Terms of Reference for the Learning Exchange

Terms of Reference for the Learning Exchange Intermediary Cities/Secondary Cities Paradigm and Practice - What are the Opportunities and Challenges for African Cities? 1. a) Introduction and Background The United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), in partnership with The Municipal Institute of Learning (MILE) of ethekwini Municipality, as part of its International Learning Series, invites you to the Intermediary Cities Learning Exchange. The Learning Event is hosted by the KwaDukuza Municipality in collaboration with the KwaZuluNatal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZNCOGTA) and the Newcastle Municipality. Supporting Secondary Cities is also an important focus area for the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and SACN, hence a platform to discuss this. The learning Exchange will take place from the 18 to 20 March 2013 at the KwaDukuza Local Municipality in KwaDukuza, South Africa. MILE supports UCLG s agenda to develop, well-informed, participative and realistic policy and plans on the management of Cities through improving urban strategic planning and competitiveness in world cities; in this Learning Exchange, the focus is on the concept of Intermediary Cities, currently known as Secondary Cities in South Africa. Within this framework, The South African Cities Network (SACN), has noted in recent research (March 2012) the important role Secondary (Intermediary) Cities play as alternative urban centres that are catalysts in their regions acting as markets, administrative and service centres and links to metros. Internationally, there is recognition of their role as drivers of economic growth. This Learning Exchange will apply the lens of the Intermediary Cities paradigm to urban strategic planning in two municipalities, KwaDukuza and Newcastle, as a way of enabling such centres to plan towards becoming a viable Intermediary City. b) Background on Intermediary Cities o Intermediary Cities play a prominent role outside agglomerations (metros), and can be part of regional clusters. o The population of these cities are less than 1 million and their size depends on the structure of the local sector. o Urban strategic planning is crucial in prioritizing actions for cities challenges, and is a necessary tool for Intermediary Cities seeking to play a significant role in their region and in their connection to larger centres. o Learnings and debates at the Learning Exchange will focus on the diversity of actors, planning tools, decision-making as well as indicators for Intermediary Cities planning and strategies. 1

o The role of Intermediary Cities is in the spotlight in South Africa (SACN has released a document) and internationally (Cities Alliance has also published a report). o UCLG will be commissioning research on Intermediary Cities to be presented at the Learning Exchange and has also identified LGAs and several African cities to be invited. o Professor Josep Llop Torne, an international authority on Intermediary Cities, will be attending the Learning Exchange, as will presenters from Brazilian and Colombian Intermediary Cities. o It is hoped that a learning platform can be established in Southern Africa in collaboration with government, and city and local government organizations, to enhance the growth and special role of Southern African Intermediary Cities and to use them as a base for transferring valuable knowledge to other cities in Africa. 2. The Aim of the Learning Exchange MILE Learning exchanges are important platforms of dialogue for association and networks of local government and peer cities on various matters confronting the cities of the world. The goals of the MILE Learning Exchanges is to provide an arena for engagement amongst researchers, policy developers and local government practitioners, to present and discuss new and on-going practice with a view to forging closer links between involved in city learning. Specific Objectives of the Intermediary Cities Learning Exchange I. To understand the major characteristics and role of Intermediary Cities in general and observe the South African experience. II. III. To explore the use of urban strategic planning in prioritizing actions for cities in establishing themselves as viable Intermediary Cities. To recommend concrete suggestions for the host city, KwaDukuza and Newcastle and how they can develop as viable Intermediary Cities; and IV. To establish a learning platform in Southern Africa in collaboration with government, and city and local government organizations, to enhance the growth and special role of Southern African Intermediary Cities and to use them as a base for transferring valuable knowledge to other cities in Africa. 3. Participants The primary target group for this seminar is local government associations, city planners at local government and urban planning practitioners actively involved in supporting the development and implementation of urban planning policy initiatives. 2

i) International Participants Based on the thematic areas of the event, UCLG has identified local government associations and city officials that have relevant interest and/or expertise in developed and developing countries. UCLG is currently identifying five thought leaders and working group facilitators for the programme. The programme is attached. Names Organization Country 1 Sara Hoeflich UCLG staff Spain 2 Alessa Bennaton UCLG Barcelona 3 Prof Josep Llop Torne UCLG consultant Barcelona 5 Silvio Barros UCLG Maringá Brazil 6 Kátia Lima Guarulhos, IGR Brazil 7 Guilherme Pacifico Canoas Brazil 8 Charles Patsika UCLGA Zimbabwe 9 Marco Swarts CEO Swakopmund Namibia 10 Nate Areseb CEO ALAN, NALAO Namibia 11 Costly Chanza Blantyre Malawi 12 Gift Daliso Lilongwe, CDS Malawi 13 Richard Hara CEO Lilongwe Malawi 14 Charles Chunga MALGA Malawi 15 Abel Manhique ANAMM Mozambique 16 Aderito Cumbane ANAMM Mozambique 17 Constancia Bambo Maputo Mozambique 18 Arnaldo Monteiro Maputo Mozambique 19 Fernando Carlitos - Maputo Mozambique 20 Ana Carolina Cortes ANAMM Mozambique 21 Nampula ANAMM Mozambique 22 Xai-Xai ANAMM Mozambique 23 Manhiça ANAMM Mozambique 24 Matola ANAMM Mozambique 25 Inhambane ANAMM Mozambique 26 Dondo ANAMM Mozambique 29 3 participants from Angola Angola KZN Sister Cities ii) South African Participants The invitation has been extended to other neighbouring municipalities of KwaDukuza under the Ilembe District Municipality, Umhlatuze Local Municipality in Richards Bay, and the Kokstad Municipality. Some of these cities 3

are seen or have been identified as having a potential to become an Intermediary City in KwaZulu Natal. The South African organisations have also identified relevant experts to lead the discussions and working groups on the South African context for Intermediary Cities. The SACN and SALGA have invited both political and official representatives from the eight provinces. 4. The Form/Structure of the Learning Exchange The Content of the Learning Exchange will focus on a global, national, regional and local scope to explore the concept of Intermediary Cities and the implications especially for KwaDukuza. The Learning Exchange will be a three day session using the blended learning technique to maximise the presentation of information and discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the practice and implementation, and a synthesis of lessons learned on Intermediary Cities. A. Official Welcome and Introduction The session will include the official opening and welcome of the participants to the event by senior political representative from UCLG, senior officials from the host municipality and the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the KwaZulu-Natal Planning Commission, the representatives from the International, regional and South African local government associations. Some keynote speakers have been identified. B. Setting the Context for Intermediary Cities The Session will focus on exploring the concept, definition, ideologies, the Strategic importance, the policy and planning practice, the importance of partnership for Intermediary/Secondary Cities. C. Expert Presentations The Learning Exchange will consist of a number of expert presentations of papers in the work of city planning as well as by public officials from local government associations and governments dealing with matters of urban growth and development The expert presentation will present a global perspective on Intermediary Cities, the practice and lessons learnt in developing countries and the status quo of this concept in South Africa. Following the presentation of papers by the selected experts, it is anticipated that an extended Interactive Discussion between 4

participants and presenters will take place wherein the facilitator and presenters will engage in discussion of those issues raised by the respective presentations D. Interactive Discussions The Interactive Session will be around lesson learnt from other countries and South Africa. It may be necessary to request potential participants to prepare and submit matters for discussion beforehand including a list of discussion topics derived from practical problems and areas of concern. These submissions may also be forwarded to the expert presenters in advance of the workshop in an effort to allow them to prepare a comprehensive discussion of possible solutions to the submitted problems. E. Site Visit In recognition that some of the participants, experts and facilitators have limited knowledge about the KwaDukuza Municipality, a site visit is considered imperative to familiarise those interested in the status quo and some of the planning realities of the area. It may also be useful in bridging the gap between the theoretical reading material provided and the real practice on ground. Key documents to familiarise the participants about the two areas will be circulated. The following are the key documents to assist with pre-event preparations: o The KwaDukuza/ Newcastle IDPs o The KwaDukuza/Newcastle SDBIP o The Infrastructure Mapping o SDF- Land Use Management Plan o Environmental and Climate Management Plan o Budget Info : The Infrastructure Financing Model other regular o Short presentations on the above documentation. o All info in electronic copies (where available) and 2 hard copies of each. A non-compulsory three hour site visit is therefore planned to take place on the 17 th of March 2013 in the afternoon before the formal inception of the Learning Exchange. The ethekwini Municipality will organise the excursion at no costs to participants. 5. Focus Areas o Conceptual and methodological concerns (including clarifying the concept of Intermediary vs. Secondary Cities ) o The International Experience on the Concept o Lessons learned from South African Cities Network (SACN) and Local Government Associations o Current governance, policies and practice around the concept o Research output on lessons learned o The implication of the concept for city and urban strategic planning 5

o Potential for co-operation (bilateral, provincial, regional and international) o The thematic areas to be explored are: o Strategic Planning and Partnerships o Setting Priorities and Making Choices o Managing Sustainability and Growth o Income, Budgeting and Performance F. Potential Solutions and Way forward Based on the matters discussed, this session will discuss the implication of being an Intermediary City. This is important to assist the city to map out potential challenges, opportunities and guidance on being an Intermediary City. 6. Expected Outcomes of the Learning Exchange 7. Contact Details o Enhanced linkages amongst the various local government associations, cities networks, research communities and related programme activities o Improved networking among researchers and practitioners from different disciplines of urban and city planning o Identification of knowledge and research gaps and the suggestion of new research agendas in Intermediary Cities Organization Contact Details I. KwaDukuza Municipality II. ethekwini Municipality MILE Ms. Ncamsile Molefe Tel: (27) (0) 32 437 5162 Email: NcamisileZ@kwadukuza.gov.za Ms. Carolyn Kerr Tel: (27) (0) 31 322 4520 Carolyn.Kerr@durban.gov.za Ms. Masingita Khandlhela Tel: (27) (0) 31 322 4525 Masingita.Khandlhela@durban.gov.za Ms. Dorothy Lutchmiah Dorothy.Lutchmia@durban.gov.za III. KZN COGTA Ms. Penny Sibisi Penny.Sibisi@kzncogta@durban.gov.za IV. UCLG Ms. Sara Hoeflich s.hoeflich@uclg.org 6