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In increasing number of local initiatives around the world have successfully found innovative and sustainable solutions to a range of problems in human settlements development. Yet, for many local communities, a knowledge gap commonly proves to be a major obstacle to implementing communal projects. Often they lack access to technical expertise and practical experience, which would enable them to rely on tried methods and proven approaches. How then can rural and urban communities seeking to improve their conditions draw on the lessons learnt from other local initiatives in response to similar challenges? How can municipalities, in developing and developed countries alike, learn from city administrations in other regions about the pitfalls of urban management and regional planning? How can central and state governments learn about the practical benefits of decentralization and crime reduction in other countries? How can civil society and private sector partners connect with international organizations and Governments, and collaborate in planning and implementing social and economic development programmes?
The worldwide sharing of successful and sustainable solutions bridges this information gap. Since 1995, the Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme (BLP), sponsored by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements and a decentralized global network of capacity-building partners, has been collecting innovative and replicable initiatives submitted by local communities around the world.
Together with the Urban Indicators Programme, BIT forms the Global Urban Observatory, one of the principal means of monitoring and supporting the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and Agenda 21. The Programme focuses on cross-cutting issues, such as partnerships and participation, decentralization and governance, enabling policies and strategies, networking and use of information technology in decision-making. Key thematic concerns include poverty reduction and economic development, gender equality and social inclusion, access to shelter, infrastructure and basic services, and the urban environment.
These carefully documented case histories provide excellent guidelines for policy-making and planning of new projects. They are promoted and used by the United Nations and the international community as a means of raising public awareness of potential solutions to common social, economic and environmental problems.
The accumulated data is available on the Best Practices database, inaugurated at the 1996 Habitat II Conference in Istanbul....