Tackling urban slums: The bottom-up approach
Posted 1:54 PM by Internal Voices in Labels: 11th edition
Laura Kirk and Pavel Potekhin, UN HABITAT New York
The reduction of slum populations is an important issue affecting almost one billion people globally. In order to formalize the UN approach towards slum reduction Millennium Development Goal 7 (target 4) was introduced in 2000 to improve living standards for one hundred million people living in slum conditions. Close cooperation between various UN bodies, local authorities and the local public is necessary in order to build upon the progress made towards the MDG for slum rehabilitation. If properly organized this interaction allows developing countries to eliminate slums and stay on track for sustainable development. Alternatively, if no actions are taken at the local level, the number of slum dweller may rise to 1.4 billion by 2020.
While considerable progress has been made within Asian and Latin American states, the Africa Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) region still lacks significant improvement in slum reduction. As a result of slum upgrading projects the number of slum dwellers has decreased by 230 million worldwide; however, 830 million slum habitats remain. The slum prevalence is highest in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 62%; followed by Asia, with 43%; East Asia, with 37%; and Latin America and the Caribbean, with 27% (data taken from UN HABITAT side events to the MDG Summit 2010).
It is essential local levels of government be empowered and take leadership. Being closer to the general public they are better placed to deal with issues at the local level and to deliver. With specific local knowledge, these are the bodies most familiar with local issues; they know the particular development challenges of their area; are more cost effective and efficient; able to identify linkages among sectors and holistic. Moreover, local governments are elected and can be changed if they don’t deliver; are equipped to sustain long term participatory planning and financing maintenance of local investments; and operate in ways which take into account issues such as Natural Resource Management, gender and climate change as well as being more responsive to the people.
Let’s then analyse successful government projects for slum upgrading in developing countries, focusing on the ACP region.
Before 1985 Senegal experienced the following slum related issues: inappropriate land regulation, urban planning which did not reflect current needs, a lack of land occupancy control, and population growth which was not comparable to wealth growth in cities. Several steps towards slums restructurization, land occupancy deregulation and provision of rights were undertaken. In 1991 a restructuring and land regulation fund was established. In 2005 Senegal’s government worked closely together with citizens and established an entity for the supervision and control in order to allow citizens to become owners of their habitats. Several infrastructure projects have been undertaken with participation of private investors. Infrastructure within habitats alongside changes in the legal system
In Jamaica three cities were selected as pilot projects; one based on size and two based on tourism sector development, rapid growth and vulnerability to natural disasters. Moreover, current policies and projects as well as gaps in regulation towards slum elimination were reviewed in order to avoid duplications. Furthermore, understanding and participation of the projects by the public at the community level was ensured. Participation was defined as feedback provision and suggestion as well as ability to undertake various SWOT analyses for future project development. The next step involved national consultation to finalize different action plans for the future: including over 200 participants representing three communities alongside various stakeholders such as private and public sector agents and NGOs. Finally, with the help of various UN bodies, training for students and local authorities was incorporated in the planning education programmes at the University of Technology of Jamaica and local authorities.
Kenya faced two main critical issues such as unclear number of people living in slums and inadequate planning regulation. The most recent census in Kenya provided accurate estimations of slum populations. Kibera, the country’s most prolific slum settlement, had previously experienced wide variations anywhere between 600 thousand and 2 million people. The census found that this settlement houses approximately 170 thousand inhabitants. Moreover, there has been a restructuring of politics within the country. A new constitution with the core principles of devolution and decentralization now applies to the 47 counties more specifically decentralization of governance and resources. It also seeks to unleash the capacity of women and now requires that one third of programme staff be female. The new constitution ‘Bill of Rights’ makes the achievement of MDGs a reality for the average Kenyan citizen.
Slum rehabilitation efforts are a major development issue affecting almost one billion people globally. While MDG targets to reduce slum settlements have been successful, it is clear that substantial efforts are still required to improve the plights of hundreds of millions worldwide. The unequal progress of regions and particular need for improvements in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States demonstrates a clear necessity to refocus on slum rehabilitation. Action at the local level is best placed to deal with such locality-specific issues and together with best practice efforts is essential for progress to be made in this area.
Picture : UN Photo/Claudio Edinger
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