HS/C/13/3

SUMMARY

This is the second report to the Commission on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000. It is submitted in response to Commission resolution 12/1 of 3 May 1989 and covers the period 1989-1990. It describes briefly the action taken by the United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat) as the co-ordinating agency for the implementation of the Strategy, actions taken by Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and bilateral and multilateral, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The Global Strategy for Shelter Plan of Action for 1992-1993 is contained in annex I.

INTRODUCTION

1. The Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000 contains a range of guidelines for national action based on an enabling approach. The operational focus for the implementation of, the Strategy calls for national action. There are no accurate statistics to indicate whether the shelter situation in individual countries or in the world generally has improved since 20 December 1988 when the General Assembly adopted its resolution 43/181 on the Global Strategy. The reports on national action received from governments indicate, however, that a very concerted effort is being made to improve national shelter policies and strategies in many countries. Nevertheless, the political and social upheavals in some parts of the world during the last biennium have resulted in large numbers of people becoming homeless. Furthermore, the economic situation of the majority of the developing countries has not improved or has even deteriorated, rendering those countries unable to undertake the whole package of actions necessary for the reorganization of the shelter sector as urged by the Global Strategy.

2. Reports provided by governments and statements made by governments during the observance of World HABITAT Day indicate that, inspite of adverse economic conditions, some fifty governments have undertaken an array of initiatives towards the improvement of the condition of shelter and services, especially for the poor. Some have formulated comprehensive national shelter strategies; some have concentrated on strategies that focus on rural areas, while many have placed emphasis on particular components of a shelter strategy. For example, some countries have strengthened the national capacity in the production of local building materials, some have made effective changes in financial mechanisms for shelter, while others have begun legislative reforms in the shelter sector. Many governments have initiated simultaneous improvements in several components in shelter provision. Almost all the new national efforts are based on minimizing direct housing construction by public agencies and adoption of enabling strategies; encouraging participation by a wide cross-section of the people in need of shelter and services.

3. The adoption of enabling shelter strategies means that governments should deploy their resources on those activities which the private sector and people themselves, through formal and informal organizations, cannot undertake efficiently. In particular this means that governments should place particular attention on the provision of infrastructure, the supply of adequate and suitably located and affordable land with security of tenure, the establishment of financial mechanisms which cater to the needs of the poor, and the creation of the necessary institutional, legislative and administrative framework that mobilizes the resources of all actors and opens the way for the more active participation by women. The enabling strategies thus release government resources to serve the needs of the poor and the disadvantaged. The enabling strategies also lead to full mobilization of all potential indigenous resources and can, therefore, greatly contribute to sustainable development.

4. The Commission on Human Settlements and the General Assembly adopted a Plan of Action for 1989-1991, this being the first phase of the implementation of the Global Strategy. At its twelfth session held at Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 24 April to 3 May 1989, the Commission reviewed the first report on the Implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000.⁽¹⁾ The current report is the second review of the implementation of the Global Shelter Strategy and covers the period 1989-1990. It describes briefly the main activities undertaken by the United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat), Member States, the United Nations organizations, intergovernmental organizations, the bilateral and multilateral agencies and the non-governmental organizations. A plan of action for 1992-1993 and a timetable for its implementation are included at the end of this report as annex 1.

I. Action by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)

5. The United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), as the agency responsible for co-ordinating the relevant programmes and activities, has followed the Plan of Action contained in the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000. The following is a brief review of the action taken.

A. Provision of substantive support to Member States

6. The Centre has increased the level of substantive support to Member States in a number of ways for the formulation and implementation of national shelter strategies (NSS).

1. Subregional seminars on the Global Strategy for Shelter

7. In order to assist Member States in strengthening national initiatives, the Centre organized a series of 10 subregional seminars on the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000, in co-operation with host governments and, in some cases, with external support. The main objectives of the seminars were to:

8. The participants in the seminars comprised representatives of Governments as well as the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in addition to organizations and agencies of the United Nations system, including the regional commissions, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies and regional development banks. In addition to the standard seminar agenda designed to achieve the above objectives, some of the seminars had special features. For example, the seminar for Eastern African countries, which was held at Nairobi, Kenya, from 29 January to 2 February 1990, made an extensive review of the draft shelter indicators and provided suggestions for their improvement; the seminar for Southern African countries, which was held at Harare, Zimbabwe, from 6 to 10 August 1990, considered Zimbabwe's experience in a pilot project on the application of shelter sector performance indicators; the seminar for English-speaking West African countries, which was held at Accra, Ghana, from 1 to 5 October 1990, considered possible improvement in policies on land, finance and building materials in shelter provision; the seminar for French-speaking countries of Africa, which was held at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 3 to 7 December 1990, considered the issue of rental housing, which constitutes some 50 per cent of the housing in urban Africa, and also agreed to undertake a regional project for the formulation of national shelter strategies; the seminar for East Asian countries, which was held in Bali, Indonesia, from 14 to 18 May 1990, reviewed the links between environment and shelter and made a number of recommendations for action by governments in preparation for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) to be held in 1992; the seminar for South Asian countries which was held at Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 27 to 31 August 1990, had particular emphasis on the application of enabling strategies, as put into operation in Sri Lanka; the seminar for Eastern Europe, which was held in Moscow, USSR, from 3 to 7 September 1990, considered the many reforms necessary in the shelter sector in the transformation to a market economy; and the seminar for the Caribbean countries, which was held at Kingston, Jamaica, from 1 to 5 October 1990, formulated an action-oriented plan of national action and regional co-operation for consideration by the Housing Ministers of the Caribbean countries.

9. The seminar for Portuguese-speaking countries was scheduled to be held at Lisbon, Portugal, from 21-25 January 1991, and a seminar for Latin American countries was scheduled to be held at San Jose, Costa Rica from 4 to 8 March 1991. A seminar for the Arab States was planned but had to be postponed. The Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank provided support for three of the seminars. In addition to the facilities provided by the host governments, the Governments of Finland, France, and Portugal provided support to specific seminars.

10. The seminars have been successful in enabling governments to obtain a sound understanding of the application of guidelines for national action contained in the Global Shelter Strategy, in particular, the ways of involving other actors in the shelter delivery process. A number of countries have already begun follow-up action after the seminars, some with assistance from the Centre.

2. Technical co-operation

11. Technical co-operation in the preparation of national shelter strategies is being provided under several projects, including:

3. Shelter indicators

12. The Centre has distributed a set of indicators for use by governments as guidelines to review progress in the formulation and implementation of their strategies for shelter and services. A revised version of the Global Shelter Strategy indicators is contained in the document, "Monitoring guidelines for national shelter strategies" (HS/C/13/4).

13. The Centre has also embarked on a programme to develop and apply indicators to assess the performance of the shelter sector. This exercise is being undertaken in co-operation with the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It has four key objectives:

4. Special advisory services

14. In order to provide further assistance to countries to initiate follow-up action to implement the recommendations and conclusions of the seminars, the Centre is making available short-term advisory services to countries which have not yet commenced far-reaching initiatives. These services include-assistance in the formulation or revision of national shelter strategies, preparation of project proposals for national shelter strategies, application of shelter indicators to assess the performance of the shelter sector and provision of substantive inputs at national shelter strategy seminars and training workshops.

B. Research and development

15. The Centre's research and development programme addresses several critical issues in order to enable governments to improve their national shelter strategies. These include the fields of building materials, infrastructure operations and maintenance, transport, energy, employment, land management, municipal finance, community participation, rental housing and sustainable development. All these issues are included in the Centre's current work programme and the results of the research are disseminated widely through publications, training seminars and expert group meetings.

16. Issues concerning the role of women in human settlements activities have been given increasing attention. The Centre organized the Inter-regional Seminar to Promote the Participation of Women in the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000, held at Nairobi in December 1989. This was the culmination of the five regional seminars held earlier on the issue. The recommendations of the seminars have been widely distributed and are being incorporated into the Centre's work programme for the biennium 1992-1993.

17. A series of subregional training workshops were held on the subject of Urban Finance and Management in Algeria and Burundi for African countries; in Morocco for Arab States; and in Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador for the Latin American countries. Some of these workshops focused on training of trainers and were organized by the Centre in collaboration with EDI, USAID and national training institutes of the participating countries.

18. The Centre is disseminating its Human Settlements Statistical Database (HSDB.stat.). The latest version contains statistical information on human settlements for as many as 160 countries. The software allows for updating existing statistics and for adding new statistical topics. The Centre is prepared to carry out advisory missions, upon requests from governmental and intergovernmental organizations, to assist in the establishment of a specific human settlements database and for the general use of HSDB.stat.

C. Dissemination of information on the Global Strategy for Shelter

19. Information on the Global Strategy is being disseminated continuously. Information items include the Strategy document printed in an attractive and durable form,⁽²⁾ a popular version of the Strategy document entitled Shelter for All,⁽³⁾ an audio-visual in three languages on the Global Strategy, Think Twice, an information kit, articles in UNCHS Habitat News and the Shelter Bulletin, and posters for wide circulation.

20. The Global Strategy was highlighted in the observance of World HABITAT Day 1989 and 1990. The theme of World HABITAT Day 1989 was "Shelter, Health and the Family", and that in 1990 was "Shelter and Urbanization". World HABITAT Day kits were distributed widely. They contained information for the use of national organizations for dissemination on the selected themes. The theme for 1991 is "Shelter and the Living Environment".

D. Co-operation with other organizations

21. As the co-ordinating agency for the implementation of the Global Strategy, the Centre is collaborating with a large number of organizations in the areas of programme co-ordination, technical co-operation, research, training and information dissemination. Co-operation with bilateral and multilateral agencies is a regular feature of the technical co-operation activities. Co-operation with organizations within the-United Nations system is described briefly in chapter III of this report. Co-operation with intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations has increased and a brief account of activities in this area is contained in the document entitled "Co-ordination with intergovernmental organizations outside the United Nations system and with non-governmental organizations" (HS/C/13/13).

II. Action by Member States towards national shelter strategies

22. The implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000 depends largely on action at the national level. Governments are urged to define clear and measurable objectives in the provision of shelter and services, to reorganize the shelter sector through various measures in order to mobilize and distribute financial resources, and to remove production bottle-necks, including obstacles to land delivery, infrastructure installation, building-materials output, and construction productivity. This is a comprehensive exercise and involves co-ordinated action by many arms of government as well as the private sector, NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs). Many countries have initiated a variety of activities through their own resources, or technical co-operation with the Centre mentioned in chapter I above, or with assistance from other external sources.

23. The immediate impact of the new initiatives being taken by governments can be known only after each of them has applied the shelter indicators to assess the performance of the national shelter sector. It is expected that a number of governments will be in a position to begin this exercise during 1991. However, an overall indication of the progress being made on the formulation of national shelter strategies has been obtained from national reports, the Centre's technical co-operation activities and other sources. A selection of activities grouped according to the 14 indicators identified by the Centre are presented below as examples.

Indicator No. 1. Political commitment to shelter

24. Making a political commitment to shelter and reaching a decision at the highest political level to prepare a national shelter strategy are the essential first actions which must be taken by governments.

25. Some governments have officially endorsed a national shelter strategy based on enabling principles and are in the process of implementing them. These include Barbados, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Lesotho and Sri Lanka. Costa Rica has strengthened shelter sector institutions and has created the technical, legal, institutional and administrative mechanisms to facilitate strategy implementation and improve efficiency within the shelter sector. The One and Half Million Houses Programme of Sri Lanka demonstrates many aspects of the application of the enabling strategies. Some countries are further refining their earlier housing policies to address gaps in the housing-delivery process. Among these are India, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Turkey.

26. The Global Strategy has been the impetus for the initiation of national action in a number of countries. For example, Congo has embarked on the formulation of a national shelter strategy based on an enabling approach which creates partnerships between the public, private and informal sectors. This strategy will be focused on urban areas initially. Djibouti has prepared a comprehensive sectoral policy of urban development and housing, a proposed sectoral urban development programme, and an investment action plan for 5 to 10 years. Ghana has begun the preparation of a national shelter strategy to redirect the public sector towards an enabling policy framework. Indonesia is developing a shelter strategy for the Province of Central Java as a pilot exercise prior to the formulation of a national shelter strategy. Kiribati has prepared a long-term preliminary shelter strategy. Madagascar and Mali have each decided to prepare a national shelter strategy and expect to begin the exercise shortly. Malawi's shelter strategy is focused on the Rural Housing Project under which individual applicants receive loans in the form of building materials to undertake incremental building of a simple shelter popularly known as "the house that grows". Mozambique has decided that housing should be given high priority in national development and is preparing a comprehensive national policy and implementation strategies. An initial policy formulation framework is being used as a basis for fully elaborated proposals.

27. The Government of Namibia has undertaken a preliminary study on policies and strategies for national shelter and human settlements and is embarking upon the preparation of a national shelter strategy. Nepal has launched a project to develop a national housing policy, to formulate a building code and to improve building materials and construction practices. The building code will include appropriate earthquake- and other disaster-resistant standards for various parts of the country. Nicaragua has decided to formulate a national shelter strategy and human settlements and housing programmes. This exercise will be co-ordinated with the on-going administrative decentralization process to strengthen the regional and municipal authorities. Nigeria is finalizing a new national housing policy based on greater participation and a strengthened institutional framework.

28. The Philippines has formulated a regional shelter strategy which is now being implemented. Based on this, a national shelter strategy is being developed by further reviewing and analyzing the constraints in the housing delivery system in three regions. Uganda has embarked on the formulation of a viable national shelter strategy to enable the full participation of local authorities. During the preparatory phase a shelter strategy for the district of Masaka is being implemented. Zimbabwe has begun with the preparation of shelter strategies in four typical provinces and several local authority areas. Simultaneously, studies have been initiated on the promotion of low-cost building materials and the provision of affordable infrastructure solutions for the poor.

29. Among other countries which have reported substantial progress in the preparation of a national shelter strategy are Botswana, Burundi, Chile, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Jordan, Kenya, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

30. Revision of current shelter policies has been undertaken by a number of countries. For example, Bolivia has undertaken an assessment of past and current programmes, projects and activities in the human settlements sector. The National Council of Ecuador has started a review of the housing sector's operating norms as well as resource management within the relevant institutions as a prelude to the formulation of a national shelter strategy. Oman has undertaken an assessment of the current housing situation, housing delivery systems and programmes, housing finance and subsidies. Tunisia has set up an Inter-Ministerial Commission to review and analyze the housing sector and to formulate a national shelter strategy. Vanuatu has undertaken a review of the housing sector with emphasis on the provision of affordable shelter in the urban areas.

31. Among the countries that have organized national workshops prior to embarking on the formulation of a national shelter strategy are Angola, Congo, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

32. Swaziland has established a Human Settlements Authority to ensure orderly development of future urban and rural settlements and to establish a mechanism for ensuring the supply and maintenance of improved shelter and infrastructure.

33. Among the developed countries there has been growing awareness of the extent of homelessness, especially in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. The main area of emphasis in most of these countries has been on the housing needs of special groups such as the elderly, the handicapped, and single-parent-headed households.

34. The United Kingdom has made substantial progress in facilitating the transfer of ownership of public housing to sitting tenants and has taken new financial and institutional initiatives to address the problem of the homeless. Norway published a White Paper setting out the framework for the national housing policy to the year 2000. Among the goals of the policy are active use of subsidies or affordable housing loans for the poor, enhancing local-level initiatives in housing finance, meeting the needs of special groups, and new legislation for protection of consumers in the housing market.

35. Some countries in Eastern Europe are undertaking intensive reforms in the housing sector together with overall reforms in the political, social and economic fields, in the transformation to a market economy. The USSR has declared a policy of ensuring an individual unit or house for every family by the year 2000. Hungary has been undertaking reforms to transform the housing sector to a market economy. Some reforms have also been initiated in Czechoslovakia and Poland. The reforms in these countries generally involve creating a system of private ownership of property, transferring a portion of the existing housing stock from tenancy to ownership, and encouraging the development of private-sector financial, construction, professional and other services to support the transformation to a market economy.

Indicator No. 2. Sustainable development policies

36. In the light of the World Commission on Environment and Development and of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development to be held in 1992, the concept of sustainable development is receiving worldwide attention. Few countries, however, have so far reported on the official adoption of a sustainable natural resource policy, a comprehensive national energy policy, standards and procedures for establishing air quality and water quality or a national public health policy. Lesotho and Swaziland have each prepared a national human settlements policy to develop a balanced national settlement structure, to improve the management of natural resources, to provide a framework for distributing capital investments for the promotion of balanced regional growth. Pakistan has made substantial progress in the formulation of a national human settlements policy. It is expected that during the next biennium many countries will intensify their efforts under this subject area.

Indicator No. 3. Macro-economic strategies

37. Very few countries have reported developing macro-economic policies that link the shelter sector to the economy as a whole. However, one example is Barbados where residential construction contributes approximately 6.4 per cent of GDP and the housing policy has therefore been integrated with macro economic policies. The Government has established mechanisms to ensure that credit is readily available for all income sectors so that there is no major fall-off in construction activity. Guinea is strengthening the organizational, management and planning capacities of the crucial economic sectors, including housing and urban development. This process includes an evaluation of the role of the shelter sector in overall economic development and the preparation of a national housing development strategy.

Indicator No. 4. Links between shelter objectives and settlement management

38. Linking shelter strategies with national and regional settlement development is being approached in some countries through the preparation of national land-use development plans. For example, Bahrain has adopted a comprehensive National Land- use Plan for the year 2001 which will channel development into areas which are most suitable and will reduce negative environmental impacts. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya has prepared the Draft National Physical Perspective Plan (1990-2010), set up a comprehensive urban information management system, and a programme of evaluation and co-ordination of regional and master planning. Malawi has prepared its National Physical Development Plan and three District Physical Development Plans which provide a spatial framework for the co-ordination and implementation of sectoral programmes and development projects. Morocco is undertaking studies to serve as the basis for the preparation of a national land-use plan which will aim at reducing regional disparities, promote development and encourage public participation in development. Trinidad and Tobago has adopted a policy fostering the growth of well-integrated and socially active settlements with the necessary requirements, including shelter.

39. Several countries have embarked on programmes for developing the potential of small and intermediate settlements. In Burkina Faso a pilot project in the secondary cities of Yako and Koupala has reinforced the institutional framework at the municipal level, assisted in the preparation of physical projects and provided staff training for improving urban management. Burundi is strengthening its institutional and technical capacity to orient the development of secondary cities and to promote their economies. Ghana has developed a local-level planning system and a district development planning manual for decentralization of development. Pakistan is preparing detailed urban development plans for more secondary cities in Sindh Province, incorporating a multi-sectoral investment package to secure capital funding for infrastructure development. In Thailand, the Regional Cities Development Programme is promoting five outlying centres with three inter-related elements: (a) improvement of infrastructure to encourage economic expansion and to protect the environment; (b) strengthening the management, planning and revenue-generating functions of the five municipal governments; and (c) creation of employment by encouraging the formation of small industries.

Indicator No. 5. Identification of needs and resources

40. In the Caribbean, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, all members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), have carried out analyses of housing demand and provision, identified specific bottle-necks in access to land and credit, and assessed results and the potential of current shelter strategies. This exercise was instrumental in producing policy shifts in some of the countries. Congo is undertaking a shelter needs assessment. Fiji undertook a Housing Needs Assessment baseline study in 1989 and sectoral studies have been initiated in urban land markets, urban infrastructure, housing finance, municipal management and legislation.

41. Few countries have undertaken a realistic definition of resources. Indonesia has undertaken an analysis of policy options covering critical issues relating to mobilization of resources. Oman has undertaken an assessment of the current housing situation, housing delivery system and programmes, housing finance, and subsidies.

Indicator No. 6. Participation and representation

42. The Global Strategy for Shelter emphasizes the need for all actors involved in the production, improvement and use of shelter to be represented in all phases of national shelter strategy formulation and implementation. There are many cases of governments increasingly involving NGOs, CBOs and the private sector in shelter project implementation but few in the national shelter strategy formulation process. These few include Costa Rica, Jamaica, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

43. Bangladesh has effectively involved community groups, NGOs and private-sector firms in the new area development project in Chittagong. In Kenya, the National Council of Churches of Kenya is establishing a community savings system linked to a revolving fund from which loans could be made for the construction of low- cost shelter. In Uganda, NGOs and CBOs have been very extensively involved with national- and district-level government officers in the training workshops conducted in different parts of the country on critical shelter issues. In Venezuela, a number of NGOs and CBOs are involved in a programme of employment and housing for the poor which also aims at the alleviation of critical poverty, improving services and infrastructure and generating employment. In Zaire, in an infrastructure and services upgrading project affecting three areas with a total population of 900,000, the works are being decided upon by the communities themselves and implemented by NGOs or small-scale entrepreneurs under the supervision of the Government.

44. The formal private sector has been encouraged in Malaysia and Thailand to undertake medium- and low-cost housing. Private housing developers are now producing some 70 per cent of all formal housing in Bangkok and the Government of Thailand is also attempting to involve the private sector in the efficient provision of public services in a number of regional cities. In Malaysia, the private sector allocated 30 per cent of all housing projects to low-cost housing. Developers achieve this though cross-subsidization in the projects and through benefits from a package of incentives. The range of incentives introduced in Mauritius to encourage construction and housing development companies to build for low- and middle-income households include a reduction of corporate tax exemption from import duty on construction equipment and loan facilities from the Development Bank of Mauritius. A different type of participation is being achieved in the United Kingdom where partnership arrangements are made between local authorities and private investors.

45. Encouragement and support towards the formulation of a national umbrella organization of human settlements groups incorporating NGOs and CBOs has been reported from very few countries. In Papua New Guinea a national body of NGOs has been formed to address a variety of problems in the shelter sector, including the rights of squatters. Uganda organized a workshop of all NGOs and CBOs active in the shelter sector in the national shelter strategy formulation process. Senegal has established a unit to promote co-operative housing and, with the assistance of the Government of Germany, has embarked on a pilot project with five co-operatives. In the United Kingdom, Homeless International is the main body acting as the umbrella organization of shelter-related voluntary organizations.

46. Women are involved in a number of activities being undertaken by governments and NGOs. These range from the policy- formulation level, where there are few, to shelter construction and maintenance of services where there are many. In Somalia, women have been trained in building-materials production from local resources in a project in the village of Ceel Jaalle. In Uganda, extensive consultation with women's groups has been a component part of programme formulation and project execution in the Namuwongo upgrading and low-cost housing project in Kampala.

Indicator No. 7. Institutional co-ordination

47. Some countries have undertaken an identification of governmental agencies in the shelter sector as a prelude to institutional improvement. For example, the Gambia, faced with serious housing problem, is undertaking a organization of the existing institutions in the shelter sector and plans to set up a suitable housing-finance system. Mozambique has also undertaken an exercise to study institutions and agencies in the shelter sector.

48. Few governments have reported on the transfer of financial and human resources to local administrations. Lesotho established the Maseru Municipal Council in the capital city in 1989 and allocated to it powers and responsibilities for local administration and overall development. New building codes and regulations have been prepared and training courses have been organized for the staff. Mauritius has privatized the National Housing Corporation which will operate as a building society. The United Kingdom is gradually shifting responsibility for providing new subsidized rental homes from local authorities to independent housing associations. These associations are registered and monitored by Housing Corporation, a central government agency.

49. Several governments have strengthened institutional mechanisms but few have set up co-ordination -arrangements. Bangladesh is strengthening government institutions for planning, managing and undertaking new area development. Bolivia's proposal for strengthened planning and monitoring of sectoral capacity have been incorporated in the Executive Decree for Economic Reactivation, under which the National Housing Fund and the Social Housing Institute were created. Colombia's Land Credit Institute has been strengthened and is now providing houses at a lower average cost. Ghana has embarked on a project to develop and evaluate policy options and to strengthen the operational capacity of housing-sector institutions to prepare, monitor and supervise the implementation of shelter programmes. Swaziland has established a National Housing Board. Trinidad and Tobago has established a Squatter Regularization Unit within the National Housing Authority. Uruguay has strengthened the Sectoral Housing and Construction Commission so that the housing and construction sector is now capable of a continuous and systematic planning, research and updated information and monitoring process.

Indicator No. 8. Human-resources development

50. The Global Strategy emphasizes the need for broadening the scope and increasing the impact of existing training efforts for all actors in the governmental and non-governmental sectors. A special programme is being implemented by Bhutan to develop a cadre of skilled civil servants with capability to plan, execute and evaluate all training programmes. In India, a Human Settlements Management Institute and a Habitat Polytechnic have been established for broad training programmes. In Zimbabwe, more than 75 officers have undergone training in shelter strategies in three workshops conducted in the provinces.

51. More specific training is a component of many of the programmes and projects particularly those involving integrated rural development, development of low-cost building materials and settlement-upgrading programmes. Training in community participation is being undertaken in three countries in co- operation with the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat). In Bolivia, local workshops and training sessions on community participation have been organized in 93 urban projects throughout the country. In Sri Lanka training workshops have been organized to enable the community to contract from the Government the construction of public facilities or infrastructure improvements. Zambia is using the Centre's training module in seven major urban areas to train housing officers, community-development workers and building technicians. All these training programs pay special attention to women's needs.

Indicator No. 9. Land management

52. Some countries are introducing practical measures to release and distribute land to shelter builders. Botswana has adopted the New Land Allocation Policy for Urban Areas to facilitate the availability of land to shelter developers. Cameroon has started to create private land-development companies, which Guinea is undertaking a major program to provide 1040 plots equipped with infrastructure and social facilities. The evaluation of this project is expected to assist the Government in the formulation of a National Shelter Strategy to the Year 2000. Nepal has established a Land Development Company as a joint public-private venture and new government policies supportive of private developers has resulted in the establishment of several land development companies. Trinidad and Tobago has begun a programme of releasing State lands and 100 sites covering more than 3000 hectares are to be developed to yield 15,000 plots.

53. Improving the capacity of governmental agencies to administer land-information systems is becoming an important issue in settlement development and management. Bolivia has prepared the legal framework and methodologies and training activities for a new cadastral system. This project has produced guidelines for the formulation of a national housing plan. Singapore has formulated the technical standards and mechanisms necessary for the operation of an integrated Land Information Data Base and a fully operational system has been set up.

54. Private ownership of land and housing is being promulgated in countries undergoing socio-economic reforms in Eastern Europe. India has introduced special provisions to protect the tenurial security of women.

Indicator No. 10. Infrastructure management

55. Improving the infrastructural elements of human settlements remains mainly the responsibility of the public sector. Many countries are promoting low-cost technologies. For example, Benin is undertaking a project for the provision of communal infrastructure in poorer areas covering 40 operations which have been able to mobilize people's participation, achieving partial cost recovery and developing simple but appropriate designs for infrastructure. Botswana has investigated the existing practice in planning and design of plots, infrastructure standards and construction practices and has adopted a number of cost-saving design and construction standards. With assistance from the Center and from USAID similar investigations have been conducted in Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Cape Verde is undertaking a project to improve access to basic infrastructure activities for roads, drainage, water and electricity supply. This is being undertaken through community participation. Jordan has undertaken a project to provide 50 sanitation units built by the community in Muleeh Village, Madaba District, demonstrating the feasibility of appropriate technologies in low-cost sanitation.

56. Sri Lanka has carried out pilot engineering studies for low- cost, innovative waste, sewage and waste-water disposal systems. These are now being evaluated for broader application. The United Republic of Tanzania in co-operation with Waste Foundation of the Netherlands has developed a manual plot emptying technology in the unplanned areas of Dar-es-Salaam. Private plot emptiers have been trained to operate the technology which consists of a handpump through which the sludge is pumped into a drum for disposal. Viet Nam is formulating a solution to the problem of disposal of its largely organic solid waste in many cities. It plans to demonstrate the feasibility of a forced-air composting process in an existing plant, and to conduct pilot experimentation to treat 30,000 cubic meters of refuse to produce 7500 tons of organic fertilizer per year. Zaire is undertaking a major project for improving the infrastructure and services in the low-income settlements of Kinshasa by using labor-intensive methods and techniques.

57. Low-cost technology information is being introduced in formal and in-service professional training curricula in engineering and architectural colleges in India.

58. Sustained programs and procedures for the maintenance of infrastructure facility and services are essential to ensure optimum operation and asset longevity. In Indonesia a project to decentralize the provision of essential urban infrastructure will develop sound infrastructure investment and management practices in at least 30 local governments; create guidance, monitoring and assistance capabilities in at least six provincial governments; and train approximately 350 local and provincial government managers and staff. Pakistan is undertaking a project in Sindh Province to improve the capacity of city authorities to initiate and implement development and investment plans to address expanded operation and maintenance requirements.

59. Expansion of public investment in shelter-related infrastructure networks is reported by only a few countries. Afghanistan is preparing a comprehensive plan for solid-waste management in Kabul. Bangladesh is implementing a municipal services programs in Dhaka and Chittagong with particular reference to the environmental-improvement components affecting about 100,000 residents. Haiti has increased capital investment aiming at the delivery of basic services to five provincial cities. Indonesia is implementing a $US 135-million infrastructure project as part of the Integrated Urban Infrastructure Development Program. Maldives is developing a new solid-waste-management system that will replace current disposal practices that have had adverse environmental impacts.

Indicator No. 11. Housing finance

60. The financing of shelter at adequate and affordable levels requites a reform of the financial sector so as to allow a steady flow of long-term-finance at affordable costs. Some countries have reviewed the shelter-financing systems to allow for an increase in the flow of resources.

61. Bolivia has introduced new financial arrangements under which the Fondo National de la Vivienda receives a 3 per cent payroll tax amounting to $12 million per annum, as well as other financial resources to be channeled into a system of low- interest loans for low-cost housing projects. Colombia has developed models to improve the capacity of the District Savings and Housing Fund in devising effective methods of amortization of capital and to establish the mechanism for steady cash flows from the participating financial institutions. India's National Housing Bank, established in 1988, has opened a housing account for public sector agencies, a refinancing scheme for housing by commercial banks and housing-finance institutions, and a land- development and shelter program for public agencies. A number of regional housing-finance institutions have been established. Mauritius has decided to direct some $US23 million annually from the National Pension Fund to the housing sector during the period 1990-1993. Nepal has set up a Housing Development Finance Company to mobilize capital for long-term finance for housing. Sierra Leone has considerably improved the operation of the Savings and Loans Bank, initially set up in 1986, and has developed innovative lending techniques for low-income earners. Zambia has established the Zambia Housing Development Fund (ZHDF) to address the specific problems associated with shelter delivery to low-and middle-income groups. The operations of the Zambia National Building Society have been improved and co-ordinated with those of ZHDF.

62. In the area of mobilizing finance for increased production of rental housing, Jamaica has undertaken a review of the impact of rent-control legislation with a view to encouraging rental housing production. India has amended the Delhi Rent Control Act to promote investment in rental housing. In 1989, the Republic of Korea adopted a program of "permanent rental housing" to provide low-rent public rental housing to the bottom 10 per cent of the urban population. In the United Kingdom, private finance has increasingly participated in the subsidized rental sector, through new revised private/public funding mechanisms and housing associations.

63. Mobilization of finance for the improvement of existing shelter units as an alternative to new housing production in the developing countries often occurs as a direct result of the regularization and upgrading of existing slums and squatter settlements. There are many examples of such settlements upgrading projects in India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Thailand. However, there are no reports on recent financial mechanisms introduced to encourage improvement to existing shelter in other types of settlements. Among the developed countries, Canada has embarked on the Neighborhood Improvement Program which stresses rehabilitation rather than demolition of older housing.

64. Extending appropriate terms of mortgages to poor households has been a difficult area in national activities. One outstanding example is the Grameen Bank Housing Program of Bangladesh that has developed mechanisms for the issue of housing loans without collateral to enable the poor fast too increase their material base and then to improve the essential parts of a relatively permanent house. In the Philippines, the newly-introduced Community Mortgage Program circumvents the inability of individual poor families to meet collateral requirements for housing loans and instead provides a loan to the community which mortgages the land as collateral and undertakes, as a community, to repay the loan.

65. The provision of small short term loans for home improvement or construction is the cornerstone of a number of successful shelter programs for the poor. These include the Incremental Housing Scheme of the Hyderabad Development Authority in Pakistan and the One and Half Million Houses Program of Sri Lanka.

66. There are notable achievements in the loan-recovery process by several countries such as Botswana, Malawi and Sri Lanka. This has been possible due to the active involvement of the community that has made group collateral and material bank loans a credit vehicle.

Indicator No. 12 Building materials and technology

67. Several countries have embarked on research and training for development of building materials. Algeria has undertaken surveys and assessment of raw materials and resources. It has also strengthened research and training activities for the development of local building materials and the construction workforce.

68. India has set up the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council at the national level in order to strengthen the technology-transfer mechanism. The Islamic Republic of Iran is strengthening the research capabilities of the Building and Housing Research Center in Tehran for training in areas of small- scale cement production and improved lime production and introducing quality-control measures in construction. In Sri Lanka, the National Building Research Organization has developed new construction techniques to lower construction costs by promoting greater use of previously underutilized building materials. The quality of traditional materials has also been improved. Viet Nam's Institute of Building Materials Research has undertaken research and trial production of natural-fibre concrete roofing sheets using jute fiber, coconut fiber and bagasse as an alternative to clay-tile production. Yemen has undertaken a survey of local materials, set up the necessary building-materials laboratory facilities and provided training to 40 engineers and technicians in quality control for wide use of local building materials.

69. Strengthening local small-scale industries in-the building-materials sector is being actively undertaken in many countries. Afghanistan is undertaking a project to improve the output of traditional building materials, improve affordable waterproofing of traditional roofs, disseminate building techniques and prepare a number of pilot low-cost housing proposals for different locations. Costa Rica has developed the technological and methodological tools needed for community organization using bamboo in housing construction. Ethiopia is identifying locally- manufactured construction materials which could encourage small-scale industries in the production of low-cost building materials. Tunisia has undertaken a study on methods of reducing construction costs. The United Republic of Tanzania has set up the Building Materials Production Supply Center at Nkuhungu East with appropriate equipment to produce walling and roofing material for a project involving several hundred low-cost housing units. Viet Nam has successfully constructed prototype typhoon- resistant community buildings by local artisans through a series of on-site workshops. Zambia has constructed demonstration houses using local materials and trained small-scale entrepreneurs and assisted them to establish themselves in the community to produce commercial low-cost building materials.

70. Some countries have reviewed legislation and codes affecting shelter for the poor. For example, Lesotho has adopted new building codes and regulations to be applied by the newly constituted Maseru Municipal Corporation. Uganda has produced new building codes and regulations framed with due regard to the 'enabling' features of the Global Shelter Strategy and is expected to be of great value to the Government as well as private developers.

71. Selection of technologies and building materials to encourage the participation of women has been a component in some countries. For example, Ecuador undertook a program of repair to earthquake-damaged housing through an in-service program of training and dissemination of technical guidelines for better use of traditional building materials. Some 800 houses have been completed and some 120 communities will be positively affected by the housing and infrastructure works. Somalia has successfully established a materials production center in which the training of women has been particularly successful for the upgrading of 200 rural housing units.

Indicator No. 13. Targeting of subsidies

72. A few countries have reported having undertaken a review of current subsidy policies. Among these, Malaysia regularly reviews the effects of rent subsidies in the rental housing program and interest subsidies for purchase of housing by the low-income sector. Reviews have also been undertaken in Nigeria and Pakistan with a view to selling rental housing to sitting tenants.

73. Several countries have set up subsidy systems targeted to the poor, but these are confined to officially-approved programs and projects and do not benefit the large number of the poor who seek their shelter in the informal sector. Several countries are approaching this problem by establishing financial links between the informal sector and the formal banking system. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand are spearheading programs of credit accessibility to the poor and the landless, normally considered as non-bankable. Varying degrees of success have been achieved and, in all cases, small loans are first provided to increase the material base, and, thereafter, subsequent loans are provided at market rates for the purpose of acquiring a house. The house is regarded as an investment and not a social good. This movement is mostly at the grass-roots level and, given time, is likely to have a significant impact on national economies.

Indicator No. 14. Monitoring of the shelter sector

74. The selection of key variables for measuring the performance of the shelter sector is in the early stages in almost all countries. Ghana, Hungary and the Philippines are co-operating with the United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the World Bank in the development and application of these indicators. Congo is also using the shelter sector performance indicators developed by the Center and is focusing in the areas of institutions, housing finance, infrastructure, land and the building industry with the objectives of analyzing bottle-necks and providing guidelines for realistic improvements. Zimbabwe undertook a pilot project and intends to extend the exercise to a wider area.

75. The establishment of a national database on shelter-sector performance is an essential tool and some countries have already begun to develop this capacity by setting up databases that serve other related purposes. For example, Colombia has implemented monitoring and assessment methods for the National Housing Policy and has designed manual and computerized procedures for the administration of financial issues within the sector. Ghana is setting up a project planning and evaluation unit capable of maintaining and updating a shelter database. Malaysia held a national workshop to determine the criteria for the setting up of a housing information system. Malawi is setting up a monitoring and evaluation system to cover physical development plans. Pakistan has set up a computerized urban database and also a land-use demand-and-supply model to assist planners to forecast allocations using varied policy assumptions. Thailand is establishing a national housing information system to support the formulation and implementation of housing and development plans. Uganda and Zimbabwe have each set up shelter-sector databases to facilitate the formulation of the national shelter strategy.

III. Action by the United Nations system

76. There is growing support for the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter by several key United Nations organizations and agencies the activities of which are related to shelter and services. The United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat) has been a regular participant and contributor to the work of the Committee on Development Planning, on matters relevant to the human settlements sector, and specifically in relation to the formulation of the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade. Subsequent to the Inter-Agency Consultation on the Global Strategy for Shelter, held in Geneva in July 1988, liaison with a number of organizations has been established on a bilateral basis. The following is a brief account of the activities of some of the organizations in areas relating directly to the implementation of the Global Strategy. A more detailed account of inter-agency co-operation is provided in the document entitled "Co-ordination and co-operation with agencies and organizations within the United Nations system" (HS/C/13/12).

77. The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCWP), in pursuance to ESCWP resolution 268 (XLIV) on "Shelter strategies towards the year 2000" of April 1988, undertook a regional review of progress in the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter at its forty-sixth session held in June 1990. ESCWP also participated in both the Global Strategy for Shelter subregional seminars held in Asia and organized two expert group meetings relevant to the Global Strategy: one on a quality of life survey held in February 1990, and the other on housing finance held in June 1990. The Center participated in both these meetings.

78. The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is preparing a geographical information system for use by governments for, among other things, better integrating shelter programs with other land uses in growing settlements. ESCWA participated with the Center in the UNDP mid-term review of the fourth cycle regional program for Arab States 1988-1992 and also in the meeting between the League of Arab States and the United Nations system. ESCWA and the Center have held detailed consultations on further co-operation for the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter.

79. The Economic Commission for Africa focused on two main activities, namely policy formulation and building-materials development. Technical publications have been prepared on principles applicable to the establishment by governments of networks of human settlements training institutions; the organizational needs of the building sector concerning production and support services in rural areas; and the African regional program relating to research and development applied in the area of building materials. Two expert group meetings were held: one on planning methodologies and techniques in human settlements in the rural areas, and the other on the preparation of an integrated national policy and program to fulfil the objective of the Global Strategy for Shelter.

80. The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) considered the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000 at the fiftieth session of the Committee on Housing, Building and Planning of ECE in Geneva from 12 to 15 September 1989. The Center’s statement at this session indicated a number of areas of potential contribution by ECE to the implementation of the Strategy, including urban management procedures, training, and dissemination of ECE regional experiences in shelter/housing and infrastructure financing mechanisms. ECE organized a seminar on distributional aspects of housing and taxation policies, which was held in Sweden in October 1990.

81. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has held consultations with the Center on co-operation to promote the implementation of the Global Strategy in that region. ECLAC organized a meeting of government experts on an environmentally sustainable form of development in September 1990.

82. The United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women held a Consultative Meeting on Evaluation Methodologies for Programs and Projects on Women in Development. The Center made a presentation, "Assessing Women's Aspects in Human Settlements Development Strategies", with particular reference to the role of women in the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter and the development of national shelter strategies.

83. The United Nations Development Program has indicated a high level of support towards the implementation of the Global Strategy and has extended support for the joint World Bank/UNDP/UNCHS (Habitat) Urban Management Program. Following up on its Program Advisory Note in May 1989, entitled "Urban transition in developing countries: policy issues and implications for technical co-operation in the 1990s", a working group meeting of senior experts on urban management from developing countries was held at UNDP headquarters from 12 to 15 September 1989. UNDP co-sponsored with the Center and other organizations, the subsequent First Consultative Workshop on Environmental Issues in Urban Management which decided to increase the focus on strengthening local-government capacity in environmental management and planning. An inter-agency meeting on the Global Strategy was organized by UNDP in December 1989 and January 1990. UNDP approved funding the Phase II of the Program, which addresses the two additional issues. Bilateral contact with UNDP is on-going regarding UNDP sectoral support to shelter programs and projects and a number of new regional and inter-regional technical co-operation initiatives are under consideration.

84. The Center and the United Nations Environment Program have continued the co-operation in a number of areas including: (a) application of environmental guidelines to selected metropolitan areas, (b) the impact of climate change and sea-level rise on coastal settlements; and (c) solid-waste management. Further details are provided in the joint report of the Executive Directors of the two agencies (HS/C/13/11).

85. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and it Center are jointly considering the links between the shelter sector performance indicators and UNICEF's major goals for children and development in the 1990s with a view to working with a common set of indicators applied at the national and local levels.

86. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Center are co-sponsoring two conferences under the UNIDO System of Consultations, namely: (a) the Second Consultation on the Building Materials Industry to be held in March 1991; and (b) the Second Consultation of Wood and Wood Products Industry in January 1991.

87. The Center has been a member of the International Steering Committee for Co-operative Action for the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (IDWSSD), of which the World Health Organization is the co-ordinating agency. The Center has provided regular progress reports and other information to the Steering Committee. It is also a member of the Collaborative Council comprising bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental external support agencies which are currently engaged in the task of improving and making effective their co-operation in country-level activities in the water-supply and sanitation sector during the 1990s.

IV. Action by bilateral and multilateral agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations

88. A number of bilateral and multilateral agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations are supporting the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter in a variety of ways. A brief account of the co-operation between the Center and intergovernmental organizations outside the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations is contained in the report of the Executive Director on this subject (HS)C/13/12). Examples of activities undertaken by those organizations not covered in that document and falling outside of normal bilateral or multilateral assistance is given below.

89. The World Bank provided substantive inputs to the Global Strategy for Shelter seminar for Eastern European countries and is also co-operating in the implementation of a major initiative to develop shelter sector performance indicators for policy-making at the national level. The scope of the joint UNCHS(Habitat)/World Bank/UNDP Urban Management Program, which in the initial phase concentrated on land management, infrastructure and municipal finance, has been extended to include environmental issues and capacity building. The Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the Bank is co-operating with the Center in the convening of a number of training seminars on urban finance and management, and two of the Global Strategy subregional seminars.

90. The Council of Europe organized an international conference entitled "Managing Urban Development: North-South Solidarity", in October 1989. In November 1989, the Council adopted a resolution on the "Rational use of land: basis and limiting factor of our development". This sets out the principles of a new land-use policy for application by member governments at the local, regional and national levels. The policy sets out a new relationship between people and their environment and provides guidelines for land-use policy in built-up areas for urban development, housing, industry, tourism and infrastructure.

91. The United States Agency for International Development has increasingly adopted an enabling approach in its housing and urban development programs in the developing countries. It is also collaborating with the Center in programs involving training seminars on urban management and finance and in the exercise in developing shelter sector performance indicators.

92. A large number of NGOs, CBOs, universities and other institutes are undertaking different initiatives in order to promote the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter. Such activities undertaken in co-operation with the Centre are described in the report of the Executive Director on this matter (HS/C/13/12). Examples of NGO activities undertaken independently are briefly described below.

93. Community-based organizations in many countries are mobilizing people in poor settlements to seek better solutions to their shelter and services problems. They operate by themselves or are assisted by local or national NGOs to establish a dialogue with the public authorities in order to identify the priority needs of their communities. Examples of effective community action to improve shelter conditions are reported from Bolivia, Colombia, India, Malawi, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

94. Habitat International Coalition (HIC), the umbrella organization of NGOs active in human settlements, has considerably expanded its range of activities, particularly in the areas of housing rights, women's issues and the environment. HIC has drawn up a draft declaration of housing rights which is being considered by the various groups of the coalition in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America for advancing to the next stage towards international acceptance.

95. A Women and Shelter Network has been established within HIC, initially for disseminating information among NGOs active in supporting grass-roots women and shelter activities. It has begun the issue of a newsletter HIC Women and Shelter Network.

96. HIC held its first Francophone African regional meeting at Dakar, Senegal, on the theme of reinforcing Francophone Africa regional networking on the right to housing and a balanced environment. HIC is preparing its own position paper on "Human Settlements, Sustainable Development and Environment" for presentation to UNCED and will consider this theme at its annual conference to be held at Mexico City in March 1991.

97. As a result of the activities of HIC and its regional coalitions there is now increased activity at the national and local levels by NGOs active in shelter. These activities have resulted in increased awareness of the problem of homelessness, especially in the developed countries, and have involved the provision of legal and other support to evictees, acting as a bridge between government agencies and communities, and providing financial and professional assistance to community projects in furtherance of the Global Strategy for Shelter.

98. Homeless International (HI), of the United Kingdom, is a voluntary agency active in the field of shelter improvement, working with NGOs and CBOs in developing countries. It is currently supporting settlement-development initiatives in Chile, Colombia, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Montserrat, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe. The projects supported range from the provision of revolving loan funds for land purchases and self- help construction, training for women in construction skills, and pilot projects to test the feasibility of low-cost drainage and sewerage systems for hillside dwellers. HI has also organized forums where NGOs, government and the private-sector representatives have come together to plan more effectively at the national level for shelter-development initiatives. In co- operation with NGOs from the Caribbean, it is supporting the development of a People's Building Code which will be a handbook for self-help builders in low-income settlements. It will also provide assistance to government planners reviewing the regulatory framework governing residential development.

99. Canadian NGOs have established the Shelter for the Homeless Foundation the objectives of which comprise a variety of initiatives which would benefit the homeless in Canada as well as in developing countries.

100. The Japan Housing Association, a private organization closely linked to the Ministry of Construction of the Japanese Government, organized a meeting to award the IYSH Memorial Prize on World HABITAT Day, along with a public lecture on the question of housing.

101. In Papua New Guinea, a national seminar on squatter settlements organized by the Papua New Guinea University of Technology resulted in the formation of a Non-governmental National Committee for Urban Shelter, with the objectives of alleviating the problem of squatting; acting as a co-ordinating body for collecting and disseminating information; promoting the exchange of information, inter alia, on the legal rights of the poor and on appropriate housing designs and building technologies.

102. The Co-operative Housing Foundation (CHF) of the United States of America has launched the Shelter World Fund.- Support for the Fund within the United States is growing and contributors are making tax-deductible donations. CHF will use the Fund to provide loans to low-income families around the world through private-sector loan organizations and to neighbourhoods through community associations and co-operatives for such projects as water and sanitation systems or community centres.

103. Ghana Real Estate Developers' Association (GREDA), has been set up as a national organization designed to encourage private real-estate developers to take an active part in solving the housing problem. GREDA collaborated with the Ministry of Works and Housing to organize the Global Strategy for Shelter subregional seminar for English-speaking West African Countries held in Accra, from 1 to 5 October 1990. GREDA also set up a month-long housing exhibition to mark World HABITAT Day 1990.

V. Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000: plan of action for 1992-1993

104. The Global Strategy for Shelter Plan of Action for 1992-1993 is contained in annex 1. As with the Plan for the period 1989-1991, the Plan of Action for 1992-1993 will be carried out by the Member States of the United Nations individually and through intergovernmental co-operation, by the Commission on Human Settlements, by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), United Nations organizations and agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000 through the Plan of Action will be progressively updated and refined by the Commission and, if necessary, by-the General Assembly throughout the period up to the Year 2000.

VI. Conclusion

105. The account given in this report on the activities undertaken at the national and international levels towards the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000 is based on selected examples only. Many countries have undertaken important initiatives which are not included in this report due to space constraints. However, the overall picture of national action, which is imperative for the achievement of the Strategy's objective, is that while a positive beginning has been made, in the majority of the developing countries much greater efforts need to be made to apply the guidelines for national action provided in the Strategy.

106. Activities required to be taken are naturally specific to a particular country. However, in general, the following areas need attention by most developing countries.

Notes

Annex 1

	Member States	United Nations General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, Commission on Human Settlements, and United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)	United Nations agencies and organizations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and non-governmental organizations
1992
		UNCHS (Habitat)	The United Nations system
January onwards	1. Review national achievements under the Global Strategy for Shelter Plan of Action 1989-1991 and prepare a new national plan of action. 2. Formulate or update the national shatter strategy (NSS) if this has not been done already. 3. Facilitate the overall performance of the shelter sector through: (a) Definition of clear and measurable objectives; (b) Improving the operation of the shelter sector through: (i). Improved co-ordination with macro-economic programmes; (ii) Strengthened involvement of all participants in the shelter-delivery process, including women; (iii) Streamlining and strengthening of legal and institutional frameworks; (iv) Expanding provision of training and information; (v) Greater attention to sustainable development issues; (c) Mobilization and distribution of financial resources; (d) Removal of production bottle-necks, including obstacles to: (i) Land delivery; (ii) Infrastructure installation; (iii) Building materials output; (iv) Construction productivity; 4. Expand or set up a shelter sector base and set up a communication process for keeping the public informed of the main features of NSS and the progress being made in its implementation. 5. Establish channels through which individuals, community groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can comment on NSS and contribute to its formulation, revision and implementation. 6. Review and update the designating of National Habitat Focal Point for monitoring of NSS and for liaison with the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat). The Focal Point may be a government department or agency, or committee representing national interests in macro-economic planning formal and informal industrial promotion, local government, education, fiscal policy, land management, public works, the construction sector and community participation. 7. Co-operate in the exchange of information on the formulation and implementation of NSS and contribute to activities for the global exchange of information and experience. 8. Consider possibilities for technical co-operation between developing countries. Review development co-operation policies in support of the Global Strategy for Shelter. 9. Hold workshops on the application of the shelter sector performance indicators involving all relevant government ministries and agencies, the private sector NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs). Establish or update the monitoring system am apply shelter sector performance indicators as adopted in workshops. Government organizations should include those responsible for national macro-economic planning, statistics, environment and sustainable development, commerce, industry, health, labour and employment, land, finance, infrastructure, housing, local government, physical planning, women's affairs, community development, training, co-operatives. 10. Prepare analyses of reasons for lack of affordability of different shelter solutions and initiate remedial action. 11. Prepare monographs and case studies on selected successful programmes on projects. 12. Incorporate the Global Strategy for Shelter guidelines for national action into training courses, and develop appropriate training courses aimed at the enhancement of shelter-related skills.	1. Continue to provide substantive support to member States in the preparation and implementation of national shelter strategies. 2. Continue to assist Member States in obtaining technical assistance for the formulation and implementation of national shelter strategies. 3. Continue to assist Member States in the application of shelter sector performance indicators. 4. Continue to support national workshops on the Global Strategy for Shelter and assist Member States in the development of human resources. 5. Continue to provide advisory services upon request to Member states on different issues concerning national shelter strategies. 6. Continue to support governmental and non-governmental initiatives for increased participation of women in the implementation of Global Strategy for Shelter. 7. Support the initiatives of Member States for subregional action and inter-regional co-operation. 8. Continue to promote intersectoral collaboration within and outside the United Nations system. 9. Continue liaison with multilateral and bilateral agencies to increase emphasis on shelter and the living environment. 10. Continue co-operation with intergovernmental organizations with a view to promoting the the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter. 11. Continue to support the activities of NGOs and private-sector organizations. 12. Continue the promotion of community participation in shelter and services. 13. Continue studies and research on building materials, construction, and development of infrastructure for meeting the objectives of the Global Strategy for Shelter and disseminate the results. 14. Undertake studies and research on sustainable development and the living environment and promote studies on ways to overcome economic, social and administrative obstacles to the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter. 15. Expand the database on the Global Strategy for Shelter. 16. Continue the production and dissemination of technical and promotional information on the Global Strategy for Shelter.	1. The programme of action within the framework of the United Nations should be aimed at: (a) Enhancing the role of the United Nations, the Commission on Human Settlements and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and other international, governmental and non-governmental organizations in coordinating and strengthening international co-operation in the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter; (b) Developing and improving technical co-operation and providing technical assistance in resolving shatter issues and improving the living environment; (c) Developing and improving international financial assistance, including assistance using funds released from the sphere of armaments into the housing sphere. 2. Regional commissions (a) Ensure that medium-term plans and biennial work programme reflects the Global Strategy for Shelter; (b) Co-operate in the exchange of information on programming, financing, production and maintenance of shelter; (c) Co-operate on policy research into shelter and development issues; (d) Provide inputs to the global database on human settlements; (e) Co-ordinate the training and retraining of specialist personnel necessary for the implementation of shelter strategies and programmes. 3. Other United Nations organizations and agencies will review their programmes to identify areas in which they can contribute to the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter through technical co-operation and other ways. 4. Multilateral and bilateral agencies and NGOs will review their activities in support of Global Strategy for Shelter during the period of the previous Plan of Action and prepare new plans of action for 1992-1993. 5. Donor NGOs will review with development co-operation agencies ways of increasing the volume and type of assistance to their counterparts in the developing countries towards improving the living environment of the poor. 6. National and local NGOs will increase support to community-based organizations (CEOs) to expand their activities in the shelter sector. 7. NGOs and CBOs will intensify dialogue with governmental agencies to define their roles in the formulation and implementation of the national shelter strategy and play an active part in this process. 8. Private-sector organizations in the shelter sector will increase liaison with governmental agencies with a view to increasing the role of private-sector developers and housing-finance institutions in middle- and low-income housing. 9. NGOs and the private sector will increase communication at the local, national and international level on their achievements and on ways to increase their involvement in the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter.
July	13. Participate in the Economic and Social Council discussion on issues related to shelter and human settlements. 14. Prepare and forward to UNCHS (Habitat) the national report for consideration in preparation for the biennial report on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter.	17. The Economic and Social Council will consider issues related to shelter and human settlements.	10. NGOs with recognized status participate in proceedings o Economic and Social Council on issues related to shelter.
First Monday of October	15. Observe World HABITAT Day (WHD) and release the report on the application of Global Strategy for Shelter national action indicators and shelter sector performance indicators. Announce plans for the future.	18. Mark Worlds HABITAT Day 1992.	11. Observe World HABITAT Day by reporting on past activities and plans for the future.
November-December	16. United Nations Pledging Conference: Announce voluntary contributions to the Plan of Action of the Global Strategy for Shelter.	19. United Nations Pledging Conference will allow governments, which are in a position to do so, to contribute to the funding of the Global Strategy for Shelter.
1993
January onwards	17. Continue actions in 1 to 12 above 18. Review progress in implementing NSS and adjust action programmes in the light of experience.	20. UNCHS (Habitat) will continue to support national, subregional and inter-regional actions as indicated in 1-16 above.	12. The United Nations system as a whole will further enhance its role in the Global Strategy for Shelter as set out in (1) above. 13. Regional commissions will continue their collaboration in the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter as indicated in (2) above. 14. Other United Nations agencies and organizations and bilateral and multilateral agencies continue their collaboration in the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter. 15. NGOs and the private sector will increase communication and further strengthen their role in NSS to become effective collaborators with Government.
April-May	19. Present a progress report on NSS to the fourteenth session of the Commission on Human Settlements. (CHS-14) 20. Review NSS in the light of decisions of CHS-14 and revise the national plan of action as necessary. 21. Review shelter indicators in the light of decisions of CHS-14 22. Apply additional or new indicators, as necessary. 23. Initiate other actions in compliance with CHS-14 resolutions.	21. CHS-14 will: (a) Review progress in the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter; (b) Adopt the Global Strategy for Shelter Plan of Action 1994-1995; (c) Ensure that the 1994-1995 work programme of UNCHS (Habitat) reflects the Global Strategy for Shelter Plan of Action; (d) Adopt a report on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter for presentation to the General Assembly.	16. United Nations organizations and agencies will submit status reports to CHS-14 17. Multilateral and bilateral agencies will submit status report to CHS-14 and pledge support. 18. NGOs with recognized status will participate in CHS-14.
July	24. Participate in the session of Economic and Social Council discussion on the GSS	22. The Economic and Social Council will review: (a) A progress report on the implementation of the Global Strategy for Shelter including the Plan of Action 1994-1995; (b) The 1994-1995 work programme of UNCHS (Habitat).	19. NGOs with recognized status will participate in Economic and Social Council sessions on the GSS.
First Monday of October	25. Observe World HABITAT Day (WHD). Release reports on application of the Global Strategy for Shelter national action indicators and shelter sector performance indicators. Announce plans for the future.	23. Mark World HABITAT Day (WHD) 1993.	20. Observe World HABITAT Day. Report on past activities and announce plans for the future.
November-December	26. United Nations Pledging Conference: Announce voluntary contributions to the Plan of Action of the Global Strategy for Shelter. 27. Participate in deliberations related to the Global Strategy for Shelter in the General Assembly.	24. United Nations Pledging Conference will allow governments which are in a position to do so, to contribute to the funding of of the Global Strategy for Shelter. 25. The General Assembly will receive a progress report on the Global Strategy for Shelter and: (a) Approve the timetable for the Plan of Action 1994-1995 (b) Approve the 1994-1995 work programme of UNCHS (Habitat).	21. NGOs with recognized status will participate in the General Assembly session on the Global Strategy for Shelter.

ANNEX II

Formulation of national shelter strategies: Examples of assistance supplied by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)

Technical co-operation or preparatory assistance has been provided by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) in the formulation of shelter strategies to a number of countries, as indicated below.

Afghanistan

At the Government's request the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded an Expert Group Workshop on National Shelter Strategy Formulation. A UNCHS (Habitat) expert in housing policy and the Global Strategy for Shelter backstopped the meeting which was held in September 1990 and compiled a National Shelter Strategy Outline on the basis of the meeting's recommendations, to serve as a programming framework for the co-ordinated shelter activities of UNDP, the United Nations Office of the Co-ordination of Assistance to Afghanistan, the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the Government.

Angola

A National Shelter Strategy Workshop was held in Luanda in March 1990 with UNCHS (Habitat) funding and resource personnel. The Workshop was chaired throughout by the Secretary of State for Housing and received wide media coverage, including all the workshop recommendations in the TV-News. A request for technical co-operation in a full scale strategy formulation project is pending.

Bangladesh

The Government has been assisted through projects BGD/86/044 "Support for area development and shelter programmes" and BGD/88/055 "Post-flood reconstruction of rural housing".

Brunei Darussalam

The Government requested UNCHS (Habitat) assistance to organize conduct and backstop a national shelter strategy seminar and a workshop on shelter indicators in February 1991. A UNCHS (Habitat) consultant will also review current proposals for national shelter strategy formulation in the same context.

Burkina Faso

The Government hosted the Sub-regional Global Strategy for Shelter Seminar for French-speaking countries of Sub-Saharan Africa from 3 to 7 December 1990, which was organized by UNCHS (Habitat) with support from the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank and French Technical Assistance (FAQ. A new project "Management of medium-sized towns and development of housing" (BKF/90/006), started in January 1991 with the fielding of a CTA.

Burundi

Consultancies in "Preparation of a housing policy for Burundi" (1986) and "Social housing programming" (1987) were carried out by staff of UNCHS (Habitat). The studies focused on housing finance and on the supply of and demand for housing. The studies were incorporated in the National Housing Strategy launched on 18 March 1989, by the President.

Congo

A project, "Preparation of a National Shelter Strategy" (PRC/90/002), with technical assistance from UNCHS (Habitat) and with UNDP funding, was approved by the Government in July 1990. The recruitment of the CTA for the project took place in December 1990.

Costa Rica

The Government, UNDP and UNCHS (Habitat) have co-operated towards the formulation of a national shelter strategy since 1988 (projects COS/88/F01 and COS/88/004), with support from the Government of Finland and UNDP. The main focus has been on institutional and policy co-ordination and on appropriate standards for upgrading and new housing. Further funds have been mobilized to extend the project to draw up a housing strategy. The Government will host a Sub-Regional Seminar on the Global Strategy for Shelter for Latin American countries in March 1991.

Côte d'Ivoire

A human settlements sector analysis took place during the fourth quarter of 1990. The related report is expected to be presented soon to the Government, UNDP and UNCHS (Habitat).

Djibouti

A National Housing and Urban Development Policy was drafted in 1988 within the framework of project DJI/86/010. A plan of action and new institutional arrangements are under consideration by the Government. A related project to be funded by UNDP and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is in the pipeline and is scheduled to start in 1991.

Ecuador

The UNCHS (Habitat)/UNDP-financed project, "Support to definition of housing strategies" (ECU/89/003), was executed during 1990. It produced recommendations for institutional arrangements, building-materials production and management systems for the sector.

Equatorial Guinea

A human settlements sector analysis took place during the second quarter of 1990. The report on this and its specific recommendations for the shelter sector have been submiitted to the Government for approval. Follow-up activities are expected to be supported by UNCHS (Habitat).

Fiji

A preparatory assistance project, "Housing sector support" (FU/88/007), is followed by further strengthening the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in the formulation of a national urban and housing policy, which will also assess the housing needs and demand (project FU/89/001).

Gabon

In response to a request from the Government received during the eleventh session of the Commission on Human Settlements, a UNCHS (Habitat) mission formulated a "Strategy for promotion and supporting economic and social housing" in 1988. A first plan of action has been proposed which is expected to be implemented by the Government, particularly a housing-finance component.

Ghana

UNCHS (Habitat) and UNDP are assisting the Government through the project, "Institutional development, training and operational studies for the shelter sector" (GHA/87/023), which, inter alia, will assist the Government to develop a national shelter strategy and a related programme for action within the framework of the Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000. The World Bank is undertaking a number of related studies and will work closely with the project. Ghana hosted the Sub-regional Seminar on the Global Strategy for Shelter for English-speaking West African Countries, l-5 October 1990.

Guinea Bissau

At the request of the Resident Representative of UNDP, UNCHS (Habitat) fielded an identification mission in June 1990 in order to formulate a project document for implementing the first steps of the National Shelter Strategy, which was formulated in 1990.

Honduras

A Housing Plan has recently been developed by the Government with support from UNCHS (Habitat).

Indonesia

The one-year project, "Preparatory assistance in the formulation of a national shelter strategy through a case study in Central Java" (INS/88/FO1), with financial support from the Government of Finland, came to an end in September 1990. A project document for a main phase focusing on the formulation of shelter strategies for two more provinces in Indonesia with cost sharing from UNDP is under consideration by the Government. A number of related studies have been and are being carried out by the World Bank. The Government hosted the Sub-regional Seminar on the Global Strategy for Shelter in Bali, from 14 to 18 May 1990.

Kenya

A Housing Strategy for Kenya was prepared by a task force made up of Kenyan experts from both the public and private sectors with the assistance of UNCHS (Habitat). The report, with policy options, has been presented to the Government for consideration.

Kiribati

A three-month preparatory assistance project (KIR/89/005) was completed in December 1989 and produced a framework for a national housing policy and implementation strategy. The preparation of the policy and strategy over a two-year project is in the pipeline.

Lao People's Democratic Republic

The Government has requested assistance in national shelter strategy formulation. A UNCHS project formulation mission will backstop a NSS workshop in January 1991 in Vientiane prior to drafting a national shelter strategy outline.

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

The Plan of National Development for the Country was approved in 1985, but the Government is to reconsider part of that document, including the section on development of housing construction, using data from the most recent census (1987). This work will be done within the framework of joint funds-in-trust project between the Government and UNCHS (Habitat) on assistance in physical planning (LIB/76/X72).

Madagascar

A project document for the preparation of a national shelter strategy was prepared with technical assistance from UNCHS (Habitat) in March 1990 and is under consideration by the Government and UNDP.

Malaysia

A one-week workshop on tools for shelter strategy formulation was arranged in Kuala Lumpur by UNCHS (Habitat) in collaboration with both the Government of Finland and the Ministry of Housing of Malaysia in December 1988. UNCHS (Habitat) provided inputs to the seminar, "Towards the Establishment of a Housing Information System for Malaysia" held on 22 and 23 August 1990.

Mali

A seminar on the national housing policy took place at Bamako in September 1989, with UNDP and UNCHS (Habitat) support. As a follow-up, a draft project document (MLI/90/005) was prepared and this was approved by the Government and UNDP in December 1990.

Mozambique

UNCHS (Habitat) is currently assisting the Government to formulate a framework for housing policy and development strategies.

Namibia

A National Housing Seminar in April 1990 was supported by UNCHS (Habitat) with a team of eight professionals. For the donor pledging conference in New York in June 1990 the Government listed housing as one of its four priority areas. UNCHS (Habitat), through UNDP, evaluated the National Building and Investment Corporation and drafted a project proposal on the formulation of a national shelter strategy in November 1990.

Nepal

Through project NEP/88/054, which started in early 1990, UNCHS (Habitat) is providing policy formulation and technical support for the urban sector to develop a national housing policy and strategy.

Nicaragua

Technical assistance for the formulation of a shelter strategy for Nicaragua has been provided since 1988 by UNCHS (Habitat) in collaboration with the Government of Finland (projects NIC/87/FOl and NIC/89/019), with cost sharing from UNDP. The project emphasis is on the decentralization of the administration and in strengthening local-level government capacities.

Oman

Project OMA/87/025 provided assistance to the Ministry of Housing in policy and strategy formulation and in housing programming.

Philippines

Technical assistance in the formulation of shelter strategies (projects PH1J88/FOl and PHW9/F02) has been provided by UNCHS (Habitat) through the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council since 1988, with funds from the UNDP and the Government of Finland. Implementation of regional strategies has begun under project PHI/88/007. The projects will lead to national shelter strategy formulation by 1992.

Sao Tome and Principe

Tools for shelter strategy formulation were sent to Sao Tome and Principe in 1988 at the Government's request. A human settlements sector analysis took place during the second quarter of 1990 and produced specific recommendations for the shelter sector.

Solomon Islands

Following a World Bank mission, which identified the needs for assistance in the shelter sector, UNCHS (Habitat) fielded a mission to draw up a project proposal, "Preparatory assistance in the formulation of a housing project", aimed at developing an affordable shelter programme. The proposal is under consideration by all parties. A national workshop on a national shelter strategy has been proposed.

Somalia

A National Housing Policy Steering Committee has been established and UNCHS (Habitat) has suggested terms of reference for a Task Force to develop a National Housing Strategy. A seminar on a national shelter strategy was planned for the third quarter of 1990 but this has been postponed until further notice.

Sri Lanka

The Million Houses Programme was an excellent example of ways and means of solving housing problems in a developing country, and is followed by the One and a Half Million Houses Programme currently underway. The Government hosted the Sub-regional Seminar on the Global Strategy for Shelter for South Asian countries at Colombo in August 1990.

Togo

A human settlements sector analysis took place during the second quarter of 1990. The related report and its specific recommendations have been submitted to the Government for approval. Follow-up action is expected to be supported by UNDP and UNCHS (Habitat).

Tunisia

Assistance was provided to the Government in developing a national shelter strategy (project TUN/88/1703), particularly focusing on cost reduction.

Uganda

Technical assistance in national shelter strategy formulation has been provided since 1988 (projects UGA/88/F01 and UGA/89/014) in collaboration with the Government of Finland and UNDP. The projects also focus on capacity building at all levels of administration.

Vanuatu

A synthesis report of three consultancies was prepared with UNCHS (Habitat) assistance under project VAN/88/009 as a basis for World Bank lending and support, which will include policy formulation.

Zimbabwe

UNCHS (Habitat) and the Government have co-operated in shelter strategy formulation since June 1988 (projects ZIM/88/FO1 and ZIM/89/F02). The Government is already implementing a number of incremental policy changes based on the findings of the project. The Government hosted the Sub-regional Seminar on the Global Strategy for Shelter at Harare from 6 to 10 August 1990.

	UNITED NATIONS	HS

	Commission on Human Settlements	Distr. GENERAL HS/C/13/3 25 January 1991 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

Thirteenth session Harare 29 April to 8 May 1991 Item 5 of the provisional agenda Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR SHELTER TO THE YEAR 2000
Report of the Executive Director

CONTENTS
				Paragraphs
Introduction				1-4
I.	Action by the United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat) as the co-ordinating agency			5-21
	A.	Provision of substantive support to Member States		6-14
		1.	Subregional seminars on the Global Strategy for Shelter	7-10
		2.	Technical co-operation	11
		3.	Shelter indicators	12-13
		4.	Special advisory services	14
	B.	Research and development		15-18
	C.	Dissemination of information on the Global Strategy for Shelter		19-20
	D.	Co-operation with other organizations		21
II.	Action by Member States towards national shelter strategies			22-75
	Indicator No 1. Political commitment to shelter			24-35
	Indicator No 2. Sustainable development policies			36
	Indicator No 3. Macro-economic strategies			37
	Indicator No 4. Links between shelter objectives and settlement management			38-39
	Indicator No 5. Identification of needs and resources			40-41
	Indicator No 6. Participation and representation			42-46
	Indicator No 7. Institutional co-ordination			47-49
	Indicator No 8. Human-resources development			50-51
	Indicator No 9. Land management			52-54
	Indicator No 10. Infrastructure management			55-59
	Indicator No 11. Housing finance			60-66
	Indicator No 12. Building materials and technology			67-71
	Indicator No 13. Targeting of subsidies			72-73
	Indicator No 14. Monitoring of the shelter sector			74-75
III.	Action by the United Nations system			76-87
IV.	Action by bilateral and multilateral agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations			88-103
V.	Global Strategy for Shelter to the Year 2000: plan of action for 1992-1993			104
VI.	Conclusion			105-106
Notes
Annexes
I.	Plan of action, 1992-1993, and proposed time-table for its implementation
II.	Formulation of national shelter strategies: examples of assistance supplied by the United Nations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat)

Plan of action 1992-1993 and proposed time-table for its implementation