Report of the Best Practice Jury
We, the members of the International Jury, having reviewed the 40 best practices forwarded to us by an independent Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), have decided that the following ten initiatives be given the Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment:

• Luanda Sul Self-financed Urban Infrastructure, ANGOLA
• Public Security, Human Rights and Citizenship, BRAZIL
• Creating a Sustainable Community, Hamilton-Wentworth Vision 2020/Air Quality, CANADA
• Comprehensive Re-vitalisation of Urban Settlements, Chengdu, CHINA
• Democratisation of Municipal Management, Cotacachi Canton, ECUADOR
• Cost Effective and Appropriate Sanitation Systems, INDIA
• Women’s Empowerment Programme, NEPAL
• Spanish Greenways Programme, SPAIN
• Shambob Brick Producers Co-operative, SUDAN
• Tourism and Coastal Zone Management, Cirali, TURKEY

In reviewing the 40 submissions, the Jury used the established criteria of tangible impact, partnership, and sustainability. In reaching its conclusions, the members of the Jury worked in two independent groups, each selecting its own list before unanimously agreeing in plenary session on the final selection. The Jury gave due recognition to considerations used and the recommendations made by the TAC regarding leadership, the empowerment of people and their communities, and the promotion of gender equality and of social inclusion.
For the first time, updated proposals were considered from previous rounds of submissions (1996 and 1998) which have since demonstrated exemplary progress and continuing sustainability. Among these, the Jury selected the Sulabh Initiative on cost-effective and appropriate sanitation systems – an update – and Hamilton Wentworth for the creation of a sustainable community and the improvement of air quality – a new submission building upon a community-established vision for a sustainable future.

Under the stewardship of its Chair, Prof. W. Cecil Steward, the Jury also looked for effective responses to emerging issues and trends brought about by the challenges of globalisation and its influences on social change. The Jury observes that these challenges increasingly require public policies that are people-centred and which result from comprehensive strategies and approaches to social, economic, technological and environmental concerns.

The 1996 Awards featured initiatives in the areas of housing, infrastructure and basic services. The 1998 Awards witnessed the emerging concerns for environmental planning and management. The 2000 Awards, while reaffirming the continued importance of basic needs and of sectoral concerns, give more emphasis to the interdependencies of these issues with those of human rights, good governance and the empowerment of people. The Jury firmly believes that sustainable human settlement development in an urbanising world will require policy frameworks that address all of these issues and concerns in a concerted manner.

The Jury commends the Best Practices & Local Leadership Programme (BLP) for the impetus it is giving to new forms of action in the filed of international co-operation and development based on the exchange of lessons learned derived from successful solutions, effective processes and tangible results. The Jury notes with particular satisfaction the growing use of the Best Practices Database by decision-makers and practicing professionals at all levels and from a wide range of countries and regions and encourages both UNHABITAT and Dubai Municipality to continue to invest in the widest possible dissemination of Best Practices.

In light of the above, the Jury fully endorses the further development of the Best Practices Database as an information-sharing and networking tool. In addition, it encourages all partners and relevant institutions in all sectors, to actively participate in, and contribute to, the Best Practice Network as an unique international forum for mutual learning.

The 2000 DIABP is particularly significant in light of Istanbul+5, the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly to be held in June 2001 for the review and appraisal of progress made in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda. The 770 submissions and updates received for the 2000 DIABP together with the existing 700+ documented practices constitute an unique source of information on who is doing what in implementing the Habitat Agenda and Local Agenda 21. The analysis of lessons learned, emerging trends and issues and of their implications for policy should be highlighted in the review process and discussed and deliberated at the Special Session.

The Jury wishes to thank the members of the TAC for their excellent work – their task was truly Herculean – and fully endorses the TAC’s recommendations regarding the widespread adoption of national and regional award systems, competitions and exhibitions for the identification, documentation and dissemination of good and best practices.

Last but not least, the Jury wishes to express its gratitude to Dubai Municipality for hosting the Jury and its appreciation for the continuing contribution made by Dubai Municipality to the entire best practices endeavour.

Dubai, 5 July 2000

Members of the 2000 Jury
• Prof. W. Cecil Steward, Fellow American Institute of Architects, USA (Chair)
• Hon. Dato Dr. Siti Zaharah Bt Sulaiman, Minister of National Unity and Social Development, Malaysia
• Claudia Ximena Balcazar, International Advisor on Fiscal Matters, Colombia
• Hussain Nasser Ahmed Lootah, Assistant Director-General for Environment and Public Health, Dubai Municipality, UAE
• Josiah K. Magut, Mayor, Eldoret City Council, President, Association of Local Governments and Authorities of Kenya (i.a.)
Secretariat:
• Nicholas You, Information and Best Practices, UNHABITAT

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For more information, please contact:
Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme (BLP)
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (254 20) 623029; 624981; 624328
Fax: (254 20) 623080, 624266, 624267
Email: bestpractices@unhabitat.org

Dubai Municipality
P.O.Box 67
Dubai
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Tel: (+971) 4 206 4414 / 221 5555
Fax: (+971) 4 222 1319 / 224 6666
E-mail: info@dm.gov.ae
dubai-award@dm.gov.ae
Web: http://dubai-award.dm.gov.ae