Mayors from MuSPP partner municipalities and other Kosovo representatives met last week in Istanbul, Turkey, where the main outcome was their stated determination to build the local capacities and implement the municipal planning options in order to improve the quality of life in Kosovo cities. The delegation from Kosovo was composed also of high-level ministerial representatives, the Association of Kosovo municipalities, and UN-Habitat representatives. The meeting was held with the aim to discuss the existing cooperation between MuSPP and partner municipalities, to assess the current progress in terms of policies and programs, and to address the key challenges for MuSPP, allowing for a constructive debate between the central and local level administration. The meeting was also meant to serve as an opportunity for exchanging experiences and opinions among partner municipalities and with Turkish municipalities.

Several briefings and exchanges have been organised for the guest delegation, in cooperation with the Union of Marmara Municipalities. The delegation participated in the Smart Municipality's Summit, allowing for meetings with the mayors of Turkish municipalities and with the Union of Marmara Municipalities. The delegation was received by the Mayors of Kadiköy, Mr. Selami Öztürk, and of Kaðýthane, Mr. Fazli Kiliç, and site visits took place to an urban transformation project in Kaðýthane Municipality and to Kadiköy's Municipal Electronic Waste Facility. The visit was preceded by a presentation on waste management municipal activities by Ms. Sule Yardim, Environmental manager of Kadiköy municipality. The delegation also visited the Sapphire building, the tallest building in Turkey, located in the central business district of Levent, allowing for an aerial view of Istanbul.

Addressing new implementation strategies

During the retreat, Mr. Naim Ismajli, representing the Association of Kosovo Municipalities, referred to the good cooperation between central and local government: during these last 4 years AKM has been present in all working groups and therefore it was able to transmit the interests of Kosovo municipalities to the central level. UN‑Habitat has been a strategic partner in this regard, and the cooperation between UN-Habitat/MuSPP and AKM is benefiting many municipalities.

Challenges in program implementation were considered by all participants, including budget and land allocation, outsourcing, capacity to develop the projects in-house, etc. Ms. Krystyna Galezia, UN-Habitat's Chief Technical Adviser in Kosovo made particular reference to disaster risk management, informal settlements, safety, access to public spaces, equity and equal treatment to all social groups as important priorities for spatial planning in Kosovo. Mr. Paulius Kulikauskas, UN-Habitat's inter-regional advisor, presented a contextualisation of Kosovo municipalities in a global perspective, addressing policy development, capacity building and access to shelter within the sustainable development framework of European cities in transition. The need for an integrated planning approach to urban and rural development was considered, focusing on strengthening the implementation of planning (through municipal finance and investment, public and private collaboration, and effective development controls).

In her final comments and conclusions, Ms. Krystyna Galezia considered the importance of rural and urban planning, addressing the expansion of cities, urban sprawl and the integration of Kosovo cities in a global perspective. The Ministries' representatives have acknowledged UN-Habitat's support to the municipalities and have raised the issue of the need for an effective administration.

Participants in the retreat included Mr. lir Mirena, Deputy Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning; Mr. Hajredin Hyseni, Deputy Minister of Public Administration; Mr. Rifat Krasniqi, Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration; Mr. Arben Citaku, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning; Mr. Besnik Osmani, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government Administration; Mr. Agim Aliu, Mayor of Ferizaj; Mr. Pal Lekaj, Mayor of Gjakova; Mr. Igor Aritonovic, Deputy Mayor of Gracanica; Mr. Milan Stojanovic, Deputy Mayor of Gjilan; Mr. Rufki Suma, Mayor of Hani i Elezit; Mr. Agron Kuçi, Mayor of Junik; Mr. Isni Kilaj, Mayor of Malisheve; Mr. Riza Haziri, Deputy Mayor of Mitrovica; Mr. Nenad Cvetkovic, Mayor of Partes; Mr. Ramadan Muja, Mayor of Prizren; Mr. Smajl Latifi, Mayor of Rahovec; representatives of AKM Mr. Naim Ismajli, Mayor of Shtime and Mr. Sazan Ibrahimi, Executive Director of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities; representatives from the ministries Mr. Nait Hasani, Chairperson, Parliamentary Commission for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment; and Spatial Planning and Ms. Sebil Pajko, Senior Adviser to the Minister of Public Administration and UN-Habitat representatives Mr. Paulius Kulikauskas, Ms. Krystyna Galezia, Mr. Peter Engstrom, Mr. Ishaku Maitumbi, Mr. Artan Rexhepi, Ms. Arijeta Himaduna, and Ms. Catarina Camarinhas.

The participants in the retreat discussed key priorities and challenges of the local and central level institutions for the years to come.

The Prosperity of cities

During the retreat a copy of UN-Habitat's 2012/2013 State of the World's Cities Report "Prosperity of Cities" was handed out to all participants. The report examines how cities can generate and equitably distribute the benefits and opportunities associated with prosperity, ensuring economic well being, social cohesion, environmental balance and a better quality of life for all citizens. As the world continues to struggle with international economic crisis, cities become central platforms for creativity where new policies for prosperity are being designed.