UN HABITAT / UNESCO Training Event:
” How local authorities can enhance a social and a human approach to
urban revitalization in Historic Districts”
World Urban Forum 4
Nanjing, 3-5 November 2008
Background:
Since 1996, UNESCO has been promoting the flagship principle of “Humanizing the City” in close cooperation with
UN-HABITAT to jointly contribute to the Istanbul Declaration on Human settlements ratified in 1996 by United Nations
Member states as well as to the Millennium Development Goals.
Within the framework of the UN Human Rights Based Approach to development proposed in September 2005 by the
UN General Secretary, UNESCO and UN-HABITAT are contributing to capacity building for local decision-makers
and city professionals. All over the world, inner cities redevelopment is facing major trends like migrations and
globalization. The enhancement of tangible and intangible heritage of historical districts must be an integrated part of
the human and social approach to urban development.
Objectives of the Training Session:
In cooperation with the Nanjing South-East University, UNESCO experts (In China and abroad) and Nanjing experts,
the district of Zhong Hua Men XI district of historical Nanjing will be taken to illustrate UNESCO guide’s “Historic
districts for all” 7 principles.
During the Training Session, held at the Urban Planning Exhibition Centre on November 3rd (pm.) and 4th (all day),
experts and participants will elaborate orientations for an action plan of revitalization of this district.
These orientations of revitalization will be exposed during the 3 hours official UNESCO Training Event which will be
open to the public the November 5th (9-12 am. ) at the UN-HABITAT World Urban Forum 4 at the Nanjing
International Exhibition centre.
The aim of the Training Session is to promote the brochure "Historic districts for all” and the Manual for City
Professionals as a useful tool to help municipalities become aware of the role of political will and the need to preserve
tangible and intangible heritage. Mayors and decision-makers should be in a better position to ensure a sustainable
and integrated approach to revitalize historic districts in their own city and to highlight cultural diversity; to understand
the importance of building new forms of social cohesion in cities where urban projects once again centre around
human beings; and the importance of keeping a balance between economic competitiveness and harmonious urban
development.
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Agenda of the Training Session:
Monday November 3rd:
9 am – 1 pm :
Held at the Nanjing
International Expo Center
FLOOR 1, MF Hall
Opening of the UN-HABITAT World Urban Forum 4
3 pm - 6 pm :
Held at the Urban planning
Exhibition Centre U.P.E.C
Launching UNESCO/ Nanjing University Workshop of Historic Districts.
Presentation of urban revitalization issues in China by Chinese experts,
academics and Chinese local authorities
Tuesday November 4th:
9 am – 6 pm :
Held at the Urban planning
Exhibition Centre U.P.E.C
Guided visit of the historic Zhonghua Men XI district in the old city of Nanjing.
Discussions between Chinese and foreign participants for proposal and
guidelines elaborations within the framework of UNESCO/UN HABITAT guide
“Historic districts for all”.
Drafting of a scheme for the discussions restitution November 5th.
Wednesday November 5th: The Official 3 hours Training Event
9 am – 12 pm :
Held at the Nanjing
International Expo Center
World Urban Forum IV
ROOM : MR 2.5
Presentation and discussion about the revitalization orientations of the district
worked out :
•
Diagnosis and study cases
•
Proposals based on previous discussions
•
Guidelines / Orientations selected
•
Lessons learnt from participants
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