Approaches to reducing urban poverty in Africa and Asia [News] - Posted by: George Ethan - Wed 28 Aug, 2013 Book reveals innovative approaches to reducing urban poverty in Africa and Asia. Poor urban communities across Africa and Asia have developed powerful as well as innovative approaches that have enabled millions of people to get better housing and services as well as social justice and inclusion in political processes, according to a new book published Monday by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). The book, ‘Reducing Urban Poverty in the Global South’ by David Satterthwaite and Diana Mitlin, shows that unlike the street protests that capture media attention, the people living in the “slums” of Africa and Asia realized that their realities required a different way of doing politics. The book’s authors have noted that efforts and experiences of those communities stand in stark contrast to the images of popular protest that have erupted in large cities in Egypt and Brazil, among others, in recent months. They said, “These quieter, more patient approaches to the problems of poverty and injustice appear more likely to bring benefits in the long-term.” Dr. Mitlin, an economist and social development specialist at the IIED said, “Social movement leaders observed the lack of progress in the post-independence period and decided that they had to re-design their strategies to increase the likelihood that equitable and inclusive cities were to be part of the political agenda.” “They rejected demonstrations and public protest because they knew that such a critical mass could not be held on the streets for long – but had to return to livelihood struggles,” she said. “They rejected revolutionary change – and contesting the seat of government – because they recognised that history shows that those who secure such seats rapidly join the political elites.” Instead, an alternative approach has emerged simultaneously in diverse countries over the past 20 years as groups of low-income urban citizens from informal settlements have joined forces to develop their own solutions to previously intractable urban development problems. These groups have ensured that governments recognize the urban poor for what they are, legitimate citizens able to sit around the table with mayors and ministers alike to determine innovative development options and help implement them through less confrontational tactics than mass protests. As a result, millions of urban residents are now organized in neighbourhood associations that come together in city federations to negotiate with local government for financial redistribution and investment capital, alongside pledging their own time and effort in improving their localities. The authors described the alternative approach that has emerged, illustrating this with five case studies of programme interventions that have adopted similar strategies to address urban poverty and advance the cause of the urban poor. These include international funds that support their priorities and are accountable to them.
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 12:12:01 +0000
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