The Bangladesh Urban Forum Concept Note

Transcription

1 The Bangladesh Urban Forum Concept Note (Version 1.1) Page 1 Last Update: 4 October 2011

2 Purpose of this Concept Note This Concept Note on the Bangladesh Development Forum (BUF) draws upon multiple events and discussions held between many national stakeholders since This includes the January 2010 Sylhet Conversation; high-level Bangladeshi participation in the World Urban Forum in Rio de Janeiro in 2010and 5 th Asia Pacific Urban Forum in Bangkok in 2011; the national stakeholder consultation in Dhaka on January 11, 2011; the e-discussion hosted on the Solution Exchange Urban Poverty Reduction Community of Practitioners ;and numerous formal and informal discussions within Government and with civil society, private sector and development partners of the Local Consultative Group (LCG) Urban Sector. Based upon the interests and expectations expressed in these consultations and discussions by these stakeholders, the purpose of this Concept Note is to provide the Organizing Committee of the BUF with a framework document on Bangladesh Urban Forum, which describes both the process towards BUF s launching and eventual foreseen institutionalisation as well as the background, purpose, themes, management arrangements and proposed programme of the first Bangladesh Urban Forum conference planned 4-6 December Page 2

3 Background Bangladesh is urbanizing rapidly. The annual population growth rate of approximately 4 per cent in urban areas is more than 2.5 times that in rural areas. The majority of the urban population in Bangladesh is concentrated in a few large cities. Dhaka with 13 million people - accounts for about 40 per cent of the total urban population (UN- HABITAT, State of the World s Cities ). It is predicted that by 2030 about 80 million people will be living in Bangladesh s towns and cities. All city dwellers feel the consequences of this boom, but it is the poorest that are affected most; vulnerable to poor health and other risks, and with often limited access to public services. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics reports that 21 per cent of the urban population is below the poverty line, a third of whom are extreme poor. A number of national assessments have identified this issue as critical for the development of Bangladesh. The 2009 MDGs Progress Report, jointly prepared with the Government and the UN System in Bangladesh, includes specific references to the centrality of urban policies to poverty reduction. Importantly, stakeholders agree that the challenges arising from rapid urbanization can be met, and indeed, can be leveraged for positive impacts. Urbanization is a driver of economic growth and, managed well, will bring benefits not just to the poor in urban areas, but to the nation more broadly. Effective and positive urbanization requires a comprehensive understanding, the tackling of misconceptions, new partnerships, new policies and new approaches. The Response Such directions are also clearly identified in key Government planning documents, including the draft National Urban Sector Policy, the Outline Perspective Plan and the Sixth Five Year Plan. The next cycle United Nations Development Assistance Framework places specific emphasis on working towards improved pro-poor urban development. Several other development partners have indicated that a response to urbanization is reflected in their development work. A number of urban sector programmes already exist, including the Urban Partnerships for Poverty Reduction, Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement Project and the Urban Primary Health Care Project. To build a broader base for action, and to develop consensus on the array of issues that Bangladesh s rapid urbanization brings, a number of stakeholders have recently begun to see the need and value of a national-level, multi-stakeholder forum on urban issues. In recent years Bangladesh has sent a number of delegations to the World Urban Forum and in early 2010 the Sylhet Conversation brought together a broad group of urban actors including Government, civil society, academia, development partners and representatives of urban poor communities. These events have underscored the tremendous potential that participatory action has. They have provided an opportunity to learn from others, to network and to spur further collaboration, and they have stimulated interest in establishing a national-level forum. Towards this goal, Bangladesh s most eminent scholar on urban matters together with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Land convened a stakeholder consultation on January 11, 2011 in partnership with the Secretaries of the Local Government Division and the Ministry of Housing & Public Works, with support from GIZ and UNDP. This consultation was a watershed which confirmed a broad-based commitment to the idea of a nationwide urban forum, titled the Bangladesh Urban Forum (BUF), and the process towards its institutionalisation. Page 3

4 What is the BUF? The BUF is conceived of as a broad-based stakeholder platform for dialogue and action to address urban issues. BUF is both a process and event to be institutionalised. This approach will ensure that the dialogue and action rooted in a broad-based social consensus on the challenges arising from and possible responses to urbanization and urban poverty will be sustained over the longer-term. Similar to urban forums in a number of other countries, the BUF can promote this by offering urban sector stakeholders a space for mutual exchange of ideas, best practices and policy discussion on urbanization and urban development. BUF Objectives To promote experience and knowledge-sharing among urban sector stakeholders so as to contribute to the formulation and implementation of policies on, and improving practice in, urban sector management, primarily to reduce urban poverty. To create a common understanding on policy and institutional capacity development issues for GoB and the (urban) public sector as a whole, for international and national partners in development, and urban communities; To raise public awareness about the growing importance of the urban sector and urbanisation in Bangladesh and the need for improved policies, plans, and actions; To bring together all stakeholders in the urban sector: central and local government officials and politicians; NGOs and CBOs; community leaders; academics and the private sector. Launching the BUF The Government plans to hold the first BUF as a major multi-stakeholder event in December 2011 to intensify the BUF process. This process of promoting stakeholder engagement with the BUF as an institution will continue with programmes and events held throughout 2012 and beyond, leading to subsequent BUF national events. What follows below is an outline of the components, themes, management and funding arrangements and programme of the December 2011 event. Page 4

5 Event Themes: Highlighting Bangladesh s Urban Future The Government s most recent response in the urban sector has been the revision of the National Urban Sector Policy and the formulation of the Sixth Five Year Plan (SFYP). The Policy outlines the Government of Bangladesh s vision of an equitable, efficient and sustainable urban future in which all stakeholders have a role to play. It sets out a vision of an urban future where all people are free of hunger and poverty and have access to education, shelter and basic services in a secure and liveable environment. The SFYP lays out detailed strategies to manage the urban transition in the short-term and represents the first steps towards the vision outlined in the Policy. The December 2011 BUF event whose tentative theme was identified by stakeholders as Bangladesh s Urban Future: Making Cities & Towns Work for All is founded on the sub-themes of i) urbanization and growth, ii) urban poverty and iii) urban governance has been conceived as a privileged space where all urban sector stakeholders can come together and discuss, learn and build consensus on the challenges and opportunities arising from rapid urbanization. The process of BUF has been guided by three core principles: 1) focus on the most critical issues of urbanisation, 2) broad national participation & ownership with active government leadership and 3) partnership with key actors to ensure success. BUF provides an opportunity for all development partners to reaffirm their commitment to Bangladesh s urban future and to support efforts to make cities and towns work for all. i) Urbanization & Growth Economic growth, poverty and governance are closely interrelated issues which demand a holistic understanding. Despite major environmental problems and political tensions, Bangladesh has achieved commendable and consistent economic growth since its independence. One principal force that made it happen was rapid urbanization, which in turn was stimulated by expansion of the industrial and services sectors. The urbanization and migration process is bound up with structural change and serves an engine of growth in Bangladesh. Economic growth, and hence urbanization, have also played a very positive role in reducing poverty in Bangladesh, in the national context. From nearly 70 per cent of the national population identified as poor in 1973, the incidence has now come down to 31.5 per cent in Poverty has declined both in rural and urban areas but the performance in the urban areas is more pronounced, down to 21.3 per cent in 2010, from 63 per cent in 1973, underlining its positive contribution. While urbanization contributes to economic growth and poverty reduction, the process is not without some negative consequences, particularly manifested in the increasing social tensions and environmental degradations. Quality of governance is generally held responsible for the emergence and acceleration of such problems. Planned urbanization, efficient implementation of projects and programmes within such plans and good governance can ensure sustainable national development. ii) Urban Poverty Although rapid urbanization and economic growth have helped reduce poverty in Bangladesh, it still remains a pressing problem in urban areas where one in five is poor. Moreover, the nature of urban poverty with its concentration within slum areas and intensity is especially challenging. Urban poverty has to be addressed comprehensively with an emphasis on increasing access to jobs and income generation, education, health, Page 5

6 housing and other basic services. Coordinated programmes need to be planned and implemented by the government with NGOs, communities and development partners. iii) Urban Governance Desirable and sustainable urban development requires good governance, which is defined by transparency, accountability, democratic participation, decentralization, coordination, equity and leadership among other qualities. The role of the local urban authority is paramount in ensuring good urban governance, as are the roles of the central government agencies, the private sector, civil society, NGOs, CBOs, professional bodies and political organizations. Good governance must ensure elimination of corruption as well as improved efficiency of urban service providers. Participation in the Forum In order to promote a successful forum, it is crucial to ensure a participatory process where all the stakeholders are involved and represented. Key stakeholders will include Government institutions; public representatives; civil society and professional organizations; private sector organizations; national and international cultural institutes; community-based organizations, including slum dweller organizations and social groups; and development partners. A special effort will be made to involve stakeholders from outside Dhaka, women, disabled, minorities and youth. Event Components The BUF launching event will encompass different components: 1. Conference Programmes The main part of the launching event will comprise conference programmes, including plenary sessions, roundtable discussions, dialogues, special sessions and thematic sessions. These sessions will be led by sectoral experts and representatives of sectoral stakeholders. 2. Exhibition An Urban Exhibition will be a major component of the BUF launch event. Urban stakeholders will setup stalls presenting their best practices, innovations and development activities, building participants understanding of current urban sector development activities. 3. Urban Poor Assembly A major assembly will bring together slum and pavement dwellers and their national and international development partners. 4. Competitions A number of competitions art, poster, photography, architecture, etc. will be held, encouraging various urban stakeholders to participate in the event and celebrating the positive aspects of urbanization. 5. Cultural Programmes Cultural programmes will provide further opportunity to celebrate the positive aspects of urbanization. Page 6

7 6. Communications Campaign A communications campaign will take place in the lead-up to and beyond the BUF launching event, building public awareness of the event, the process and the institution. 7. Research & Publications In addition to the advertising and communications campaign, urban sector research and publications will be commissioned to generate knowledge and further raise public and stakeholder awareness. Launch Event Time Line Major Events towards BUF Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec GoB Form Organizing Committee Establish Secretariat Finalize BUF Programme and Venue Launch BUF website Open BUF Registration Call for Papers & Contributions Map Potential Contributors Engage Event Management Company Finalize Partner Orgs & Session Coordinators Launch BUF Advertising Campaign Launch BUF Lead Up Events (art/photo competitions; architecture displays; etc.) Confirm List of Speakers & International Guests Print BUF Programme Opening Ceremony Timeline 2012 & Beyond Throughout 2012, a number of regional dialogues, events and national seminars will take place, guided by the Secretariat. The details of these meetings and events are in various stages of conceptualisation and planning. The BUF will plan to participate in the World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy, in September Management Arrangements National Advisory Body The National Advisory Body, the highest level advisory body for the urban forum, will be convened by the Hon ble Minister for LGRDC and co-chaired by the Hon ble State Minister for MoHPW. This body will provide the forum s governance structure as an institution and its mandate, as well as policy guidelines as necessary. The National Advisory Body will ensure coordination with GoB agencies, local urban authorities, and urban sector stakeholders on policy developments and urban sector development activities. Page 7

8 Organizing Committee The Organizing Committee was formalized by the Local Government Division on 18 th August 2011 through LGD Office Order It is chaired by the Hon ble Secretary of LGD and co-chaired by the Hon ble Secretary of MoHPW. The Committee provides the governance and has a mandate for overseeing and guiding the preparation and organization of BUF events. The Committee ensures coordination with relevant GoB agencies, municipalities and urban sector stakeholders that will participate in the management of the future BUF events. The Organizing Committee will also guide the Secretariat, providing direction while the National Advisory Board is yet to be formalized. Its members are listed below: 1. Chief Executive Officer, DCC 2. Joint Secretary (Development), LGD 3. Director General, PMO 4. Chief Engineer, LGED 5. Chief Engineer, DPHE 6. Chairman, Rajuk 7. Chairman, NHA 8. Commissioner, Dhaka Metropolitan Police 9. Director, Urban Development Directorate 10. Deputy Secretary (Poura), LGD 11. Representative of Bangladesh Municipal Development Fund 12. Representative of Planning Commission 13. Representative of Economic Relations Department 14. Professor Nazrul Islam, Eminent urban researcher 15. Three (3) Representatives of LCG Urban Sector 16. President of Municipal Association of Bangladesh Page President of REHAB 18. Representative of FBCCI 19. President of Bangladesh Asiatic Society 20. President of Bangladesh Institute of Planners 21. President of Engineers Institution of Bangladesh 22. President of Institute of Architects 23. Representative of BUET 24. Representative of Center of Urban Studies 25. Representative of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon 26. Representative of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association 27. Representative of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad 28. Representative of Coalition for the Urban Poor 29. Representative of Nagar Daridro Bastibasider Sangthaton (NDBUS) Secretariat The Secretariat will be responsible to the Organizing Committee for ensuring an effective and timely implementation of BUF, particularly initially its December 2011 BUFs, ensuring the participation of relevant stakeholders and coordinating and guiding their contributions. The Secretariat will be headed by an eminent urban sector expert who will be aided by a Core Group and a team of professional staff. The Secretariat is initially hosted at UNDP on interim basis, with funding support at the request of LGD, while transition measures to the NILG or LGED are identified and while a long-term sustainable forum setting are developed. An external private event management company will be secured to support the Secretariat and manage the venue and logistics of the December 2011 BUF event. Core Group A Core Group of about seven persons will be positioned to assist the Secretariat and its team to operationalize and implement the BUF. Comprised of the leads of the BUF subcommittees and/or the institutions committing substantial resources to the BUF and possibly urban sector members, the Core Group will contribute to coherence, coordination and operationalization of the BUF launching event, meeting twice weekly or more often as needed as the BUF December 2011 event approaches.

9 Subcommittees (SC) The SCs will deal with the multiple thematic and functional areas of the BUF. The SCs will comprise representatives from stakeholder groups willing to participate actively in the event. Each SC would nominate a focal point as its representative in the Organizing Committee to coordinate and report on SC activities, and assist the group in implementing the SC s work agenda. BUF Management Structure National Steering Committee Chair: Honorable LGRD Minister, Co-chair: Honorable State Minister for Housing Members: TBC Organizing Committee Chair: LGD Secretary & MoHPW Secretary Members: Reps of GoB, CSO, DP, CBOs, etc. BUF Secretariat Core Group Launch Event Sub- Committees Event Management Company Partnership and Funding Arrangements In order to promote ownership of the BUF by wide range of stakeholders, BUF will require both direct and in-kind resource contributions from Government, development partners, the private sector or other organisations. In order to organize the upcoming launch of the BUF a coordinated approach to funding and partnership mobilisation will be undertaken. Partnership efforts will be led by the Secretariat with outreach by Organising Committee members, including with partners such as LCG urban sector, CSOs and private sector. GoB and a number of Development Partners are already committed to support BUF. The following organizations and programmes have indicated a willingness to support the BUF in a variety of ways: ADB; DFID; GIZ; UNDP; UNHABITAT; UNICEF; WFP; Water Aid; World Bank; WSP. Page 9

10 16.00 to to to to Env. & Climate Change CSOs Roundtable Transport Women & Children Youth Planning & Research Culture & Heritage High Level MDG Policy Dialogue Urban Governance Urban Land Tenure & Housing Proposed Programme: Day 1 5 December Day 2 6 December Day 3 7 December Opening Session & Inauguration of The Urban Exhibition Bangladesh Urban Sector Policy Reform BD Urban Development Reform Agenda & The Future of BUF The Urban Declaration & Urbanization: The Engine of Growth The Urban Economy Urban Poor Assembly Closing Ceremony Health, Nutrition & Food Security Water & Sanitation Mayors Roundtable Education Urban Upgrading Field/City Visit The Urban Exhibition Closing Party Page 10

11 Annex 1: Draft Terms of References for BUF bodies 1. National Advisory Body The National Advisory Body is the highest level advisory body of the BUF institution. Chairs: 1. The Honourable Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives 2. The Honourable Minister for Housing and Public Works Members: TBC during the BUF launching event Terms of Reference: TBC during the BUF launching event Meeting Frequency: TBC during the BUF launching event Page 11

12 2. Organizing Committee The Organizing Committee is the highest level advisory body of BUF events, including the launching event. The Organizing Committee was formalized by the Local Government Division on 18 th August 2011 through LGD Office Order Chairs: 1. The Honourable Secretary, Local Government Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives 2. The Honourable Secretary, Ministry for Housing and Public Works Members: 1. Chief Executive Officer, DCC 2. Joint Secretary (Development), LGD 3. Director General, PMO 4. Chief Engineer, LGED 5. Chief Engineer, DPHE 6. Chairman, Rajuk 7. Chairman, NHA 8. Commissioner, Dhaka Metropolitan Police 9. Director, Urban Development Directorate 10. Deputy Secretary (Poura), LGD 11. Representative of Bangladesh Municipal Development Fund 12. Representative of Planning Commission 13. Representative of Economic Relations Department 14. Professor Nazrul Islam, Eminent urban researcher 15. Three (3) Representatives of LCG Urban Sector 16. President of Municipal Association of Bangladesh 17. President of REHAB 18. Representative of FBCCI 19. President of Bangladesh Asiatic Society 20. President of Bangladesh Institute of Planners 21. President of Engineers Institution of Bangladesh 22. President of Institute of Architects 23. Representative of BUET 24. Representative of Center of Urban Studies 25. Representative of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon 26. Representative of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association 27. Representative of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad 28. Representative of Coalition for the Urban Poor 29. Representative of Nagar Daridro Bastibasider Sangthaton (NDBUS) Terms of Reference: TBC Meeting Frequency: TBC 3. TBD Secretariat, Core Group, Subcommittee Terms of References Page 12

13 Annex 2: Potential Exhibition Partners: 1. MDF 2. MAB 3. ADB 4. GIZ 5. RUPANTAR 6. Governance Coalition 7. SUPRA 8. UNDP 9. LGED 10. DPHE 11. CUS 12. IIED 13. ACHR 14. Waste Concern 15. BIP 16. BUET 17. NDBUS 18. WSP 19. BDI 20. BRAC University 21. UN HABITAT 22. Habitat for Humanity 23. ASK 24. BLAST 25. Water Aid 26. BRAC 27. UNICEF 28. UDD 29. NHA/Housing Research Institute 30. SHIREE 31. UPPR 32. RAJUK 33. ADPC 34. WORLD BANK 35. CARE 36. ILO 37. WFP 38. IFC 39. UPHCP-II 40. CUP 41. DSK 42. Smiling Sun Franchise 43. DCC 44. WASA 45. PPRC 46. BAPA 47. DTCB 48. A2I 49. BGMEA 50. REHAB 51. UGIIP-II 52. Catalyst 53. Marie Stopes 54. CDMP 55. JICA 56. Asiatic Society 57. ICDDRB 58. PLAN Int 59. Manusher Jonno Foundation 60. Dhaka Ahsania Mission 61. Concern International 62. SAFE 63. Institute of Architects Page 13

14 Annex 3: BUF Launch Event Proposed Budget Sl. Items Unit Rate (USD) Total Amount (USD) BUF Launch Lead Up Events 1 (Art/Photo/Poster Competitions; Architecture/Urban Planning Projects/Model Competitions; Television Talk Shows; Municipal Governance Innovation Competition; etc.) 20,000 2 Venue/Catering and Equipment Charges Venue (The Milky Way, Hall of Fame, Carnival, Harmony, Media Bazar, Windy Town, Green View I & II, Elegant, Eternity, Legendary, Milestone) Catering (Lunch/Coffee/Tea/Snacks for 1,000+ pax UDS 32,000 x 3 d 96,000 3 Event Management Company (Session Support; Cultural Event; Exhibition Design, Construction and Management; etc.) 60,000 4 Secretariat Support (Consultants, ICT, Furniture and Logistics) 80,000 5 Supplies and Printing 15,000 6 Travel (International Participants/Domestic Travel) 40,000 7 Sub Contracts (Studies, Research Paper, Rapporteurs, etc.) 25,000 8 Information, Communication and Campaign Costs (Website; Brochures; Posters; Advertisements; etc.) 20,000 9 Sundry (Hospitality; Preparatory Meetings; Workshops; Consultations; etc.) 5, Miscellaneous 5, Total 366,000 Page 14