This Country Programme Document presents an analysis of the Human Settlements and Urbanization realities in the Philippines. The development goals set forth in the end was therefore based on the analysis and the Medium Term Strategic and Institutional Plan 2008-2013.

It further outlined the strategies critical to assist the government and Habitat Agenda partners towards achieving sustainable urbanization and meeting the targets of the Millennium Development Goals.

In Rwanda, urban development goes hand in hand with migration; urban development depends essentially on the contributions of rural populations. The low urbanization rate and low urban development place Rwanda in the margin of the demographic transition trend which characterizes developing countries.

However, this urbanization dynamic is neither well understood nor fully controlled. More than 80% of the urban population lives in slums and the majority of households live under the poverty line. According to a long-term planning, Rwanda Vision 2020, the urban population growth will reach 30% in 2020 or five times in 30 years.

The Programme in Sri Lanka is based on a rich portfolio of recent and ongoing projects in the human settlements sector. Through interaction with Sri Lanka’s development partners and increasingly also humanitatian agencies, the HCPD has been prepared, including the human settlements agenda as incorporated in the UNDAF.

While for some of the proposed activities funds have been identified, there are activities in the pipeline, which still require funding.

The development of this country programme document has involved extensive consultations with the government, local authorities, the United Nations system in Senegal and civil society partners.

The process benefited from UN-HABITAT participation in the various national fora related to UNDAF development, PRSP revision, Consultative Group meetings, the CNDD, the monitoring of the MDGs as well as bilateral meetings and thematic development partner meetings.

Urbanisation in Uganda is relatively young compared to Kenya and Tanzania. The roots of urbanisation in Uganda are traced back to the 1890s when a European presence was established in the country – a period that defined Uganda’s spatial and urban development pattern.

With the building of the Kenya - Uganda Railway, economic and administrative centres was established. Nothing much has changed since this pattern was established after independence.

This UN-HABITAT Country Programme Document is prepared in the context that Vietnam is one of the first eight pilot countries for implementation of the One UN Initiative following the recommendations of the UN High Level Panel on System-Wide Coherence.

The Habitat Country Programme Document for Mozambique outlines the main objectives and priorities of UN-HABITAT. In collaboration with the government and other UN Agencies, the overall aim of this UN-HABITAT Country Programme Document is to promote the Habitat Agenda. UN-HABITAT plays an active role in urban development and urban policy.

Through partnerships with various ministries, UN-HABITAT has assisted in identifying key urban issues and areas of support that can improve the urban situation in Mozambique. An analysis of eight key sectors include: institutional set up, vulnerability reduction, governance, urban planning, housing and basic services.

The current Benin HCPD 2008/2009 is a strategic document which will help UN-HABITAT to have a coherent framework of intervention for a fruitful cooperation with Benin Government.

It succeeds to be in perfect match with the Growth for Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper (GPRSP) and its Main Action Plan (MAP), and to have taken in account the programme impact of UNDAF 2009/2013 which is being adopted.

In Tanzania, the profiling was undertaken under the principal leadership of Professor B.B.K. Majani, of the University College of Lands and Architectural Studies (UCLAS), and national and local authorities. This initiative has been carried out locally in Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, and Morogoro as well as nationally.

The National Urban Profile focuses on the findings of a desk-study, interviews with key actors and a town consultation with key urban actors and institutions. Consultation participants agreed to address the salient urban issues including poverty, insecurity, corruption, pollution and crime all problems that negatively affect investments and economic development.

A consensus was reached on priority interventions in the form of programme and project proposals to be implemented.

Citywide Strategic Planning articulates the necessary ingredients for initiating and implementing a planning process that focuses on a set of strategic issues of principal importance for sustainable urban development. The guide presents the citywide strategic planning rationale and approach. Three main questions are addressed – where are we today? - where do we want to be? -how do we get there? 

Conceived as a land tool, this guide shows you why and how focusing on strategic issues that can change the face of the whole metropolitan area has several social, institutional and economic benefits. This guide draws lessons from various practices and experiences. It takes you through the necessary steps on how to initiate and sustain a comprehensive planning process, resulting in a citywide strategic plan.

The guideline is generic; in a given planning situation, modifications should be made to adapt to the local situation. This guide can never replace the devoted, innovative and constructive thinking of involved politicians, technicians and stakeholders, or the dreams and aspirations of the public at large. Urban planners, decision makers at the metropolitan level, development partners, land professionals, grassroots communities, national and local leaders will find this guideline helpful in carrying out their duties.