Baghdad Or Salt Lake City

Curtis Johnson explains the challenges in applying planning principles in Baghdad.

1 minute read

February 4, 2004, 11:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Baghdad or Salt Lake City, the test is whether it's a truly round table, gathering people who do not easily agree, finding them forging sensible solutions." Planner Peter Kenney reports on his experience in Baghdad: "We had about 100 people at 12 tables and the sight of them in rapt conversation about the future of a free Iraq was something to see. We had one table where there was a Sunni sheik, four Shia sheiks, a very conservative veiled woman, and four very western-looking women. This is the kind of mix you don't see in Iraq. The Sunni sheik went on for about four minutes about how he shouldn't have to sit at a table with women and that he should only sit with other tribal leaders."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

Monday, October 24, 2005 in Citistates Group

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