Background:
RUSPS was conducted in three cities in Liberia: the capital city of Monrovia; medium-sized Gbarnga, once a fast-growing city (situated in central Liberia); and Kakata, a small city situated along the corridor of development close to Monrovia. Three profiles have been developed for Liberia. There is a National Profile, a Monrovia Profile and an integrated Cities Profile for Gbarnga and Kakata, due to the degree of similarities between these two cities.

The national consultation was conceived as a partnership platform co-developed with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA) and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs (MPEA), along with other related ministries and agencies of government, the Graduate School of Regional Science at the University of Liberia, and local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The aim is to promote inter-agency/intra-agency coordination and cooperation, and build synergies that can bring together a broad spectrum of professionals, academicians and urban actors in the development of an urban response in Liberia.

Objectives:
To contribute to urban poverty reduction and policy development in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries through an urban sector profile study – a rapid assessment of needs, response mechanisms and capacity gaps to be addressed at the local, national and regional levels.

Activities:

1. Research on the general background of the urban sector in Liberia, based on the findings of the Monrovia, Gbarnga and Kakata assessment reports, a desk study, interviews, and a national consultation held in Monrovia on June 21, 2004. The background includes data on the urban context, the urban situation analysis, demography, health, education, the government and public administration, the economic situation and external assistance and aid coordination.
2. Synthesis of the four main areas – governance, slums, gender and HIV/AIDS and environment – in terms of the institutional set-up, regulatory framework, resource mobilisation and performance. This step also highlights agreed priorities and includes a list of identified projects.
3. SWOT analysis and outlining of priority project proposals for each theme. The proposals include beneficiaries, partners, estimated costs, objectives, activities and outputs.

Results:

• Study introduced to stakeholders and TORs tailored to national contexts
• Urban indicators collected, city assessment and profiling completed
• City consultations undertaken and priorities identified and agreed upon
• Synthesis of city profiles at national level completed
• National institutional framework and priorities reviewed, assessed and agreed upon through a national consultation
• Capacity building gaps identified at local and national levels
• Priorities identified and project proposals formulated in order to address them

The published profile can be found under publications.