My work reflects a broad and integrated profile in urban and spatial planning, combining strategic and indicative planning with statutory and traditional urban planning instruments. I have led and advised on city development strategies, integrated urban development plans, physical planning manuals, land use policies, and metropolitan planning frameworks, often within donor-funded reform and capacity development programmes. This includes hands-on experience with a wide range of planning tools—from master plans and action programmes to sectoral and area-based plans—alongside policy formulation, legal reform, and training-oriented capacity building.
A consistent focus of my work was addressing the realities of cities in the Global South, where formal planning systems coexist with extensive informal development. My approach bridges regulatory frameworks with implementation-oriented solutions for informal and peri-urban areas, rapidly transforming urban regions, and environmentally sensitive zones. Through participatory processes, institutional strengthening, and adaptable planning instruments, I have supported municipalities and planning authorities in linking long-term spatial strategies with practical, socially inclusive interventions on the ground.
2016 - 2017
Photo: Abhijit Biswas on Unsplash
2016- 2017 - GIZ India
As cluster coordinator of the GIZ India Urban Portfolio, I was involved in conceptualising and steering the project’s initial phase, shaping its strategic direction and intervention logic. The project was implemented in cooperation with the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development. It sought to strengthen Indian state planning institutions in applying a standardised and integrated approach to land use planning.
The focus was on policy development, standardised planning tools and processes, and capacity building at state and local levels, including support for sector- and area-specific planning such as eco-sensitive zones, industrial areas, and peri-urban regions.
2009 - 2010
2009 - 2010 - Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF), Palestine - World Bank
I managed a team of international and national experts supporting the improvement of urban planning practices in Palestinian municipalities, as part of a local government capacity development programme implemented by the MDLF and financed by the World Bank with Danish trust funding. The work included reviewing the legal framework and planning practice and preparing a Physical Planning Policies and Procedures Manual to guide future master plans.
The manual was tested in a training-of-trainers workshop with participants from the Ministry of Local Government, selected municipalities, and from the private sector and academia.
2008
2008 - GIZ Land Management and
Cadaster Project Serbia
I led a study on urban planning and land management practices in Serbia to support the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) in formulating a local government position for forthcoming legal reforms.
The work included analysing the national planning system, developing recommendations for legislative change and improved planning practices, and facilitating training workshops with national and municipal stakeholders to communicate and align the study’s findings and reform proposals.
2007 - 2008
2007 -2008 - BSS - Stadtent-wicklung und Stadt-sanierung GmbH, Leipzig, Germany
/ GTZ
I provided technical assistance to the City of Sibiu in preparing an Integrated Urban Development Plan as the basis for an application to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The assignment involved developing an integrated urban development strategy and action programme through broad stakeholder participation and community mobilisation, and identifying priority investment projects with a total planned ERDF funding volume of €23 million.
2009
2005 - 2007 - GTZ
I managed and implemented a technical cooperation project and led the preparation of a City Development Strategy for the metropolitan area of Ramallah, Al Bireh, and Beitunia, with co-funding from Cities Alliance.
The assignment focused on strategic urban planning and included the conceptualisation of a follow-on programme on local governance and civil society development.
1985 - 1987
1985 - 1987 - German Technical Cooperation
I provided advisory assistance to the General Organisation for Physical Planning (GOPP) within the Egyptian Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and New Settlements.
The project supported the preparation of urban development plans for the cities of Tanta, Aswan, Assiut, Bilbeis, and Abu Simbel.
It also included capacity building and training for Egyptian planners at national and local levels.
© Frank Samol 2023