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Damascus, Syria: Building Partnerships
with the Media
Since its creation in 1993, the UMP Regional Office for
the Arab States has implemented an information dissemination strategy that
relies on developing partnerships with the media to increase awareness
on urban development issues and bring about policy change. The City Consultation
in Damascus on the preservation of the built heritage included a media
consultation to inform about the project and include media personnel in
a dialogue with policy makers, local authorities and other stakeholders.
A media committee was created, with the role of coordinating
with the media and establishing an on-going forum for discussion between
the inhabitants of old Damascus and local government. The committee informed
local residents of the consultation, obtained their feedback through surveys
and discussions and conducted a study on the role of the media in promoting
awareness on heritage preservation.
Results
• Since the consultation, the preservation of historic Damascus has become
a priority area of action for the Governorate and an investment plan is being
developed to mobilize resources for this purpose
• The Action Plan is being incorporated into the Governorate’s official
policy toward old Damascus and implementation has begun, particularly with
regards to improving the old city’s infrastructure and upgrading of building
with traditional materials
• The media gained a better understanding of issues related to historic
preservation and the city consultation process
• Media personnel actively participated in the city consultation event,
took part in the formulation of the action plan, and were incorporated into the
action plan with well-defined responsibilities
• Through the survey work that they have conducted, the media were able to
convey the concerns of the inhabitants of Old Damascus in the consultation
process
• There was strong media coverage of the consultation process through TV,
radio and newspapers
Follow up
The Media committee continues to function and to monitor the implementation
of the action plan. The committee plays an important role in enabling the media
to act as a “watchdog” to ensure follow-up and implementation.
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