2009年-世界发展银行全球_Sanaa___A_City_Development_Strategy_56页_4mb

Summary of Sana'a City Development Strategy

Core Content

The Sana'a City Development Strategy (CDS) is part of an ambitious decentralization agenda in Yemen, initiated in 2005 with support from the Cities Alliance and The World Bank. The strategy aimed to engage public, private, and civil society stakeholders to assess the city's strengths and weaknesses, develop a long-term vision, and create a prioritized action plan for equitable economic growth. The CDS was also linked to the revision of the city's master plan to ensure alignment between economic development and infrastructure.

Main Outcomes

• City Overview: Sana'a is the political, administrative, and cultural capital of Yemen, located in a mountainous, semi-arid region at an altitude of 2300 meters. It has a moderate climate and is surrounded by mountains, limiting expansion to the north and south axes.
• Historical Significance: The city has a long history, dating back to the 2nd century AD, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 due to its unique medieval architecture and urban fabric.
• Population Growth: Sana'a's population has grown rapidly, increasing from 162,000 in 1977 to approximately 2 million in recent years. The growth rate is among the highest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with projections indicating a doubling of the population within 13 years.
• Economic Role: Sana'a is a major economic hub, hosting 30.3% of Yemen's urban population and 30% of the country's industrial base. The public sector dominates employment, accounting for nearly 40% of jobs, while commerce and small services are the largest employment sectors.
• Infrastructure and Services: The city has seen improvements in infrastructure, including water supply, roads, and urban upgrading projects, which have contributed to its growth and development.
• Urban Challenges: Rapid urbanization has led to significant strain on services and infrastructure. Informal areas and squatter settlements have expanded, accommodating much of the population increase. The city also faces severe water shortages due to over-extraction from the Sana'a Basin aquifer.
• Education and Poverty: Sana'a has a relatively better-educated population compared to other Yemeni cities and the national average. However, it also has a high poverty rate, with 15% of its residents living below the poverty line. Unemployment is significant, with some estimates suggesting 25% of the labor force is unemployed. Income inequality has increased, as reflected by the rise in the Gini Coefficient from 37 to 44 between 1998 and 2005.

Key Information

• Population: Sana'a currently accommodates about 2 million people, representing 8.9% of Yemen's total population and 30.3% of its urban population.
• Economic Activities: The economy is characterized by a high concentration of public sector employment and commerce, with the private sector playing a growing role.
• Infrastructure: The city has a number of key infrastructure projects, including the El-Saeila storm water project and the road intersections project, aimed at improving urban mobility and services.
• Urban Planning: The CDS process included the revision of the city's master plan and aimed to strengthen urban planning and management. It also focused on a comprehensive approach to urban upgrading, particularly in informal and squatter settlements.
• Water Crisis: Sana'a's water supply is under severe threat, with the aquifer levels dropping by 6-8 meters annually. The city's water sources are primarily from the Sana'a Basin, which is expected to be depleted within 10-15 years.
• Institutional Support: The CDS process was supported by local officials, international experts, and civil society members, with the World Bank and Cities Alliance playing a crucial role in funding and facilitation.
• Future Vision: The CDS aimed to create a long-term vision for Sana'a, focusing on sustainable growth, improved governance, and better alignment of social, economic, and environmental interests.

Implementation

• Agendas for Action: The CDS process resulted in a prioritized action plan and several capital investment projects, including the El-Saeila storm water project and the road intersections project.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The process involved numerous consultations and workshops, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss and shape the city's development.
• Supporting Organizations: The World Bank and Cities Alliance provided financial and technical support, while local officials and experts ensured the implementation of the strategy.

Conclusion

The Sana'a CDS represents a significant step in the decentralization of urban development in Yemen. It has brought together diverse stakeholders to address the city's complex challenges and opportunities, with a focus on sustainable and equitable growth. The strategy highlights the importance of integrating economic development with infrastructure and urban planning, while also addressing critical issues such as poverty, unemployment, and water scarcity. The outcomes of the CDS process serve as a guide for future local economic development and are intended to be accessible to a broad audience.