International workshop Venice - March 11-12 1999 Concepts and Paradigms of Urban Management in the Context of Developing Countries
	[ Workshop home page] [ Index of papers]

Forbes Davidson (Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, Rotterdam)

"Conceptual Cycles in Urban Development Management
Are we getting better and better - or just going round in circles?
Implications for Capacity Building and Research"

Concepts are continuously being developed in the field of urban development management, and concepts are also being discarded. But are we sure that we know what we are taking on so enthusiastically, and do we too readily discard approaches years before we really know their implications?
The paper presents a slightly tongue in cheek classification of five stages of the cycle of key concepts that are used in urban development management. The "5 H's" are Hype when a new concept is being talked up; High when a lot of energy is going into a concept and everyone believes it is a great thing; Hiatus when it becomes mainstream, but the energy and interest start to be lost; Hangover when it appears that it is not the answer to dreams and was perhaps not such a good idea after all; and finally, Hereafter refers to the time in the future when we can look back at the effectiveness of concepts and their implementation on the basis of sound judgement and identify what is sound and what is a fad. The paper looks at three examples in practise. Sites and Services is looked at in terms of its development in the 70s and subsequent decline. An example from that period, Ismailia in Egypt is examined. Integration has been heavily promoted as an answer to piecemeal uncoordinated approaches, but is not so simple in practise. Participation in planning and development is reviewed from its promotion in the early 70s, renewed high profile in recent years and questions whether we are approaching another hangover.
The implications of this view are examined for capacity building, especially in terms of what we are really sure about, the critical role of research to provide a sound foundation. A plea is made for more attention to long term studies of impact of approaches, given that cities are not normally only for the short term.