Community Empowerment and Social Inclusion (CESI) Program

and

Urban and City Management (U&CM) Program

From Training Delivery to a Learning Infrastructure

Alumni Tracer Study

Barjor Mehta

Urban & City Management Program, WBIFP

The Urban Future

Number of client institutions (urban local governments) is very large and growing rapidly

Most urban local governments have serious lack of appropriate capacity to “manage” physically large, economically diverse, socially segregated jurisdictions which are “engines of macro-economic growth”

To have any meaningful impact, WBI “Courses / Training” need to be buttressed by a locally-rooted “learning infrastructure”

Number of Large Cities in Less Developed Regions

19801990

20002015

> 10 Million

5 to 10 million

1 to 5 million

500,000 to 1 million

172

230

308

400

123

186

244

378

1314 18 31

3 812

17-

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Source: World Urbanization Prospects, 2001 Revision, Population Division, United Nations Secretariat

Regions as per UN Classification

582 in ‘00826 in 2015

Urban and Rural Annual Growth Rates (2000 - 2015)

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

WBI Priority Countries

An

nu

al G

row

th R

ates

(%

)

Urban

Rural

Source: World Urbanization Prospects, 2001 Revision, United Nations Secretariat, Population Division

WBI: Urban Program

Since 1999:

more than 60 courses reaching over 2,700 senior urban sector professionals across the world

The Global Context for Urbanand City Management

City Strategy and Governance

Urban Poverty Reduction

Reducing Corruption at theLocal Level

Local Economic Development

Public-Private Partnerships

Revenue sources of cities

Budgeting and finance

Urban Land

Urban Environment

Urban Transport

And other topics

Urban “Core” Course Modules

WBI: Urban Program

Around 1,000 participants each year is not bad

However……………

Cannot reach 10,000+ cities via training “courses” alone – drop in the bucket…!!

sustainability could be both:an indicator of quality; anda function of the impact and application of learning, and

on- the-job support provided by colleagues,peers, and / or resource persons from the program itself.

underlying assumptions:alumni of a learning program best placed to provide

direction and feedback on the design and follow up of learning programs.

Their involvement / cooperation in strategic planning exercises for future programs is crucial.

not envisaged as an assessment of what was done in the past but to build upon the experience of participants/alumni, adopt a forward looking approach where the team consults with and takes guidance from alumni of the program to enrich its planning for future programs; and develop impact indicators.

Why a tracer study?

WBI/Urban Program Alumni Tracer Study

January – February 2003

2

45

112

574

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Received negativeresponse

Questionnairesreturned

Received positiveresponse

Email sent out to

40% of positive respondents

Academic/Training/Research

Local Government

Private Sector

Urban/Regional Planning Insitution

Financial InsitutionsAssociations Others

14

22

4

1

1

12

6

15

4

11

72

AFR EAP ECA LAC SAR US&Canada

Regional & Professional Distribution of Alumni Respondents

How,if at all, have you used the learning that you received from the course?

1

3

5

6

7

7

8

8

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

To get donor assistance

In organization management

To create new program

In training others

To build strategic plan / policy

To improve existing program

Multiple responses

In research to support project / training

I have used the gained knowledge in the completion of the Strategic Urban Development Plan for the city of Dar es Salaam and in planning for the transportation system and its management for the city. (National Environmental Planning and Management Expert - Sustainable Cities Program, Tanzania)

I restructured the syllabus of my course "Strategic Management" and provided the course to MPA students in my university and government officials from cities in China according to the WBI course. (Associate Professor, School of Government, Peking University)

How,if at all, have you used the learning that you received from the course?

(examples of responses)

Which elements of the learning were you able to apply in your specific institution?

19

8

5

4

3

2

2

2

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Strategic Planning Skills

Multiple responses

How to work w ith stakeholders

How to set up urban & city management course

Project Analysis Skills

How to define roles / responsibilities of urbandevelopers

How to establish standards and indicators

How to approach / work w ith external agencies

The course helped me in setting up more advanced courses in my university through its better material, better preparation, and more in depth information. (Director, Instituto de la Vivienda, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad de Chile)

I was able to apply the knowledge that to contribute for the local public professionals in elaborating, evaluating and monitoring the city and urban plans. (Cience and Technology Analist, Fundação Estadual do Meio Ambiente de Minas Gerais)

In year 2002, we were about to finalize Regional Strategic Plan so that I used applied the learning from the WBI course to catalyze the process. (The Secretary of Sleman Local Government , Yogyakarta, Indonesia)

Which elements of the learning were you able to apply in your specific institution?

(examples of responses)

If you could not apply the learning directly, but had to adapt it due to the given context, what changes did you have to make in what you had learned?

20

12

8

2

1

1

1

0 5 10 15 20 25

Could apply

Reflection of local context

Multiple responses

Consideration of political issues

Terminology translations (cities w/o slums)

Prioritization for urban development

Participatory planning approach

If you could not apply the learning directly, but had to adapt it due to the given context, what changes did you have to make in what you had learned?

(examples of responses)

I transferred the focus of the learning from the dimensions of poverty and environmental problem to the economic aspects since we emphasize more on economic development in China. (Senior engineer, China Institute of standard design & research, China)

I was able to propose the methodology about urban poverty analysis and LED strategy to formulate a program of urban poverty alleviation on the local development planning (Head of Physical & Infrastructure Planning Division of Development Planning Board of Cianjur Local Government, Indonesia)

As we had discussed a lot cases from Brazil, I didn’t have to adapt the learning. (Brazil)

Which factors in your work environment have facilitated or supported the retention and application of learning that you had acquired?

Space to experiment

Commitment of the departmental

hierarchy

Systems of personnel evaluation Other

Timeliness of the knowledge and skills to meet an

existing challenges

Flexibility and adaptability of

systems in the unit/department

Interest and ownership by the unit/department Appreciation &

recognition by other colleagues

Adequate & timely allocation of resources

Support from immediate boss

5

18

12

21

13

21

26

27

24

20

Compiled multiple responses from open question

Which factors in your work environment have constrained or slowed down the retention and application of learning that you had acquired?

Learning not taken seriously by peers

and colleagues

Absence of team spirit

Systems of personnel evaluation

that do not reward innovation

Lack of opportunity to experiment with

new learning

Reassignment where the learning was not relevant

Lack of interest by management

Lack of resources

Over-stocked work program

Any other4

11

1

18 1

8

22

6

5

Compiled multiple responses from open question

How many alumni have you been in touch with since the end of the training course to discuss experiences, opportunities and challenges in your work environment?

22

4

7

35

4

0

5

10

15

20

25

less than 10alumni

every year

between 10and 20alumni

every year

more than20 alumni

every year

Not clearbut some

No one N/A

How useful is the contact that you have had with alumni of the course?

8 8

16

21

10

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Extremelyuseful

Quiteuseful

Useful Not veryuseful

Notuseful at

all

N/A

What are the reasons for you to develop or maintain communication with alumni or resource persons of the course?

For Friendship

Since we work in the same field

To promote partnership

To share experience & knowledge

None

Other

To see whether alumni implement

the learning

To acquire materials, ideas, and suggestions

N/A

12

2

2

43

2

1

2

17

Compiled responses from open question

I have continued to interact with other alumni under the framework of the on-going "African Local Government Action Forum (ALGAF). This has enabled alumni to share real life experiences and identify common as well as unique issues and challenges affecting local government performance in their respective countries. (Program Officer, Association of Local Government Authorities of Kenya)

What are the reasons for you to develop or maintain communication with alumni or resource persons of the course? (Example of response)

If you have passed on your learning to colleagues at your work place, how many colleagues are utilizing this learning effectively?

* 120: Paola Jiron, Director, Instituto de la Vivienda, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad de Chile

5

26

2 31

8

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Nottransferable

Less than 10 More than 10 Several butnot clear

120 n/a

Has receiving a certificate from WBI added to your professional recognition and credibility in the eyes of your peers, bosses, subordinates, clients? If so, with whom has your credibility increased and what are the indicators that this has happened?

Boss / colleagues seek my advice on urban issues

I was promoted

I am now assigned to

more important tasks

I was offered incentives for

further training / research

Colleagues are motivated to

undergo same program

Reputation increased within

organization

Personal knowledge increased

Other

not at all

n/a

I am invited to talk on urban

issues

8

3

21

4

3

1

2

4

8

9

Compiled responses from open question

The recognition comes from some peers, other academics, professionals working in various government and international agencies. An indicator would be that I have been asked each year to coordinate courses with other UN agencies in Chile. (Director, Instituto de la Vivienda, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad de Chile)

Yes, the head of the Department and all my colleagues appreciated it. The certificate received from the WBI was also placed on notice Board of the department, which further encouraged me and provided inspirations to others. (Assistant Town Planner, Government of India)

My credibility has increased in my co-workers, as indicated that they ask me questions and helps more than ever. The quality of my discussion has improved as well during the meeting. (Coordinator, Caixa Econômica. Federal Government in Brazil)

Has receiving a certificate from WBI added to your professional recognition and credibility in the eyes of your peers, bosses, subordinates, clients? If so, with whom has your credibility increased and what are the indicators that this has happened?

(examples of responses)

Have you been given new and greater responsibilities as a result of your participation in the course organized by WBI? If yes, what has changed in your work responsibilities or position?

I am now assigned to more important/bigger

tasksn/a I am now involved

in strategic duscussion on

urban development

I was assigned to establish new

urban management course at my organization

I succeeded in new contracts w ith several

clients

I was promoted

Yes, multiple answers

not at all

3

6

2

4

3

11

7

9

It was on the basis of this that I was nominated to spearhead the establishment of the urban management training course at UMI (Coordinator, Urban Management program, Uganda Management Institute)

I am being involved more frequently with the strategic discussion related to training, community organization, microfinance, and so on. (Manager - Banco do Nordeste do Brasil)

Yes. I am recognized by my bosses, students, and government officials from Ministry of Interior who allowed me to participate in several research projects and to be member in several committees. (Assistant Professor, National Institute of Development Administration, Thailand)

Have you been given new and greater responsibilities as a result of your participation in the course organized by WBI? If yes, what has changed in your work responsibilities or position? (examples of response)

Any other comments and suggestions that you would like to make regarding the design, delivery, and follow up of similar training program in the future?

54

11

7

1 3 1 1 5

5

11

Program should be designed to reflect its specific local context in a country

More time and clearer cases are needed to present participant’s experience

More in-depth knowledge is needed

Continuous contact with W BI trainer is expected

Follow-up should be more frequent and better to update urban issues

W e need a system through which alumni can communicate

Learning materials should be available in website, including documentation/publication

New materials should be sent to alumni

W e expect to have another similar training course

The training courses should be made more regularly in order for other people get interested in them

More financial support and better design of certificate are expected

N/A

Tracer Study Lessons…1Maximum impact when: Participants are:

Learning multipliers: Trainers from sector related and/or staff training institutions

andDirect applicators: mayors, city managers, senior

staff, NGOs

Learning event is timely: Learning best retained and applied: In anticipation of or during projects -departmental commitment and resources are most likely to be available

Curriculum consists of:Strategic city planning approach: resolve how to approach multiple sector overlap in urban local government jurisdictions

Tracer Study Lessons…2Maximum impact when: Curriculum based on:

Locally demanded learning plans and skill sets: not static but regular locally conducted assessments of thematic needs of institutions and individuals

Learning is backed by certification:Joint WBI - local / regional institution: regular

institutional process of knowledge / skill needs identification; roster of resource persons; case studies; best practices; group exercises, etc.

Alumni networks become active:Peer-to-peer knowledge exchange: As important

as learning events BUT require institutional support – cannot / will not remain active on their own Most likely to work nationally / regionally

Lessons for Sustainability…1

Concentrate on and create partnerships with:

learning institutions (multipliers)

associations / networks of practitioners (direct applicators)

Reform-minded cities (champion peers)

•Create strategic alignments with World Bank, other donor activities (timeliness of events) to ensure longer-term presence

•Enable local generation of applicable multiple sector overlapping (strategic planning approach) learning materials

Lessons for Sustainability…2

Facilitate urban thematic capacity enhancement needs assessment by institutional partners (locally conducted assessments of thematic needs of institutions and individuals)

Develop and put in place rigorous system of certification (learning is backed by certification)

Seed and nurture national, regional and global alumni networks (p2p networks need institutional support, will wither if left alone)

Urban Program new directions

Global Reach through Local Presence

and

Support, create or stimulate demand in countries:

not only by training but by helping to strengthen or create an urban sector learning infrastructure

Urban Program new initiatives (1)

Revolving around change-inducing activities

India:3 states preparing projects to create “Inclusive, Creditworthy and Efficient” cities.Enabling Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) to establish a Strengthening Urban Management (SUM) Program based on supportive thematic content

WBI: Urban Program new initiatives (2)

revolving around change-making activities..cont.

Indonesia:Indonesia Urban Strategy Review (USR), Urban Local Governance Reform Project (ULGRP) – WBI will manage CE components

Philippines:City Development Strategies (CDS) under preparation in several cities – WBI to work with local institutions to support learning for upstream project development

Based on Urban Thematic Capacity Enhancement Needs Assessments (UT-CENA)

Uganda:An Urban Management CENA (UM-CENA) currently underway by Uganda Management Institute (UMI)Based on CENA, WBI will assist in the design of urban management curriculumAssist UMI to conduct regular learning events for Ugandan municipal staff

Urban Program new initiatives (3)

WBI: Urban Program new initiatives (5)

Horizontal learning between citiesLike the net.Knowledge not in one place but in the net

City to City Exchange (C2C) as main thrust – Working with natural networks and associations (IULA, League of Cities, CMAG)

In initial phases, exchange information and experience

gain insight about what works, look for synergies, between and among cities on the one hand, and on the other, between cities and development institutions like the World BankLater, structure a framework for working more closely together.

Partnerships for Urban Learning

Role of National Institutions:

Conduct national UT- CENA (if required)Joint development of curriculum, learning materials and national business planIdentify national and regional resource speakers“Market” learning events / productsManage / conduct regular learning eventsCreate and manage alumni network

Partnerships for Urban Learning

Role of WBI:Assist with UT-CENA (if required)Match with Bank’s operations International experience with curriculumIdentify and support international and regional resource speakersInternational “Marketing” of learning events Provide joint certificationMembership to an international community of urban practitioners

Thank you