ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/SDD/2009/WG.3/WP.1
Country: Arab region
Publication Type: Working papers
Cluster: 2030 Agenda and SDG Coordination
Focus Area: Inclusive development
Initiatives: Sustainable urban development
SDGs: Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Keywords: Arab countries, Government policy, Social policy, Urban research, Urbanization
The use of urban observatories as a tool for localizing urban and social policy
January 2009
This background paper will discuss the extent to which the use of the local urban observatory (as a tool), sustainable
development (as a paradigm) and governance (as a mechanism) provide a useful integrative sustainable
urbanization framework. This framework or model focuses on three main areas:
(a) How urban observatories can respond to the changing dynamics between the State and civil
society, with regard to the provision of and demand for urban services, in a way that allows them to provide
effective policy advice;
(b) Broad-based consultative processes that could assist Governments to implement (national and
urban) structural and territorial reforms;
(c) The advisory role of urban observatories in policy formulation, against the background of
processes of globalization and decentralization.
The main conceptual and modeling criteria to be discussed in this paper are based mostly upon the
outcome of an ESCWA expert group meeting and the theoretical methodologies used in developing a social
guide for urban observatories for the ESCWA region.
Related content
Inclusive development
,
This background paper will discuss the extent to which the use of the local urban observatory (as a tool), sustainable
development (as a paradigm) and governance (as a mechanism) provide a useful integrative sustainable
urbanization framework. This framework or model focuses on three main areas:
(a) How urban observatories can respond to the changing dynamics between the State and civil
society, with regard to the provision of and demand for urban services, in a way that allows them to provide
effective policy advice;
(b) Broad-based consultative processes that could assist Governments to implement (national and
urban) structural and territorial reforms;
(c) The advisory role of urban observatories in policy formulation, against the background of
processes of globalization and decentralization.
The main conceptual and modeling criteria to be discussed in this paper are based mostly upon the
outcome of an ESCWA expert group meeting and the theoretical methodologies used in developing a social
guide for urban observatories for the ESCWA region.
