10 March, Erbil – UN-Habitat recently organised a high-level capacity building workshop with over 60 participates from Iraqi governorates and the Ministry of Planning representatives under the Local Area Development Programme (LADP) jointly implemented by UNDP and UN-Habitat, funded by the European Union. The workshop was held in Erbil, Iraq to discuss the National Strategic Urban Development Framework within the context of the New Urban Agenda.
The workshop set out to define a strategic approach to addressing urban resilience and economic development at the governorate level, as well as outlining the process for developing the National Strategic Spatial Development Framework for National and Governorate levels. The Framework will be entitled: “Achieving Sustainable urban development through resilience and economic development in Iraq”, and is expected to contribute to a balanced urban development throughout the country.
At the opening of the workshop, Erfan Ail, Head of UN-Habitat Iraq Programme, outlined the importance of a participatory approach in developing the National Spatial Development Framework for Iraq that embraces the ‘New Urban Agenda’ within the context of Habitat III on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development.
Mohammed Sayed, Director General of the Ministry of Planning Iraq also re-echoed the need for governorates to develop their respective urban strategies in an inclusive and participatory manner.
Thinking strategically, acting locally
Through a series of presentations and interactive discussions in line with the New Urban Agenda, UN-Habitat introduced contemporary approaches and methodologies that encourage planned and balanced development of urban areas through planned city expansion, the notion of ‘thinking strategic but acting locally’, as well as the key role that governorates play in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by embracing sustainable urbanization.
UN-Habitat also emphasized the need for governorates to strengthening their respective institutional arrangements and execute governorate budget so as to ensure effective delivery of services and infrastructure to the citizens of Iraq.
One of the sessions focused on an online Data Management Platform created by UN-Habitat to introduce a new level of participatory planning among decision-makers and technical staff. The Platform is easily accessible by the Ministry and all governorates’ staff.
An official from Basra governorate showcased how data can be uploaded onto the platform, and how data can be shared between the national and governorate levels as well as between governorates. The platform also enable for systematic assessment data from both National and governorate levels resulting in developing a credible National Spatial Development Framework for Iraq.
The three years Local Area Development Programme (2015-2018) aims to improve capacity for urban planning and implementation across governorates in Iraq, resulting in higher budget execution and efficient service delivery. The programme also seeks to encourage efficient communication and coordination between central and governorate levels as well as pave the way for the adoption of participatory approaches in local planning and development.
Source: unhabitat.org
Recent Posts
- Experts internationaux et nationaux,(Conakry, Guinée et à domicile), DATE DE CLOTURE: 30 juin 2019
- Call for Expressions of Interest to Host the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance Secretariat
- EoI – URBAN PATHWAYS – Supporting Low Carbon Plans for Urban Basic Services in the context of the New Urban Agenda
- Sierra Leone hosts stakeholders meeting on New Urban Agenda and WUF 10
- Declaration of the First Global Stakeholder Forum of the First UN Habitat Assembly
Archives
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- September 2015
- April 2014
- December 2012
- March 2012