The Center is actively involved in a variety of outreach activities around the world including major conferences and workshops.

World Bank Urban Research Symposium, Washington, D.C. (December 15-17, 2003)

The second Urban Research Symposium on "Urban Development for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction"addressed issues of urban development as they relate to poverty within urban areas, and contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction. The objectives of the Symposium were to:
• explore recent and ongoing urban research with policy and operational relevance to economic growth and poverty reduction in developing and transition economies;
• devise an urban research agenda to guide future collaborative efforts in this area;
• continue to foster networking and partnerships among international researchers working on problems of urban poverty.

 

Mona Serageldin and John Driscoll represented the Center at the symposium and participated in the session on Urban Policies and Planning for Housing and Basic Services within the panel “Assessing and managing urban growth-economic and poverty implications”. They presented the study entitled “Migratory Flows, Poverty and Social Inclusion in Latin America” which Mona Serageldin is undertaking jointly with Yves Cabannes. Elda Solloso and Luis Valenzuela worked with them to document and analyze the impacts of migratory flows in Cuenca, Ecuador and Maracaibo, Venezuela. The final version of the paper has been selected for publication in a book on the Symposium entitled “Urban Futures: Economic Growth and Poverty reduction” to be launched at the World Urban Forum of Barcelona, September 13-17, 2004.

International Conference on Sustainable Urbanization Strategies Weihai, China (November 2-5, 2003)

The Conference was jointly sponsored by UN-HABITAT, the Chinese ministry of construction, and Weihai City. The conference urged UN-HABITAT and other key actors to formulate new mechanisms to support local, national and regional initiatives to foster sustainable urbanization through new partnerships among international institutions, national and local governments, and civil society organizations.
The conference called on governments to devise better ways to address the growing number of slums and squatter settlements around the world, provide protection against forced eviction and support to NGOs and CBOs mobilizing and organizing communities, facilitate access to finance adapted to the needs and the means of the poor, and provide diverse housing options.
Mona Serageldin represented the Center at the conference and presented the Center’s research on “Partnerships and Targeted Programs to Improve the Lives of Slum Dwellers”. The presentation included case studies emphasizing the importance of partnerships among different levels of government, NGOs and CBOs and the institution of participatory processes for social inclusion.

Protecting Cultural and Natural Heritage in the Western Hemisphere: Lessons from the Past; Looking to the Future, Cambridge, MA (December 5-7, 2002)

The Center, in cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Center, the Harvard Center for Urban Development Studies and US-ICOMOS hosted a Seminar on the Protection of World Heritage Sites in the Western Hemisphere as part of the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the World Cultural and Heritage Convention.  The seminar was the last of a series of worldwide events to be held under the aegis of the World Heritage Center in Budapest, London, Paris, Potsdam, Strasbourg and Venice, and followed the one-day plenary meeting of the General Assembly in New York to mark the end of the United Nations Year for the Cultural Heritage. 

The Seminar brought together policy makers, public officials, practitioners and academics involved in the protection and management of natural, archaeological and urban cultural heritage sites in the Western Hemisphere.  Over 200 participants representing international organizations and foundations, bilateral and international development agencies, as well as, major institutions and foundations active in promoting the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage in the Western Hemisphere were present at the Seminar. 

Proceedings are available on-line at 

www.gsd.harvard.edu/heritageintheamericas

Local Area Development Workshop, Romania  (January, 2003)

In support of a World Bank Study on rural/urban linkages in Romania, John Driscoll, together with the Center's Research Affiliates Liviu Ianasi and Andrei Luncan, organized a workshop on local area development in Zalu, Romania in January 2003.  The workshop combined presentations on emerging practices in local area development in the European Union and Romania with interactive working sessions where participants provided recommendations on planning and institutional issues related to micro-regions. The territorial competitiveness concept is changing the definition of local areas from zones falling neatly within administrative boundaries, to areas based on spatially oriented interests and linkages. The presentations described recent efforts among local governments in Romania to associate and cooperate in local economic areas of medium and large city-regions as well as smaller towns and micro-regions comprised of associated rural communes. Workshop participants included Salaj County Council staff and officials and communes associating under the World Bank's Rural Development Program, staff and officials from Zalu and smaller cities and local NGOs.

 

 

UNESCO/WHC Conference - World Heritage: Shared Legacy, Common Responsibility, Italy  (November, 2002)

 

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted in 1972 and ratified to date by 167 parties, UNESCO and the Government of Italy organized an International Congress of Experts to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the World Heritage mission. 

The objectives of the Congress were to discuss: 
· The achievements and limitations of the Convention; 
· The development of national and international heritage protection and practice; 
· Building capacity for the management of heritage sites; 
· The mobilization of resources for World Heritage protection and; 
· The future direction of the World Heritage Convention in terms of specific action programs, synergies between stakeholders and partnerships. 

Associated events included thematic seminars held immediately prior to the Congress. GSD/CUDS is a partner in the World Heritage Network.  Mona Serageldin participated in a thematic workshop on Monitoring World Heritage, coordinated ICCROM.  She presented the Center's work on the rehabilitation of the historic medina of Fez focusing on issues of assessment and monitoring of the urban dynamics set in motion by the revitalization process.
 

World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio +10), Johannesburg, South Africa (August/September, 2002)

 
The Center was represented at the Earth Summit held in Johannesburg in August 26- September 5,2002 by Mona Serageldin and Keith Garner.  They participated in the thematic session on sustainable urbanization sponsored by UN Habitat, the Government of South Africa, and ICLEI.  The session was jointly chaired by UN Habitat Executive Director, Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka and the South African Minister of Housing, Mrs. Sankie Manyele-Nkondo.  Congressman Earl Blumenauer spoke about concern over urban sprawl and the environment in the United States.  The Center will be working will join other Habitat partners in a coalition to promote sustainable urbanization.

 8th Annual Construction Industry Summit, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (August, 2002)
 

The Center was invited by the Colegio de Arquitectos de Puerto Rico to participate in the summit, which focused on the contributions that the construction industry can make to the social and economic development of the Island.  Liz Meléndez was asked to give a presentation on growth and local development to a varied group of participants including architects, developers, local politicians and academic professionals.

Seminar on Boston and the Community Development Corporations Meeting, Paris, France (June 18, 2002)

 

Based on a group study tour co-organized by the Center for French community development professionals from Seine Saint-Denis to Boston, a symposium was organized in Paris to present the group's findings to other professional colleagues working in urban revitalization and economic development. Profession Banlieue, a non-profit organization, resource and a training center based in the northern suburbs of Paris, organized the symposium. Study tour participants presented a documentary video of community-based development approaches and organizations in Boston and, highlighted concepts and practices of public participation and public/private partnerships for urban revitalization that could be adapted to the French context.

John Driscoll represented the Center and participated in panel discussions. Together with Joel Schwartz, Deputy Director of the Dorchester Bay Development Corporation, he contributed to the publication of the proceedings of the symposium in collaboration with Marie-Hélène Bacqué and Sophie Body-Gendrot. Published by Profession Banlieue in June 2003, "Une Autre Facon de Faire La Ville, les Community Development Corporations" (Another Way to Make the City, the Community Development Corporations), the proceedings are available online on the web site (in french) of Profession Banlieue.

 
Western Cape Provincial Housing Conference, Capetown, South Africa (March 24-27, 2002)

The Center was invited  by the Western Cape Provincial Government to participate in a conference specially organized to address the challenges of housing development in the province. Mona Serageldin was asked to give a presentation on partnerships and participatory housing development in Latin America, based on the Center's research activities. 

The more dynamic mayors and local leaders in Latin America have entered into partnerships with businesses, foundations, NGOs and community organizations to deliver housing to lower income families.  The initiatives from Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza and Santo Andre, selected for presentation at the conference, address a range of policy concerns: the use of housing projects to guide urban development patterns; housing and infrastructure as key components of an integrated program for social inclusion; and the growing role of NGOs and community associations as strategic partners in housing development.  They highlight the importance of structuring the interface between local authorities and communities to ensure complimentarity, mutual reinforcement and continuity.

Post construction management emerges as a major challenge which is often ignored at the outset of the project when the focus is on organization and construction and is addressed in rather cursory manner if at all, upon project completion.  The consequences of this oversight end up undermining the sustainability of the project.  This points to the need to focus on building community, instituting a legal community based structure and adequately building its capacity to manage the urban environment post settlement on the site. 
 

International Symposium on The Restoration and Conservation of Historic Cairo (February 2002)

 
During February 2002, Francois Vigier, traveled to Cairo, Egypt to participate in an international symposium, sponsored by UNESCO, on The Restoration and Conservation of Historic Cairo.  Prof. Vigier chaired a thematic session on Urban and Socio-Economic Revilatization in Historic Cairo.  Additionally, he made a presentation on Urban Revitalization: A methodology applied to Historic Cairo.

 

World Bank Strategic Planning Workshop for Casablanca (November 2001)

 
In November 2001, Francois Vigier participated  in a Strategic Planning Workshop organized by the World Bank for EMENA staff.  The workshop, held in Washington D.C., focused on strategic planning and development opportunities for Casablanca,  Morocco.

UNCHS/HABITAT: Istanbul+5 Conference (June 6-8, 2001)

This special session of the General Assembly held at the UN Headquarters in New York and associated parallel events appraised the implementation of the recommendations of the Habitat II conference held in Istanbul in June 1996. The Center prepared a background paper on Decentralization and Urban Infrastructure Management for the Global Report on Human Settlements 2001 entitled Cities in a Globalizing World which was distributed to delegates at the special session. The paper was written by Mona Serageldin with background research on the topic and the cases was undertaken by Suzanne Kim and Sameh Wahba. The paper was incorporated in the Global Report as Chapter 13 entitled Decentralization and Urban Infrastructure Management Capacity and is available for download in PDF format.

Mona Serageldin represented the Center at the conference and participated in the panel organized by the NGO Committee on Human Settlements Habitat Watch entitled The Habitat Agenda in the 21st Century. She discussed the importance of Best Practices in promoting the Habitat agenda and highlighted the factors leading to outstanding performance and sustainability of practices and factors contributing to the shriveling and unraveling of promising initiatives.  

Seminar on Urban Policy, Development Strategy, Management Tools (November 6-7, 2000) 

The Center conducted a two day seminar in Nouakchott, Mauritania attended by 110 participants from central and local agencies, elected councils, non-governmental organizations, professional associations and interested citizen groups. The participants discussed issues related to decentralization, urban policy, development strategies, urban managements and legislation governing land tenure and development in light of the findings and recommendations of the studies undertaken by the center. The seminar was led by Mona Serageldin and Samir Abdulac.

Mona Serageldin, Samir Abdullac and other seminar participants

 

The Christiansfeld Initiative Conference (September 25-27, 2000)

The Center was invited to participate in a conference jointly organized by the municipality of Christiansfeld and BYFORNYELSE in Denmark. The conference addressed issues related to the preservation and management of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in historic sites associated with specific religious communities with a special emphasis on Christiansfeld and the Moravian Cultural Heritage. Representatives of UNESCO and ICCROM participated in the conference. Three main themes were discussed:

• Presenting the community's religious heritage and integrating its cultural tradition into the contemporary civic life of citizens who are not members of the congregation.
• Defining the modalities of an integrated and sustainable approach to the management of Christianfeld's Moravian cultural heritage based on respect and preservation of Moravian spiritual values. 
• Finding the appropriate balance between tourism and preservation of religious heritage.

Mona Serageldin delivered the keynote presentation. She discussed issues of revitalization and management of the historic urban fabric with specific examples from Europe, Africa and Australia, and highlighted the special case of Moravian settlements in South Africa. Background research on American Moravian settlements was undertaken by Jessica Carew Kraft. Documentation on the Moravian settlements of Elim, Mamre and Wupperthal was graciously provided by the communities. Additional visual documentation was assembled by Hendrik DuPlessis, Chief Engineer of the Department of Housing, Provincial Administration, Western Cape, South Africa.

Urban 21 Conference (July, 2000)

The Center for Urban Development Studies participated in the Urban 21 conference. Mona Serageldin presented a paper on Local Indicators of Sustainability and Issues of Vertical Integration in the panel on Indicators of Sustainable Urban Development. The presentation focused on community involvement in the development and monitoring of indicators. The synthesis highlighted the salient features of experiences from Zuhai, China; Bogota, Columbia; Dasudi, India; Portland, Oregon; Southwark, UK; and the European Union. Major challenges faced by developing countries in the selection of indicators of performance and the development of indices include setting up appropriate frameworks for community participation, choosing indicators reflecting local and global concerns, and integrating local indicators into indices. Background research on the topic and the cases was undertaken by Keith Garner, Suzanne Kim, Chris Rogers, and Sameh Wahba. 

The proceedings of the conference have been published by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing of the Federal Republic of Germany. The document is entitled Urban 21: Global Conference on the Urban Future. The panel indicators of sustainable urban development is featured on pages 52-53. 

Australian Council of National Trusts (June, 2000)

Mona Serageldin was invitied by the Australian Council of National Trusts to present a paper on the Center's work on Heritage Management and the Revitalization of the Historic Urban Fabric. The paper addressed the challenges of coping with the dynamics of development which marginalize older districts, and overcoming the negative effect of messages and images transmitted by the media. In developing countries, these images tend to devalorize a historic setting associated with backwardness and exclusion. The paper stressed the need to reach out to youth to change their negative perceptions and recommended the development of interactive techniques to foster interpretation in a culturally enriching way. The proceedings of the conference are available from the Australian Council of National Trusts. The publication is entitled The National Trust into the New Millenium.

Housing Micro Finance Conference (November 22-24, 1999)

Mona Serageldin represented the Center at the international conference Housing Micro Finance held in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape South Africa. She presented a paper entitled From Shelter to Housing: Enhancing the Productive Capacity of Lower Income Households and Helping Build Up Their Assets.

Cultural Heritage in Development Network Conference (May 3-6, 1999)

The theme of the conference held at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. was Preserving the Architecture of Historic Cities and Sacred Places. Eduard Sekler, François Vigier and Mona Serageldin attended the conference. François Vigier, Director of the Center, chaired the session on Transformation in Historic Cities: Roots and Modernization. Mona Serageldin, Associate Director of the Center, gave a presentation to the expert group on the adaptive reuse of historic architecture, Rejuvenating the Historic City: Socio-Economic and Physical Transformation of Fez, Morocco. The proceedings of the conference were published in December 2000. The publication, entitled Historic Cities and Sacred Sites: Cultural Roots for Urban Futures, is available from the World Bank.

Department of Constitutional Development (May, 1999)

Mona Serageldin participated in a conference organized by the Department of Constitutional Development and sponsored by USAID in May 1999, and attended by close to 450 participants. She presented the Center's review of South Africa's Municipal Infrastructure Program.

UNESCO/Tunisia (June 23-26, 1999)

Mona Serageldin represented the Center at the international conference Sustainable Urban Development in Coastal Zones held in Mahdia, Tunisia from June 21-24, 1999. The seminar was sponsored by the Tunisian Ministry of the Environment and Regional Planning and UNESCO under its Intersectorial Projects on Urban Development and Water Resources in Small Historic Coastal Towns. Mona Serageldin presented a paper entitled Rehabilitation of Historic Centers and the Requirements of Contemporary Life. She also co-chaired a panel with the Mayor of Mahdia, a historic coastal town in Tunisia, on the Revitalization of the Medina of Mahdia.

ICOMOS (March 19-20, 1999)

Mona Serageldin was invited to present a paper at the second annual US ICOMOS International Symposium on Culture, Identity, Heritage and Economics: Creating a Sustainable Future for the Past, March 19-20 1999 at George Washington University in Washington D.C. She gave a slide presentation on The Future Livability of Traditional Islamic Cities.