Framing of Slum Dwellers in Participatory Projects - A case-study of the PROMETROPOLE project in Recife, Brazil (Paper) (original) (raw)
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Since the 1920s, participatory approaches to urban upgrading in developing nations have demonstrated that involving the urban poor in the physical, social, and economic development of their settlements could improve their living conditions. These housing policies and projects have since been central to urban poverty reduction. Yet, while participatory upgrading is still used on a limited scale, it has failed to become a mainstream component of urban development. This dissertation analyzes some reasons for that failure by investigating the trajectory of an urban poverty reduction program that had much potential for success in Cambodia, but whose results yet surprisingly fell short of expectations. It connects the results to a critical analysis of international experience with policies and programs for urban poverty reduction. It explores the issue in two steps: First it analyzes the historical evolution of the policies and practices of urban poverty reduction in developing nations. This highlights the apparently weak link between lessons from experience, international policy recommendations, and the programs actually implemented by governments. Second, it presents a narrative analysis of how a participatory urban poverty reduction policy originated, was implemented, and evolved in Phnom Penh from 1996 to 2004. That story provides a micro-level understanding of the shape and constraints of the evolution of policies and practices, complementing the macro-historical analysis. The findings illustrate that three main issues have prevented international and local agencies from promoting urban development assistance, using lessons learned from concrete experience over time, and thus kept them from adopting a more continuous use of proven practices. First, a conflict of frames between agencies over the meaning of development as human-centered versus growth-led, and of the meaning of participation as an end of development vs. a means to implement centrally-decided projects at a low-cost. Second, the lack of consideration for local institutions and politics in helping them understand why and how new approaches could be absorbed, or instead resisted. And third, an apparently lack of consistency in policy directions over time, with the abandonment of proven participatory practices, and the adoption of single-sided market-based approaches to development, when history had shown that both were needed together.
The informal settlements are the most part of the city affected from climate change consequence, insecurity, violence and lack of adequate housing, as the urban poor of the informal settlements may face more difficult challenges than the residents of other formal settlements. In general, the city is facing high urban growth and rapid urbanization rate as well due to both internal migration and transition migration from neighbor countries. At the same time, the situation of urban poverty, informality and inequality is increasing. In fact, there are growing vulnerabilities among slum dwellers in four informal settlements as a consequence of frequent intense rain, strong winds and droughts and slum dwellers of these informal settlements are the most community sectors exposing to these hazards due to lack of adequate housing and infrastructure. On the other hand, housing becomes expensive and non-affordable for the urban poor due to lack of suitable land in risk free zoon and land speculation. At the same time the citizen are facing insecurity situation and violence actions. Tensions regarding listing the priorities of developments are rising due to conflict of interest among community sectors. As well many community sectors are excluded from local planning and development process. That’s not to say that community sectors such as urban poor lacks the knowledge about their problems. In fact, they have knowledge and potentials to tackle their problems. But there should be a space for them to act and be urban actors in achieving inclusive development. As well, take the advantage of funds opportunities delivered by International Aid Agency. Dealing with these challenges required a well structure local participatory asset planning in order to come up with inclusive democratic outcome, poverty reduction solutions and asset adaptation strategy to climate change. The participatory platform techniques should then engage different stakeholders such as local financial institution, local community initiatives, households’ initiatives, the community based organizations, affected communities, International Aid Agency (IAA), International Development Consultant Agency (IDCA) and local governments in the four informal settlements to address the common urban development agendas that meet the needs of people, condition of institutions and interest of local authorities. Taking the reality that The International Aid Agency sets a £3 million to finance housing and infrastructure improvements for a period of three years under the following conditions; 1) Preferably to be for areas facing high poverty severe weather impacts, 2) Engaging the urban poor of four informal settlements in planning process, 3) Strengthen existing community and household initiatives, 4) Community and local authority to cover part of the cost 5) Fund of £0.3 can be used to create revolving fund for housing improvement purpose In general, The International Aid Agency prefers to associate these conditions with the impacts of severe weather. So, it’s recommended to take these conditions in advantage in all planning process, alongside with high consideration for the impact of severe weather. The embassy of the neighbor country where many people living in the informal settlement are coming from have to be engaged in the planning process along with the external migrant as many of them can still be refugees living in informal settlements due to lack of citizenship rights. So theY can be considered a part of stakeholders.