Project description

Title: Economic Development of Historic Cities in Yemen
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for International Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Yemen
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Culture; Hadhramout Provincial Government
Overall term: 2010 to 2012

Context

The urban centres of Yemen represent an ancient and unique tradition. The country is home to several cities and monuments of cultural significance that feature on the UNESCO World Heritage List. That heritage represents an important potential – in both socio-cultural and economic terms. It can be tapped to strengthen national identity, and it can be used for the development of second and third-tier regional cities (urban decentralisation). The potential of the cities as tourist attractions should also be maintained and developed. However, the full extent of this potential has yet to be acknowledged or exploited. The historic heritage is seen as offering visual interest, but is not perceived as vital for urban development. However, the results of the first phase of this project, which ran from 2007 to 2010, have already demonstrated the benefits of participatory urban renewal. It improves living conditions and has a beneficial impact on income and employment in the construction sector, and it promotes micro enterprises and traditional handicrafts.

Objective

Central and local governments, as well as residents, artisans and small traders are managing the sustainable development of their cities. Capacities are improving for the protection of Yemen’s cultural and urban heritage and the promotion of the local economies.

Approach

The project is working to consolidate approaches which it has already used in Shibam and Zabid for the creation of sensitive and participatory urban development concepts. It will adopt these for use in other cities, for example in Jiblah. National stakeholders, such as General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY) and the General Authority for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning (GALSUP), are being integrated more closely into local processes, so that they can develop the capacity to carry out a broader, national urban development policy.

A core activity is the historic housing programme. This involves technical assistance and financial incentives to encourage the proper renovation, restoration and reconstruction of historic buildings. Economic support measures, such as business promotion and microfinance, are used to help NGOs, professional associations and others to start, modernise or otherwise improve local activities and specific projects. Existing activities should be made more competitive and new sources of income will be tapped. Additional activities vary from site to site, as the needs and the potentials are often site-specific. They range from the introduction of well-fed agriculture in Shibam and the revitalisation of the central souk in Zabid, to the rehabilitation of drainage structures in Jiblah.

Results achieved so far

A large proportion of Shibam’s historic buildings (66 %) have already been renovated, while in Zabid the figure is 10 %. Training has been given to more than 300 skilled artisans from different fields, including mud, stone and wooden construction techniques, and traditional handicrafts. These workers are now able to apply for jobs and secure contracts outside the renovation areas. In the Shibam district, the construction sector now accounts for 10 % of regional income. Management and execution of the house renovation programme in Shibam and Zabid have now been handed over fully to GOPHCY and the respective municipalities. Round tables have been established in Jiblah, where, with the participation of all relevant stakeholders, actions plans will be prepared for urban renewal measures that also take into account the interest of women. The key task of the new phase (2010-12) is to consolidate, systematise and legalise these processes.