Background and objectives:          

Local governments in Kosovo are tasked to address an increasingly complex set of issues related to rapid un-planned urbanisation which require a continued and cyclic planning approach. UN-HABITAT has supported selected municipalities in drafting municipal and urban development plans, which are now ready to enter into more detailed planning. However, most municipalities continue to face difficulties in completing, or even starting-up, the first municipal and urban planning cycle. With the new political situation and the strong drive for the development of economic and technical infrastructure, Kosovo also needs a greater spatial order to retain its valuable natural resources and protect arable land.

A major development objective is to improve the overall conditions in Kosovo, which can best be achieved through integrated policies and planning, and creating partnerships to maximise the benefit of limited resources especially on the local level. Integrated municipal and urban planning is thus a precondition for a better life for all citizens.

The development objective will be achieved through the following programme objectives:

• Consolidated process of municipal and urban spatial planning which is inclusive, action-oriented, and gender-sensitive. 
• Development and support to implementation of strategic capital projects resulting from the planning process
• Strengthened capacities of the central level institutions to safeguard sustainable planning  and deliver support to municipalities in this field
• Consolidated effort of central, local and community structures and implementation of  demo projects to improve living conditions and security of tenure of vulnerable groups living in Informal Settlements
• Capacities of other partner municipalities for regional/municipal/urban development planning and cooperation built through using lessons learned and best practices.

Activities:
The main activities are related to: 

• Strengthening capacities of local planners to meet EU requirements and international planning standards. 
• Providing strategic advice to top local government officials on planning issues.
• Supporting municipalities in monitoring the implementation of their plans and developing strategic capital projects in line with urban and municipal plans
• Contributing to the development of policies and legislation on spatial and municipal/ urban planning.
• Enhancing planning practices, urban design and capital works project implementation to include participatory and gender-sensitive aspect.
• Providing legal advice to municipalities on the implementation of guidelines and recommendations related to informal settlements.
• Supporting cooperation between municipalities on issues of regional significance and supporting the development of joint, including cross-border, initiatives and projects.
• Strengthening capacities of municipalities to improve management and encourage transparency.

 
Results:
The expected results will be: 

• Increased quality of planning documents and adherence to international planning principles and EU standards.
• More efficient planning practices, with built in participatory and gender-sensitive approach, and faster response of top municipal officials to development opportunities.
• Strategic capital works and demonstration projects result from local development framework and are linked to budgets.
• Policies and strategies of central level institutions help municipalities in developing lower level acts on planning issues.
• Action plans for demonstration/pilot projects prepared, including projects addressing the challenges of Informal Settlements.
• Joint projects or/and initiatives developed through inter-municipal cooperation.