Bogota’s historic center is spectacular. Beautiful and surprisingly well-preserved colonial buildings flank the narrow, cobbled streets. At the end of the steep ascent one can see the Cerros Orientales, the imposing mountains that rise abruptly 600 meters above the city. This sight is unusual in a city that, despite being located in the Andean range, tends to focus its attention on the flat savanna where most of its urban sprawl is located. Unfortunately, the historic district has suffered from gradual but steady decay during the last few decades. The main colonial and republican landmark buildings are generally well maintained, but most of the area suffers from problems such as severe lack of economic development, crime, near total lack of green spaces, degradation of low-income homes, and strong social inequality. Read more or join the discussion.
Submitted by Jorge Bela — Mon, 09/09/2013 – 00:00
Bogotá tiene un centro histórico espectacular. Las estrechas callejuelas de la época colonial están jalonadas de edificios de gran belleza y en muchos casos sorprendentemente bien conservados, al menos estructuralmente. El ascenso empinado de las vías hacia los Cerros Orientales, que se elevan abruptamente 600 metros sobre el nivel del centro de la ciudad, crean una perspectiva única en una ciudad que a veces se olvida de su ubicación geográfica en plena cordillera andina. Sin embargo, a lo largo de las últimas décadas se ha producido un deterioro progresivo de la zona. Los principales edificios considerados como bienes de interés cultural, tanto de la época colonial como republicana, están generalmente en muy buen estado de conservación, pero el centro histórico sufre de problemas como la inseguridad, falta de desarrollo económico, una fuerte desigualdad social, falta de espacios verdes, o el deterioro de las vivienda de personas con bajos ingresos. Leer más o discutir.
Bogota’s historic center is spectacular. Beautiful and surprisingly well-preserved colonial buildings flank the narrow, cobbled streets. At the end of the steep ascent one can see the Cerros Orientales, the imposing mountains that rise abruptly 600 meters above the city. This sight is unusual in a city that, despite being located in the Andean range, tends to focus its attention on the flat savanna where most of its urban sprawl is located. Unfortunately, the historic district has suffered from gradual but steady decay during the last few decades. The main colonial and republican landmark buildings are generally well maintained, but most of the area suffers from problems such as severe lack of economic development, crime, near total lack of green spaces, degradation of low-income homes, and strong social inequality. Read more or join the discussion.
Submitted by Jorge Bela — Mon, 09/09/2013 – 00:00
The Kenyan federation of slum dwellers, Muungano wa Wanavijiji has succeeded in firmly establishing itself as an force to be reckoned with on the national arena. As their domestic influence grows, they have also begun to focus on strengthening ties with similar groups in the region and beyond. Read more or join the discussion.
Submitted by Katy Fentress — Mon, 09/09/2013 – 00:00
Sejarah Indonesia terlibat dalam Kerjasama Selatan-Selatan (KSS) atau dikenal dengan South-South Cooperation (SSC) dimulai sejak pelaksanaan Konferensi Asia Afrika di Bandung pada tahun 1955. Konferensi ini memiliki peran penting dalam mendorong kerjasama yang saling menguntungkan antar negara-negara berkembang. Pertemuan ini merupakan cikal bakal terbentuknya Gerakan Non-Blok pada tahun 1961 dan Kelompok 77 tahun 1964. Salah satu hasil dari kerjasama mereka adalah pembentukan Pusat gerakan Non Blok untuk Kerjasama Teknis Selatan-Selatan (Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation – NAM-CSSTC) dalam rangka mempercepat pembangunan di negara-negara berkembang atas inisiatif Indonesia dan Brunei Darussalam. Sejak tahun 1981 Pemerintah Indonesia mulai aktif mengadakan kerjasama teknis dengan membentuk Indonesian technical Cooperation Program (ITCP) yang bertujuan untuk berbagi pengalaman dan pengetahuan Indonesia tentang pembangunan yang dianggap sukses di Indonesia melalui program pelatihan dan pertukaran ahli di Indonesia dengan dukungan dari negara lain dan donor internasional. Baca lebih lanjut atau bergabung dalam diskusi.
Submitted by widya anggraini — Mon, 09/09/2013 – 00:00
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) represents one of the many successful south-south relationships in Africa, connecting 15 West African states to promote mobility, trade, and ultimately faster growth of the member nations. These states include Nigeria and Ivory Coast, who have taken their relationships one step further to establish stronger trade ties. Read more or join the discussion.
Submitted by Wura — Mon, 09/09/2013 – 00:00
Tentu kita masih ingat mengenai proses normalisasi waduk pluit yang dilakukan beberapa bulan lalu dan sempat menuai banyak protes dari warga setempat. Namun proses normalisasi waduk tersebut tetap terus dilakukan oleh Pemerintah daerah DKI Jakarta dengan tujuan mengembalikan fungsi waduk seperti semula yaitu tempat penampungan air. Bantaran waduk yang dulu menjadi tempat pembuangan sampah dan pemukiman kumuh, kini menunjukkan penampilan yang berbeda. Baca lebih lanjut.
Submitted by Nanda Ratna — Tue, 09/03/2013 – 14:37
A key issue at the time of designing and implementing programs aimed at improving conditions in slums is to consider how to involve potential beneficiaries in the process. The awards Por Una Ciudad Mejor, created in 1998 by an alliance of foundations and NGOs, have taken a decisive step in the right direction at the time of fostering such involvement. Community organizations are asked to present innovative solutions to specific problems in their neighborhoods. Taking into consideration their ability to transform in a positive and innovative way their communities, three prizes are awarded, and ten proposals are given honorable mentions. In the current edition the first prize winner gets 13 million COP (about US$ 6,500), second prize amounts to 7 million COP (about US$ 3,500), and the third prize amounts to 5 million COP (about US$2,500). The award money is to be used by the organizations to fund the implementation of their proposals. Read more or join the discussion.
Submitted by Jorge Bela — Mon, 08/26/2013 – 00:00
Buscar la forma de involucrar a los beneficiarios en el diseño y la implementación de los programas destinados a mejorar las condiciones en los barrios carentes es un aspecto crucial de dichos programas. Una iniciativa impulsada por una alianza de fundaciones y entidades privadas sin ánimo de lucro ha dado un paso más en este sentido, convocando desde 1998 los premios Por una Ciudad Mejor. A través de este premio se solicita a las organizaciones comunitarias que propongan iniciativas innovadoras encaminadas a mejorar la calidad de vida en estas áreas y que puedan servir de modelo para otras zonas en las mismas o incluso en otras ciudades. Entre todas las propuestas recibidas se seleccionan las 10 mejores, de acuerdo con su carácter innovador y su capacidad de influir positivamente en la ciudad, y se otorgan tres premios. En la convocatoria actual el primero estará dotado con 13 millones de pesos (unos 6.500 dólares), el segundo con 7 millones de pesos (unos 3.500 dólares) y el tercero con 5 millones de pesos (unos 2.500 dólares). La cuantía de los premios sirve para poner en marcha las iniciativas. Leer más o discutir.
A key issue at the time of designing and implementing programs aimed at improving conditions in slums is to consider how to involve potential beneficiaries in the process. The awards Por Una Ciudad Mejor, created in 1998 by an alliance of foundations and NGOs, have taken a decisive step in the right direction at the time of fostering such involvement. Community organizations are asked to present innovative solutions to specific problems in their neighborhoods. Taking into consideration their ability to transform in a positive and innovative way their communities, three prizes are awarded, and ten proposals are given honorable mentions. In the current edition the first prize winner gets 13 million COP (about US$ 6,500), second prize amounts to 7 million COP (about US$ 3,500), and the third prize amounts to 5 million COP (about US$2,500). The award money is to be used by the organizations to fund the implementation of their proposals. Read more or join the discussion.
Submitted by Jorge Bela — Mon, 08/26/2013 – 00:00
A growing movement of architects and urban planners are looking to informal settlements not simply to assess the breakdown in city planning but to inform it. Architect Sourav Kumar Biswas, the author of a new research study, “Play! Tactics & Strategies for Public Spaces in Mumbai’s Informal City,” says that Mumbai’s low-rise, high-density settlements have a lot to teach us about creating a more livable city, especially for its youngest residents. Read more or join the discussion.
Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 08/26/2013 – 00:00
“The Right to Housing” is a documentary series and a part of the “Right to Housing, a Socially Just and Sustainable Built Environment” initiative. This project aims to link urban issues and challenges with the right to housing: it proposes that this right should be respected in the constitution and in laws and that adequate urban policies be put in place to reflect the needs of the people. Read more or join the discussion.
Submitted by Mohamed Adel — Mon, 08/26/2013 – 00:00