Rapid Planning Mid-Term Conference 2017

Session 1 “Data & information generation”

The first session addressed the question of data generation procedures, the applied methods, analysed results and the data processing within the Rapid Planning project and the methodology. A reliable database is a prerequisite for all planning processes and certainly also for supply and disposal infrastructure planning. For most cities, it cannot be assumed that this pre-condition is fulfilled sufficiently. Usually, the data are not reliable, out-dated, inconsistent or simply not available. Therefor a strong focus within Rapid Planning is put on the development of a method for rapid data generation, which is based on the following key components:

• Identification and classification of different building types by object remote sensing and field mapping,
• Socio-economic data gathering at household level in order to allow the classification into different socio-economic classes, and subsequently the correlation of these “lifestyle” classes to building types,
• Gathering of specific, per capita data for water, energy and food consumption as well as wastewater and waste generation. Correlation of these sector specific data to different socio-economic/ lifestyle classes and therefore allowing estimating and spatially depicting the demand and requirements for urban supply and disposal infrastructure.

The session described exemplarily for the city of Kigali the research work carried out and the related findings. The session firstly covered remote sensing analyses and related reference data collection. The focus here was on building type classification and their further specification by taking local parameters in the form of urban structure types (UST) into consideration. This was followed by a presentation of socio-economic data gathering activities on the household level by means of questionnaires and surveys. The corresponding results allow the determination of different “lifestyle” classes and their subsequent correlation to corresponding building types. Thereafter, the emphasis was put on sector specific data gathering for determining different consumption and generation patterns related to water, energy and food, and respectively to waste and wastewater. These data were then correlated with the socio-economic/ lifestyle classes, thus completing the “cycle”. The session concluded by showing how material flow analyses (MFA) was used to describe and depict entire supply and disposal sectors for the city of Kigali.

Session 2 “The Rapid Planning trans-sectoral methodology”

The Rapid Planning methodology is the integrating core of the Rapid Planning project. This session presented a closer look to the question of how the different parts of the project are coming together and translate into a consistent whole. These parts, being implemented by different research teams, include the data computation and integration, the trans-sectoral inter-linkages and potential synergies with regards to energy and resource efficiency, the trans-sectoral modelling, the simulation tool and the scenario building process. Furthermore, an introduction is given to the Rapid Planning web-based Knowledge System, an online encyclopaedia on urban infrastructure know-how, data gathering and processing, and technologies.

The session started with presenting how the gathered data – as shown in session 1 – are processed further, computed and correlated within the RP methodology. The respective computation output can then be made available for subsequent planning processes. The session also addressed the importance of information and knowledge about various technology options for a reliable planning of urban supply and disposal infrastructure. Here, Rapid Planning attempts to find synergies between different technology options, for example to use the output from a technology as the input for another technology. The goal is to use resources efficiently and to reduce infrastructure costs at the same time, here especially also the operation costs. Different technologies and respective background information are also part of the introduced Rapid Planning Knowledge System.

Session 3 „Change Management“

In most cities, planning processes for supply and disposal infrastructure were administered and implemented more or less sector specific. The planning of energy, water, waste and waste water related questions run (more or less) in parallel with a limited degree of inter-departmental cooperation. In consequence, trans-sectoral synergies or potentially negative side effects are not taken into account properly. Within this session 3 the Rapid Planning approach on how to break down the “silo mentality” in local governments was presented, leading to a joint trans-sectoral way of thinking in planning. The knowledge of current planning systems, the mechanisms and processes behind them and the relevant involved stakeholders are all a prerequisite for promoting a change towards “breaking the silos”. Thus, session 3 started with presenting the methods and findings of the stakeholder analyses that was carried out by the research teams for the Rapid Planning case cities. Then the Rapid Planning Change Management Approach was introduced, including the participative approach of the Empowering Workshops assisting in the change management implementation in the case cities. The practical change management implementation and first results were shown by the example of the case city of Da Nang.

Session 4 „Capacity Development approach“

Within the framework of the Rapid Planning methodology, the topic of capacity development is of great importance. Procedures, methods, tools, experiences and background knowledge for capacity development will be made available in the Rapid Planning Knowledge System. Additionally information and learning materials/ concepts are being developed by the project for specific target groups, especially including the public administration and academia. The information and materials/ concepts are adapted to current local planning systems, structures and resources. Session 4 was dedicated to both the theoretical framework and the practical implementation of the Capacity Development approach.

Session 5 “Case Cities: Da Nang, Kigali, Assiut and Frankfurt”, needs and challenges of the cities, entry Project experiences

The Rapid Planning project is being implemented in close collaboration with the case cities Da Nang, Kigali, Assiut and the reference city Frankfurt/ M. The needs and challenges of the cities provide important an important insight for the development of the trans-sectoral methodology itself.

First practical activities within the project were dedicated to the definition, development and implementation of trans-sectoral “entry projects”. These entry projects were conceptualised based on the expressed demands by local stakeholders. The entry projects helped to bring together the project team and the relevant actors in the cities. The first presentation within session 5 provided thus an overview about the case city contexts with their specific demands and respective challenges with regard to the different supply and disposal infrastructure sectors.

Presentations were given specifically on:

• Da Nang - Urban development and regeneration along the riverbanks of the Hanh River,
• Kigali - Informal settlement up-grading,
• Assiut - Participatory infrastructures development and informal settlement upgrading,
• “Learning from Frankfurt”, providing experiences from an old city. 

Session 6 “Economic aspects”, “method transfer” and “dissemination”

This session dealt with the question of tackling the transferability and general applicability of the Rapid Planning methodology and set of tools.

This involved the web-based dissemination via the worldwide web and social media, but also the dissemination by means of summer schools and training workshops. Moreover, UN-Habitat presented a proposal of practically testing the Rapid Planning methodology via the agency’s Urban Planning and Design Lab. The Lab is engaged in realising the New Urban Agenda principles and the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals by means of practical and implementation oriented urban planning and development interventions with cities. The practical realisation of strategic development plans “ready to implement” is perhaps at the core of the Lab’s efforts. The lab thereby is also best suited for practically testing the Rapid Planning methodology, as this methodology represents an important contribution to the development of enabling tools tackling rapid urbanisation. It perfectly complements the spatial and land use planning of the Lab by providing options for the direly needed urban infrastructure development planning.

Last but not least, the topic of regionally added value with its economic, social and ecological indicators and safeguards is of great importance with regard to the transfer of the RP methodology to other cities. This aspect was addressed in a third presentation within this session.