The World Bank's Urban Development Department is holding a workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 14, that will take examine a broader agenda for inclusive cities, looking beyond traditional slum upgrading projects to include more emphasis on issues such as economic opportunities for the urban poor.

“The Bank’s work on inclusive cities has primarily focused on slum upgrading,” said Sameh Naguib Wahba, acting director for Urban Development. “And while some recent slum upgrading projects have included a broader agenda, it’s far less common to find emphasis on other important strategies for inclusion, such as access to land and public transportation, job creation and support to informal entrepreneurs, and policies for the participation of traditionally excluded groups. There’s a need to re-think our traditional approach to inclusive cities and move beyond the brick-and mortar of slum upgrading.”

The workshop will examine four new ways to spur inclusion in urban areas:

• Access to affordable land and housing, infrastructure and basic services.
• Economic opportunities for all.
• Citizen engagement and participation, including the most marginalized groups in the decision-making process.
• Lessons learned from Brazil’s City Statute and the right to the city approach.
  

For more information, please contact Phoram Shah at pshah5@worldbank.org