget cycle worked better over two years. long term, and link these environmental benefits to It is an area of rapid economic and population growth master budget for the next year. Finally, support from the municipal leadership sustainable development. with the total population of 240,000 expected to grow was very important for the establishment of the City to 380,000 by 2010. Midrand is an area of many Development Plan and the implementation of the KEY CONTACT contrasts—geographically, racially and economically— environmental budgeting component of the plan. Dr. Raino Winkler as a result of the legacy of apartheid and economic City of Heidelberg development trends. You can find both affluent suburbs, Fax: +49-62/21-58-18-29 where residents have large plots of land, interspersed Email: [email protected] with clusters and townhouse developments and in contrast densely populated planned and informal settle- ments where 80% of the population live. Sixty-five percent of Midrand’s population earns THE SHOVA LULA CYCLE COOP, SET UP AS ONE OF THE ECOCITY less than US$70, compared to 21% nationally, and it INITIATIVES, IS INVOLVED IN THE SALES AND MAINTENANCE suffers from high levels of unemployment. Of all of OF BIKES, ADVOCATES BIKE USE AND BIKE SAFETY, AND the households in Midrand, over 40% are informal with

PROMOTES BIKE USE FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES. limited access to basic services (water, electricity, CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE sanitation, waste removal, paved roads). It is in these informal areas where you find the greatest population densities and the associated social, health and environmental problems, such as a higher level of respiratory tract illnesses due to the use of coal as the primary heat source during winter months.

16 For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies Photo Courtesy of Cedric Nunn 17 VELINGRAD, BULGARIA While much of the land area of Midrand can be charac- equity and public participation are also key principles In 1997, Velingrad, Bulgaria, had to wetland rehabilitation. A bicycle cooperative has The challenge now is to mainstream the activities terized as rural, residential or undeveloped, there is of the initiative, through which EcoCity has been able a very high rate of poverty created jobs and provided bikes for commuters and established in Midrand through the City of Johannesburg’s a lack of public open spaces, especially in the informal to orient urban planning and investment towards and citizens lacked hope for the 1,200 bikes for school children, decreasing reliance on key development sectors, while maintaining the communities. Wetland and riparian habitats have sustainable development. future. They were skeptical about transport by car. Fourteen women run a construction momentum that has been generated in Midrand itself. been subjected to serious degradation—water in the The vision of the EcoCity initiative was developed the use of sustainable develop- cooperative, building homes in an environmentally Kaalspruit River has been described as more polluted as a solution to the environmental problems that ment planning as a strategy friendly way. Water pollution and water savings LESSONS LEARNED than that which arrives at sewage treatment plants. were identified in the 1999 State of the Environment for improving the local economy. initiatives have been introduced, such as grey water Once local government became involved in the running Growing out of grassroots environmental activism, Report. The report identified air, land and water However, through their work recycling, demand management and and management of the EcoCity initiatives, an element the EcoCity initiative sought to promote human security pollution as dominant themes, exacerbated by the lack with the UN Development fittings, which are being promoted in new developments. of financial stability was introduced, which decreased and sustainability values among residents, particularly of services and infrastructure in informal areas. Public Programme — Capacity 21, the Local builders and contractors are sought for all projects reliance on donor funding and donor priorities. among the informal residential communities, while open spaces, waste management, transportation and city successfully used poverty and they use locally available materials. By focusing on local institutional arrangements addressing their immediate needs. household energy use were also identified as issues in alleviation as the primary theme The most impressive aspect of the EcoCity initiative and capacity building, greater participation and local The EcoCity initiative was established in 1999 as need of attention. for its community planning. is that it has resulted in a behavioral change at the ownership over the initiatives was ensured. Some a partnership between the Midrand Town Council and The new initiative was to ensure a self-sustaining Along with the rejuvenation of community level. The development of the of the ways in which this was done was to encourage the Midrand EcoCity Trust, a non-governmental city that produces its own wealth and keeps resources local markets, upgrades to provides a good example. Early in the community volunteerism, to promote the use of local cooperatives organization created to promote change within the circulating within the community. From the beginning, schools and green spaces, and participation phase, people did not care what type that were directly in the control of the local community community and drive the process. The town council Midrand focused on creating an alternative sustainable other projects, the town created of housing was provided, how it was made, where it and responsive to community needs and concerns, and was to mainstream these developments through development vision where the community defines and a business center. The center came from or who provided it. They just wanted to develop local solutions to local ecological problems. various departments. Since then, Midrand has been develops the objectives and strategies, which are then helped to increase the growth housing. However, in working through options to amalgamated into the City of Johannesburg. implemented using local resources. of foreign investment in local address their most urgent need, the community KEY REPLICATION FACTORS Johannesburg City Council has now joined the Through community workshops, the residents agreed small- and medium-sized enter- ultimately incorporated multiple environmentally friendly Success is dependent upon: partnership and plans to expand the EcoCity vision to common principles and initiatives. They decided prises and has provided a focus innovations and technologies. The Ecovillage features > a core of committed individuals that can drive the throughout the city. that the best way to drive the process was to use small, for the entire community. This houses built with reclaimed bricks, grey water recycling, process, particularly in the early stages, Despite its name, the EcoCity initiative’s primary local businesses. Business cooperatives were set up success has allowed the town to and oriented to maximize exposure to the sun in the > continual monitoring and evaluation of initiatives to focus is poverty alleviation, based on the belief that that created employment opportunities in the commu- invest in other projects as well. winter months, equipped with solar panels and other identify what has been successful and what has not, sustainable development can be best implemented if it nity, contributed to sustainability values and generated energy efficiency approaches. This shift is evidence > a supportive local government open to changes in improves the quality of life and the standard of living of community support for the EcoCity initiative. The goal of the fundamental progress being made. the way the planning process operates, local residents. Long-term environmental successes are was to have these cooperatives be self-sustaining The EcoCity initiative has demonstrated to commu- > local government commitment and willingness dependent on the economic, social and environmental within two years of their establishment. nity members and to politicians that it is possible to to mainstream successful initiatives into security of the person, the home and the community. The diverse EcoCity projects are coordinated around create economic benefits while making a contribution daily city operations. Self-reliance, capacity building, green transformation, a common vision, values, goals and strategy. Each to a more sustainable community. Since the focus of the element, while important in its own area, is also an EcoCity initiative has been on poverty alleviation KEY CONTACT integral part of the larger strategy. through respect for environmental principles, it was Ms. Annie Sugrue, Managing Director, EcoCity Trust able to generate greater community support. Fax: +27-11/403-7904 RESULTS Email: [email protected] The cooperatives and other projects have met with some immediate success. For example, a group of 70 organic farmers working on the river edge has contributed to the stabilization of the flood plain and

18 ICLEI > Local Strategies for Accelerating Sustainability For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies 19 STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION PROFILE Civic Life Rehabilitation SURAT, INDIA Accelerate the Transition to To repair the physical, social Physically restore the city’s City of Kobe, Japan faced poor access to medical services, food and housing Civic life rehabilitation included providing houses, Rapid population increases Sustainable Communities and economic degradation result- infrastructure and revive the city Population: 1,506,112 for a considerable period of time after the quake. promoting employment and securing sufficient medical coupled with a poor solid waste and Cities ing from a major earthquake, through a plan that addresses Land Area: 550 km2 Financial support from the government to restore services especially for low-income and elderly citizens. management system left the and lessen the potential for loss physical, social and institutional Municipal Budget: US$16 billion personal housing was not immediately available. Thus, In the five years after the quake approximately City of Surat, India, open for an of life and other damage in issues ultimately creating a emergency survival and restoration of private property 149,000 houses were built. As restoration of private outbreak of the plague in 1994. the future resilient community better able were dependent on personal finances. property was primarily dependent on personal financial Decentralizing the city into to withstand natural disasters The earthquake made it clear that Kobe was not capability, the government chose to focus not only regional management centers disaster-resistant—physically, socially, economically or building houses, but on job promotion and financial and increasing the accountability institutionally. Kobe needed to have a new development support for low-income citizens. of the municipal bureaucracy strategy and in June 1995, the city established the A national act to provide funds to those experiencing resulted in a remarkably clean ten-year Kobe Revival Plan (KRP). a natural disaster was established after the quake. and responsive city within The aim of the KRP is to revive the city by fostering Local authorities lobbied the national government to 18 months. Citizens became communities, and strengthening the economy and establish this act. It was effective retroactively for the directly involved in monitoring culture using a multistakeholder decision-making victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Based waste management, local DEVELOPING A RESILIENT CITY IN KOBE, JAPAN process. In the short term, the focus was on the quick on the act, Kobe provided personal financial support authorities were held to rigid restoration of urban infrastructure, while the creation therefore improving the affordability of private property evaluations and strict of a disaster-proof society is the long-term goal. restoration. waste management policies Kobe strategically adopted communities as the were enforced. The City of Kobe, together with Osaka and Kyoto, driving units of the plan. After a disaster, community Economic Restoration forms the focal point for the western-Japanese economy. groups can respond much more effectively to immediate Kobe has been supporting the rehabilitation of existing The south side of the city is highly urbanized and needs than a central government can. Kobe established businesses both financially and technically, although industrialized, while other parts have mixed disaster-preventive and welfare communities (DWCs) to the business environment has yet to be completely development or remain rural. One million people implement the disaster management plan. Units are restored. The physical restoration of major public reside in southern Kobe. divided by elementary school districts, which generally facilities such as the port, roads and railways was The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake took place hold about 10,000 people. Presently, 187 districts completed two years after the quake. on January 17, 1995. In the City of Kobe alone, the have established DWCs. Units are expected to collect earthquake killed over 4,500 and injured almost public comments, check durability of structures and Attractive Kobe 15,000 people. The majority of the victims were elderly host disaster simulation events. Since the quake, open spaces have been expanded and and people who lived in poorly built structures. More The immediate goal of the KRP was to help the networked, and information infrastructure has been than 67,000 buildings in the city collapsed, and many victims of the quake and to restore the city physically, further developed. These are not only making Kobe more more burned or suffered other damages. Since water socially and economically. This was achieved through attractive, but also contributing to future disaster MORE THAN 67,000 BUILDINGS IN THE CITY OF KOBE and transportation infrastructure failed, large-scale a series of programs. management, as both are of critical importance in times COLLAPSED AS A RESULT OF THE GREAT life-saving activities were not available where they of emergency. As well, the city has been promoting HANSHIN-AWAJI EARTHQUAKE. were needed the most. broader urban environmental sensitivity. The City of Kobe found that institutional inefficiency made the resulting secondary disaster more serious. Lack of effective information sharing among national, prefectural and municipal governments slowed life- saving activities immediately after the quake. Evacuees

20 Photo courtesy of the City of Kobe ICLEI > Case Studies of Local Government Success 21 Collaboration Going Forward SUDBURY, CANADA LESSONS LEARNED KEY REPLICATION FACTORS Community-based organizations (CBOs) were recognized In 2000, the municipal government announced after Only 30 years ago, the City Kobe’s experience provides four major lessons. First, Countermeasures that should be prepared for disaster as major contributors to the implementation of the public input that physical restoration had been of Greater Sudbury, Canada, was an educated and empowered community is the management are roughly divided into three steps plan including life-saving activities immediately after completed. Moving forward, the government recognized a barren “moonscape,” the practical unit for disaster management. Considering by timescale: emergency, short-term care and long-term the quake. CBOs have helped victims who had to settle a number of outstanding issues: result of 100 years of careless that governmental functions are not very active restoration. The first two steps are handled best in a into new communities. Recognizing the importance > although rebuilding was complete, some citizens mining and industry. In 1973, immediately after a vast disaster, fostering communities top-down manner for quick decisions, while long-term of CBOs, Kobe is working to collaborate with these had lost jobs and did not have access to family Sudbury brought together a multi- with abilities to help themselves is essential. plans need to be implemented using a participatory organizations to increase communication at the doctors partly because of moves. In order to disciplinary committee, including Second, physical resilience of structures is a basic approach for accountable and sustainable outcomes. community level, which will also improve disaster fully rehabilitate the city, Kobe is working to scientists and community requirement of a disaster-proof city. Since structural The steps progress more effectively and efficiently if a preparedness at this level. increase access to public services and improve groups, to rebuild and restore the damage is predictable in a disaster, it is necessary for cooperative culture exists among residents, experts, all citizens’ lives. region’s plant and animal life. local authorities to devise countermeasures. business and governments. Resilient Community > the economy, as the basis of a residents income, Since then, more than 11 million Third, institutional preparedness such as security, flow Kobe is implementing physical and social durability has to be revived, trees have been planted with of information (among governments, between municipal KEY CONTACTS improvements at the community level. Community-based > urban development for disaster-prevention has to over 6 million of these coming government and residents, and among residents) and (for data that was provided by the City of Kobe) educational programs about disaster prevention are be continued and maintained. through Sudbury’s Land medical logistics are highly important. In order to Yuichi Honjo, Section Chief underway including workshops for fostering community Reclamation Program. The city maintain institutional procedures, it is important to General Planning Division; leaders and seminars for residents. Meanwhile, the fire The government recognizes that creating a resilient is now regarded as one of the operate them regularly, not only for disaster prevention, Naoya Ando, Section Chief department has revised their organization and is using community requires ongoing efforts and many of the world’s finest examples of but as day-to-day events. Neglecting these factors will Planning Division state-of-art information systems and equipment. actions required are interrelated. Going forward, Kobe environmental resiliency in delay life-saving activities and make a disaster City of Kobe Physical restoration of the city has been achieved as will strategically complete the plan while adjusting reclaiming damaged landscapes. unnecessarily worse. Fax: +81-78/3232-6009 planned or at an even faster pace than expected. to newly recognized problems. Although half of the city’s land Fourth, identification of appropriate policies for However, it was difficult for Kobe to identify appropriate still requires reclamation work, restoration is needed even under difficult circumstances, solutions (acute and top-down versus long-term and RESULTS the city is committed to as this will reduce conflict during program participatory) immediately after the quake because the Kobe has quickly achieved the physical restoration of enhancing and sustaining a implementation. The City of Kobe would have pre- restoration work was urgent. Some policies applied urban structures through both top-down and collaborative healthy environment for residents ferred to hasten the institutional supply of necessities were inappropriate as a result. approaches. Within five years of the quake, Kobe through the restoration and but implement rezoning and redevelopment projects had built 149,000 houses, rebuilt infrastructure and protection of air, land and more slowly to increase community involvement. transportation networks, and established community water resources. Necessities can and should be dealt with quickly while units to ensure the effectiveness of disaster planning.In longer-term restoration requires community consultation. general, residents are playing a much greater role in the management of the city. Almost 40% of elderly people, and more that 50% of youth are participating in community groups. Kobe aims to increase this signifi- cantly over the next five years. Throughout the process, social improvements have also been implemented. It was found that the ties that exist within communities can increase the resilience of a neighborhood. This connection definitely improved the effectiveness of various projects. Fostering these relationships will be an important part of Kobe’s ongoing work.

22 ICLEI > Local Strategies for Accelerating Sustainability For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies 23 STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION BACOLOD, PHILIPPINES Strengthen Local Government To address the effects of Partner with local stakeholders PROFILE development. An environment more conducive to local University Involvement and Partnership Building— The City of Bacolod, Philippines, globalization, history and local and other levels of government, Municipality of government management emerged, with the The involvement of the National University of Colombia, is using gender-conscious environmental factors that have and embrace national-level Manizales, Colombia decentralization of power that facilitated sustainable as the technical arm of the BioPlan, is crucial. The budgeting as a strategy to lead to deforestation, soil changes that strengthen local Population: 387,000 development planning and programming at the local municipality supported the university to develop the address gender and social erosion, water pollution, rapid government and its ability to Land Area: 442km2 level. For example, Manizales was able to implement urban environment profile of Manizales, a pilot case for inequities. The program was population growth and poverty respond to diverse challenges Municipal Budget: US$75,500 a tax surcharge on petrol that raised revenue to the the country. The research was used to implement the started with support from a (171,795,599 Colombian Pesos) amount of 21% of the municipal budget between first environmental program in the area of transporta- prominent women’s organization, 1993 and 1995. The proceeds went to support tion including improving transportation corridors and DAWN (Development for Active transportation projects. The funds created also allowed developing related environmental education materials. Women Networking), after the local government to implement environmental International Support—After gaining the respect and national government passed an education and community programs, provide tax trust of the international community by creating an act requiring all governmental incentives for those protecting important ecological accountable, responsive and transparent government, agencies to dedicate 5% of their areas in the city, and construct housing for residents several organizations supported the city technically financial budgets to gender and that were displaced by landslides. and financially. International support added the development activities. To REDESIGNING LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN Since 1994, the municipal government of Manizales equivalent of 4% to the municipal environmental ensure that gender concerns are has capitalized on these new authorities to include budget in 1996. The support permitted Manizales to addressed in all aspects of the MANIZALES, COLOMBIA sustainable development principles into its planning build infrastructure for the protection of the city’s city budget, each department is processes. Manizales began addressing the issues more hillsides, reforest, purchase land at risk of landslides required to set aside 5% for Manizales lies west of the Andes mountain range in comprehensively with the goal of implementing Local for conversion into parks and initiate environmental gender activities. Similarly, the the heart of Colombia’s coffee-growing region. Agenda 21 measures into the city’s planning processes education programs. Cooperation agreements with Latin budgets of the smallest units of In the 1970s, an international coffee boom resulted in and engaging citizens in planning and implementing American and European cities have helped maintain local government, the barangays, a rapid expansion of coffee growing areas that lead to sustainable development measures. The municipality local support for the BioPlan. are not passed by council if they a loss of forest cover and subsequently caused erosion. has successfully created a BioPlan—a local Local Citizens—Local Administrative Boards, composed are missing this component. However in 1994, Manizales’s economy was left in environmental action plan that facilitates sustainable of members elected by residents of each of the 11 Gender-conscious budgeting shambles when international coffee prices fell drastically. development planning and implementation. communes and legally representing the communities, has led to gender education The city responded by enacting a number of successful The BioPlan evolved with strong partnerships were involved in developing the BioPlan. The capacity throughout the municipal system, measures that stimulated industrial development between the municipal government and other agencies, of these citizens and others was increased through as well as increased funding but had the unintended side effect of polluting the a local university, the private sector, international agen- involvement in open forums and roundtables and they for reproductive health city’s waterways. cies, and citizens. Multistakeholder involvement in the now hold the local government more accountable for education, community welfare, Manizales was also trying to address the issue of development of the BioPlan has been crucial in gaining its decisions. For example, in 1999, when the second environmental protections and a rapidly growing population. Illegal settlements were credibility and legitimacy and the partnerships have version of the BioPlan had no modifications or improve- other key issues. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT ON growing in numbers, perched precariously on steep, provided the city with technical and financial support. ments to the municipal government environment LANDSLIDE-PRONE HILLSIDES ARE TWO OF THE ISSUES landslide-prone hillsides. The challenge of managing Public-Private Environmental Initiatives— policy, there was swift reaction from the universities, BEING ADDRESSED IN MANIZALES. increased traffic flow also arose as the volume of traffic Decentralization within Colombia obliged municipalities neighborhood associations and environmental grew. Deforestation for agriculture has resulted in soil to transform public enterprises. Public-private non-governmental organizations, which resulted in erosion and increased susceptibility to landslides in an enterprises in Manizales—solid waste management, substantial positive changes to the plan. area with pre-existing seismic and geological risks. administration of parks and green areas, water supply In late 2001, Manizales developed its Plan de In 1991, a series of federal legislative steps created management, and sanitation services—are successfully Ordenamiento, or official community plan, as required a culture of environmental consciousness that raised addressing these environmental issues in a fiscally for all municipalities by the national constitutional national awareness of the importance of sustainable responsible way. reforms of the early 1990s. The BioPlan, and moreover, its principles of sustainable development, are now a

24 Photo courtesy of Jorge Hernán Arango Vélez ICLEI > Case Studies of Local Government Success 25 PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION PROFILE In 1989, Porto Alegre, Brazil, legislated priority within the city’s strategic planning providing technical and financial resources to the Strengthen Inter- and To coordinate overlapping Establish a mechanism for co- Fraser River Estuary Management adopted a participatory processes. The BioPlan is embedded in the municipal implementation of Local Environmental Action Plans in Intragovernmental Cooperation governmental jurisdictions in operation among federal, Program (FREMP), budgeting system. In this governance framework of Manizales. the 24 municipalities under its jurisdiction, which the Fraser River estuary to provincial and local governments, Vancouver, Canada system, the city is broken into will include Manizales’s BioPlan. ensure economic development First Nations, and port Land Area: FREMP applies to a regions and all citizens are RESULTS It is a continuing challenge to keep people informed, in harmony with increased authorities to coordinate 155 km2 area of the lower Fraser asked to assist in designing the Since 1994, the BioPlan has provided a “blue-print” interested and involved. There is a need for training recreational opportunities and planning and decision making on River. This area is surrounded by municipal financial budget. to guide the long-term development strategy of around participatory planning and urban environmental environmental improvements human activities in the estuary the Greater Vancouver Budget decisions are made by the city with environmental, economic and social management to increase the capacity of the various Regional District (GRVD). examining the infrastructure, considerations taken into account. stakeholders, particularly the city’s citizens. Improved GVRD Population: 2 million population and priorities of Under the BioPlan, action plans were designed access to information for the citizens through an FREMP Budget: US$560,000 each area. Over 30,000 people and implemented for the 11 comunas of Manizales. “environmental traffic light system” (which visually participate in the process Projects related to ecotourism, sustainable urban communicates the quality of the city’s environment), a annually which has led to transportation, environmental education and recreation series of Urban Observation Centres and workshops in improvements in the ability of (360 hectares have been preserved as Ecoparks with the comunas will address some of these shortcomings. the government to satisfy the city core) were developed. When coupled with CREATING WORKING ALLIANCES IN VANCOUVER, CANADA demands, improve local the financial revenue raised through local taxes KEY REPLICATION FACTORS government transparency on gasoline, the city has been able to provide Partnerships with the university, the private sector and and the active engagement of environmental education programs, community other levels of government, together with national-level the population in municipal programming, tax incentives for those protecting areas legislative changes that empower local governments, The Fraser River is one of the great rivers of the world, issues. Over 50 cities in Brazil of ecological importance, and to construct housing have worked to strengthen the local government of draining nearly 250,000 square kilometers into the have started participatory for residents displaced by landslides. As well, three Manizales. Taxation powers and access to international Strait of Georgia (Pacific Ocean). The estuary, a coastal budgeting processes. mixed economy enterprises—a solid waste dump, a support for specific projects have increased the body of tidal water where fresh water is mixed with recycling plant and a center for supplies—were created, resources available. With these legislative and financial sea water, is a significant natural area with some of the generating local employment opportunities. powers, and by working in a participatory and most productive biological systems in the world. consensus-oriented manner, the city has been able Nowhere in the Canadian Province of British LESSONS LEARNED to develop and implement a concrete strategy for a Columbia are the environmental pressures and Although changing levels of commitment from local sustainable community. competing demands for space and resources greater politicians and municipal administrators has been than in the fertile and heavily populated area around an ongoing issue, the municipal government’s champi- KEY CONTACTS the estuary. Over the next 20 years, the growing oning of the BioPlan has been crucial for its success. Señor German Cardona Gutierrez, Mayor of Manizales population in the Vancouver area will reach three million The strong support from Manizales’s previous mayor Fax: +57-6884-2311 people. These people will be looking to the Fraser was critical in getting the BioPlan started. The continuity Email: [email protected] THE FRASER RIVER ESTUARY, VANCOUVER River estuary to satisfy demands for housing, of the staff at the state-level environmental authority commercial and industrial developments, expansion and at the Institute of Environmental Studies at the Ms. Lilia Millan, Manizales Secretary of Planning of ports, and recreation. At the same time, the region’s university has played a crucial role in maintaining Email: [email protected] residents want to protect fish and wildlife habitat and institutional memory and building upon momentum. improve the environmental quality of the estuary. Financing the implementation of programs from the Ms. Luz Stella Velasquez, Associate Professor and Many agencies’ jurisdictions overlap in the estuary. BioPlan has been addressed by local taxation, extra Program Coordinator for Urban Environmental Studies, Twelve local governments and three First Nations funds from donor organizations and from national and Institute of Environmental Studies, (indigenous peoples) have responsibility for community local government programs. The state government— National University of Colombia and land-use planning. The regional government is of which Manizales is the capital—has committed to Fax: + 57-8217-8863-182 Email: [email protected]

26 For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies Photo Courtesy of The Fraser River Port Authority 27 KATOWICE, POLAND CONTINUED responsible for sewage and drainage facilities and to indicate an area’s sensitivity to development and a The Katowice region of Poland focus for the project; increasing Conservation of the Estuary—contaminants in process—from a regional perspective, success is growth management. Two port authorities are in process to coordinate the environmental review of has long been a center of heavy income for low income families, Great Blue Herron eggs have decreased, fecal coliform compromised if municipalities choose not to participate, charge of water and land use, transportation, and port all development proposals in the FREMP boundaries industry and mining. Combined improving access to housing and counts in the main arm of the estuary have been or participate on an infrequent basis. planning. The provincial and federal governments (about 100 per year). with insufficient waste manage- basic services, and protecting reduced, and there has been a net gain in productive The final challenge that has faced FREMP over regulate water-based activities, environmental protection, The key achievement of FREMP was the 1994 ment practices, this caused vulnerable groups. This project fish and wildlife habitat. the years is in the area of public participation and and the protection of fish and fish habitat. The resulting approval of a comprehensive Estuary Management widespread environmental has been so successful that it Social and Economic Development—FREMP ports’ transparency. FREMP recently shifted its resources legislative, regulatory and policy regime produces Plan, also known as A Living, Working River. Formally degradation and health concerns. encouraged the government to share of regional marine cargo increased, the number away from an earlier focus on an education, such as a overlapping jurisdictions and competing responsibilities. endorsed by all of the municipalities in the FREMP area In 1994, 13 neighboring munici- create a Social Development of visits to regional parks along the estuary doubled, schools program and volunteer clean-up events, so as In the late 1970s, in recognition of the need to of interest, the plan established a vision to “improve palities formed a legal union to Agency designed to finance the length of recreational corridors along the estuary not to duplicate work done by other organizations. coordinate this governance system and in response to environmental quality in the Fraser River estuary while develop a cohesive approach local initiatives. increased, and the number of protected cultural sites Though it has been criticized by public interest groups local government and community concerns about providing economic development opportunities and to improving the urban environ- has increased. for not being included in decision making, the FREMP environmental degradation and habitat loss in the lower sustaining the quality of life in and around the estuary.” ment. Working in partnership, AIR QUALITY DISTRICT Protect and Enhance Environmental Quality—most partnership is committed to fostering dialogue with Fraser River, the federal and provincial governments The action component of the plan comprises two the group found international MANAGEMENT log booms in the estuary are now stored to protect these groups and the general public. initiated the Fraser River Estuary Study. As a result, in broad themes: environmental protection and human support and initiated a variety of (LOS ANGELES, USA) sensitive fish habitat and river dredging now conforms 1985 the Fraser River Estuary Management Program activities. The supporting action framework for environ- key pilot projects including the The City of Los Angles and its to removal limits set to balance navigational needs KEY REPLICATION FACTORS (FREMP) was established. mental protection addresses water quality management recultivation of old landfills four surrounding counties with environmental sustainability. FREMP’s linked-management model is particularly FREMP illustrates a working alliance among six and fish and wildlife habitat. The four elements in sites, cleaning up a closed coal comprise the second most In the Fraser River estuary, economic development is appropriate for management of coastal areas or other governmental partners, including three federal and the action framework under human activities are mine and coke plant, and urbanized part of the United progressing in a way that allows increased recreational significant waterways where there is shared jurisdiction. provincial agencies, two port authorities and the Greater navigation and dredging, log management, industrial developing appropriate waste States. High population density, opportunities and enhances environmental quality. To replicate the FREMP model, champions for Vancouver Regional District (GVRD), a federation of and urban development, and recreation. management facilities. industrialization and natural partnership are essential. The willingness to participate 22 municipalities. As part of the FREMP Management geography have caused severe LESSONS LEARNED in such a working alliance should be reflected in Committee, the GVRD gives the municipalities an equal RESULTS MARRAKECH, CASABLANCA air quality problems. The South The most important value that the FREMP partnership partners’ commitment to contributing financial and but indirect voice in the management of the partner- FREMP has proven to be an effective and efficient AND TANGIER, MOROCCO Coast Air Quality Management offers to all who participate is the opportunity to human resources. (In this case the six funding partners ship. Each of the six partners contributes equally to working alliance among various government jurisdictions The three Moroccan cites of District, initiated in 1976, has act upon common goals and objectives regarding a each get a CDN$0.5 million program for less than the operating budget. Partners retain their authority as to manage a precious resource that lies within various Marrakech, Casablanca and developed a comprehensive shared resource. $100,000 each.) A written agreement, such as a agencies and coordinate policy through a linked- jurisdictions in a growing urban area. Through greater Tangier started an urban poverty planning approach that sets and This collaborative process has taken time and memorandum of understanding is important to management structure. Organizations and agencies coordination of activities within the estuary, partners alleviation pilot project in 1998. enforces regulations, provides a patience and has yielded excellent results. The success codify common principles and operating protocols. A pursue their individual interests and meet the needs have reduced time and resources required by individual Supported by UN-Habitat, a wide range of programs, and of the program has depended on the quality of commitment to consensus building is a requirement. of the broader region at the same time. jurisdictions to plan and manage the foreshore and partnership between the promotes clean energy. This engagement of participants and effective balancing of A Water and Land Use Committee provides advice adjacent upland areas. Amid changes in partner beneficiaries, associations and approach involves all sectors the varying levels of power of partnering agencies. KEY CONTACTS on the implementation of the Estuary Management institutions and their legislative frameworks, FREMP elected municipal and national and has resulted in a reduction FREMP has learned the importance of using dispute Ken Cameron, Manager, Policy and Planning Plan. It comprises those agencies, port authorities, continues to provide a stable and continuing focus officials was created. The goal of of ozone to half of 1950 levels resolution and consensus building to transcend the Greater Vancouver Regional District municipalities, First Nations and the regional district for delivering a program of action for the Fraser River the partnership was to develop and a decrease in the number hierarchy between agencies. Fax: +1-604/436-6970 Email: [email protected] with a prominent role in estuary decision making. estuary and contribute to a sustainable world. local capacity, create and of days on which air quality is While the individual municipalities are indirectly FREMP has coordinated activities to improve In 2001, FREMP delivered its first monitoring report. implement action plans, and considered unhealthy. represented on the program’s executive via the Joe Stott, Program Manager resource management, including a habitat colour-coding The indicators used in the report show progress in make decision-making GVRD, they are encouraged to participate directly in the Fraser River Estuary Management Program system that classifies habitat value along the foreshore fulfilling the Estuary Management Plan: institutions more participatory. development and implementation of the Estuary Fax: +1-604/775-5198 Email: [email protected] Three main themes provided Management Plan. For this type of partnership to work, local governments need to commit to the Website: www.bieapfremp.org

28 ICLEI > Local Strategies for Accelerating Sustainability For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies 29 NATIONAL LA21 STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION PROFILE PROGRAM IN TURKEY Strengthen Local Government To encourage and assist local Create a supportive national Norwegian Association of Local Local governments received state grants so that they While responsibility for coordinating the LA21 effort at In 1997, the International Union governments in Norway to framework to provide local and Regional Authorities (NALRA) could appoint coordinators for environmental affairs. In the national level rested with the MoE, NALRA worked of Local Authorities–Eastern implement sustainable devel- governments with the regula- Population: 4.5 million located in addition, the MoE allocated considerable funds for in close cooperation to coordinate with local govern- Mediterranean and Middle East opment in the form of tory, jurisdictional and financial 434 municipalities and 19 counties training, networking and exchange of information. The ments. Most of the work was to be done locally, with (IULA-EMME) initiated the Local Agendas 21 resources they need to Land Area: 324,000 km2 resulting network of environmental coordinators in each municipality deciding what issues to tackle first “Promotion and Development of implement Local Agendas 21 Budget: US$21 million each municipality provided a good base from which depending on their local conditions and challenges. Local Agendas 21 in Turkey” to begin the LA21 initiatives. To support this work, the MoE, NALRA and the project with the support of the In 1996 and 1997, the national government devel- counties worked together to develop a regional network UN Development Programme— oped a White Paper that emphasized that sustainable of LA21 nodes. This network was established in 1998 Capacity 21. The project sought development must be based on three perspectives: and 1999. The MoE and NALRA also jointly publish a to build the capacity of local > an ecological perspective that deals with maintaining periodical called Local Agenda 21 four times each authorities to develop local nature’s production capacity, year. Information sharing between the local authorities action plans based upon > a generational perspective that deals with a more was further facilitated by the launch of a national participation, involvement of equitable distribution of goods between generations, internet site for LA21 (www.agenda21.no). local actors, establishment of NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR LOCAL IMPACT IN NORWAY > a welfare perspective that deals with equitable When the MoE and NALRA first initiated the LA21 local “partnerships” and distribution of goods around the globe today. program, they committed to a five-year program, to decentralization of local end in 2002. During the program’s last year, NALRA is decision-making processes. The paper stated that the national government would focusing its efforts on ensuring that LA21 concepts The project was successfully Agenda 21 calls on all local authorities to engage with encourage every municipality to begin their own LA21 have become a regular part of municipal planning and completed in December 1999, their populations, non-governmental organizations initiatives, and integrate LA21 concepts and activities budgeting processes. They have just issued a position and was selected to be the most (NGOs) and business sectors in order to develop Local into their municipal master plans and planning and paper on the role of municipalities and counties in successful and far-reaching Agenda 21 (LA21) action plans for sustainable budgeting processes. continuing sustainable development work in the coming project amongst the Capacity 21- development. Norway is one of the many countries The MoE and NALRA organized a conference in years. The position paper also provides input into supported programs conducted that adopted Agenda 21 at the national level and Fredrikstad in February 1998, bringing together more the development of a national strategy for sustainable in 50 countries.

is now supporting LA21. than 700 representatives from the central and local development, which is expected to be completed CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE Much of the foundation for the LA21 effort in government and NGOs. The event gave participants in May 2002, and will move Norway from LA21s to Norway originally was laid in environmental protection more details on their roles and opportunities in the a national Agenda 21. reforms. In 1993, the Norwegian Association of Local LA21 effort. Local governments were asked to endorse and Regional Authorities (NALRA) and the Ministry of the Fredrikstad Declaration, which committed them RESULTS Environment (MoE) began a local environmental to mobilize their residents, NGOs and other social By the fall of 2000, more than half of Norway’s management program that eventually included almost partners to play an active part in LA21 processes, and municipalities and all 19 counties had endorsed the PARTICIPANTS IN A TRAINING COURSE, PLANNING FOR REAL, all of Norway’s 434 municipalities. to establish suitable meeting places and networks. This Fredrikstad Declaration. In a 2000 survey, 70% of OFFERED TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES BY NALRA The objective of the program was to enable local conference and the declaration provided the impetus municipalities claimed to be carrying on some kind of governments to integrate environmental protection and needed to get LA21 going in Norway. LA21 activity. However, the level of effort within each natural resource management into their overall municipality varies considerably, with 40% having planning processes. The participating municipalities started some kind of project. were required to have their environmental management A more recent (March 2002) survey showed that plans in place by the end of 1996. 80% of the municipalities plan to continue their LA21 work, either at the same level (60%) or at an intensified level (20%).

30 Photo courtesy of Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities ICLEI > Case Studies of Local Government Success 31 CONTINUED STRATEGY CHALLENGE ACTION PROFILE Building on these achievements Local projects that have been implemented under the While the LA21 work can be coordinated centrally, the Foster International Solidarity To assist local governments Engage local governments in The International Council a continuation project was LA21 banner include attempts to come up with more majority of the work must be done locally. It is and Cooperation to reduce the emissions causing an international campaign that for Local Environmental Initiatives launched in January 2000. This sustainable and holistic solutions for housing, transport, essential to have regional coordinators that are mobile, global climate change by enables them to integrate (ICLEI) is the international sus- project seeks to strengthen energy use and changing public attitudes. Many of and that can visit municipalities and other organizations influencing local energy, measurable climate change tainable development agency for decentralized governance by the LA21 projects are focusing on informing and to provide advice and assistance. transportation, waste and emission reductions into local local governments. Its mission ensuring that civil society is able mobilizing the public, whereas only a few focus on LA21 work is complex and results will not be seen land use practices practice, policies and actions is to build and support a worldwide to participate in decision making more physical tasks, such as changes to energy overnight. It is like building a cathedral, stone by that address immediate movement of local governments and influence local investment. infrastructure or transport. stone. With patience and perseverance, the task can municipal concerns to achieve tangible improvements The continuation project and will be accomplished over time. in global environmental and encompasses five main LESSONS LEARNED sustainable development condi- objectives, including creating a When the municipalities were first asked to develop KEY CONTACT tions through cumulative mechanism through which LA21 environmental management plans by 1996, it turned Mr. Ole Jørgen Grann, Environmental Advisor local actions. processes can influence local out that the most successful municipalities were those Norway Association of Local and Regional Authorities decision making and ensuring that incorporated their environmental management Fax: +47-22/83-62-04 that LA21 receives long-term plans into their normal planning and budget systems. Email: [email protected] AN INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL ACTION: sustained support. Project Municipalities that developed stand-alone environmental Website: www.ks.no partners from Turkey currently management plans ended up with plans to which CITIES FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN include 48 cities and 5 regional nobody paid very much attention. NALRA learned from associations of local authorities. this experience. Instead of asking for stand-alone LA21 Global climate change is inextricably linked to the plans, NALRA encouraged the municipalities to include increasing demand for energy and automated transport, LA21 and sustainable development aspects directly much of which flows from the growth in urban popula- into existing budget and planning documents and tions. Recognizing the strong influence local government processes. More than 80% of the municipalities that decisions exert on urban policies and practices, ICLEI undertook LA21 initiatives found this approach established the Cities for Climate Protection™ (CCP) to be useful. Campaign. The CCP is performance oriented. A mile- stone framework guides participating local governments toward achieving their emissions reduction goal. The framework begins with a local greenhouse gas emission inventory and forecast, proceeds to setting targets and developing an action plan, and culminates in the implementation and verification of measures. CITY OFFICIALS FROM BUENOS AIRES, BERLIN, RIO DE JANEIRO The operation of the CCP is decentralized through a AND KYOTO JOIN TOGETHER AT THE 4TH MEETING OF THE UN number of national or regional offices that provide local CONFERENCE OF PARTIES IN BUENOS AIRES TO URGE NATIONAL governments with technical assistance, training, mate- GOVERNMENT ACTION. EACH OF THESE CCP CITIES HAS rials and resource brokering to help them implement HOSTED MEETINGS OF THE CONFERENCE OF PARTIES TO THE various measures. The regional efforts allow the CCP FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE. Campaign to be tailored to the needs of each region, while still providing a standardized international frame- work. Over 530 local governments participate in the campaign, collectively representing approximately 10% of the world’s anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.

32 For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies Photo by ICLEI 33 EUROPEAN SUSTAINABLE CITIES & RESULTS CLIMATE ALLIANCE TOWNS CAMPAIGN KEY REPLICATION FACTORS Through the CCP, climate protection has begun to be Water and Sewerage Pumping Upgrade—Vadodara, Since 1990, more than 1,000 local The European Sustainable Cities The provision of training, technical assistance and The CCP illustrates that global issues are likely to be successfully integrated into the decision-making process- India, replaced aging pumps at lift stations and governments in Europe have & Towns Campaign started other support and the existence of a global network of adopted at the local level if co-benefits, such as es of local governments throughout the world. Within treatment facilities to save 3.37 million kilowatt-hours committed to climate protection in 1994 in Aalborg, Denmark. The local government peers engaged in a common pursuit improving fiscal responsibility, urban livability, quality the framework of the CCP, local governments have of electricity, 15 million Rupees in energy bills, and by joining the Climate Alliance. result of the meeting was the were necessary for the program to be successful. The of life and economic development can be stressed. > become aware of the climate change problem, 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions/year—all The Climate Alliance is an Aalborg Charter, which outlines software tool, the training workshops around inventory A performance-oriented program requires a structure > acquired an understanding of their role in contributing based on investments with simple paybacks of four to association of municipalities a commitment to pursue methodology, measures selection and measures with key indicators and measurable goals. The mile- to climate change, six months. The new pumps also improved overall that have partnered with sustainable development at the quantification, and the case studies and local stones that CCP local governments are expected to > seen possibilities for local solutions, system performance and brought the biological oxygen Amazonian indigenous rainforest local level through Local Agenda 21 government guides did not exist when the campaign undertake provide a strategic framework within which > recognized the local co-benefits of climate protection, demand (BOD) levels in the treated effluent into people. Both groups have a role (LA21) and similar programs. The was first launched. They were developed as ICLEI the local government can act, along with a protocol > been provided the tools, training, and capacity to act. regulatory compliance. to play in reducing greenhouse campaign is supported by an worked with the local governments and learned their that facilitates monitoring and reporting both within the Renewable Power Purchase—Austin, Texas, USA, gas emissions: European cities alliance of five organizations; needs. City-to-city exchange opportunities and local government and to ICLEI. Such a program is also Launched in 1993, regional or national campaigns requires that 5% of the city’s electricity be generated by reducing energy and fossil the Council of European assistance in securing project financing for measures dependent on action by the local governments. To help now exist in Australia, Canada, Europe (both region-wide from renewable sources. The city’s municipal utility fuel use and indigenous people Municipalities and Regions, were incorporated to help ensure that participating ensure that ICLEI’s mission for the CCP is achieved, and specific national campaigns in Italy and the United created the Green Choice program, a green pricing by protecting the rainforest that Eurocities, the International local authorities achieve campaign goals. prior to being accepted the local governments Kingdom), India, Indonesia, Latin America (Argentina, program which will help the utility meet over 50% of serves as a carbon dioxide sink. Council for Local Environmental With ICLEI’s help, local governments have been able that participate must sign or adopt an expression of Brazil and Chile), Mexico, Philippines, South Africa its projected load growth between 2000–2003 through The Climate Alliance acts as a Initiatives, the World Federation to realize that tackling climate change is good business. commitment to undertake the milestones and and the USA. megawatt savings from sources. The link between these local-level of United Cities and the World For example, if a municipality decides to reduce accomplish program tasks. Most CCP municipalities are successfully working program provides 340 million kilowatt-hour/year of initiatives and the international Health Organization’s Healthy greenhouse gas emissions by implementing energy While local governments can engage in climate through the milestones and implementing measures. renewable electricity from wind power, biogas and solar policy processes on climate Cities Project. These partners efficiency measures, the action can reduce energy costs protection activity on their own, the training, technical A few examples include: power generation, reducing approximately 230,000 change, and forestry. work to provide training, (fiscal responsibility), improve local air quality (quality assistance, tools, publications and global municipal Landfill Methane Utilization—Adelaide, Australia, tonnes (255,000 US tons) of carbon dioxide/year. Their efforts are strengthening information and resources and of life) and create jobs during retrofit projects (economic partners all represent opportunities typical municipalities is capturing landfill methane and using it to generate sustainable development and promote sustainable develop- development). The development and implementation would not have if operating without the support of 15 gigawatt hours of electricity, enough to power 5,000 LESSONS LEARNED North-South equity. ment. The campaign is promoted of new technologies can stimulate local economic the CCP or other network. homes and offsetting the fossil fuel previously used. The CCP Campaign is intended to inspire local through a series of conferences, activity. Producing power locally contributes to self- Street Light Retrofit—Querétaro, Mexico, replaced government action, therefore it was critical that the and supported by the sufficiency and limits the municipality’s exposure from KEY CONTACT 10,000 high wattage street lights with more efficient campaign be grounded in local government practice and Directorate-General Environment future increases in the cost of energy. Nancy Skinner lamps, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by nearly methodologies. The local governments are the critical of the European Commission. International Director, ICLEI CCP Campaign 4,000 tonnes/year. resource—without the support of elected officials, Fax: +1-510/540-4787 Green Homes Project—In Puerto Princessa, Philippines, and action by the municipal management staff and Presently more than 1,400 Email: [email protected] energy efficiency measures integrated into the design operators, no progress can be made. European municipalities Website: www.iclei.org of a 1,000-unit social housing project have saved 170 Many local governments recognized global climate have committed to sustainable tonnes of carbon dioxide/year. change as a problem with links to urban development development by signing the but were unclear about how municipal decisions con- Aalborg Charter and joining the tributed to it or could help mitigate it. It was essential for campaign. It is currently the climate protection to be presented in a context that could largest regional campaign integrate pressing municipal concerns such as reducing for local sustainable develop- air and water pollution, improving sanitation and basic ment and LA21 in the world. infrastructure, fostering economic development, and providing equitable access to resources and energy.

34 ICLEI > Local Strategies for Accelerating Sustainability For full case study see www.iclei.org/localstrategies 35 ICLEI The International Council for Local Environmental The local government review process assessed oppor- Initiatives (ICLEI) is a membership association of local tunities and recommended the five key strategies for governments and their associations around the world. accelerated action for sustainable development at the The organization’s mission is to build and serve a local level presented herein. The series of publications worldwide movement of local governments to achieve Local Action Moves the World, was prepared based on and monitor tangible improvements in global environ- this process. mental and sustainable development conditions through cumulative local action. > Second Local Agenda 21 Survey Report. > Accelerating Sustainable Development: Local Action LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE 2002 WORLD SUMMIT ON Moves the World (Local Government Dialogue SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Paper), submitted to the Third UN Preparatory ICLEI is facilitating the Local Government Preparatory Session for the World Summit on Sustainable Process for the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit Development on Sustainable Development. This work is supported > Local Strategies for Accelerating Sustainability: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS by the Secretariat for the UN World Summit on Case Studies of Local Government Success Sustainable Development and major international > Local Governments’ Response to Agenda 21: ICLEI would like to express its appreciation to the Project Director associations of local governments, including the Summary Report of Local Agenda 21 Survey with many local government leaders and staff that responded Judy Walker International Union of Local Authorities, Fédération Regional Focus to inquires in the preparation of these case studies. mondiale des cités unies–World Federation of United Thanks are also extended to the organizations Case Study Coordination Cities and the Organization of Islamic Capitals and A four-day Local Government Session during the and research institutes worldwide that helped identify Karen Alebon Cities. Over an 18-month period leading up to the Johannesburg Summit is designed to allow participants local examples of the strategies in action: Deutsche Heather Kepran Summit, regional consultations were conducted with from all world regions to share local government Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) Jennifer Lee local government officials and staff, as well as urban perspectives, priorities and strategies for local GmbH, International Institute for Environment and experts, concluding with an international meeting in sustainability with the international community. Development (IIED), International Union of Local Researchers, Writers and Editors Vancouver, Canada, in February 2002. For more information on the Local Government Authorities (IULA), Metropolis, World Associations of Karen Alebon Reena Lazar Preparatory Process, or to review these publications Cities and Local Authorities Coordination (WACLAC), Sean Connelly Kirsteen MacLeod online, visit www.iclei.org/johannesburg2002. Fédération mondiale des cités unies–World Federation Roxanne Eszes Tina Reilly of United Cities (UTO/FMCU) and UN Human Corey Helm Holger Robrecht Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Heather Kepran Nancy Skinner Staff from ICLEI’s regional secretariats and offices Michie Kishigami Matt Strand in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, Sonja Klinsky Judy Walker South Africa and the USA provided examples from Yoichi Kumagai Jim Yienger their work with local governments in those regions and assisted with research. Konrad Otto-Zimmermann, Stuart Baird, Lisa Henriquez and Oscar Pata oversaw ICLEI Secretary General, provided guidance and vision the technical development of the Internet-based to the development of these cases. case studies. Special thanks are extended to Jeb Brugmann, Prabha Khosla, Kim Peters and Sean Southey for their Design by Hambly & Woolley Inc., Toronto, Canada. early contributions to this project. Printed in Canada by Somerset Graphics Co. Ltd.

36 ICLEI > Local Strategies for Accelerating Sustainability ABOUT THIS BOOK In 1992, world leaders adopted Agenda 21, the global plan of action for sustainable development. Agenda 21 called on local governments to develop their own local Agendas 21. Over the last ten years, local governments and their partners have built on their inherent strengths to become champions of sustainable development. Their strategies for action are accelerating the transition to sustainable, equitable and secure communities. The case summaries in this ICLEI report show how these strategies have been successful in cities worldwide.

Reports in the Local Action Moves the World series, prepared for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, are available online at www.iclei.org/johannesburg2002 or by contacting ICLEI.

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) World Secretariat, City Hall, 16th Floor, West Tower, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2N2 Telephone: +1-416/392-1462 Facsimile: +1-416/392-1478 Email: [email protected] Web: www.iclei.org