2006年-世界发展银行全球_Republic_of_Togo___Urban_and_Peri-Urban_Development_and_Policy_Note_38页_844kb

Summary of the World Bank Report on Urban and Peri-Urban Development in Togo

Core Content

This report by the World Bank provides an in-depth analysis of urban and peri-urban development in Togo, focusing on the challenges and opportunities related to urbanization, decentralization, and governance. It outlines the current state of urban infrastructure, institutional frameworks, and the role of development partners in shaping urban policies and strategies.

Key Demographic, Urbanization & Decentralization Trends

• Population Growth: Togo's total population is estimated at 5.7 million, growing at an average annual rate of 2.7%. The urban population has increased from 15% in 1959 to 36% in 2005, and is projected to reach 65% by 2025.
• Urbanization: The capital city, Lomé, hosts about 1.4 million people (58% of the urban population) and dominates the country's socio-economic production, contributing approximately 60% of GDP.
• Political Centralization: Togo has been governed under a centralized political system since independence, with political power concentrated in the ruling party and armed forces. Decentralization efforts have been attempted but largely unsuccessful.
• Decentralization Frameworks: Three attempts at decentralization have been made: the first in 1988, the second in 1998, and the third in 2005. The third framework, which includes the creation of the Ministère de la Ville (MdV), is currently in place.
• Urban Challenges: Rapid urbanization has led to high unemployment, especially among youth, and poor urban infrastructure and services. Many urban areas lack adequate planning, financial, and technical capabilities to manage growth and development.
• Urban Poverty: Urban poverty is high and rising. Over half of Togo's population is considered poor or vulnerable to poverty, with the urban poor facing severe constraints in accessing land, housing, basic services, and credit.

Institutional Framework and Regulations

• Centralized Governance: The central government (GoT) has historically controlled all aspects of governance, including urban development and infrastructure services.
• Sub-national Governance (SGAs): SGAs are under-resourced and lack the capacity to manage local infrastructure and services effectively.
• Legal and Policy Instruments: Several laws and frameworks have been proposed for decentralization, but none have been successfully implemented. The new decentralization law, proposed in 2005, aims to transfer responsibilities to SGAs, but the effectiveness of this remains uncertain.
• Development Partners (DPs): DPs have played a role in supporting urban development, but their involvement has not led to significant improvements in governance or infrastructure due to lack of coordination and implementation.

DPS Interventions & Outcomes

• Urban Development Strategies: Various urban development strategies have been developed, but many have not been effectively implemented. These include the City Development Strategy (CDS), City Poverty Reduction Strategies (CPRS), and Multi-Sector Investment Program (MSIP).
• Fiscal and Revenue Issues: SGAs lack the fiscal and revenue generation capabilities needed to support urban development. There is a need for better transfer mechanisms from the central government to local authorities.
• Infrastructure Services: Urban infrastructure services are in poor condition and have deteriorated over time due to lack of maintenance and investment. The central government and DPs provide about 90% of urban infrastructure services.
• Private Sector Participation: The private sector is largely absent from urban infrastructure provision due to the dominance of the public sector and lack of enabling environments for private investment.

Recommendations & Framework for Sustainable Urban Development

• Comprehensive Governance Approach: A comprehensive and integrated approach to urban governance and development is needed, driven by well-guided policies developed in partnership with the people.
• Role Clarification: GoT must clarify the roles and functions of national, prefectoral, and local governments and ensure effective coordination between them.
• Decentralization of Implementation: Urban policy and regulatory functions should be separated from implementation, which should be delegated to private operators or qualified state agencies under performance-based arrangements.
• Taxing and Transfer Mechanisms: Proper allocation of taxing responsibilities and transparent transfer of financial resources from the central government to local governments should be established with clear and precise criteria.
• Central Government Oversight: The central government should strengthen its role in policy, regulation, coordination, and oversight to ensure effective implementation of urban development strategies.
• Contractualization and Benchmarking: Relationships between different tiers of government should be contractualized, and performance benchmarking should be a guiding principle in urban development.
• Focus on the Poor: Policies and programs should prioritize the needs of the urban poor, including access to land, housing, basic services, and credit, as well as social capital formation and empowerment.

Concrete Immediate Steps for Urban Development

• Strengthen SGAs: SGAs, especially city councils, should leverage the legal, institutional, and financial opportunities provided by the new decentralization framework to create and manage specialized agencies for local economic development (LED).
• Improve Data and Analysis: Further studies are needed to address knowledge and data gaps in infrastructure services, urban land markets, municipal financing, and strategies for city and local economic development (CDS & LED).
• Slum Upgrading: Socio-economic and technical approaches should be developed to finance and implement slum upgrading projects.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Greater engagement with local stakeholders, including elected representatives, civil society, and the private sector, is essential to ensure inclusive and effective urban development.

Conclusion

The report highlights the urgent need for a sustainable and inclusive urban development strategy in Togo, driven by effective decentralization, improved governance, and targeted interventions to address urban poverty and infrastructure challenges. It calls for a more collaborative approach between the GoT, DPs, and local communities to ensure the success of urban development efforts and the well-being of Togo's urban and peri-urban populations.