EiABC

Ethiopian Institute of Architecture,

Building Construction and City Development
የኢትዮጵያ የአርክቲክቸር ፤ ህንፃ ግንባታ አና ከተማ ልማት ኢንስቲቱት

Current Urban & Regional

development Strategies &
Practices
• Sustainable Urban Development
• Financing urban & regional Development
• Regional and local development in Africa

Asfaw M. (PhD)
Competence

• Describe the major components of urban sustainable

development principles and practices;

• explain the concept of eco-region,

• describe the urban governance and finance bases.

• Discuss the African city region development practices

and the major issues
The idea of eco-regions
• Eco-regional approaches may become the buzzword for the research
agenda of the nineties.

• The approaches helps to answer questions at the regional level and as

an interdisciplinary approaches integrating the biophysical and socio-
economic sciences.

• They may integrate studies at various levels, bridge the gaps between
basic sciences and applied sciences, form an unifying problem oriented
concept and create new rewarding research questions.
Eco-regional approaches', why and what
• how regional development affect the opportunities and limitations
of individuals in a region - farmers, other land users and other
economic actors.

• Studies at lower levels of analysis that are not generalizable at the

regional contexts were ineffective because they call for evaluating
several factors and actors that are linked with the environment.

• For example, Land use studies and productivity , studies at field or

farm level often neglect the change in bet biophysical and socio-
economic environment in terms of constraints or new chances.
Eco-regional approaches', why and what
• Eco-regions may be considered as systems with well defined boundaries
within which farms and other elements and their interaction take place.

• The eco-regional approach enables the systematic study of (changes in)

land use, and the study of agricultural systems within these systems.

• Biophysical and socio-economic knowledge and insight is further

developed and integrated or synthesized to investigate and understand
better how these systems function and operate within these regions.
Eco-regional approaches', why and what
• In the eco-regional approach a region is identified by its natural, administrative
or socio-economic boundaries, within which the main rural and land
developmental issues are made explicit.

• All important relations between agro-ecological systems and other forms of land
use are specified, in particular those related to limited natural and socio-
economic resources.

• In that way the eco-regional approach emphasizes the specific characteristics of

a region. These specific characteristics help to identify the possibilities and
constraints of these regions. Those constraints may be biophysical or socio-
economic.
• Climate, topography, soil, availability of other resources
• Capital, (skilled) labor technology.
Eco-regional approaches, how
• The aim of the eco-regional approach dictates the methodology and
the tools that should be used.

• Studies aiming at the exploration of various possibilities are showing

different from predictive output that investigate what may be expected
in the near future.

• There are also different from descriptive analytic studies that aim at
understanding the interactions within the eco-regional system, and
their response to changes in the environment.
Tools of Ecoregion Analysis
• During the last decade many tools have become available that enable
eco-regional approaches of a high quality.

• Geographical information systems (GIS) are used as appropriate tools

for describing, analyzing and characterizing eco-regional systems.

• Many types of scenario approaches such as Interactive Multiple Goal

Linear Programming (IMGLP) are becoming available with which various
scenarios may be developed.
Perspectives for eco-regional approaches
• The perspectives of eco-regional approaches are bright. They may fulfil various
expectations 'such as:

- problem oriented research;

- take into account the biophysical and socio-economic characteristics of regions;

- integrate contributions of various disciplines;

- are wide without loosing deepness;

- enable the operationalization of vague intentions such as sustainable agriculture;

- demonstrate how resource use efficiency may be optimized at regional levels. x

Perspectives for eco-regional approaches
• There are, also some dangers in the eco-regional approach:

- they may be restricted to methodologies;

- they may lead to too much tool orientation losing the problem orientation;

- they may lead to delay of interventions and may be used as an alibi for not
doing things.
The concept of Sustainable Development and Eco-Regions

• the issue of sustainability upholds two basic perspectives.

• ‘sustainability’ is seen as a characteristic of a process or state that can be

maintained indefinitely.

• development is environmental modification, which requires deep

intervention in nature and exhausts natural resources.

• The term sustainability belongs originally to the field of ecology, referring to

an ecosystem’s potential for subsisting over time, with almost no alteration.
The concept of Sustainable Development and Eco-Regions

• It is possible to identify the challenges presented by the notion of

sustainable development, it is not easy to point examples of the adoption
of sustainable regional planning.
• Most evidence reflects action at the global, sectoral or local level.
International agreements and actions often have profound implications for
regions,
• However, such forms of action lack the integration between environment,
economy and space which has been identified as a distinguishing feature
of sustainable regional planning.
• It is very recently researchers have begun to investigate the occasionally
broad and sometimes narrow environmental dimensions of regional
economic development.
• The focus has sometimes been on local growth issues such as air pollution
caused by an industrial plant or the noise caused by airplanes
The concept of Sustainable Development and Eco-Regions
• According to Roberts (2006), there are three themes of regional planners seek to
achieve through the implementation of sustainable development:

• the search for forms of economic organization that respect the environment
and minimize the negative environmental consequences of development,

• the desire of moving towards spatial forms and modes of social organization
that minimize the excessive use of resources and maximize environmental
benefits,

• the desire of interconnecting together sectoral and spatial elements to ensure

the environmentally responsible and balanced planning and development of
regions.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES
• Improving the urban environment has multiple
economic and social benefits

• Cities need to prepare for climate action and improve

resilience

• Leading the sustainable transition, cities attract green

investments, improve resource efficiency, and gain a
competitive edge over peers.

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CONTENT 02
• Gro Harlem Brundtland: Our Common Future 1987

• Can you have sustainable projects?

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WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T INTEGRATE?

• Waste (food, carbon, materials, pollution, lives)

• Rising inequality, no affordable housing, hourglass labour

market, no ladders to opportunity

• Roads to nowhere, unused airports, pet projects,

oversized infrastructures

• Fragmentation, lack of coordination

• Urban sprawl

• Costly mistakes
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There are more than one interpretation ‘Integrated’?

• Integrating Sectoral policies (e.g. mobility, waste, planning,

housing, social services, economic development)
• Combining hard and soft investments especially ESF and
ERDF
• We can look at three dimensions of integration:
• Horizontal partnerships bringing together local actors who
are involved in the policy challenge
Vertical alignment of policies between levels of government
Territorial partnerships in functional urban areas between
adjacent municipalities
URBAN GOVERNANCE AND
FINANCE
Urban Governance and Finance
 It is important to study the issue of urban governance and public
service delivery for a number of reasons
 Innovation is the key to prosperity and most innovations occur in
large cities due to interaction and exchange of ideas.
 Cities provide a critical mass to support high degree of division of
labor, knowledge, business services, infrastructure, institutions and
media.
 Globally competitive cities should provide a wide range of services to
attract human capital transportation, water, sewers garbage collection
and disposal, police, fire protection, parks, recreation and culture,
affordable housing and social assistance.
 Enabling the cities to be sources of dynamism is going to be the most
important challenge. This requires examination of their governance
structure and finance.
URBAN GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE
• Why Urban Governance and Finance is a Serious Issue?

• There are 139 municipal corporations, 1595 municipalities and 2108

Nagar panchayats. 3 of the 10 largest metropolises are in India
(Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata). Over 330 million people live in urban
areas 35 cities have over a million population Contributes over two-
thirds of GDP.

• Demand for services is large and growing. Resources inadequate Actual

spending (1999-2004) in 30 large cities was just about 24 per cent of
the requirements. Under-spending was over 75 in 17 municipal
corporations. Under spending was over 50 in all except three.

• Poor coverage of urban amenities is recorded in the draft 11th Plan

document as well.

• 20
 city lat lng Admin Capital Population
Addis Ababa 9.0272 38.7369 Ādīs Ābeba primary 3041002

Nazrēt 8.5500 39.2700 Oromīya 476892

Gonder 12.6000 37.4667 Āmara 323900

Mekele 13.4969 39.4769 Tigray admin 323700

Āwasa 7.0500 38.4667 SNNPR/Sidama admin 300100

Dire Dawa 9.5833 41.8667 Dirē Dawa admin 277000

Bahir Dar 11.5850 37.3900 Āmara admin 243300

Harar 9.3200 42.1500 Hārerī Hizb admin 174994

Jijiga 9.3500 42.8000 Sumalē admin 159300

Āsosa 10.0670 34.5333 Bīnshangul Gumuz admin 30512

Gambēla 8.2500 34.5833 Gambēla Hizboch admin

Semera 11.7956 41.0086 Āfar admin

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What do we learn from theories of fiscal federalism?
• assignments should be according to comparative advantage Objective is
responsiveness and accountability depends on benefit span, diversity in
demand, technology, capacity of the jurisdiction.
• Systems and institutions are necessary to effectively deal with overlapping
assignments.
• Assigning responsibilities to different functionaries Need to make the
elected executive responsible for decision making. Need to separate the
functions of the bureaucrat from the executive. Importance of governance
systems.
• Finances should follow functions. Matching revenue expenditure decisions.
Local governments should have productive tax handles.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THEORIES?
 Accountability requires that local services should be paid for locally and services
with spillovers should receive matching transfers.

 Intergovernmental transfers are inevitable even as they soften the budget

constraint. Need to design them properly to avoid perverse incentives.

 Ensuring a common market is at the heart of creating dynamism in fiscal

federalism. Removal of weaknesses to mobility in factors and products and trade
impediments to trade Efficient factor (land, labour and capital) and
product markets including credit and debt markets, institutional factors.

 Hard budget constraint is critical for efficiency and accountability This requires
clarity in assignments, avoidance of bail outs, avoidance of transfer dependency
development of markets transparency in decision making.
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GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS
 There are different type/levels of urban system Distinguishing small to large metropolitan
areas.

 Large metropolis convert them into city-states to avoid restrictive protectionist policies
(restrictions on factor and product markets for partisan reasons). Special capital districts City
States for large cities (Germany Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt China Shanghai, Tianjin
and Chongqing).

 Need to separate the roles of elected executive (Mayor) from the administrative head
(manager) need to make the officials accountable to the elected municipal government.

 Municipal manager should be appointed by the municipal government (Expert Committee).

Dual subordination does not work. Political interference by State and Central politicians.

 There are also for local urban Planning different level comitee

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25
EXPENDITURE ASSIGNMENTS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

There are various Expenditure Assignment Issues, Article that indicate

• lists functions which are either in the state or concurrent list to be

devolved at the discretion of the State government. Concurrency and

overlapping.

 Need for clear activity mapping exercises.

 States reluctance to transfer functions

 Independent service providers lack of accountability.

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EXPENDITURE ASSIGNMENTS AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

 Responsibility is looked at independently from revenue sources.

 Public Financial Management

 Comprehensive, comprehensible, verifiable, participatory and transparent

municipal budget formulation, implementation and monitoring systems.

 Municipal control over revenues and expenditures allocative autonomy.

 Capacity and incentives to operative efficiently.

 Improving local finance information system

 The system of financial oversight.

 Dealing with mistakes in autonomous municipalities. 27

CRITERIA FOR TAX ASSIGNMENT
 Principles Local governments should have revenue powers to finance public goods
and levy user charges to finance merit goods.
 What is a local tax? Local governments should have powers to levy, collect and
appropriate.
 Characteristics
 Tax Base should be relatively immobile
 Should be adequate and sufficiently buoyant
 Tax yield should be stable and predictable
 The tax should be borne by local residents
 If mobile bases are to be taxed it should be
according to benefits received.
 It should to reasonably fair
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 Relatively easy to administer.
 URBAN &REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
RAPID URBAN POPULATION GROWTH & MOBILITY
AFRICAN CITY REGION

30
 Rapid Urbanization Worldwide: Urban Population Projection

30% 50% 55% 66%

1930 2008 2018 2050

Source: United nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2014), World Urbanization Prospects
More Cities of All Sizes; Fastest Growth in Africa and Asia

Nearly 90 per cent of the

urban population increase
will be in Africa and Asia,
the fastest urbanizing
global regions.

Until 2050, African cities

are projected to be home
to an additional 950
million people.
Urban Population Growth in Africa
African Cities are Growing Out Rather Than Up

Lagos Growth Map – source [Link]

Transport Energy and Population Density

Source: TUMI
Change in Urban Population and Motorization Rate

Source: TUMI
 Which pathway to take?
Let’s avoid the evolutionary mistakes of other cities… and instead leapfrog to sustainable mobility!

Decouple economic
development from
motorization!

Source: Roger Teoh, Imperial/UCL 2016. UITP data 1995

New Spatial Configurations in Africa: City Regions/ Metropolitan
• New spatial configurations: city clusters, large
urban agglomerations, urban corridors and city-
regions

• Rapidly growing Secondary Towns: playing an

increasing role for economic power; small towns
in vicinity of bigger towns become spatially
”connected”

• Challenge: Often unplanned city expansion/ lack

of public transport connectivity and affordability
Reality: Car-Based Transit Corridors in many African Cities

• Low density, urban sprawl

• Car-based transit corridors
contributing to congestion,
emissions, pollution,
accidents
• No Integration between
mobility systems
• Land use systems have not
been able to provide access
through proximity
• Access is mostly dependent
on movement
 Good Example of Compact Development and Densification
Bring Rapid Transit to People: Dar es Salaam

BRT can act as a

backbone around which
to transform and
redevelop the city to
further increase
sustainability and
functional effectiveness

After BRT phase 1 After BRT phases 1-4

8% of residents near 33% of residents near
rapid transit rapid transit
 The Avoid-Shift-Improve framework

Source: SLoCaT, 2018

 Understanding the need for equitable and inclusive transport
- Urbanisation is bringing more women into the work force. Gender sensitive solutions can
accelerate this trend and encourage more inclusive growth.
- Universal access & affordability of transport needs to be ensured for children, elderly, people
with disabilities and everyone
 How Nairobi travels…

13%

41%

Source: ITDP based on secondary data in NMT Policy, 2015

Motorcycles are on the rise…
 Moving towards the Sustainable Scenario
Better Scenario
Business as Usual

Source: ITDP
Designing for Efficiency
Lessons Learnt and Recommendations
• Integrated approach - interventions need to address more
than one issue (transit-oriented development)
• Link urban growth with land use policies and transport
investments to improve access to jobs, schools, recreation
and affordable housing around stations
• Strong political mandate and strategic vision
• Plan for NMT, ensure walkability and attractive public spaces;
small block size; fine street grid
• Design for a mix of different uses – commercial, retail,
office, residential i.e. 15 minutes city/neighbourhood
• Institutional arrangement is key - need for interdepartmental
collaboration between transport and urban planning authority
• Urban mobility plans are about development and urban form
and the importance of mobility and connectivity within the
urban context
• Inclusion, community support and participation at early
concept stage