UN-Habitat Global Activties Report (2013)

ojects on Housing and Slum Upgrading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 1:
rica: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements, 2011-2012 Africa: Country Achievements Africa: The Way
emographic and urban trends CHAPTER 2: Arab States Arab States: Country Achievements Arab States:
Forward Demographic and Urban trends CHAPTER 3: Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of Pro-
Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-Pacific: Country Achievements Asia and the Pacific regional programmes
nal coordination Asia-Pacific Achievements by Thematic Areas Asia: The Road Ahead Demographic and
ds CHAPTER 4: Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America and the Caribbean: Portfolio of Projects
ments (2011-2012) Latin America and the Caribbean: Country Achievements Latin America and the Carib-
Achievements by Thematic Areas Latin America and the Caribbean: The road ahead Demographic and
nds CHAPTER 5: Transitional Europe Europe and Former Soviet Union States: Portfolio of Projects and
ents (2011-2012) Transitional Europe: The Way Forward Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges
nges of 21st Century Urbanization Introduction UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Contributors and
eas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) Global projects on Housing and Slum Upgrading
OVERVIEW Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 1: Africa Africa: Portfolio of Projects and Achieve-
-2012 Africa: Country Achievements Africa: The Way Forward Demographic and urban trends CHAPTER
tes Arab States: Country Achievements Arab States: The Way Forward Demographic and Urban trends
Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-Pacific: Coun-
ments Asia and the Pacific regional programmes and regional coordination Asia-Pacific Achievements
tic Areas Asia: The Road Ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 4: Latin America and the Carib-
America and the Caribbean: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Latin America and the
Country Achievements Latin America and the Caribbean region: Achievements by Thematic Areas Latin
nd the Caribbean: The road ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 5: Transitional Europe Eu-
rmer Soviet Union States: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Transitional Europe: The
HS/016/13E
rd Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization Introduc-
ISBNGlobal
(Series): 978-92-1-133406-7 Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization Introductio
Habitat’s Projects: Main Contributors and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool Net- UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Contributors and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool
Global
ISBNprojects on Housing and Slum Upgrading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demographic and Urban Trends
(Volume): 978-92-1-132554-6
Network (GLTN) Global projects on Housing and Slum Upgrading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demographic an
UN-Habitat Global
frica Africa: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements, 2011-2012 Africa: Country Achievements Africa: Urban Trends CHAPTER 1: Africa Africa: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements, 2011-2012 Africa: Cou
ward Demographic and urban trends CHAPTER 2: Arab States Arab States: Country Achievements Arab try Achievements Africa: The Way Forward Demographic and urban trends CHAPTER 2: Arab States Ara
Way Forward Demographic and Urban trends CHAPTER 3: Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio States: of Country Achievements Arab States: The Way Forward Demographic and Urban trends CHAPTER
cts and Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-Pacific: Country Achievements Asia and the Pacific regional pro-
s and regional coordination Asia-Pacific Achievements by Thematic Areas Asia: The Road Ahead Demo-
Urban Trends CHAPTER 4: Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America and the Caribbean: Portfolio
Activities Report 2013
3: Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-Pacific:
Country Achievements Asia and the Pacific regional programmes and regional coordination Asia-Pa
cific Achievements by Thematic Areas Asia: The Road Ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 4
ts and Achievements (2011-2012) Latin America and the Caribbean: Country Achievements Latin America
e Caribbean region: Achievements by Thematic Areas Latin America and the Caribbean: The road ahead Our Presence and Partnerships
Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America and the Caribbean: Portfolio of Projects and Achieve-
ments (2011-2012) Latin America and the Caribbean: Country Achievements Latin America and the Carib
c and Urban Trends CHAPTER 5: Transitional Europe Europe and Former Soviet Union States: Portfolio bean region: Achievements by Thematic Areas Latin America and the Caribbean: The road ahead Demo
ts and Achievements (2011-2012) Transitional Europe: The Way Forward Urbanization: Global Overview
enges Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization Introduction UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Con-
and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) Global projects on Housing and
rading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 1: Africa Africa: Portfolio of Pro-
hievements, 2011-2012 Africa: Country Achievements Africa: The Way Forward Demographic and urban
TER 2: Arab States Arab States: Country Achievements Arab States: The Way Forward Demographic and
ds CHAPTER 3: Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-
ntry Achievements Asia and the Pacific regional programmes and regional coordination Asia-Pacific
ents UNITED
by Thematic Areas
NATIONS HUMAN Asia: ThePROGRAMME
SETTLEMENTS Road Ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 4: Latin America
e Caribbean Latin America and
P.O.Box 30030,Nairobi 00100,Kenya; the Caribbean: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Latin
a andTel:the Caribbean: Country Achievements Latin America and the Caribbean region: Achievements by
+254-20-76263120; Fax: +254-20-76234266/7 (central office);
as Latin America and
infohabitat@unhabitat.orgthe Caribbean: The road ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 5: Tran-
www.unhabitat.org/publications
ope Europe and Former Soviet Union States: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Transi-
ope: The Way Forward Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges Challenges of 21st Century Ur-
tion Introduction UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Contributors and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The
Land Tool Network (GLTN) Global projects on Housing and Slum Upgrading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demo- Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization Introduction
and Urban Trends CHAPTER 1: Africa Africa: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements, 2011-2012 Africa: UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Contributors and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool
UN-Habitat Global
Our Presence and Partnerships
U N - H a b i tat G l o b a l A c t i v i t i e s R e p o rt 2 0 1 3 :
O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s I
UN-Habitat Global
Our Presence and Partnerships
Copyright © United Nations Human Settlements Programme 2013
All rights reserved

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
P. O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi GPO KENYA
Tel: 254-020-7623120 (Central Office)
www.unhabitat.org
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ISBN (Series): 978-92-1-133406-7
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Disclaimer
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do
not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of
the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or
of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers of boundaries.
Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the United
Nations Human Settlements Programme, the United Nations, or its Member States.
Excerpts may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is

indicated.
Acknowledgement
Director: Alioune Badiane

Principal Authors: Ben Arimah, Joseph Maseland,
Abdallah Kassim, Amrita Jaidka
Contributors: Axumite Gebre-Egziabher, Mostafa Madbouly,
Chris Redford, Alain Grimard,
Naison Mutizwa-Mangiza
Editor: Tom Osanjo
Design and Layout: Andrew Ondoo
II O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
ACRONYMS
AND ABBREVIATIONS
ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific PPAB Programme Participatif d’Amélioration des
ADB Asian Development Bank Bidonvilles
AFD Agence Française de Développement SUDP Sustainable Urban Development Programme
ASUD Achieving Sustainable Urban Development UNDAP United Nations Development Assistance Plan*
CCCI Cities and Climate Change Initiative UNDP United Nations Development Programme*
CERF Central Emergency Response Fund UNEP/GEF United Nations Environmental Programme
COMESA Common Market for Eastern and /Global Environment Facility*
Southern Africa UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific
DfID Department for International Development and Cultural Organization*
EAC East African Community UNFPA United Nations Population Fund*
ECHO Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees*
ECOWAS Economic Commission for West African States
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund*
EC European Commission
UNIPV Università degli Studi di Pavia*
FEICOM Fonds Spécial d’Equipement et d’Intervention
Intercommunale UNISDR United Nations International Strategy for
Disaster Reduction*
GDP Gross Domestic Product
UNMISS United Nations Mission in South Sudan*
GiZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit UNOCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs*
HVWSHE Human Values Based in Water, Sanitation and
Hygiene Education UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services*
IDPs Internally displaced persons USAID United States International Aid
IOM International Organization for Migration* VAA Vulnerability and Adaptability Assessment
MDGs Millennium Development Goals WASH Water and Sanitation
MTSIP Medium Term Strategic and Institutional Plan WFP World Food Programme*
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations WHO World Health Organization*
*United Nations Organizations and the trust funds
A C R O N Y M S A N D A B B R E V I AT I O N S III
Foreword
Joan Clos
Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director
United Nations Human Settlements Programme
(UN-Habitat)
IV O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
As of the fourth quarter of 2012, UN-Habitat
had cooperation programmes and projects in
over 70 countries, with a majority of these
in the least developed countries.
UN-Habitat’s country activities are focused on Research and capacity development. Acting has been maintained at a high level due to
supporting governments in the formulation of as a catalyst in the mobilization of technical several large programmes in Asia and the
policies and strategies with a view to creating cooperation, UN-Habitat is supporting the Arab States, financed through various global
and strengthening self-reliant urban planning implementation of the urban agenda at the trust funds. With these activities, UN-Habitat
and management capacity at both national local, national, and regional levels, as well maximizes the use of national expertise
and local levels and promoting sustainable as achieving the Millennium Development and national execution of projects and
urbanization. Technical and managerial Goals (MDGs) on improving the lives of slum procurement from developing countries.
expertise is provided for the assessment of dwellers and improving access to water and
human settlement development problems and sanitation. Lessons learned from country-level In addition to these country activities, UN-
opportunities. activities are utilized to formulate regional Habitat has embarked on the publication of
policy options and guidelines. a series of regional State of the Cities Reports
Country-level activities also seek to identify providing region-wide policy analyses, with
and analyse policy options; design and As of the fourth quarter of 2012, UN-Habitat the findings intended to stimulate debate
implement housing and urban development had cooperation programmes and projects in on urban issues in these regions. These
programmes; and help mobilize national over 70 countries, with a majority of these in reports are further intended to provide a tool
resources and external support for improving the least developed countries. Country-level towards improved national and regional policy
human settlements conditions. activities can be normative or operational, formulation for the achievement of sustainable
but in most cases they combine these two urban development. In 2012, this report series
National capacity-building processes elements of UN-Habitat’s mandate. More than – which already covered Africa and Asia and
involve central government institutions, 30 countries were further supported by UN- the Pacific – was expanded with a State of
local authorities and their partners among Habitat’s global programmes. Arab Cities and a State of Latin America and
community-based and non-governmental Caribbean Cities report. Preparations for a
organizations, universities and research As a direct consequence of increased demand third Africa and a second Asia and the Pacific,
institutes. Emphasis is placed on strengthening from countries, UN-Habitat’s portfolio of as well as a first State of European Cities in
the monitoring of governmental capacities in projects has grown remarkably over the past Transition report were on-going in 2011/2012
human settlements management. decades with its total budget for 2011/2012 of towards their publication in 2013 and 2014.
USD 442.7 million. More than 75 per cent of
In line with UN-Habitat’s on-going institutional the financing of country projects in 2011/2012 The present report is divided into six
reforms, country-level activities are focusing came from multilateral and bilateral agencies; sections. The first covers UN-Habitat’s global
on the following thematic areas: Urban about 20 per cent from UN agencies; and the programmes. This is followed by five sections
legislation, land and governance; Urban remaining 5 per cent through government’s describing activities in the regions: Africa;
planning and design; Urban economy; Urban cost sharing, non-governmental sources, the Arab States; Asia and the Pacific; Latin
basic services; Housing and slum upgrading; foundations and various financial institutions. America and the Caribbean; and Europe.
Risk reduction and rehabilitation; as well as It is important to note that the total budget
Introduction V
table of contents
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS III CHAPTER 3: Asia and the Pacific 37

Foreword IV Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements 2011-2012 39
Asia-Pacific: Country Achievements 40
table of contents VI
Asia and the Pacific regional programmes and regional coordination 52
Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges IX
Asia-Pacific Achievements by Thematic Areas 54
Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization IX
Asia: The Road Ahead 56
Introduction IX
Demographic and Urban Trends 59
UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Contributors and
Thematic Areas 2011-2012 XV CHAPTER 4: Latin America and the Caribbean 59
The Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) XVI Latin America and the Caribbean: Portfolio of Projects and
Achievements 2011-2012 63
Global projects on Housing and Slum Upgrading XVIII
Latin America and the Caribbean: Country Achievements 65
REGIONAL OVERVIEW 1
Latin America and the Caribbean region: Achievements by
Demographic and Urban Trends 3 Thematic Areas 75
CHAPTER 1: Africa 3 Latin America and the Caribbean: The road ahead 77
Africa: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements 2011-2012 7 Demographic and Urban Trends 81
Africa: Country Achievements 8 CHAPTER 5: Transitional Europe 81
Africa: The Way Forward 19 Europe and Former Soviet Union States: Portfolio of Projects
Demographic and urban trends 21 and Achievements 2011-2012 84
Transitional Europe: The Way Forward 87
CHAPTER 2: Arab States 21
Arab States: Country Achievements 25 Conclusion 89
Arab States: The Way Forward 35 LIST OF ALL DONORS 2011-2012 91
Demographic and Urban trends 37
VI O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
PHOTO: View of downtown Astana, the capital of
Kazakhstan. © Shynar Jetpissova / World Bank
ta b l e o f c o n t e n t s VII
PHOTO: An overview of Mexico city, Mexico.
© Julius Mwelu/ UN-Habitat
VIII O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
Introduction
Urbanization: Global populations due to combinations of declining reduction, already ranking low in priority even
fertility rates, migration and economic at the best of times, are likely to be especially
Overview and Challenges weakening. adversely affected by such lowered funding
flows.
The wave of urbanization over the last four
decades has been phenomenal. Indeed, Challenges of 21st Century
urbanization is one of the defining features
of the 20th and 21st centuries. Urbanization
growth rates averaged 2.7 per cent per
Urbanization
Economic Challenges
Over 90%
of this global urban growth is taking place
year between 1950 and 2011. This period There are at least three important economic
in Africa, Asia and Latin American and the
witnessed an almost five-fold increase in the trends that have implications for urban areas Caribbean, adding an estimated
global urban population from 0.75 to 3.63 all over the world. The first pertains to rates
billion, increasing the level of urbanization
from 29 per cent in 1950 to 52.1 per cent in
2011 (Table 1).
of economic growth. Today, urbanization
is taking place within a weakened global
economy, following the global economic
70 million
new residents to urban areas annually
crisis which started in 2008. Although global
In 2008, a global urbanization landmark economic growth is projected to pick up again
was reached when, for the first time ever, shortly, many of the advanced economies are
the majority of the world’s population lived yet to recover from the economic downturn
in urban areas. This trend is expected to between 2008 and 2012, because low
continue, with the transition from a two- economic growth rates have direct implications A third economic challenge relates to
thirds rural population majority in 1950 to for urban economies and employment. In high levels of unemployment. The global
a two-thirds urban global majority by 2050. contrast to the advanced economy states, unemployment level for 2011 was 6.0 per cent
Over 90 per cent of the global urban growth many emerging and developing countries (up from 5.6 per cent in 2007) - affecting 200
is now taking place in Africa, Asia/Pacific and have witnessed remarkable growth, with some million persons. Unemployment levels vary
Latin American and the Caribbean, adding an achieving more than 7 per cent growth in the significantly across the world. In the advanced
estimated 70 million new residents to urban post-recession period. economies, the levels for 2010 varied from
areas annually. 3.8 per cent in Japan and 7.9 per cent for the
A second challenge is that the economic USA to 26.2 per cent in Spain. While accurate
Although the general demographic trend has slump in the advanced economies affects information may not be readily available for
been towards urban population increases, flows of official development assistance and developing countries, unemployment rates are
some countries, in the developed and the funding of multilateral international considerably higher there. In the Republic of
transitional regions have experienced, or are development agencies. Slum upgrading, slum South Africa, for instance, it currently stands at
expected to record decreases in their urban prevention, urban renewal and urban poverty 25.5 per cent, but in lesser-developed nations
Introduction IX
Table 1: Global Trends in Urbanization (1950-2050)
Urban population (million) Percentage urban

Region
1950 1975 2000 2011 2050 1950 1975 2000 2011 2050
World 745 1538 2859 3632 6252 29.4 37.7 46.7 52.1 67.2
More developed region 442 718 881 964 1127 54.5 68.7 74.1 77.7 85.9
Less developed region 303 819 1977 2668 5124 17.6 27.0 40.1 46.5 64.1
Africa 33 108 288 413 1264 14.4 25.6 35.6 39.6 57.7
Asia 245 598 1392 1895 3310 17.5 250 37.4 45.0 64.4
Europe 281 444 514 539 591 51.3 65.2 70.8 72.9 82.2
Latin America & the Caribbean 69 196 393 472 650 41.4 60.7 75.5 79.1 86.6
North America 110 179 248 286 396 63.9 73.8 79.1 82.2 88.6
Oceania 8 15 22 26 40 62.4 71.9 70.4 70.7 73.0
*Source: United Nations (2012) World Urbanization Prospects: The 2011 Revision
it is often much higher. Unemployment cuts Urban Planning Challenges supply and sanitation needs of rapidly-growing
across all economic sectors but is particularly A major urban challenge is to adequately urban populations. This requires delivery of
severe in finance, construction, the automotive plan for urban growth, especially in the urban land at scale linked to provision of
industry, manufacturing, tourism, social context of dwindling financial resources. public infrastructure networks. Urban planning
services and real estate – all of which are Urban planning within a context of rapid will need to manage urban development
strongly associated with urban areas. urbanization (as in Africa and Asia/Pacific) processes, because unmanaged urban growth
is not a luxury, but a necessity. High rates can become a major obstacle to overall
Particularly problematic is youth of urban growth in the absence of effective sustainable development.
unemployment which, globally, stands at 12.7 urban planning have resulted in spiralling
per cent and is two-to-three times higher urban poverty, the proliferation of urban slums Environmental Challenges
than adult unemployment. In 2011, 74.8 and informal settlements, inadequate urban Climate change is one of the most significant
million youths aged 15-24 were unemployed. water and power supply, and degrading urban environmental concerns facing urban areas.
What all these figures imply is that urban job environmental conditions. Cities contribute significantly towards climate
creation should feature prominently on the change, primarily through highly-concentrated
agendas of both developed and developing Among the most significant challenges facing consumption and waste production. In turn,
countries, with special attention to the youths. urban planning today and over the coming climate change-induced risks (rising sea
decades is addressing the housing, water levels, changing precipitation patterns and
X O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
other extreme weather events) can disrupt capacity to address them among many local Urbanization through conducive urban
or destroy cities’ physical infrastructures and authorities in the developing world. Fewer planning and design offers many opportunities
urban economies, seriously impacting on the than 35 per cent of these cities have their for mitigation and adaptation strategies
lives of urban dwellers - the world’s population waste water treated; worldwide 2.5 billion to deal with environmental change.
majority. Especially vulnerable are coastal the and 1.2 billion people lack safe sanitation Agglomeration economies, through proximity
settlements where 40 per cent of the world’s and access to clean water, respectively; and and concentration of enterprises and
population resides. between one third and one half of the solid innovation in cities, can make it cheaper and
waste generated by cities in low- and middle- easier to take effective actions that minimize
A second environmental concern for cities is income countries are not collected, let alone emissions and climate-related hazards. There
fossil fuel use and its likely long-term impacts. safely processed. are also significant opportunities for disaster
About 95 per cent of transport energy comes risk reduction, response and reconstruction in
from petroleum. Apart from widespread cities, including through appropriate land-use
pollution, fossil fuel use has promoted Cities contribute significantly towards planning, building codes and regulation, risk
suburbia - low-density and sprawling urban assessment, monitoring and early warning,
forms - extensively dependent on private cars. climate change, as well as better post-disaster response and
reconstruction approaches.
primarily through highly-concentrated
A third environmental concern relates to urban
consumption and waste production.
waste and sanitation management. Rapid Responding to a likely scenario of a post-oil
urbanization has meant that environmental era presents a whole range of new imperatives
pollution and degradation overwhelm the for urban planning, especially in terms
of settlement density and transportation.
Designing cities that facilitate and promote
non-motorized transit - together with
measures to reduce urban sprawl and
dependence on private car-based mobility - is
indispensable if cities are to become resilient
to waning oil resources.
LEFT: Rickshaw drivers taking tourists on a tour using

non-motorised transport, Beijing, China.
© Yadid Levy/Alamy Property
Introduction XI
Social Challenges One of the spatial manifestations of urban countries, the highest levels of inequality are
There are three important social challenges: poverty in the developing world is the found in Africa and Latin America, with many
increasing urban poverty and inequality; proliferation of slums. One-third of the urban countries and cities experiencing widening
proliferation of urban slums; and a population in developing countries resides disparities. Closely associated with income
demographic youth bulge. in slums, with slum prevalence the highest inequality are the exclusionary factors of
in Sub-Saharan Africa (62 per cent). The unequal access to employment, education,
Global poverty levels are increasing and twin problems of urban poverty and the healthcare and basic infrastructure.
compounded by rising food and energy prices. proliferation of slums should be at the top
In 2008, the number of poor people increased of the urban agenda in many developing
by between 130 and 150 million on account countries. This poses the dual challenge of
of increased food prices. Poverty levels in
developing countries appear to be increasing
financial constraints and low priority often
accorded urban development programmes.
One-third
amid increasing levels of urbanization. This of the urban population
has been referred to as ‘the urbanization Globally, levels of inequality have also been in developing countries
of poverty’, in which the weight of poverty on the rise. Increasing levels of income resides in slums, with slum
incidence is moving from rural to urban areas, inequality among developed countries have
with urban poverty increasing faster than the been widespread and significant since the
prevalence the highest
national rate. The number of persons below mid-1980s. Consequently, social exclusion, in Sub-Saharan
the extreme poverty line (USD1/day) in urban urban segregation and persistent pockets Africa (62%)
areas of developing countries increased from of destitution and poverty have become
236 million (1993) to 283 million (2002). phenomena common to many cities, including
in Europe and the USA. Among developing
XII O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
left: View towards the Medina and harbour in Tripoli,
Libya. © Danie Nel /Shutterstock
Globally, levels of inequality have also been on

the rise. Increasing levels of income inequality
among developed countries have been widespread
and significant since the mid 1980s.
Current trends in population-age structures global GDP, while economic activity in urban priority to institutional reforms, including
also pose challenges. Developing countries areas accounts for as much as 55 per cent the further implementation of results-based
have to deal with demographic youth bulges of the GDP in low-income countries, 73 per management, robust knowledge management
whereby as much as 60 per cent of their cent in middle-income countries, and 85 and institutional adjustments to align the
urban inhabitants will be under the age per cent in high-income economies. Indeed, organization with the MTSIP, consistent with
of 18 by 2030. Obviously, extra attention it is anticipated that 80 per cent of future the wider process of the United Nations
will have to be paid to the needs of this economic growth will be in cities. system-wide reforms. The purpose of the
population segment. Conversely, developed organizational review was to establish a
and transitional countries face the challenges Over the past centuries, cities have been a structure capable of ensuring more effective
of demographic ageing and stagnant or major catalyst of progress in the advanced and efficient delivery of UN-Habitat’s mandate
shrinking urban populations. A rapidly-ageing economies of today and this is now being at the country, regional and global levels.
population places increased demand for health repeated in the developing world. Cities
care, recreation, transportation and other are instruments of social transformation, A transitional period has been established
facilities for the elderly and the associated cultural development, civic engagement and to allow some of the key change
new fiscal demands. In the case of shrinking motivation. It is in cities that societal progress components to mature and take shape,
urban populations, key issues to be addressed takes place, including the advancement besides accommodating the drafting of a
include the challenges of population outflow, of women and gender equality. All these Secretary-General’s Bulletin to reflect the final
underutilized infrastructure, abandoned suggest that capitalizing on the potentials of organizational structure. Close coordination
homes and areas and a declining fiscal support urbanization should be on the development with the UN Department of Management was
base for commercial and public services. agenda of developing countries. established and has continued up to now.
UN-Habitat has received the Department of
Despite these challenges, urbanization should UN-Habitat’s Organizational Reform Management’s clearance to proceed with the
be seen as a positive phenomenon and a UN-Habitat’s re-organizational review formally implementation of the transitional measures
precondition for improving access to services, commenced in February 2011. The review in anticipation of the finalization of the
economic and social opportunities, as well had been requested by the Governing reorganization process.
as better quality of life for populations. Council through its resolution 21/2, which
Cities account for about 70 per cent of the referred to the need to give immediate
Introduction XIII
The key changes are summarised below: (b) The proposed Management Office
combines elements of the mandates of the TOP : Bueno Aires, Argentina.
(a) The substantive and organizational part former Programme Support Division and © João Monteiro
of both the transitional and the proposed elements of the Office of the Executive
final structure consists of the following Director.
seven thematic areas and corresponding
branches: (c) The newly proposed Project Office The Management Office, Project Office,
combines elements of the former External Relations Office and thematic
1. Urban land, legislation and Programme Support Division as well as branches are now all operational. They are
governance. elements from the former substantive responsible for the implementation of the
2. Urban planning and design. divisions. change process, while the Executive Director’s
Office continues with overall coordination
3. Urban economy.
(d) The Regional Offices contribute to project of the reform process. The envisaged final
4. Urban basic services. identification and formulation functions, organizational structure will incorporate
5. Housing and slum upgrading. besides identifying regional resources the transitional Organogram, whilst also
and funding opportunities. During the strengthening the External Relations Office
6. Risk reduction and rehabilitation. transitional period, the implementation (during the transitional period part of the
7. Research and capacity development. arrangements for the on-going regional Office of the Executive Director) as a separate
and country activities remain unchanged. organizational unit. All staff members have
Each branch has three to four units that been provisionally redistributed to the new
implement projects with similar thematic organizational units.
character:
XIV O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
The seven thematic or substantive areas will The organizational reform process is nearing Whereas urban basic services accounted for
also become the respective Focus Areas in completion and is expected to culminate in a large share of these projects in 2011-2012,
the Strategic Plan for 2014-2019 and the a Secretary-General’s Bulletin on the re- (see Fig. 2), the share of the organization’s
sub-programmes of the work programme and organization of UN-Habitat. budget allocated to this thematic area
budget, thus ensuring alignment between the decreased from 38 per cent in 2011 to 28 per
six-year strategic plan, the two-year strategic cent in 2012 (see Fig. 3). Similarly, projects
framework, the two-year work programme UN-Habitat’s Global falling under the themes of urban land,
and budget, and the organizational structure Projects: Main Contributors legislation and governance as well as the
of the agency. urban economy declined marginally in their
and Thematic Areas share of the global project portfolio in 2012.
On the programmatic side, UN-Habitat’s
work will continue to be guided by the
(2011-2012) On the other hand, the share of projects in the
area of urban planning and design more than
MTSIP until the end of 2013, after which Projects classified as global projects are not doubled to 18 per cent, while those in the
the Strategic Plan for 2014-2019 will take limited to one particular country or region, area of Housing and slum upgrading increased
effect. The anticipated alignment will simplify but cutting across several regions. As shown marginally from 14 per cent to 17 per cent.
accounting and reporting, while enhancing in Figure 1 below, such projects accounted for
accountability and transparency. A plan has 13 per cent of the UN - Habitat’s portfolio in Key global projects include the Water and
been developed to guide the delivery of the 2011-2012. A vast majority of these global Sanitation Trust Fund (Basic urban services);
outputs of the 2012-2013 work programme projects are administratively managed at the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programmes
and implementation of the remaining two branch level.During the 2011-2012 biennium, in ACP Countries (previously managed by
years of the MTSIP 2008-2013 cycle under the almost one-third of the global projects have the Regional Office for Africa and now
proposed new organizational structure. been in the area of urban basic services. Figure managed by the Housing and Slum Upgrading
2 below shows the breakdown between the Branch); Dialogue on Decentralization and
thematic branches. Governance (Urban Land, Legislation and
Governance Branch); Cities and Climate
Change Initiative (Urban Planning and Design
Branch); Strengthening the Habitat Partner
University Initiative (Research and Capacity
Development Branch); and Gender Equality
Programme (Project Office). Several others are
also included.
LEFT: The aftermath of the Typhoon Ketsana in

northwest of Palau, The Philippines.
© UN-Habitat
Introduction XV
Figure 1: Geographic Distribution of UN-Habitat projects in 2011-2012
7.90%
Latin America and the Caribbean
1.01%
Europe & Former Soviet Union States
10.30% Arab States
13.06% 54.11%
Asia and the Pacific
Global Projects
13.61% Africa
Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012
The Global Land Tool of tenure of the poor and women, was national land policies in Grenada, St Kitts and
Network (GLTN) successfully piloted in Ethiopia and is now Nevis, and St Lucia in line with the guidelines
being further developed, tested and replicated and adapted to local conditions through
The GLTN, now in its second phase, is working in Uganda and Kenya. Follow-up activities the ‘Social Tenure Domain Model’, ‘How to
on the consolidation of its 2006-2011 gains, sprouted from the initiative, including Establish an Effective Land Sector’, and ‘How
on increasing its outreach, and up-scaling tool establishment of a regional Learning Centre to Develop a Pro-Poor Land Policy’.
development and implementation to secure in Uganda supporting local communities and
access to land for the poor. The Network is a governments in the use of STDM. In Kenya,
leader at the global level and is thus able to the Government’s request for the use of STDM
steer the global land agenda for the benefit for selected municipalities has led to some
of the poor. Endorsements to the continuum work being carried out on this model. GLTN also supports the
of the land rights framework were made at Land Policy Initiative for Africa
the World Bank’s annual ‘Annual Conference GLTN supports the Organization of Eastern towards the implementation of the
on Land and Poverty’ and the International Caribbean States to develop land policy Declaration on Land Issues
Federation of Surveyors (FIG) working week by guidelines, highlighting the importance of
and Challenges in Africa
the FIG president in 2012. land management for achieving economic
development, poverty reduction, social stability
The Social Tenure Domain Model (STDM), and protection of environmentally-sensitive
designed by GLTN to increase the security areas. GTLN also supports the development of
XVI O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
Figure 2: Thematic Breakdown of Global Projects, 2011-2012
Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation 1.81%
Urban Economy 9.90%
Research and Capacity Development 11.29%
Urban Planning & Design 13.51%
Urban Land, Legislation & Governance 15.31%
Housing and Slum Upgrading 15.59%
Urban Basic Services 32.59%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
GLTN also supports the Land Policy Initiative dissemination of a pro-poor land recordation
for Africa towards the implementation of the tool “Designing a land records system for
Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in the poor”. The book “Innovative Land and
Africa. UN-Habitat takes the lead in capacity Property Taxation” presents how land and
development enabling member states to property taxation policies, legal frameworks,
reform and implement their pro-poor land tools and approaches to sustainable urban
policies in partnership major African land development have been experimented with
sector stakeholders. around the world. GLTN’s work on grass roots’
involvement in land policy implementation
The Gender Evaluation Criteria developed by provides links between the tools and the land
GLTN had been rolled out in Brazil, Nepal, work carried out by communities in the past
Ghana and Uganda to assess the gender six years.
responsiveness of policies and practices of the
land sector. Capacity development has since
been followed up with catalytic activities for
the promotion of women’s land rights in the
African region.
RIGHT: Post-disaster reconstruction activities in
Continuing its land tool development Afghanistan. © Eskinder Debebe /UN
activities in 2012, GLTN disseminated four
tools. Access to land rights for the poor
is now boosted by the development and
Introduction XVII
Figure 3: Thematic Distribution of the Global Portfolio, 2011-2012
40%
2011 (%)
30%
2012 (%)
20%
10%
0%
Research Urban Land,
Housing and Risk Reduction Urban Basic Urban Urban Planning
and Capacity Legislation &
Slum Upgrading and Rehabilitation Services Economy & Design
Development Governance
GLTN’s strengths are in its partnerships. As of Global projects on Housing Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme
February 2013, the Network had strong ties (PSUP): The PSUP was initiated by the African,
with 53 partners; up from 47 in 2011.
and Slum Upgrading Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Secretariat,
The Global Housing Strategy, mandated by funded by the European Commission (EC) and
UN-Habitat’s engagement in global projects GC resolution 23/16, contributes to MDGs 7D implemented by UN-Habitat. It contributes
has been made possible by significant and 8B. It calls for a paradigm shift in national to MDG 7D and the Rabat Declaration that
contributions from a number of donors. Figure and local housing policies and strategies aims at “halving the number of slum dwellers
4 shows that the major donors contributing to become human rights-based, gender between 2015 and 2025”.
to the UN - Habitat’s portfolio of projects are responsive and results-based.
Norway, Spain and the European Union with The PSUP aims at improving the lives of slum-
about 37 per cent, 19 per cent and 15 per The approach will rely on broad-based dwellers and strengthening the capacity of
cent, respectively. Other key donors are the consultations through National Habitat local, central and regional institutions and
Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority and Committees, Forums and other modalities key stakeholders in the settlement and slum
SIDA, as well as the Government of Sweden. such as on-line social media platforms improvement. It is structured along three
through which over 1,000 officials, academics, phases: 1) urban profiling, 2) action planning
professionals and civil society members have and 3) implementation. Launched in 2008,
joined the consultations. phase 1 was concluded in December 2011
XVIIIUO Nu r- HParbeistat G l o b a l A c t i v i t i e s R e p o rt 2 0 1 3 :
e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
Figure 4: BREAKDOWN OF BUDGET 2011-2012 BY THEMATIC AREA ONLY
12.44%
21.84%
Urban Planning & Design
Housing and Slum Upgrading
9.48%
Urban Land, Legislation & Governance
4.33% 3.41%
Research and Capacity Development
Urban Economy
14.27%
Urban Basic Services
34.24%
Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation
and supported 18 ACP countries in developing

their urban profiles and 12 countries in Africa
in developing their action plans. Phase 2 was
initiated in 2012.
The Programme is now operational in 36 ACP

countries: 26 countries in Africa; five countries
in the Caribbean: and five countries in the
Pacific.
RIGHT: Part of Kimisagara slums in Kigali, Rwanda

in need of improved sanitation, water and drainage
systems.
© Julius Mwelu /UN-Habitat
Introduction XIX
Figure 5: Major Contributors to the Global Projects Portfolio, 2011-2012
Norway 36.91%
Spain 18.91%
European Union 14.68%
Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) 6.72%
Swedish International Development 5.78%
Others 5.63%
Sweden 4.75%
UN organisation 1.95%
France 1.07%
Agence Francaise de Development 0.69%
Siemens AG 0.63%
Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation (ACCD) 0.47%
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 0.43%
Rafik Hariri Foundation 0.40%
Canada 0.35%
Cities Alliance 0.34%
Booyoung Foundation 0.17%
AT-Verband (AT-Association) 0.10%
Japan Water Forum 0.03%
International Development Research Centre (IDRC) 0.00%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
*Countries under the ‘Global Programme’ are counted under the global programmes section
Developing Urban Low-Emission The project promotes Urban LEDS in eight UN-Habitat holds a contract with the
Strategies in Emerging Economy model cities (two in each of four countries European Commission for this project, while
Countries (South Africa, India, Indonesia and Brazil), Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) is
The overall objective of this global initiative as well as in satellite cities (up to five in the main implementing partner. The budget is
is to enhance the transition to low-emission each of these countries). Additionally, it USD 8.9 million over 3.5 years.
urban development in emerging economy will disseminate information to and foster
countries. The expected accomplishment networking with other cities around the
is for cities to adopt Urban Low-Emission globe to further promote low-emission urban
Development Strategies (Urban-LEDS) and development. At the global level, the project
reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. will help strengthen mechanisms enabling
cities to report on their progress towards
meeting emission reduction targets.
XX O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
REGIONAL OVERVIEW
The various regional chapters provide an overview of urban trends and challenges in each region
and the major steps that UN-Habitat has taken to address or support countries to address these
challenges between 2011 and 2012. In so doing, the chapters discuss UN-Habitat’s project
portfolio in each region, its geographic distribution, major donors, and portfolio changes in
thematic focus areas. The chapters also highlight the major achievements of these projects
between 2011 and 2012.
PHOTO: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

© Shutterstock
REGIONAL OVERVIEW 1
PHOTO: Nairobi, Kenya.
© Julius Mwelu/UN-Habitat
2 O u r P r e s e n c e a n d Pa r t n e r s h i p s
Chapter One Africa
Africa
Africa should prepare for a total population
increase of about 60% between 2010 and 2050,
with the urban population tripling to 1.23 billion
during this period.
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on
this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by UN-Habitat.
Demographic and Around 2030, Africa’s collective population adequate governance capacities, equitable
will become 50 per cent urban. The majority service delivery, affordable housing provision
Urban Trends of political constituencies will then live in cities, and better wealth distribution.
In 2009, Africa’s total population for the first demanding means of subsistence, shelter and
time exceeded one billion of which 395 million services. African governments should position New Urban Configurations
(or almost 40 per cent) lived in urban areas. themselves now for predominant urban City regions, urban development corridors,
Whereas it took 27 years for the continent to populations. In the early 2040s, African cities mega urban regions and other new urban
double from 500 million to one billion people, will collectively be home to one billion people, configurations continue to emerge or
the next 500 million will only take 17 years. equivalent to the continent’s total population become increasingly visible across Africa.
Around 2027, Africa’s demographic growth in 2009. Since cities are the future habitat Their spatial and functional features demand
will start to slow down and it will take 24 for the majority of Africans, now is the time new urban management methods to ensure
years to add the next 500 million, reaching for spending on basic infrastructure, social consistent area-wide governance. Sweeping
the two billion mark around 2050, of which services (health and education) and affordable reform is also critical for effective delivery
about 60 per cent will be living in cities. Africa housing, in the process stimulating urban of affordable housing, social services and
should prepare for a total population increase economies and generating much-needed jobs. urban infrastructure commensurate with
of about 60 per cent between 2010 and 2050, Not a single African government can afford the magnitudes of these rapidly expanding
with the urban population tripling to 1.23 to ignore the on-going rapid urban transition. urban concentrations. Different political
billion during this period. Cities must become priority areas for public traditions, economic circumstances and
policies, with investment provided to build location-specific features make every African
CHAPTER 1: Africa 3
Figure 1: African urban and total population trends 1950-2050
2 500 000
2 000 000
Total Population
1 500 000
1 000 000 Urban Population
500 000
-
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Source: WUP 2012
nation and city unique. Therefore, effective to urban decay, poor services and the
reform and adaptation must be location proliferation of slums. Fiscal must match
specific. Increasingly well-defined urban
regions and urban development corridors
Property tax political decentralisation in order to create
more revenue-generating options and
is currently the major revenue source
introduce complex and highly fluid spatial, for municipal authorities although, decision-making power for local authorities.
regulatory and political realities. As urban at times, it can place an inequitable Property tax is currently the major revenue
systems and interurban flows of people, burden on property owners source for municipal authorities although, at
goods, communications and funds extend times, it can place an inequitable burden on
across national borders, policies must follow property owners.
suit if they are to have any realistic prospect of
influencing the outcomes. The management Urban Poverty and Inequality
tools of the traditional mono-centric city Polarization and confrontation have increased
are not appropriate for today’s multi- Lack of Fiscal Decentralisation in African cities due to laissez-faire attitudes
nuclear urban configurations. The need for Many African municipalities are financially to rapid urbanisation. The unfolding pattern
governance reform to introduce holistic area- weak because their revenue- and finance- is one of disjointed, dysfunctional and
wide planning and urban management simply generating structures are inadequate and unsustainable urban geographies of inequality
cannot be overemphasized. inefficient. Decentralising responsibilities and human suffering, with oceans of poverty
without fiscal decentralisation contributes containing islands of wealth. Socioeconomic
conditions in most African cities are now country’s degree of national development and, by extension, to overall political stability.
increasingly showing unequal, threatening and its institutional capacities while keeping One aspect that needs more attention is that
systemic stability, affecting not only the costs at affordable levels for all. Construction formal urban markets, by their very operations
continuity of cities as social-political human standards should be set more realistically and rules, prevent access to land by the
eco-systems but also entire nations. in order to facilitate rather than restrict the majority of city dwellers all over Africa. As a
creation of housing and livelihoods. result, informal markets fill this exclusion gap
The challenge of African urban sustainability and this is where the overwhelming majority
calls for a focus on cities as a people-centred Informal Settlements of African urban land transactions take place
concentrations of opportunity. Harnessing In recent years, Africa as a whole has shown nowadays. Governments should seek the
rather than alienating human energies is that informal settlements can be reduced most effective entry points for an overhaul
essential to maintaining urban dynamism, effectively as 24 million African slum dwellers of the often abysmal failures of their formal
which cannot be fostered or maintained saw their living conditions improved during the urban land administration systems, with their
with rising urban inequality. The urban poor 2000/10 decade. Progress has been uneven unresponsive institutions, excessive delays,
should not be punished for their poverty. across the continent, though. Northern Africa cumbersome land transaction administration
Instead, national urban policy, urban planning collectively managed to reduce from 20 to 13 and the associated corruption. Stigmatising
and building regulations should reflect a per cent the share of slum dwellers in its urban informal urban land markets as inappropriate,
population. However, south of the Sahara the illegal, illegitimate or undesirable negates the
number of slum dwellers decreased by only realities on the ground.
five per cent (or 17 million). Much remains
BOTTOM: Open air market in Mbale, Uganda. to be done with regard to urban poverty and A second aspect is that slums are largely the
© Abdallah Kassim/UN-Habitat slum incidence, because slums are one of outcome of lack of access to urban land and
the major threats to African urban stability housing finance. Land plots under informal
tenure expose those occupying them with
eviction, and they cannot be used as collateral
for bank loans. These two factors do not
encourage slum dwellers to improve their
homes. This situation must be changed to
encourage the urban poor to undertake
improvements through self-help.
Urban Food and Water Insecurity

Many urban managers deeply underestimate
the risks associated with urban food and
water insecurity. African governments should
heed the warning bells of 2008 and seriously
consider the potential effects of urban food
and water shortages. Significant amounts
of African land and water resources are
purchased or long-term leased by foreign
governments and foreign food-processing
corporations. Africa is well placed to make
strategic, forward-looking decisions on the
wise use of its rich water and agricultural
resources. However, governments must
CHAPTER 1: Africa 5
bargain harder for better and more mobility must become a key factor in spatial
transparent deals, so that foreign investment decisions, and improved mass transit systems
can contribute to Africa’s future food and can significantly reduce private vehicle use.
The challenge of African
water security, with benefits spread out among Cities are in a unique position to contribute to
local communities in terms of additional global and local climate change adaptation, urban sustainability
business, cash payments and employment mitigation and protection, and they must calls for a focus on cities
opportunities. take advantage of it. However, forward- as a people-centred
looking spatial planning decisions alone are
Climate Change not enough. To prevent any policy gaps, it is concentrations of
Today’s planning decisions can cause important to link national, regional and local opportunity
inefficiencies and ecologically-unfriendly environmental adaptation and mitigation
urban configurations further down the road. policies through vertical and horizontal
Spatial separation of related urban functions cooperation across all tiers of government as
is evident among most metropolitan areas well as all relevant stakeholders.
and this increases transportation needs. Urban
Figure 2: Geographic Distribution of On-going Projects in Africa, 2011-2012
Somalia 31.85%
Regional 16.32%
Democratic Republic of Congo 14.37%
South Sudan 7.13%
Liberia 6.25%
Kenya 3.41%
Senegal 3.36%
Rwanda 2.48%
Mozambique 2.39%
Madagascar 2.18%
Chad 2.07%
Burkina Faso 1.70%
Namibia 1.35%
Tanzania 0.98%
Mali 0.81%
Global 0.73%
Malawi 0.72%
Uganda 0.57%
Zimbabwe 0.47%
Nigeria 0.46%
Cape Verde 0.34%
Gabon 0.06%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Figure 3: Major Contributors to the Portfolio in Africa, 2011-2012
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Japan 13.10%
USAID 12.16%
Denmark 3.62%
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) 3.57%
Department for International Development (DFID) 3.28%
Italy 2.72%
African Development Bank (ADB) 2.61%
Others 2.45%
Spain 2.45%
Canada 1.56%
Norway 1.27%
Kenya 1.03%
Sweden 0.79%
Hyundai Motor Company 0.75%
BASF AG 0.62%
Netherlands 0.53%
Nigeria 0.46%
Global Environment and Technology Foundation 0.37%
Booyoung Foundation 0.33%
University of Toronto 0.16%
Ville de dakar 0.16%
IPSC 0.15%
European Investment Bank 0.13%
SAERG 0.13%
France 0.09%
Africa: Portfolio of Projects Almost one-third of UN-Habitat’s Africa In Africa, UN-Habitat also has projects that
portfolio is concentrated in Somalia’s post- cover more than one country and which are
and Achievements, crisis recovery and rehabilitation projects, listed as ‘regional’. Such projects constitute
2011-2012 including basic service delivery and technical 16 per cent of the Africa portfolio and
and institutional assistance. Similar UN- predominantly concern the provision of urban
UN-Habitat was active in over 21 African Habitat interventions are also on-going in the basic services. Figure 2 gives the overview of
countries with the projects’ total amounting Democratic Republic of Congo and Southern these projects.
to USD60.2 million during 2011-2012. This Sudan; countries with the second- and third-
represents 14 per cent of the total global largest shares of UN-Habitat’s Africa projects,
portfolio of the organization. 14 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively.
CHAPTER 1: Africa 7
Figure 4: Thematic Distribution of the Portfolio in Africa, 2011-2012
45%
40%
35%
30% 2011%
2012%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Housing & Risk Reduction Urban Basic Urban Economy Urban Planning
& Capacity Legislation &
Slum Upgrading & Rehabilitation Services & Design
Africa
UN-Habitat’s strategic engagement in Africa, sanitation and slums, UN-Habitat almost to 33 per cent, reflecting a lower incidence
as reflected in Figure 3, has been possible doubled its budgetary allocation for the of disasters in Africa vis-à-vis other regions.
through significant contributions from biennium to urban basic services and housing/ Similarly, projects relating to urban planning
amongst others the Government of Japan, slum upgrading, from 8 to 15 per cent. Over and design, which comprised 22 per cent of
the United States Agency for International the 2011-2012 biennium, there has also UN-Habitat’s Africa portfolio in 2011, fell to
Development (USAID), the European Union, been a notable increase in the share of the just 9 per cent in 2012.
UN sister organizations, bilateral and budget allocated to urban land, legislation
multilateral donors, international financial and governance, from 8 to 13 per cent. This
institutions as well as foundations and private reflects in part the agency’s renewed emphasis Africa: Country
organizations. on urban planning, especially in African cities, Achievements
which have benefited the least from effective
UN-Habitat’s coverage of the Africa region urban planning in the past. Notable achievements of UN-Habitat projects
covers a wide spectrum of human settlement in selected African countries are summarized
issues. Figure 4 illustrates projects under our However, there has been a reduction in the below. Box 1 shows the impacts of a project
seven thematic areas in Africa for 2011-2012. share of budget allocation to risk reduction on generating income for women while
Acknowledging that many African countries and rehabilitation. This theme accounted in simultaneously improving the environment in
have not been able to meet the targets of 2011 for close to 40 per cent of UN-Habitat’s Kyotera town in Uganda.
the MDGs, especially those related to water, Africa portfolio. By 2012, the share had fallen
Box 1: Linking waste recycling to income-generation for vulnerable groups as a reference tool for local authorities and
government decision making on security
issues. A total of 400 community volunteers
Members of Rakai Women Group, a community- Through the capacity-building component of the were deployed in more than 60 zones of the
based organization in Kyotera Town, Uganda, dirty Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative, women city to regulate traffic. Road safety equipment
their hands at a downtown workshop to serve the in Rakai have been trained in solid waste recycling (signs, traffic lights, portable radios), cleaning
growing market for solid charcoal bricks used by and provided with business management skills. equipment (shovels, wheelbarrows and picks)
households for cooking. The women are part of a “It’s a timely gesture from UN-Habitat for the train- were purchased for Ouagadougou.
growing population of waste recyclers in Kyotera ing we attended on the local economic develop-
who, through the UN-Habitat Lake Victoria Water ment opportunities in solid waste management. The
and Sanitation Initiative have turned to solid waste More than 8,000 men and women have
training exposed us to several technologies on how
recycling for revenue while improving the environ- we can benefit by using solid waste, organizing been trained in the collection and analysis of
ment. collective marketing, lobbying and how to design safety data and participatory prevention of
The group is made up of widows, many of them in a waste management system, among others. We insecurity. About 2,000 members of safety
their 60s. “We thought it fit to have enterprises that now receive many orders from around the country local committees have been trained on the
can utilize solid waste from the town, so we de- to supply bags of charcoal bricks; we earn a living legislation, detention and use of small arms.
cided to go into charcoal brick production because from the project and, at the same time, enjoy clean
of the problems we, as women, face with accessing cooking energy,” says the chairperson of the group.
clean energy at home” says Khadija Serwanga ,
Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme
Chairperson of Rakai Women’s Group. (PSUP): Following the results of phase I of the
PSUP, Burkina Faso has successfully conducted
the study (validated in a national workshop)
and formulation of phase II of the programme.
Evaluations were conducted by independent
Burkina Faso cooperation was promoted to strengthen consultants.
knowledge-sharing community on safety and
A total of integrated urban violence prevention. Advisory Cities and Climate Change in Bobo-
400
services were also to enhance access to clean Dioulasso, Burkina Faso: Participatory
water and sanitation. studies and capitalization were conducted in
Bobo-Dioulasso City; communities’ knowledge
Development Partners - Bujumbura City on how to help communities and the city
community volunteers Council, UNDP, GIZ to become more resilient to climate change
were deployed in more than impacts were shared. The promotion of
60 zones
Burkina Faso urban agricultural practices in adaptation and
Key Achievements: Ouagadougou’s Urban mitigation of emissions of GHGs and increased
Safety Strengthening Programme achieved incomes for most vulnerable populations was
the following: A policy of proximity was carried out during workshops and meetings.
of the city to regulate traffic.
implemented with the effective participation
of local communities; leading to better Guidelines on decentralization and
management of security issues in the city. A access to the basic services for all in
“Women and Minors Unit” was established Burkina Faso: Studies were conducted
within the Municipal Police in Ouagadougou, under the leadership of the Burkina Faso
Burundi which provided support in more than 100 municipalities Association and the Ministry
Key Achievements: UN-Habitat assisted cases of violence against women and children. of Territorial Administration, decentralization
the Government of Burundi in formulating The project has supported with housing, and security. The studies were shared during
a normative and operational framework for food, psychological assistance for the victims the World Urban Forum in Naples and
joint urban security committees. South-South of abuse. A safety observatory was created Africities Conference in Dakar. Memoranda of
CHAPTER 1: Africa 9
needs assessment was undertaken as a basis
for municipal policing, and two workshops
capacity building were held for actors in urban
crime prevention approaches.
Development Partners - The Government of

Cameroon, French Cooperation, FEICOM
Cape Verde
Key Achievements: A Rapid Situation
Assessment (RSA) was conducted on the
relationship between the organization of
urban space and urban violence in Cape Verde
to identify priority redress actions. An urban
observatory was established.
Capacity Building for Urban Citizenship

targeted professionals, social workers and
community animators, NGOs, OBC and the
media.
understanding have been signed between UN-
Habitat and the Burkina Faso Municipalities TOP: Dakar, Senegal.
Association and the Ministry of Territorial © Worldbank
DRC
Administration and Decentralization.
140
Water for African Cities: An exploratory Cameroon
mission to restart education relating to Key Achievements: In cooperation with
water, sanitation and hygiene was held in UN-Habitat, Cameroon is implementing the
Ouagadougou to facilitate the participation of Participatory Slum Improvement (PPAB) and
a delegation from Burkina Faso in a high-level the Safer Cities Programmes.:
meeting in Dakar. traditional authorities
Following participatory mapping and strategic
Training for Francophone surveyors on land planning for slum reduction in Kribi, a baseline trained on land disputes
governance in Ouagadougou was organized
by GLTN and its partners. A documentary
assessment was conducted and a report
produced, while the final evaluation reports of
resolution, 34 judges
film and posters have been produced and phase 2 of PSUP in Nkolbikok were approved. and lawyers and
disseminated. A delegation from Burkina Faso The European Commission decided to put
shared their experiences during the World more emphasis on the urban sector. 50 women trained
Urban Forum held in Naples.
A participatory safety audit of Douala was on ADR related to
Development Partners - The Government of
Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou City Council, Cities
carried out and the report adopted. An
international conference with experts from
land disputes
Alliance, World Bank, France, Netherlands, several countries on crime prevention and
Regional centre for Clear Water and Sanitation urban delinquency was held in Douala in
and UNDP 2012. In Bafoussam and Ebolowa, a rapid
Participatory Slum Upgrading Feasibility studies for a site in Doba (secondary Democratic Republic of Congo
Programme: Phase 1 was completed with city and site of oil production) for developing Key Achievements: The general focus has
profiles for all 22 municipalities. Technical housing and serviced plots programmes been on supporting land policy reform and
assistance was provided to the Government and for constructing social houses were land disputes resolution through awareness
in the preparation of Local Economic prepared. The Master plans for Ndjamena raising, capacity development, promoting
Development Strategies and the National and the secondary city of Djermaya are under knowledge management, logistical and
Urban Development Programme and Capacity implementation. technical support, and the sharing and scaling
Building of Cities. Donors were brought up of lessons learnt on land mediation.
together at a donor round table. Awareness was raised among National
Authorities and community leaders on the Three community land mediation centres
Development Partners - Government of Cape importance of participatory prevention of were established in North and South Kivu,
Verde, UNDP disorder and crime in cities. A report on five land mediation offices were established,
Safety Audit in the Municipality of Moursal five dialogue and mediation committees set
Chad in N’Djamena was completed and adopted. up, 140 traditional authorities trained on land
Key Achievements: UN-Habitat provided South-South Cooperation on community disputes resolution, 34 judges and lawyers
advisory services and technical support to urban security and sustainable development and 50 women trained on ADR related to land
the Government of Chad to develop a nine- was promoted. disputes. Logistical assistance and training
year programme in three phases aimed at was provided to the land administration: GPS,
improving access to urban land and adequate Development Partners - Government of Chad, theodolites, software, computers.
housing; and strengthening the capacities of French Cooperation, UNDP
national and local government, the private
sector and NGOs to tackle urbanization
challenges and provide access to housing and BOTTOM: Owino Market in Kampala, Uganda.
basic services. © UN-Habitat
Nationwide improvement of urban

development and housing conditions has been
achieved, as well as land development for the
new settlement, rehabilitation and renovation
of inner-urban areas, housing construction
and related capacity-building for participatory
governance.
Parliament adopted two laws in the

construction code and on land and urban
planning. Strategies for National Housing
Improvement and National Poverty Reduction
were established and two key institutions
– social housing construction and housing
finance – were created and are operational.
Capacity building on urban planning and
management took place for central and
municipal staff of Moundou, Doba, Sarh and
Bongor. The master plan for Sarh, Doha and
Moundou was adopted.
C H A P T E R 1 : A f r i c a 11
The Government adapted a national pro- Over 200 people were trained in the Initiative Phase II. Replenish Africa Initiative
poor land policy, documented land conflicts production of stabilized soil blocks for (RAIN) Water for Schools Project for Schools in
and developed a methodology for land cost-effective construction, including the East Africa worked with 20 beneficiary schools
mediation. Local institutions/organizations construction of demonstration buildings. to construct rainwater harvesting tanks and
were trained on alternative dispute resolution ancillary facilities, and 20 toilet blocks. Twenty
mechanisms. Training in budgetary and Development Partners – Government of school health clubs were formed and made
financial management was conducted for the Eritrea, UNDP operational.
municipalities of Masina and Ndjili. A best
practices workshop was organized to assess Kenya To promote sustainable transport solutions for
the training impact and share the challenges Key Achievements: The key areas supported East African Cities, a Project Management Unit
and successes of the participatory budgeting were on revitalizing public spaces in Nairobi; was established at the Kenya Urban Roads
implementation in the two municipalities. The providing support to the land sector donor Authority (KURA); selection of the bus rapid
Housing, Land and Property Working Group group; humanitarian assistance; promoting transport corridor is in progress; and clean
was set up in Kinshasa. sustainable transport solutions; participatory Technology (ICCT) has finalized the first phase
slum upgrading; promoting energy efficiency of their technical assistance.
A Guide for Land Mediation on Eastern DRC in buildings; and water and sanitation.
experiences was developed and disseminated, Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme
e.g. through a learning exchange with Central Public spaces in Nairobi have been revitalized (PSUP) Phase II: a stakeholders’ analysis
African Republic on land reform during a through community-led design and identified key stakeholders, their roles, and
workshop in Bangui. A national workshop improvement of selected sites, community their impact on the project; a participatory
on land challenges in DRC was held and a and Nairobi City Council training and capacity approach was adopted; consultations were
road map on development of land reform building on public space recovery/upgrading held with the Mtwapa Council and the
produced. A donor sensitization and advocacy and maintenance, as well as advisory services residents of the informal settlement for
meeting on land reform was held. on a citywide strategy on public spaces. sensitization and data updating/verification.
A delegation from DRC attended the Regional The Land Sector Donor Group in Kenya
Eritrea
Workshop on Urban Disorder and Crime has supported land reform, including the
Prevention in Douala and a report on Safety National Land Policy Formulation and
Audit in the Municipality of Limete in Kinshasa
is underway.
the Implementation Framework for Land
Reform Support programme; UN-Habitat has
Over 200 people
coordinated policy dialogue among the donors were trained in the
Development Partners – Government of DRC, and strengthened their commitment to a pro-
UNHCR, Canada, the United States of America poor land policy. The Development Partners
production of stabilized
Group on Land is also working with non- soil blocks for cost-
Eritrea state actors on land reform and ensuring the
effective construction,
Key Achievements: UN-Habitat provided participation of land-dependent communities
technical support to the Government for a in implementation of the Truth, Justice, and including the construction
housing/urban development policy, a housing Reconciliation process. of demonstration buildings.
development plan and building capacity within
the Ministry of Public Works, as well as low- Local implementing partners mobilized the
cost housing intervention training to regional community, drew up a project design and
administrations. started the physical works for the Mandera
Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project.
Training and capacity building were conducted
for the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation
Strengthened institutional capacities of
the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of
Planning and Economic Affairs, and the Liberia
Institute of Public Affairs to deliver county level
trainings for local administrations. Capacities
of local county officials were also strengthened
in leadership and local economic development.
Development Partners– Government of Liberia,

UNDP, Liberia Institute of Public Administration
Madagascar
Key Achievements Technical assistance
was provided for the improvement of
sanitation through waste recycling and the
development of charts of shared responsibility
at the community level. Three hundred
small entrepreneurship plans were funded
to support local job creation. Capacity
development of 2,000 people on community-
led basic-service provision, generation of
livelihoods and life opportunities were
The Kibera Soweto East Resource Centre TOP: Residential housing facilities in Cape Verde. achieved. Technical assistance was provided
building was completed and is operational © UN-Habitat to the DIPECHO implementing partners and
under the Supervisory Board and Management local/central government for developing
Committee. Plans are underway for the simplified territorial planning tools and
centre’s sustainability. alternative architectural solutions adapted to
Development Partners – Government of Kenya, cyclone/flood-prone areas. Advisory services
To promote energy efficiency in buildings in SIDA, BASF-Germany, UNEP/DGEF, European were provided for the promotion of local
East Africa, a workshop was held during the Commission, African Development Bank (AfDB), interventions on personal, health, economic
AMCHUD 4 meeting in Nairobi and a training Coca Cola Africa Foundation, Spanish Fund/ and environmental security. A report of
workshop held in Kampala for East African Booyung (Korea), Cisco Systems, Orange urban crime and insecurity prevention was
architects. finalised. Local leaders have been trained on
Liberia community-empowerment, resilience building
Kisumu City was supported in urban planning Key Achievements: The Government of and functional protection mechanisms for the
through a Rapid Planning Studio and report Liberia has been supported in decentralized most vulnerable, especially women, children
preparation. capacity strengthening of local administration and youth.
for better service delivery. Both UN-Habitat’s
In support of Mavoko County’s Sustainable ‘Liberia Rapid Urban Sector Profile (RUSP) and Development Partners - Government of
Neighbourhood Programme, land was the Habitat Country Programme Document Madagascar, UN Human Security Trust Funds
allocated by the Government of Kenya, the (HPCD) highlight the need for interventions in
Mavoko Development Advisory Committee local governance challenges through building
was established, social-economic mapping of local governance capacities, institutional
completed, and urban poor settlement plans frameworks and linkages between central and
completed by Shelter Afrique. local governance structures.
TOP: A view of Kisumu city, Kenya Development Partners – Government of Development Partners – Government of Mali,
© Julius Mwelu/ UN-Habitat Malawi, UNDP Cities Alliance, the World Bank, France
Mali Mozambique
Key Achievements: The National Housing Key Achievements: An Agreement of
Malawi Strategy 1992 was assessed with UN-Habitat Cooperation with the Maputo Municipal
Key Achievements: Improving sanitation assistance and a participatory approach by the Council (MMC) was signed and the
formed the core activities in Malawi. Projects Cities Without Slums programme developed corresponding Project Document approved.
including the Urban Household Sanitation including action plan, monitoring and
project, and the Lilongwe Water for Wealth evaluation. Technical support was provided for the
project improving environmental conditions production of handbooks and manuals for
of low-income settlements and household Key documents produced were: an evaluation disaster preparedness and architectural designs
incomes through integrated and sustainable report on the national housing strategy; for risk environments. Capacity of Government
waste management. Households and a situation analysis report on slums in 17 and Civil Society for disaster risk reduction
communities were accorded increased access selected cities; and the national action plan for was strengthened at central, provincial and
to sanitation facilities through capital loans. operationalization of the national strategy on local levels. Action plans and strategies were
There was an improved community awareness slum improvement and prevention, including produced and tools and methodologies
and commitment to improve sanitation and a resource mobilization strategy to boost adopted. Situation analyses and assessments
general hygiene. public and private sector investments in slums were completed.
upgrading.
Malawi has transitioned onto phase III of the
Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme The lessons learnt and best practices were
(PSUP). disseminated.
Innovative local solutions and activities for a draft strategy for “Vulnerability Reduction Omugulugwombashe in Omusati Region and
“living with floods” were carried out in and Sustainable Development in Flood Prone Ozombu Zovindimba in Omaheke Region.
Mutarara District. The architectural design Areas”; and a manual on “Histories of
of an elevated school was produced and 10 Resettlement”. Development Partner – Ministry of Regional
houses constructed. Eleven cyclone-resistant and Local Governments, Housing and Rural
houses were designed and built in Vilankulo Development Partners – Government of Mali, Development (MRLGHRD)
City. An elevated platform to house a school Spain, Norway, MDG Trust Fund, FAO, UNDP,
in Inhangoma settlement, a moderate flood UNEP, UNIDO, UNCDF, UNHCR UNICEF, UNFPA, Nigeria
prone area in the Zambezi River valley, and UNESCO, IOM, ILO, WFP, WHO, UNIFEM and One Key Achievements: UN-Habitat completed
seven elevated houses for vulnerable families UN Fund. work on the Preparation of Structure Plans
were built in the same region. Rainwater for Four Urban Areas in Nasarawa State, and
harvesting techniques were identified and kenya is currently preparing structural plans for
innovative models designed. A total of 50 nine cities and towns in Osun State aimed
domestic water tanks and two community at promoting and implementing capacity
Kisumu City
tanks were constructed. Three innovative building through rapid urban profiling.
construction models were implemented: was supported in UN-Habitat also assisted Nasarawa State in
ferro-cement roofing vaults, a thin concrete
catenary roof and an Earth Dome house using
urban planning setting up a framework for the programme
implementation and publishing the Nasarawa
compressed earth bricks. through a Rapid Planning State Master Plan. Staff was trained on the
Studio and report use of rapid urban profiling techniques and
Technical support was provided to the the social economic and land use reports were
preparation
Municipality in the design and construction published.
of a cyclone- resistant kindergarten; and
for DRR building techniques, including Development Partner – Nasarawa and Osun
training communities on “Building with the States
winds” techniques. The architectural design
of an ice production plant in Lumbo was Namibia Rwanda
produced and a rehabilitation project of a Key Achievements: With UN-Habitat Key Achievements: Capacity building to
warehouse in Chupanga established. A new support, the Government of Namibia has central and decentralized Government entities
re-designed multi-purpose centre was built in commenced the formulation of a national was provided on institutional development
Chicualacuala. urban policy. The first step was a national and management, urban development and
workshop for Central, Regional and policy formulation.
Training sessions on the use and interpretation Municipal authorities, academia and civil
of climate change risk maps were conducted. society. Consultations were carried out Fifty social houses were built for returnees,
and the study was completed with analysis and a review and updating of the existing
Maps of communities under risk for and recommendations. The third step was urban legislations carried out. Policy
Cachaço, Sucamiala and Chirembue and a conference which addressed the two documents were adapted including the policy
three settlements of Mutarara district were critical issues: spatial strategic planning and on urban development.
produced; the District Land Use Plan for urbanization. Rapid Urban Profile Reports were
Chicualacuala produced; as well as the report produced for Walvis Bay, Opuwo and Aroab Training workshops were held on the
of the “Assessment of the potential and towns. implementation of the Hyogo Plan of
sustainability of existing and future boreholes Action. The Lake Victoria Water and
and rehabilitation of selected small dams and Through a joint project on cultural tourism, Sanitation Initiative built capacity in three
irrigation schemes in Chicualacuala District”; a three cultural pilot sites were established: secondary cities. Slum upgrading took place
study on urban land markets in Mozambique; Munyondo gwaKapande in Kavango Region, (Amélioration des Quartiers Précaires des
Villes Secondaires de la Province de l’Ouest A joint programming framework on the Bossaso Port and Roads Infrastructure
(AQUPO)). The Rubavu Hillside Ecosystem was mobilization of UN agencies delivering through Upgrading: Decongestion of the Bossaso
restored and rehabilitated. A ‘One stop Youth one process for pilot projects was initiated. Port area was achieved through road and
Centre’ was established. lorry terminal construction, improving port
Development Partners – Government of efficiency and livelihoods.
Development Partners – Government of Senegal, Cities Alliance, UNDP, UNEP, World Bank,
Rwanda, UNDP Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Hargeisa Urban Water Supply Upgrading
Municipal Development Partnership (MDP) Project (HUWSUP): The project entailed
Senegal the replacement of existing trunk water
Key Achievements: A Memorandum of infrastructure and increasing volume of water
Mozambique
Understanding (MoU) was signed between supply for Hargeisa city.
four municipalities and UN- Habitat on
participatory budgeting with an investment Capacity of Government Development Partners – Government of
plan for two priorities. Somalia, Regional Authorities of Puntland and
and Civil Society for Somaliland, Benadir Regional Administration,
The Senegalese National Housing Profile disaster risk reduction Districts and Municipalities, various Ministries, UN
was completed, edited, translated and agencies, NGOs and multiple donors
was strengthened at central,
dissemination is on-going. A National Urban
forum was set up, with an action plan provincial and local levels South Africa
approved. A national social housing workshop Key Achievements: Plans are afoot to revisit
was conducted on two topics: definition and UN-Habitat’s work on the preparation of the
promotion. ‘Eastern Cape Provincial Spatial Development
Plan’ to prevent a continuation of past
One national and three urban profile reports Somalia settlement patterns and fragmentation of
for each city have been finalized and printed. Key Achievements: UN-Habitat provided limited resources and to ensure optimally
The Action Plan for PSUP Phase II was finalised mapping of services in existing IDP settlements invested resources and areas of development
and local urban plans formulated in two to identify needs and assisted in the site potential are promoted for sustainability.
districts of Dakar. The building of emergency planning of settlements identified for long-
housing for people affected by coasted term resettlement of IDPs. Development of the ‘Human Settlements
erosion and floods is underway in Saint Louis. Index’ to guide indices-based settlement
The Dakar Metropolitan Strategic Plan was Baseline assessments were conducted in development planning acceptable to the
produced and funding of projects is underway. Mogadishu targeting IDP settlement sites; Government of South Africa.
The CCCI phase I was completed and an action recruitment for the urban planning and data
plan formulated. Multi-stakeholder platforms management teams were completed; the site Important achievements made included the
were strengthened citywide in Ziguinchor. planning and design of the IDP settlement establishment of the management systems for
Strategic urban planning was supported by roads and drainages is in progress. spatial planning and land use.
the National Urban Planning Department.
Monitoring of water conservation and Integration of long-term IDPs into the Development Partners – Government of South
sanitation was improved based on demand Host Community in Bossaso: Two projects Africa
in different sites and public infrastructure. provide security of land tenure and permanent
Improvement was made on low cost sanitation housing, social infrastructure and skills training South Sudan
and water access schemes for vulnerable for IDPs. 4,050 houses have been built at eight Key Achievements: Capacity Building for
and poor people. Participatory budgeting in locations accommodating 25,000 IDP’s at a Land Conflict Management was completed in
municipalities was institutionalised. cost of USD 3,600 per house. 2012, aiming at strengthening national and
state-level land coordination mechanisms;
improved public awareness of land-related Capacity building took place for the Development Partners – Government of
laws, policies and institutions; increased caretakers/operators of water supply systems Tanzania, Cities Alliance, World Bank and the
capacity of South Sudan Land Commission; for more effective technical and financial International Labour Organization
increased capacity for land dispute management; awareness was created within
management; and increased capacity for land the community to support operation and Uganda
administration. maintenance. Safe disposal of human faecal Key Achievements: The key activities
waste and proper management of solid waste included the Lake Victoria water and sanitation
Land Surveying and Settlement Planning in the towns was promoted. project, sustainable transport solutions, slum
Capacity Building (completed in 2012) has upgrading, energy efficiency, empowering
provided local authorities with recovery Development Partners – Government of South urban youth and women, among others.
assistance that fills the existing gap between Sudan
the emergency assistance and longer term With the signing of the Memorandum of
land administration system development Tanzania Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry
support. It has also provided immediate Key Achievements: A Social economic of Works and Transport and UN- Habitat, a
benefits to returnees and host communities study was completed and an action plan stakeholders’ workshop was held to promote
and established the first steps towards published. Capacity trainings sessions were ownership of the project and to jointly share
sustainable urban development. undertaken plus a citywide action plan for the
improvement of unplanned and unserviced
Piped Water Supply Systems: the project settlements in Dar es Salaam established.
provided access to clean water by institutions, The upgrading strategy was produced. BOTTOM: The construction of water trench in Karongi,
clinics, markets and the general population in A report on the lessons learned from the Rwanda. © Julius Mwelu/UN-Habitat
the selected four towns. upgrading program published and a long-term
Sustainable Financing Strategy was produced.
the findings of the mission. The stakeholders children’s drawings. The CCCI midterm review Development Partners – DFCU Bank, DFID, EU,
were: the Ministry of Works and Transport was conducted and a consultancy on flood GEF, Norway, Spain
(MoWT), and Uganda National Road Authority mapping is being undertaken in KCCA by ITC
(UNRA). Under urban profiling (Participatory from the Netherlands. Zambia
Slum Upgrading Project), one national and Key Achievements: Zambia established
three urban profiles were finalized (Mbale, An MoU with the participating UN agencies an informal group of donors to coordinate
Mbarara and Kitgum). was signed for the UN Joint Programme slum upgrading and prevention in Lusaka.
of support for the Implementation of the Two stakeholders’ workshops were held
The Promoting Energy Efficiency in Buildings national population policy (Arua and Gulu to promote participatory slum upgrading
in Eastern Africa project held one workshop municipalities). Work plans and the M&E processes (PSUP) and to solicit stakeholder
to acquaint planners, architects and civil matrix have been approved. A youth needs feedback towards the Zambia Urban Housing
engineers and other participants with assessment study has been carried out. Profile. Zambia’s first Urban Housing Profile
principles and tools that can be applied in Training of youths in different skills is being was commissioned and published. Three
the design of energy efficient buildings and conducted. Youths have been placed in PSUP Country Team meetings resulted in
development. The UN Joint Programme on vocational training institutions for skills three concept notes identifying key areas of
Gender Equality project produced a draft development. intervention in two unplanned settlements in
Cooperation Agreement with Uganda Police Lusaka, Kanyama and John Laing.
Force, and is at UN-Habitat HQ for signing. somalia
The Kasoli Slum Upgrading project produced
contractual agreements between UN-
Habitat and DFCU Bank and completed fund
disbursement. The physical planning/surveying
4,050 houses
was completed and a project steering have been built at eight
committee established. With the design and locations accommodating
approval of housing plans accomplished, a
contractor to build the houses was identified 25,000 IDP’s
and now awaits the signing of contract. at a cost of USD 3,600
per house
Through the project on ‘Promoting Urban
Youth Development Policies and Strategies
in attaining MDGs/ Kampala One Stop Youth
Centre‘, a youth centre is under construction,
due to be completed by end of the year.
The Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation
The ‘Cities in Climate Change Initiative Initiative has improved access to water and
(CCCI)’ completed a vulnerable assessment sanitation services, capacity strengthening
report, and held a stakeholder workshop. of water service providers, improved energy
The Initiative sponsored a youth caravan efficiency of water service providers, improved
from Nairobi to attend the COP17 in Durban, access to micro credit schemes, improved
South Africa in November and December capacity for solid waste management,
2011; tested the Planning for Climate Change strengthened citywide multi-stakeholder
toolkit at Cities and Climate Change Academy platforms, supported the strategic urban A woman makes a low fuel stove in Terabunka IDP camp,
Kampala Workshop; held a screening in planning, and improved monitoring of water Mogadishu, Somalia. © Kate Holt/IRIN
three Kampala primary schools in December and sanitation coverage.
2011, and produced a set of five posters from
A new project was started to reinforce the
institutional capacity for urban planning, LEFt: Soweto township, South Africa.
especially on city extensions and urban © Matt-80 licenced under the creative
densification of Lusaka, and to promote inter- attribution 2.0 generic licence
sectoral coordination and multi-stakeholder
dialogue for developing a National Urban
Policy.
Learning to Work Together
Zimbabwe Achieving higher levels of sustainable urban
Key Achievements: There was increased development requires clear policies, simple
participation in local governance mainly norms and basic principles, and concerted
in five cities of Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, efforts from public, private and social
Bulawayo and Masvingo. The local authorities actors and requires that different levels of
enhanced their MDG capacities. Stakeholders’ government learn to work together.
participation in city decision-making
processes was enhanced through effective Effective decentralization demands strong
communication skills and strategies. There coordination capacities from the central
was improved responsiveness towards citizens’ government and should lead to dynamic and
needs and an enhanced transparency and well-governed cities.
accountability and capacity to respond to the
MDGs created. South-South Cooperation
Africa can optimize its potential by learning
Cities’ capacity to manage and resolve from the experiences of other parts of the
conflicts improved, and funding increased for world, particularly those from the South. Apart
the Habitat Country Programme Documents. from bilateral arrangements, collaboration
Compact Cities among ministerial bodies of these regions
Development Partners – Government of African cities need to move away from rigid needs to be developed, and UN-Habitat is
Zimbabwe, Sweden planning and urbanization that creates low ready to play a facilitating role in this process.
densities and long distances: an unsustainable
model that generates socially divided and UN-Habitat remains committed to Africa. With
Africa: The Way Forward poorly connected cities. the support from the African Development
Bank and other development partners,
The African Ministerial Conference on Housing Initiating Legal Reforms and UN-Habitat is keen to strengthen positive
and Urban Development (AMCHUD) held in Enhancing Institutional Capacities collaboration and partnerships with all
Nairobi, Kenya, on 20-23 March 2012 and Following the reform process, existing laws levels of governments, non-governmental
attended by 36 Member States. The theme of and regulations need to be reviewed, while organizations, private sector and regional
the Conference was Territorial Planning and simplified norms and basic principles need economic communities such as the Common
Access to Basic Services for all and Implications to be adopted to guide urban development Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
of Climate Change in Africa. The conference and facilitate the use of tools and guidelines. (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC),
considered a strategy document on Optimizing Partnerships with governments can reduce and the Economic Community of West African
the Urban Advantage and adopted important social conflict, political instability, bureaucratic States (ECOWAS) etc. towards eradicating
documents including the Nairobi Pact Towards procedures and corruption to create an urban poverty and in transforming Africa’s
Habitat III. The highlights of the documents are environment conducive to strong and flexible urban development agenda.
summarized below: institutions.
PHOTO: Cairo, Egypt.
© Bzzuspajk/Shutterstock
Chapter Two Arab States
Arab States
The urban population in Arab countries grew by
more than four times from 1970 to 2010 and will
more than double again from 2010 to 2050.
Demographic and countries grew by more than four times from housing improvements and subsidies for food,
1970 to 2010 and will more than double water and energy. In the oil-poor countries,
urban trends again from 2010 to 2050. Most of the growth governments have been constrained in their
to date has taken place on the peripheries of ability to dampen the shocks of rising food
Home to the oldest urban civilizations in each country’s primary cities’ although, today, and energy prices while simultaneously
the world, the Arab region1 is also one of secondary cities are experiencing the fastest supporting the production of affordable
the most urbanized. As of 2010, the Arab rate of growth. housing.
countries were home to 357 million people,
56 per cent of whom live in cities; by 2050, Across the region, around 18 per cent of Progress towards the MDGs
these countries will be home to 646 million residents live under each country’s national The economic divide is also reflected in the
people, 68 per cent of whom will live in cities poverty line, with significant variation between progress towards the MDGs. Significant
(see Figure 1). The urban population in Arab the Gulf countries, which have an average disparities continue to exist between rural and
per capita income of USD 29,000, and urban areas as well as between the high-
1 The Arab States cover the Gulf Cooperation Council the Southern Tier countries (not including income countries of the Gulf Cooperation
(GCC) (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Somalia), which have an average per capita Council, which are expected to meet most
and the United Arab Emirates), Mashreq (Egypt,
Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian
income of USD 1,300. In the Gulf, oil Millennium Development Goal targets and the
Territories (OPT) and Syria), Maghreb (Algeria, Libya, revenues typically represent 40 to 50 per countries of the Southern Tier, Mauritania,
Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia) and the Southern cent of government budget and as much as Iraq and the Occupied Palestinian Territories,
Tier (Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen). 90 per cent in Sudan. Most oil-rich countries which are expected to miss most of the
have invested significantly in infrastructure, Goals’ targets by 2015. Also the Mashreq and
C H A P T E R 2 : A r a b S tat e s 21
Figure 1: Percentage of Arab States population living in urban areas (1950-2050)
100 Gulf cooperation council

90 Mashreq
80
Maghreb
Southern Tier
70
Arab Countries
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
2050
Maghreb countries face particular challenges of September 2012 the number of IDPs due to induced by a lack of mobility has been one of
in reducing youth unemployment, child the civil war in Syria has risen to estimated 1.5 the fuelling mechanisms for the recent political
mortality and, in a few countries, achieving to 2.5 million. Most live in cities and, together, polarization of the region.
universal primary education. This should be represent one-third of the sub-region’s
addressed as a matter of inter-Arab solidarity. population. Slum Prevalence
The proportion of substandard housing varies
Conflicts and Internally Displaced Urban Unemployment from country to country, with slum dwellings
People (IDPs) In general, access to services, infrastructure, forming isolated, marginalized pockets in
Urbanization has been driven by the region’s health and education attainment is better some countries, while in Mauritania and
economic development, migration to the oil in cities than in rural areas, although especially Somalia and Sudan, 67 to 94 per
rich countries, drought and conflict driven unemployment and continuing poverty is a cent of urban residents live in slums with one
displacement. As of 2010, there were 7.4 growing urban phenomenon. With 60 per or more housing deprivations. In the Maghreb
million registered refugees in Arab countries, cent of the population below 25 years of age, and Mashreq, middle-to-low-income groups
most of them Palestinians and Iraqis living Arab countries face the challenge of providing tend to live in informal settlements that are of
in Jordan and Syria; 9.8 million internally employment opportunities for their young decent quality and infrastructure but lack land
displaced people (IDPs), mostly in Sudan, Iraq, people whose current unemployment rates title.
Somalia, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen and 15 range from 11 per cent in Kuwait to 35 per
million international migrants in the GCC. As cent in Morocco. Disenchantment and poverty
Most countries in the Maghreb and the
Mashreq have made significant progress in
developing initiatives to increase the supply
of affordable housing through targeted
programmes while the Gulf Cooperation
Council countries and Saudi Arabia have
policies to provide their citizens with adequate
housing. In the Gulf countries, the housing
conditions of low-income expatriate workers
present a challenge. Morocco, Tunisia
and Egypt have made the most notable
national commitments to slum upgrading
and the production of affordable housing.
Although using different models, all three
have developed dedicated national housing
agencies that conduct planning, fund
projects with private sector participation
and coordinate implementation on behalf of
local municipalities. The lessons learned offer
important models for other Arab countries,
as in most countries there is still a significant
shortage of affordable housing and a lack of
housing finance mechanisms for lower and
middle-income households.
TOP : Rubbish being picked up in Cairo by an unoffical To implement these plans successfully and
Environmental Issues garbage collector, known locally as ‘Zabalin’. manage increasingly large and complex urban
With the exception of Iraq, Arab countries © Emmanuel Dunseath/IRIN systems, governments in Arab countries will
have some of the scarcest water resources per need to better coordinate the complementary
capita in the world and groundwater reserves roles of central and local governments and
are being depleted at alarming rates. Although increase the participation of the private
85 per cent of the region’s water is used addition, most of the region’s major cities, sector in urban development. Historically,
for agriculture, most countries in the region economic centres and transportation hubs these countries have been highly centralized
import more than 50 per cent of their caloric activity are in low-lying, coastal areas. A rise and the devolution of responsibilities to
intake. Climate change-induced temperature in sea level could be disastrous for many local authorities has been uneven, with a
increases and precipitation declines are of the region’s densely populated coastal tendency for central governments to devolve
projected to increase water scarcity and cities. Faced with these pressures, most of responsibilities without a commensurate
the frequency of severe droughts and also the region’s governments have embarked redistribution of funding or giving local
decrease agricultural productivity by 10 to on spatial interventions to guide new urban authorities the power to raise revenue at the
40 per cent, potentially leading to further developments. Many cities are drafting local level. The need for a new participatory
poverty-induced rural to urban migration. strategic plans, linking various development approach to governance, including women’s
projects and renewal programmes under rights, still prevails after the Arab Spring.
Desertification and the associated threats the umbrella of a broader vision. New cities
of future water and food insecurity for its are being created as centres of excellence,
growing urban populations are among the innovation, technology and research.
key defining problems of the region. In
Figure 2: Thematic distribution of the portfolio in Arab States in 2011-2012
50%
45%
40%
35%
30% 2011 (%)
25% 2012 (%)
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Housing & Slum Research & Capacity Risk Reduction & Urban Basic Services Urban Economy Urban Land, Legislation Urban Planning &
Upgrading Development Rehabilitation & Governance Design
Arab States
Arab States: Portfolio of Projects Nearly half of the UN - Habitat’s portfolio The main financial contributors to the regional
and Achievements (2011-2012) in the Arab States was concentrated in Iraq portfolio include various bilateral donors such
In 2012, UN-Habitat launched the State of with interventions largely on risk reduction as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya and the United
the Arab Cities 2012: Challenges of urban and rehabilitation which largely entailed the States of America, as well as multilateral
transition - the first comprehensive region- provision of durable shelter solutions and donors such as the European Union, various
wide analysis of urban and housing policies in urban basic services. Occupied Palestinian UN Agencies, and the Swedish International
the Arab States region, (available in Arabic and Territories and Egypt have projects whose Development Agency amongst others.
English, http://www.unhabitat.org/pmss/) share of the region’s portfolio was 18 per cent
and 17 per cent, respectively. The Occupied UN-Habitat’s coverage of the Arab States is
UN-Habitat was active in seven countries Palestinian Territories focused on risk reduction diverse and its engagement with countries
in the Arab States during the period under and rehabilitation, and urban planning and spans an entire spectrum of human settlement
consideration (2011-2012). The value of design, whilst Egypt concentrated on urban issues. Urban planning and design as well as
projects in the region during this time planning and design. Figure 1 gives the risk reduction and rehabilitation in the form
amounted to USD 45.6 million, representing overview of the geographic distribution of of post-crisis recovery dominated thematic
10 per cent of the global portfolio of the projects in 2011-2012. activities in both 2011 and 2012. Projects
organization. which had a thematic focus on urban planning
and design with the aim of enhancing
Figure 3: Distribution of On-going Projects in Arab States in 2011-2012
Iraq 46.12%
Occupied Palestinian Territory 18.14%
Egypt 17.16%
Sudan 10.16%
Libya 4.81%
Morocco 1.88%
Lebanon 1.74%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
institutional capacities cut across all the Arab States: Country country for the ASUD project, focusing on
countries with the exception of Morocco. In guided city extensions and land readjustment
2011 these projects accounted for a third of
Achievements mechanisms. During recent missions,
the organization’s portfolio for the region; Some of the notable achievements of a UN UN-Habitat has been providing support to
this increased to 44 per cent in 2012. On the - Habitat’s portfolio of projects in the Arab the Ministry of Housing in developing a
other hand, post-conflict recovery projects States are summarized below. vision for the housing sector.
relating to shelter provision largely in the
Middle East accounted for 26 per cent of the Egypt Strategic Development Plans for Small
total budget in 2011 and dropped to 19 per Key Achievements: National authorities Cities in Egypt: The project has been assisting
cent in 2012. Conspicuously, the share of the have been supported in preparing Strategic the Government of Egypt in adopting a
UN - Habitat’s portfolio devoted to the delivery Urban Development Plans (SUDP) for 48 decentralized and integrated strategic urban
of urban basic services particularly in Iraq and small cities and Greater Cairo Region planning approach. While strengthening
Sudan increased from 5 per cent in 2011 to 13 as well as the decentralization process urban-rural linkages, the project supports local
per cent in 2012. by conducting strategic planning and economic development, enhancement of basic
participatory budgeting in three pilot districts/ urban services and the improvement of living
governorates. Urban safety for women and conditions of slum dwellers.
girls has been promoted. Egypt is a pilot
Figure 4: Major Contributors to the portfolio in Arab States in 2011-2012
Egypt 16.96%
Saudi Arabia 9.27%
USA 6.89%
Libya 4.81%
USAID 4.44%
VNG International 2.84%
Italy 2.20%
France 2.15%
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) 2.05%
Morocco 1.88%
Norway 1.20%
IBRD/World Bank 0.38%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
Through a participatory process, strategic Strategic National Development to the newly-elected Egyptian government on
visions are developed for the cities and priority Support Programme: The project has reforming the legal and institutional set up
interventions identified. These focus mostly been providing targeted capacity building governing planning. Roundtable discussions
on projects to improve housing conditions, to stakeholders at national and local levels. were held and the key principals of local
urban services and local economy. On-the-job Strategic planning at district level is currently and regional governance documented along
capacity building to local authorities includes being piloted in three governorates. Based with a decentralization draft to inform the
the training of local authorities in information on documenting international experience constitutional review.
management, strategic urban planning, land in territorial governance and planning for
regularization and administration. UN-Habitat urban and economic development, the The Strategic Development Plan for Greater
has been supporting the preparation of 48 project has provided a policy brief on the Cairo Region has provided support to the
SUDPs for small cities across the country. legal and institutional framework governing General Organisation for Physical Planning
So far, 17 SUDPs have been finalized and local economic development in Egypt as well (GOPP) in consolidating the Greater Cairo
approved while 29 are in the process of being as a white paper on the reform considered Region Urban Development Vision and
finalized. SUDPs support local and national necessary for enhancing territorial governance. brought together modifications and updates
decision makers in decision-making processes UN-Habitat supported the Ministry of Planning following the recent Arab Spring. The plan
towards more accountable local government. and International Cooperation in hosting outlines long and medium-term strategies
The documentation of several city profiles has a conference on the future of planning in while highlighting short-term interventions.
been completed and fact sheets published. Egypt. Technical backstopping was provided Two successful capacity building programmes
for the planning institutions at national was agreed upon. Key stakeholders are being note dealing with aspects, challenges and
and local level were held (professional consulted and pilot intervention areas being operations of City Master Plans; a Guidance
communication skills and Detailed Planning identified. As a result, the project document Manual on Inclusive Cities; and two videos on
in relation to the Urban Planning Law). The was drafted. Executive Training in Good Governance and
project is currently preparing for a social Smart Growth Training. The Iraqi Minister and
impact assessment study in addition to the Development Partner – Government of Egypt Deputy Minister of Planning as the Director
implementation of a consolidated vision and Generals from Iraqi ministries conducted an
strategic direction report to be launched in Iraq exchange study tour of Malaysia. In May
early 2013. Key Achievements: More than 200 Iraqis 2011, 32 Iraq Local Government Association
benefited from trainings on urban planning members participated in the International
To promote urban safety for women and girls tools, project development and management, Conference on Decentralization, Local
in Egypt, both projects: Safe Cities Greater good governance, economic development, Governance and Service Delivery in Amman.
Cairo Region – Free of Violence against sustaining cultural heritage and land
Women and Girls, as well as the Because I management, and innovative approaches
am A Girl – Urban Programme conducted a to urban planning. Training manuals were
literature review on international experiences disseminated to academic and government
and best practices. Toolkits such as the Women institutions as well as an e-learning website BOTTOM : Egyptian women line up to vote in the first
Safety Audit are currently being transferred to launched. UN-Habitat contributed USD30, free and fair parliamentary elections in Cairo, Egypt. ©
the Egyptian context. UN-Habitat is providing 000 to a joint-UN media campaign to Heba Aly/IRIN
input to the urban dimension of safety and eradicate violence against women. Resource
community mobilization, in close collaboration materials produced included a draft technical
with the Joint Programme partners and UN-
Women. Civil society organizations have been
mobilized, Community Development Councils
were established and several focus group
discussions with communities conducted.
Egypt has been selected as one of the five

pilot countries in the global initiative Achieving
Sustainable Urban Development. The project
supports the development of innovative
urban planning tools for physical and
strategic planning in the city-region, citywide
densification/renewal, and city-extension
scales, thereby facilitating the creation of
public open spaces and ensuring the provision
of basic urban services in particular for
fast-growing intermediate cities. Based on
analyses of urbanization trends, the ASUD
project builds on the most relevant experience
of UN-Habitat projects and other experience
gained in the country on city and regional
planning, and urban governance, legislation
and land. The work plan for the second phase
A legislative and institutional assessment Strengthening the Capacity of the to Tunisia, focusing on knowledge exchange
report related to land reform and property Housing Sector in Iraq, Phase III: Studies on international and regional best practice in
rights was produced and translated. Senior and an institutional assessment focusing vocational and technical education. New civil
Government Officials conducted a study tour on housing policy implementation were engineering testing and survey equipment was
to Germany to learn about management completed, translated and adopted by the provided to 10 institutes. Twelve new school
systems and to exchange experience on Ministry of Construction and Housing (MoCH). design models were developed based on a
transition following the unification of Germany A Housing Committee for KRG Governorate child-friendly schooling concept. The new
and the role of state land administration in was established to oversee the implementation schools include separate water and sanitation
a free market economy. UN-Habitat secured of the KRG housing strategy, and act as a hub units for girls and boys to raise enrolment
the Government of Iraq’s commitment for information and coordination. rates. The total numbers of beneficiaries
to developing a land management and were 1921 (870 girls, 1051 boys). UN-
administration policy as well as setting out Initiating Durable Shelter Solutions for Habitat supported the drafting of a School
the principal components of the land reform Iraqi IDPs and Returnees: A high-level Maintenance Manual.
process and preparing the roadmap for Consensus Building Workshop on “Addressing
land reform following the Berlin Statement IDP Camps and Informal Settlements in iraq
methodology. The Council of Ministers ordered Baghdad” was held in Amman and a technical
297
the establishment of a Land Policy Commission committee to support the implementation
and UN-Habitat supported the drafting of the and coordination was established. A training
ToRs. UN-Habitat also completed studies on workshop was held in Baghdad on settlement
legal and institutional arrangements, urban options to reach durable shelter solutions for
land tenure, state land management and IDPs and returnees. Pilot sites were identified shelter units
fragmented land ownership. Downstream for feasibility studies to assist in allocating sites (core houses) were
activities in all three pilot governorates were
completed, and 525 unemployed youth (30%
through Land Readjustment, and an initial site
plan for one settlement prepared as well as
constructed in four
women) trained in the construction industry. calculations for land readjustment conducted. governorates
The training is part of the Integrated Business
Packages project launched under the project. Iraq Public Sector Modernisation
Programme, Phase I: The Road Map for
Improving Access for IDPs and Returnees Water and Sanitation Sector in Iraq was
to Acceptable Shelter Solutions: 297 completed by a Consultancy Bureau “SGI Water and Sanitation Master Planning
shelter units (core houses) were constructed Studio Galli Company”. and Capacity Building Programme: The
in four governorates. A shelter strategy for project trained 58 municipal engineers and
IDPs/ returnees was finalized, following a Improving Quality and Relevance of managers from six Governorates facilitated
transparent and inclusive process involving a Technical and Vocational Education by the International Solid Waste Association.
wide range of stakeholders. and Training in Iraq: A ToT training was Chemonics & BC Berlin Companies conducted
conducted for six senior trainers of the training on Best Practice in Solid Waste
Improving the Housing Delivery System in Foundation of Technical Education (FTE) on Management in Turkey for 40 operators and
Erbil: An institutional assessment identifying operations and maintenance of laboratory respective technicians from six Governorates.
key capacity gaps was completed. Master and survey equipment as well as on teaching In September 2012, 15 engineers from the
Plans for two settlements and their relocation skills. Capacities of 75 trainers/teachers and Planning and Environment Departments were
sites were prepared. The Kurdistan Regional 174 teachers and engineers from FTE and trained in Amman (Jordan) on landfill design
Government (KRG) contributed a total of the Ministry of Education were enhanced in and effects on the environment. Garbage
USD842,800 to neighbourhood upgrading - a the field of construction trades. A study tour containers were provided by UN-Habitat to
result of the positive work achieved in the was organized for five FTE senior managers three selected Governorates: Anbar (130),
project with government counterparts. to the USA and three MoE senior managers Thiqar (130) and Sulaimaniya (227).
Bridging for Local Area Development
Programme - Phase II: An Urban Planning
workshop was conducted, focusing on GIS
use and a feasibility studies workshop took
place to build the capacities and skills of
Planning Core Teams. The project produced
a Handbook on Participatory Inclusive
Provincial Annual Planning Process as a toolkit
for urban practitioners. In April 2012, the
project organized a workshop on “Urban
Plans and Building Control - Process and
Prospects in selected Cities of Iraq” attended
by senior authorities of respective planning
departments.
Support to Decentralisation and Local

Governance for Service Delivery:
UN-Habitat organized an international
Conference on Decentralization and Local
Governance in Amman. A decentralization
toolkit was developed and a six-day ToT on Jordan has been completed. The Information
Local Government Leadership for Elected Office has organized a knowledge-sharing TOP: The construction of the 120 mud brick houses for
Representatives was conducted. A WatSan workshops, seminars and conferences to dozens of homeless Palestinian families in Gaza City.
assessment was piloted in Diwaniyah District advance the urban agenda in the region. UN- © Suhair Karam/IRIN
and training conducted for the Water Habitat flagship reports and periodicals in the
Department staff. The Iraq Local Government Arab world in Arabic language produced.
Association (ILGA) conducted a study tour
to Turkey to learn about a different type of Development Partner – Kingdom of Jordan
decentralized local government system. Plan of Action for Workers Housing in
Kuwait Kuwait: The Kuwait Municipality focused on
Development Partner – Government of Iraq Key Achievements: UN-Habitat supports the the implementation of housing regeneration
State of Kuwait in achieving the National Mid- schemes for deteriorated areas through
Jordan Range Development Plan, mainly in the field of public private partnership in order to provide
Key Achievements: In April 2012, a staff human and social development and efficient affordable housing for low-income workers
member was appointed to explore the and effective government administration. In (Bnied Al-Qar); and it also developed a
potential for programmatic engagement in close partnership with the Kuwait Municipality, “Workers City” in the urban periphery,
Jordan and various substantial commitments to UN-Habitat supports efforts in improving aiming at the resettlement of workers. In April
project-based cooperation are currently being urban planning and development, affordable 2012, a workshop on “Low-income workers
developed. This includes the development of a housing mechanisms, urban governance housing in Kuwait” advanced the discourse
national urban policy, support to the revision and land management. On-going activities on sustainable solutions, laws and regulations
of the Strategic Plan for Greater Amman in Kuwait include regional capacity building on low-income workers housing. A plan of
Municipality as well as disaster-risk reduction of national authorities responsible for action was developed and an inter-ministerial
in urban areas and support to Palestinian urban governance and urban sector reform, coordination mechanism for low-income
and Syrian refugee camps and their host with a focus on sustainable urban growth workers’ housing introduced.
communities. A housing sector assessment for management.
Municipal Management and Urban The Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI),
TOP : Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Development for Sustainability in Arab a close partner of UN-Habitat, promoted © UN-Habitat
Cities Conference: The conference provided a the World Urban Campaign for Arab Cities
platform for understanding cities in the region through technical and institutional support for
facing both economic and demographic establishing an “Urban Observatory” and the
growth as well as undergo economic dissemination of knowledge.
and population decline. As a result of the Kenitra City in Morocco, Madina City in Saudi
conference, an Arab Forum for Dialogue on UN-Habitat invited representatives of the Arabia and Alexandria in Egypt for support to
Sustainable Urban Development established a GCC countries and governmental institutions institutionalization of an Urban Observatory.
platform and raised awareness on sustainable for the launching of the High Level Advisory UN-Habitat and AUDI organized sub-regional
urban development among government Committee on Urban Development, workshops, in the Maghreb and the Pan-
officials across the Arab Region. The State which provides advice on the formulation Arab region as well as one regional workshop
of Arab Cities 2012: Challenges of urban of projects and activities for sustainable targeting the entire Arab States to share
transition was launched at the conference. urban development in the Gulf States. The knowledge and good practices in the region as
Committee functions as an advisory body, well as to promote Urban Observatories in the
UN Country Strategy for Kuwait: promoting linkages among UN-Habitat, GCC Arab States.
UN-Habitat proposed technical assistance and and the governments for the joint efforts in
knowledge management activities particularly tackling sustainable urbanization in the Gulf State of Arab Cities Report 2012: This is the
in the field of governance, urban and regional States. first report on the Arab States in UN-Habitat’s
planning, housing policy and disaster risk regional state of cities report series covering
reduction. The Kuwait Country Cooperation A joint project Promoting Urban Monitoring urban conditions and trends in the four Arab
Programme 2012-2016 was formulated in and Observation for Sustainable Urbanization regions: Maghreb, Mashreq, Gulf Cooperative
close collaboration with the Government of in Arab Towns and Cities was formulated. Council (GCC) and the Southern Tier. The
Kuwait and line ministries. UN-Habitat and partners have selected report was launched during the Municipal
Management and Urban Development for community knowledge gaps around violence concerned stakeholders in the three selected
Sustainability in Arab Cities Conference. and prevention; (iii) the establishment of areas.
community and municipal partnerships for
AUDI, with the support of UN-Habitat, the five-year programme and conducting Reforming Urban Planning Systems in
organized a Network Event at WUF6 entitled of initial consultations on prevention with Lebanon: The project strengthens the urban
“Arab Mayors Workshop on City Strategies”. women’s, adolescent girls’ and children planning coordination system and enhances
It enhanced regional cooperation on groups in targeted communities; (iv) the the role of the Directorate of Town Planning
sustainable urban development and advanced development of a five-year work plan, based (DGU) as the main national actor in the overall
the dialogue on urban information systems as on needs assessed, together with women urban planning reform process, including
well as on urban management. and adolescent girls, municipal leaders and regional urban development frameworks
UN Women and UN-Habitat partners; and (v) and approaches. The project strengthens
UN-Habitat in Kuwait provided technical the implementation of initial interventions in the technical capacities of governmental
support to the Gulf States (Kuwait, Bahrain, target communities, including lighting, police and non-governmental actors in addressing
Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman) and to consultations, simple infrastructure upgrading regional urban development planning in
Egypt, Jordan, Libya and Occupied Palestinian and/or public awareness campaigns. a comprehensive and integrated manner
territories in the field of governance, urban as well as making recommendations to
and regional planning, housing policy and the institutionalizing of regional urban
disaster risk reduction. lebanon development planning through the design,
adoption and promotion of regulatory
Development Partner – Government of Kuwait instruments.
The reconstruction
Lebanon The reconstruction of homes for more
Key Achievements: The joint UN-Habitat of homes for more than than 300 families and rehabilitation of 25
and UNDP programme Towards Sustainable
Solutions for Improved Living Conditions
of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon aims
300 families community facilities aimed at restoring basic
services was achieved.
at improving the living conditions of the

and rehabilitation of Strategic engagement includes establishment
communities living in Palestinian gatherings 25 community facilities of three Local Urban Observatories which
and adjacent areas of Palestinian refugee house important data and statistics on
camps in Lebanon through enhancing the
aimed at restoring basic urban trends and development plus training
governance of access to basic urban services. services was achieved of 21 municipalities in municipal financial
management, archiving and strategic
Safe and Friendly Cities: This Joint planning, completing urban profiles of 21
UNICEF, UN-Habitat and UN Women five- municipalities; and formulating three regional
year programme seeks to increase safety, strategic plans. A training manual and
reduce violence and improve quality of life toolkit for Local Strategic Planning were also
for women, youth and children in public Addressing Urban Hotspots: The Joint UNDP developed which enabled national training
settings. It is implemented in cooperation with and UN-Habitat Programme aims at reducing workshops to more than 100 municipalities.
Beirut Municipality and two NGOs (Makassed and mitigating tensions in areas of Lebanon
Association and World Vision). During the first with the potential for conflict to promote Development Partner – Government of
phase, a number of activities were undertaken, coexistence and civil peace. The project Lebanon
including: (i) a baseline survey of vulnerability comprises two main outputs: (i) inclusive
to safety, lack of basic services and violence strategies for safer neighbourhoods in the two
in selected marginalized communities and selected areas, and (ii) locally agreed peace
informal settlements; (ii) the assessment of building interventions are implemented with
Libya
Key Achievements: UN-Habitat has provided
institutional development and capacity-
building support to the Urban Planning
Agency (UPA), including technical support to
the development of a National Spatial Policy
2006 -2030, the preparation of more than
500 urban development plans and institutional
development and capacity building of UPA.
The processing, protection, updating and
accessibility of all UPA data via intra/internet
and hardcopies were accomplished. The
duration of the project was extended to 2014
to accommodate a wider scope of technical
assistance. The 2011 revolution has impeded
full implementation of this project. After the
installation of a new Government, the project plans. UN-Habitat has been developing a
TOP: Buildings in need of repair in Gaza.
started a review of the National Spatial Policy communication strategy to promote best © Natalia Cieslik World Bank
and is preparing a new project component for practices at the local level towards adequate
technical support to and capacity building for housing and improvement of living conditions
settlement planning and urban rehabilitation. for slum dwellers. The newsletter Habitat
UN-Habitat has also contributed to the Info was dedicated to the relocation of slum
development of a National Housing Policy dwellers in Casablanca and 1,500 copies were
through advisory missions and preparation of circulated during the national consultation UN-Habitat has supported the Ministry of
a project document for further support to the process on city development issues. Housing, Urban Planning and City Policies
housing policy. (MHUPV) to promote national policies on
In close cooperation with UNICEF and sustainable urban development and foster
Development Partner – Government of Libya UN-Women, UN-Habitat has been South-South cooperation. This included the
implementing the Safe and Friendly Cities participation of the Moroccan delegation
Morocco for All programmes. The Municipality of at the World Urban Forum 6 in Naples, as
Key Achievements: UN-Habitat continues to Marrakech as well as regional and civil well as the preparations for the African
support the Moroccan slum upgrading policy society organizations were supported in the Ministerial Conference on Housing and
and development of partnerships. It provided development of a conceptual framework Urban Development (AMCHUD) in Morocco.
technical support to local authorities in 10 and the mobilization of funds to reduce UN-Habitat supported the preparation of the
cities, and continued support for improving vulnerabilities among women, youth and International Conference on Making Slums
local governance frameworks for the national children. This included awareness raising, History: a worldwide Challenge for 2020
slum upgrading programme which facilitated training and networking of stakeholders on (November 2012) where the Rabat Declaration
Morocco to achieve the MDG target 7-4 on addressing urban violence and insecurity. A was adopted, advocating for strategic
slums. workshop took place to share the components development goals on slum upgrading.
of the project, present the specificities of
UN-Habitat promotes the integration of Marrakech related to security and violence and Development Partner – Government of
slum upgrading programmes within the agree on a local-level diagnostic tool to assess Morocco
broader urban development agenda. A security and violence against women, youth
major achievement was the inclusion of and children.
slum components into urban development
Occupied Palestinian Territories outdoor spaces. The building was completed included bio-data and family status and the
Key Achievements: UN-Habitat’s portfolio and a vocational training programme is physical conditions of destroyed housing units.
has been re-aligned with Governing Council currently being designed, focusing on SMEs
Resolution 23/2 and the Habitat Programme management and entrepreneurship. Urgent Housing Rehabilitation for the
Framework 2012-2014. Agreements have Poor and Marginalized Palestinian
been signed with the Ministry of Local Technical Cooperation and Trust Fund: Families in East Jerusalem 2012: Phase
Government, the Ministry of Public Works and the First Palestinian Urban Forum took place I: A humanitarian shelter assessment was
Housing and the Ministry of Planning to jointly and resulted in a list of recommendations. conducted according to a list of candidates
address urbanization challenges as requested A Palestinian delegation, led by the Minister of poor and marginalized families obtained
in the Resolution. The first Palestinian Urban of Local Government, participated in the 6th from PHC, the Ministry of Finance and the
Forum provided both a good analysis of the World Urban Forum. The Palestinian Authority community based organizations as well as
challenges and a shared way forward. UN- approved the Strategic Action Plan Planning national figures. Around 100 skilled and
Habitat has also established strong technical Support for Palestinian Communities in Area unskilled workers (family members and
partnerships with the World Bank (housing C and the Planning Support Facility for Area relatives of selected beneficiaries) were trained
policy), UNDP (urbanization policy, national C within the Ministry of Local Government on basic housing rehabilitation skills. Fifty six
spatial plan, Area C), GiZ and the Belgian was established. An Agreement was signed shelters were self-rehabilitated, following the
Technical Cooperation (Area C) and with a with the Ministry of Planning to develop a approaches in the Self-help Rehabilitation
series of key local NGOs (housing, planning). national urbanization policy and support the Booklet. Phase II; The project document has
development of a national spatial plan. The been finalized and submitted to the donor.
Establishment of a Housing and Income outline for the State of the Palestinian Cities
Generating Programme for Poor Women Report was finalized. OPT
in Hebron: Construction activities for three
blocks (eight residential buildings comprising Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Project for
68 shelter units) and 986 m2 production units Reconstruction in Gaza: P011: The project is
were completed. Internal roads that connect implemented in four phases. Phase I: An AoC
More than 916 dunums
residential buildings were constructed. with the implementing partner (Palestinian in three communities in
Additional funding for the completion of Housing Council) was signed. A Zaitoun East Jerusalem are being
Block 4 (32 housing units) were secured Neighbourhood Planning Workshop was held
and construction activities initiated. 100 aiming at engaging community leaders and planned at the outline
underprivileged women-headed households other stakeholders in the planning process. level and 1,205 dunums
were selected and training programmes for
income-generating micro and small enterprises
Following the issue of Self-help Construction
Booklet - How to build your own house,
in three communities
(MSE) and/or cooperatives are being training workshops for beneficiaries were are planned
implemented for selected households. conducted. Self-help reconstruction activities
for 22 selected beneficiaries are on-going.
Establishment of a Technical and The assessment of community infrastructure
Vocational Training Centre (TVTC) for resulted in the preparation of ToRs for
Underprivileged Women in Hebron: designing basic community infrastructure.
A participatory rapid appraisal workshop The design contract was awarded and Urban Planning Support Programme
on training needs and income generation the concept design for the community for Palestinian Communities in East
initiatives for marginalized women in Hebron infrastructure developed. Phase II: The AoC Jerusalem: Guiding concept notes were
was held. Detailed designs were prepared for with the implementing partner (Palestinian developed on capacity building, planning
the TVTC building integrating the building Housing Council) was signed and data on methodology and illegality/informality.
within nature and emphasizing the discourse the beneficiary households collected as well In most of the East Jerusalem Palestinian
of “Green and Function” as well as indoor and as beneficiaries selected. Selection criteria neighbourhoods, a participatory planning
survey is underway; three survey chapters have Sudan and 19 public latrines. Two pilots for
been completed and four are in the process. Key Achievements: UN-Habitat has been slum upgrading and sustainable housing
More than 916 dunums in three communities working closely with the Government of development were undertaken in southern
in East Jerusalem are being planned at the Sudan at the federal level in partnership with Darfur for 237 people. These included 37 low-
outline level and 1,205 dunums in three Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Urban cost homes for vulnerable displaced people.
communities are planned. Demolition orders Development as well as at the state level in Other achievements were the construction
were frozen for more than 44 buildings in partnership with state Ministries of Planning of 100 houses; a youth development project
neighbourhoods where planning is taking and Urban Development. The collaboration which addresses the primary health care
place. An awareness campaign was organized focused on enhancing institutional and needs; and on-going regional planning
with several public awareness sessions in eight human capacities to strategically address rapid strategy for Darfur.
communities to build Palestinian communities’ urbanization; and addressing rural-urban
understanding of their “right to the city” and migration and internally displaced populations UN-Habitat has completed the construction of
on Israeli planning policies and regulations. as a result of armed conflict. UN-Habitat public latrines, a primary school, one clinic and
The additional funding for the East Jerusalem developed pro-poor urban planning, strategies 37 shelters in Sakali settlement on the outskirt
Planning Programme was secured to be and policies and completed the rapid urban of the Nyala City in partnership with the
utilized to scale-up the programme and assessments in three informal areas around targeted community. Moreover, UN-Habitat
strengthen its impact. Khartoum city. has been advocating the use of affordable
and environmentally friendly technologies
Housing Policy Advice to Ministry of The project has been providing targeted in construction since the Comprehensive
Public Works and Housing occupied capacity building activities to government Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in 2005.
Palestinian territory: A multi-stakeholder stakeholders and technical staff of the five The success with the pilot demonstration
consultation and working groups were States of Darfur taking advantage of the buildings using Stabilized Soil Blocks (SSB)
established, while the local Aid Coordination lessons learned from UN-Habitat accumulated has proven to have a significant potential for
Secretariat Housing Working Group was re- experience, focusing on urban and regional replication in humanitarian and early recovery
established. The outline for the housing profile planning and land management. The project assistance particularly in construction of basic
was finalized and the housing profile and assists the Ministries of Health in the three infrastructure and shelters. UNHCR and UN-
policy process established and approved. states of Darfur in addressing institutional Habitat have agreed to increase the coverage
capacity gaps and increasing the number based on the request from the Humanitarian
Planning support to Palestinian communities of operational primary health care facilities Aid Coordinator (HAC) for South and West
in Area C has started. A total of 200 homes using low-cost and environmental-friendly Darfur. The on-going project will provide 100
were built and several community centres construction techniques. A comprehensive shelters to most vulnerable families, including
provided medical support, technical and assessment was undertaken in villages that single household female, widows, and families
vocational training, schooling, and public lack health services. Priority villages were with disabled children, and establishments
parks in the West Bank and Gaza, targeting identified for installing/rehabilitating primary of two new community centres. The project
the most vulnerable. UN-Habitat mobilized health care facilities. is also providing technical assistance and
the international community on behalf of the capacity building including testing sustainable
most vulnerable Palestinian communities. As The project is being implemented in alternatives to address challenges of
a result, European Commission committed partnership with the World Health accelerated urbanization in the region.
€4.5 million for further work in planning, Organization (WHO) benefiting approximately
including the rehabilitation of 56 homes in 215,000 people. Activities included post The project is providing guidance to the local
East Jerusalem. rehabilitation in Darfur, where economic government and local leaders for strategically
profiles for two settlements were developed; supported decision making on investing in
Development Partner – The Palestinian the assessment for customary land dispute reconstruction activities through an integrated
Authorities mechanisms; and the construction of six participatory regional and urban planning
community buildings, a clinic, four schools approaches. Rural and urban dwellers of the
Blue Nile State will benefit from the project, Intervention are required to improve youth The challenges are daunting but can be
especially IDPs and returnees, as well as employment, better urban management addressed if the political will is mustered;
unemployed youth and women through capacity, improved urban development plans adequate financial support provided and
capacity building within the Ministry of involving the private sector, and enhanced strategic interventions in urban development
Planning and Urban Development on regional devolution of responsibilities to local undertaken; and adequate housing,
and urban planning and land administration. governments together with the required economic, environment and financial policies
financial resources. implemented. This will require the support of
Development Partner – Government of Sudan major Arab funding institutions and Islamic
Steps should also be taken to address shortage banks, backed by effective partnerships with
on the affordable housing markets plagued regional organizations such as Arab League,
Arab States: The Way by speculatively escalating property prices, Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab Towns
Forward expensive property registration procedures, Organization.
and limited access to housing finance for
UN-Habitat’s work across the Arab States lower income households. It is crucial also to UN-Habitat stands firm in its commitment to
region has been extensive, its expansion address urban water and food insecurity - the the region through enhanced engagement
made possible thanks mainly to increased region’s defining social problems of the very and supportive partnerships with regional
contributions from partners. Whilst much near future and harbingers of potential further bodies, national and local governments, and
has been achieved over the last few decades, social unrest. There is also a need for greater with tools like The State of the Arab Cities and
the region itself has also transformed intra-Arab cooperation to strategically position UN-Habitat Regional Strategy for engagement
phenomenally which calls for renewed Arab nations and their cities in a relentlessly to guide policies and interventions to manage
engagement and sustainable partnerships to globalizing world. urban growth. UN-Habitat brings a wealth
address the ever-increasing urban progression. of knowledge, expertise and experience in
sustainable urban development through its
presence and engagement in over 70 countries
across the globe. As a convening power on
sustainable urban development, UN-Habitat
will continue to create knowledge platforms
to support regional and bilateral dialogues
on urban priorities. This will also facilitate
the expansion of long-term partnerships to
identify financial resources for programmes
addressing the urban challenges faced by the
Arab States.
LEFT: Khartoum, Sudan.

© Abdallah Kassim/UN-Habitat
PHOTO: A street senario of a main road in Shanghai, China.
Chapter Three Asia and the Pacific
Asia and the Pacific

The region is the second least urbanised
region in the world after Africa with ranked
with 42.2 per cent of its population
residing in urban areas.
Demographic and Urban Figure 1). Seven of the ten most populous activities in these large regional urban areas
cities are now found in Asia (Tokyo, Delhi, stands out as one of the positive outcomes
trends Mumbai, Shanghai, Kolkata, Dhaka and of agglomeration economies, the sheer size
Karachi) of these areas can generate diseconomies
Asia has 30 per cent of the world’s land mass of scale. For instance, the mega-cities at the
and 60 per cent of its population. The region is Many of these mega-cities have grown on core of mega urban regions are beset with
the second least urbanised region in the world the back of concentrations of urban-based high real estate prices, traffic congestion and
after Africa with ranked with 42.2 per cent of manufacturing industries. The services sector poor environmental quality. These negative
its population residing in urban areas. In 2010, too is strongly prone to agglomeration and externalities drive firms and households away
Asian cities were home to 1.76 billion people. prefers central city locations. Mega-cities from core city locations to the periphery with
While the world became predominantly urban account for only 11 per cent of Asia’s urban cheaper land and better environmental quality.
in 2008, Asia is not expected to reach the 50 population, but like their counterparts around
per cent mark before 2020. Between 2010 the world they act as dominant forces in Investment in Green Infrastructure
and 2020, a total 411 million people will be both the regional and global economies. The scale of Asia’s urban population growth
added to Asian cities, or 60 per cent of the Many urban agglomerations in Asia are calls for significant increases in infrastructure
growth in the world’s urban population. evolving into mega urban regions and urban investment, but it is imperative to ensure that
corridors, which are very large urban areas urban development in Asia is ‘green’ and
The number of mega-cities (>10 million) is the size of fully-fledged regions and are often low-carbon. Short of this, the growth and
increasing worldwide and half (12 out of 21) referred to as Extended Metropolitan Regions prosperity of Asian cities could be seriously
are now found in the Asia-Pacific region (see (EMR). While the concentration of economic jeopardised.
C H A P T E R 3 : A s i a a n d t h e Pa c i f i c 37
Figure 1: Megacities worldwide
40
35
30
25
in millions
20
15
10
5
0
g
en
is
eiro
nila
l
os
ro
a
s
es
o
hi
y
ork
ai
lo
ai
jing
aka
nbu
ach
e
Cit
Kob
kat
don
y
Par
sco
ngh
mb
Del
Pau
Cai
Air
gel
Lag
Tok
nzh
wY
Ma
Dh
Bei
Jan
Kar
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xico
Mu
ka-
Mo
ang
An
nos
Sha
She
São
Ne
de
Osa
Me
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Source: WUP 2012
Youth Bulge financing), changes in building regulations, in hand with the urbanization of poverty since
The Asia-Pacific population is young and the and changes to urban planning standards. urban economic growth has not benefited all
region has benefitted from the ‘demographic equally, and the poor are left to bear most of
dividend’ - the temporary increase in Urban Poverty and Inequality the drawbacks and shortcomings in terms of
the proportion of working-age people. There is no doubt that economic growth in tenure, shelter, jobs, health, education and the
’Approximately one third of East Asia’s Asia and the Pacific has pulled millions out of environment.
increase in gross domestic product between extreme poverty and the region is leading the
1965 and 1990 can be attributed to the global reduction of overall poverty. Between Urban Informal Economy
economic activities of the ‘youth bulge’. On 1990 and 2005, extreme poverty was reduced Synergies between the formal and informal
the other hand, demographic ageing and worldwide from 43 to 26 per cent, largely sectors account for the socioeconomic
reduced fertility rates will affect most Asian reflecting a 50 per cent decline (from 49 per dynamism of Asian cities. However, the urban
countries within one or two generations. cent to 25 per cent of the population) in Asia informal economy is usually seen as a problem
Faced with unprecedented demographic and the Pacific. However, progress on urban by policymakers even though it generates
ageing, Asian cities should prepare to cater poverty reduction remains slow and as a result, many million dollars in revenues. Large urban
to the special needs of the elderly, including urban inequality is on the rise. The simple informal sectors have provided employment to
housing, medical facilities (and attendant truth is that rapid urbanization has gone hand the millions who are unable to secure formal
jobs. Informal-sector incomes may not be local authorities and private sector enterprises With regard to the effects of climate change
enough for the urban poor to pull themselves should support the initiatives and efforts and the challenge of adaptation, a particularly
out of economic deprivation, but at least they deployed by informal sector and community difficult issue will be dealing with refugees
provide basic subsistence. Informal markets groups to improve solid waste management at inside and across borders. This will be a
also give the urban poor access to various the local level. very significant problem in Bangladesh,
housing options which suit their incomes China, India and the Pacific island-states.
although they are far from ideal. The informal Environmental Challenges At the same time, governments must also
sector should be supported rather than Many Asian governments have accepted address poverty and the issues of food
harassed, and play a more positive role in that environmental problems are the price and water security, and create sustainable
employment generation. Public policies should of economic growth, but that these can economic development opportunities. Most
enhance the positive linkages between the be addressed once the nation reaches a Asian-Pacific cities and governments face
formal and informal sectors of the economy, certain level of development, by which time a difficult balancing act in this regard. The
ensuring that work conditions are decent for it is believed that more public funds can be sheer number and sizes of Asian-Pacific cities
all, including women. allocated to environmental management and the resources needed to service them
and improvements. The prognosis for many pose great challenges to governments and
Slums and Access to Basic Services Asian cities is that environmental conditions urban planners and managers committed to
Since the year 2000, the lives of 172 million are to worsen for some time to come. sustainable urban development. Few cities in
slum dwellers in Asia have been improved However, improvements can be expected once Asia have the massive resources required to
through various policies and programmes. better urban environmental planning and reinvent themselves. They lack the capacity to
But the region still hosts 505.5 million slum management practices are adopted and the inject the vast amounts of capital that could
dwellers, over half of the world’s slum economic benefits of growth to become more radically transform development, production
population. Market-oriented policies have widespread. and consumption practices. However, the
failed to solve the housing problems of the ‘business-as-usual’ approach to development
poor. Instead, they have led to a situation Efforts will also need to be made for better and environmental management is no longer
where the housing needs of the majority of environmental management in Asian cities. an option.
Asia’s urban populations are not catered for More specifically, cities will have to improve
either by the market or by government. air quality management in order to reduce
premature deaths caused by air pollution. Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of
As regards access to basic urban services, Similarly, Asian cities will have to make greater Projects and Achievements
Asian cities have fared fairly well on drinking- efforts to improve water and wastewater
water. In some countries access to urban management if they are to avoid further 2011-2012
water supply has declined, though. Targeted contamination of supplies and meet increasing
initiatives are needed in these countries to demand. UN-Habitat was active in over 20 countries
ensure that safe water is supplied to all urban in the Asia and Pacific region with a total
residents. On sanitation, the performance of Climate Change portfolio of USD250 million for 2011-2012.
Asian cities is poor. A large segment of urban As in other developed and developing regions, This represents over 50 per cent of the
residents depends on shared facilities or simply Asian-Pacific cities have the potential to organization’s global portfolio. Over 40 per
have no access to any sanitation. The situation influence both the causes and consequences cent of the region’s portfolio is concentrated
is particularly bad for South Asia’s urban poor. of climate change. They can also contribute in Afghanistan, followed by significant
to national and international strategies to engagement in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri
The urban poor play an important role in solid prevent unacceptable climate change impacts. Lanka and Myanmar. Figure 2 gives the
waste management as they routinely sort, Therefore, Asian-Pacific cities should provide overview of the geographic distribution of the
recover, re-use and recycle waste. Moreover, leadership and direction, and implement region’s portfolio in 2011-2012.
informal sector participation in solid waste practical initiatives for the benefit of their and
collection and disposal saves urban authorities national populations.
significant amounts of money. Therefore,
Figure 2: Geographic Distribution of On-going Projects in Asia Pacific (2011-2012)
Afghanistan 42.39%
Pakistan 29.51%
Sri Lanka 9.89%
Bangladesh 6.60%
Myanmar 3.26%
Regional 2.33%
Nepal 1.46%
Global 1.41%
Mongolia 1.37%
Indonesia, Timor-Leste 0.41%
Indonesia 0.31%
Vietnam 0.30%
Lao PDR 0.15%
Japan 0.14%
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 0.13%
India 0.10%
Republic of Korea 0.10%
Philippines 0.09%
China 0.04%
Samoa 0.01%
Bhutan 0.00%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
UN-Habitat’s impressive portfolio in Asia- as housing and slum upgrading have been Asia-Pacific: Country
Pacific has been possible by the generous dominant in the region, comprising over 83
and unwavering contributions from, amongst per cent of the 2011 portfolio. 2012 saw
Achievements
others, the Government of Japan, United reduction of the share of the UN-Habitat’s Some of the notable achievements of UN-
Nations organizations, the United States portfolio for the two aforementioned thematic Habitat’s portfolio of projects in the Asia-
Agency for International Development areas to 29 per cent with more resources Pacific region are summarized below. Box 2
(USAID), the European Union, Department for allocated to water and sanitation programmes describes a joint project between UN-Habitat
International Development (DFID), Canadian in the region. The portfolio for urban basic and USAID has improved livelihood in
CIDA, the Australian Agency for International services witnessed a threefold increase from Afghanistan.
Development (AusAid), as well as multi-donor about 7 per cent in 2011 to 21 per cent in
trusts and thematic funds. 2012. Similarly, the portfolio for urban land Afghanistan
legislation and governance increased from 1 Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been
Although UN-Habitat’s coverage of the region per cent in 2011 to 11 per cent in 2012 with present in Afghanistan since 1992 and has
is diverse and while its engagement with Afghanistan being the major beneficiary of operations in 20 of its 34 provinces. Its
countries covers a wide range of human this increase. approach to development is the “people’s
settlement issues, projects relating to post- process”, mobilizing and empowering men
disaster and post-conflict recovery, as well and women to form Community Development
Figure 3: Major Contributors to the portfolio in Asia Pacific (2011-2012)
Japan 41.18%
USAID 10.43%
Department for International Development (DFID) 5.22%
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) 4.10%
Afghanistan MRRD 3.63%
Norway 3.11%
AusAID 2.56%
Koica 1.45%
Australia 1.08%
Netherlands 1.02%
Coca Cola 0.75%
India 0.39%
Others 0.29%
Republic of Korea 0.23%
Asian Development Bank (ADB) 0.20%
BASF AG 0.19%
City of Munich 0.08%
Spain 0.06%
Construction Bureau of Jiangyin City 0.04%
Fukuoka Habitat Institute 0.03%
The Salvation Army 0.03%
Sri Lanka 0.02%
Arcadis Nederland BV 0.01%
UK 0.00%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Councils to plan and manage their own has registered 27,800 plots while the aiming at strengthening municipal institutions,
development, and to strengthen institutional Municipality of Lashkar Gah has registered urban governance structures and effective
capacity in urban governance, service delivery 13,700 plots. The Municipality of Herat has service delivery.
and municipal finance. Over the last 10 years completed the registration of 10,000 plots.
UN-Habitat’s programmes in Afghanistan have UN-Habitat has started implementing the
helped more than 15 million people improve To strengthen institutional capacity of local urban solidarity programmes in Kabul, Herat,
their lives in the face of immense obstacles. governments, UN-Habitat developed Strategic and Mazar-e-Sharif and Lashkar Gah in close
Municipal Action Plans for six of the nation’s cooperation with the Independent Directorate
To strengthen the capacity of local largest cities. In line with the fourth National of Local Governance and Kabul Municipality
governments to deliver services and raise Priority Programme (Local Governance) of the with the aim of strengthening technical and
revenues through property registration Government of Afghanistan and its Transition financial capacity of these municipalities
and taxation, UN-Habitat assists in land Strategy for Urban Development, UN-Habitat especially for the delivery of urban basic
regularization and securing tenure policies has improved the quality of governance services and infrastructure.
for the informal settlements dwellers in cities by enhancing administrative capacity and
through the implementation of the land accountability in the local governments as well
regularization scheme in Herat, Kandahar and as empowering local communities. UN-Habitat
Lashkar Gah. The Municipality of Kandahar has initiated urban solidarity programmes
Figure 4: Thematic distribution of the portfolio in Asia Pacific (2011-2012)
60%
50%
Budget 2011 (%)

40%
Budget 2012 (%)

30%
20%
10%
0%
Housing & Risk Reduction Urban Economy Urban Basic Urban Planning
& Capacity Legislation &
Slum Upgrading & Rehabilitation Services & Design
With the established Community Development UN-Habitat has contributed to reintegrating UN-Habitat has worked alongside the
Councils (CDC), clustered CDCs and returnees from Iran and Pakistan and internally Government of Afghanistan in the design
municipalities, UN-Habitat has contributed to displaced persons in support of the process and implementation of its flagship National
improving the quality of life of urban citizens of peace building through consolidation Solidarity Program through which governance
through community/municipal infrastructure of community solidarity, providing basic structures are established at the village level
projects. These involve construction of services, improving community infrastructure, to facilitate planning and infrastructure and
footpaths, improvement of roads levelling and building housing and developing livelihoods. service projects. As a facilitating partner
gravelling and drainage (Lashkar Gah); and UN-Habitat has supported upgrading of UN-Habitat supports the formation of nearly
construction of three municipal district office settlements in Kabul, Jalalabad and Sheikh 4,000 communities in nine provinces and
buildings (Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif and Bamyan). Mesri Township with a large numbers of provides technical support for the preparation
Through the urban solidarity programmes returnees, internally displaced persons, rural- of Community Action Plans, the development
people have benefited from improved urban migrants, other extreme vulnerable and implementation of proposals for the
infrastructure and services in Kabul, Herat and households and reintegrating them into the constructions of schools, health facilities,
Mazar-e-Sharif. cities through provision of basic community roads, drains and micro-hydro power and
infrastructure and services, and shelter irrigation systems.
packages.
households, 81 per cent are extremely poor.
Box 2: Finding Courage in Kachoor
These numbers make the UPPR project the
largest organized urban community-based
In a small village in Afghanistan a victim of civil an enthusiastic learner, rarely missing a lesson. He programme. During the past four years,
strife starts his own grocery business— and suc- quickly learned how to work with numbers, and UN-Habitat has processed 2,500 community
ceeds beyond his dreams. acquired basic accounting skills. He discovered that contracts with a budget of USD16.4
“Now I can save money, feed my children, and am he had a passion for small business, and joined the million to provide better physical access
no longer a burden on society. Self Help Group established through the program
and environmental conditions for 230,000
that provided start-up loans to its members.
My shop has given me a reason to live!” —Samiul- households. A total of 167,000 households
lah from Kachoor village Samiullah knew from his own experience that the
have improved drinking water; 142,249
people of Kachoor badly needed a new grocery
Decades of war in Afghanistan have exacted a store. The existing store offered a limited variety of households are benefiting from 284 km of
heavy toll on people from all walks of life, and items for the village residents. He applied to the Self footpaths and 122 km of drainage; 94,000
particularly those from the poorest elements of soci- Help Group and received a loan of 5,000 Afs (ap- households benefited from improved latrines;
ety. An example of someone who has demonstrated proximately USD110) to set up one on his own. and 42,000 households have improved
extraordinary resilience in the face of immense
obstacles is Samiullah, a father of four living in the In less than three months Samiullah’s small shop cooking stoves.
remote village of Kachoor in Laghman province. expanded to four times its original size. He invested
After losing the use of both his legs Samiullah most of his profits in a wide range of goods from Development Partners – Governmenen of
became despondent from having to rely on others wholesalers in the city that he knew would quickly Bangladesh, UK (DFID), UNDP
for support, and not being able to care for his own sell in Kachoor. He used his newly acquired literacy
family. In addition he was illiterate, and he held out skills to label items for sale, and to keep records of
little hope for the future. his enterprise.
Afghanistan
Every aspect of his life changed when UN-Habitat “I feel extremely happy when I calculate my
implemented the USAID-funded Learning for Com- benefits at the end of the day”, Samiullah reported.
munity Empowerment Program (LCEP-2) to begin “Now I can save money, feed my children and am
offering literacy and skills training classes for the no longer a burden on society. My shop has given As a facilitating partner
me a reason to live!”
residents of Kachoor. At first hesitant to sign up on
UN-Habitat Afghanistan: www.afg-unhabitat.org
UN-Habitat supports the
account of his disability Samiullah soon became
formation of nearly
Literacy and Skills Development

Programme: UN-Habitat has supported
Bangladesh
Key achievements: In 2000, UN-Habitat and
4,000
communities in nine
development of literacy and skills training UNDP collaborated to design and implement
across Afghanistan by supporting the Ministry in 11 towns and cities the Local Partnership for provinces and provides
of Education’s literacy programme linked to Urban Poverty Alleviation project to alleviate technical support for the
livelihoods and community banking. Education poverty in urban communities through
for All is supported by UN-Habitat through an people’s process and supported through
preparation of Community
ambitious literacy, skills training and micro- improving community level basic services and Action Plans
credit programme in partnership with the infrastructure and skills training. By the end
Ministry of Education reaching over 250,000 of 2011, the Urban Partnership for Poverty
learners across 20 provinces, of whom more Reduction (UPPR) project covered over 2.8
than 60 per cent are women. million people in 685,000 households in
23 cities. They were mobilized into 24,678
Development Partner – Japan, USAID, CIDA, primary groups in 2,221 Community
DFID, EU, MRRD (Afghanistan) /World Bank, JICA Development Committees (CDCs) where 98
and UNICEF. per cent are female members. Among the
Bhutan Human Settlements Policy, which will be basic services improved, benefiting more than
Key achievements: UN- Habitat has been finalized in early 2013. 31,000 families. These efforts resulted in a
working in Bhutan for more than 25 years in resolution on temporary settlements on state
the areas of urban planning and management, Development Partners: United Nations land, which was previously illegal as well as
urban and rural housing, water and sanitation, Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations key inputs to the National Housing Policy.
training and institutional development. In the Environment Programme (UNEP)
1990s, UN-Habitat provided technical advice The Mekong Region Water and Sanitation
in urban management and human settlements Cambodia Initiative (MEK-WATSAN) has been supporting
sector planning; focusing in Thimpu and Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been seven provincial towns in Cambodia, providing
Phunstholing, and contributed to the supporting urban poor communities through improved sanitation facilities to over 100,000
development of the land registration system, activities ranging from in-situ upgrading, people beneficiaries and safe piped water to
enhanced municipal finances through capacity planned relocations, policy and capacity over 145,000 people.
building, improved local area planning and development, strengthening of local
stimulated lending schemes. governance, and institution building for urban Climate Change and Cities Initiatives
poor community organizations. UN-Habitat (CCCI): A City Vulnerability Assessment was
Under the Water for Asian Cities (WAC), also provided technical assistance in the completed leading to a technical assistance
rainwater harvesting and sanitary hygiene formulation of a draft Housing Policy for the project under the Cities and Climate Change
were improved in the province of Mongar. rapidly urbanising nation. Initiative in Sihanoukville with support from
the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance Trust
Since 2011, policy and technical advice has More than 160 new community organizations Fund, under the Ministry of Environment.
been provided to the Royal Government of have been formed and more than 350
Bhutan in the formulation of the National community based infrastructure and urban Development Partners: Government of
Cambodia, Change Alliance, Trust
China
Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been
working with the Government of China since
the 1980s. In 2012, a new MOU between
UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Housing
and Urban-Rural Development was signed
to extend the in-country and international
technical cooperation activities.
The State of China Cities Report 2012/2013

was published in 2012 in partnership with
the China Science Centre of International
Eurasian Academy of Sciences and the China
Association of Mayors.
LEFT : Wells built in Aqee Boy and Ortabiz- e-Farghana

vilages. © Imal Hashemi /World Bank
UN-Habitat supports many international A ‘training of trainers’ programme was Political decentralization and local
and national conferences organized by the initiated in collaboration with HUDCO democratization since 1999 has promoted
Chinese Government to promote sustainable (Human Settlements Management Institute for security of tenure and participatory planning
urban development, housing for low income Elected Leaders from the Asia Pacific region) and budgeting. UN-Habitat and the Cities
residents and related issues. which belongs to national local government Alliance supported citywide midterm strategy
training institutes. This training programme and pro-poor planning and development.
UN-Habitat works together with Chinese has over the last 10 years benefited 500,000 In 2011-2012, the third round of the
institutions and universities to conduct training users. The Information Office will be relocated support went to the cities of Pekalongan,
and capacity building in human settlements to Delhi in the current biennium (2012- Banjarmasin and Solo. In collaboration with
both for domestic and international 2013). The establishment of a Local Urban the Ministry of Public Works, a new approach
participants. A city to city cooperation initiative Observatory in Ahmedabad and Kolkata cities to medium-term infrastructure budgeting and
is on-going with cities from the Lake Victoria respectively is underway. development planning was tested.
region in East Africa. In recent years, UN-
Habitat successfully extended into China the Development Partners – Government of UN-Habitat’s assistance to the recovery and
Water for Asia Cities programme and the India, National Housing Bank, Coca-Cola India, reconstruction in Aceh and Nias after the
Mekong Water and Sanitation Initiative. BASF Germany, Water Aid Australia, Asian 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was concluded
Development Bank, National, Housing Bank of in 2012. This USD40 million UN-Habitat
UN-Habitat collaborates with cities India, Sulabh International programme was implemented over eight
and local authorities within Vhina on years. The last component was the Training for
low carbon development, green and Indonesia Improved Solid Waste Management project,
sustainable urbanization, and urban wetland Key achievements: During the past ten in collaboration with UNDP and overseen
development. years, UN-Habitat’s development partnerships by BAPPENAS and the Ministry of Public
with government agencies have focused on Works. UN-Habitat trained many cities and
In 2012, the city of Nanning invited UN- city development strategies and capacity districts in Aceh and Nias and published an 18
Habitat as a co-organizer of the 2012 China- building for municipal authorities, with regard volume training manual as well as customized
Asean Forum on Ecological and liveable Cities. to land management, planning, environmental operational guidelines for six districts.
management and budgeting.
Development Partner – Government of China With EU funding, UN-Habitat is helping two
In 2013-2014, UN-Habitat continues to districts in West Timor, Kupang and Belu to
India collaborate with the Ministry of Public Works overcome tenure and other legacy issues
Key achievements: UN-Habitat and the to improve participatory budgeting protocols related to the refugee influx when Timor Leste
Government of India jointly organized the First for cities, with support of Cities Alliance and became independent.
Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing the Mayors of the cities of Solo, Pekalongan
and Urban Development (APMCHUD). The and Banjarmasin. With funding from the EU, Development Partners – Government
Government of India has supported the UN-Habitat is supporting two districts in West of Indonesia, Cities Alliance, UNDP, Asian
activities of the Bureau of APMCHUD since Timor, Kupang and Belu overcoming tenure Development Bank (ADB), European Union (Aid
APMCHUD I. and other legacy issues related to the refugee for Uprooted People programme)
influx when Timor Leste became independent.
UN-Habitat in partnership with the National UN-Habitat also collaborates with the City
Housing Bank (NHB), a top financial institution Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) to
in India, has established a revolving fund to develop the capacity of national partners
microfinance water and sanitation services for in support of sound decision making for
the poor in India. municipal infrastructure projects.
Japan Lao Peoples Democratic Republic Myanmar
Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been Key achievements: A UN-Habitat office was
enjoying strong support of Japan since its opened in Lao PDR in 2005, now operating Over 2.1 million
establishment, and this partnership was as a sub-regional hub for the water and
further strengthened when a Regional Office sanitation programme for South-East Asia. people were supported
for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) was established UN-Habitat has been engaged in provision of though developing
in Fukuoka in August 1997. The office has community-based water supply and sanitation community social
since been overseeing and backstopping services in settlements across Lao PDR through
effectively field projects and programmes in its two programmes Water for Asian Cities
infrastructure networks
the region and has been mobilizing significant (WAC) programme and Mekong Region Water and facilitating access
amounts of resources, including from Japan. and Sanitation Initiative (MEK-WATSAN). to safe water
The national and local partners in Japan have The aim of the interventions is to help the
been providing financial assistance to UN- Government achieve the MDGs. UN-Habitat
Habitat for the operation of the ROAP Office. is also actively involved in issues related to
disaster response, climate change, renewable
UN-Habitat ROAP has developed positive energy and decentralisation of basic services.
relationships with in-country partners, UN-Habitat started the Community Led Ger
including local academia, business community Under the MEK-WATSAN and WAC Area Upgrading project in Ulaanbaatar City
and social associations. In recent years UN- programme, 27 projects were implemented assisting the Government in addressing
Habitat has supported national and local in 14 provinces, with a total volume of USD 9 the under-urbanization problem in selected
government offices in strengthening their million, and UN-Habitat is thus contributing five priority areas with over 50,000 target
international partnerships with the other significantly to the improvement of water and population. The community mobilization
countries of the region through several sanitation facilities in the country. approach was applied; and 47 community
projects such as Enhancement of Technical groups and additional 5 upper-level
Cooperation towards Environmentally Development Partners: Water Sanitation Trust community groups were organized.
Sustainable Development in Asia and the Fund (WSTF) UN-Habitat, Central Emergency
Pacific and Enhancement of Sustainable Relief Fund (CERF), UNDP, ECHO and Government UN-Habitat assisted community groups in
Regional Development through Technical of Netherlands. prioritizing and determining their needs in
Cooperation from Japan. With support from improving the quality of life in Ger area.
the Japanese government, UN-Habitat has also Mongolia Fifteen medium-sized public service centres
developed emergency response arrangements Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been (called sub-projects, such as kindergarten,
to facilitate efficient and effective active in Mongolia since 2006, focusing on public bath house, etc.) and 123 small
rehabilitation and reconstruction from natural upgrading living conditions of the Ger areas community infrastructures (called micro-
disasters through the “Rehabilitation and (unplanned informal areas of the city). projects, such as water kiosks, street lights,
Reconstruction Response Facility” In March footpaths, playgrounds, bus-stops, etc.) were
2012, ROAP implemented the Emergency UN-Habitat assisted the Municipality of designed are being implemented. 64 saving
Workshop for the Great East Japan Earthquake Ulaanbaatar (MUB) in the preparation of the groups were organized, out of which 18
project in support of early reconstruction of citywide pro-poor Ger area Upgrading Strategy started to lend out to the members.
the disaster-stricken prefectures. and Investment Plan (GUSIP) with support
from the Cities Alliance. Through developing
Development Partners: Ministry of Foreign GUSIP, it was recognized officially that the
Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport issue of the Ger-area should be mainstreamed RIGHT : A quake survivor waits for aid amid the ruins of
and Tourism, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, in the municipality’s priority policy agenda. her house in Ketaping Village, Padang Pariaman district,
Cooperating Committee of UN-Habitat ROAP West Sumatra © Jefri Aries/IRIN
UN-Habitat supported the Ministry of Road, Today, UN-Habitat continues to implement Since 2008, UN-Habitat Myanmar has
Transportation, Construction, and Urban several normative and operational activities supported over 25,000 families with shelter
Development in the establishment and focusing on basic access of services to and over 500,000 people with water,
launching of the Mongolian National Urban settlements and land management and sanitation, hygiene education and access
Forum and in the review of policies such as administration, while addressing crosscutting infrastructure as part of the Post Nargis
land acquisition and resettlement. issues of gender, risk reduction, environment Recovery Programme.
and climate change. As part of its normative
Development Partners: Government of activities, the agency is providing technical Development Partners: Government of
Mongolia, Cities Alliance, Japan International assistance on issues related to Habitat Agenda Myanmar, BASF Social Fund, Japan Habitat
Cooperation Agency (JICA) to its partners in Myanmar. Association, Rotary International 3450, Hong
Kong, Macao & Mongolia, Central Emergency
Myanmar UN-Habitat scaled-up in 2012 it’s normative Response Fund (CERF), USAID, Japan (ODA),
Key achievements: UN-Habitat established programmatic support and technical assistance Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
a presence in Myanmar in the early 1990’s in Myanmar to several line ministries and European Commission, DFID (Department for
through 2004 where the agency pioneered stakeholders in the areas of urban planning, International Development), Australian Agency
the ‘people’s process’ by establishing the first urban-rural linkages for poverty reduction, for International Development (AUSAID),
community-led projects as part of the Human national building codes development, International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
Development Initiative. Over 2.1 million research, training and capacity building, urban (ISDR), Swiss Aid, New Zealand Aid Programme
people were supported though developing land governance, and urban development. (NZAID), Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund
community social infrastructure networks and (LIFT).
facilitating access to safe water.
Nepal
Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been
working with the Government of Nepal since
1990s, and established the country office in
Kathmandu in 2006. UN-Habitat supported
completion of the Nepal Urban Housing
Sector Profile Study in 2011, which helped to
diagnose the urban housing situation of the
country and highlighted areas for government
interventions.
UN-Habitat started a project in support of

green growth, focusing on environmentally-
sustainable housing technologies and urban
planning strategies in the Kathmandu Valley,
and a project to assist the government in land
and conflict issue through a joint initiative with
UNDP and IOM. UN-Habitat is further seeking
partnerships on sustainable urbanization
by supporting cleaner transportation in the
Kathmandu Valley.
The Water for Asian Cities programme Works, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local TOP : A submerged street near Nowshera, Kyhber-
supported the government in improving pro- Development, Kathmandu Valley Development Pakhtunkhwa province. Rising water in dams could
poor urban water and sanitation services. UN- Authority, Ministry of Environment. Municipal create more havoc © Abdul Majeed Goraya/IRIN
Habitat provided its support in improvement of Association of Nepal, Federation of Nepalese
technologies, management, governance and Chambers of Commerce and Industries, various
capacity building for the urban WASH sector in municipal governments, Village Development
35 municipalities, 18 small towns and 8 proto- Committees, and Non-governmental
urban settlements. Organizations (NGOs) and International Non- National Progress Reports on the MDGs and
governmental Organizations (INGOs); United the adoption of rapid profiling assessment
Through the Global Sanitation Fund project Nations Development Programme (UNDP), tool by the Pacific Capital Cities Forum; and
UN-Habitat helps the government in five Central Emergency Response Fund, (CERF), Global provided technical advice and support for
selected municipalities and five districts in Sanitation Fund, International Organization for post-tsunami housing rehabilitation (Samoa
promoting ‘open defecation free zones’. Migration (IOM), the European Commission. 2009) and the formulation for Fiji National
Implemented various emergency projects Housing Policy (2011). The policy process has
which include; providing support in building The Pacific region been documented as part of the Pacific toolkit
235 shelters for Koshi flood victims, the Key achievements: UN-Habitat is working focusing on paradigm shift for the creation
recovery need of fire victims in Aurahi, with the Governments of Fiji, Papua New of an enabling environment and attention to
Siraha, and implementing health projects Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and squatter housing.
funded by the Central Emergency Response Vanuatu.
Fund. Climate change adaptation plans UN-Habitat initiated City Development and
were developed for the five municipalities of Guided by the Pacific Urban Agenda 2 Settlement Upgrading Strategies in Samoa
Kathmandu Valley. UN-Habitat has completed rapid urban and Papua New Guinea as well as urban and
assessments in nine cities in three Pacific housing policy dialogues for Solomon Islands
Development Partners: Ministry of Urban countries); supported the reporting on MDG and Vanuatu; included the urban sector
Development, Ministry of Physical Planning and Goal 7, Target D in participating in countries in national climate change policy and the
promotion of the role of the city in climate During 2010-2012, UN-Habitat‘s engagement than USD 4 million, supported by UN CERF
change decision making and actions through further expanded in the fields of housing, and the Government of Japan. As part of
the Cities and Climate Change Initiative for community infrastructure, basic services, the flood response programme, land tenure
Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu; urban development, disaster risk management protection was enhanced by introducing a
and replicated the rapid urban vulnerability and geographic information management. land digitisation programme in flood affected
assessment undertaken in Fiji to the Solomon Post-disaster assistance was the focus of district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A new Guide
Islands. the programme, in the wake of the floods on Land and Property Rights in Pakistan and
of 2010, 2011 and 2012 during which a a related Training Manual was published and
Development Partners: Cities Alliance, cumulative 3,600,000 houses were damaged used, among others, to train more than 1,000
European Commission - Africa, Caribbean and or destroyed. In addition, UN-Habitat became female notaries and lawyers involved in land
Pacific (EC-ACP), Government of Norway a full partner of the first One UN programme administration.
for Pakistan (2007-2012).
Pakistan UN-Habitat also continued to provide
Key achievements: The Kashmir earthquake In 2011-2012, UN-Habitat’s post-flood assistance to IDPs and host communities in
of 2005 brought along the first sizeable programme consisted of 13 emergency and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA, through
deployment of UN-Habitat in Pakistan, early recovery projects with a combined valued seven projects with a combined value of USD
with a focus on shelter, housing, DRR and of over USD51 million. The largest donor was 6 million. The largest project was supported
land management, in support of ERRA. the Government of Japan, which supported by KOCIA.
Emergency shelter and WASH assistance the Pakistan Settlements Flood Recovery
were provided subsequently to disaster programme, an integrated community- UN-Habitat was a critical member of the
and conflict victims in Baluchistan and the based programme providing integrated shelter cluster, in collaboration with IOM, and
present Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. early recovery assistance in five provinces, the WASH cluster. UN-Habitat participated
targeting vulnerable and very vulnerable also in the protection cluster, on land issues,
households. The project resulted in 32,466 the community restoration cluster (focused
one-room shelters, close to 22,000 latrines, on community infrastructure) and the early
and a package of community infrastructure, recovery work group. Through funding of
prioritized by people. Over 200,000 were UNHCR and UNDP, support was started to
involved in hygiene training. DfID provided Afghan refugees residing in urban areas
more assistance for another 2,700 households. and hosted by communities, under the
The implementation approach used by UN- multilaterally-supported Refugee Affected and
Habitat in Pakistan is primarily community led Hosting Areas programme.
development, in which affected populations
take charge of their recovery, rehabilitation As part of the One UN programme
and development. 2007-2012, UN-Habitat focused on GIS
development, water and sanitation and
In response to the subsequent 2011 and gender mainstreaming, disaster risk mitigation
2012 floods, primarily in south Punjab, Sindh and sustainable urbanisation. UNFPA, UNICEF,
and Baluchistan, UN-Habitat was engaged in UNDP, UNESCO and WHO participated in the
another seven emergency shelter and WASH various initiatives and with additional bilateral
projects with a combined value of more funding. UN-Habitat also supported IT and
online knowledge management for the One
UN programme and the IASC clusters.
LEFT : A girl drinks from a public tap in Nawalparasi,
Napel. © Marcus Benigno/IRIN
UN-Habitat has a unique collaboration with
UNFPA and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics,
to develop GIS automation and do capacity
building in support of the national census.
Provincial GIS offices have been set up and
staff trained by UN-Habitat.
Water and Sanitation engagements

focused on environment clubs in schools
and communities. In addition, UN-Habitat
supported the Pakistan Water Operators
Partnerships, as part of UN-Habitat’s global
partnership. With support of Coca Cola Inc.
and in partnership with WWF, sanitation
improvements in coastal communities are
endeavoured, as well as groundwater recharge
initiatives through schools and communities.
A new initiative on urban solid waste
management was started with UN-ESCAP Development Partners: Government of TOP : Shanghai, China.
and the International Union for Conservation Pakistan, Government of Japan, DFID, the Korean © Julius Mwelu /UN-Habitat
of Nature. The purpose is to pilot Integrated International Cooperation Agency (KOICA),
Resource Recovery Centres in cities. CIDA, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC), the World Bank, the Central Emergency
The DRM component under the One UN Response Fund (UN CERF), the Pakistan One UN
programme has been focused on developing Fund, UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, UNFPA, WHO, UN-Habitat, together with the government,
a new Resilient Cities programme, in UNESCO, UN ESCAP, IUCN, BASF, Coca Cola, has provided shelter cluster coordination
collaboration with UN-ISDR. Thirty-one cities WWF and showcased innovative shelter repair
were screened on DRR issues, both technical approaches with flood resilience in the wake
and institutional. The new programme was Philippines of major typhoons (2009, 2011).
presented at the end of 2012 to development Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been
partners, with support of the government’s supporting the Government of the Philippines The MDGs were localized in 30 cities as
National Disaster Management Agency. since 1998 and has worked with 40 cities demonstration sites and knowledge hubs.
In addition, UN-Habitat Pakistan started on various developments and humanitarian The localization strategy translated the
collaboration with UNESCO on technical projects. MDGs from the national targets to city plans
guidelines for safer schools and hospitals, and ultimately to ‘Family MDGs’ managed
which UN-Habitat and ISDR have been Through the Cities and Climate Change by the families themselves who have been
developed for South Asia. Initiative (CCCI) project in Sorsogon City, the empowered as development partners. In the
nationally-mandated local planning guidelines last phase of the programme implemented
Finally, in collaboration with the Habitat and the local shelter planning manuals have through Family-based Actions for Children and
Agenda focal agency, the Ministry of been“climate-proofed”. These experiences their Environs in the Slums (FACES) project,
Climate Change, sustainable urbanisation have been replicated in other cities like the quality of the lives of 607 children were
was supported in eight cities, through the Tuguegarao, Santiago, Cauayan and Olongapo improved through better access to food
development of urban observatories, planning and are being further applied, initially, in the security, education, secure tenure, potable
initiatives with cities, the support to Pakistan’s cities of Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and water, better sanitation, protection and
Urban Forum. Davao. security. Fifteen cities developed 56 “quick
response mechanisms” and 31 child-focused AECID through the MDG Achievement Fund, Change Policy (2011) that entailed the
demonstration projects supported household Government of Spain, Government of Norway, preparation of Climate Resilient Action Plans
and community-based actions. The national WFP, UNICEF, UN Women, Sagittarius Mines Inc for selected coastal cities in Sri Lanka (2010-
government, through the Local Government (SMI), BASF, Swedish Sida. 2012) and to local authorities in four disasters
Academy, still continues to replicate the FACES -prone cities to prepare disaster risk reduction
approach in 32 additional cities. (DRR) plans.
Nine local government units and urban poor Support was provided to the Government’s
communities worked together to develop Million-and-a-Half Houses Programme and
shelter upgrading plans for capital investment communities were rebuilt in North East Sri
financing through the IMPACT project Lanka. A total of 10,600 tsunami-damaged
implemented in the cities of Puerto Princesa, houses were reconstructed and essential
Iligan, Science City of Muñoz, Sorsogon, Iloilo, community infrastructure provided. Through
Escalante, Butuan, Valenzuela and Municipality a post-conflict housing programme, post-
of San Vicente and Palawan. conflict communities were rebuilt in the
Northern Province - 4,200 houses have been
The framework for the Philippine Urban reconstructed and another 20,800 house
Observatory was endorsed by the Philippine reconstructions are in progress.
Urban Consortium, which involves a
data management system of collection, Slum/Low-income settlement were upgraded
consolidation, analysis, use, and dissemination and a National Guarantee Fund for credit
of urban statistics at the city level to help enhancement was established. Supported
planners and decision-makers make better- was provided to about 2,000 families. A
informed decisions and policies. National Urban Policy Note was prepared in
collaboration with the World Bank (2011-
As one of the five pilot countries of the 2012).
Achieving Sustainable Urban Development
(ASUD) Priorities Global Programme of UN- Development Partners: Government of
Habitat, Phillipines will work in eight cities on Sri-Lanka, Centre for Liveable Cities
the areas of urban planning, economy, energy, TOP : Improved drainage at Ibbagwatte, Colombo,
mobility, governance and legislation, shelter Sri Lanka. © Suzi Mutter Viet Nam
and climate change adaptation and disaster Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been
risk reduction. It is also one of the eight pilot working with the Government of Viet Nam
countries of the UNICEF-UN Women- UN- Sri Lanka since the 1990s, and established its country
Habitat Joint Programme on Safe and Friendly Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been office in 2007. As Viet Nam is moving towards
Cities for All being implemented in the cities of operational in Sri Lanka since 1978. It a middle-income country status, UN-Habitat
Pasay, Quezon and Mandaluyong to address provided assistance in the preparation and assistance has shifted to partnership in policy
issues on safety and security of women and implementation of the Master Plan for and technical advice, strategic planning for
children in urban areas. Colombo (1978-1983) as well as for the sustainable urban development, institutional
Government of Sri Lanka’s Million Houses capacity support, and information and data
Development partners: United Nations Programme (1984-1989). UN-Habitat systems development in the urban sector. The
Development Programme (UNDP) through developed community action planning, following are the achievements:
the Democratic Governance Thematic Trust community contracting and other community
Fund, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Cities based methodologies. Support was provided
Alliance, Government of Japan Partnership Fund, for the preparation of the National Climate
UN-Habitat supported the formulation of facilitate the better evidence-based reviews a demonstration of bio-gas project in the
sustainable urban development policies and and local decision-making processes. university; and developing a Module on
planning law and strengthened the role of HVWSHE for inclusion in the curriculum; and
the Vietnam Urban Forum (VUF) in national Current projects include strengthening the Human Values Based Water, Sanitation
and local policy dialogues. It advised and green growth agenda in Vietnamese and Hygiene Education (HVWSHE).
supported the formulation of a national cities and provinces through sustainable
Housing Development Strategy through city development strategies and related Development Partners: Multi-Donor Trust
low-income housing analyses, studies and leadership training and participatory planning Fund, Cities Alliance, Global Green Growth
strengthened the capacity of policy makers, approaches. Institute.
researchers and planners at national and local
levels through a broad training programme. UN-Habitat initiated WAC and MEK-
WATSAN for secondary towns to support the Asia and the Pacific regional
The Vietnam Housing Profile was produced: participating Governments attain their water programmes and regional
a systematic analysis of five aspects (housing and sanitation related MDG. Achievements
institutional and policy framework; land in environmental improvement include: 1) coordination
supply, infrastructure, housing finance the solid waste management initiatives in
and construction industry and materials) different towns - provision of community- Key achievements: UN-Habitat has been
of housing delivery system at national and based solid waste collection system to 45,000 implementing regional programmes targeting
city level, including recommendations on beneficiaries in three towns: Song Cau (Phu cities, with a view to consolidating city level
improvement of housing sector. A Social and Yen), Thap Cham (Ninh Thuan) and Lao Bao learning and sharing experiences amongst
Economic Development Strategy in Quang (Quang Tri); 2) Promoting green growth similar programmes, for example, Urban
Nam Province was formulated through through collaborative initiatives with Hanoi Management Programme - Asia and the
analyses, policy dialogues and leadership Civil Engineering University: by establishing a Pacific and Cities and Climate Change
trainings. Strategic planning for Hoi An Eco Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration Model Initiative: Climate Change and Cities Initiatives
city development was supported. The eco city in the university campus; implementing in Asia-Pacific:
development framework has been examined
and reformulated.
Climate change Vulnerability and

Adaptability assessment (VAA) for Hoi An
eco-city: The VAA team has been working
in close coordination with local government
and community to verify findings from climate
change scenarios developed for Hoi An city
- identifying potential impacts of climate
change to vulnerable groups; identifying
hotspots and adaptability at both city and
community level; and coming up with long
term recommendations and participatory
adaptability measures to integrate into urban
management plans.
Local Urban Observatories and city-level

performance index were developed in 77
typical cities (Vietnam Cities’ profile) to
LEFT : A girl proudly shows off a new drain in her there is a huge infrastructure investment
neighbourhood in Kabul’s District. © UN-Habitat financing gap.
UN-Habitat is supporting the City

Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) to
Country level advocacy activities are being develop training manuals and build the
supported by UN-Habitat to highlight capacity of national partner organizations, so
the importance of the urban sector in that they may “bridge the investment divide”
national climate change response policies by strengthening the Capital Infrastructure
and guidelines, supported by initiatives of Investment Project Prioritization (CIIPP)
local government training institutions and and feasibility study process through the
universities in the region to mainstream preparation of pre-feasibility studies (pfs),
climate change response capacity-building into to be prepared through national partner
their support programmes and curricula. The organization (npo/city) partnerships and linked
programme now intends to consolidate the to domestic and international public/private
lessons through the regional resource centre. sector financing opportunities. UN-Habitat
The regional component is implemented in has supported CDIA preparation of a CIIPP
partnership with ESCAP; and PFS user guide, and their customisation
to national/city contexts through NPO
Tools for the Assessment of School and partnerships in China, Indonesia, Philippines
Hospital Safety for Multi-Hazards in South and Sri Lanka.
Asia: User-friendly tools were jointly prepared
with ISDR and South Asian Association for Regional Coordination and Inter-agency
Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Disaster Collaboration: Through the UN-Habitat
Management Centre, Delhi (DMC), that Bangkok Office, the organisation enhanced
help countries implement the complex the coordination with other UN Agencies and
process of retrofitting of existing facilities promoted system wide coherence and One
as well as ensuring safe construction of UN in the region, by engaging in the Regional
To address the impacts of climate change on new infrastructure, in a simple and practical Coordination Mechanism (RCM), chaired by
cities in developing countries, in August 2008, manner. ESCAP, United Nations Development Group
UN-Habitat launched its Cities and Climate (UNDG) AP, chaired by the United Nations
Change Initiative. The CCCI-Asia/Pacific was Despite various development partners’ Development Programme (UNDP), as well
launched early 2010 to disseminate, replicate efforts to strengthen urban planning and as other inter-agency forums. UN-Habitat
and scale-up country and city experiences management over recent decades through Bangkok Office is the Leading agency for
amongst UN-Habitat’s regional network of preparation of City Development and Slum UNDG-AP Task Team on Urbanization in
partners in China, Fiji, Indonesia, Mongolia, Upgrading Strategies, the estimated Asian preparing a position paper on urbanization,
Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, urban infrastructure investment needs of over supporting the country level activities and
Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and Vietnam, with 20 cities USD 100 billion per annum over the next 20 United Nations Development Assistance
carrying out participatory assessments of their years are clearly not being met. Whilst UN- Framework (UNDAFs), through the UN
vulnerabilities to climate change. Habitat has been strengthening the capacity Country Team.
of urban poor communities to improve
their shelter and community level services
LEFT : Newly constructed girl schools in Herat, through savings and credit schemes, as well as
Afghanistan. © UN-Habitat strengthening local government capacities to
work with communities and the private sector,
Development Partners: Asian Development Urban Land, Legislation and • UN-Habitat has intensified its effort in
Bank, Asia Coalition for Housing Rights, National Governance supporting post-conflict reconstruction
and international Local Government Training • UN-Habitat has been successful in the and post-disaster local governance, using
Institutions, Universities, ISDR and South Asian Asia-Pacific in addressing land issues at participatory urban and land-use planning
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), two levels through interventions in 2012: and basic service delivery as an entry
Disaster Management Centre, Delhi (DMC), addressing land regularization and pro- point and applying the successful models
ESCAP, United Nations Development Group poor access as part of housing and urban of Afghanistan and Pakistan governance
(UNDG) AP, United Nations Development planning interventions through small scale support programmes that build on the
Programme (UNDP). land adjustment. benefits of incremental land regularization.
• Requests from host governments Urban Planning and Design

Asia-Pacific Achievements and donor partners to UN-Habitat for • Success in UN-Habitat advocacy on
by Thematic Areas comprehensive land regularization and urbanization issues is evident in the
tenure security programmes are increasing increasing interest in internal policy design
The achievements by thematic areas in the in the Asia-Pacific region. on responses to urbanization by our
Asia-Pacific region are summarized as follows: development partner. For example, in the
Pacific region and in Sri Lanka, there are
growing numbers of urban partnerships,
such as with the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) (developing urban planning
and resilience programme), SPC (urban
resilience, land management), UNDP (such
as Solomon Islands’ Urban Vulnerability
Assessment) and the World Bank.
• Over the recent years, UN-Habitat has

been successful in introducing and
mainstreaming climate change mitigation
(through the CCCI) and eco-city concepts
to city development strategies (CDS),
planning tools and national policies
through successful pilot projects and
regional advocacy. CCCI, for example,
has been now replicated in 50 cities
networking across 15 countries.
LEFT : Singapore.
© Madanmohan Rao/UN-Habitat
• Areas of increasing relevance for UN- • UN-Habitat is improving the sustainability • UN-Habitat has responded to the large
Habitat in the Asia-Pacific region includes of the CDIA approach by providing ADB number of requests for housing policy
planning for risk preparedness and and other financing partners with the development experiences and programmer
implementing disaster resilient city plans essential link between local participatory support is increasing, especially in the
through the institutionalized framework planning and national or local training middle-income countries of the Asia-
(see Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation institutions that can provide capacity Pacific region (Vietnam, China) and already
theme), as well as broadening the support to the local authorities in earlier in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. At the
advocacy on sustainable urban planning investment planning in the long term. For moment, strategic assistance to local and
through the use of green growth led example in Indonesia CDIA work has built national authorities in slum upgrading
urban and regional strategies. There are on the collaboration between UN-Habitat is continuing in Mongolia, Sri Lanka,
also successful examples of using national and progressive mayors on participatory Bangladesh, and in the Pacific, boosted by
and regional urban forum as a platform budgeting. the changing donor and government focus
for policy dialogue, such as in the Pacific, from a transitional shelter to permanent
Vietnam and five other countries. • In Vietnam, the present regional and shelter.
city development strategies of target
cities will be improved through climate Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation
and green growth sensitive gap analysis • UN-Habitat has advocated an approach
Success in UN-Habitat and subsequently used for identifying where the affected people were placed
advocacy on urbanization local solutions, priorities and sources for at the centre of their development and
green growth based investments during a recovery process after such crisis situations.
issues is evident in the Regional Investment Forum. This people-centred approach has been
increasing interest in internal an important link between communities,
policy design on responses Urban Basic Services cities and national governments to
• Through the regional Water for Asian promote resilient communities and
to urbanization by our
Cities and Mekong Region Water and settlements. These processes coupled with
development partner Sanitation programmes, disaster response build-back better principles have been
basic service projects, and acting as the applied in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
lead of the Shelter Cluster, UN-Habitat has
made a difference in countries such as Lao • UN-Habitat continues to emphasize
PDR using an intervention strategy that the need to institutionalize disaster risk
addressed the water and basic services reduction to settlement planning through
Urban Economy through an integrated urban governance housing policies, national building codes
• UN-Habitat has been widely involved in (planning and institution building) support and city planning acts/laws/frameworks.
supporting sustainable city development to local authorities, and uses community The large reconstruction project portfolio
strategies (CDS) and tools through ADB’s participatory process for shelter upgrading of the past few years in the Asia-
City Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) and basic services provision. Pacific region has given UN-Habitat an
interventions. opportunity to assist the affected people
Housing and Slum Upgrading rebuild their lives rapidly on one hand,
• UN-Habitat is expanding its collaboration • UN-Habitat’s largest response activities whilst provided a platform to advocate
with CDIA in additional countries in the in housing have taken place in a for progressive policies on recovery,
region in an effort to bridge this financing humanitarian crisis of rebuilding houses reconstruction and development.
and implementation gap in city planning through community-led participatory
and project investment processes by people’s process approach in post-conflict
supporting city authorities to adopt robust and post-disaster contexts.
tools for project feasibility assessments for
potential loan or grant financing.
Research and Capacity Building and entrepreneurship, which in turn have Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation
• UN-Habitat is partnering with the enhanced the economic potential and Overall, UN-Habitat’s activities in the region
universities, research and training competitiveness of so many cities in Asia. are driven by three forces: the first, is recovery
institutions in the region to strengthen the and reconstruction after disasters, whether
capacities of national and local officials to Economic Disparities and Poverty natural or human-made; the second is those
implement and sustain urban monitoring While the region’s over-all economic dynamism that are a consequence and driven by global
in the long term. Training institutions over the past decades have been at a scale and or regional Agendas, such as climate change
are increasingly important urban sector speed that are impressive, there are still issues or regional watershed management; and the
partners for UN-Habitat’s interventions in that are relevant for UN-Habitat to look into, third is providing and improving basic services
the region. such as: addressing economic disparities and at the settlement level.
poverty reduction, managing the growth of
• The creation of wider networks of cities cities and towns, preventing the proliferations Innovative Methodologies
and regional training institutions as a part of slums and informal settlements, addressing To service the region better, and facilitate
of the Cities and Climate Change Initiative environmental challenges, and re-building sustainable urban development, UN-Habitat
is creating strategic alliances with national communities ravaged by wars and conflicts. is developing more innovative methodologies
government ministries, associations of to support the needs of cities and aims for
local governments, academic institutions Knowledge Management a higher level of involvement which seeks
and the United Nations Country Team on Through the State of the Asian Cities reports to address future challenges arising from
urban themes, such as city and regional (www.unhabitat.org/pmss), a collaborative rapid urbanization, climate change and
development strategies, housing and effort with the UN-ESCAP, UN-Habitat will rapid economic growth. Furthermore we
urban planning. Vietnam is a successful continue to provide valuable and strategic data are also endeavouring to help the region
example of such synergies. on urban policies, trends and development to enhance and link urban planning and
to support and guide sustainable urban development to support and sustain its vast
• UN-Habitat is proving added value to local development in Asia and the Pacific. The first economic growth. As we move toward the
and national institutions in knowledge State of the Asian Cities Report was published “Asian Urban Century” UN-Habitat counts
networking. It is expected that there in 2010; the next report is due in 2013. on the support and engagement of our major
will be more demand for assistance on contributors, including new partners, to forge
urban data and analysis systems support Working with Partners new partnerships and continue supporting
especially from the middle-income country The rapid and consistent growth of middle the urban development of a sustainable Asia
authorities in the region. income countries in Asia-Pacific requires Pacific Region.
UN-Habitat to work with national and local
government institutions, civil society partners
Asia: The Road Ahead and business sector in providing strategic
policy advice in coping with challenges of
Investing in infrastructure urbanization. The opportunities in working
UN-Habitat’s engagement and support with and expanding operations with middle
to the region has been remarkable and income countries is an area which UN-Habitat
its commitment to the region remains is fully expanding in countries such as China,
unaltered. No developing region has invested India, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and
more than Asia in advanced knowledge Vietnam.
infrastructure for economic development.
A combination of public and private sector
capital expenditure has provided the modern
infrastructure required for industrial expansion,
research and development, innovation
PHOTO: Overview of Fukuoka City, Japan
© Fumio Hashimoto
PHOTO: An overview of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Chapter Four Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and the Caribbean

Half the urban population now lives in cities with
fewer than 500,000 inhabitants and 14 per cent
in megacities (more than 222 million in the former,
and 65 million in the latter).
Demographic and Urban accelerating in the past, have decelerated. has now become more complex and occurs
Trends Currently, the evolution of urban populations mainly between cities, sometimes crossing
tends to be limited to natural growth only. international borders. Also relevant are
Since the start of the last century, the population movements within cities, between
population of Latin America and the The number of cities has increased six fold in the city centre and its periphery and between
Caribbean has increased almost tenfold, from fifty years. Half the urban population now lives secondary cities.
60 million to nearly 588 million in 2010. in cities with fewer than 500,000 inhabitants
The region now represents 8.5 per cent of and 14 per cent in megacities (more than 222 Urban Sprawl
the world’s total population, a proportion million in the former, and 65 million in the Urban expansion has caused many cities to
that is projected to decline slightly through latter). Progress regarding access to water, spill over their administrative boundaries and
2030. The Latin American and the Caribbean sanitation and other services has increased the physically absorbing other urban centres in
region is the most urbanized in the world, attractiveness of intermediate cities, which a conurbation process. The result has been
although it is also one of the least populated helps more balanced urban systems in these the emergence of large urban territories,
in relation to its territory. Almost 80 per cent countries. sometimes formalized in a single metropolitan
of the population lives in cities (see Figure area consisting of multiple municipalities
1), a proportion even higher than the group Mass migration from the countryside to and intense activity across all areas. Urban
of most developed countries. Population the city has lost its urban growth-feeding sprawl continues to expand, despite the
growth and urbanization, processes that were importance in most countries. Migration demographic deceleration. Cities are growing
C H A P T E R 4 : L at i n A m e r i c a a n d t h e C a r i b b e a n 59
Figure 1: Urban and rural population per sub-regions in Latin America and the Caribbean
100 - Rural Caribbean Rural central Rural south Rural northern

90 - 13,823 america america america
80 -
43,657 66,974 61,758
70 - urban central
urban Caribbean america urban south urban northern
28,106
america america
114,361
60 -
50 - 329,707 285,805
40 -
30 -
20 -
10 -
0-
in a less compact way and they are expanding where services and industry are located. The inequality is extremely high. Although there is
physically at a rate that exceeds the increase increase in migrations has resulted in more a significant shortfall of formal employment
in their population, a pattern that is not remittances, which represent over 10 per opportunities there is abundant informal
sustainable. The region needs to develop cent of GDP in several countries. Since 1970, work, which is mainly taken by young people
territorial policy and urban plans to improve per capita income in Latin American and the and women. Inequality is also expressed in
current urban growth patterns, avoiding the Caribbean has nearly tripled, but with wide socially and spatially-divided cities, despite
dispersed expansion of cities, encouraging disparities. the many opportunities for economic and
greater density, making better use of social development that urbanization offers.
available space to avoid physical and social Latin American and the Caribbean have To overcome social and urban fragmentation
fragmentation. made significant progress in their fight and segregation, urban cities need strategies
against poverty over the past 10 years. The that combine economic growth with policies
Economic Development and proportions of urban poor have fallen, but in that address income inequalities and quality
Inequality absolute terms, the numbers are still very high. of life, as well as measures aimed at social
Cities are the true drivers of the Latin About 124 million urban inhabitants live in and spatial integration. To this end it is crucial
American and Caribbean economies. The 40 poverty, or one in four urban dwellers. to coordinate national economic policies and
main cities produce an annual GDP of more urban development strategies, both in cities
than USD 842 billion and estimates show Besides poverty, the region suffers from and regions.
nearly two thirds comes from urban areas, serious and persistent inequality. Income
Housing problem requiring coordinated action by Management of basic urban services
Inequality and poverty can be expressed in different state institutions, including local has become more complex because of
terms of the prevalence of urban slums in the authorities, who can also contribute to small- urban sprawl and conurbation. Integrated
region. In general, the proportion of people scale programmes involving the communities approaches are needed that go beyond
living in slums has fallen, but the actual and encouraging coexistence and social traditional administrative municipal
population in these areas is 111 million, a cohesion. boundaries, promoting compact cities
higher figure than twenty years ago. The and linking with urban planning and land
regional situation is heterogeneous. The Access to Basic Urban Services management policies. Guaranteeing the
proportion of urban population living in slums Latin America and the Caribbean have reached right to water and sanitation is not limited to
varies from Suriname, with almost 5 per cent the MDG on water supply. Currently, 92 providing infrastructure. Although countries
to 70 per cent in Haiti. per cent of the urban population has piped have made progress with decentralization,
water and the figure rises to 98 per cent if we regulation and control of water and sanitation,
The region has considerable experience include other water sources. However, there there are still challenges in terms of efficiency,
in housing policies and neighbourhood are significant shortfalls in service quality. availability, quality, affordability and continuity
improvement schemes. However, the housing Estimates show that 40 per cent of the treated of services. Overcoming these requires
deficit is so deep that few countries can water is lost due to infrastructure malfunction, reviewing and refining current governance,
aspire to universal housing in the short or leaks and misuse, while pricing policies do not management and financing models.
medium term. House rental and land markets always cover running costs and rarely benefit
are poorly developed and regulated, despite the poor. Progress in sanitation has been less
their decisive role in the housing problem. dramatic. Seventy-four million people (16 per
Faced with budgetary constraints, it is cent) still do not have adequate sanitation in
essential to generalize planning policies and cities. In general, the situation is slightly better BOTTOM : Public workers, during the construction
land management to harness the value of in larger cities than in smaller ones, but less of an overpass in the Pan American highway, in
public investment and give greater support than 20 per cent of waste-water and sewage Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
to improving existing housing and the is treated before discharge, resulting in health © Maria Fleischmann / World Bank
incorporation of segregated and fragmented and environmental hazards.
urban areas. Housing policies should always
include an urban dimension, with specific
measures promoting access to basic services,
mobility and public spaces. In the region, there
is some experience with historic urban centre
revitalization and integrated neighbourhood
improvement schemes that could be
replicated.
Insecurity and Public Spaces

Shopping malls are becoming the main public
spaces for socializing. Governments pay little
attention to the creation and maintenance
of formal public spaces. The region’s cities
experience high levels of violence and
insecurity; a problem with important social
and economic consequences which also has
an impact on the organization and layout of
cities. Lack of security in cities is an enormous
Figure 2: Geographic Distribution of On-going Projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2011-2012
Haiti 52.18%
Brazil 15.72%
Regional 11.50%
Ecuador 9.62%
Costa Rica 3.49%
El Salvador 3.35%
Mexico 1.62%
Guatemala 1.29%
Cuba 0.77%
Colombia 0.46%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Environmental Challenges and Risk location, lack of infrastructure and services, as

Management Lack of security in cities well as the socio-economic and cultural profile
In the region, the frequency and geographical is an enormous problem of their inhabitants.
distribution of extreme weather events has requiring coordinated
begun to change as a result of global climate Some cities already have explicit plans for
change. Changes in rainfall patterns, the action by different state addressing climate change, like greenhouse
progressive disappearance of glaciers and institutions, including local gas audits, hazard and vulnerability maps,
rising sea levels have already been verified. authorities, who can also with associated action plans that have already
Projections indicate that these phenomena will been approved institutionally. At the local
increase in the future, increasing the risks of
contribute to small-scale level, city planning departments and urban
natural disasters throughout the region. programmes involving and transport planning play a particularly
the communities and important role because they have the capacity
The extent to which cities are vulnerable to to influence the location of housing, mobility
the impacts of climate change, epidemics
encouraging coexistence demand, energy consumption and the risk
and geological activity depends on external and social cohesion reduction of disasters.
factors such as preparedness. In general, slums
are particularly vulnerable because of their
Figure 3: Major Contributors to the portfolio (2011-2012)
Spain 23.47%
Instituto Pereira Passos/Prefeitura da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro 10.85%
Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internatcional (AECID) 3.69%
AusAID 3.49%
BASF AG 1.54%
Corporacion Andina de Fomento (CAF) 1.21%
USAID 1.05%
Fundacao Euclides da CUNHA (FEC) 1.04%
Corporacion Volver a la Gente 0.89%
Spanish International Development Cooperation Agency (AECID) 0.77%
Mexico 0.74%
Others 0.68%
Brazil 0.60%
Irish Aid 0.60%
Colombia 0.46%
Zapopan Municipality 0.38%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Urban Governance municipalities manage to be self-financing urban and housing policies, conditions and
Significant progress has been made in terms while the others continue to depend heavily trends.
of governance, mainly democratization on central government fund transfers. Progress
and decentralization. Election of mayors has been limited in building local government UN-Habitat was active in over ten countries
by universal suffrage is widespread, while capacities, a pending matter in the region. in the region with a total portfolio of USD
mechanisms and initiatives to ensure citizen 35 million for 2011-2012. This represents
participation in government affairs have been 8 per cent of UN-Habitat’s entire portfolio
strengthened, including mandate revocation, Latin America and the for the period under review. Figure 1 gives
participatory budgets and neighbourhood Caribbean: Portfolio of an overview of the distribution of projects
commissions. Furthermore, greater across various countries in 2011-2012. UN-
accountability in the management of resources Projects and Achievements Habitat has a significant presence in Haiti,
has been achieved, both by local authorities
and contributing citizens.
2011-2012 Brazil and Ecuador where the portfolio in
these countries account for 52.2 percent,
In 2012, UN-Habitat published the first issue 15.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent respectively
Decentralization of competencies has not of The State of Latin American and Caribbean of the entire region’s portfolio. Programmes
always been accompanied by the transfer of Cities: Towards a new urban transition. This and projects that cut across the regional level
resources and capabilities. Only the largest report comprises a region-wide analysis of constitute 11.5 per cent of the portfolio for
the region. These projects have largely focused is the significant contributor, as it accounts for reduction and rehabilitation. These comprise
on the improvement of land policies and land 24 per cent of the region’s entire portfolio, 53 per cent of the organization’s budget
management in the Caribbean. mainly supporting programmes that enhance for the region and are mostly in disaster
urban governance, better management of management and reconstruction of Haiti
The major financial contributors to the urban basic services, as well as promoting local following the earthquake of 2010. The second
portfolio of Latin America and the Caribbean economy in the region. The private sector is major thematic area of focus is urban land,
region for 2011-12 include multilateral donors playing a pivotal role in funding development legislation and governance, which accounts
such as UN organizations, the World Bank, initiatives – BASF AG is supporting the delivery for 26 per cent of the portfolio in the region;
the European Union, and Australian Agency of urban basic services in Brazil. the focus of such projects has been in the
for International Development and the United areas of governance and the improvement of
States International Development Assistance Figure 4 shows the seven thematic areas land policies and land management. Other
(USAID). The main donor countries within covered by projects in the region (2011- thematic areas are urban economy, research
the region are Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. 2012). UN-Habitat’s portfolio in the region and capacity development, as well as housing
Amongst the bilateral funding partners, Spain is dominated by projects relating to risk and slum upgrading.
Figure 4: Thematic distribution of the portfolio (2011-2012)
60%
50%
2011 (%)
40%
2012 (%)
30%
20%
10%
0%
Housing & Slum Research & Capacity Risk Reduction & Urban Basic Urban Urban Land, Legislation Urban Planning
Upgrading Development Rehabilitation Services Economy & Governance & Design
Latin America and the Box 3: Rio de Janeiro: From Coercion to Trust – UPP Social Programme
Caribbean: Country
Achievements Drug trafficking is the source of much of the organ- already pacified areas. This new programme aimed
ized violence of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest to consolidate peace and control of areas by com-
“We appear dancing, but it is very fast. They city in Brazil. For decades, the favelas have been bining public and private sector efforts with those
like the little step [so called ‘passinho’, a local under the control of criminal gangs who have used of the civil society and the citizens themselves. By
these areas for illegal economic activities. They May 2012, peace had been achieved in 87 favelas
dance]. In the beginning [when he won the
gradually took over these territories by providing spread over the city, benefiting about 300,000 peo-
Passinho Dance Competition], I went to very services, such as selling gas cylinders or cable tel- ple with freedom of movement and regular access
cool and chic places, São Paulo, Olinda ... evision connections, administering ‘criminal’ justice to services. These units, which have a high degree
met several artists. The phone kept ringing and charging fees for real estate transactions. These of social acceptance, have helped build a safer city.
and I was living from it, of presentations. But parallel structures have benefited from the complic- This social and public commitment aims to reverse
I had in my head that this was going to finish ity and corruption of police groups. The inhabitants the legacy of violence and socio-territorial exclu-
one day and finally got a job. That is when it of these communities have been exposed to a high sion, consolidating peace and security, promoting
degree of insecurity and violence, excluded from the social development, citizenship and the full integra-
really decreased. But if I have the opportunity
benefits provided by the city and state services. tion of these areas and the population into the rest
of living from the dance I’ll take it.” (Jackson of the city.
In 2008, the sheer level of violence and criminality
Carvalho, 20 years, champion of the “Batalha
made resolving this problem a government priority Culture has been an important and very successful
competition” in 2011, selected for the 2013 and, in December of that year, the Government tool for the inclusion of youth. Arts, culinary, dance
competition, describing his participation of the State of Rio de Janeiro began the deploy- and music have motivated participation of the com-
in a television soap opera in 2013 and the ment so-called Police Pacification Units (UPP) to munity in activities promoted by the municipality
opportunities he got after 2011) recapture these territories. In January 2011, the and other partners, generating social and economic
municipality of Rio de Janeiro took a second step in inclusion.
Source: Project reports and UPP Social official this direction: the introduction of UPP Social in 72
website: http://uppsocial.org/2013/03/
esta-dada-a-largada-para-a-batalha-do-
passinho-2013/ (in Portuguese) sanitation infrastructure in schools and In Patacamaya and San Ignacio de Velasco,
strengthening of water operators); and new sanitary infrastructure was built in 17
Bolivia increased water and sanitation coverage public schools. Promotion of decentralised
Key achievements: In 2011, UN-Habitat to poor households in peri-urban areas in sanitation systems and alternative
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with intermediate cities (Patacamaya, San Ignacio technologies. UN-Habitat in partnership
the Ministry of Environment and Water to de Velasco, District 9 and 14 in Cochabamba with the Municipality of Cochabamba in a
implement joint projects in the water sector. and Sacaba). The municipalities and participatory process with local communities
UN-Habitat has also supported the drafting beneficiaries are also participating through has implemented a pilot decentralised
of the Terms of Reference for master plans communal work to build and expand water wastewater treatment plant (PTAR) in the
in the cities of La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa systems (more than 10,000 beneficiaries Lomas del Pagador neighbourhood, benefiting
Cruz and Tarija within the Peri-urban Water estimated to date). To meet increased service 250 families. The waste wáter treatment
and Sanitation Programme (USD 120,000.000 demand, staff of four water municipal plant reduced soil pollution and helped in
from the Spanish Fund and IDB). companies were trained in management, reforestation of the neighbourhood. The
water resources and water quality. Water decentralized treatment plants are replicated
In alignment with the Plan of Water and laboratories and equipment were provided to in Tiquipaya and San Ignacio de Velasco.
Sanitation 2011 approved by the Bolivian operators; solid waste management strategies UN-Habitat also financed ecological toilets
Government, UN-Habitat and its partners work are also implemented to reduce pollution in in peri-urban areas in Cochabamba with the
in five areas with the following achievements cities. NGO ‘Water for People’.
to date: interventions in intermediate cities
(water, sanitation, solid wastes management,
ECuador Climate Change in cities: Since 2010, Knowledge Management: UN-Habitat,
UN-Habitat and the Municipality of La SNV and the SEI promoted a Knowledge
The lives of 11,000 Paz have been working on a project to Management Node to disseminate the
inhabitants improved promote responsible use of water and raise experiences in decentralized sustainable
awareness about climate change in the sanitation with the potential of applicability in
with secure access to water
city, with participatory involvement of local the Andean Region. Additionally, Bolivia, Peru,
and sanitation plus 6,100 neighbourhood associations, youth groups and El Salvador, Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador
students trained on hygiene women´s associations. The project completed are part of the regional project on gender and
the first activities in 12 neighbourhoods and water with the GWA (Gender Water Alliance),
it is expected to benefit 22,000 inhabitants in Sanitation as a Business with Water for People
another 30 neighbourhoods by 2013. and water education with Project Wet.
More than 20,000 students and 1,000 Development Partners: Government of Bolivia,
teachers were trained in the methodology of IDB (Interamerican Development Bank), SEI
Human Values Based on Water, Sanitation and (Stockholm Environmental Institute), NGO Plan
Hygiene Education (HVWSHE) in local schools BOTTOM : A Metrobus system bus, part of the new International, Water for People, Yaku Association,
with the aim of reducing water borne diseases mass transportation system in Panama City, Panama. SNV (Netherlands Cooperation Agency), EMAPAS
in schools and to create a culture of hygiene © Gerardo Pesantez / World Bank ( Sacaba Municipal Water company)
and good water use.
Brazil
Key achievements: Brazil, a highly
decentralized country, has several fast-growing
cities due to big investments from energy
and mineral companies. As the country is
poised to host the World Cup in 2014 and
Olympic Games (Rio 2016) the challenges
ahead are promising and stimulating. In 2012,
UN-Habitat supported the country with the
following activities:
Dialogues on Sustainable Urban Development

in Brazil: In connection with Rio+20, the
Government of Brazil launched a citizen’s
debate on strategic development issues. Nine
citizens’ dialogues were hosted, one of them
focused on “Sustainable Development of
Cities”. The Ministry of Cities, with funding
from the Ministry of the Environment in Brazil,
requested UN-Habitat to prepare a provocative
position paper for Rio+20 based on cases
in Brazil and related experiences from other
emerging economies. The results of the debate
during Rio+20 were incorporated in all papers.
The results of the WUF 6 were incorporated
in the final version of the documents and
presented to the public during WHD-2012 security plan, as well as the strengthening of of municipal urban management. Petrobras
activities in Brazil. The final document was conditions of local governance that ensure the requested its replication in Maranhão, where
published, supporting more than 90 favelas sustainability of the actions. The programme the Refinery Premium I will be installed.
of Rio de Janeiro in local planning, slum is targeted at children, youths and adolescents
upgrading and safer city actions. between 10 and 24 years who are especially Development Partners – Government of Brazil,
vulnerable because they are often excluded MDG Fund (AECID), Federal Universities, NGOs.
The UPP Social Programme was launched from education, victims of domestic or
to make use of innovations in public intergenerational violence, involved in drug- Chile
management for the articulation of the actions related activities, , or belong to a community Key achievements: Even though UN-Habitat
of several organizations (public and private, affected by perverse or detrimental social has no project office in Chile, the country has
NGOs, CBOs) in the territories. The approach capital. been a key partner in topics such as urban
of the UPP Social Programme focuses on planning, risk reduction, urban resilience and
improving urban governance and public housing. In recent years, Chile has suffered
management. Bolivia severe earthquake impacts and UN-Habitat
has been providing techical assistance in
The expected results are Guidelines for More than 20,000 students risk reduction and by the end of 2010/2011
Management of UPP Social Prepared; finalized a proposal for a Resource Center,
Information Management of UPP socially more and 1,000 teachers were aiming at providing advice and Technical
effective and efficient; Institutional Action in trained in the methodology assistance to municipalities, authorities and
the Territories more effective and efficient; 30 of Human Values Based local actors. Since then, UN-Habitat has
action plans prepared and implementation received requests for advice and follow up
started; Local projects prepared with
on Water, Sanitation and on related areas, including the monitoring
community organisations; and knowledge Hygiene Education of urban conditions and trends. The Country
management improved; Promotion of gender Focal Point of the Iberoamerican Forum on
and racial/ethnic equality. Best Practices has also steadly contributed
to the Best Practices Database in a ongoing
The Inter-Agency program to promote gender, basis, guaranteeing an important amount of
race and ethnic equality intends to support the Expected Results: Local capacity to prevent exemplary practices for the region.
implementation and assessment of National and reduce violence and to promote civic
Policy Plans for Women and for the Promotion culture and coexistence strengthened with Intermediate results: SUBDERE and UN-
Racial Equality. Urban safety and citizenship a focus on adolescents, children and youths Habitat are negotiating an association for
awareness in various Brazilian Communities in vulnerable conditions; and Urban spaces technical advice on risk reduction, municipal
generated and promoted. planning and resilience, and exchange and
Security with Citizenship: Preventing documentation of Good Practices. MINVU has
violence and strengthening citizenship with a Regional Urban Observatories: This expressed interest in developing a Housing
focus on children, adolescents and youths in project aims at monitoring the effects of the Profile. Ongoing exchange also included the
vulnerable conditions in Brazilian communities, construction and operation by Petrobras of the country presence in international events such
aims to reduce violence in a situation of petrochemical complex COMPERJ (State of Rio as the World Urban Forum and Habitat III.
vulnerability through the voluntary compliance de Janeiro) and the Refinery Premium I (State
with rules, self-regulation of behaviour and of Maranhão) in the municipalities impacted Development Partners: Government of
promotion of mechanisms of social control. by these initiatives. Basing on the MDGs Chile, SUBDERE (Administration and Regional
The programme also intends to build and and defining local targets and indicators to Development Sub Secretariat), MINVU (Urban and
strengthen capacities among local actors to be monitored which can also be used in the Housing Ministry), Santiago Local Government,
ensure that actions are carried out within the design of public policies and programmes, Bio Bio and Itata Valley Regional Government
framework of full citizen coexistence and a the project contributes to the improvement Associations, SUR (NGO)
Costa Rica
Key achievements: The National Office
focuses on strengthening Municipal capacities.
Improved safety was realized in nine of the

least-safe cantons of Costa Rica, through
the Convivial Networks Community without
Fear project. This project seeks to improve
the Cantonal Security Index in nine of the
least-safe cantons by simultaneously reducing
levels of fear and violence, and turning these
cantons into communities without fear..
Local capacity for preventing violence and
promoting peace will be strengthened as
called for in the National Plan for Preventing
Violence and Promoting Social Peace: A
Country without Fear.
Intermediate results: National

Inter-Institutional Strategy for locally
Intermediate results: Needs assessments implementation of the National Plan for the
TOP : An overview of Mexico City, Mexico.
© Julius Mwelu/UN-Habitat in support of sub-national entities provided; Prevention of Violence and Promotion of
Indicators Systems established at the Peace and Public Safety; Offers of training and
provincial level; Best Practices disseminated; information are available and customized for
Collaboration agreements with national, and police, teachers, officials, local governments
Colombia sub national governments established (UN- and community organizations; Nine Peaceful
Key achievements: In 2012, its focus was Habitat has been acknowledge as Steering Convivial Networks with the participation of
on providing technical advisory services Committee for Colombia’s Capital Cities national and local governmental institutions,
to governments ministries and partner Association); White Papers on Safety and local and community organizations, the
municipalities, particularly advocating for Social Cohesion developed in two Colombian citizenry, and an inter-community network;
urban sustainable development and partners cities (Bogotá and Medellin); Urban safety Local policies, action plans and budgets with
mobilization, focusing on UN-Habitat strategic toolkit developed and implemented; and a gender perspective; Nine cantons have
priorities (urban planning, urban economy, Youth platform established in Colombia. adapted and reclaimed at least one public
urban legislation and governance). In 2012, space for recreation and civic fellowship, and/
efforts were made to implement Regional Development Partners: Government of or have improved a public service; Campaign
Urban Forums and a successful National Colombia, National Agency for International in local media, educational centers and
Urban Forum (more than 1,500 participants Cooperation, Habitat Foundation, Fundación places of recreation reaffirming the virtues
in Colombia, as well as to support Medellin to Promotora Canal del Dique, World Bank, Inter- of dialogue and peaceful and fear-free
host the 7th session of the World Urban Forum American Development Bank (IADB), Latin conviviality; and Strengthening Municipal
(WUF). The National Office is currently working American Development Bank (CAF), Colombian Capacities in Local Human Development
with the National Government to develop a governmental development financing institution Planning and Neighbourhood Improvement
country agreement and prepare for the 7th (FINDETER), National Savings Fund, UN Agencies. and Slum Eradication Policy
WUF.
The project aims to develop a national in the area of risk management practices la Gente. As a result of those activities, the
neighbourhood improvement and slum in habitat and housing had their capacity two main targets were identified for a Cuban
eradication policy and strategy, as well strengthened, through knowledge transfer Agenda on Climate Change and Cities in Risk.
as to execute specific programmes which exercises, methodologies and best practices;
contribute to overcoming urban poverty disseminated the Cuban experience in research Results Achieved: Strengthened technical
and improving life standards of a vulnerable and housing solutions facing the impact of capabilities on climate change and disaster
population, while giving special attention to natural disasters; the project results were risk reduction; Network of Community
woman-headed households in slums. It is disseminated at the highest level (National Leaders and youth leaders was created; The
expected that the project will involve local Assembly); and local production of materials in Popular Consultation of Bartolome Maso
authorities in the coordination of efforts for the Pinar del Rio province was strengthened, in the cities of Santa Clara, Cienfuegos,
the interventions, investment and mobilization contributing to the national strategy for Holguin, and Bayamo was replicated;
of resources toward basic infrastructure housing construction. A new participatory method in the
for neighbourhood improvement and slum process of the Popular Consultation was
eradication with the participation of the HAITI introduced; Five demonstration projects of
communities and the private sector. Fourteen urban environmental improvement were
pilot interventions will be implemented based implemented in four cities; The network
on an intervention model for neighbourhood Since 2010, approximately identifid three priority projects for each city
improvement and slum eradication, which USD20 million spent on to seek financing; The Community Newsletter
contains lessons learned, international and My neighborhood in action was created for
national best practices and experiences from urban planning, community continued dissemination and exchange of
the intervention. development, social experiences; The Institutional Consultations
mobilization, land tenure, of Housing and Climate Change were
Development Partners: Government of Costa developed in the four cities and the most
Rica, MDG Fund, Cities Alliance, World Bank,
access to basic services, efficient technologies and solutions at local
European Commission, University of Costa Rica, municipal management, level identified; The importance of the national
UN Agencies, National Institute for Women, housing policy and 13,000 strategy for the production of materials at the
National Institute for Promotion and Assistance local level and within it the role of the centers
to Municipalities, IDRC, National University for
housing units reconstructed of local production of materials (CPLM) was
Distance Education (UNED) and the Ombudsman. recognized; and the good practices in housing
and habitat were collected, in order to make a
Cuba subsequent process of systematization.
Key achievements: Contribution to housing
recovery in three Provinces in Cuba is a Support for transformations of the
project aimed at involving the population in Cuba-Colombia South-South Cooperation:. housing sector in Cuba: This project is
housing solutions and carrying out on-site To respond to new urban problems in Cuba, part of a 5-year cooperation program of
demonstrations of innovative, natural-disaster- the Improving Citizen’s Participation and UN-Habitat and the Cuban Government and
resistant solutions to minimize damage, Capacities in Adaptation to Climate Change meets the updating of the Cuban economic
so that it can be replicated in other Cuban and Risk Reduction Process project is expected model in the habitat and housing structure.
provinces. to support conception and implementation
of community initiatives linked with climate Development partners: Government of Cuba,
Results Achieved: citizens capacity for change impacts and disaster risk reduction. Spain, Sweden, Volver a la Gente;. National
building hurricane resistant roofs was Institute of Housing, Physical Planning Institute,
developed; transferred technology solutions The themes were identified through Volver a la Gente
for the construction and rehabilitation of workshops held in 2010 with technical
housing; three training centers housing system support from the Colombian NGO Volver a
Ecuador developing the sole Capacity Building Plan finalized; Five initiatives on urban legislation
Key achievements: Governance in the for service confederations; and developing supported by the JP: Land use, Sudivisions,
water and sanitation sector in Ecuador the formulation of guidelines to establish National Development Bank, Social Housing,
within the Framework of the Millennium “mancomunidades”. Condominius; Three initiatives on urban
Development Goals (MDGs) will contribute to legislation approved by the national congress
the implementation of the National Water Plan Development Partners: Government of supported: land use, sudivisions, national
and the creation of democratic and sustainable Ecuador, MDG Fund, Spanish, Inter-American development bank; and Capacity building
governance in water and sanitation services, Development Bank (IADB), UN Agencies activities supported for the Housing Vice
focusing on integrated water management by Ministry, municipalities, congressman and
river basins and promoting social, territorial El Salvador other stakeholders implemented.
and gender equality. It contributes to the State Key achievements: UN-Habitat has mainly
reform process being pushed through by the focused on strengthening national and Shelter response: Construction and
current government within the framework local governments in El Salvador. The most rehabilitation to ensure the safe return of 175
of the National Development Plan in a sector recent project on Productive Settlements has families affected by the Tropical Depression
that is crucial for fulfilling the MDGs and contributed directly to an innovative new legal 12E. Due to the extent and magnitude of the
sustainable human development in Ecuador. framework to enable the legalization of more impact, as well as the severe damage caused
than 20 per cent of the existing housing stock. by rains in agricultural areas and infrastructure,
Intermediate results: operational plan was El Salvador now faces one of the greatest
approved; four provincial programme teams Urban and Productive Integrated Sustainable disasters in its history. Following the return
were formed for institutional management; Settlements in El Salvador: a UN Joint of the families from collective centres, the
a base line was defined; bid documents were Programme geographically focused on Government requested coordination support
prepared for 20 future contracts; 15 national the municipalities of the San Salvador in the shelter sector. The coordination
and one international bid for the construction Metropolitan Area. It aims at implementing mechanism in the shelter has been integrated
of water and sanitation infrastructure received; an integrated strategy to improve housing under the “Mesa Sectorial” led by Housing
15 contracts signed for the rehabilitation of and living conditions, at the same time that Vice-Ministry and co-led by the International
water systems, building new water system it promotes local economic development Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
and improvement of sanitary batteries (toilets) through private sector-generated livelihoods Societies (IFRC) as convener of the Shelter
of schools; seven of the 15 contracts signed, for the urban poor. The programme has three Cluster, in collaboration with UN-Habitat.
and beneficiaries agreed to pay a fee and to main components. UN-Habitat will contribute
maintain the infrastructure; improved the lives to the first component that aims at improving Shelter partners, in associations with local
of 11,000 inhabitants with secure access to the housing and living conditions of 750 governments, plan to attend individual shelter
water and sanitation and trained them on families. needs for the most vulnerable communities.
water maintenance and provision; improved Actions to cover proper shelter needs have
the sanitary conditions of 6,100 girls and boys Intermediate results: 884 families selected, therefore been enhanced to ensure safer living
and trained them on sanitation aspects as seven settlements focused, 438 families’ conditions. A preliminary analysis conducted
well as on water maintenance and provision; land tenure reviewed in Apopa, identified to identify housing vulnerabilities, developed
developed five gender training workshop with 90 cases for legalization, 15 legalized; with the technical support of the shelter
the participation of the JAAPs and national Action plan for urban activities in Santa Tecla coordination team, reveals that more than 50
institutions; developed two permaculture finalized; National architectural contest for per cent of households within the country are
workshops at province level in each province housing design in Santa Tecla and public vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
(Esmeraldas, Los Rios, Bolivar and Manabí); spaces in Apopa finalized; Final design for
developed a MOU with PROTOS to continue Santa Tecla APUS finalized; Public space and Development Partners: Government of El
working within one community involved community infrastructure design for Apopa Salvador, Spain, UN Agencies.
in the Programme; identified a community APUS in progress; Revision of urban basic
to implement a pilot on permaculture; services in Apopa focused communities
Guatemala
Key achievements: Consolidating Peace
in Guatemala through Violence Prevention
and Conflict Management is a UN Joint
programme to establish more effective
national and local capacities to prevent crime
and focus attention on public safety. UN-
Habitat’s specific objective is to implement
a pilot programme Communities and Safe
Spaces in three municipalities with a focus on
age, gender and cultural pertinence.
Main activities: Advisory team MINGOB/

UPCV for defining the process for developing
the model approach for the prevention
of crime and social unrest; Counseling on
the development and operationalization
profile of observatory prevention and public
safety; Advice for the profiling of projects to
implement recovery demonstration projects
for coexistence spaces; Preparation of four
pilot recovery demonstration projects spaces
for peaceful coexistence; Advising UPCV TOP : Guadalajara, Mexico. Activities in 2012: Debris Management
delegates and municipal staff to implement © Sergio Eduardo Bernal in Informal Districts of Port-au-Prince:
the model policy development, prevention The project contributes to the rehabilitation
plans, observatory and projects recovery of urban areas by implementing recycling,
demonstration spaces; Technical assistance for UN-Habitat supported the mobilization of disposal and treatment of debris in six specific
specific application of the model approach and partners and coordinated and provided areas of Port-au-Prince’s agglomeration. The
the development of plans, including support technical advice to national and municipal project responds to priorities identified by the
for the organization of sectorial tables; and governments, NGOs (international and Interim Committee for the Reconstruction of
Advice for the creation of the web portal for national) and UN sister agencies. Haiti (CIRH).
the analysis of data to produce georeferenced
maps of violence and social conflict.A UN Join UN-Habitat is now participating in the The joint programme to support the
Programme aiming to establish more effective transition phase, supporting the reconstruction reconstruction of housing and neighbourhoods
national and local capacities to prevent crime of communal urban areas and housing, and in Haiti proposes concrete measures to limit
and focus attention on public safety. the long-term development of cities, as well as the effects of an uncoordinated response to
providing advice on complex urban problems. the earthquake, which could be inconsistent
Development Partners: Government of UN-Habitat has received approximately USD20 with the Action Plan for the Recovery and
Guatemala, MDG Fund, Spain, UN Agencies million since January 2010, which has allowed Development of Haiti.
the agency to focus on urban planning,
Haiti community planning, social mobilization, Development Partners – Government of
Key achievements: Following the 2010 reconstruction of 13,000 housing units, land Haiti, Haiti Reconstruction Fund (Multi-Donor);
earthquake, UN-Habitat has been supporting and housing tenure, access to basic services, European Union, Spain, United Sates of America,
the reconstruction process alongside national municipal management and housing policy. Ireland, BASF Foundation, Central Emergency
and municipal governments and civil society. Response Fund (CERF)
Mexico by programmes, projects, and underpinning solid waste management; Improved public,
Key achievements: In Mexico, UN-Habitat assessment methodology. A second phase is private and social partnerships within the
has provided continued support for the planned, for further replication in another recycling sector, through direct support to
development and application of local municipality. the informal and formal waste recycling
development policies to reduce urban poverty. sectors; and strengthened regional capacity
Development Partners: Government of for improved solid waste management. (see
Urban poverty reduction in Mexico: Mexico, National Association of Water Operators regional programme above-mentioned)
This project complements the efforts of (ANEAS), National Institute of Ecology (INE),
Mexican authorities in keeping a political Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua Development Partners: Government of
and administrative environment conducive to (IMTA), UN Agencies, MDG Fund, CENVI (NGO), Nicaragua, Association of Municipalities of
the implementation of the Habitat Agenda Habitat International Coalition (HIC). Nicaragua (AMUNIC ), Spain.
in the country. It focuses on strengthening
knowledge, visibility and networks to Panama
develop the portfolio of activities in the brazil Key achievements: Panama is an important
country, including support to monitoring of UN hub in the region and UN-Habitat has
urban trends and conditions; promotion of participated in some UN events in order to
technical and policy dialogue on sustainable
Brazil, a highly share Best Practices and exchange knowledge
urbanization issues; awareness-raising decentralized country, on resilient cities and climate change. The
activities; mobilization of Habitat partners and with several fast-growing UNDG LAC has also been the regional partner
the expansion of the UN-Habitat portfolio. for the coordination of UN-Habitat activities in
Intermediate results: more than 40 local urban
cities due to its big the region with other agencies.
observatories were established; municipality investments in energy and
staff, state governments and their partners in mineral sectors Intermediate results: UN-Habitat contributes
the civil society were trained,; and municipal to the thematic working UNDG Working
and state governments implemented urban Groups and participates in regional UN
planning methodologies. working documents. Important UN regional
approaches are proposed and disseminated,
Assessment of the Impacts of Crime on Urban on topics such as Middle Income Countries
Economic Competitiveness, a Pilot Case in Nicaragua and UN work in the Caribbean, aiming at
Zapopan Municipality: This project improves Key Achievements: The Water and achieving a regional alignment through
local authorities’ capacities to formulate and Sanitation activity in Nicaragua contributed UNDG coordination. UN-Habitat, through the
implement urban strategies for prevention to the capacity improvement of Solid Iberoamerican Forum on Best Practices, has
and mitigation of urban crime in a context Waste Management in Managua. It was also participated and exchanged knowledge
of economic competitiveness. The pilot case part of a larger programme called Solid on LAC practices in the South Knowledge Fair
in the first phase focused on the Mexican Waste Management (SWM) Technical and – Regional Solutions Exchange, a Regional UN
Municipality of Zapopan and shall produce: Institutional Assistance Programme for Central event.
a) a methodology for impact analysis and America, which covered other countries in
assessment of crime and violence; b) a report the region, namely Honduras, Costa Rica, Development Partners: Governmnet of
on crime and violence and their impact in Guatemala and El Salvador Panama, United Nations Development Group/
local urban economic competitiveness; c) Latin America and Caribbean Region (UNDG/
identification of local stakeholders for a Intermediate Results: Provided direct support LAC), UN Agencies
coalition to promote and safeguard urban to the AECID Programme, with particular
safety; and d) strategies for preventing and emphasis on the strengthening of livelihoods
addressing crime and violence while improving in the value chain of waste collection and
local economic competitiveness, structured recycling; Improved municipal efficiency in
Peru management in a context of climate change; The project outputs and results are the
Key achievements: UN-Habitat has development of knowledge, attitudes and dissemination of publications and studies
implemented “Capacity building for practices among the population and social on best practices; two case studies reports
adaptation to climate change effects in learning in adaptation to climate change, compiling cases on governance and risk
water use and management, Junin Region, particularly efficient water use in cities. prevention; Systematized Best Practices sent to
Peru”. The programme contributed to the the Dubai Award Committee; organization of
development of adaptive capacity and Development Partners: Government of Peru, events, exhibitions and conferences to discuss
resilience to the impacts of climate change CARE-Peru and disseminate best practices; and regional
issues related to water and sanitation on presence in the last Dubai Award. The nodes
population, government and main actors Latin American and focal points sent 168 practices to the
in the Junin region, especially in urban Key achievements: The Iberoamerican Dubai Award. Latin American and Caribbean
populations. and Caribbean Forum on Best Practices is a Practices constituted more than 43 per cent
regional network of public and private sector of all best practices sent to the Dubai Award
Intermediate Results: Promotion of tools partners who came together in 1997 to Committee. Out of 100 best practices selected
for water resource management based on identify, analyse, document and disseminate by TAC, 46 practices are from Latin America.
scientific information related to climate regional best practices that have contributed
change, by the Regional Government, Local to improving the quality of life in the region’s
and water and sanitation companies; Increased cities. It operates through sub-regional nodes BOTTOM : A view of Delmas 32, a neighborhood in
awareness and commitment of policy makers, and national focal points engaged in the Haiti which many residence are beneficiaries of the
authorities and leaders to implement policies search for best practices in sustainable human PRODEPUR- Habitat project, in Delmas 32, Haiti.
and strategies for integrated water resources settlements development. © Dominic Chavez /World Bank
impacts; promotion of sustainable sanitation
networks and technologies; promotion of
the sanitation as a business concept; water
governance and civil participation; integral
water and sanitation projects and piloting low-
cost innovative technologies for sustainable
sanitation in peri-urban areas.
Development Partners: Spanish Government;

IADB (Inter-American Development Bank) and
other multi-lateral agencies, national and local
governments
Caribbean Region
Key achievements: The Supporting Eastern
Caribbean States to Improve Land Policies and
Management programme brings enhanced
TOP : A row of new houses in a new public housing
strategies for each participating country with regional, national and local capacity to
complex being built southwest of the city centre. The
project includes the building of hundreds of independent a focus on the development of key technical implement human settlement policies,
houses, all with autonomous solar water-heating assistance and pre-investment projects. In strategies and programmes with special
systems. The first lots of houses have already been 2008, UN-Habitat started a project to improve focus on the reduction of poverty and the
handed over to their inhabitants. the efficiency of the solid waste management response to natural and man-made disasters;
© Alessandro Scotti /UN-Habitat
system in Managua and in the region. and improved national policies on housing
Subsequently, this evolved into a regional and sustainable development and increased
initiative, built upon the outcomes from regional knowledge of rural and urban
Nicaragua, which is now being replicated and conditions and trends. The implementation
Global Water Operators Partnerships’ up scaled in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras approaches will be improved with the clear
Alliance: Hosted by UN-Habitat Headquarters, and Guatemala. understanding that land policy development
the Global Water Operators Partnerships’ depends on political goodwill. The National
Alliance is a cooperation between water Water for Cities Programme in Latin Land Policy sets the foundation for all activities
utilities worldwide to nurture the information America and the Caribbean: The Water related to land including subsidiary policies
exchange, joint learning and twinning for Cities Programme in Latin America such as land use policies, housing policies and
between operators within regions, while and the Caribbean (WATSAN-LAC) aims relevant legal framework. The Slum Upgrading
acting as a window for exchange beyond the to increase the flow of investments in the Programme is being implemented in five
region. In Latin America and the Caribbean, water and sanitation sector in the region countries (Antigua & Barbuda, Haiti, Jamaica,
the Water Operators’ Partnership has through strategic partnerships amongst Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago) through
established platforms in Mexico, Colombia, different institutions and organisations, Urban Profiling and Action Planning.
Brazil and the Caribbean. donor countries, central governments,
local authorities, the private sector, non- Development Partners: Governments of
The solid waste management, technical governmental organisations and local Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia,
and institutional assistance Initiative for communities. It has provided technical Trinidad and Tobago, the University of West
Central America: The main objective of the support in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Indies, Organization of the Eastern Caribbean
programme is to carry out sector assessments Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. The States, Australia, Intra-ACP (Africa, Caribbean and
and use them as a basis to develop national strategic lines of intervention for the regional Pacific) Funds / European Commission.
solid waste management intervention programme are adaptation to climate change
Latin America and • Achievements related to Security of Tenure • Over the years, UN-Habitat has promoted
the Caribbean region: through improvements in the legislation
were supported by UN-Habitat, particularly
Observatories and its use for planning
purposes in the region. Recent examples
Achievements by Thematic in El Salvador and Ecuador, targeting are the Regional Observatories in Brazil,
housing or/and land issues. aiming at monitoring the effects of the
Areas construction and operation by Petrobras
• UN-Habitat has implemented several of the petrochemical complex COMPERJ
The achievements by thematic areas for the activities for capacity building and (State of Rio de Janeiro) and the
Latin America and the Caribbean region are strengthening of local governments Refinery Premium I (State of Maranhão)
summarized as follows: in governance and decentralization in municipalities impacted by these
throughout the region, focusing on initiatives. Having as base the MDGs and
national and local requests but also as defining local targets and indicators to be
part of an Iberoamerican Programme, monitored which can also be used in the
Strategic lines of intervention supported by the Spanish government. design of public policies and programmes;
The main objective is sharing and it contributes to the improvement of
for the regional programme dissemination of knowledge, experiences municipal urban management in a regional
are adaptation to climate and best practices, as well as good integration context. The consolidation of
change impacts; promotion governance advocacy. several observatories and capacity building
has also been part of country programmes,
of sustainable sanitation Urban Planning and Design particularly in Mexico and Colombia.
networks and technologies; • UN-Habitat has also promoted and
supported the drafting of the Terms of Urban Economy
promotion of the sanitation
Reference for Master Plans in several • UN-Habitat has been actively promoting
as a business concept; water countries. One example is in Bolivia, in the urban productive settlements models and
governance and civil cities of La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz strengthening capacity in local economic
and Tarija within the Periurban Water and development. In some cases, such as El
participation Sanitation Programme. Salvador, a broad support for the inclusion
of slums into the cities’ economy was
• Local Agenda 21 has been actively guaranteed through joint implementation
supported by the Regional Office in with different UN agencies.
the past years. Even though main
joint initiated processes are already • Specialized observatories have also been
Urban Land, Legislation and independent, in some countries, such as implemented. An example can be traced
Governance Cuba, local consultations and meetings in Costa Rica, where a platform for the
• UN-Habitat has received several advisory are still facilitated by UN-Habitat. Available Entrepreneur Development Observatory
requests concerning urban issues and reports from previous initiatives may be for the South Region of Costa Rica was
related legislation. In El Salvador, advice downloaded through UN-Habitat’s and designed, in alliance with other UN
on urban legislation and regulatory Regional Office online publications’ link. agencies and representatives of local
framework has contributed directly to an governments and other sectors of the
innovative new legal framework to enable society.
the legalization of more than 20% of the
existing housing stock.
Housing and Slum Upgrading
• UN-Habitat has been acknowledged
as the main UN partner for Housing
related issues. The government of Cuba
has chosen the agency for advisory
services and technical support for its
important housing reform. The first step
is a participatory situation analysis of the
housing sector – the Housing Profile,
which shall deliver reliable information for
governmental decision making and related
policies.
• The reconstruction of housing and

neighbourhoods has been one of UN-
Habitat’s focuses in Haiti. It has been
prepared in close coordination with the
Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, in
cooperation with the Haitian Government
and its financial and technical partners.
It includes the enumeration of affected
populations and districts, a housing and
TOP : Partly flooded streets. The floods cause health
• In 2008, UN-Habitat started activities in District information system, municipal and
and security hazards for the residents of low lying areas.
Gamarra, Colombia. © Scott Wallace / World Bank Bolivia in the framework of the Water community support centres and strategic
and Sanitation for Cities in Latin America urban and regional planning activities. The
and the Caribbean Program (WATSAN programme implements concrete measures
LAC). Over 4 years, UN-Habitat achieved and links all activities to the Action Plan for
• In Haiti, the reactivation of local economies positive results with the implementation the Recovery and Development of Haiti,
linked to local needs such as debris of several projects in water sanitation improving the access to adequate housing.
removal and recycling have contributed to and solid wastes management in urban
risk management and facilitated the return and periurban areas, training events and • UN-Habitat advanced new strategies
of populations affected by the earthquake workshops with public sector officials and and approaches to successful integrated
in 2010. water operators in topics like water safety slum upgrading interventions. Innovative
plans, hygiene education, basic services proposals seek to integrate security
Urban Basic Services and public finance, among others. issues, cultural, environmental, social
• The access to Water and Sanitation in the and economic aspects to previous
region has been intensely promoted by • Activities focused on governance in the upgrading proposals. Important examples
UN-Habitat in several countries of the Latin water and sanitation sector have been are: security linked to social services
America region and also the Caribbean. the focus of the country programme in and inclusion in Brazil, productive
Other than technologies for sustainable Ecuador. It has been identifying needs, and settlements in El Salvador, neighbourhood
sanitation, the awareness and knowledge appropriate administrative and technical improvement in Costa Rica, cultural and
exchange has been an important part of tools, connecting main national and local environmentally sustainable communities
the activities in the region. actors to a regional and international in Ecuador and poverty reduction in
water and sanitation network. Mexico, among others. Adequate action
planning is envisaged through the
Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme
Research and Capacity Building launch of the State of the Latin American
in the Caribbean Region, which focus on • The Iberoamerican Forum on Best Practices and Caribbean Cities Report in 2012,
the Caribbean islands and sub-regional has proved to be an excellent tool for acknowledged as an important source
knowledge exchange. identification, dissemination and transfer of urban information on the region by
of Best Practices in Latin America and the the Assembly of Ministers and Maximum
Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation Caribbean. In the last two Dubai Awards, Authorities of Housing and the Urbanism
• The region largest response of UN-Habitat 2010 and 2012, almost 50% of the whole of the Latin America and the Caribbean
in rehabilitation and risk reduction has submitted practices were from the region. (MINURVI).
taken place in the humanitarian crisis in An equally important amount of practices
Haiti, in the post-disaster context through have been nominated for the award
UN joint programming, integrating other or selected as good and best practice Latin America and the
substantive areas, particularly housing and references. Caribbean: The road ahead
urban waste recycling and management
and mainly through participatory • The Regional Office has seriously Latin America and the Caribbean cities can
methodologies. Community and other committed to the promotion of gender surmount the decades-long vicious cycle of
stakeholders’ involvement were crucial equality and youth inclusion. Through inequality and environmental unsustainability.
for temporary solutions that bridged partnerships with the private sector and The region is rich in knowledge, experience
humanitarian to development activities. the Millennium Development Goals Fund, and institutional capacities to promote
actions focused on gender and safety, innovative urban policies aimed at economic
• Awareness around Climate Change, as well as inclusion of Youth could be development and social and cultural inclusion,
adaptation and mitigation measures successfully implemented in different in areas as housing provision, public space
has been growing in the region. Smaller countries. design, basic services, water and sanitation, as
but also more important actions have well as public transport, urban mobility, urban
taken place in the region. For instance, • The Regional Office has been contributing economy and local finance.
in Ecuador, the city of Esmeraldas has to the LAC UN Development Group in a
already approved a Local Adaptation and common proposal for the Middle Income Significant progress has been achieved
Mitigation Strategy on Climate Change. Countries in the region, which will target in urban governance as an outcome
In Brazil, cities have just been called to the eradication of poverty and promotion democratization and decentralization. In that
contribute to a global initiative, the Urban of South-South Cooperation. Since most sense, the region has entered a new cycle
Low Emission Development Strategies, of LAC countries are MICs, this could help of urban transition, which does not demand
being implemented in Brazil, South Africa, the Regional Office to further adequate its accommodating more people coming from
India and Indonesia. working programme to the specific needs rural areas, but to ensure fundamental
of the region. improvement of the quality of life and
• The need for regional and national pools competitiveness of cities. What looms on
of knowledge, information and tools • Urban issues have proved to be a crucial the horizon is a transition to urban inclusion,
management and databases has been issue in Latin America. In 2010, the region equity, and sustainability.
waived in different situations. In Chile, a has received the 5th Session of the World
Resource Centre for advice and technical Urban Forum and the intense participation While it is certain that the above
assistance to municipalities, authorities and of LAC actors, concerned with transformation is possible, the urban growth
local actors has been designed, focused urbanization and sustainable development models promoted so far have been marked
on local development, risk prevention in the region have led Colombia to by a high degree of unsustainability and will
and post-disaster reconstruction. campaign and be accepted as the guest need to be thoroughly re-examined. Without a
Other countries such as Cuba and El country to the 7th Session of the World review of the urban development model there
Salvador have also identified the need Urban Forum, to be held in Medellín. is every chance that the region’s cities will once
for preventive measures, following risk Another main motivation for further more embrace the errors of their past, such
reduction and rehabilitation programmes. interest has been the development and as deep social inequalities and environmental
deterioration. UN-Habitat’s presence in the diversity of countries in the region, the range
TOP : A washed off bridge due to heavy rains in Trinidad.
region therefore remains more relevant than © UN-Habitat
of partners is equally diverse. UN-Habitat is
ever, and begs for new areas of cooperation currently operating with support from bilateral
and partnerships, responding effectively to the donors in least-developed and lower-middle-
changing realities. income economies, while our presence in the
UN-Habitat stands firm in its commitment to region is increasingly being championed by
Themes to be developed and promoted the region through enhanced engagement local and national governments themselves.
include: National and thematic urban and supportive partnerships. Emblematic tools Regional banks are also a natural partner
policies; Urban governance and safety; Urban like The State of the Cities in Latin America complementing our areas of expertise. In
densification; Urban planning capacities and the Caribbean 2012 (www.unhabitat. addition, corporations in the private sector are
in intermediary cities; Inter-municipal org/pmss/) and best practices in Latin America becoming important partners in the region
cooperation; Regional and metropolitan help guide policies and interventions to better through their corporate social responsibility
integration; Urban competitiveness and job manage urban growth. policies. UN-Habitat is also commending
creation; Municipal and local finance; Slum South-South cooperation in the region and
upgrading; Mobility and access to basic The key asset to making our involvement in overseas through the identification, sharing
services; Urban resilience, Natural disasters and the region visible is enhancing partnerships and transfer of successful and innovative
climate change impacts. with development partners. Given the urban practices.
PHOTO : An informal settlement on the Picacho hill in
Medellin, Colombia. © A. Padrós /UN-Habitat
PHOTO : Naples, Italy.
©Shutterstock
Chapter Five Transitional Europe
Transitional Europe
Growth started again around 2002, with 58.9 per
cent urban to 60 per cent in 2011 and projected
73 per cent in 2050
Demographic and Urban 1990. Rates of urbanization were stagnating interventions. The impacts of these early
in the decade 1990-2000. Growth started decisions now start to be felt with complex
Trends again around 2002, with 58, 9 per cent urban and daunting realities on the ground.
The 23 countries that constitute Transitional to 60 per cent in 2011 and projected 73 per
Europe2 experienced a 1.4 times population cent in 2050. Urban and Rural Population Decline
increase from 1950 to 1990, from around Urban and rural population shrinkages
148 million to 212 million. After the Major Challenges are among the region’s most noteworthy
breakdown of the Soviet Union, the figures Over the past 20 years, all 23 transitional and worrisome demographic trends.
declined considerably to 201 million in European countries have made great strides Geographically concentrated prosperity
2010 and a further decline to around 177 in their transformation from socialist centrally- differentials have fuelled recent and current
million is projected (see Fig. 1). Likewise, the planned economies to democratic and migratory and fertility trends in the region and
urbanization rate increased until 1990, with market-based systems. But changes have often resulted, among others, in decelerating city
32 per cent living in urban areas 1950 and been embarked upon in haste and were not growth and significant depopulation among
always based on solid policy, legislative and smaller cities and in the rural areas of all
2 Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia- regulation foundations. Driven by the desire transition countries. Rural depopulation trends
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech
Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo to rapidly pass through the transitional phase, are so strong that the share of urban dwellers
(UN Resolution 1244), Latvia, Lithuania, the sound forward-looking policy has at times in the total population rises despite urban
Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland,
Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and been compromised by much shorter political shrinkage.
Ukraine time horizons and associated opportunistic
C H A P T E R 5 : T r a n s i t i o n a l E u r o p e 81
Progressing urbanization processes, due time to adjust; especially among intermediate of the capitals and other large cities in
to increased mobility, connectivity and and small cities. This is compounded by the region can potentially compete in the
communications technologies, produce lagging or lacking fiscal decentralization to European economy, they still require further
new urbanization forms and new urban enable local authorities to perform effectively and deep modernization interventions,
configurations. Increasingly, urban areas and execute their traditional and new urban governance capacity-building,
composed of clusters of municipalities act responsibilities. major infrastructure enhancements and
as single demographic, socioeconomic and environmental improvements. The potential to
political entities. Urban Economies compete internationally is much more limited
Several of the region’s larger cities, for for cities in the non-EU member states and
Urban Policy and Governance instance Budapest and Warsaw, have mostly those whose undiversified urban economies
Although the transition introduced adjusted and, in economic terms, have proved uncompetitive after their international
institutional reform and planning innovations, moved comparatively smoothly through the exposure.
in many cases former state controls and closed transition because their more diversified
decision-making processes have not been urban economies and the concentrated The locational benefits of small and
fully dismantled. Accelerated decentralization, availability of international investment intermediate cities in the vicinity of major
introduction of local self-governance and local capital positioned them better for European trans-European corridors and other
autonomy have left many local authorities little and global competition. Although most geographic advantages need to be better
Figure 1: Population development in Eastern European sub-regions
250 000
Eastern Sub-Region (Belarus, Republik of Moldova,

200 000 Ukraine)
Southern Sub-Region (Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Her-

zegovina, Croatia, TFYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia
150 000 (including Kosovo (UN1224),Romania
South Caucasus Sub-region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia)
100 000 Western Sub-Region (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary,

Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia)
Transitional Europe
50 000
0
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Source: WUP 2012
RIGHT : Linz, Austria
© Shutterstock
explored in coordination with enhancing

their administrative capacities as factors
that can contribute to their development.
The agricultural and tourism potentials of
small towns in rural areas require attention
to further assist their positioning and
development.
Achieving balanced urban development

at both the regional and national levels is
critical for promoting more local, national and
inter-regional coherence. Declining economic
competitiveness and population losses
mostly occur in the city-size classes that need
demographic and economic reinforcement.
Strategies for mitigating complex urban
population shrinkage should concentrate on Consequently, low affordability of urban for buildings. The problem of waste water
redefining the economic base as the start of residential units is widespread with housing and solid waste disposal is critical in a large
the economic recovery policy. costs rising particularly rapidly in the more number of the region’s cities. Combined
prosperous large cities where lack of urban with problematic water supply experienced
Inequality housing supply is pushing up prices at a time by many local communities, prudent policy
Improved living standards and quality of life when privatization has wiped out national interventions are needed at the local and
neither reached all strata of society nor all social housing stocks. regional tiers.
parts of countries. Inequality is increasing
because economic growth concentrates in Basis Services and the Environment
the capitals, their functional urban areas and With rising oil and gas prices, energy
in some other cities, while the smaller cities consumption and efficiency are becoming
cannot catch up. Geographically concentrated strategic issues. Households are major users
Achieving balanced urban
prosperity differentials have grown rapidly and of energy, which exacerbates current systemic development at both the
fuelled outmigration and declining fertility inefficiencies because housing stocks are regional and national levels
trends. mostly old, energy-inefficient and equipped
with energy-intensive appliances. To achieve
is critical for promoting
Housing Privatization and Low energy efficiency both state and municipal more local, national and
Affordability levels will have to play an active role in inter-regional coherence
In most transitional countries, the housing more efficient heat and energy production,
privatizations of the 1990s took place very fast for example through reducing losses in
and in the absence of clear forward-looking transmission and distribution of energy, and
policy, legislation and regulation contexts. introducing more stringent energy standards
Figure 2: Geographic Distribution of On-going Projects (2011-2012)
2.72%
Russian federation
81.90%
15.38% Kosovo
Serbia
Mobility Competition and Cooperation Europe and Former

Although the road infrastructure network
is reasonably well-developed in the region,
Many interventions are still required to
realize the potentials for significantly
Soviet Union States:
intermediate-size cities in particular improved intra-regional (and particularly Portfolio of Projects and
suffer from transport infrastructures that intercity) cooperation. Clustering regions
insufficiently connect city clusters, cities and municipalities can positively impact on
Achievements 2011-2012
or even neighbourhoods within cities. their attractiveness, on integral approaches
Interurban connections are also hampered by towards knowledge-based societies and on UN-Habitat was active in three countries -
underdeveloped or defunct railway networks. the systemic boosting of competitiveness. But Kosovo, Serbia and the Russian Federation - in
Large urban areas need better and faster regional cooperation is still quite limited if Europe and Former Soviet Union States with a
transport infrastructure to connect among compared to other EU countries and even in total portfolio of USD5 million for 2011-2012.
themselves and with the wider European city the region’s EU member states this is a new As Fig. 2 shows, Kosovo alone accounts for
networks and markets to foster networking issue that requires further adaptation of legal, the lion’s share of UN-Habitat’s portfolio in the
economies. governance, macro-economic and financial region with 82 per cent, followed by Serbia
systems. and the Russian Federation with 15 and 3 per
cent, respectively.
Figure 3: Major Contributors to the portfolio (2011-2012)
2.72%
norway
15.38%
spain
0.29%
kosovo
43.20% 38.42%
Sweden
Swedish International
Development Cooperation
Agency (SIDA)
The financial contributors to UN-Habitat’s portfolio is risk reduction and rehabilitation, 1. Re-engaging with the Eastern European
portfolio in the region (as shown in Fig. 3) are which accounted for just 5.4 per cent in 2011. states which have become Members of the
Sweden with 82 per cent; Spain with 15 per European Union.
cent; Norway with 3 per cent; and Kosovo Highlights of Activities and
with 0.3 per cent.. Achievements 2. Formalizing collaboration with the
In 2011, the UN-Habitat Warsaw Office was Commonwealth of Independent States,
The main thematic area of focus has been closed following a request by the host country. consisting of Russian Federation,
urban planning and design mainly through Consequently, the efforts in the region had Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan,
the Municipal Spatial Planning Support to be restructured. UN-Habitat increased Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan,
Programme in Kosovo which accounted for efforts to develop technical cooperation in the Uzbekistan, and informal participation of
almost 82 per cent of the region’s portfolio Transitional European region. With funding Turkmenistan and Ukraine.
in 2011, increasing marginally to 84 per cent from Sweden (USD30,000) for monitoring the
in 2012. The second thematic area is urban regional relations and reporting, UN-Habitat 3. Strengthening collaboration in the
land, legislation and governance. In 2011, took stock of its relations with the Member Western Balkans.
this constituted 20 per cent of the region’s States in the region.
portfolio, and declining to 10 per cent Following the conclusions of this report, the
in2012. The third thematic area in the region’s efforts were exercised in three directions:
Figure 4: Thematic distribution of the portfolio (2011-2012)
90%
80%
70%
2011 (%)
60%
2012 (%)
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Risk Reduction & Urban Land, Legislation
Urban Planning & Design
Rehabilitation Europe & Former Soviet Union States
European Union and its Eastern regional state of the cities report The State
Neighbourhood of European Cities 2015, agreed upon with
With rising oil and gas
In 2011, with funding provided by Norway the EC in March 2013, to analyse the role
(USD100,000), UN-Habitat started preparing prices, energy consumption of the European Cities in the European
a report titled: State of the European Cities in and efficiency are becoming Neighbourhood and in the world.
Transition 2013: Taking stock after 20 years of strategic issues
Reform. This report complements the results Commonwealth of Independent
of the debate with the national authorities States
with the analytical insights on the aftermath Benefitting from the Russian Federations’
of post-socialist development and regional annual contribution (USD400,000) and in
development policy of the EU. The Report collaboration with UNECE, in March 2011, a
covers the 23 transitional countries of Europe.3 The work is coordinated by UN-Habitat in training course was organized in Minsk for
cooperation with the Urban Development the CIS Member States. This training course,
3 Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia- Institute in Krakow, Poland. The report will be and subsequent meeting of the UN-Habitat-
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech launched by UN-Habitat during the European CIS Collaboration Commission, established in
Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo
(UN Resolution 1244), Latvia, Lithuania, Commission’s “Open Days: European Week 2010, was used to establish the needs of the
Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, of Regions and Cities” in October 2013. CIS Member States within the mandate of
Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and It will pave the way for a new UN-Habitat UN-Habitat.
Ukraine.
Following the findings, in 2011, relations were cities report series: The State of the Eurasian In 2012, relations were also re-established
developed with the regional International Cities 2015: Regional planning for economic with the UNCT in Bosnia-Herzegovina, UN-
Assembly of Capital and Major Cities, uniting cooperation. This report, covering the CIS and Habitat joining UNCT as a non-resident agency
75 cities in the region. Negotiations took allied states, will analyse housing and urban and taking part in the formulation of the Joint
place with the Intergovernmental Council development policies, conditions and trends Programme for the country, continuing in
for Cooperation in construction activities of with a region-wide perspective. 2013.
the Commonwealth of Independent States,
resulting in a Memorandum of Understanding, Western Balkans The further efforts in the Western Balkans will
defining the framework of regional In 2011, following several years of successful refocus from municipal spatial planning to the
cooperation, and agreeing of foundation operation in Kosovo (UN resolution 1244), regional collaboration in sustainable urban
of the CIS Urban Forum. Subsequently UN-Habitat negotiated with Sweden extension and territorial development, with the view of
to this MoU, in September 2012, the of funding to the third phase of the Municipal finalising the post-conflict reintegration and
Intergovernmental Council for Cooperation Spatial Planning Support Programme in preparations of the member states to further
in construction activities of the CIS approved Kosovo for 2012-2014 (USD4,600,000). The territorial integration with the rest of Europe
preparation of the State of the Eurasian programme was extended geographically and and the European Neighbourhood.
Cities report, focussing on the role of the thematically, and now includes support to the
cities in the territorial economic integration. central level of Kosovo (UN resolution 1244)
In this endeavour, UN-Habitat is working on administration. Transitional Europe:
strengthening partnerships with the regional The Way Forward
economic Commissions: both UNECE and
UNESCAP. Slow population growth and
declining cities
In May 2012, the Executive Director of UN-
Habitat visited Kazakhstan and the Russian In Transitional Europe, slow or reduced
Federation, laying foundations for further population growth, the phenomenon of
development of collaboration with the complex shrinking cities and demographic
member States and cities in the region. In ageing have presented problems of
particular, collaboration started to be forged dealing with deteriorating buildings and
with the City of Saint Petersburg, focussing infrastructure in a context where the local
on administrative and legal framework for tax base in severely constrained. A rapidly
redevelopment of industrial brownfields in the ageing population places further demands
City, and with the City of Sochi, discussing on healthcare, pensions and other old-
eventual collaboration in developing a post- age facilities while municipal budgets are
Olympic sustainable development strategy. constrained by out-migration of working-age
Hence the thematic scope in the region is population cohorts.
becoming enhanced from previous focus
on housing to urban policies, economic role
of the cities, and inner city regeneration,
including issues of urban governance and land
management.
Since agreement was reached with the CIS

nations at the WUF-6 in Naples, UN-Habitat
LEFT : Workers building a new road. Albania.
has in 2012 embarked on the preparation of
© Albes Fusha / World Bank
another publication in the regional state of the
RIGHT : View of Sofia, Bulgaria.
© Boris Balabanov / World Bank
Urban Sprawl, Fragmentation and

Inequality
Population shrinkage in Transitional Europe
has occurred along with growing demands
for space and facilities by an emerging
wealthy class. Urban development is now
strongly driven by foreign investments
(including remittances), which has fuelled
new property development, primarily for
the wealthier groups. This new growth has
focused on suburban development and
upmarket inner-city neighbourhoods, raising Decentralization of Government experience in dealing with these matters
issues for planning of sprawl containment, and Resource Constraints under market conditions. New local regulatory
the preservation of heritage buildings in older Decentralization in Transitional Europe systems and administrative processes have
inner-city areas, and dealing with rapidly has been strongly promoted and has been had to be developed from scratch and few are
increasing car ownership. At the same time, mostly successful in the EU member states effectively in place at this point in time.
urban property prices are reaching levels of the region. In non-EU members’ states,
beyond affordability and labour mobility decentralization has generally been less The Changing Legislative
starts to get affected by the lack of affordable vigorously pursued and the centralized Framework for Planning
urban housing. Likewise, problems such as forms of decision-making have yet to be Many transitional countries have now
derelict industrial urban sites, deteriorating fully dismantled. In both EU and non-EU produced new planning legislation in response
public housing estates, aged and failing member states, fiscal decentralization to the changed circumstances of democracy
infrastructure, and informal settlement on the is lagging, rendering the administrative and market forces. Frequently, this new
urban edge need to be addressed. decentralization less effective. Consequently, legislation reinforced the conventional master
local governments have relied on privatized planning approach; but several countries
Environmental Issues measures to provide and run services, but due adopted strategic planning in addition to
Socialist-era industries were some of the to fragmentation of authority over too many master plans. Exposure to the European and
worst polluters in the world and, while some geographical or political units, many are too global markets has introduced new issues
of these have closed, many remain and small to be of interest to the private sector. of city competitiveness, economic growth,
present serious environmental problems. Urban development has become the concern municipal financial reform, improved quality
The rapid growth of vehicle ownership has of multiple parties – the once powerful of life and citizen participation. Given that
also worsened air quality. Unconstrained public authorities, private owners, builders, strategic plans are not legally recognized,
private property developments, particularly developers, non-profit organizations and their coexistence with master plans greatly
in the form of sprawl on the urban various interest groups. complicates the legislative environment for
edge (suburbanization) and beyond (ex- planning.
urbanization) have encroached upon many Urban planning has been shifted to local
open spaces and agricultural land. governments who have little previous
Conclusion
Conclusion
‘The urban transition’ - a demographic trend whereby,

roughly speaking, the global population changes from
a two-thirds rural majority in 1950 to a two-thirds
urban majority around 2050
In 2008, the world reached a demographic of development agencies. Urban slums Social Challenges
milestone when, for the first time ever, and urban poverty, already low among • Unemployment rates are high in
the number of people living in urban development cooperation priorities, are developing countries and particularly
areas exceeded that of rural dwellers. That likely to be especially adversely affected severe in economic sectors strongly
moment was the half-way point in ‘the urban at a time that the South is urbanizing very associated with urban areas. Youth
transition’ - a demographic trend whereby, rapidly. unemployment is especially problematic.
roughly speaking, the global population Extreme poverty incidence in developing
changes from a two-thirds rural majority in Planning Challenges countries’ urban areas increases and
1950 to a two-thirds urban majority around • Adequate planning for urban growth, one-third of the urban population in
2050. This irreversible urban transition may especially given dwindling financial developing countries now resides in slums,
ultimately lead to a global urban population resources, remains a major problem. with slum prevalence the highest in Sub-
of around 80 per cent. The future of humanity Unless addressed by effective planning, Saharan Africa (62 per cent). The twin-
is inevitably an urban one and even currently rapid urban growth will continue to problem of urban poverty and proliferation
less-urbanized countries should prepare for the produce deep urban poverty, proliferating of slums is among the main humanitarian
following broad challenges associated with a urban slums, inadequate urban problems the world needs to address;
world of cities: services provision, and degraded urban including in the interest of global social
environments. stability.
Economic Challenges
• Today, urbanization is taking place within Environmental Challenges Demographic Challenges
a weakened, post-2008 global economy • Climate and environmental change are • Current trends in population-age
with the implications declining urban now significant urban concerns because structures also pose significant challenges.
economies and rising unemployment. they introduce and reinforce many Developing countries have to deal with
The global economic slump also affects hazards that can disrupt or destroy urban large demographic youth bulges and
development assistance flows and funding infrastructures and economies. associated rising demands for livelihoods,
C o n c l u s i o n 89
shelter and services, while many developed The continuously changing and growing UN-Habitat is currently preparing for
and transitional countries face the challenges all coalesce in our villages, the third United Nations Conference
challenges of demographic ageing and all towns and cities. It is precisely in these on Housing and Sustainable Urban
the fiscal problems these will bring. human settlements that the answers to Development (Habitat III) in 2016. The
these challenges can and must be found. conference will follow previous UN
• Despite these daunting challenges, conferences on human settlements -
urbanization should nevertheless be seen The United Nations Human Settlements Habitat I, held in Vancouver, Canada, in
as a positive contribution to achieving Programme (UN-Habitat), as indicated 1976, which led to the creation of the UN
better quality of life for populations. The by this publication, is the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-
drawbacks of concentrated consumption, custodian of urban development and Habitat); and Habitat II, held in Istanbul,
waste production and pollution in related housing knowledge and expertise. Turkey, in 1996. Habitat III will have a
cities are well-known. But absorbing At the global, regional, national, local highly appropriate focus on reinvigorating
people in urban areas is the sole feasible and neighbourhood levels, UN-Habitat’s the global commitment to sustainable
precondition for combining rapidly- normative, policy and technical know-how human settlements for an inevitable world
expanding populations with sustainable can help guide the rapidly-unfolding urban of cities.
management of our planet, because cities transition into desirable and sustainable
are humankind’s best instrument for social patterns.
transformation, cultural development,
civic engagement and addressing the UN-Habitat stands ready to work with
challenges to be faced. all towns, cities, nations and regions in
addressing these challenges, applying the
knowledge resources and experience at
our disposal.
LIST OF ALL DONORS 2011-2012
Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority Corporacion Volver a la Gente Mexico
(ADWEA)
Denmark Morocco
Afghanistan MRRD
Department for International Development (DFID) Netherlands
African Development Bank (ADB)
Egypt Nigeria
Agence Francaise de Development
European Investment Bank Norway
Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion
Internatcional (AECID) European Union Rafik Hariri Foundation
Arcadis Nederland BV France Republic of Korea
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fukuoka Habitat Institute Sociedade de Assistência e Educação Rural de
Guanacés (SAERG)
AT-Verband (AT-Association) Fundacao Euclides da CUNHA (FEC)
Saudi Arabia
AusAID Global Environment and Technology
Foundation Siemens AG
Australia
Hyundai Motor Company Spain
BASF AG
IBRD/World Bank Spanish International Development
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Cooperation Agency (AECID)
India
Booyoung Foundation Sri Lanka
Instituto Pereira Passos/Prefeitura da Cidade
Brazil do Rio de Janeiro Sweden
Canada International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Swedish International Development Cooperation
Agency (SIDA)
Canadian International Development Agency Institute for the Protection and Security of the
(CIDA) Citizen (IPSC) The Salvation Army
Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation Irish Aid UK
(ACCD)
Italy UN organisation
Cities Alliance
Japan University of Toronto
City of Munich
Japan Water Forum USA
Coca Cola
Kenya USAID
Colombia
Koica Ville de dakar
Construction Bureau of Jiangyin City
Kosovo VNG International
Corporacion Andina de Fomento (CAF)
Libya Zapopan Municipality
L I S T O F A L L D O N O R S 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2 91
ojects on Housing and Slum Upgrading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 1:
rica: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements, 2011-2012 Africa: Country Achievements Africa: The Way
emographic and urban trends CHAPTER 2: Arab States Arab States: Country Achievements Arab States:
Forward Demographic and Urban trends CHAPTER 3: Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of Pro-
Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-Pacific: Country Achievements Asia and the Pacific regional programmes
nal coordination Asia-Pacific Achievements by Thematic Areas Asia: The Road Ahead Demographic and
ds CHAPTER 4: Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America and the Caribbean: Portfolio of Projects
ments (2011-2012) Latin America and the Caribbean: Country Achievements Latin America and the Carib-
Achievements by Thematic Areas Latin America and the Caribbean: The road ahead Demographic and
nds CHAPTER 5: Transitional Europe Europe and Former Soviet Union States: Portfolio of Projects and
ents (2011-2012) Transitional Europe: The Way Forward Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges
nges of 21st Century Urbanization Introduction UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Contributors and
eas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) Global projects on Housing and Slum Upgrading
OVERVIEW Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 1: Africa Africa: Portfolio of Projects and Achieve-
-2012 Africa: Country Achievements Africa: The Way Forward Demographic and urban trends CHAPTER
tes Arab States: Country Achievements Arab States: The Way Forward Demographic and Urban trends
Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-Pacific: Coun-
ments Asia and the Pacific regional programmes and regional coordination Asia-Pacific Achievements
tic Areas Asia: The Road Ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 4: Latin America and the Carib-
America and the Caribbean: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Latin America and the
Country Achievements Latin America and the Caribbean region: Achievements by Thematic Areas Latin
nd the Caribbean: The road ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 5: Transitional Europe Eu-
rmer Soviet Union States: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Transitional Europe: The
HS/016/13E
rd Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization Introduc-
ISBNGlobal
(Series): 978-92-1-133406-7 Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization Introductio
Habitat’s Projects: Main Contributors and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool Net- UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Contributors and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool
Global
ISBNprojects on Housing and Slum Upgrading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demographic and Urban Trends
(Volume): 978-92-1-132554-6
Network (GLTN) Global projects on Housing and Slum Upgrading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demographic an
UN-Habitat Global
frica Africa: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements, 2011-2012 Africa: Country Achievements Africa: Urban Trends CHAPTER 1: Africa Africa: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements, 2011-2012 Africa: Cou
ward Demographic and urban trends CHAPTER 2: Arab States Arab States: Country Achievements Arab try Achievements Africa: The Way Forward Demographic and urban trends CHAPTER 2: Arab States Ara
Way Forward Demographic and Urban trends CHAPTER 3: Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio States: of Country Achievements Arab States: The Way Forward Demographic and Urban trends CHAPTER
cts and Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-Pacific: Country Achievements Asia and the Pacific regional pro-
s and regional coordination Asia-Pacific Achievements by Thematic Areas Asia: The Road Ahead Demo-
Urban Trends CHAPTER 4: Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America and the Caribbean: Portfolio
3: Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-Pacific:
Country Achievements Asia and the Pacific regional programmes and regional coordination Asia-Pa
cific Achievements by Thematic Areas Asia: The Road Ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 4
ts and Achievements (2011-2012) Latin America and the Caribbean: Country Achievements Latin America
e Caribbean region: Achievements by Thematic Areas Latin America and the Caribbean: The road ahead Our Presence and Partnerships
Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America and the Caribbean: Portfolio of Projects and Achieve-
ments (2011-2012) Latin America and the Caribbean: Country Achievements Latin America and the Carib
c and Urban Trends CHAPTER 5: Transitional Europe Europe and Former Soviet Union States: Portfolio bean region: Achievements by Thematic Areas Latin America and the Caribbean: The road ahead Demo
ts and Achievements (2011-2012) Transitional Europe: The Way Forward Urbanization: Global Overview
enges Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization Introduction UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Con-
and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) Global projects on Housing and
rading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 1: Africa Africa: Portfolio of Pro-
hievements, 2011-2012 Africa: Country Achievements Africa: The Way Forward Demographic and urban
TER 2: Arab States Arab States: Country Achievements Arab States: The Way Forward Demographic and
ds CHAPTER 3: Asia and the Pacific Asia-Pacific: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Asia-
ntry Achievements Asia and the Pacific regional programmes and regional coordination Asia-Pacific
ents UNITED
by Thematic Areas
NATIONS HUMAN Asia: ThePROGRAMME
SETTLEMENTS Road Ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 4: Latin America
e Caribbean Latin America and
P.O.Box 30030,Nairobi 00100,Kenya; the Caribbean: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Latin
a andTel:the Caribbean: Country Achievements Latin America and the Caribbean region: Achievements by
+254-20-76263120; Fax: +254-20-76234266/7 (central office);
as Latin America and
infohabitat@unhabitat.orgthe Caribbean: The road ahead Demographic and Urban Trends CHAPTER 5: Tran-
www.unhabitat.org/publications
ope Europe and Former Soviet Union States: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements (2011-2012) Transi-
ope: The Way Forward Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges Challenges of 21st Century Ur-
tion Introduction UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Contributors and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The
Land Tool Network (GLTN) Global projects on Housing and Slum Upgrading REGIONAL OVERVIEW Demo- Urbanization: Global Overview and Challenges Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization Introduction
and Urban Trends CHAPTER 1: Africa Africa: Portfolio of Projects and Achievements, 2011-2012 Africa: UN-Habitat’s Global Projects: Main Contributors and Thematic Areas (2011-2012) The Global Land Tool

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Director: Alioune Badiane

*United Nations Organizations and the trust funds

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS III CHAPTER 3: Asia and the Pacific 37

Urban population (million) Percentage urban

Oceania 8 15 22 26 40 62.4 71.9 70.4 70.7 73.0

LEFT: Rickshaw drivers taking tourists on a tour using

Globally, levels of inequality have also been on

LEFT: The aftermath of the Typhoon Ketsana in

10.30% Arab States

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation 1.81%

Urban Economy 9.90%

Research and Capacity Development 11.29%

Urban Planning & Design 13.51%

Urban Land, Legislation & Governance 15.31%

Housing and Slum Upgrading 15.59%

Urban Basic Services 32.59%

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

Housing and Slum Upgrading

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

and supported 18 ACP countries in developing

The Programme is now operational in 36 ACP

RIGHT: Part of Kimisagara slums in Kigali, Rwanda

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

PHOTO: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

1 000 000 Urban Population

Source: WUP 2012

Urban Food and Water Insecurity

Figure 2: Geographic Distribution of On-going Projects in Africa, 2011-2012

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

Development Partners - The Government of

Capacity Building for Urban Citizenship

Nationwide improvement of urban

Parliament adopted two laws in the

Development Partners– Government of Liberia,

100 Gulf cooperation council

30% 2011 (%)

25% 2012 (%)

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

Occupied Palestinian Territory 18.14%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

Saudi Arabia 9.27%

European Union 3.50%

VNG International 2.84%

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) 2.05%

IBRD/World Bank 0.38%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

Egypt has been selected as one of the five

Support to Decentralisation and Local

at improving the living conditions of the

LEFT: Khartoum, Sudan.

Asia and the Pacific

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012

Budget 2011 (%)

Budget 2012 (%)

Source: UN-Habitat 2011-2012