UN-Habitat in partnership with the Latin America and the Caribbean

UN-Habitat in partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean

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UN-Habitat iN PartNersHiP witH Latin america and the caribbean


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Guadalajara, Mexico © sergio eduardo bernal


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introduction

Latin America and the Caribbean is the most urbanised region in the world with 80 per cent of its population living in towns and cities. Today, the cities of Latin America and the Caribbean are at a crossroads: after decades in which central and local governments seemed unable to manage this rapid urbanisation, they now have the potential to achieve sustainable urban development in the years and decades to come.

UN-Habitat has been engaged in Latin America and the Caribbean for many years. This engagement was consolidated in 1996 with the establishment of our regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At this very important juncture in the transformation and development of cities in the region, UN-Habitat will this year launch its first report on the region, The State of Latin American and Caribbean Cities 2012. This report brings together, in a single document, current and varied information about the main urban centres in the region, resulting in a useful tool to approach public-policy making and allowing us to move towards cities that enjoy a higher quality of life.

In our efforts to promote and enhance sustainable urban development in the region, UN-Habitat convenes, every two years, the Latin American and Caribbean Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (MINURVI). The main objective of MINURVI is to foster cooperation among members countries to address urban problems and work towards achieving sustainable urban development in the region. The first conference was hosted by Chile in 1992, and the 2012 conference took place in Mexico.

The region has often been referred to as a global laboratory for many innovations related to urban planning and management. It has the resources and the capabilities to promote new models of urban development for the 21st century. These are models which centre on the welfare of people and their inclusion in society, which favour local employment, social and cultural diversity, environmental sustainability and the reaffirmation of the importance of public spaces.

UN-Habitat is proud to contribute to the positive new changes in the region. This brochure provides a broad overview of UN-Habitat’s support to the region, reflecting on what has been achieved, how it was made possible and what lies ahead, for the urban future in the region.


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UN-Habitat presence in Latin america and the Caribbean

Source: UN-Habitat 2012

Guatemala

El Salvador

Costa Rica

Colombia

Ecuador

Chile

Bolivia

Brazil

Cuba

Haiti

Jamaica

Other Caribbean Countries

Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Lucia and

Trinidad & Tobago

Mexico

Peru

Panama

Nicaragua


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Our presence

Project portfolio, target countries and main contributors

UN-Habitat has offices in nine countries (Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, El Salvador and Bolivia), including Brazil host to UN-Habitat’s regional office.

UN-Habitat’s portfolio of projects in more than 20 countries in the region for the period 2005-2012 is valued at USD 49 million. Sixty-two per cent of this focuses on three main programmes: Reconstruction in Haiti (USD 18 millions), projects under the Water and Sanitation Trust Fund, which covers 10 countries (USD 5.6 million) and participation in nine Millennium Development Objective Fund Projects (USD 7 million) in six countries – Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Programmes at the regional level are becoming increasingly important in the total portfolio of projects for Latin America and the Carribean. As reflected in figures 2 and 3 below this has increased from 17 percent in the period 2005-2010 to 25 percent for the period 2011-2012, in relation to the total portfolio for the region. The expansion of south-south cooperation policies by governments in the region is contributing to the increase in regional programmes developed by UN-Habitat. The geographic coverage of our portfolio continues to be diverse and we remain committed to maintaining this trend.

While the main financial contributors to the portfolio (Figure 1) are multilateral donors which include UN Trust Funds, the World Bank etc, financing from local and national governments, are increasingly becoming an important source and presents a shift in how UN-Habitat cooperates with governments in addrressing urban challenges. Bilateral funding partners still provide considerable support especially in countries with existing or potential vulnerabilities to the impacts of natural disasters. Among the bilateral funding partners the Spanish bilateral cooperation is a significant contributor, being by far the largest single donor supporting mainly regional cooperation projects. More recently private sector funding for development activities in areas such as regional planning, monitoring the Millennium Development Goals is gaining momentum, especially in Brazil and Colombia.


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Iztapalapa, Mexico © agustín ramos Martínez

The portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean is characterized by strong partnerships with local governments, providing support in municipal governance, urban planning, urban safety, cities and climate change, and public-private partnerships for local development. Recent activities in the region are concentrated on capacity development for intermediary cities as well as urban sprawl of metropolitan areas. Private sector engagement in these activities has also witnessed an upward trend.

Bilateral Governments (central/local)

Host/ Rio de Janeiro

Donor

Multileateral Private sector

Perc

enta

ge

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

FiGuRE 1: Donor Contribution to Project Portfolio 2005-2012


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5%South Cone

17%Regional

7%Mexico

19%Central America

9%Caribbean

17%Brazil

26%Andean

FiGuRE 2: Geographic Distribution of Projects by Sub-region 2005-2010

6%Andean

11%Brazil

33%Caribbean

17%Central America

8%Mexico

25%Regional

FiGuRE 3: Geographic Distribution of Projects by Sub-region 2011-2012


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Port au Prince, Haiti © Mariana Nissen


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accomplishments

UN-Habitat’s key accomplishments in the region in the past decade include: the formulation of urban sector policies; advocating participatory urban and strategic planning; promoting good urban governance; local economic development; land regularization and policies; slum upgrading and prevention; disaster management and reconstruction and improvement of basic urban services and housing.

box 1: synopsis of UN-Habitat’s interventions in Latin america and the Caribbean region

Synopsis of UN-Habitat’s interventions in 2005 – 2012

Accomplishments per Themes Subregion/ Latin America and Caribbean

urban legislation, land and governance Regional, Caribbean, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Ecuador

urban Planning and Design Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Ecuador

urban Economy Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador

urban Basic ServicesRegional, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru

Housing and Slum upgrading Brazil, El Salvador, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico

Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation Regional, Central America, Cuba, Haiti, Peru, Chile

Research and Capacity Development Regional, Brazil, Haiti, Panama

Advocacy and Partnership Regional

Detailed achievements of UN-Habitat’s engagement in Latin America and the Carribean are outlined in Box 2.


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The road ahead

Latin America and the Caribbean cities can surmount the decades long vicious cycle of inequality and environmental unsustainability. The region is rich in knowledge, experience and institutional capacities to promote innovative urban policies aimed at economic development and social and cultural inclusion, in areas as housing provision, public space design, basic services, water and sanitation, as well as public transport, urban mobility, urban economy and local finance. Furthermore, significant progress is being achieved in urban governance, as an outcome to the process of democratisation and decentralisation. In that sense, the region is about to live a new cycle of urban transition, which does not demand accommodating more people coming from rural areas, but to ensuring a fundamental improvement of the quality of life and competitiveness in cities. What shines on the horizon is a transition to urban inclusion, equity, and sustainability.

While it is certain that the above transformation is possible, it is equally true that the urban growth models promoted so far, and which have been marked by a high degree of unsustainability, will need to be thoroughly re-examined. Without a review of the urban development model there is a high risk of the region’s cities once more embracing the difficulties of their past, such as deep social inequalities and environmental deterioration. In this regard, UN-Habitat’s presence in the region remains more relevant than ever, and begs for new areas of cooperation and partnerships, responding effectively to these changing realities.

Themes to be developed and promoted include: National and Thematic Urban Policies (Land, Housing…); Urban Governance and Safety; Urban Densification; Urban Planning capacities in intermediary cities; Inter-Municipal Cooperation; Regional and Metropolitan Integration; Urban Competitiveness and Job creation; Municipal and Local Finance; Slum Upgrading; Mobility and Access to Basic Services; Urban Resilience, Natural Disasters and Climate Change impacts.

The current range of solutions implemented by UN-Habitat, covers most urban challenges, and new urban proposals are developed regularly by the agency. UN-Habitat customises its services to individual partner needs (cities, regions, countries…), offering everything from one-time stand-alone solutions to long-term project management. Core services include: Technical Assistance;Capacity Development; Advocacy & Research.

UN-Habitat stands firm in its commitment to the region through enhanced engagement and supportive partnerships with regional bodies, national and local governments. Emblematic tools like The State of the Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean and Best Practices in Latin America help guide policies and interventions to manage urban growth.


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The key asset to making our involvement in the region visible is enhancing partnerships with Development Partners. Due to the extreme diversity of the countries in the region, the range of partners is equally diverse. UN-Habitat is currently operating with support from bilateral donors in least developed and lower-middle-income economies countries, while our presence in the region is increasingly being championed by local and national governments themselves. Furthermore regional banks are a natural partner in terms of complementing our areas of expertise. In additon, corporations in the private sector are becoming important partners in the region through their Corporate Social Responsibility policies. UN-Habitat is also commending south-south cooperation in the region and overseas through the identification, sharing and transfer of successful and innovative urban practices.

Contagem, Brazil © Marcelo samurai


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As a convening power on sustainable urban development, UN-Habitat will continue to create knowledge platforms to support regional and bilateral dialogues on urban priorities. This will facilitate the expansion of long-term partnerships and help identifying financial resources for programmes addressing the urban challenges faced by Latin America and the Caribbean countries.

Lima, Peru © Pedro Chincoa rodríguez


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box 2: Detailed Achievements and Results of UN-Habitat Interventions

Country achievements

Bolivia Through the Water and Sanitation Programme, since 2008, in partnership with the national and local governments and NGOs, nine pilot projects are being implemented in peri-urban areas and small towns surrounding La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.

Awareness campaign in La Paz on climate change, and the adequate use of water in 42 peri-urban neighbourhoods, benefiting 16,200 inhabitants.

Terms of Reference developed for the Water and Sanitation master plans in four cities (within the Inter-American Development Bank’s Water peri-urban Project to be implemented with uSD 120 Million from the Government of Spain).

Demonstrated pilot technologies on sustainable sanitation in peri-urban areas. Two small innovative wastewater plants for 300 households built in Cochabamba.

Partners: Ministry of Environment and Water, iADB (inter-American Development Bank), Municipality of La Paz, Municipality of Cochabamba, Plan international, SNV (Netherlands Development Organization), Yaku Association, EMAPAS, Project Wet Foundation.

Brazil Brazil a highly decentralized country, has several fast-growing cities due to big investments from energy and mineral companies. As the country is poised to host the World Cup in 2014 and Olympic Games (Rio 2016) the challenges ahead are promising and stimulating. Through the last years, uN-Habitat has supported the country with the following activities:

Supporting more than 90 favelas of Rio de Janeiro in terms of local planning, slum upgrading and safer city actions.

Establishment of Regional urban Observatories, with universities (Eastern Rio, Maranhão)

urban safety and citizenship awareness in various Brazilian Communities (Municipalities of Vitória, Contagem and Lauro de Freitas).

Action Plan for Anti-Poverty and Anti-exclusion (Rio Grande do Sul)

Supported the establishment of National Human Settlements indicators System

Support to City Development Strategy for the Metropolitan Area of Belo Horizonte

Support to Community Development and Youth Entrepreneurship in Vila Brasilândia, Municipality of Sao Paulo.


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Valparaiso, Chile © Juan baialardo


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Brazil inter-agency Programme for Promotion of Gender and Racial/Ethnic Equality

Sustainable Cities/Local Agenda 21 Programme in four municipalities (Marabá, Ponta Porã, Piranhas, and Beberibe)

Localising the Millennium Development Goals in Belo Horizonte and Nova iguaçú.

Partners: Ministry of Cities, Ministry of Environment, Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, BASF, PETROBRAS, Federal universities, NGOs.

Chile uN-Habitat has supported the transferring of successful policies and practices from Chile to other countries. More recently after the devastating earthquake of 2010 uN-Habitat has focused its support to assist local governments in developing resilience to the effects of natural disasters.

Local Development Strategies for Housing Solutions to Overcome Poverty

Rehabilitation of 200 Neighbourhoods

Assistance to the government of Chile in launching a Resource Center for advice and technical assistance to municipalities, authorities and local actors on urban resilience.

Partners: Ministry of Housing, Municipal Federation of Bio Bio, National Municipal Association, German Agency for international Cooperation (GiZ), Cities Alliance (World Bank), Profesionales SuR (NGO), universidad Alberto Hurtado

Colombia Colombia is one of the oldest uN-Habitat partner country in the region. in 2004 our partnership was further strengthened through the establishment of a National Office, which has provided on-going support to the Ministry of Housing and to a large number of Municipalities in urban Governance, urban Safety and urban Planning.

Slum upgrading and land tenure regularization in Bogota

Preparatory assistance –for a National Habitat Policy

urban Safety Programme (SEGOBDiS), for the Municipality of Bogota

Development of Housing Micro-Finance Solutions

Support to the Planning, Design and Setting in Motion of a Network of Observatories

Local Environmental Agendas (LA21) in municipal districts of Bogota

Participatory Budgeting at Local Level in Bogota

Needs assessment for a Sustainable urban (human) Habitat in Bogotá


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Colombia Support to recycling bidding process in Bogota as well as resettlement process in Barrancabermeja.

Achieving sustainable urban development in four cities of Colombia.

Preparatory Assistance –for Land Readjustment pilot project in Colombia as well as the implementation of the Habitat Agenda throughout the country.

increasing access to water and sanitation for the reduction of environmental health risks of urban and semi-urban poor in Tumaco Municipality, Colombia

Localizing Millennium Development Goals in 20 Districts in Bogotá, Support Public Journalism and Strategies to Address Conditions for Street Vendors

Partners: Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Planning Department, National Agency for international Cooperation, Municipalities of Bogota, Medellin, Manizales and Santa Marta, ECOPETROL, Habitat Foundation, Fundación Promotora Canal del Dique, World Bank, inter-American Development Bank (iADB), Latin American Development Bank (CAF), Colombian governmental development financing institution (FiNDETER), National Savings Fund, uN Agencies

Costa Rica Since 1985, uN-Habitat has provided cooperation and support to the housing sector. A National Office was established to reinforce this collaboration.

Strengthening Municipal Capacities in Local Human Development Planning

Supported Neighbourhood improvement and Slum Eradication Policy

improved safety in nine of the least safe cantons of Costa Rica, through the Convivial Networks, Community without Fear project (Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund) .

Safe and Friendly Cities for Women and Children in Costa Rica

Support to Local Authorities in Central American Cities in the area of Local Risk Management

Statistical Compendia of the Housing and Human Settlements Sector

Strengthening Municipal Capacities in Local Human Development Planning and Neighbourhood improvement and Slum Eradication Policy

Localizing MDG 7: Local Action Plans, municipalities of Moravia and Barva


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Costa Rica Developed National Platform for Gender Equity (advisory body) at the Municipal Level and related National Roundtable for Municipal Strengthening and Decentralization

Preparatory Assistance for National Spatial Planning Policy

Enhanced Regional Competitiveness for the Tourism and Agro-industrial Sectors in the Brunca Region with emphasis on the creation of green and decent jobs and poverty reduction (Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund).

Partners: Partners: Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements (MiVAH), Municipalities, Cities Alliance (World Bank), European Commission, university of Costa Rica, uN Agencies, National institute for Women, National institute for Promotion and Assistance to Municipalities, iDRC, Ministry of Justice and Peace, Ministry of Security, National university for Distance Education (uNED) and the Ombudsman.

Cuba uN-Habitat’s engagement in Cuba was initially linked to supporting the formulation and implementation of Agenda 21 in several cities. uN-Habitat’s presence in Cuba is becoming more and more important. The government recently opted to give special attention to the housing and human settlements issues within its cooperation framework with the united Nations. Currently, the following activities are being implemented:

Support to transformation of the Housing Sector in Cuba (National Housing Profile, Public policies, institutional Support, Knowledge sharing…)

Contribution to housing recovery in three Provinces in Cuba

Cuba-Colombia South-South Cooperation: improving Citizen’s Participation and Capacities in Adaptation to Climate Change and Risk Reduction Process

Partners: National institute of Housing, Physical Planning institute, Ministry of Commerce and Trade (MiNCEX), Volver a la Gente (Turning to People an NGO), Spanish international Development Cooperation Agency, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation,

Ecuador uN-Habitat has been supporting national and local governments in Ecuador since the establishment of the Regional Office in Brazil.

Support for the formulation of a new law on Land Management.

Producing a National Housing Profile and redefining the Housing Policy.

Water & Sanitation: supporting the strengthening of institutional capacities, as well as normative and institutional reform; increasing access to services.


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Caracas, Venezuela © Frahydel Falczuk


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Ecuador Cities and Climate Change initiative: Support to the City of Esmeralda in developing tools for better urban planning, and risk management. Specific Strategy for Climatic Change Adaptation and Mitigation has been produced

Support to the Municipality of Guayaquil in terms of Planning, urban indicators and Mass transportation system.

A regional investigation is currently under implementation, aiming at promoting the access to adequate housing for indigenous peoples in cities (with the Latin American Social Sciences Faculty (FLACSO).

Partners: Ministry of urban Development and Housing, National Secretary of Planning and Development, Association of Ecuadorian Municipalities, Municipality of Guayaquil, inter-American Development Bank (iADB), FLACSO, Local Governments, universities.

El Salvador uN-Habitat has mainly focused on strengthening local governments in El Salvador. The most recent project on Productive Settlements has contributed directly to an innovative new legal framework to enable the legalization of more than 20% of the existing housing stock.

improving Management Capacity for an urban upgrading Programme in the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador.

urban and Productive integrated Sustainable Settlements in Apopa and Santa Tecla (Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund).

Shelter reconstruction and improvements after hurricane

Completed a National Shelter Profile Study.

Development of innovative Funding Mechanisms and Technical Support for Small Water and Sanitation Service Providers

Partners: Ministry of Housing and urbanism, San Salvador Metropolitan Area Planification Office (OPAMS), Spanish international Cooperation Agency (AECiD),uN Agencies, Foundation for Salvadorean Development and Affordable Housing (FuNDASAL a Non-governmental Organization)


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Guatemala uN-Habitat is assisting an interagency effort to support reduction in violent crime and develop urban safety plans with local governments.

Consolidating Peace in Guatemala Through Violence Prevention and Conflict Management (Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund)

Partners: Ministry of Government, Municipalities (Cobán, Chiquimula, Santa Lucia, Cotzumalguapa), uN Agencies

Haiti Following the 2010 earthquake, uN-Habitat has been deeply engaged in supporting the reconstruction process alongside national and municipal governments, as well as the civil society. During the reconstruction process, uN-Habitat supported the mobilization of partners and at the same time coordinated and provided technical advice to governments (national and municipal), NGOs (international and national) and uN sister agencies.

uN-Habitat is now participating in the transition phase. This phase involves supporting the reconstruction of communal urban areas and housing, as well as supporting the long-term development of cities, and providing expert advice related to complex urban problems.

uN-Habitat has received approximately uSD20 million since January 2010, which has allowed the agency to focus on the following important areas: urban Planning, Community Planning, Social Mobilization, Reconstruction of 13,000 housing units, Land and Housing Tenure, Access to Basic Services, Municipal Management and Housing Policy.

Partners: Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation, Ministry of Local Communities, Ministry of Public Works, unit for Residential and Public Construction, Municipalities of Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Pétionville, Haiti Reconstruction Fund, united Sates Agency for international Development – Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance) uSAiD/OFDA, BASF Foundation, Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), irish Aid, Spanish international Development Cooperation Agency


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Eastern Caribbean States

Supporting nine Eastern Caribbean States to improve land policies and management.

Slum upgrading Programme in five countries (Antigua & Barbuda, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago) through urban Profiling, and Action Planning.

Partners: Ministries of Housing and urban Development, Planning institutes, university of West indies, Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States Australian Aid (AusAiD), intra-ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific)Funds / European Commission

Mexico in Mexico a National Office of uN-Habitat has provided continued support to the development and application of local development policies to reduce urban poverty. The office has been instrumental in supporting local governments in urban Planning.

Developed urban Poverty Reduction Programs for SEDESOL (Social Development Secretariat/ Mexican Government)

Planning and Strategic Management of Territorial Development in Veracruz

improved urban Development –in Miguel Hidalgo

Recife, Brazil © sergio amaral


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Mexico Strengthening the Effective and Democratic Management of Water and Sanitation to support the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in peri-urban contexts of Chiapas and Veracruz (Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund).

Designed and implemented Distance Learning Diploma for Water and Sanitation Operators and Local Authorities.

initiated Network of Water and Sanitation Citizen Observatories in cities to strengthen civil society participation in the water services management.

Supported inception of Appropriate Water, Sanitation and Wastewater Treatment Technologies in the Operations of the Habitat-SEDESOL Programme of the Ministry of Social Development.

Technical assistance to the National institute of Ecology (iNE) for the development of a Water Adaptation to Climate Change Methodology for Cities, using the Monterrey Metropolitan Areas as a pilot case study.

Partners: National Secretariat for Social Development (SEDESOL), National Association of Water Operators (ANEAS), National institute of Ecology (iNE), instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua (iMTA), Water Consultative Council (NGO), Local Governments, uN Agencies, CENVi (NGO), Habitat international Coalition (HiC)

Nicaragua Since November 2008, uN-Habitat has been implementing a programme to develop new models and tools and improve capacities at municipal and ministerial level to tackle the issues of solid waste management in Managua, Nicaragua.

Partners: Ministry of Environment, Municipality of Managua

Panama Panama is an important hub for uN operations in the region. uN-Habitat has provided support to the government in the Consolidation of indicators for Housing, urban Development and Environment.

Partners: Ministry of Housing


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Añatuya, Argentina © roxana rihos


Peru uN-Habitat’s latest engagement in Peru has been after the earthquake in 2008.

Capacity building for adaptation to climate change effects in water use and management, Junín Region.

Support for the rehabilitation of destroyed and damaged houses (around 90,000 units) in the framework of human settlement plans and training for seismically resilient criteria and techniques - ica Province.

Partners: Ministry of Housing, Municipalities, uN Agencies, Center for Studies and Development Promotion DESCO/NGO).


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reGioNaL ProGraMMes

Water for Cities Programme in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Water for Cities Programme in Latin America and the Caribbean (WATSAN-LAC) aims to increase the flow of investments to the water and sanitation sector in the region through strategic partnerships amongst different institutions and organisations, donor countries, central governments, local authorities, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and local communities.

The WATSAN-LAC programme has been providing technical support in various countries, namely Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru.

The strategic lines of intervention for the regional programme are: adaptation to climate change impact; promotion of sustainable sanitation networks and technologies; promotion of sanitation as a business concept; water governance and civil participation; integral water and sanitation projects and piloting low-cost innovative technologies for sustainable sanitation in peri-urban areas

Partners: iADB (inter-American Development Bank) and other multi-lateral agencies, national and local governments as well as with local and international Non-government Organizations, universities, water utilities and training institutions.

The Solid waste management, technical & institutional assistance Initiative for Central America

The main objective is to carry out sector assessments and use them as a basis to develop national Solid Waste Management intervention strategies for each participating country with a focus on the development of key technical assistance and pre-investment projects.

in 2008, uN-Habitat started a project to improve the efficiency of the Solid Waste Management system in Managua and in the region. Subsequently, this evolved into a regional initiative, built upon the outcomes from Nicaragua, which is now being replicated and up scaled in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.


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reGioNaL ProGraMMes

Global Water Operators Partnerships’ Alliance

Hosted by uN-Habitat at headquarters level, the Global Water Operators Partnerships’ Alliance is a mechanism of cooperation between water utilities worldwide to nurture information exchange, joint learning and twinning between operators within regions, while acting as a window for exchange beyond the region. Exchange between utilities within the same region has the advantage of being less costly, easier to follow-up and often more effective because of linguistic, geographical or historical commonalities which facilitate technical transfer.

in Latin America and the Carribean, the Water Operators’ Partnerships has achieved great results, including the establishment of platforms in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and the Caribbean.

Supporting best practices, policies definition and enabling legislation in the local delivery of basic urban services

The main objective of the project is to support local governments to provide basic services and develop public policies for universal accessibility. it also contributes to a more balanced distribution of competencies and resources between the national and local governments, through proper planning and effectiveness of public administration.

This initiative aims to build consensus between the different levels of Government in several countries (Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru…) facilitating the identification and exchange of experiences on standards, policies and best practices in priority countries. While promoting city-to-city cooperation, this initiative is closely working with several institutions based in Spain (National, Regional, and Local) involved in international cooperation and municipal development.

Partners: National and Local Governments from the Caribbean, Central and South America sub regions, united Cities and Local Governments (CGLu), Spanish international Cooperation Agency (AECiD), Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), international & ibero-American Foundation for the Administration & Public Policies (FiiAPP),


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UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMMEP.O.Box 30030,Nairobi 00100,Kenya;Tel: +254-20-7626742; Fax: +254-20-7625015; [email protected] www.unhabitat.org/publications

Become a UN-HABITAT partner for better cities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Become a city changer…

Contact us at [email protected] and [email protected] For more information please visit our websites www.unhabitat.org and www.onuhabitat.org

Recife, Brazil © Hans von Manteuffel

UN-Habitat in partnership with the Latin America and the Caribbean

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