Problem overview:

     Framework for coordination: Regional Network of Local Authorities for Management of Human Settlements (CityNet) programme is run by the joint cooperation of CityNet, UNDP and UNCHS (HABITAT). Each organization functions differently but cooperatively in running this programme.

     Integrating all stakeholders: Various institutions are involved in the CityNet exchange of experience programmes, starting from international organizations, to NGOs and local authorities.

     Training and educational initiatives: CityNet- promotes the exchange of expertise and experiences among various urban stakeholders, particularly local authorities and NGOs in the Asia-Pacific region through the exchange and dissemination of best practices.

Background:

     Exchanging experiences to foster urban development

     Origin and status: The Regional Network of Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlements (CityNet), a membership-based NGO, was established on July 27, 1987, at the Second Congress of Local Authorities for the Development of Human Settlements in Asia and the Pacific.

     Constituency: CityNet is a multi-actor network of urban local governments, development authorities, and NGOs in the Asia-Pacific region. The main constituents include sixty-four local governments and organizations in Australia, Bangladesh, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Peoples Republic of China, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

     Objectives: The objectives of CityNet are to strengthen the capacities of local governments to effectively manage the urban development process and to develop partnerships at the local level. CityNet attempts to build organizational self-reliance, and work with members to make cities in the Asia-Pacific region 'people friendly, by adhering to the CityNet hallmark of "environmentally friendly, socially just, economically productive, participatory managed, and culturally vibrant.

     Stakeholders: In joint cooperation between CityNet, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Special Unit for Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC) and United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT), a programme for sharing of lessons learned from a series of pilot transfers involving best practices in improving the living environment has been running between 1993-1997.

     Coordination framework: These transfers were based on the realization that many of the highly successful solutions documented by the Best Practices Initiative for Habitat II addressed common social, economic and environmental issues and problems. With support of UNDP, many transfers were enabled and facilitated by CityNet, most of them using the conceptual and methodological framework developed by the Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme of UNCHS (Habitat).

     Sharing and transfer of experiences: CityNet believes that the sustainability of peer-to-peer transfers depends largely on the cooperation and exchange of ideas at the local level. Recently, a city member of CityNet asserted, Technical cooperation with other cities is more appreciated than financial support. CityNet has been promoting peer-to-peer sharing and dialogue in order to highlight the concept of transferring and experience.