Photo by: Arria Belli

International Training Course

Housing Policy and Practice for

Sustainable Urban Development
Enabling the Housing Sector to Work: Housing Policies, Projects and
Programs
International Urban Training Centre (IUTC), Republic of Korea
Supported by UN-HABITAT & Gangwon Provincial Government, ROK

Training Period : 9~16 March 2015

Application Deadline : 5 February 2015
Venue: International Urban Training Center (IUTC), ROK
* Please send your application documents to both email accounts
below, not by fax:
IUTC: Mr. Yeonghoon Kim/Ms. Banghee Wee <bluesky11301@naver.com>
UN-HABITAT: Ms. Sandrine Cardon <sandrine.cardon@unhabitat.org>

Course Title: Housing Policy and Practice for Sustainable Urban

Development

Duration: 9~16 March 2015 (8 days)

Target audience
The course is addressed to directors of housing, policy makers and senior executives from
governmental, private and academic institutions as well as NGOs and not-for profit housing
organizations. Senior housing professionals and those who are vested with decision power
in the housing sector will benefit enormously from this course.

Objectives
The main goal of this course is to develop practical knowledge and skills that enable
participants to understand the housing sector and be able to design policies and strategies
that influence housing markets and the supply of affordable housing options for different
segments of the population.
The course provides a unique opportunity for participants to acquire better understanding
about the structure, organization and performance of the housing sector and its role in the
overall urbanization process. The course will also enable participants to develop know-how
in policy making and implementation and get acquainted with different types of policies in
different countries affecting both the supply and demand sides of the housing market.
Course participants will acquire substantive knowledge about the various elements that
influence housing development as well as the design of policies and strategies that have
direct impact on sustainable urban development. Participants will build a solid understanding
about several housing attributes and inputs such as land supply, infrastructure development,
mortgage and housing finance; labor, building materials and the construction industry.
Finally, the course will expose different experiences to participants through case studies
presentations and technical visits to Korean institutions and projects thus getting exposed to
first-hand project and program experiences and examples of housing policy and
implementation.

Background
The Meaning and Definition of Housing
Housing is an integral element of a nations economy. Its backward and forward linkages with
other parts of the economy closely tie together peoples needs, demands and social processes
with the supply of land, infrastructure, building materials, technology, labour, and housing finance.
These linkages allow housing to act as an important engine for sustainable development and
poverty reduction in both society and the economy.
Operating within an overarching governance framework, defined by institutional and regulatory
systems that enable society to build homes and neighborhoods, housing has a clear physical
manifestation through the building of houses, dwellings, shelter, accommodation, site & services
and/or residential units. Without a functioning housing sector, urban centres cannot be
established or developed. A functioning housing sector offers appropriate, affordable housing and
sustainable patterns of urbanization - which are critical for the future of our ever-urbanizing
planet.
Source: UN-Habitat (2012). Practical Guide for Conducting Housing Profiles.

Housing Policy and Practice for Sustainable Urban Development

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According to latest data published by UN Habitat, there were more than 800 million
people living in slums in 2013. Significant investments in housing have generated
increasing supply of housing options and the scaled-up of slum improvement programs
have resulted into the decrease of the percentage of the total global population living
under these conditions across the globe. However, in absolute numbers the total
population living in slum conditions is increasing and is likely to continue to increase.
This is particularly intense in countries and cities that are going through rapid
urbanization and where there is a serious mismatch between the demand and supply of
housing.
The mal-functioning of the housing sector and distorted housing markets manifest itself in
various forms in cities. There are many problems in cities that are associated with the
performance of the housing sector such as slums, illegal land subdivisions, overcrowding,
housing and real estate market speculation, the physical deterioration of neighborhoods
and social exclusion. These are closely associated to the scarcity of affordable housing
options at scale but also to cumbersome, time-consuming and costly mechanisms to
access serviced land. The shortage of serviced land and the virtual absence of
affordable housing finance are the most critical underlying problems fuelling the
persistence and multiplication of slums in parts of Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan
Africa. Central and Eastern European countries are also confronted with endemic
housing problems. Furthermore, inadequate housing policies coupled with poor capacity
to deal with a housing demand of unprecedented scale and magnitude exacerbates
housing and living conditions across many cities around the world.
But housing is both a problem and an opportunity in todays state of urbanization in the
developing world. A well-performing housing sector generates jobs and income in
multiple economic sectors, propels innovations in building codes, urban legislation and
urban planning; it impacts on densities in cities, contributes to economic growth and
touches every single aspect of the economy of a country. These peculiar properties
enable the housing sector to become a vehicle for poverty reduction and urban
innovations that have direct impact on the form and growth of cities and thus on quality of
life and on the overall sustainability of urban development. The housing problem is
complex and requires well designed policies and strategies that result into scaled-up
outcomes (quantity), improved quality, greater affordability and accessibility vis--vis
location and house price-to-income ratio. Policy makers must identify the deep rooted
causes of housing problems and understand the rationale of housing and land markets in
order to be able to design and implement effective housing policies, programs and
projects. The result of this effort is to provide housing that is affordable, adequately
designed, well-located, served by basic infrastructure and public services and is
responsive-to-the needs of low and middle-income families.
These are some of the fundamental issues that are addressed by this training course via
lectures, case studies, simulation exercises, site visits and in-class discussion. It will
help participants to analyze and understand the global housing problem, with references
and illustrations from different parts of the world.

Training Format
The course is organized in the format of an interactive seminar that allows for exchange and
discussions amongst the participants. The course is practical and problem-solving oriented,
meaning that participants will be exposed to housing policy practices within a global context
whilst acquiring knowledge and developing tools and know-how that will enable them to
analyze housing problems, understand their genesis and develop solutions that fit their own
context. Specific attention will be given to housing sector analysis and profiling in support to
the design of policy interventions and monitoring.
Housing Policy and Practice for Sustainable Urban Development
9~16 March 2015
International Urban Training Center (IUTC)

Number of Participants : 20-25 persons

Summary Programme
DAY 1: Monday, 9 March
This day convers the official opening of the course, the presentation of the program and the
introductory lectures focusing on developing a common understanding amongst the
participant about the housing challenges in a global perspective, followed by an introduction
about the housing problem and approaches adopted by the Korean government.
Session 1: Opening Ceremony
Session 2: Global Trends in Urbanization and the Housing Problem
Session 3: Korean Housing Practices: trends and lessons from experiences
Session 4: Housing and Urban Development Policies in Korea
DAY 2: Tuesday, 10 March
This day makes an in-depth analysis of the meaning and scope of housing and unpacks the
various ways through which housing is produced, with an array of references from different
countries. It further unveils peoples autonomous processes of developing housing
pinpointing fundamental elements that can inform government policies. The day closes with
an in-depth analysis and presentations focusing on the Korean experience demonstrated
through case studies and lessons learned from experience.
Session 1: The meaning of Housing: understanding how the housing sector works
Session 2: Housing in a Global Perspective: housing production and the Peoples Housing
Process
Session 3: Korean Housing Policy and Practice: a critical analysis and historical overview
Session 4: Korean Housing Policy and Practice: case studies, projects, housing finance
DAY 3: Wednesday, 11 March
This day is devoted to the field visit to Korean Housing Projects through which participants
will acquire first-hand experience with the results and approaches adopted by the Korean
government in its housing policy, projects and programs. The visit will cover issues such as
building technology, infrastructure development, housing standards, housing prices and
finance, institutional and policy arrangements as well as housing design.
DAY 4: Thursday, 12 March
This day focuses on the economic side of housing, particularly developing the necessary
skills knowledge to adequately understand how housing markets function, the elements of
supply and demand, issues such as affordability and house price-to-income ratio and the
overall housing indicators in support to the formulation of evidence-based and informed
housing policies and strategies. Participants will present their own experience and that of
their city/country with housing e.g. housing policies, housing projects, financing, building, etc.
Session 1: Housing Markets: understanding the supply and demand
Session 2: Housing Indicators
Session 3: Participants Presentations
Session 4: Participants Presentations
DAY 5: Friday, 13 March

Housing Policy and Practice for Sustainable Urban Development

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This day focuses on the methodology called Housing Profile developed by UN-Habitat and
applied into a number of countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It shows the step-perstep approach in developing an in-depth understanding of the structure and functioning of
the housing sector as the stepping stone to formulate a housing policy response, a strategy
and concrete measures to enable greater accessibility to and/or production of affordable
housing. The second part of the day is devoted to participants presentations where they will
share their experience, their analysis and lessons learned with housing projects, housing
programs, housing policies and strategies in their own country/city.
Session 1: Housing Sector Profile Methodology: preparing for housing policy formulation
Session 2: Land Supply for Housing
Session 3: Participants Presentations
Session 4: Participants Presentations
DAY 6: Saturday, 14 March
This day is focused on practical experiences and showcases concrete case studies and
references covering a range of housing issues such as the right to adequate housing and its
implication to policies and approaches, the provision of rental housing and particularly social
rental housing with references to the European experiences. The sessions will also look at
housing finance and self-management housing development strategies as well as housing
cooperatives as a policy option and strategy to provide affordable housing to low income
households, with ample examples from Asia and Latin America.
Session 1: The Right to Adequate Housing: policies and approaches
Session 2: Rental Housing, Social Rental Housing, Multi-family Housing and Case Studies
from Europe
Session 3: Housing Finance and Case Studies from Asia and Latin America
Session 4: Community-based Self-Management Housing and Case Studies from Latin
America
DAY 7: Sunday, 15 March
This day has one introductory session about the step-per-step approach to design and
formulate a housing policy document, with its strategies, programs, projects, etc. It is a
practical oriented session. Participants will acquire knowledge on tools and methodological
and systematic approaches to analyze the housing problem in their context and design
policy, program and project response. The remaining sessions of the day will be used by
participants to develop their proposals in the form of a project, policy or program document.
Session 1: Designing a Housing Policy, Program, Project: a step per step approach
Session 2: Practical Exercise
Session 3: Practical Exercise
Session 4: Practical Exercise
DAY 8, Monday 16 March
This is the final day of the course when participants will present the results of their final
assignment. Participants will present their views, analysis, strategies and expected results
upon returning home. The day will closure with a rapid evaluation session and the closing
ceremony with the award of certificates.
Session 1: Participants Final Presentations
Session 2: Participants Final Presentations
Session 3: Participants Final Presentations
Session 4: Evaluation, Feedback and Closure of the Course

Housing Policy and Practice for Sustainable Urban Development

9~16 March 2015
International Urban Training Center (IUTC)

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Day 9, Tuesday, 17 March: departure to home country.
Field Trip : Visit to Korean Housing Institutions and Field Projects
Getting acquainted with Korean experience; visits to housing projects. discussions with
Korean Housing Officials; understanding the Korean Housing Sector; housing Finance and
the Housing Market in Korea; land supply for housing through land readjustment.
Cultural Experiences
Korean Traditional Culture / Music.
Skiing at the Venue for 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics

Note. The above program may be subject to change.

Coordinators
Claudio Acioly Jr. is an architect and urban planner, and a development practitioner with
more than 30 years of experience. During the period 2008-2012 he was Chief of the Housing
Policy Section of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and
coordinator of the United Nations Housing Rights Programme jointly implemented with the
Office of UN High Commissioner of Human Rights. He also coordinated the work of the
Advisory Group on Forced Evictions to the Executive Director of UN-Habitat-AGFE. He is
currently Chief of the Capacity Development Unit of UN-Habitat.

Training Venue
IUTC Eco-complex (International Urban Training Center)
341-6 Saengtaegongwon-gil, Bukbang-myeon, Hongcheon-gun,
Gangwon Province 250-884, Republic of Korea
Tel. +82-33-248 6584~5 Homepage: http://iutc.gwd.go.kr

Organizing Institutes
IUTC
The International Urban Training Center (IUTC), officially launched on 3 May 2007 as a joint
collaboration between between UN-HABITAT and Gangwon Provincial Government,
Republic of Korea, aims to build the capacity of local governments, particularly in the AsiaPacific region, to pursue sustainable urbanization in line with the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals. Since its inception, Gangwon Province has been providing full support
for the IUTC in partnership with UN-HABITAT.
With a focus on sustainable urban development, the IUTC provides cutting-edge training
courses and materials for city leaders, policy makers and urban planners. Courses are
designed to give participants hands on learning and the tools to develop and implement
sustainable urbanization policies and programs in their communities.
The IUTCs core curriculum focuses on environmental restoration and strategic approaches
to urban planning, and developing and maintaining ecologically sound communities. As part
of the UN-HABITAT family, the center is devoted to promoting civil and human rights, decent
Housing Policy and Practice for Sustainable Urban Development
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International Urban Training Center (IUTC)

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shelter, land readjustment as well as waste, water, sanitation, health and education services
to communities mainly for the participants of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Until
now 47 international courses have been offered.

UN-HABITAT
The United Nations Human Settlements Program, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency
for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and
environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for
all.
The post is located in the recently established Capacity Development Unit-CDU, formerly
known as the Training and Capacity Building Branch. The CDU, in its new mandate,
combines knowledge, research, tools, skill development and training into a coherent
capacity development strategy focusing on cities, Habitat Agenda partners, training
institutions and UN-Habitat staff, making use of all the knowledge and information
generated from the other units of the newly established branch.

How to apply and submit documents

Applicants must fill out the application form and submit by February 5th to:
Mr. Yeonghoon Kim / Ms. Banghee Wee <bluesky11301@naver.com>
Ms. Sandrine Cardon <sandrine.cardon@unhabitat.org>
* Please send your application files to both email accounts above, not by fax.
Participants are requested to prepare a case study and bring relevant data from their
respective cities to be used during the training sessions with a view to developing
implementation plans. Detailed information in this regard is provided below.

In order to apply for the course, each applicant is requested to submit:

An application form (in type, not handwritten) : This form should be submitted in MS
Word format, never in PDF, JPEG, nor by FAX, except a scan file of page 4 with official
signature as an approval sign of your training participation.
A scanned passport copy (passport needs to be valid for more than 6 months from the
departure date from Republic of Korea)
A brief summary of the applicants case study on housing policy, projects, program,
activities or other topics related to the course (PPT format)
- Name and location of selected site, project descriptions (goals and objectives,
construction methods and techniques, monitoring and maintenance etc.), project
outcomes (improvements achieved with photos before/after implementation,
management etc.), improvement plan etc.
At least one letter of recommendation from your employer/head
- Dont make any signature forgery as the letter could imply that you have been
officially approved on the training participation. In the case your document proves
false before/during the training, we will cancel your candidacy and notify your
organization/head of the fact.

Housing Policy and Practice for Sustainable Urban Development

9~16 March 2015
International Urban Training Center (IUTC)

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Selection Criteria
Applications will be more considered based on the following criteria and accepted on a first
come, first serve basis.
Demonstrated commitment to the development and implementation of the housing
policy, project, program or activities in the central/local government or community level
Nomination of an appropriate person who is able to participate effectively in the course
and lead the subsequent process of housing projects in terms of sustainable city
planning and development. The nominees must be conversant in English. This should
be guaranteed in the letter of recommendation
Only the persons submitting their case study report in PPT format could be considered
as qualified applicants as below:
a. Summary of housing projects or activities you are engaging in including future
implementation plan of what and how to improve after the course, as the IUTC
course strongly requires the participants to develop a practical demonstration project
as follow-up implementation plan.
* Refer to the attached file to include the requested information: Case study format
for country report presentation (in PPT)
b. Application form (typed-in and not hand-written), scanned passport copy, official
recommendation letter of organizational head with signature as well as agreement to
the course attendance.
Note. Applicants who received a full scholarship of IUTC courses within 3 years are
not eligible for the application.

Timeline
5 February 2015
Deadline of Application
9 February 2015
Selection result announcement to successful applicants
* Invitation letters for visa process and cooperation request in the Korean Embassy will be
sent as requested in the application form.
* Upon receiving email from IUTC, personal flight ticket purchase is kindly recommended
for candidates convenience while checking the airfare allowance with IUTC.
Reimbursement will be made upon arrival at the IUTC.
* All participants must arrive at the IUTC by the evening hours of March 8th at the latest. So,
flight itinerary should be arranged according to this time frame.

26 February 2015
Submission of final full version or modified version of case study if necessary (basic
data and information) (by Presentation format)
27 February 2015
Submission of visa copy (for e-ticket issue from travel agency)
* Once the flight ticket has been purchased, participants on full scholarship are, in the case
of cancellation, responsible for all flight cancellation charges or full round trip airfare
depending upon the regulations stipulated by Airlines.

Housing Policy and Practice for Sustainable Urban Development

9~16 March 2015
International Urban Training Center (IUTC)

Scholarships and Course fees

IUTC covers all cost during the training period as well as field trip elements of the course,
which includes international airfare, accommodation and meals throughout the training.
Please note that training participants have to share rooms.
NB.
A. English Proficiency for communication during the Course
The applicants/nominees must be conversant in English as they must be engaged in
group activity for action planning. This should be guaranteed in the letter of
recommendation
B. Forfeiture of Candidacy:
Incomplete submission of all required documents to the IUTC, in particular, such as
scanned visa copy by designated date above and/or submission of false documents
making signature forgery may be subject to the forfeiture of candidacy for training
participation. In the cases, IUTC shall not take any burden for incurred expenses.
C. No Extended Stay after the Course and No Change in Flight Schedule:
Once the training is over, all participants should return to their country according to the
individual flight schedule reported to the IUTC until departure for Korea. IUTC is neither
responsible for nor supportive of any unauthorized private changes.
D. Non Smoking Enforcement:
Korean Government enforces a strong non-smoking policy in public areas including
streets, so smoking within the premises of the IUTC is not allowed, except in a
designated area outside the building.
Anybody breaking this rule should be imposed of a fine 100USD, which must be the
responsibility of the violator.
E. No Alcohol Drinking Policy:
IUTC does not allow visitors to drink alcohols within the building.

Further Considerations
1. All trainees, except resource people, are requested to share each twin bed rooms by two
people.
2. Local travel costs, visa fees, insurance, salary, DSA and related allowances are not
covered by IUTC.
3. Sleeping with outsiders not approved by the ITUC during the training is not allowed.
Other information such as pick up schedule at the airport to IUTC, weather conditions and
clothing, facility use rules etc. will be posted by email, prior to your departure.

If your working area is not fit for the course application, please deliver this training course
brochure to your senior officials such as mayor, vice mayor, or director general for their
personal attendance or making recommendation of the fittest person to the course. In the
case they are not available to contact, please copy this to the fittest person around your
organization.
Thank you in advance for your interest and cooperation in the course and we will look forward
to your successful application or excellent recommendation.

Housing Policy and Practice for Sustainable Urban Development

9~16 March 2015
International Urban Training Center (IUTC)