Nairobi, 5 August 2015-- UN-Habitat has published a Training Pack on housing the poor in Africa.
UN-Habitat publishes a training pack on pro-poor housing in Africa
The Role of Urbanization In the Structural Transformation of Africa
UN-Habitat and The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) organized a side event on The Role of Urbanization in the Structural Transformation of Africa.
Demand for efficient urban services spurs re-development of the central Nairobi railway area
Naivasha, Kenya 11 June 2015 – As part of an ongoing initiative to build the capacity of urban actors in Kenya, UN-Habitat and the Embassy of Sweden hosted a pre-study tour workshop in Naivasha in May, 2015.
Exposing the value of waste through urban development
Nairobi, Kenya 11 June 2015– As part of a comprehensive tour of UN-Habitat programmes in Kenya, Ján Ilavský, President of the 25th session of UN-Habitat’s Governing Council, and Sunu M. Soemarno, Chairman of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, visited Kenya’s first semi-aerobic landfill in Kang’oki, Kiambu County during the Governing Council meeting earlier this year.
Partners launch Global Exchange Platform on National Urban Policies
Nairobi, 22 May 2015 - Seventeen representatives from nine global organizations recently met in Nairobi and agreed to set up a Global Exchange Platform on National Urban Policies (NUP).
A Host Country Agreement to establish an office of UN-Habitat in Tunisia was signed on 16 May 2017 between UN-Habitat and the Government of Tunisia.
Notwithstanding, the entry into force of the Agreement is pending its ratification by the Tunisian Parliament. UN-Habitat has in 2018 supported the municipality of Djerba Midoun in transforming an open Municipal land, that used to be a spot for juvenile delinquency and a waste deposit into a safe public space with recreational and meeting facilities that will enhance community cohesion, promote social interaction and inclusion as well as the well-being of the residents of the targeted area.
UN-Habitat is also supporting the Tunisian Government with the development of a National Urban Policy, a common vision guiding the sustainable growth and management of cities and promoting productive, inclusive and resilient urban development for the long term.
Impact
Urban numbers
Challenges
With an urban population that accounts for 69% of the total population and is growing by 1.5% annually, Tunisia is one of the most urbanized countries in North Africa and the Arab region. The urban spread is located all along the coast, near large agglomerations such as Tunis and Sousse. This growth, mainly generated by the economic activities and job offers concentrated in these areas, is leaving the southern and western areas with less diverse economies behind. The disparity in standards of living and well-being is also clear between rural and urban areas and within urban zones. In terms of basic infrastructures, coverage is nearly total in coastal areas but still requires substantial investments in central and southern areas. Thus, the northern and western coasts have been the destination for rural-to-urban migration for decades, swelling the outlying areas around large cities and causing disproportionate land consumption. Since the 2011 revolution, these regional imbalances and inequalities of opportunity have intensified under the effect of the country’s economic slowdown and its devastating socioeconomic consequences.
Donors and partners
UN-Habitat identifies and mobilizes local authorities and NGOs to ensure the ownership of the actions implemented in the country, their success, and sustainability. The recently inaugurated public space involved.
UN-Habitat engages also local communities in the design and upgrading of public space initiatives to ensure that their needs are well reflected.
Contact
Aida ROBBANA
Head of Tunisia Office
UN-Habitat
Rue du Lac d’Annecy - Immeuble Karray B, 1.2 Les Berges du Lac 1 Tunis 1053- Tunisie
Legacy content
UN-Habitat Projects in Tunisia
Sharing Opportunities for Low carbon Urban transportation (SOLUTIONS)
- Duration: July 2013 – July 2016
- Value: US$ 130,171
- Donor: Wuppertal Institut Fur Klima/ Umwelt/ Energie GMBH
- Implementing Partners: Mobili-T Tunisia
Country pages
Burkina Faso
Overview
UN-Habitat is committed to continue its long-standing cooperation with the government of Burkina Faso, which started in 1972. UN-Habitat’s technical assistance included support to the elaboration of urban policy, upgrading of urban settlements and environmental approaches to constructions. We are engaged in pursuing our work in partnership with the local authorities.
Overview
In Burkina Faso, the urban population increased from 15,5% in 1996 to 31,5% in 2016. It is expected to reach 52% by 2050. Cities and towns of Burkina Faso are facing rapid sprawl, lack of planning, basic services and infrastructure, and weak governance and financial systems, among other challenges.
Urban growth in Burkina Faso remains polarized in the two major cities of the country: Ouagadougou (46,4%) and Bobo-Dioulasso (15,4%), representing nearly 62% country’s urban population[1]. These cities are growing very quickly, without the necessary support measures in terms of planning, administration, infrastructure, equipment and services. This fast-paced urban growth results in sprawling and increase of informal settlements in the peri-urban areas.
Urban numbers
Urban Population (2018): 19.4%
Urban Growth Rate (2015-2020): 4.99%
The urban population annual growth rate is
5.03%
Donors and partners
The UEMOA (Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine), is a sub-regional African organisation covering 8 countries in West Africa i.e Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. It’s headquarter is based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. UN-Habitat and UEMOA signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) in 2010 to mainstream their partnership on urban and housing thematic on the sub-region.
Donors
United Nations Office for Project Services
UNEP
Contact
Yombi OUEDRAOGO
Programme Officer
Regional Office for Africa
Legacy content
UN-Habitat Projects in Burkina Faso Supporting the implementation of the Urban Burkina Faso Country Programme
- Duration: January 2014 – 31 December 2016
- Value: US$977,500
- Donor: UNOPS - Switzerland
- Implementing Partners: Laboratoire Citoyennetes
Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme The Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme is being implemented with a focus on the development and adoption of inclusive policies and strategies for slum upgrading in line with the PSUP principles and contributing to the achievement of MDG 7 c and d. The Programme aims to strengthen community, city and national key stakeholders’ capacities in participatory slum upgrading , thus adding value to the development of policy, institutional, legislative, and financial frameworks, through the implementation of a participatory pilot project located in the city of Ouagadougou .
- Implementation Phase: Phase III
- Duration: 2008 -December 2015
- Value: US$900,000
- Donor: European Commission and, the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Secretariat
- Implementing Partners: UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Urban Planning and Housing
- Profile cities/ location: Neighbourhoods of Bissighin and Basnere, in the City of Ouagadougou
UN-Habitat Rwanda works with the Government, local authorities, communities and civil society through different programmes and projects to promote the inclusion of the new urbanization agenda in the development of Rwanda; improve the sustainability, preparedness and resilience of all its cities and all human settlements.
The MoU signed in October 2017 between UN-Habitat and the Government of Rwanda established the key area of collaboration namely, Urban Legislation, Land and Governance; Urban Planning and Design, Urban Economy; Urban Basic Services; Housing and Slum Upgrading; Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation; and Research and Capacity Development.
In order to create activities and projects that are meaningful and have a full impact in the country, it is notable the role of successful partnerships, especially with national government and local authorities. UN-Habitat Rwanda works with several local and international partners, which provide the inclusion of the New Urban Agenda principles in the development of the country. In addition, through the inclusion of the civil society and communities in the processes, it is possible to guarantee the support to social inclusion and the eradication of poverty in cities.
Impact
Urban numbers
Challenges
Rwanda has the highest population density in Africa, in which approximately 16.52% of the population lives in urban areas, almost half of it is concentrated in Kigali, the capital city, with about 1.1 million inhabitants. Fast economic and demographic growth puts pressure on the limited land resources, ultimately rendering citizens to live in urban areas. Bearing in mind the topographic nature of the country coupled with the significant demographic shifts towards urban areas, Rwanda needs to develop its own, unique urban model while balancing both rural and urban development.
Donors and partners
In order to create activities and projects that are meaningful and have a full impact in the country, it is notable the role of successful partnerships, especially with national government and local authorities. Un-Habitat Rwanda works with several local and international partners, which provide the inclusion of the New Urban Agenda principles in the development of the country. In addition, through the inclusion of the civil society and communities in the processes, it is possible to guarantee the support to social inclusion and the eradication of poverty in cities.
Contact
Catherine Kalisa
Country program manager a.i
Un-Habitat Rwanda
Legacy content
UN-Habitat projects in Rwanda
Planned City Extension for Rubavu and Nyagatare
This project seeks to improve the existing master plans for the urban area in Rubavu District and proposes a Planned City Extension based on UN-Habitat’s principles for Sustainable Urban Development. A Planned City Extension concept plan has been prepared and approved for Rubavu, and also for Nyagatare. A guideline to support secondary city authorities in city planning has also been developed.
Implementing partners: Ministry of Housing and Construction, Rubavu Local Government
Lake Victoria Region Water and Sanitation Initiative PHASE II - Training and Capacity Building Component
Objective of the project
- To provide efficient and timely implementation of programme activities
- To enhance community participation in ownership of programme activities, thereby empowering them for sustainability of the programme facilities and outcome/benefits
- To ensure the financial and operational sustainability of the programme investments
- To ensure that the poverty reduction and public health benefits of the programme are fully realized
Methodology
The project is developed around the following methodologies:
- Programme management to ensure local stakeholder participation, timely and efficient delivery of programme outputs and an effective monitoring, quality assurance and evaluation system.
- Institutional capacity of service providers to ensure the efficient delivery of water, sanitation and refuse collection and disposal services and the long term sustainability of programme investments.
- Hygiene promotion and sanitation to maximize the public health benefits of the programme, strengthen local structures to manage public sanitation programmes and promote options for financing mechanisms for accessing to household sanitation.
- Urban catchment management to reduce environmental degradation and contribute to the long term sustainability of water resources.
- Monitoring and evaluation system to ensure gender mainstreaming in water and sanitation programmes and provision of services to the poor.
Service sectors covered by the project include:Water, Sanitation, Solid Waste management, and Environment.
- Duration:April 2011 to December 2016
- Value: USD 4,244,443
- Donor:African Development Bank
- Implementing Partners:UN-Habitat, East Africa Community through the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), Governments of Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda through respective ministries.
Hands on training on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for youth empowerment
Project Location:Kigali,Rwanda .
Objective of the Project
To involve the youth in the green economy that is contributing to climate change mitigation.Modules covered include:
- Conducting energy audits
- Green building and passive building designs
- Tubular biogas digester systems
- Improved cook stoves and gasifier stoves
- Sustainable charcoal briquette production to substitute charcoal and firewood
- Assembling and installation of solar bulb lights
Service sectors covered by the project include: energy access, buildings, academia, policy and legislation, housing finance.
- Duration: As need arises– on going
- Value: in- kind (staff time)
- Donor: UN-Habitat,
- Implementing Partners: UN-Habitat Urban energy Unit
Promoting Energy Efficiency in Building in Eastern Africa
Objective of the project
The project seeks to mainstream energy efficiency into the existing legislation; and, to build on ongoing initiatives and develop an energy efficiency regulatory system for new and existing buildings. The project will also focus on green architecture, with the emphasis on effective policies, regulations and standards that integrate energy efficiency into building design.
Service sectors covered by the project include: energy access, buildings, academia, policy and legislation, housing finance.
The methodology:The project is developed around the following methodologies: Establishment of a benchmarking on energy use in building, capacity building of practitioners and professionals of the building industry; review of the building regulations and standards; development of tools and establishment of financial mechanism for promotion sustainable building design. Working with the national and local governments as well as training institutions and the private sector.
- Duration: August 2011 to December 2016
- Value: USD 15,276,288
(Global Environment Facilities (GEF) USD 2,793,000; UN-Habitat (in kind) USD 400,000; Governments (in kind) USD 12,083,288)
- Donor:Global Environment Facilities, and UN-Habitat,
- Implementing Partners: UN-Habitat, UNEP and Governments of Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda through respective ministries.
Rapid Planning
This project is located in Kigali. Its objective is to develop a rapid trans-sectoral urban-regional planning methodology with a focus on urban basic services, specifically targeting supply and disposal infrastructure. The service sectors covered by the project include energy, water, waste water, solid waste and urban agriculture. The methodology will help to address the city’s challenges in the following areas: phasing urban development; preparing a 30 year plan for the city; promoting city density; addressing inadequate housing; and financing large amounts of low-cost housing. For more information click here.
- Duration: September 2014-December 2019
- Value:$538,611
- Donor:German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)
- Implementing Partners:City of Kigali
Water and Sanitation Trust Fund Implementation of Training and Capacity Building Activities Under the Lake Victoria Water Supply and Sanitation Programme Phase II (East African Regional Project)
Water and Sanitation Trust Fund Implementation of Training and Capacity Building Activities Under the Lake Victoria Water Supply and Sanitation Programme Phase II (East African Regional Project)
- Duration: December 2011 – December 2016
- Value: US$4,244,445
- Donor: African Development Bank
- Implementing Partners: East African Community (EAC); African Development Bank (AfDB); Government of Burundi; Government of Tanzania; Government of Rwanda; Government of Kenya; Government of Uganda;
Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme
This programme is being implemented with a focus on the development and adoption of inclusive policies and strategies for slum upgrading . The Programme also aims to strengthen community, city and national key stakeholders’ capacities in participatory slum upgrading in Rwanda, particularly in the City of Kigali, Musanze District and Muhanga District. More sepcifically, the Country Team particularly aims to contribute to the ongoing elaboration of the National Urban Policy, the implementation of the National Urbanization Sector Strategy as prescribed in the Rwanda’s Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2) and specific local urban/city development plans.
- Implementation Phase: Phase II
- Duration: November 2013 – December 2015
- Value: US$120,000
- Donor: European Commission and, the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Secretariat
- Implementing Partners: UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Infrastructure
- Profile cities/ location: City of Kigali, Musanze District and Muhanga District
“Africa’s Urban Infrastructure Must Be People-Centered” - says Kacyira
Nairobi, 6 May 2015 – “Provision of urban infrastructure must not be an exclusive preserve but more importantly it should be people-centered” UN-Habitat Deputy Executive Director, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira gave this advice to African Mayors at the Second Urban Infrastructure Investment Forum which was held recently in Luanda, Angola.