IMPLEMENTING THE HABITAT AGENDA

1. Chengdu International Conference on Learning from Best Practices.
2. Hangzhou International Seminar on Illustrative Cities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chengdu International Conference on Learning from Best Practices
Chengdu, China, 16-18 October 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTRODUCTION
The Chengdu International Conference on Learning from Best Practices was part of the preparatory process for Istanbul+5. The objective of the Conference was to promote the exchange of lessons learned from outstanding experiences in improving the living environment and the implementation of the Habitat Agenda. The Conference resulted in, inter alia, the Chengdu Declaration focusing on how the international community, cities and their associations can further the implementation of the Habitat Agenda through the systematic exchange and transfer of best practice expertise and experience. The conference was well attended with 80 participants from the international community coming from 26 different countries and 138 from China. This report provides a summary of the presentations made, an analysis of lessons learned and the final outcome of the conference, the Chengdu Declaration. More detailed case studies of the presentations made are available on www.bestpractices.org.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IMPLEMENTING THE HABITAT AGENDA
International Seminar on Illustrative Cities
Hangzhou, China, 20-22 October 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Organisers:

Co-hosted by Hangzhou Municipality, the Ministry of Construction of China and UN-Habitat

Background:

The International Seminar on Illustrative Cities was designed to support the implementation of the Habitat Agenda. Illustrative Cities are cities that have a proven track record of implementing good and best practices in improving the living environment and are committed to sharing lessons learned from experience with other cities and communities around the world.

Goal and Objectives:

The goal of the seminar was to develop a conceptual and operational framework, including criteria for selecting Illustrative cities, for city-to-city and decentralised cooperation based on lessons learned from experience in support of the implementation of the Habitat Agenda.

The objectives of the seminar were:

(i) to promote the exchange of lessons learned from good and best practices in urban environmental management and housing development;
(ii) to match lessons learned from (i) above with the proposed normative frameworks of good urban governance and access to shelter, land and credit developed by UN-Habitat;
(iii) to propose elements of a conceptual and operational framework, including criteria for selecting Illustrative Cities, for city-to-city and decentralised co-operation based on the lessons learned from experience.

Working Methods:

The seminar made use of written and oral presentations, group discussions and study tours. The seminar took place during the 2nd Hangzhou West Lake Expo, which included specialised exhibitions and events on human settlements. The opening ceremony was held jointly with the regional preparatory meeting of the Asia and Pacific region for Istanbul+5: the special session of the UN General Assembly on the review of progress made in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda.