Bigio The Urban rehabilitation of MedinasThe World Bank Experience in the Middle East and North Africa

8/8/2019 Bigio The Urban rehabilitation of Medinas The World Bank Experience in the Middle East and North Africa

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The Urbanrehabilitation of

Medinas

The World BankExperience in the Middle

East and North Africa

May 21, 2010

Anthony Gad Bigio

Senior Urban Specialist

The World Bank

The Urban Rehabilitation of Medinas - - The World Bank experience in the Middle East and North Africa

Anthony Gad Bigio, Guido Licciardi, The World Bank May 21, 2010


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Medinas: significance and decay

Medinas represent a unique cultural heritageat the heart of the collective identity of theregion, and as such are of irreplaceable value

Multiple ambiguities are to be found in theattitude of modern-day Arab societies, andmany limitations in related public policies:

Tensions between tradition and modernity? Technical and social difficulties insurmountable?

A combination of both factors? Or more?

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The Urban Rehabilitation of Medinas - - The World Bank Experience in the Middle East and North Africa



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New functions of the medinas

While remaining rich ofcultural heritage, urban andspiritual patrimony,

medinas have become smalland enclaved parts of largerurban conurbations;

they are now mostlyresidential areas for the

poorest populations, and host dense and vibrant

traditional production andcommercial activities

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Defining current medina users

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cti

ities Pr

ducts andser

ices

edinaresidents

ggl

merati

nresidents

ati

nal

isit rsInternati

nalt urists

Educational dersas, schools

Health-care Health-carecenters

Commercial asic roducts

S ecialized roducts

Handicrafts

Fashion

roductsSouvenirs

Hos itality Cafes

estaurants

outiquehotels

Entertainment Cinemas

Gaminghalls

Communitycenters

Cultural useums

rtgalleries

Culturalcenters

eligious osques

ttracti eness il derate Hig

The Urban Rehabilitation of edinas - - The World ank Ex erience inthe iddleEastand North Africa

nt ny Gad Bigi , Guid icciardi, T e W rld Bank May 21, 2010


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WB medina rehabilitation projects

Main projects in Morocco,Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon,

Palestine, project components

in Yemen, national studies

Over $200m invested

even main investment

operations, plus others

Integration of medinarehabilitation with urban

development, poverty

reduction, and the

protection of culturalheritage

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Objectives of medina rehabilitation

1. Conserving urban cultural heritage

2. Developing the local economic potential

3. Satisfying the needs of local residents

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Winners and losersThe increase of real-estate

values, key indicator of success

of medina rehabilitation, does

NOT guarantee an equitable

distribution of benefits to all

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Medina rehabilitation actors

The public sector:

ministries, municipalities,

specialized agencies

The private sector:households, companies,

local and foreign investors

The third sector:

Associations, N Os, and

oundations

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Key public sector mandates

Policies and regulations

Urban management

Rehabilitation plans

Property titling, transactions

Preservation of main cultural

heritage assets

Upgrading of public space,

services and infrastructure

Pro-poor housing and welfare

programs, job creation

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Private sector investments

Rehabilitation of residentialunits by local households

Renovation of handicraft

production premises Economic activities related to

production and commerce

otels, restaurants, cafs and

entertainment activities Real-estate development in

rehabilitating housing stock

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NGOs, CBOs, and Foundations

Community support to the

rehabilitation process

Residents involvement in

housing rehabilitation

Promotion, management of

local cultural activities

Conservation and adaptivereuse of monuments and

public spaces

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Financing medina rehabilitation

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Larger dedicated national

budgetary allocations

Rehabilitation unds

drawing from taxation Increased access rights to

museums and sites

National lotteries

dedicated to medinas

International financing via

loans and grants




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Providing fiscal incentives

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Tax exemptions for medina

housing civil works

iscal bonuses for the

creation of local businesses Earmarking of local taxes and

tariffs to rehabilitation

uarantees to real-estate

and commercial credit

Transferable Development

Rights for medina properties




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Medina Tourism Potential ndex

Structural factors

1. Value of local urban

cultural heritage assets

2. Inscription on the Worlderitage List -- UNE CO

3. Proximity to the coast,

natural sites, or other

cultural sites (clusters)

4. Proximity to important

tourism basins

Multiplying factors

5. Accessibility via

highways or planes

6. ospitality facilities,especially in the medina

7. Cultural events and

entertainment,

festivals, art shows

8. Presence of culturally

significant handicrafts

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Documents

Bigio The Urban rehabilitation of MedinasThe World Bank Experience in the Middle East and North Africa