THEMATIC COMMITTEE

Thematic Committee
7 June 2001
15h - 19h

Urban Governance

The following presentation were made:

Integrated Programme for Social inclusion in Santo Andre, Brazil
(Presented by Mr. Celso Daniel)
(full case study is available in Msword and PDF)

The presentation dealt with social inclusion on the basis of a pilot project designed to transform slums into popular neighbourhoods integrated into the fabric of the city. The discussion revolved around the following issues: the lessons learnt concerning mechanisms for overcoming obstacles to inter-agency collaboration; the importance of a supportive or enabling political context and goodwill; financing of projects and sustainability; the importance of inclusion of the poor in the planning process and not only in terms of housing; the potential of participatory budgeting; the relevance of urban politics and power as an important factor in programmes aiming at social inclusion.

City Development Strategy in Response to Globalization in Lyons, France
(Presented by Mr. Gerard Collomb)
(full case study is available in PDF)

The presentation dealt with city development strategies for improving competitiveness and achieving economic growth and social inclusion. Issues emerging from the presentation included: how to stimulate and sustain public debate between different levels of government; the nature of public-private partnership, including mechanisms for sharing both risks and benefits; the strategic role of local authorities in stimulating private sector involvement; how to achieve urban renewal of high-rise residential areas developed in the 1960s; the relationship between participatory and representative democracy within urban governance; the nature of participatory budgeting in urban renewal; the issue of striking a balance between zones of development and conserved natural zones; mechanisms for handling conflict within communities participating in urban renewal; the need to recognize the constant dynamic of renovation and renewal.

Sustainable Urban Development and Good Urban Governance in Nigeria
(Presented by Mr. Wole Okunfulure)
(full case study is available in Msword and PDF)

The presentation dealt with recent policy changes introduced at the national level as part of reforming urban governance, as well as with a number of related specific programmes and projects. The discussion highlighted the following issues: the importance of taking advantage of major political changes to introduce social and economic changes; the potentials and dangers of devolution; developing strategies for combating corruption in the process of improving transparency in urban governance; the risk of balkanization of the state through decentralization; the importance of taking bold risks in governance reforms; mechanisms for spatially even development.

Sustainable Economic Transformation and Decentralization in Barcelona, Spain
(Presented by Mr. Joan Clos)
(full case study is available in Msword and PDF)

The presentation highlighted the experience of Barcelona in urban renewal, including rehabilitation of its historical city core, areas of residential decay and a beachfront slum. The discussion raised the following issues: the need to address the negative impacts of gentrification on low-income communities; the importance of conserving the historical heritage of old city centres; the importance of up-grading with the residents; social role of the private sector in renewal programmes, beyond profit-making; the effectiveness of strategic planning based on the long-term needs of the city residents; addressing the problem of urban sprawl through appropriate development densities; the importance of institutionalizing public participation; and the need for public policies to protect the young and the poor from being expelled from redeveloped areas by real estate interests.