Background and objectives:

Within the framework of the Cities without Slums sub-regional programme, UN-HABITAT developed a proposal for a City Development Strategy (CDS) for Greater Cotonou, comprised of the municipalities of Abomey Calavi, Cotonou and Seme-Podji. The main objective of the project is to assist the government of Benin to formulate a CDS and to promote conditions conducive to the development of a city that is inclusive, functional and managed in an efficient and rational manner. The project will establish a collaborative mechanism to facilitate the participation of civil society, the private sector, and the national and local authorities.

Activities:
The main activities included:

• Formulation of a development action plan for the next 25 years.
• Definition of a 10-year investment programme, including a priority action plan for urban poverty reduction.
• Capacity building of national and local institutions for urban planning and management.

Results:
The following results were achieved:

• Cooperation agreement signed with Municipal Development Partnership (MDP) to provide administrative and logistical support for the implementation of the project.
• Policy steering and technical committees created to advise the project team and to monitor implementation.
• Focal point nominated in each municipality to participate in the project implementation and ensure sustainability.
• Sensitisation meeting with stakeholders and development partners.
• Communication strategy developed and implemented.
• Situation analysis report prepared and validated at a stakeholders workshop.
• Working group established to review reports by consultants on urban mobility, metropolitan governance, urban environment and poverty alleviation.
• Consultant recruited to assist the working group in the preparation of the CDS.
• The French Development Agency (AFD) has expressed willingness to contribute to the implementation of the action plan.
•  Formulation of training and capacity-building plan is underway.