Achieving Sustainable Urban Development
UN-Habitat global initiative - Achieving Sustainable Urban Development (ASUD) - supporting national partners in managing the rapid pace of urbanisation
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Date
2011-2016
Service
Studies, Research, and Capacity Building
Project Details
Location
- Kigali (Rwanda)
- Nacala region (Mozambique)
- Cagayan de Oro, Silay, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Butuan (The Philippines)
Type
- Workshop
Team
Client
- UN-Habitat
Partners
- UN - Habitat
Rapid Urbanisation
In some countries, urban development is a relatively recent phenomenon, characterized by rapid urbanisation and significant population growth. Often, a large share of the population is concentrated in just one major city.
ASUD Programme - a response to managing the rapid pace of urbanisation and maximising its benefits
In 2011, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) launched a global initiative to assist its national partners in managing the rapid pace of urbanisation and to ultimately maximise its benefits - Achieving Sustainable Urban Development (ASUD). The ASUD programme seeks to:
Address Gaps in the Existing System
ASUD addresses the gaps in current urban planning processes and policies at both national and local levels, enabling a more effective response to the complex demands of rapid population and economic growth.
Strategic Plans Focused on Planned City Extensions
It helps cities develop strategic plans for sustainable urban development and implement demonstration projects, with a focus on planned city extensions (PCEs). Unlike fringe development, PCEs offer an alternative to unplanned urban expansion characterised by sprawling, segregated, and poorly connected developments.
The ASUD Programme is based on UN Habitat's Principles for Sustainable Urban Development:
Adequate space for streets and an efficient street network
High density - at least 15,000 people per sq.km.
Mixed land-use
Social mix
Limited land-use specialisation
Approach
DEMONSTRATE innovative sustainable urban development approaches in integrated and planned city extensions
DEVELOP partnerships and link cities to additional financial resources.
IMPROVE urban development policies through extending support to local legislation and through policy advocacy, review, and reform
STRENGTHEN technical, institutional, and financial capacities of cities in urban planning, municipal finance and local economic development, governance, and implementation through technical input from specialists, city-to-city sharing sessions, and the town-and-gown approach to promote exchange and catalysation of ideas and experiences.
Our Role
Thomas Stellmach surpervised the development of normative and policy papers as part of the capacity building of local administrations and organised different workshops.
Where the Programme Took Place
Rwanda
The development of cities in Rwanda is very recent, and the urbanisation rate stood at around 19%. Almost half of it is concentrated in Kigali, the capital city, with about 1.1 million inhabitants. Despite its low urbanisation rate, the annual growth rate of the urban population of 4.5% far exceeds the world-wide average of 1.8%.
The Main Focus of the ASUD Programme in Rwanda
The development of a National Urbanisation Policy (NUP) and Planned City Extensions (PCE) for Rubavu and Nyagatere, intermediary cities with strategic importance to the region and country development.
Results
The project improved the existing master plans for the area in Rubavu and Nyagatere and offered a planned city extension based on the UN Habitat's principles for sustainable urban development. Its target group were city leaders and key experts from Ministries and Authorities.
Philippines
The urban population of the Philippines accounts for 49% of the total population. By 2050 an estimated 84% of Filipinos will be living in urban areas.
The Main Focus of the ASUD Programme in the Philippines
The program was implemented in three pilot cities: Iloilo, Silay and Cagayan de Oro, selected together with the key national government partners. These cities are mostly intermediary (150,000 to 622,000 inhabitants) with population growth rates ranging from 1.42% to 2.54%. Each one of them has a strategic role in their respective region as most of them are capital cities and regional centers.
Results
Iloilo
The project successfully completed city data profiling, mapping, and a comprehensive climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessment. Partnerships were built with key government agencies, and a policy and legal framework mapping and assessment was conducted. The team also evaluated municipal finances and capacity, facilitated knowledge sharing with other pilot cities, and provided technical coaching and mentoring. Additionally, planning workshops on city extensions were held.
Silay
The project underwent city data profiling and mapping, assessing the city's vulnerability to climate change and disasters, and forming partnerships with government agencies. The policy and legal landscape was evaluated, as well as the city's financial capacity. Technical coaching, planning workshops on city extensions, and ongoing boundary mapping were conducted, alongside the creation of a landowner inventory. A Landowners' Forum was established, a conceptual plan developed, and the city's GIS capabilities were enhanced through inter-city knowledge exchange.
Cagayan de Oro
The project successfully completed city data profiling and mapping, along with a comprehensive climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessment. Partnerships were established with government agencies, and thorough assessments of the policy, legal environment, and municipal finances were conducted. Knowledge sharing with other pilot cities was facilitated, and technical coaching, including planning workshops on city extensions, was provided. Additionally, a conceptual plan was prepared in collaboration with the city’s technical working group.
Mozambique
Mozambique is currently experiencing its peak of urban growth and the urban challenges it brings. Recent studies show that more than 70% of the urban population lives in informal neighbourhoods.
The Main Focus of the ASUD Programme in Mozambique
The ASUD programme targeted the Nacala Corridor, which links the Bay of Nacala, through the city of Nampula, to the coal districts in the Tete Province and further with Malawi and Zambia. Urbanization rates have predictably shot up and the main cities in the corridor are experiencing unprecedented pressure, growing informality and heightened environmental risk.
Results
The programme addressed the urban and regional planning gap to allow a sustainable spatial development within the Nacala corridor by promoting linkages between functional territories and administrative units and introducing planning instruments for territorial development and cities/urban extension dynamics.
