Expériences outils et méthodes pour un Developpement urbain partagé: fiches d'expériences - Volume 1

This is one of two volumes that aim to share good working practices from individual countries in the field of urban development, providing a space for information and idea exchange and provoking reflection in this area. The volumes provide examples of popular environmental initiatives with community participation as a key factor; numerous programmes, projects and community initiatives from the South are described, including the social, economic and political factors which affect them. Volume 1 consists of 43 “snapshot” case studies from Africa, Latin America and South and East Asia. The context and objectives of the project are described and the strengths and weaknesses of the particular project outlined. These cases are grouped into four broad themes: the role of the residents in urban and community development; capacity and partnership building in intermediary organizations; the environment and economic potential of community enterprise; and the social dimension of technological innovation. Examples include waste collection and recycling, sanitation and sewerage, low-cost housing and urban agriculture.

Volume 2 begins with a consideration of urban poverty, including the structural causes of poverty and the space for innovation and participation. Drawing upon the NGO projects which make up the rest of the book, it links theoretical debates regarding urban poverty to practical examples of NGO work. Following this introductory chapter, eight detailed case studies are given of programmes or projects which aim to combat aspects of poverty. Examples of these innovative, and often effective, programmes are the provision of water and sanitation, recycling domestic water, cooperatives and associations to improve social integration within the community. Each case study provides a thorough and detailed description of the project and its social, political and economic environment, the problems with which it had to contend and the current state of the project. Although some of the projects still have to contend with serious obstacles, these case studies provide examples of lessons learnt by NGOs and show potential paths to more successful development.