Photo Credits: UN-Habitat

DESCRIPTION

The present guide focuses on the multiple challenges associated with the massive flow of migrants from and into the cities of the Arab region. Taking existing risk fragility and resilience frameworks as a point of departure, it seeks to support Arab city leaders in responding to migration related issues in an inclusive manner and leveraging the capacities and know-how from a wide range of actors, including migrants and host communities, to address crucial urban development needs.

The document’s underlying principle is the enshrining of the “right to the city” as a fundamental element of an inclusive city. Four elements of an inclusive city are identified, each of which comes with specific guiding directions:

• Access to Adequate Housing and Living Standards
• Access to Livelihoods and Job Opportunities
• Access to Infrastructure and Public Service and Facilities
• Civic Engagement and Participation in City and Community Life

These elements are sought to be implemented along eight pillars of inclusive local action, with case studies from different Arab cities serving as examples.

Overall, it is anticipated that the guide will contribute to defining realistic, feasible and action-oriented interventions that can be performed at the local level to: mitigate potential negative impacts of migration and make a positive difference in the daily life of all city residents; stimulate city-to-city learning and initiating a constructive dialogue on the reforms, resources and support needed to strengthen local actors and support them to benefit from the contributions migrants make to city life; and identify concrete entry points that donor agencies and concerned international organizations can take to support governments and other actors to improve the livelihoods of all vulnerable people in Arab cities.

RELEVANCE

Migration, especially forced migration, is one of the defining phenomena of the 21st century. Millions of people across the global have fled armed conflicts, persecutions, natural disasters, and/or economic hardships in recent years. The Arab region is at the core of the present global debate on migration and cities.

LINK

Migration and Inclusive Cities: A Guide for Arab City Leaders

SOURCE

UN Habitat Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS)

Ford Foundation, Middle East and Northern Africa Office

LANGUAGES

English

YEAR

2018