Toward an Urban Sector Strategy : Georgia's Evolving Urban System and its Challenges

This review analyzes the profile, trends
and challenges of Georgia's changing urban landscape
since independence in 1991 and provides policy suggestions
to facilitate the economic transition of the country through
its cities. In its analysis and subsequent recommendations
on policy interventions, this report draws on a program of
diagnostics called the 'Urbanization Review' (UR).
The UR diagnostic is based on three main pillars of urban
development which have emerged as key areas of policy
engagement for successful cities. These are: a) planning,
charting a course for cities by setting the terms of
urbanization, especially policies for using urban land and
expanding basic infrastructure and public services; b)
connecting, physically linking people to jobs, and
businesses to markets; and c) financing, raising and
leveraging up-front capital to meet the increasing demand
for infrastructure and services. In moving forward, the
review recommends that Georgia focus on: a) developing a
national urban strategy that recognizes the contribution of
each city to the overall economy, i.e. a 'systems of
cities' approach that can assist in reducing regional
disparities; b) assisting cities to develop urban plans,
including local economic development plans, c) reforming
building and planning codes; and d) assisting cities in
improving their local governance and finances.