Real World Civic Tech Implications of South Africa’s Grassroot Platform
Enabling participatory democracy is the goal of South Africa's online platform Grassroot, where community members get together to change their municipalities for the better – with considerable success, as Katlego Mohlabane, outreach and campaigns coordinator at Grassroot, illustrates with examples from Mnandini and Mzondi.
Boosting Urban Development in Africa Through New Mechanisms of Financing
With the sectors for development and finance closely intertwined, a municipality's financing mechanism of choice significantly influences its development path. Khady Sarr, Programme Director of the Dakar Municipal Finance Programme, outlines several models and explains the advantages of bond loans – for municipalities and investors alike.
How to Change the World with Better Financial Awareness & Financial Literacy
Many people around the globe struggle with finance management and debt. Michael Ochieng Nyawino describes why it is important to teach everyone financial literacy skills to tackle the problem.
The Role of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations in Kenya’s Housing Finance Sector
Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations play a key role for housing security in Kenya. Davina Wood explains how they work and discusses benefits and current challenges.
Building Rights and Municipal Finance – The Experience of São Paulo, Brazil
Revenue from building rights, or land value capture, plays an important role for municipal finance. Martim O. Smolka and Camila Maleronka report on the specific challenges and achievements in the city of São Paulo.
Who Captures the Gain from Urban Land Value?
Urban land offers governments in developing countries a vital opportunity for self-financing development. While authorities often see these taxes as administratively burdensome and politically impossible, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Innovation for Better Quality of Life in Cities and Communities: First UN-Habitat Assembly
From 27-31 May 2019, the first UN-Habitat assembly is taking place in Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi. Reuben Kyama reports directly from the conference.
How Can Urban Flood Management in Vietnam Become More Sustainable?
More than one third of Vietnam's population is living in cities, requiring effective sanitation and stormwater services. Yet their provision is limited, with an estimation of less than 10 per cent of wastewater being treated in urban areas. Sebastian Malter argues that a diversification of drainage systems will support sustainable urban development.
Public Participation Processes: Lessons from Israel
What’s the secret to smart urban development? The answer is simple, says Tomer Chelouche: Engage and respect local residents.