Training workshop on: Ways to improve slums in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) National Framework

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1 Ways to improve slums in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) National Framework Ministry of Municipal Affairs The OPEC Fund Arab Urban Development Institute Greater Amman Municipa lity World Bank Cities Alliance Medina Municipa lity Foundation of Housing and Urban Development Workshop (1): Workshop on: basic infrastructure Organized by: Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) in cooperation with the Greater Amman Municipality, Amman, Jordan, the World Bank and Cities Alliance Venue: Al Hussein Cultural Center / Greater Amman Municipality Amman / Jordan Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 18 February 20, 2007

2 Background: General Framework Training workshops In the framework of the Urban Development Service Program, the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) seeks to hold a series of training workshops in three sub-regions of Middle East and North Africa (MENA), on the national initiatives to improve and upgrade slums in the national framework of the Arab states. Introduction: "Cities without Slums" initiative has been globally ratified at the highest political levels in the United Nations Millennium Declaration (A/RES/55/2), on the basis that it is one of the foreseeable challenges with specific goals and actions to improve the lives of economically, environmentally and socially marginalized populations in urban areas etc. Objective : To achieve a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers as proposed in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG(. by The "Cities without Slums" is now the 11 th of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), and its achievement is being followed up through some indicators, such as: Percentage of population with access to quality health services Percentage of population with holdings of land. Upgrading slums is a thorny issue, involving improvements in physical, social, economic, organizational (administrative) and environmental conditions to be made by local residents, population groups, businessmen and local authorities, in order to enhance integration of important roles of the public sector into the contributions of global world; all through constructive and fruitful cooperation. Main Topics of the Workshop: This workshop will focus on basic infrastructures, including the including the following topics: 1. Land markets in urban areas: one of the main causes for the proliferation of slums is lack of planning and clarity in many countries around the land market, forcing the urban poor to settle in marginal, unwanted and dangerous areas, or to encroach on the land owned by the public and private sectors or to become victims of informal land markets after the failure of formal markets. Generally, 2

3 there are some proposals to address these complex issues in the area of urban land: Preparation of a national or local strategy to organize land-use in the existing slums on a fait accompli basis and to devise an equation to absorb them in the urban fabric with a minimum disruptions and cost. Based on the calculated increase in urban population, in addition to the expected migration from rural areas, a future plan can be developed to meet the needs for land in the new cities and settlements, providing them with basic services, to replace the current control policies and mechanisms. This method of legislation should limit the encroachment on government and private lands. 2. Roads and movement: the existing road system in the poor planned areas can be rehabilitated, but in slum areas, where there is no system of roads, an innovative and careful re-planning solution can be adopted, to allow, at least, vehicles to access to specific points in the various slums, and then people can reach their homes on foot. 3. Water systems: new networks can be provided or the existing ones can be improved inside re-planned slum, taking into account water resources, funding, treatment, supply, maintenance and prices etc Sanitation and waste collection: It is not expected to have a system for sanitation in poor areas, so the idea is to try to apply a socially, economically and environmentally workable system. This proposal may vary from one city to another and from one country to another. With regard to waste collection, it is clear that the same system used in the main city can be used. 5. Prevent and minimize risks: Due to the deterioration of the urban land market as mentioned above, the poor and vulnerable are often forced to live in or adjacent to marginal, undesirable land with high-risks and narrow roads, as well as lack of natural rainwater drainage Accordingly, in view of these risky areas caused by nature or man, risks and their associated potential catastrophes have increased. Participants: Officials in municipalities Local decision makers in Middle East and North Africa Leaders in urban communities Local professionals Other partners 3

4 International and regional experts specialized in upgrading basic infrastructure in slums. International organizations working in the area of slum upgrading, such as the World Bank, Cities Alliance, organizations etc.. MENA Cities that are interest in the topics of the workshop. Objectives of the workshop I. to train municipalities officials and local professionals in the nature and size of the upgrading process of slums, with respect to the following topics: Understanding the problems and identifying the appropriate policies Implementation - application of strategies and actions. Local administration - support community efforts Integration into the existing urban infrastructure Listing the slums upgrading priorities, depending on the immediate needs of partners and the availability of funding. Stages and potential levels of community participation. Role of specialists and professionals in the actual application. Identifying partners needs, expectations and services, especially those of the most vulnerable groups. Basic guidelines on who to deal with the historical areas. Developing a development strategy in conjunction with all sectors, containing economic, social and physical features. II. Establish guidelines and detailed steps in different stages that must be followed in the process of slum upgrading since its inception, policies development to implementation. III. Preparation of clear planning for the upgrading and regulations for construction, to enhance successful implementation on the ground. IV. Propose legislation aimed to upgrade the slums, to enable municipalities and local administrators to do their daily work and deal with emerging issues. V. Preparing the costs of various phases of the project's based on the previously approved list of priorities. V. Preparing a comprehensive action plan, based on the projects which were approved, containing clear financial estimates for each work and contribution of each partner, such as: local government, business community, NGOs, 4

5 central government, international lenders etc.. In short, what is the role of each partner, including the contribution and participation of slum dwellers? The expected impact: Public awareness of the nature and importance of slum upgrading and improvement projects and their social and economic impact on residents, local population, municipalities, and local and national businesses in general. Expected results: The preparatory guidelines and steps to be followed prior to the implementation of any urban upgrading project. Planning and construction regulations that govern any future slums upgrading project. Administrative legislations that enable municipalities and local administrations to address land tenure, resettlement, compensation of the displaced population issues, controlling the new slums etc. Experience of various cities in funding and upgrading projects, in the region and the world. Improving the management capacity within the local authority and civil society, to carry out and manage local development 5