The jury met during the past two days in Dubai Municipality which sponsors the award for the past 12 years.
The selection was made from a list of 50 initiatives, short-listed out of nearly 500 submissions. The winners were all deemed to have made outstanding contributions to improving the quality of life in cities and communities. An independent Technical Advisory Committee, had earlier reviewed the qualifying submissions, and drawn up a short list of 50 initiatives which were then forwarded to the jury to select the winners.
This was announced in a press conference on Thursday by Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Chairman of the DIABP Board of Trustees and the Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, who said that winners of this cycle come from Burundi, Congo, Senegal, South Africa, China, Indonesia, Spain, Columbia, Mexico, and The Americas in the Best Practices category and two winners from Palestine and Pakistan in the Best Practice Transfers category. The press conference was attended by Wandia Seaforth from the Best Practices Programme of UN-HABITAT and Ms. Banshree Banerjee, Chair of the International Jury.
Mr. Lootah said that the jury comprised of Ms. Banshree Banerjee, India (chair of the jury), Dr. Beacon Mbiba, Zimbabwe, Dr. Paolo Saldiva, Brazil, Eng. Abdulla Mohammed Rafia, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Environment and Public Health Services, and Dr. Roberto Ottolenghi, Italy.
Lootah said the jury based their decisions on criteria of tangible impact, partnership, and sustainability and also took into account considerations of leadership and community empowerment, gender equality and social inclusion, and innovations that can be replicated.
He noted each winner will be awarded a $30,000 prize, a trophy and a commemorative certificate at the award ceremony in Dubai early in 2009, at a date still to be announced.
The original call for Best Practices was launched in 1995 during preparations for the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) as a means of identifying what works in improving living conditions on a sustainable basis.
The TAC consisted of 14 technical experts who have had great international exposure in the respective fields of the award and they represented the different regions of the globe, apart from senior officials of Dubai Municipality and the United Nations Council for Human Settlements (UNCHS-HABITAT) including.
The international jury members were chosen by the UNCHS - HABITAT, which is a partner in the award. All the submissions received will be added to the UN-HABITAT Best Practices database to help in the sharing of knowledge and the transfer of best practices to other communities around the world.
During its last five cycles in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006 the award attracted over 3180 submissions from over 125 countries.
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Dubai International Award for Best Practices 2008: 12 winners announced
- United Arab Emirates: Thursday, November 13 - 2008 at 15:41
- PRESS RELEASE
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An independent jury of international experts has selected 12 winners for the seventh cycle of the Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment (DIABP).
Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Chairman of the DIABP Board of Trustees and the Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, announcing the winners of Dubai International Award for Best Practices 2008 in a press conference held in Dubai Municipality last Thursday.
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Posted by Siba Sami AmmariThursday, November 13 - 2008 at 15:41 UAE local time (GMT+4)
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DIABP Winners Best Practices - 7th cycle:
1. APROCOBU (Association for the Promotion of Cooperative Stores for Production, Selling and Supplying in Burundi), Burundi
The "integrated village" managed by APROCOBU is an experimental site for integrated development, which seeks to address the challenges of repatriation of refugees, reconciliation, integration and demobilization in post-war Burundi. The goals and strategies of the initiative are aimed at improving the lifestyle of rural populations through access to water, electricity, and income-generating activities.
2. Involving Indigenous People in Forest Management in Decision Making, Democratic Republic of the Congo
1.3 million hectares of forest in the Republic of Congo, which are home to around 9,000 indigenous forest people, are managed for sustainable timber production by Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB). This practice's objectives are to move CIB's operations towards sustainability and respect and include indigenous people in CIB's forest management plans. The initiative is an example of how indigenous peoples, the State, local NGOs, academics and private enterprise have worked together to formalize the recognition of indigenous peoples' rights and at the same time establish a meaningful consultative process with regards to forest management.
3. Micro-Gardens in Dakar, Senegal
The Micro-Gardens Project in Dakar was initiated in 1999 within the framework of a Technical Cooperation Programme between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Senegalese Government. The micro-garden project introduced new technologies for out-of-land horticultural production on yards, roofs and vacant places; its main objective being to participate in poverty reduction by providing fresh vegetables to poor families, thereby improving their food supply and nutrition. The project also promotes income generation through the sale of production surplus.
4. Marianhill Landfill Conservancy, South Africa
The Marianhill Landfill Conservancy is an initiative by the e'Thekwini Municipal Area (EMA) designed to address the issues of land uses for waste disposal sites. The main priorities of the initiative were to ensure that no pollution of the environment occurred and to save on costs and to address negative associations with landfills, including fouls smells and environmental pollution.
5. The New Qingpu Practice - Sustainable Construction of Ecology and Humanity, China
Qingpu, a land of rivers and lakes in the outer suburbs of Shanghai was ignored for a long time, resulting in the city's development lagging behind. After entering the 21st century, the local government gathered insights on various fields, and proposed the city's vision as "Qingpu, a green watertown, one of the best habitable city", working out the meticulous plan incorporating local characteristics, respecting nature and history.
6. Integrated People-Driven Reconstruction in Post-Tsunami Aceh, Indonesia
Urban Poor Linkage (UPLINK) Indonesia, initiated in July 2002, is a coalition of grassroots/community based organizations and NGOs focusing on urban poverty and impoverishment issues. Uplink envisions a city where social, economic and cultural diversities are positive resources and strength for a socially just and democratic city, as well as where the urban poor are strongly organized and independent, and are able to develop a pro-poor counter system.
7. Spanish Network of Cities for the Climate, Spain
The Spanish Network of Cities for the Climate, with over 60 Spanish cities, created a stable framework of relationships for setting up an initiative to prevent pollution and mitigate climate change. This was aimed at encouraging policies of sustainable development at the municipal level from which the Spanish Network of Cities for the Climate emerged as a tool for working and management.
8. "Heartfelt Houses" The pilot Project: Housing Consolidation and Environmental Recovery of the "Juan Bobo" stream basin area, Colombia
This initiatives targets people who have settled along the banks of Juan Bobo stream in Medellin. They implemented an alternative model for onsite resettlement, housing consolidation, environment recovery and improving the living standards of the three hundred families that live in this neighborhood.
9. Collective Action: A social movement to protect Balandra bay, an ecological resource in Northwest Mexico, Mexico
Balandra is a wetland area situated in Mexico and was the last undeveloped beach in La Paz, Baja California Sur. A citizens' movement (Collective Balandra) was created with the participation of 18, 000 citizens of all ages and social groups in movement. The overall goal was to secure the long-term protection of Balandra. This mobilization, technical and political work led to legislation, three policy tools, and an intergovernmental treaty.
10. Partnership in Opportunities for Empowerment through technology in the Americas -POETA, The Americas
The Partnerships in Opportunities for Employment through Technology in the Americas (POETA) program was created to address the needs and create opportunities to people with disabilities in the America. POETA provides persons with disabilities with the necessary skills and the opportunity to apply for and hold a job, earn a living and become more independent.
DIABP Winners Best Practices Transfers - 7th cycle:
1. The Palestinian Housing Council, Palestine
The Palestinian Housing Council (PHC) was established in Jerusalem in 1992 as a non-profit national institution dedicated to alleviating the housing problem. PHC's main objective is to explore practical ways that enable it to resolve the housing problem in the Palestinian Territories. Through its various programs, PHC has positively impacted on the living standards and conditions, as well as created a suitable environment for numerous Palestinian families.
2. Water and Sanitation Extension Program (WASEP), Pakistan
The Water and Sanitation Extension Program (WASEP), initiated in 1997 by the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, Pakistan (AKPBSP), aims at providing infrastructure services. Specific program objectives focus on improving environmental health of local communities through provision of safe water and sanitation facilities to local communities in Northern Pakistan and Sindh.
For further information:
Thajudeen V. Aliar
Principal Media Officer,
Corporate Marketing & Relations Dept.,
Dubai Municipality
Tel: +971 4 2064609
Fax: +971 4 2232188
1. APROCOBU (Association for the Promotion of Cooperative Stores for Production, Selling and Supplying in Burundi), Burundi
The "integrated village" managed by APROCOBU is an experimental site for integrated development, which seeks to address the challenges of repatriation of refugees, reconciliation, integration and demobilization in post-war Burundi. The goals and strategies of the initiative are aimed at improving the lifestyle of rural populations through access to water, electricity, and income-generating activities.
2. Involving Indigenous People in Forest Management in Decision Making, Democratic Republic of the Congo
1.3 million hectares of forest in the Republic of Congo, which are home to around 9,000 indigenous forest people, are managed for sustainable timber production by Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB). This practice's objectives are to move CIB's operations towards sustainability and respect and include indigenous people in CIB's forest management plans. The initiative is an example of how indigenous peoples, the State, local NGOs, academics and private enterprise have worked together to formalize the recognition of indigenous peoples' rights and at the same time establish a meaningful consultative process with regards to forest management.
3. Micro-Gardens in Dakar, Senegal
The Micro-Gardens Project in Dakar was initiated in 1999 within the framework of a Technical Cooperation Programme between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Senegalese Government. The micro-garden project introduced new technologies for out-of-land horticultural production on yards, roofs and vacant places; its main objective being to participate in poverty reduction by providing fresh vegetables to poor families, thereby improving their food supply and nutrition. The project also promotes income generation through the sale of production surplus.
4. Marianhill Landfill Conservancy, South Africa
The Marianhill Landfill Conservancy is an initiative by the e'Thekwini Municipal Area (EMA) designed to address the issues of land uses for waste disposal sites. The main priorities of the initiative were to ensure that no pollution of the environment occurred and to save on costs and to address negative associations with landfills, including fouls smells and environmental pollution.
5. The New Qingpu Practice - Sustainable Construction of Ecology and Humanity, China
Qingpu, a land of rivers and lakes in the outer suburbs of Shanghai was ignored for a long time, resulting in the city's development lagging behind. After entering the 21st century, the local government gathered insights on various fields, and proposed the city's vision as "Qingpu, a green watertown, one of the best habitable city", working out the meticulous plan incorporating local characteristics, respecting nature and history.
6. Integrated People-Driven Reconstruction in Post-Tsunami Aceh, Indonesia
Urban Poor Linkage (UPLINK) Indonesia, initiated in July 2002, is a coalition of grassroots/community based organizations and NGOs focusing on urban poverty and impoverishment issues. Uplink envisions a city where social, economic and cultural diversities are positive resources and strength for a socially just and democratic city, as well as where the urban poor are strongly organized and independent, and are able to develop a pro-poor counter system.
7. Spanish Network of Cities for the Climate, Spain
The Spanish Network of Cities for the Climate, with over 60 Spanish cities, created a stable framework of relationships for setting up an initiative to prevent pollution and mitigate climate change. This was aimed at encouraging policies of sustainable development at the municipal level from which the Spanish Network of Cities for the Climate emerged as a tool for working and management.
8. "Heartfelt Houses" The pilot Project: Housing Consolidation and Environmental Recovery of the "Juan Bobo" stream basin area, Colombia
This initiatives targets people who have settled along the banks of Juan Bobo stream in Medellin. They implemented an alternative model for onsite resettlement, housing consolidation, environment recovery and improving the living standards of the three hundred families that live in this neighborhood.
9. Collective Action: A social movement to protect Balandra bay, an ecological resource in Northwest Mexico, Mexico
Balandra is a wetland area situated in Mexico and was the last undeveloped beach in La Paz, Baja California Sur. A citizens' movement (Collective Balandra) was created with the participation of 18, 000 citizens of all ages and social groups in movement. The overall goal was to secure the long-term protection of Balandra. This mobilization, technical and political work led to legislation, three policy tools, and an intergovernmental treaty.
10. Partnership in Opportunities for Empowerment through technology in the Americas -POETA, The Americas
The Partnerships in Opportunities for Employment through Technology in the Americas (POETA) program was created to address the needs and create opportunities to people with disabilities in the America. POETA provides persons with disabilities with the necessary skills and the opportunity to apply for and hold a job, earn a living and become more independent.
DIABP Winners Best Practices Transfers - 7th cycle:
1. The Palestinian Housing Council, Palestine
The Palestinian Housing Council (PHC) was established in Jerusalem in 1992 as a non-profit national institution dedicated to alleviating the housing problem. PHC's main objective is to explore practical ways that enable it to resolve the housing problem in the Palestinian Territories. Through its various programs, PHC has positively impacted on the living standards and conditions, as well as created a suitable environment for numerous Palestinian families.
2. Water and Sanitation Extension Program (WASEP), Pakistan
The Water and Sanitation Extension Program (WASEP), initiated in 1997 by the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, Pakistan (AKPBSP), aims at providing infrastructure services. Specific program objectives focus on improving environmental health of local communities through provision of safe water and sanitation facilities to local communities in Northern Pakistan and Sindh.
For further information:
Thajudeen V. Aliar
Principal Media Officer,
Corporate Marketing & Relations Dept.,
Dubai Municipality
Tel: +971 4 2064609
Fax: +971 4 2232188
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