DUP

Ba n a d ir Reg io n a l Ad m in ist rat io n

Moga d is hu Lo c a l G ove r n m e nt
Department of Urban Planning

DUP
M O GADISHU
Ba n a d ir Reg io n a l Ad m in ist rat io n
Moga d is hu Lo c a l G ove r n m e nt
Department of Urban Planning

URBAN CONSULTATION
on January 19-20, 2014
MOGADIS HU
at City Palace Hotel, Mogadishu

URBAN CONSULTATION
on January 19-20, 2014
FINAL REPORT
at City Palace Hotel, Mogadishu
 MOGADISHU
URBAN CONSULTATION
19–20 January 2014
City Palace Hotel
Mogadishu

Organized by the Mogadishu Department of Urban Planning (DUP),

the Benadir Regional Administration, and UN-Habitat

FINAL REPORT
February 2014
ABOUT THIS REPORT

This report documents the Mogadishu Urban Consultation that took place on 19 and 20 January 2014 at
the City Palace Hotel in Mogadishu. The urban consultation was organized by the newly established
Department of Urban Planning of the Benadir Regional Administration and the UN-Habitat Somalia
Programme as the closing activity of the project titled Support to the Benadir Regional Administration’s
Central Department of Urban Planning’. The project has been implemented through technical cooperation
between the UN-Habitat Somalia Programme and the Mogadishu Department of Urban Planning, with
financial support from the British Office for Somalia.

This report was facilitated by the Somali Consultants Association and edited by Mohamed Abdulkadir
Ahmed from the Department of Urban Planning and Anna Sobczak and Edward Miller from the UN-
Habitat Somalia Programme.

The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the project's partners, the
organizers and supporters of the consultation, the donor, or the Governing Council of UN-Habitat or its
Member States.

CONTACTS

Somali Consultants Association (SOCA), Mogadishu, Somalia

Tel: + (252) 615848860
E-mail: soca_20@yahoo.com, www.socasom.com

Department of Urban Planning (DUP)

Municipality of Mogadishu, Benadir Regional Administration
Mogadishu, Somalia
Tel: + (252) 61 8474388/69 8474388
E-mail: mahmed.shaan@gmail.com

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

Somalia Programme, PO Box 30030, GPO 00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: + (254) 20 7625338
E-mails: un-habitat.som@unhabitat.org, anna.sobczak@unhabitat.org

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The successful completion of the urban consultation and this report was achieved through the dedicated
support of the Benadir Regional Administration (BRA), which made valuable contributions to the public
discussion, in particular the Mogadishu Mayor, Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, and representatives from the
BRA Land Department.

The BRA Department of Urban Planning and UN-Habitat would also like to thank representatives from
the Ministry of Interior, the District Commissioners, the Turkish Delegation, and all participants and
professionals from the education sector, the private sector, and civil society for their contribution to the
presentations and their active participation in the discussions.

A special appreciation goes to the architects, planners, and engineers who contributed with presentations
on Mogadishu’s urban history and architectural heritage, Arch. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Eng.
Mukhtar Mohidin Abdullahi, Arch. Abdinasir Ahmed Ali, Arch. Alexander Yousuf, Arch. Mohamed Ahmed
Ali, Eng. Abdullahi Ali Anshur, and Mr. Abukar Osman Abikar, and to the technical team of the
Department of Urban Planning, Abdishakur Awil Hassan, Mukhtar Mohudin Abdulahi, Abdinasir Ahmed
Elmi, Abukar Mohamed Osman, Abdullahi Hilole Mohamud, Aanis Abdiaziz Mohamed, and Mohamed
Hassan Farah.The BRA and the organizers would equally like to express gratitude for the support from
the representatives of the UN Resident Coordinator's office, in particular Mr. Tim Randall.

A special word of thanks is dedicated to the UN's Special Representative of the Secretary-General for
Somalia, Mr. Nicolas Kay, for his presence and opening speech, which helped to elevate the consultation
to the level of importance and attention it deserved, with regard to its focus on the history and people of
Mogadishu.

Without the support and the participation of the above-mentioned persons and organizations, the
consultation would not have been successful.

Lastly, the BRA Department of Urban Planning and UN-Habitat would also like to thank the British Office
for Somalia for funding the DUP establishment project and the urban consultation, and the Somali media
and the Somali Consultants Association for their support in facilitating and moderating the event and
documenting the discussions for the wider public.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE URBAN CONSULTATION ....................................................................... 6

B. CONSULTATION METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................................................... 7

C. AGENDA ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

D. SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS OF DAY 1 – SUNDAY, 19 JANUARY 2014 .......................................................... 10

E. SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS OF DAY 2 – MONDAY, 20 JANUARY 2014 ........................................................ 19

F. CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED......................................................................................................................... 22

G. RESOLUTIONS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 23

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 A. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE URBAN CONSULTATION

After two decades of civil war in Mogadishu, the city's management system had collapsed, most of the
city’s infrastructure and public properties had been destroyed, and the overall urban fabric and
infrastructure had decayed. More than 20 years of recurring armed conflict and fighting inside the city
displaced the majority of the population several times within and to the outside of the city, with an
additional exodus of people from the country. This long process of displacement has resulted in
abandoned and destroyed houses and properties, and a collapsed land record system.

The situation in Mogadishu has evolved very rapidly over the past few years. With improving security,
the end of open fighting, and returning peace inside the city, the Benadir Regional Administration could
regain its strength. Economic activity and reconstruction have begun, driven by investments from local
businessmen, returnees from the diaspora, and international stakeholders launching programmes to
support the city's stabilization. At the time of writing, a range of local and international actors are
operating in the city, with a variety of approaches and priorities.

The BRA requested various stakeholders to support the city administration in the establishment of the
Department of Urban Planning (DUP), an urgently needed core institution, to enable the authorities to
collect data, produce maps, and plan and coordinate the reconstruction of the city. With financial support
from the British Office for Somalia and in technical cooperation with UN-Habitat, the DUP was established
in June 2013 and is the first national urban planning institution set up after the 22 years of civil war.

The DUP started its work in July 2013, in technical cooperation with UN-Habitat, with data verification
surveys in two central districts and a pilot household survey to begin the establishment of a formal
geographic information system-based urban database for the city of Mogadishu. Apart from the need for
urban data, which will form the basis for informed urban planning, the city's key stakeholders need to
come together to discuss and agree on action points on the way ahead for Mogadishu’s urban
development.

The historic urban consultation that took place on 19 and 20 January 2014 at the City Palace Hotel in
Mogadishu was the first step towards a participatory urban planning and decision-making process that
focuses on the city's urban development priorities. This process must be continued and followed up
based on the resolutions made.

The two-day event was organized by the DUP and the BRA, with support from UN-Habitat and the
contribution and participation of key city stakeholders from the government and the private sector.

The purpose of the event was to disseminate the results of surveys and urban mapping work conducted
by UN-Habitat in technical cooperation with the DUP, to raise awareness about urban problems and
development challenges and to discuss solutions for urban planning, land management, and
reconstruction. Most importantly, the consultation was a stage for discussing action points on the way
forward for Mogadishu’s urban development.

Around 120 male and female participants, including technical experts, from BRA local government
departments, central government ministries, the education sector, civil society, the private sector, and UN
and non-governmental organizations were present. Various presentations were made on Mogadishu's
main urban sectors to initiate a discussion on solutions to the key problems being experienced in
Mogadishu’s urban rehabilitation and reconstruction.

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The establishment of the first national urban planning agency was welcomed by all participants. The key
areas of discussion were Mogadishu’s urban infrastructure development, the solutions for internally
displaced persons (IDPs) and the urban poor living in mass camps inside and outside of town, the overall
security situation, and project proposals for the protection and reconstruction of cultural heritage sites
and buildings. There were also discussions on the following important issues: the current urban land and
property administration, the related dispute resolution, and the need for a national land policy and a
strategic urban plan.

The two-day urban consultation resulted in a number of resolutions that will be put forward to key
Somali policymakers, the international community, and donors:

URBAN CONSULTATION RESOLUTIONS

1. Continuation of urban mapping and capacity building in urban planning and land
management
2. Mapping and registry of all public properties
3. Development of a national land management policy and its legal framework
4. Development of a national policy for the preservation of cultural heritage sites
5. Development of a strategic urban plan for Mogadishu to identify reconstruction priorities
and required key actions
6. Development of a comprehensive strategy and durable and inclusive solutions for IDPs and
the urban poor to end the dependency on aid

The participatory urban planning and decision-making process will be continued in 2014 through
ongoing technical cooperation among the BRA, the DUP, and UN-Habitat, taking action on resolutions 1, 2,
and 5: the continuation of urban mapping and capacity building in geographic information systems (GIS),
urban planning, and land management; mapping and registry of all public properties to establish a GIS-
based property database for all of Mogadishu; and the development of a strategic urban plan for
Mogadishu.

B. URBAN CONSULTATION METHODOLOGY

The consultation included opening and closing speeches, PowerPoint presentations with various themes
and key issues (described in the agenda below), question-and-answer sessions after each presentation,
and moderated panel discussions that gave space for direct questions to government officials. Audio-
visual aids and map booklets were utilized to support the technical presentations of the mapping results
and surveys, including an exhibition of A0 maps. A daily recap of the discussions about key issues and
solutions was made at the end of each day, providing a summary and closing remarks.

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 C. AGENDA

DAY 1 – SUNDAY, 19 JANUARY 2014

8:00 – 9:00 Arrival and Registration of Participants

9:00 – 10:30 Welcoming and Introductory Speeches

 Word of prayer by the Islamic scholar Mr. Sheikh NurBarud
 Speech by the Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Benadir Region, Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur
 Speech by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Mr. Nicolas Kay
 Speech by the Deputy Minister of Interior and newly appointed Minister of Natural Resources and
Water, Mr. Jama Ahmed Mohamed
 Speech by the Minister of Public Works and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Nadifa M. Osman

Tea Break

11:00 – 11:30 The History of the Urban Development of Mogadishu

By Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Senior Architect and Urban Planning Advisor to Benadir Regional
Administration and the DUP

11:30 – 12:00 Benadir Regional Administration's Accomplishments over the Last Four Years
By Mr. Iman Nur Icar, Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu

12:00 – 12:15 The Development of Security in Mogadishu

By Warsame Mohamed Hassan, Deputy Governor from the Ministry of Interior and National Security, and
Abdikafi Hilowle, General Secretary of the Benadir Regional Administration

12:15 – 12:45 The Establishment of the Department of Urban Planning

 Shingani and Hamarweyne district survey and pilot household survey
(Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Senior Architect and Urban Planning Advisor to BRA; Department
of Urban Planning Team: Arch. Abdinaser Ahmed Ali, Eng. Mukhtar Mohidin Abdullahi, Abukar
Mohamed Osman, Anas Abdulaziz Mohamed, and Abdullahi Hilowle Mohamud)
 Urban analysis and the key problems in Mogadishu’s urban rehabilitation
(Anna Sobczak, Urban Development Expert, UN-Habitat)

Discussion, Question Time

Prayer and Lunch Break

14:15 – 14:30 The Role of Turkish Cooperation in Mogadishu’s Reconstruction

By the Turkish delegation

14:30 – 15:00 Panel Discussion on Mogadishu’s IDPs and Urban Poor

By Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, Mayor of Mogadishu; Mr. Abdullahi Mohamed Shirwa, staff member of a civil
society organization; Mr. Abdifatah, Ministry of Interior; Mrs. Asli, staff member of a women's organization

15:00 – 15:15 Mogadishu Urban Infrastructure – Sanitation and Waste Management

By Mr. Ali Gure, Deputy Governor, and Mr. Abdullahi Ali Anshur, Consultant to BRA

DAY 2 – MONDAY, 20 JANUARY 2014

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9:00 – 10:30 Cultural Heritage of Mogadishu – Protection and Reconstruction:

The Historic Overview and the Cultural Value of Mogadishu’s Architectural Past – Overview of the
Key Heritage Sites and their Reconstruction Needs
By Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Senior Architect and Urban Planning Advisor to BRA

Project Proposals for Cultural Heritage Rehabilitation and Development

By Eng. Mukhtar Mohidin Abdullahi; Arch. Abdinasir Ahmed Ali; Arch. Alexander Yousuf; Arch. Mohamed
Ahmed Ali; Mr. Abukar Osman Abikar

- A Complex Mixture of Architecture of the Past to be Preserved

- Fakhruddin Mosque – A Forgotten National Monument
- The Rehabilitation of Benadir Regional Administration Headquarters (Ufficio Governo)
- Special Project: The Future Cornice of Mogadishu – Lido I and II
- Uruba Hotel and Barqash Museum: The Architectural Fusion of the Past with the
Modern
- Old Parliament Building – War Memorial Centre and Barqash Residence – Intercultural
Understanding, Resilience, and Peace Centre

Discussion, Question Time

Tea Break

11:00 – 12:00 The Current Land Management in Mogadishu

By Mr. Abdinaser Abdullahi Mohamed, BRA Land Department Director

12:00 – 13:00 The History of Urban Land Administration and Current Land Management in
Mogadishu: Existing Land Laws, Title Deeds, Land Disputes – Panel Discussion
With Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Benadir; Mr. Abdinaser Abdullahi
Mohamed and Mr. Abdirkarim Hassan Hirabe , BRA Land Department Directors; and Mr. Abdullahi Faqay
Haile, Head of the Land Disputes Committee

Prayer and Lunch Break

14:00 – 14:45 Mogadishu Strategic Urban Plan

By Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Senior Architect and Urban Planning Advisor to BRA, and Eng./Urban
Planner Abdullahi Ali Anshur, Consultant to BRA

14:45 – 15:00 Summary of Discussions

By Mr. Mukhtar Hassan Elmi, facilitator from SOCA

15:00 – 15:15 Closure of the Urban Consultation

By Mr. Iman Nur Icar, Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu

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 D. SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS OF DAY 1 – SUNDAY, 19 JANUARY 2014

Word of Prayer

The urban consultation was opened with a word of prayer by the Islamic scholar, Mr. Sheikh
NurBarud, who highlighted the importance of Islamic values in order to emphasize the public good and
public interest during the consultation. Mr. Sheikh NurBarud encouraged the participants to focus on
good intentions and actions that would contribute to the well-being of the society.

Welcoming and Introductory Speeches

The Governor of Benadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, provided
the welcoming and opening speech of the urban consultation. The Mayor thanked all the participants for
accepting the invitation to attend, highlighting the importance of the meeting and the reasons for the
consultation. He also praised the role played by the senior architects and engineers in promoting the
newly established Department of Urban Planning and emphasized the significance of a good city plan,
without which Mogadishu cannot develop the required city infrastructure and facilities in a well-planned
and coordinated way. He added that there was a need to spread public services – including schools and
hospitals – more evenly around the city.

Image left: Opening speech by Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur,

Governor of Benadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu

However, he said that there are some new visible

development projects that have been implemented
without a proper plan. The Mayor went on to explain the
background of the BRA’s initiative to advocate for the
establishment of the Department of Urban Planning and
mentioned the improved capacities at the BRA, which
now has a pool of capable and committed engineers. In
addition, the Mayor recommended that local actors not
wait for external support, but start initiatives to rebuild Mogadishu on their own. He pointed out security
challenges, such as congested and unplanned settlements in the city that might encourage criminal
behaviour. To the Mayor, Shangani and Hamarweyne are the only districts out of the 17 districts in
Mogadishu that have a sound town plan. Neighbourhoods that were built in the past following a proper
urban and architectural design now have the necessary social amenities (schools, universities, hospitals,
etc.), while others struggle to develop these infrastructures, or have none.

He explained that the Department of Urban Planning can now facilitate an appropriate city plan for all
areas that can also be utilized to support overall security planning and social protection. He mentioned
further that the department can start to develop building regulations and the means to control the
building and housing typologies, including rules for building quality and materials.

The Mayor continued to speak about clanism as the main factor that undermines the well-being and
general development of the country. He said that it is difficult for the government to mitigate biased
group and clan interests in order to meet the wider public needs. He advised and encouraged citizens to
distance themselves from clanism and to treat it as a "number one enemy", as it curtails all efforts
towards growth and development. To the Mayor, the city of Mogadishu is currently "an orphan" that
needs its people to nurture and develop it the right way, with the right professionals who work for the

10
common interest instead of narrow individual or group interests. He advised the Ministry of Education to
include civic education in the syllabus to train and nurture responsible professionals.

The Mayor concluded his speech by emphasizing that the consultation should open up avenues for an
effective city design that would facilitate the planning of the electricity network, a piped water system,
social services (schools, entertainment spots, social spaces, etc.), and manufacturing sites. He mentioned
that “Somalis are active and good people; it is only proper to separate urban and rural set-ups, since the
priorities of their dwellers are different and distinct”.

The Mayor then welcomed the Deputy Minister of Interior and newly appointed Minister of Natural
Resources and Water, Mr. Jama Ahmed Mohamed, to officially open the consultation meeting.

Image left: Opening speech by the Deputy Minister of Interior and

newly appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Water, Mr. Jama
Ahmed Mohamed

The Deputy Minister of Interior started by saying, “We believe

this meeting would be helpful to all of us. When people have
lost their way, they don’t find it again without plan and
guidance from a think tank. If we only knew our sickness we
could have the right cure. Clanism always kills the society and
its resilience, leads to poor development, division, lack of
government and law and order, and loss of the direction of life.
We have to think, plan, and find the way to rebuild the city properly and in order."

Mr. Jama Ahmed Mohamed went on to thank the BRA and particularly the DUP for being the role model
for Mogadishu’s rebirth. He also thanked those who supported their initiatives, UN-Habitat and the
British Office for Somalia. “BRA is our guide and pioneer of the country, so if this initiative succeeds as
planned, then all other regions will get better,” he added.

The Mayor then welcomed Mr. Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for
Somalia, to say a few words as the main guest of honour.

After greeting all participants, Mr. Kay appreciated the event and its
importance. He began by saying, "Today is an important day, a new year,
a new government celebrating a new Mogadishu." He continued, "I am
here today not just because Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia and has
an important political and economic place in Somalia, but because
Mogadishu is my home and because the United Nations Assistance
Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) is based in Mogadishu... After 22 years of
conflict, you have a historic opportunity to create a new Mogadishu. With
this analysis you are moving in the right direction; there is a need for a
strategic plan for the city that international partners can support."

Image right: Opening speech by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-

General for Somalia, Mr. Nicolas Kay

Mr. Kay explained that he greatly supports any development in the capital of the Federal Republic of
Somalia, and that he is very pleased with the renewed development and rebirth of basic services in the

11
city. Mr. Kay thanked the Benadir Regional Administration and international partners including Turkey,
the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and the United
Kingdom, among others, for their role in the city's reconstruction and development.

Further, he congratulated the local and international organizations working in Somalia, including the UN.
He affirmed the UN’s recognition and appreciation of the efforts and gave special appreciation to UN-
Habitat working and supporting the BRA. Mr. Kay further welcomed the representative of UN-Habitat,
Ms. Anna Sobczak, to Mogadishu and appreciated and thanked her for their good efforts. He
acknowledged the long history and better days of the city and expressed hope for the renewed efforts to
rejuvenate the city's beauty once again.

He stressed that, after 22 years of civic anarchy, the current situation offers a great chance to renovate
the city and urged everybody to embrace the chances available at the moment. He echoed the sentiments
of the preceding speakers, who discouraged the narrow mentality of clanism and encouraged all to
respect the rule of law and the public institutions and to avoid corruption. "Respect of the law is very
crucial," he urged. Finally, Mr. Kay reiterated that the UN and its personnel are honoured by the
hospitality of the Somali people and the security provided by the Somali security agencies.

Engineer Nadifa Mohamed Osman, nominated Minister for Public Works and Rehabilitation, then
took the stage. "It's my pleasure to see a lot of people returning back to Mogadishu, because it has a long
history, also for me personally. It hurt me to see Mogadishu in the condition it was after the war,” she
stated. She called for collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Rehabilitation and asked all
Somalis to respect the law. To her, support towards the development of a new urban planning strategy
was crucial for the city's reconstruction. To achieve the set goals, communities ought to be engaged in the
process, working closely with the engineers from the relevant ministries, together with the DUP. She said
there was a need to modernize the planning process in consultation with professionals in order to create
a twenty-first century city.

The presentations that were given according to the agenda are summarized below; the complete versions
are available as a separate annex to this report.

Presentation on the History of the Urban Development of Mogadishu

by Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Senior Architect and Urban Planning Advisor to Benadir
Regional Administration and the DUP

Image below: Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Senior Architect and Urban Planning Advisor to Benadir Regional
Administration and the DUP, is presenting the History of the Urban Development of Mogadishu

Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed explained that Mogadishu is

the oldest city in the Horn of Africa and that it was first
established as a settlement 2,725 years ago. Over a period of
centuries, the city played a leading role in facilitating trading links
between the African hinterland and ancient trading partners such
as Arabia, Persia, India, China, and Egypt. Besides timber, ivory,
and gold, ancient Mogadishu was known for its textile fabrics and
other products it exported.

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He explained that, before the colonial era, Shingani and Hamarweyne were the only districts that existed
and that had perimeter boundaries. The colonial powers destroyed the fenced boundaries and laid out a
new district plan.

The highlight of his presentation was a description of the development of the city in its various phases.
He explained that Mogadishu city areas are easily identifiable, as they relate to various periods of
development. Briefly, these areas are as follows:
1) The historical townships Hamarweyne and Shingani
2) Urbanized and built-up areas in the colonial period: 1920–1940
3) Urbanized and built-up areas after the World War II

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Mogadishu became Somalia's most important city.
Mogadishu, Marka, and Baraawe, were major Somali coastal towns in medieval times. Mogadishu was at
the zenith of its prosperity when the well-known Arab traveller Ibn Batuta appeared on the Somali coast
in 1331. The urbanization after World War II represents the largest area of the city in terms of occupied
territory and population; the first two areas represent limited and well-defined territories in their
morphological and typological characteristics.

Presentation on Benadir Regional Administration’s Accomplishments over the Last Four Years
by Mr. Iman Nur Icar, Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu

Mr. Iman Nur Icar started with the main challenges that the government has been facing, such as the
mass influx of drought-affected IDPs, Mogadishu as the riskiest city in the world, the poor capacity of BRA
offices, which have an inadequate understanding of donor requirements, competition among BRA
departments and misunderstanding among staff, and the generally slow progress towards change due to
these facts. He mentioned that, despite these challenges, BRA has done a good job in signing the
agreement with the Municipality of Istanbul to twin the two cities and start Mogadishu’s renovation. The
Deputy Mayor mentioned projects such as waste management and trauma healing training for BRA staff,
district commissioners, and relevant stakeholders.

Mr. Icar continued to speak about the improvement of the security situation across Mogadishu, but he
emphasized that if the local communities are not cooperating with the security teams from the police and
traffic departments, the general security will further be challenged. He explained that decades of
lawlessness still have an impact on the number of traffic accidents occurring in the city. However, he said
that the BRA is now capable of and committed to cooperating with NGOs, the UN, and all other partners.

Presentation on the Development of Security in Mogadishu

by Mr. Warsame Mohamed Hassan, Deputy Governor from the Ministry of Interior and National
Security, and Mr. Abdikafi Hilowle, General Secretary of the Benadir Regional Administration

Mr. Warsame Mohamed Hassan highlighted the importance of cooperation in order to address the
many existing challenges in the city. “We need discussion on the prevailing issues,” he said. He mentioned
that getting information is the key for security management and requested greater public contribution.
He called for involvement from actors such as civil society groups, universities, and medical organizations
to help mobilize the community and cooperate on how best to prevent conflicts. "Otherwise, the
government alone will be overwhelmed," he said.

Mr. Abdikafi Hilowle supported the position of Mr. Warsame Mohamed Hassan and explained that a
neighbourhood system was put in place to include the community in improving the security in the city.

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“Today and yesterday are not the same and change is possible, but we need law and order, not just
institutions,” he said. The BRA General Secretary added that the installation of solar lights in some parts
of the city was another development project by the Benadir Regional Administration that has improved
security.

Presentation on the Establishment of the Department of Urban Planning

by Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Senior Architect and Urban Planning Advisor to BRA

Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed explained that there has not been any Somali agency to coordinate
the reconstruction boom, including urban redevelopment projects, and to determine what the city’s
priorities are. He stated that BRA had requested various stakeholders for their support in the
establishment of the Department of Urban Planning, an urgently needed core institution to collect data,
produce maps, and start to plan and coordinate the reconstruction of the city.

He went on to explain that the DUP was established in June 2013 with financial support from the British
Office for Somalia and in technical cooperation with UN-Habitat, and is now the first national urban
planning institution after 22 years of civil war. A core team was recruited after public advertisements
were made on the BRA website, and the team has been trained in GIS and basic urban surveying skills.

Images above: The newly rehabilitated and equipped office wing of the Department of Urban Planning

Presentation on the Shingani and Hamarweyne District Survey and Pilot Household Survey
by the Department of Urban Planning Team
(Arch. Abdinaser Ahmed Ali, Eng. Mukhtar Mohidin Abdullahi, Mr. Abukar Mohamed Osman, Mr. Anas
Abdulaziz Mohamed, and Mr. Abdullahi Hilowle Mohamud)

The Department of Urban Planning team presented

its work, which started in September 2013 with a
survey of infrastructure and a pilot household
survey in Shingani and Hamarweyne Districts. The
main findings of the surveys were shared,
presenting maps for the sectors of water, energy,
health, education, and solid waste. In addition, the
following were mapped: enterprises, status of
properties, building types and materials, IDP
population, and general population numbers,

14
including population distribution and population density.

Image right: Map showing the extent of the survey in Shingani District

The DUP team explained that over 1,000 households were surveyed using a basic questionnaire, and over
120 infrastructure facilities were verified. The population of Shingani was estimated at 5,800 persons.
Most of the infrastructure and some facilities were found to have significantly changed since the previous
UN-Habitat survey, including waste dumping sites and business activities.

Presentation on the Urban Analysis and the Key Problems in Mogadishu’s Urban Rehabilitation
by Ms. Anna Sobczak, Urban Development Expert, UN-Habitat

Anna Sobczak, project manager for UN-Habitat Somalia, presented the overall urban analysis for the
whole of Mogadishu, showing various maps and figures based on data collected by UN-Habitat between
2010 and 2013. “The Mogadishu urban analysis presented at the urban consultation today is the result of
the cooperation between the UN-Habitat Somalia Programme and the newly established Mogadishu
DUP,” she said. She explained that an urban analysis provides general information and helps to develop a
basic spatial understanding of the city of Mogadishu, including its main characteristics and composition.
She added that the maps are a tool for strategic urban planning, but require further detailed sector
analysis (for waste management, water, electricity. etc.).

Images above: Samples of the Mogadishu urban analysis maps that were presented. A full booklet containing all the
maps is available upon request to DUP or UN-Habitat Somalia Programme.

“The analysis has brought to light that IDPs and urban poor in Mogadishu make up almost 40 percent of
the total estimated population of close to one million. UN-Habitat proposes to support the Benadir
administration in developing appropriate solutions to address the protracted housing crisis of urban
poor and IDPs,” she highlighted. “In 2014, UN-Habitat will support the DUP in the development of a
strategic urban plan, the continuation of urban mapping, and the establishment of a GIS-based property
database for Mogadishu,” she added. She explained that a strategic urban plan is a spatial plan and a
document that describes the objectives, strategic priorities, action plans, and projects for a city that
follows the agreements reached through a participatory consultation process.

Ms. Sobczak explained further the other components of UN-Habitat's support to Mogadishu, such as the
Sustainable Employment Creation and Improved Livelihoods for Vulnerable Urban Communities in
Mogadishu (SECIL) project.

Discussion, Question Time

The participants asked many questions on the possibilities of urban planning without a working policy in
place, and whether district commissioners and regions can prepare their own policy. The DUP team
clarified that urban planning is not feasible without a policy, so there is a need for a stakeholder analysis

15
and more consultations towards the development of supporting laws. Engineers were asked to comment
and encourage stakeholders to visit the office or send an inquiry through e-mail.

Prayer and Lunch Break

Presentation on the Role of Turkish Cooperation in Mogadishu’s Reconstruction

by the Turkish delegation

The Turkish delegate explained that the Turkish Red Cross and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
have formed a support team for Somalia and Mogadishu. He presented the results of the cooperation
projects and explained that the vision is to make Mogadishu like other cities in the world.

Images above: The Turkish delegate presenting information on Turkey-supported projects in Mogadishu; the new
waste collection bins

The delegate explained that the idea for the support was born during the visit to Mogadishu of the
delegation from Istanbul Municipality, which occurred in November 2012. Reconstruction and waste
management projects were identified and these are still ongoing. He explained that to date the waste
management project has succeeded in removing 500,000 tons of waste and putting up waste collection
bins around central city areas, and he showed a number of images of the activities.

The delegate presented information on another project related to urban drainage, which focuses on the
rehabilitation of four rainwater catchment areas. He also mentioned the challenges relating to land
ownership, the collection of waste, and working in an insecure environment. He explained that Turkish
Cooperation also engages in the provision of construction equipment and heavy machinery to support
Mogadishu’s reconstruction. Further, he presented maps showing the location of all interventions,
including a key project for urban road rehabilitation. Lastly, the delegate mentioned a planned project for
urban drinking water provision through the desalination of seawater.

Images above: Maps that were presented showing the Turkish support projects in Mogadishu –
1) Urban clean-up, 2) New garbage collection bins, and 3) Urban road rehabilitation

16
Panel Discussion on Mogadishu’s IDPs and Urban Poor
with Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, Mayor of Mogadishu; Mr. Shirwa, staff member of a civil society
organization; Mr. Abdifatah, Ministry of Interior; and Mrs. Asli, staff member of a women's
organization

A panel discussion was held to discuss issues related to IDPs. The

key issues discussed were IDP settlements in the city centre, the
related security risks, possible solutions, and the strategy to
resettle IDPs in another suitable place.

Image left: The panel answering questions on Mogadishu’s IDPs and

urban poor

Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, the Mayor of Mogadishu, spoke

about the history of IDPs in Mogadishu from June 2011, after the
long drought that affected many people in the south of Somalia, and Al-Shabab’s refusal to provide access
for humanitarian aid to those areas. He said that this resulted in an influx of aid seekers to the capital. The
Mayor explained that IDPs arrived in Mogadishu when the government did not have an assistance plan.
He mentioned that there were no latrines, shelter, water, or food. He recalled how people were using
rainwater trapped in building ruins and their children were swimming in dirty water.

He said that in 2011, after long discussions and many disagreements, the BRA and the Ministry of Interior
agreed to settle IDPs in Badbado Camp in Dharkenley District. The BRA sent engineers, cleaned the place,
brought food and water supplies, and moved IDPs on 11 July 2011. The Benadir Transportation
Cooperative Company provided free transport, and 4,000 families (comprising 28,000 people) were
settled within 3 days, though there was only a single kitchen at first. Later, many humanitarian agencies
came in. BRA submitted all the records and registration lists to the Disaster Management Agency, an
organization that was established under the Ministry of Interior in August 2011. The Mayor added that
Qatar's food and medicine support during that time is unforgettable. He concluded that the initial IDP
assistance in 2011 was an initiative owned by the Somalis, saying, "If we would have waited, it could have
taken everybody years to carry out the same tasks."

He mentioned that criminals and people undermining the government’s efforts are currently hiding in
camps that are situated in the heart of the city. The Mayor also mentioned that Rajo IDP Camp, which was
established by the Turkish, is well managed, with good shelters and other infrastructure that support
income-generating activities. The Mayor expressed appreciation to the entire Turkish people for that
effort. Lastly, he urged IDPs to voluntarily go back to their previous areas, since the situation has
changed.

Mr. Abdifatah, from the Ministry of Interior, supported the Mayor's view on IDPs and insecurity. He
explained to the participants that UNHCR and the Ministry of Interior have been discussing the IDPs and
agreed to move them to Deynile as a temporary solution – part of the IDP relocation plan1 that will move
them out of Mogadishu. He mentioned that the Ministry has put in place mobile police stations and health
centres and that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has committed to digging water wells
to realize the plan to move IDPs in August 2013. He concluded by saying that the attack that targeted the

1
The IDP Relocation Plan was announced by the Ministry of Interior in May 2013, proposing a phased relocation of all inner city IDPs to empty land
outside of the city. A site in Deynile was allocated by the government for the relocation of 170,000 IDPs as a first phase. The plan, however, never
materialized due to security concerns about the site.

17
UN compound in Mogadishu had affected the plan and all activities were suspended to date. He
mentioned that the Ministry of Interior appreciates the urban planning efforts, and he welcomed the help
of IOM in providing temporary accommodation and travel to facilitate the return of IDPs to their homes.
Mr. Abdifatah mentioned that recently the Ministry of Interior likewise supported people from South
Sudan to go back to their previous residences.

Mrs. Asli, from a women's organization, said that Mogadishu is the worst place for IDPs in Somalia. She
explained that some of the IDPs have been there since 1991, with children growing up in gangs, criminals
being harboured, and women being raped, and that IDPs are now entirely aid dependent. Therefore, she
said, resettlement and voluntary self-repatriation with the support of aid workers is welcome.

Mr. Shirwa, from a civil society organization, mentioned that in 2011 there were differences between the
Mayor and civil society on the IDP issue. This was mainly centred on the protection of IDPs from
domination and manipulation by ‘gatekeepers’ who do not respect human rights. He underlined that,
whether from 1991 or 2011, many IDPs are not able or willing to go back home because they have
adapted to the new system of living in Mogadishu and have forgotten their previous way of life. The
previous living areas are not controlled by the government, he said; therefore, a forced return will not be
acceptable, even if it is a temporary resettlement. To him, it is only acceptable to carry out an inclusive
survey that listens to the plight and views of IDPs on how they think they should be assisted. Making a
decision on whether to support IDPs to return back home, to give them temporary settlement, or to fully
integrate them into Mogadishu is only possible through a participatory process.

All participants eventually agreed that a sustainable

solution for the IDPs in the near future is paramount
and that the responsibility lies with civil society,
universities, businesspeople, and the government. They
also recognized the challenges that relate to hosting
IDPs within the city centre. The need for collaboration
among different stakeholders to address IDP issues
while safeguarding their lives was emphasized. It was
agreed that IDPs cannot be evicted without a plan and
that the government needs to pave the way for a safe
return home. Therefore, the BRA, the Ministry of
Interior, civil society, and the business community need
to find solutions locally and own the process. Image above: Discussion on IDP issues

Briefing on Mogadishu’s Urban Infrastructure – Sanitation and Waste Management

by Eng. Abdullahi Ali Anshur, Consultant to BRA

Mr. Abdullahi Ali Anshur spoke about Mogadishu’s drainage and waste
management challenges. He highlighted that many things have been done but a lot
remains to be done. He mentioned the drainage and sewerage that existed before
the civil war and explained that the current problems of the drainage and sewage
systems must be defined, as well as the status of road network. He mentioned in
particular the Dan Guud Drainage Projects.

Image left: Mr. Abdullahi Ali Anshur, Consultant to BRA, speaks about Mogadishu’s drainage
and waste management challenges

18
 E. SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS OF DAY 2 – MONDAY, 20 JANUARY 2014

The facilitator did a brief recap of Day 1. The focus of Day 2 was on issues related to urban challenges, the
protection of urban heritage sites, and land management.

Presentations on the Cultural Heritage of Mogadishu – Protection and Reconstruction

by Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Arch. Alexander Yousuf, Mr. Abukar Osman Abika, Eng. Haydar

A team of planners, architects, and engineers provided an overview of the key heritage sites in
Mogadishu, their historic and cultural value, and their reconstruction needs. The planners also presented
project proposals for the rehabilitation of cultural heritage and for urban development.

Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed explained that Somalia is the only country that did not sign the UN
heritage convention, as reported by UNESCO. He explained that Mogadishu had been a multicultural city
with different cultures in the early days, whose traces one can still find in stories and old buildings. He
shared old drawings of historical buildings such as mosques, monuments, key minarets, and houses. He
said that some of the architects who worked on these were the same ones who designed the buildings in
Zanzibar. He mentioned that old doors with regional origins can still be found in Shangani District.

Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed went on to present information about Said Barqash’s residence. He
mentioned that the story that the government gave the Barqash building to Universal TV was an
unfounded rumour. He advised that the building be transformed into a centre for intercultural
understanding, resilience, and peace.

He proposed further that the old Parliament building could

be used as a war memorial centre. Further, he presented
other important heritage sites, including the Fakhruddin
Mosque and the Uruba Hotel.

Image left: Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, Senior Architect and

Urban Planning Advisor to BRA, presenting an overview of
Mogadishu’s architectural past

Arch. Alexander Yousuf, Senior Architect and Advisor to BRA, discussed the current state of the
former headquarters building of the Benadir Regional Administration (Ufficio Governo) and explained
the requirements for its rehabilitation as a historic site.

Image left: Arch. Alexander Yousuf, Senior Architect and Advisor to BRA,
presented the current state of the former headquarters building of the Benadir
Regional Administration

Mr. Abukar Osman Abikar presented the history of Mogadishu’s three

historic districts (Shangani, Hamarweyne, and Abdiaziz).

Eng. Haydar presented a special project proposal for the urban and
cultural development of the pedestrian and urban connection of the
Cornice of Mogadishu, including Uruba Hotel and Lido I and Lido II
beaches, to facilitate people’s movement, provide recreational space for the city, and conserve heritage
sites. He mentioned that the government needs to be reminded to rebuild Uruba Hotel carefully in order
to avoid changing the original architectural design.

19
Presentation on the Current Land
Management in Mogadishu
by Mr. Abdinaser Abdullahi Mohamed, BRA
Land Department Director

Mr. Abdinaser Abdullahi Mohamed presented

the history of the Land Department’s work in
Mogadishu dating back to 1986, the year of its
establishment. He explained that the
department handles land issues in consultation
with other relevant departments and persons,
such as the court, engineers, and experts. He
stated that effort needs to be made to make the
department operational so that people can
easily access crucial services related to land
issues. He explained that the Land Department is engaged in land demarcation using a Global Positioning
System (GPS), which is one of the responsibilities of the Mogadishu Municipality. Mr. Abdinaser clarified
that land management is now being automated with the help of GPS, as opposed to the hardcopy area
maps used before. He presented a map showing the land division practice of the Land Department that is
being applied on the outskirts of Mogadishu: land is being subdivided into plots of 20 m x 20 m.

Participants in the urban consultation raised the issue of the missing allocation of certain services in the
above-mentioned practices – services such as social care and education.

Panel Discussion on the History of Urban Land Administration and Current Land Management in
Mogadishu: Existing Land Laws, Title Deeds, Land Disputes
with Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, the Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Benadir; Mr. Abdinaser
Abdullahi Mohamed and Mr. Abdirkarim Hassan Hirabe, BRA Land Department Directors; and Mr.
Abdullahi Faqay Haile, Head of the Land Disputes Committee

A discussion panel was held to answer

questions from the participants and to
discuss issues related to land in
Mogadishu. The main questions raised
referred to the procedures on how
former public properties are currently
being given to individuals, private
organizations, or brokers selling land,
and if they are cooperating and have a
connection with the Land Department. In
particular, there was a question about
who owns land, the government or the people. Other discussion points related to the procedures of
resolving land disputes, such as those that arose around the issue of land and properties registered
before 1991 and those registered after 1991 (after the fall of the Siad Barre administration). The
participants also wanted clarification on the management of the reconstruction of public economic
infrastructure, and an inquiry was made about public transport stations and the numerous closed roads
due to roadblocks.

20
The Mayor, Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur
stated that he has not heard of any public
property that has been given to individuals,
unless for the public interest, such as
universities. He said that international
organizations and partners are temporary, and
they will support the Somali people at this
stage. As an example he used the Turkish, who
installed their corporate plant in the Jazira
area, which is government-owned land. The
Mayor mentioned that, in the future, the
government might provide more land than
only the seaside area.

Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Nur then explained the issue of land documentation. He clarified that the previous
Land Department expert, Mr. Omar Tugunbe, not the current Land Department, is in possession of old
land documents and records. He explained that the BRA had agreed that he should keep the original land
records until the government gets the required capacity and has a system to handle land issues. The
Mayor concluded that Mr. Omar is a reliable person and that the BRA has good relations with him.

The Mayor then explained the current practice of land ownership verification. Usually Mr. Omar provides
land documents upon request. However, selling and reclaiming land is a major issue due to the high cost
related to the current land transactions in Mogadishu, the Mayor explained. He said that the verification
of land registration before and after 1991 should be based on real documents and not fake ones. He
explained that the BRA has not produced an official land record book, but that they might have one in the
future.

The Mayor then referred to public transport and bus stations. He said that the spaces have been occupied
by private individuals and that the Transport Cooperation has to come up with a plan for establishing the
needed spaces. Transportation rules and regulations must also be addressed to target the drivers'
discipline, he added. He concluded by saying that Mogadishu’s expansion is part of the BRA's vision, and
that the DUP continues to carry out surveys of Mogadishu districts and will develop a strategic plan
which will help to design a city in the future with the help of all partners. He said that the issue of who
owns land is with the people at this time.

Summary of Discussions and Closure of the Urban Consultation

by Mr. Mukhtar Hassan Elmi, facilitator from SOCA, and Mr. Iman Nur Icar, Deputy Mayor of
Mogadishu

At the end of the day, Mr. Mukhtar Hassan Elmi, the facilitator, summarized the issues and actions that
had been discussed, proposed, and agreed, as listed below under the ‘Resolutions’ section.

A female participant, Mrs. Saynab, spoke on behalf of all the participants and appreciated the efforts
made and issues raised during the consultation sessions. She appreciated the utilization of GPS and GIS as
impressive initiatives and as part of bigger development plans in the future. She suggested that such
efforts should be done at the district level, with plans developed accordingly for each district.

Mr. Iman Nur Icar, the Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu, closed the consultation with words of
appreciation to all the participants, for their collaboration, time, and contribution throughout the entire

21
consultation. He underscored that it is very difficult to bring so many professionals and energetic people
from various sectors together at once in Mogadishu in the way it happened during this two-day event.
Notably, he mentioned that the collaboration among relevant sectors in Mogadishu needs effort and time.
Post-conflict countries such as Somalia always need their people to be strong and committed to rebuild
their country, he concluded.

F. CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED

The major challenge during the consultation was the tight schedule. In addition, most of the
presentations were of a technical nature and hence required extra time for explanation, as well as
comprehension and comment from the participants. The participants did not have enough opportunities
to ask questions and make comments due to the limited time. The consultation was originally scheduled
for three days, but due to an Al-Shabab attack on the previously planned venue (another hotel), the event
was reduced to two days to limit the security risk for all participants.

The main lesson of the consultation was that such meetings are crucial for healing trauma, building
confidence in the government, and establishing communication and collaboration among different key
stakeholders.

In addition, despite the challenges still posed by the overall security situation, the consultation has
proven that communities' participation and their technical contribution to decision-making processes in
the management of the city are not only possible, but also crucial, particularly when it comes to
discussions about needs and solutions. Such consultations might hold the key to alleviating conflicts
among districts, the BRA, and central government entities, potentially leading to improved security.

Furthermore, the consultation revealed that people still have a very strong emotional connection to
historical buildings as symbols of Mogadishu’s urban heritage. The participants emphasized that “even if
we are dying we should not bury our history”. The importance of civic education in the school curriculum
was raised in this regard; there is also a need for universities to include anthropology, architecture,
geology, and other relevant disciplines in their curriculum.

All participants confirmed the importance of such consultation sessions, since there are very rare
opportunities for such in the country currently. Furthermore, all participants appreciated the BRA,
especially the DUP and its partners who presented during the sessions.

The key conclusion of the consultation is that a participatory urban planning initiative is a new
phenomenon in Mogadishu, and that a participatory approach to issues of heritage protection and
decisions about the whole capital has not been applied before, but this approach is appreciated by all
stakeholders, who certainly benefited from it. Issues that have not been discussed openly before could
therefore receive a public hearing, with public opinion being shared, which is a crucial element in re-
establishing trust in the government in a post-conflict city such as Mogadishu.

Lastly, there has been a general and wide agreement on the need for written policies at the district or
regional level, then at the national level. A bottom-up approach, using processes like the technical
discussions and elaboration of proposals in this urban consultation, should be applied.

22
 G. RESOLUTIONS

1. Continuation of urban mapping and capacity building in urban planning and land
management
It was recommended and agreed to continue the survey and mapping for the remaining districts
of Mogadishu through collaboration between the DUP and UN-Habitat, and to seek to secure
support from all key stakeholders.

2. Mapping and registry of all public properties

It was recommended and agreed to map and register all government properties for their effective
utilization for the public interest.

3. Development of a national land management policy and its legal framework

It was recommended and agreed to find solutions for urban planning, land management, and
planned reconstruction. In particular, it was agreed that there is a need to develop a national land
management policy which facilitates the development of a regional land policy and a legal
framework for land management.

In addition, it was agreed to mitigate current and future land disputes and to develop a culture of
respect of the law, while eliminating the 'clan mentality' and corruption.

4. Development of a national policy for the preservation of cultural heritage sites

It was recommended and agreed to protect Mogadishu’s cultural heritage through the
development of a national policy towards the preservation of countrywide heritage sites, in
particular the historical buildings in Mogadishu that are being endangered by recent
reconstruction projects.

5. Development of a strategic urban plan for Mogadishu to identify reconstruction priorities

and required key actions
It was recommended and agreed to develop a strategic urban plan2 for Mogadishu. Considering
the current situation and capacities of the local and national institutions, temporary solutions that
address very particular challenges in each district were recommended. In addition, it was
recommended that a new city plan must respect and protect the rights of the disabled and elderly
people and make sure city planning provides for their access to social services.

To improve urban infrastructure and services, building the capacity of the aligned departments
has been identified as crucial, and future actions should focus on technical support to those
departments, including the development of necessary technologies for urban planning and land
management.

Lastly, it was agreed that effective collaboration should be supported among the international
partners working on the improvement of the city, such as the Turkish and the UN, to help them
coordinate the implementation of projects.

2
A strategic urban plan is defined as a spatial plan and a document that describes the objectives, strategic priorities, action plans, and
priority projects for a city, and that follows the agreements reached through a participatory consultation process.

23
6. Development of a comprehensive strategy and durable and inclusive solutions for IDPs
and the urban poor to end the dependency on aid
It was recommended and agreed to look for durable solutions for Mogadishu IDPs and urban poor
through the development of inclusive and comprehensive strategies aimed at ending or
minimizing the dependence created by aid.

24