Category: Uncategorized

Alex Atala is one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2013. He is not only Brazil’s most important chef and a pioneer of using Brazilian ingredients in haute cuisine, he also directly influences his native São Paulo with a call for innovation and greater attention to the relationship between urban residents and food. He is an advocate for cities where culture and play are an option available to all citizens, bringing inclusion and integration to divided societies. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 07/22/2013 – 00:00

Alex Atala é uma das 100 pessoas mais influentes do mundo em 2013 segundo a revista Time. Ele é o chef mais influente do Brasil e um pionero na utilização de ingredientes nativos brasileiros na alta gastronomia. Ele também é dos nomes mais influentes na sua natal São Paulo, especialemente pelo seu foco na inovação e seu chamado de atenção a nossa alimentação. Atala também enfatiza que a cultura e o lazer não deveriam ser privilégios de alguns poucos, mais deveriam ser um ativo de todos os cidadãos gerando integração e inclusão para as sociedades. Leia mais o discutir.

Alex Atala is one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2013. He is not only Brazil’s most important chef and a pioneer of using Brazilian ingredients in haute cuisine, he also directly influences his native São Paulo with a call for innovation and greater attention to the relationship between urban residents and food. He is an advocate for cities where culture and play are an option available to all citizens, bringing inclusion and integration to divided societies. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 07/22/2013 – 00:00

Brazil is an important case study for learning about reproductive health and family planning policies in the developing world. It is especially worth highlighting the efforts of the government in the past two decades, starting with the approval of 1996 Law 9.263 which established family planning as a right for all women, ensuring that reproductive decisions were made with adequate information and direct access to contraceptive methods. In 1998, the government started distributing some forms of contraceptive methods for free. The National Family Planning Policy was created in 2007 to promote the distribution of free condoms, and to strengthen educational campaigns that target vulnerable adolescents in health units and schools. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 07/08/2013 – 00:00

Brasil tem recorrido um importante trecho no referente ao melhoramento das politicas e programas de saúde reprodutiva e planejamento familiar no país. Neste sentido vale destacar os esforços do governo Brasileiro das últimas duas décadas, especialmente a partir da aprovação da Lei 9.263 de 1996 que regulamenta o planejamento familiar como direito à livre escolha através da informação e do acesso aos métodos anticoncepcionais. Em 1998, o governo adotou medidas como a distribuição gratuita dos métodos anticoncepcionais e desde 2007, criou a Política Nacional de Planejamento Familiar, que incluiu a distribuição gratuita de preservativos e o fortalecimento de ações educativas relacionadas a saúde reprodutiva em unidades de saúde e escolas, voltadas para adolescentes de baixa renda de ambos sexos. Leia mais o discutir.

Brazil is an important case study for learning about reproductive health and family planning policies in the developing world. It is especially worth highlighting the efforts of the government in the past two decades, starting with the approval of 1996 Law 9.263 which established family planning as a right for all women, ensuring that reproductive decisions were made with adequate information and direct access to contraceptive methods. In 1998, the government started distributing some forms of contraceptive methods for free. The National Family Planning Policy was created in 2007 to promote the distribution of free condoms, and to strengthen educational campaigns that target vulnerable adolescents in health units and schools. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 07/08/2013 – 00:00

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by a virus and transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. It is currently one of the most common public health problems around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Dengue fever has four main types, in Brazil the most common ones are the classic dengue fever and the dengue hemorrhagic fever. The former is a light virus that with cold-like symptoms. The latter is a much more complex disease that can lead to nasal, urinary, and intestinal hemorrhages, compromised organs, and even death. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/24/2013 – 00:00

A dengue é uma doença infecciosa febril aguda causada por um vírus através do mosquito Aedes aegypti. Atualmente, a dengue é considerada um dos principais problemas de saúde pública de todo o mundo, especialmente nas áreas tropicais e subtropicais. A dengue tem quatro formas diferentes de se apresentar, sendo as mais frequentes no Brasil a dengue clássica e a febre hemorrágica da dengue. A dengue clássica é uma forma mais leve da doença e semelhante à gripe. A dengue hemorrágica é uma doença grave provocando hemorragias nasais, gengivais, urinárias, gastrointestinais ou uterinas. Leia mais o discutir.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by a virus and transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. It is currently one of the most common public health problems around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Dengue fever has four main types, in Brazil the most common ones are the classic dengue fever and the dengue hemorrhagic fever. The former is a light virus that with cold-like symptoms. The latter is a much more complex disease that can lead to nasal, urinary, and intestinal hemorrhages, compromised organs, and even death. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/24/2013 – 00:00

Anyone comparing countries can quickly conclude there isn’t a direct fixed relationship between economic growth and quality public services. Per capita income can be terrible while total national income is high. Economic growth can be high yet maintain widespread inequality. This is not a sustainable way to run a country, yet this is how things are and have always been done in Brazil, the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery and today the world’s 7th largest economy where 21% of the population is still under the poverty line. Brazil today is 106th in GDP per capita. We also rank among the worst in inequality, at number 17, although this is a significant improvement over the 1st place position we occupied two decades ago. Read more.

Submitted by Catalytic Communities — Thu, 06/20/2013 – 11:08

O Brasil vem trabalhando ativamente na erradicação do trabalho infantil, especialmente na formulação da legislação requerida e da execução de programas eficientes. Os primeiros avanços incluem a aprovação do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente de 1990 que resume os principais direitos desta população e da Emenda Constitucional de 1998 que aumenta a idade mínima para a entrada no mercado de trabalho. Com ela passou a ser proibido qualquer tipo de trabalho até os 16 anos. Entre 14 e 16 anos os jovens só podem exercer trabalhos remunerados na condição de aprendiz e sempre garantindo a proteção integral desta população, especialmente a frequência à escola. Leia mais ou discutir.

For over two decades, Brazil has been actively working to eradicate child labor, especially through legislation and by implementing effective interventions. A key step forward was the approval of the Child and Adolescent Statute in 1990, which sets out the rights of children and adolescents, and the Constitutional Amendment from 1998, which explicitly prohibits work by anyone who is 16 years or younger. Work conducted by a teenager aged 14 to 16 can only be training-related and should ensure the individual’s education, health, and overall wellbeing. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/10/2013 – 00:00

For over two decades, Brazil has been actively working to eradicate child labor, especially through legislation and by implementing effective interventions. A key step forward was the approval of the Child and Adolescent Statute in 1990, which sets out the rights of children and adolescents, and the Constitutional Amendment from 1998, which explicitly prohibits work by anyone who is 16 years or younger. Work conducted by a teenager aged 14 to 16 can only be training-related and should ensure the individual’s education, health, and overall wellbeing. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/10/2013 – 00:00

The second day of the New Cities Summit hosted several interesting and thought-provoking discussions. The day started with a panel on participation; highlights included Porto Alegre’s Mayor José Fortunati talking about the city’s renowned participative budgeting exercise which has been in place for 23 years. He attributed the city’s excellent scores on the Human Development Index to the great levels of active and sustained citizen participation in key development issues. Read more.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Thu, 06/06/2013 – 14:24

Colombia ha experimentado una transformación extraordinaria desde la entrada del nuevo siglo. Los conflictos armados que se iniciaron a mediados del siglo pasado, y que se vieron agravados con la irrupción del narcotráfico y de grupos criminales organizados, generaron una ola de desplazados de las zonas rurales que buscaron refugio en las ciudades, y que se sumó a la migración natural que se observó el en resto del hemisferio. Las ciudades no pudieron absorber un crecimiento tan rápido, y sufrieron un deterioro acelerado en sus condiciones de vida, que se pudo percibir especialmente en ciudades medianas, como Cali, que disfrutaban de una alta calidad de vida antes de que se iniciaran los conflictos. Bogotá, como capital y mayor ciudad del país, atrajo el número mas elevado de desplazados, que se agolpaban desordenadamente en los barrios del sur. Ambas ciudades se convirtieron también en objetivo de los ataques de los grupos armados, y vivían en permanente jaque y aislamiento. Leer más.

Submitted by Jorge Bela — Thu, 08/08/2013 – 22:38

Colombia has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past fifteen years. The armed conflict that arose in the mid-twentieth century, aggravated by organized crime and drug trafficking, generated a massive wave of displaced people seeking refuge in the cities. This flow was in addition to the regular flow of immigrants from rural to urban areas that took place in Latin America as a whole during the same period. Colombian cities were unable to assimilate such rapid growth, and suffered a significant deterioration in living conditions. This was particularly so in medium-sized cities, such as Cali, which had relatively high living standards before the conflict erupted. Bogotá, as the capital and most populated city in Colombia, attracted the largest number of displaced people, giving rise to large slums in the south. Both cities became the target of attacks from armed groups, and became isolated under the fear of constant threat. Read more.

Submitted by Jorge Bela — Thu, 08/08/2013 – 22:25

Women have recently started having a more proactive role in the promotion of public security in Rio de Janeiro. They are actively present in the city’s public security efforts as community workers in the Women of Peace program. The program, which plays a pivotal role in Rio’s public security strategy, is a state-sponsored, community based initiative that promotes community work within the most vulnerable and violent neighborhoods in the city. The program is financed by the Ministry of Justice and is implemented with the Municipal Social Development Secretariat. Its main objective is to prevent violence and promote “active citizenship” through community work led by women. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 03/04/2013 – 00:00

As mulheres começam a desempenhar um papel cada vez mais importante na promoção da segurança pública de Rio de Janeiro. Elas estão presentes na segurança pública, trabalhando como agentes comunitários dentro do programa Mulheres da Paz. Mulheres da Paz é o programa complementário das atividades das UPP e uma parte muito importante da segurança pública no Rio. O foco do programa é o trabalho comunitário atendendo as áreas com maior pobreza e violência da cidade. O programa é financiado pelo Ministério da Justiça e coordenado no Rio conjuntamente com a Secretaria Municipal de Desenvolvimento Social. O objetivo deste programa é a prevenção da criminalidade usando a “cidadania ativa”. Leia mais ou discutir.

Women have recently started having a more proactive role in the promotion of public security in Rio de Janeiro. They are actively present in the city’s public security efforts as community workers in the Women of Peace program. The program, which plays a pivotal role in Rio’s public security strategy, is a state-sponsored, community based initiative that promotes community work within the most vulnerable and violent neighborhoods in the city. The program is financed by the Ministry of Justice and is implemented with the Municipal Social Development Secretariat. Its main objective is to prevent violence and promote “active citizenship” through community work led by women. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 03/04/2013 – 00:00

Event: Tech4Good
18–21 março 2013 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A partir de hoje estão abertas as inscrições para o Tech4Good, movimento liderado pelo Comitê para Democratização da Informática (CDI) e o Instituto-E. O objetivo é convidar a sociedade civil para promover ações que usem a tecnologia para solucionar problemas do dia a dia ou para mobilizar pessoas para uma causa do bem.

Tec-ativistas de todo Brasil podem inscrever suas ideias, até o dia 08 de março, por meio de formulário disponível neste hotsite, pela fan page no Facebook e Google Plus. Ao todo serão seis categorias: Terra, Meio Ambiente, Energia, Economia, Educação e Empoderamento, sendo que é possível uma mesma pessoa participar de mais de uma categoria. As iniciativas serão avaliadas por um júri oficial e os 06 finalistas selecionados serão divulgados no site a partir do dia 14.

No período de 18 a 21 de março os 06 escolhidos vão se apresentar no palco do Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC), evento da Endeavor que reunirá no Lagoon, no Rio de Janeiro, empreendedores de 125 países. Durante o evento, os finalistas receberão troféu e kit Tech4Good e o título de Embaixador do Bem, que confere ao vencedor a possibilidade de ao longo do ano, juntamente com o CDI e Instituto-E, inspirar e incentivar as pessoas a usarem a tecnologia para o bem.

Além disso, o Tech4Good vai premiar empreendedores com ideias de negócios sociais de base tecnológica, que serão convidados a participar de uma mentoria de design thinking, pela empresa MJV Tecnologia e Inovação, também durante o GEC. Leia mais.

I work in three social projects in favelas of Rio de Janeiro — a daycare in Rocinha, a soccer program in Mangueira, and a digital literacy project in Cidade de Deus — all of which provide education and support networks for children and their families in extremely underprivileged communities. On a given day I probably interact with 20-70 kids depending on which project I am working at. From the moment I began working at these projects, it became clear that community integration is a central part of the environment in which these children live. Read more.

Submitted by Editor — Tue, 02/26/2013 – 10:38

The Complexo do Alemão is a agglomeration of several low-income neighborhoods in the North Zone of Rio, with over 90,000 residents. The Complexo is known for its precarious housing, its lack of urban and social infrastructure, and its crime-related past. Since late 2010, however, the Complexo has benefited from several interventions by the police and military; they expelled most of the drug trafficking groups in the area, resulting in a significant drop in crime and violence. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 02/04/2013 – 23:00

O Complexo do Alemão é um conjunto de favelas da Zona Norte do Rio de Janeiro onde moram em torno de 90.000 pessoas. O bairro é conhecido pela sua precariedade e carência de equipamentos urbanos e sociais. Além de suas carências básicas, o Complexo do Alemão tem sido vitima do crime organizado e no passado foi uma das áreas de maior violência da cidade. A partir do final de 2010, o complexo vivenciou uma das maiores operações de pacificação por parte da policia e das forcas armadas, expulsando facções criminosas e diminuindo drasticamente os crimes da área. Read more or join the discussion.

The Complexo do Alemão is a agglomeration of several low-income neighborhoods in the North Zone of Rio, with over 90,000 residents. The Complexo is known for its precarious housing, its lack of urban and social infrastructure, and its crime-related past. Since late 2010, however, the Complexo has benefited from several interventions by the police and military; they expelled most of the drug trafficking groups in the area, resulting in a significant drop in crime and violence. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 02/04/2013 – 23:00

The city of Rio de Janeiro will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Also, the city will host other mega-events including the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2013 Catholic World Youth Day. In preparation for these events, and aware that such mega-events have large costs while often yielding few long-term benefits, federal, state and local government authorities, together with civil society, have emphasized the need to leave a lasting legacy to the city, while taking the opportunity to solve many decades-old problems.

Submitted by Mario Duran — Mon, 02/04/2013 – 10:49

Learn more.

One in ten young mobile phone users in Rio de Janeiro use that device for online access; on average, Rio youth are connected to Facebook about 5.3 hours a day. But many of them use the Internet and social networks not just to socialize, but also to mobilize their peers in behalf of social and environmental causes. Such is the case of Marcos Braz and a group of surfers and engaged friends — most of them living in Rocinha — who are worried about the contamination of São Conrado beach, located in Rio’s southern zone and considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the city. Learn more.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Thu, 11/08/2012 – 00:00

A Maré é uma das maiores comunidades do Rio, composta por 16 favelas e mais de 130 mil moradores. Recentemente o Observatório de Favelas e a Associação Redes de Desenvolvimento da Maré — Redes da Maré — completaram um Guia de Ruas que permitirá a seus moradores ter conhecimento detalhado das ruas e endereços desta importante comunidade. Este é um grande esforço que também permitirá incluir todas as ruas, becos e travessas da Maré dentro do mapa oficial da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, mostrando a importância de aproximar as comunidades de baixa renda da chamada “cidade formal” e ser realmente reconhecida como parte integrada da cidade. URB.IM conversou com Dalcio Marinho Gonçalves, Coordenador Geral do Censo Maré e aprendeu muito sobre esta iniciativa pioneira que está apontando para uma maior e melhor integração das favelas do Rio de Janeiro.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Thu, 11/01/2012 – 01:00

As 2013 draws to a close, it is a good opportunity to reflect on what we have learned from cities in the URB.im network during the last year. Some of our community managers discuss the benefits of increased citizen participation in the planning and implementation of urban initiatives. Others highlight the effectiveness of programs that build the capacity of youth and women to be agents for poverty alleviation. Many discuss how to ensure that the benefits of economic growth and urban improvement extend to the most marginalized residents. Continue reading to learn more about our lessons learned and join the discussion to share your own.

Carlin Carr, Mumbai Community Manager

This time last year, a horrific event took place in India. A young girl and her male friend took a late-night bus ride in Delhi after a movie; it ended up being the girl’s last. In the bus, she was gang raped and so brutally assaulted that even an emergency medical flight to Singapore couldn’t save her. The incident sparked national and international outrage; protestors poured into the streets of India’s major cities to force more stringent laws to protect women against violence.

Months later, a female photojournalist out on an assignment in an abandoned mill area in the center of Mumbai endured a similarly brutal assault and gang rape. As it turns out, the men had done this to ragpicker women in the area before, but few women, especially the poor, feel comfortable stepping forward. Mumbai has always been touted as a safe city for women, but incidents like these have rattled this sense of security.

While legal frameworks, training for police officers, and educating men are all key areas in reducing violence against women, urban planning also has a large role to play. For women to feel safe in India’s urban environments, city planners need to ensure that appropriate infrastructure is in place to help women feel safer and more secure in — and to feel that they are a part of — urban India. Here are five key areas to address:

• Transport: Women-only train cars have been a great addition in Mumbai; in Bangalore, sections of the buses also are reserved solely for women. These measures reserve safe spaces for women and signal that women are encouraged to travel in the city.

• Lighting: Dark streets create an unwelcoming environment for women, and the lack of lighting also jeopardizes their safety. Streetlights are needed not only throughout main roads and thoroughfares, but also in informal settlements, where darkness hovers once the sun goes down.

• Activity: Despite the antagonistic relationship that many Indian cities have toward street vendors, their presence brings a vitality that increases women’s security. Delhi proposed an initiative last year to create vending areas near metro entrances. Initiatives of this type, particularly around transport stations, will go a long way in creating a city that is not only vibrant, but also safe.

• Passageways: Although crossing roads in Mumbai is risky, the underground passageways that allow walkers to traverse busy intersections are much scarier, especially for women. Some in the city seem much friendlier than others, with good lighting and security officers posted, but many others are dark and dank.

• Sanitation: We recently reported on the abysmal toilet situation in Mumbai, where there is only one toilet seat for every 1,800 women. Even when there are toilets available, women and young girls often have to walk great distances or choose a dark and secluded area in order to have some measure of privacy. Providing proper sanitation preserves people’s dignity, but it also will go a long way toward reducing the risk of violence against women during this necessary act.

Many of these measures are low-hanging fruit in the larger urban planning needs of the city. They are economically feasible and don’t require large infrastructure overhauls. Brighter, more vibrant and welcoming cities will benefit the entire citizenry and go a long way toward making women feel comfortable engaging in their urban environment.

Photo credit: erin

Katy Fentress, Nairobi Community Manager

On the 12th of December, Kenya celebrated Jamhuri (Independence) Day. The event came at the end of a year that played host to a roller coaster of emotions for all those who have a part of themselves invested in this country.

Nairobi’s 2013 was a year that witnessed impressive progress in terms of infrastructure development, but in which the government made no significant progress on providing services to the city’s numerous slum dwellers. It was a year in which Nairobians came together in great shows of unity, but also saw neighborhoods turn against each other; a year of victories and pride, but also one of great loss and shame. 2013 was the year in which it became clear to what extent corruption puts everyone’s security at risk and the year that the term “Silicon savannah” began to gain serious traction in the business world.

Politics, technology, infrastructure development, and finance ruled the discussion board in 2013 and laid important cornerstones for future discussions on how the country will develop and evolve.

In politics, Kenyans collectively held their breath for three months in the run-up to the elections. Come Election Day in Nairobi and the rest of the country, people eager to be counted queued for hours in the sun and dust in long peaceful lines. As radios and TV channels preached the mantra of non-violence — occasionally at the expense of the truth — the #KOT (Kenyans on Twitter) hashtag acquired prominence, and people flocked to social media to vent grievances or poke fun at the international press.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero was voted in on a slew of electoral promises — amongst which, to improve service delivery to the capital, improve the living standards of slum dwellers, and address the problem of Dandora, the city’s overflowing dumpsite. Ten months after elections, the promises are yet to be met: Kidero has held meetings with representatives of Nairobi’s different slums, where he reiterated his commitment to increasing employment opportunities for youth; his wife has made public donations to various slum orphanages; and the Dandora question is under discussion.

Yet lack of communication between the lands ministry, the Governor’s office, and interested stakeholders resulted in Nubian settlers from Kibera slum not being issued title deeds they had been promised, and the lighting, security, and city-wide cleanup residents believed would take place failed to materialize.

In infrastructure development, despite a few hiccups, work on Nairobi’s southern and eastern bypasses continued to move forward, as did the construction of Nairobi’s new international airline terminal, which was launched in December despite the chaos that followed the burning of the arrivals terminal in August this year. The Nairobi light commuter rail network opened a new station, the Safaricom Kasarani stadium was brought to completion, and Machakos county (part of the city’s larger metropolitan area) unveiled its ambitious development plan and how it intends to create Machowood, Kenya’s first dedicated film production studios.

Progresses in technology were routinely feted, the term “Silicon Savannah” became increasingly popular amongst technological investors eager to branch into the burgeoning African market, and Microsoft and IBM moved their African headquarters to Nairobi. Yet people’s trust in technology took a strong blow after the hyped-up IEBC e-voting machines routinely broke down over the election, prompting pollsters to return to a more traditional and easy-to-tamper-with ballot system.

Finance went from strength to strength as the Kenyan stock market continued to rise throughout the year and the government began to recognize that the most sustainable form of development was the one that came from the grassroots. As a result, efforts were stepped up to invest in youth and women’s savings groups through the newly introduced Uwezo Fund.

Photo 3: Javi Moreno. Photo 4: Damiano Lotteria.

Olatawura Ladipo-Ajayi, Lagos Community Manager

Lagos is the most populous city state in Nigeria, home to over five percent of the nation’s 166 million residents, and ever growing. To manage this large group of people and to create an environment that is not only safe and accommodating but also filled with opportunities for improved living and continuous growth, the state government and various civil society organisations have spent 2013 working on a number of ingenious projects to achieve these goals.

Makoko’s slum clearance, part of the city’s effort to make the city safer and more modernized, illustrates the importance of considering the social impact of urban planning and growth projects. The economic and social effects of this slum clearance on the communities are grave: residents become displaced, lose their shelter, sense of safety, and livelihood. Other initiatives in Makoko have been more successful: the innovative floating school project plans to make education more accessible to slum residents.

While some projects face strategic planning and implementation flaws, many of them are not only well-intentioned but also successful. Some of these projects include the Youth Empowerment and ICT Center, the Vocational Training Skills Acquisition Center, and the Real Women’s Foundation empowerment program. These programs focus on providing marginalized populations with skills and opportunities to alleviate poverty and to contribute productively to society. While the city and the ICT center’s programs such as the Urban Youth Empowerment Program focus on youth, the Real Women’s Foundation “peace villa” rehabilitates women and also provides life-skills training. Both programs encourage entrepreneurship and employment, an efficient way of alleviating poverty, and have recorded great success.

Lagos has a magnitude of opportunity to improve the lot of its marginalized urban residents. While progress is being made in various aspects, such as transportation, health care awareness, and employment creation, it is important that urban planners and officials consider the impact of rapid progress on every class of its citizens, so as to avoid situations like those that arose with the slum clearance in Makoko. The urban future is very bright for Lagos; we have learned that, with adequate planning and proper social impact assessment, it is possible to create development solutions that do not leave certain groups of the society in the dark. With this in mind, Lagos can continue to make strides towards being a just and inclusive city in 2014.

Photo credit: Roy Luck

María Fernanda Carvallo, Gestor Comunitario de Mexico D.F.

A lo largo del 2013 comentamos sobre diversas estrategias de inclusión y de superación de la pobreza en la Ciudad de México. Si bien las soluciones son variadas e innovadoras, un factor central en la solución de estos problemas es el involucramiento de la participación de la población que vive las situaciones de conflicto; puesto que desde un enfoque de participación para el desarrollo, ellos son los expertos que priorizan e identifican las necesidades y áreas de oportunidad de su desarrollo.

Por ejemplo, el mapeo comunitario en Nezahualcóyotl, facilitado por la Universidad de las Américas, identificó las variables de vulnerabilidad de la población; al igual que los pobladores de San Andrés Totoltepec en Tlalpan, impulsado por la Organización Fomento Solidario de la Vivienda (FOSOVI). Los habitantes de ambas localidades realizaron un diagnóstico comunitario para visualizar las carencias sociales que debían de satisfacer, así como los recursos disponibles para obtener soluciones. En este sentido, se da evidencia de que la misma población que se encuentra en situaciones de vulnerabilidad, puede generar sus propias soluciones y así ser una comunidad que desarrolla estrategias de vida. El factor elemental en estos modelos de desarrollo local ha sido la intervención de actores externos, como las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, que habilitan mecanismos que cohesionan el capital social de las personas y empoderan para que la población descubra su capacidad.

Hoy en día, la agenda de desarrollo rompe con el paradigma de los enfoques de políticas públicas desde arriba, para focalizar los esfuerzos en metodologías que permitan vincular a los diversos actores que juegan un rol activo en la promoción del bienestar. En este sentido, Enrique Betancourt, urbanista de la Ciudad de México, nos compartió en una entrevista, que uno de los grandes retos para esta ciudad es un paquete de acciones coordinadas — estrategias que integren el equipamiento e infraestructura con programas sociales y con un fuerte componente de participación ciudadana. Así mismo, la inclusión de la población marginada, como una tarea de planeación urbana, está relacionada con garantizar a las personas el derecho a la ciudad. Es decir el tutelaje de que todos accedan a los beneficios de vivir en comunidad, lo cual impulsa cambios de manera más rápida y eficiente. De acuerdo a Betancourt, es necesario borrar las barreras institucionales, sociales, y físicas que promueven que hasta ahora se dividan los ciudadanos de primera y segunda clase. Para lo anterior, es necesaria una sinergia de actores y del fortalecimiento de la capacidad de las organizaciones sociales para ofrecer la atención de servicios de manera descentralizada y abarcando a la población que aún no ha podido ejercer su derecho.

Una Ciudad debe de erigirse sobre la inclusión y participación de sus pobladores; de tal manera, para el 2014 debemos tener en la mira que la planeación urbana debe de ser un acuerdo pactado entre los ciudadanos y las autoridades sobre el papel que la Ciudad de México desempeñará, a fin de que la ciudadanía sea participativa en el cumplimiento de esa visión.

Foto: FOSOVI

María Fernanda Carvallo, Mexico City Community Manager

Throughout 2013 we discussed various inclusion and poverty reduction strategies in Mexico City. While the solutions discussed are varied and innovative, a key factor is the involvement of the population through active participation. By participating in the development of their community, citizens share their expert knowledge, which prioritizes and identifies needs, as well as areas of opportunity and development.

One good example is the community mapping in Nezahualcóyotl, facilitated by the University of the Americas: the initiative successfully identified the population’s vulnerability, as with the population of San Andrés Totoltepec in Tlalpan, led by the Organización Fomento Solidario de la Vivienda (FOSOVI). The inhabitants of both towns conducted a community assessment in order to show the social gaps that needed closing, as well as the resources available to meet the possible solutions. This shows that citizens living in vulnerable situations can in fact generate their own solutions and thus be a community that develops livelihoods. The essential factor in these models of local development is the involvement of external actors such as civil society organizations, which help to unite residents’ social capital and empower them to discover their own potential.

Today, the development agenda shatters the paradigm of top-down public policy approaches in order to focus on methodologies that allow the linking of various stakeholders who play an active role in promoting wellness. Enrique Betancourt, an urban expert from Mexico City, said during an interview that one of the great challenges that the city faces is a package of coordinated actions: strategies that integrate supplies, infrastructure, and social programs with a strong component of citizen participation. Moreover, the inclusion of marginalized populations is related to guaranteeing residents the right to the city. This means that all citizens must have access to the benefits of living in a community, which in turn drives changes to happen more quickly and efficiently. According to Betancourt, it is necessary to remove the institutional, social, and physical barriers that promote divisions between first- and second-class citizens. For this, it is necessary to have a synergy of actors and to strengthen the capacity of organizations that provide decentralized social care services.

A city should be established on the principles of inclusion and participation. Therefore, in 2014 we must look to urban planning to reach an agreement between citizens and authorities on the path that Mexico City will take, so that the entire population participates in the fulfillment of this vision.

Photo: FOSOVI

By Tracey Grose

In the area of health, mobile devices are enabling developing countries to not only leap-frog the wired world but also rise above persistent social, political, economic barriers. Examples from emerging economies around world illustrate a variety of innovations that hold promise and demonstrate success for improved health in urban centers with the greatest need.

According a World Health Organization Bulletin, 71 percent of e-health programs in low and middle-income countries are based on mobile phones, and e-health programs are most numerous in India and SubSaharan Africa. The Mhealth Alliance is one organization exploring new ways for improving health outcomes through mobile devices. Some examples of innovative applications and devices include:

• mPedigree, addresses the dire scourge of counterfeit medicine in African countries. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, estimates that up to 30 percent of drugs supplied in developing world are fake. With mPedigree, unique codes in scratch cards are affixed on medicine packaging which can be scanned by buyers and sent by text message to verify the origin of the drug.

• Medic Mobile uses existing mobile technology to support community health workers in monitoring of people in difficult to reach places, maintaining contact with new mothers regarding antenatal care and immunizations, and tracking stock of medicines.

New Cities Foundation Urban E-Health Project just released findings of its 18-month pilot project in Santa Maria, an underserved community of Rio de Janeiro. With its rapidly aging population and its challenging terrain, Santa Maria was chosen as an optimal test bed for the pilot. The project will help inform the development of appropriate approaches in other parts of the developing world where concerns are shifting from the management of communicable disease to that of chronic disease. The project supplied the local family clinic with an e-health backpack with state-of-the-art health indicator measurement tools provided by GE, a founding member of the New Cities Foundation. With the pack, healthcare workers were able to provide in-home care to aging patients with mobility problems. Staff can carry out blood tests, measure blood pressure and test for up to 20 different diseases. By preventing clinical conditions, the study cites the project’s positive impacts across economic, clinical and social measures.

Finally, global surveillance is improving through new mobile and online surveillance tools which are working to pre-empt pandemics and streamline international coordination. HealthMap supports a mobile application for reporting and tracking local outbreaks. Other examples include ProMED from the International Society of Infectious Diseases and Google Dengue Trends, which uses aggregated Google search data to estimate dengue activity.

Mumbai’s bursting-at-the-seams population growth is often all too easily explained: rural migrants come to the big city because “no one goes hungry here.” The land-starved peninsula presents many other challenges, but food is everywhere: markets overflowing with vegetables are interspersed with street food vendors, who often sell their snacks for pennies. While access to food is less of an issue than in rural areas, affordable, nutritious food for the city’s most vulnerable communities remains elusive. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 10/14/2013 – 00:00

Mumbai’s commuter woes are as oft discussed as scores to the latest cricket match. They are griped about daily and exchanged with fervor. Gridlock, overcrowded trains, non-existent east-west routes dominate the discussion and so do the controversial solutions on the table: sealinks, flyovers, monorails. Transportation activists such as Rishi Aggarwal, a research fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and member of the Mumbai Transport Forum (MTF), says that one of the major issues is that there is no integrated approach to planning, leaving commuters with ad hoc, disconnected systems. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 09/30/2013 – 00:00

I had the good fortune of walking along the Bandra waterfront in Mumbai last week with architect-activist P.K. Das, environmental journalist and neighborhood leader Darryl D’Monte, and Bandra Fort steward Arup Sarbadhikary. They were showing me some of the fruits of a long-standing effort to create more open space in Mumbai, where people can enjoy the outdoors and one of Mumbai’s assets: its coastline. Read more.

Submitted by David Maddox — Fri, 09/27/2013 – 13:23

Dharavi Redevelopment Plan (DRP) stands physically at the center of the city and metaphorically at the nexus of a debate over the future of redevelopment. On the one hand is the government’s grand scheme to join hands with private developers to rehouse the poor in free 225-square-foot flats, using the leftover space to construct luxury buildings that can be sold at market rates. Activists who stand opposed to this model say the DRP fails to acknowledge that the issue is more complex: the one-square kilometer is also home to thousands of small-scale businesses, often sharing spaces with residential plots. The mixed-use, low-rise settlement is a typology that many neighborhoods all over the world envy. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 09/23/2013 – 00:00

Many rural traditions and customs carry over into urban life for India’s migrant communities. Local festivals, artisanal expertise, and languages turn Mumbai’s slums into vibrantly diverse amalgamations of India’s villages. The city also offers greater freedom from the strict caste structures of rural areas, and the role and freedoms of women in Mumbai’s slums often change as well. In fact, the autonomy that women gain as they move from rural to urban India provides insights into their healthcare choices, especially when it comes to reproductive care. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 09/16/2013 – 00:00

Researchers and urbanists from leading Western institutions have proposed interventions — both large and small — for “righting” India’s megacities. In Mumbai, however, city planners have looked east for models, with the notion that cities with similar issues can provide more appropriate solutions. The idea of “Shanghai-ing” Mumbai has been one of the most talked-about examples, but more effort is being made all over the country to exchange across more local borders. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 09/09/2013 – 00:00

Mumbai’s public classrooms are a manifestation of the complexities that exist outside the school doors. Students suffer from poor nutrition, unstable family conditions, and economic pressures. Since many parents themselves are illiterate, few can offer homework help or guidance to their children. Not surprisingly, in this challenging environment, learning disabilities, one of the most invisible disabilities, go essentially undiagnosed. The result is that many students struggle through school with few extra services. In time, many drop out of school, abandoning their studies, causing a cycle of illiteracy and unemployment. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 09/02/2013 – 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

Manmohan Singh, India’s prime minister, speaking during India’s 66th independence day, admitted that the government has not done enough on skill building for India’s youth and announced the setting up of a national skill development agency (NSDA). Read more.

Submitted by Rakhi Mehra — Mon, 08/19/2013 – 05:52

The 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi brought the world’s attention to India. The major event was one of the first and largest of its kind to be held in the country. “A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games to date. It was also the largest international multi-sport event to be staged in Delhi and India, eclipsing the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982,” according to statistics on the event. While the mega sporting event was rife with controversy, it also presented the opportunity for the city to test out new transport methods and for international organizations to introduce greener and cleaner ideas. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 08/19/2013 – 00:00

Professor Sharit K. Bhowmik, Guest Contributor
Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

Of all the state attempts to provide some protection to street vendors, Maharashtra — home to Mumbai — is the worst. In 2010, the state’s legislature modified the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act and all other similar laws governing local bodies. The amendment states that any person engaged in street vending in a non-hawking zone will be fined INR5,000 ($96) and imprisoned for six months. Even pickpockets and other petty criminals are given lighter sentences. Does the government think a street vendor is a bigger criminal?

The National Policy, on the other hand, attempts to “provide and promote a supportive environment for earning livelihoods to the street vendors, as well as ensure absence of congestion and maintenance of hygiene in public spaces and streets.” The policy takes into account the contributions of street vendors: “Urban vending is not only a source of employment but provides ‘affordable’ services to the majority of urban population. The role played by the hawkers in the economy, as well as in the society, needs to be given due credit, but they are considered as unlawful entities and are subjected to continuous harassment by civic authorities.” The policy, therefore, aims to “to ensure that this important section of the urban population finds recognition for its contribution to society, and is conceived of as a major initiative for urban poverty alleviation.”

The policy makes concrete suggestions as to how street vending should be regulated, including collective decision-making. Ward-level committees have all stakeholders as members, and the policy suggests that they collectively should decide the number of street vendors in each ward and the fees that they should pay. This approach gives greater prominence to self-regulation among the vendors.

The policy notes that besides Article 19(1)g of the Constitution, its Directive Principles of State Policy clearly notes in Article 39 (a) and (b) that the State shall in particular direct its policy so that: “(a) The citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood. (b) The ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to sub-serve the common good.” Hence, we find that the Constitution does have provisions that favor street vendors and similar marginalized groups.

The National Policy suggests that certain changes in the legal framework need to be achieved. It directs the center and the states to make changes in Section 283 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 34 of the Police Act and the corresponding section in the state police acts. Section 283 of the IPC states: “Whoever, by doing any act or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation, shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.” The offence punishable under this section is the nuisance of causing obstruction. Section 34 of the Police Act states: “No person shall cause obstruction in any street or public place by exposing anything for sale or setting out anything for sale in or upon any stall, booth, board, cask, and basket or in any other way whatsoever.”

These two provisions create the contradiction between a legal ‘licensed’ vendor and ‘illegal’ obstruction or causing nuisance resulting in physical eviction even of licensed vendors. The policy, therefore, recommends that the Central Government and all states should amend the Police Act and rules and regulations by adding the following: “Except in case of street vendors, hawkers and service providers with certain reasonable regulations.”

One of the strong points of the policy is that it tries to promote the concept of “natural markets.” These markets arise whenever there are requirements in society. This means that the natural market for street vendors revolves around certain places not merely because the vendors find their consumers there, but even more because the consumer would prefer them to be there. Thus, one will find flower sellers and fruit sellers outside temples, whereas vegetable vendors tend to congregate near railway stations and municipal markets as they serve the needs of the public there.

In the case of the interim judgment of the Supreme Court, we can see that this very principle is being overlooked. This is not an exception, because the policy notes that “following the Supreme Court orders, some cities drafted guidelines for regulating urban vending activities. However, the provisions made so far do not generally recognize the fact that demand for their wares/services is highly specific and varies as to location and time, manifesting as a natural propensity of street vendors to locate in various places at particular times. On the contrary, the present urban planning norms completely disregard the formation of such natural markets. They also do not have implementation systems in place. Planning norms should be supportive of such natural markets.” (Emphasis in original.)

It is hence necessary that urban plans make provisions for street vending. This could be done as in Bangkok, where pavements are made broad so that one-third of the space can be demarcated for street vendors. There is also a need for spaces that could be demarcated for weekly markets. Delhi has been holding such weekly markets in different localities. The particular area is cordoned off once a week so that a local market can function. This serves the needs of the local residents, especially the poorer ones. Another idea from Bangkok could be the holding of night markets. These become tourist attractions and places for recreation.

An important aspect of street vending is the question of encroaching on public space and obstructing the flow of pedestrians and traffic. Street vendors are frequently held responsible for these acts. In reality, this is far from accurate. The Supreme Court judgment, quoted above, shows that if hawkers are regulated properly, they could be a boon for the public. This regulation will be possible only if street vending is legalized. It should also be noted that normally street vendors do not like to block pedestrian traffic, because this would affect their sales. There is some form of self-regulation among them in this regard.

The Supreme Court has given a more favorable judgment in Genda Ram vs New Delhi Municipal Corporation in October 2010. The court has directed the authorities to frame suitable laws to protect street vendors. The judgment notes (para 79): “The fundamental right of the hawkers, just because they are poor and unorganized, cannot be left in a state of limbo nor can it be left to be decided by varying standards of a scheme which changes from time to time under orders from this Court.” The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation is in the process of framing a model law which will be placed before parliament.

The other question on blocking or preventing smooth flow of road traffic is again an allegation that needs to be proven. Mumbai’s Kamla Raheja College of Architecture was asked by MCGM to conduct a study on street vending and traffic flow at Dadar station, one of the busiest railway stations in the city. The findings clearly showed that it was not the street vendors but cars that are parked haphazardly that caused traffic problems. The study drew up an alternative plan for regulating traffic around the station which would ease the congestion. The study also found that the presence of hawkers actually increased the business of the shops in the lanes as they attracted more consumers.

The fact is that street vendors lend color and vibrancy to the city. If properly organized, street vendors can be a convenience for the poorer segment of the city while also serving as a tourist attraction. Going forward, the emphasis needs to be on inclusive planning for the working poor. No one is opposed to “World Class Cities,” but the objective should be “World Class Cities for All.” What is needed is the political will to serve the interests of the working poor and subsequently the city as a whole.

Sharit Bhowmik is with the School of Management and Labour Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Jorge Bela, Gestor Comunitario de Bogotá

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.

Para buscar soluciones a estos problemas, el Instituto Distrital de Patrimonio Cultural (IDPC), perteneciente a la Alcaldía Mayor de Bogotá, está en la fase final de la elaboración de un documento que han denominado Plan de Revitalización del Centro Tradicional (PRVCT), que incluye todo el ámbito territorial de la ciudad consolidada en 1920, un total de 471 hectáreas. A lo largo de un año, han estado recabando la opinión de expertos y de miembros de la comunidad. Bogotá no está sola en este proceso. Muchas otras ciudades latinoamericanas se han enfrentado a problemas similares respecto a sus centros históricos, y esto ha permitido al IDPC buscar modelos exitosos en países cercanos. Para ello se involucró a expertos de Lima, Guatemala, y Bahía de los Santos (Brasil). Y este no es un camino de una sola dirección: el IDPC participará en diciembre en las 4ª Jornada de Paisaje Cultural en Lima por el Ministerio de Cultura peruano. El IDPC está, además, buscando el apoyo del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, que ha apoyado iniciativas similares en Quito y Perú.

Para Miguel Hincapié, subdirector general del IPDC, son muchas las razones que explican la colaboración entre ciudades de la región. Por ejemplo, en Quito, cuyo proyecto de revitalización del centro se considera altamente exitoso, se consiguieron obtener excelentes resultados sin desplazar a una parte mayoritaria de su población. En efecto, cuando se empiezan a captar recursos para mejora del centro, se produce una inevitable gentrificación. Sin embargo, en Quito se ha mantenido el 70 por ciento de los habitantes del centro. “Residentes tradicionales son la vida del barrio,” añadió Miguel Hincapié.

También es importante la búsqueda de modelos que den continuidad al proyecto. Los mandatos municipales en Colombia están restringidos a cuatro años, sin posibilidad de reelección, a diferencia de lo que sucede en Europa o en EEUU donde las administraciones municipales puede tener una duración mucho mayor. Es obvio que en cuatro años no es posible llevar a cabo una transformación de este tipo, por lo que es necesario buscar modelos que sí permitan dar continuidad al proyecto, y estos modelos se pueden encontrar en otras ciudades de América Latina con sistemas políticos comparables. En el PRVCT se ha buscado un modelo de colaboración de financiación pública y privada, en una estructura de programas, cada uno con su gestor, que se encarguen de canalizar los recursos. Entre las acciones específicas se han identificado como acciones tempranas un plan habitacional, la asignación de subsidios y acuerdos para la recuperación de bienes de interés cultural.

Foto: Pedro Szekely

Jorge Bela, Bogotá Community Manager

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.

In order to reverse this decay, the City of Bogotá, through its Instituto Distrital de Patrimonio Cultural (IDPC, the local government branch dedicated to the preservation of the City’s historic heritage), is in the final stages of the elaboration of the Plan de Revitalización del Centro Tradicional (PRCT, meaning “Plan to Revitalize the Traditional Center”). This plan encompasses not only the colonial district, but the entire area of the consolidated city as of 1920, a total of 471 hectares. For about a year, the Institute has been seeking the advice of experts and has involved the affected communities in the dialogue. Bogotá is not alone in this process: many other Latin American cities have faced similar issues with their historic districts. The IDPC has therefore been able to explore other successful solutions adopted in neighboring countries. Experts from Lima, Guatemala and Bahía dos Santos (Brazil) have already been consulted. But this is not only a one-way street: Bogotá has been invited to participate in the 4th Cultural Landscape conference, organized by the Peruvian cultural ministry, to be held in Lima in December 2013. The IDPC is also seeking technical and financial support from the Inter-American Development Bank.

There are many reasons behind the need for cooperation between cities at the regional level, says Miguel Hincapíe, deputy director of the IPDC. Quito, for instance, undertook a very successful historic center rehabilitation project. And they were able to do so while keeping 70 percent of the original population. This is not a small feat, since generally, when funds start to flow into derelict colonial areas, gentrification rapidly ensues. “Traditional inhabitants constitute the life of a neighborhood,” added Miguel Hincapié. It is also important to seek models that allow for continuity despite political change. Mayors in Colombia are limited to one four-year term (re-election is allowed in non-consecutive terms, but it is exceedingly rare). It is clear that four years are not enough to undertake reforms such as those needed by Bogotá’s city center. Since in Europe and the US, term restrictions are either less severe or do not exist, it is necessary to find models in cities with similar political constraints, mostly in the same region.

The PRVCT includes a structure of independent and differentiated programs, each with a manager, under a model of public and private financing. This scheme allows for proper distribution of resources, mitigating the effects of political change. Among the urgent actions identified in the plan are the development of a housing program, the creation of a subsidy system for current inhabitants, and the signing of agreements geared to rehabilitating cultural and historical landmarks.

Latin America offers excellent examples of historical centers’ rehabilitation. Lima and Quito, both widely considered to be very successful, are in the same Andean region as the Colombian capital. Bogotá is showing foresight in seeking cooperation with its neighboring cities as it prepares its own conservation and rehabilitation plan.

Photo credit: Pedro Szekely

“When the city is getting built — big infrastructure like roads, flyovers, buildings — it’s the homeless that is doing the work. They are the foundation of the city. Once the people settle into these newly built areas, they need other services to be in place; then, again, homeless come into play. Then, again, we demand them.” This week we speak with Abhishek Bharadwaj, founder of Alternative Realities, an organization that advocates on behalf of Mumbai’s 200,000 homeless. We discuss who is homeless, what the barriers to housing are, and some innovative solutions that include creating “cities within cities.” Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 03/11/2013 – 01:00

The horrific gang rape of a 23-year-old in Delhi last December publicly unearthed a truth too well known among Indian women: threats to their safety are everywhere — in the home, on the streets, aboard public transportation, and in city parks. Though the Delhi case was particularly gruesome, the protests that rippled throughout India in its wake have spotlighted the everyday harassment that beleaguers women and has left activists questioning how to develop safer and more inviting cities for all. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 03/04/2013 – 00:00

When Kid Powered Media rolls into a Delhi slum with its portable movie theater in the back of a white Suzuki van, everyone shows up. The 10-foot screen lights up with a battery-powered projector to showcase a drama-filled flick. But this is not your typical Bollywood film, and the stars on the screen are not your typical Bollywood actors. The films all star kids from the community who have written and performed the socially-focused movies to raise awareness about issues that concern them, as kids. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 02/25/2013 – 00:00

Urban governance in India — and in many regional cities — is at a crossroads. Megacities have grown at such rapid rates that current governance structures are ill-equipped to meet increasing demands. Citizens, especially the poor, lack basic services across the spectrum — housing, sanitation, transportation, clean water, and the list goes on. Many regional cities are struggling with how to usher in more efficient and effective governance to improve the lives of urban residents. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 02/18/2013 – 00:00

Rahul Pol’s karate class as a teenager changed the course of his life. When he was young, his family — he, his parents, and three younger sisters — lived on the streets of Mumbai for four years. He had dreams of becoming a doctor, but the difficult life began to wear on him. Pol soon lost motivation to go to school and began picking up small jobs on the street. “It was a bad environment with many bad influences,” recalls Pol. By age 12, he was an addict, taking drugs, drinking, and overdosing on over-the-counter medications. “Every night, I said I’ll wake up and stop today, but then I would end up with my friends and the cycle continued,” admits Pol, who is now 24. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 02/11/2013 – 00:00

Mumbai’s millions of commuters rely on a woefully outdated public transportation system. The two-and-only rail lines carry more than 7.24 million people every day. The dangerously overcrowded Mumbai locals, while surprisingly fast and frequent, have become increasingly life-threatening. An average of 12 people die every day on the suburban tracks. Any commuter who can afford to buy a car does so, leaving a traffic-tangled mess of cars, rickshaws, taxis, and worn-out busses on the dusty streets. The resulting emissions concerns have reached alarming rates as well. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 02/04/2013 – 23:00

Over the last 20 years, slums have experienced something of a revival in the popular imagination. A series of UN-Habitat reports on the issue of slums, media images of sprawling and heaving settlements, and a host of scholarly interventions — notably Mike Davis’ work Planet of Slums — all have served to sharpen attention on the size and growth of slums across the globe. While the word “slum” may conjure a Dickensian world, it is now proving historically malleable, making us look not only backwards, but forwards. For Mike Davis, the future holds a “Planet of Slums”; for UN Habitat, it holds “Cities without Slums.” Either way, the image of the slum has become integral to how we visualise the future of our urban spaces — and as slums increasingly shape projections of the future, two contrasting and forceful images have emerged. How has the slum come to define both an urban utopia and a crisis of modernity? Read more.

Submitted by Holly Young — Mon, 02/04/2013 – 10:08

Mumbai’s millions of commuters rely on a woefully outdated public transportation system. The two-and-only rail lines carry more than 7.24 million people every day. (The New York City Subway system has 24 rail lines through five boroughs on 656 miles of track and carries an average of 4.8 million passengers each weekday; that’s a mere 60 percent of the people carried on Mumbai’s 265 miles of lines.) The dangerously overcrowded Mumbai locals, while surprisingly fast and frequent, have become increasingly life-threatening. An average of 12 people die every day on the suburban tracks. Any commuter who can afford to buy a car does so, leaving a traffic-tangled mess of cars, rickshaws, taxis, and worn-out busses on the dusty streets. The resulting emissions concerns have reached alarming rates as well. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 02/04/2013 – 00:00

In Dharavi, Mumbai’s largest and best-known slum, the population is estimated to be a half-million people living within one square kilometer of overcrowded space. However, the accuracy of these “estimates” is questionable. Capturing accurate data of vulnerable populations can be difficult for reasons that include varying household numbers (dwellers and their families move back and forth between their native villages) and difficulty in gaining access to densely populated areas. Most frequently, however, the reason is denial: if the government doesn’t have the numbers, then they don’t have to react. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Carlin Carr — Mon, 01/28/2013 – 00:00

Mumbai has a long history of conflict with hawkers, but what is happening in the past few years is nothing short of human rights violations as the State “cleans up” the city to make it “world-class.” Yes, the hawkers obstruct pedestrian movement, but is that really the concern that has led to the recent crackdown? The poor are being sacrificed to liberate street space in the name of pedestrians; however, the reality is that the spaces will be handed over to motorists for parking. In fact, parking on both sides of the streets and even on footpaths is now emerging as the biggest threat to pedestrians and a cause for traffic congestion — an issue that is being conveniently overlooked by the police.

Submitted by Rishi Aggarwal — Sun, 01/27/2013 – 00:00

The urban poor in the Global South lack access to banking and financial services, and women are disproportionately affected. They are less likely than men to hold a bank account, to take out a loan, or to borrow money. This is a detriment to development, since women are more likely to spend extra funds on their family, thereby improving food, education, and health. This series of articles profiles approaches to bridging the financial inclusion gender gap in São Paulo, Mexico City, Nairobi, Bangalore, and Dhaka. Read on to learn more, and then join the discussion below.

Catalina Gomez, Coordenadora da Rede em São Paulo

Segundo a Confederação Nacional da Indústria, mais de um terço da população brasileira acima de 16 anos (mais de 50 milhões) não possui conta bancária nem acesso a serviços financeiros de empréstimo e poupança. A maioria daquela população afetada tem baixa renda e pouca escolaridade. Tereza Campello, a Ministra de Desenvolvimento Social tem explicado varias vezes que “ao contrário do que se pensava, os desafios da inclusão financeira não são de distância, de acesso a rede, ou de falta de correspondentes bancários. Na realidade, a população está desinformada com relação ao seus direitos”. Campello também explicou que “muitas pessoas acham que para abrir uma conta corrente é preciso um depósito mínimo, evidenciando seu desconhecimento sobre a rede bancaria”.

Tendo em conta a situação descrita pela Ministra, uma das principais prioridades do governo brasileiro durante vários anos, tem sido a redução de barreiras de informação e o desenho de produtos financeiros adequados para a população de baixa renda. Um dos principais mecanismos de promoção da inclusão financeira, especialmente para mulheres, tem sido Bolsa Família, o programa de transferências que beneficia a 13 milhões de famílias. O programa transfere mensalmente dinheiro para todas as famílias dependendo de seu nível de pobreza e número de crianças. O 93 por cento dos beneficiários direitos são mulheres, o que contribui no seu posicionamento e influencia dentro do núcleo familiar.

“Bolsa” tem uma contribuição importante na primeira etapa da inclusão financeira ao abrir uma conta bancaria e entregar um cartão para cada família. Com o cartão, os beneficiários podem retirar o dinheiro transferido mensalmente pelo programa. Para muitos beneficiários, especialmente mulheres, esta é a primeira vez que tem aceso a uma conta bancaria, contribuindo a seu conhecimento básico do sistema bancario. Infelizmente, muitos beneficiários ainda retiram a totalidade de sua transferência a cada mês e não utilizam a conta como uma verdadeira conta corrente ou de poupança.

Uma pesquisa recente sobre inclusão financeira dos beneficiários de Bolsa Família aplicada nas áreas de maior concentração de benefiarios, incluindo São Paulo e Rio de Janeiro, achou que a grande maioria dos beneficiários ainda não compreendem adequadamente as regras e procedimentos do sistema bancário precisando de maiores informações e educação sobre a matéria. A pesquisa também reportou que 65 por cento dos beneficiários têm celulares e embora o celular seja utilizado para encaminhar atualizações sobre o programa, ainda poderia ser utilizado para administrar o dinheiro e fazer pagamentos de serviços.

Caixa, o Banco de apoio na execução do Bolsa Família esta desenvolvendo uma serie de pilotos nas cidades mencionadas com vídeos educativos sobre planejamento financeiro para multheres e suas famílias e para a operação de pequenas empresas. Também está expandindo a educação financeira das crianças para que elas estejam sensibilizadas sobre a importância da poupança e da administração responsável do dinheiro.

Foto: Ministry of Social Development

Catalina Gomez, São Paulo Community Manager

The Brazilian National Industry Federation estimates that more than a third of the country’s population over the age of 16 (around 50 million people) doesn’t have a bank account and has no access to credit and saving services. The most affected are low-income populations, who have low levels of literacy and education. Tereza Campello, the Social Development Minister, has explained on various occasions that “against all odds, financial inclusion challenges are less related to distance, access to banking services, and lack of bank branches in remote areas, and much more related to the lack of adequate information about people’s rights.” Campello also added that “many low-income populations don’t have adequate information, as they think that opening a bank account requires a complex bureaucratic process and a minimum deposit. They feel that they cannot meet minimum requirements.”

Given the situation described by the Minister, Brazil’s priority in recent years has been to reduce information barriers and to design financial products and services that are appropriate for low-income populations. One of the key mechanisms to support financial inclusion, especially for women, has been the Bolsa Família program — the cash transfer that benefits more than 13 million low-income families. The program transfers monthly stipends to each family depending on their poverty level and their number of children. In 93 percent of cases, women are the main recipients of these transfer, emboldening their voices and boosting their empowerment within the household.

“Bolsa” contributes to the first stages of financial inclusion, as it provides a bank account and a card for each beneficiary family. With this card, beneficiaries can withdraw the cash that has been granted by the program. This is many women’s first time owning a bank account and a card; this initiative provides them with basic knowledge about the banking system and its operation. Unfortunately, most beneficiaries withdraw the full amount from their monthly deposit and don’t use their accounts as proper checking or saving accounts. Some families save the cash at home, while others spend it as soon as they withdraw it.

A recent study of financial inclusion among Bolsa Família beneficiaries found that beneficiaries still don’t fully understand the rules and procedures of banking, demonstrating the need for better information regarding basic banking concepts and practices. The report also highlights that 65 percent of Bolsa Família beneficiaries have mobile phones, and although the phones are currently used to contact beneficiaries about program updates, they should also be used to allow easier resource management of their bank accounts, including to pay bills.

Caixa, the bank that supports the implementation of Bolsa Família, is currently piloting educational campaigns. These include videos with accessible information on financial planning targeted to women and their families, and for the operation of small businesses. It is also extending educational campaigns to children in order to engage them early about the basic concepts of saving and adequate personal finance.

Photo credit: Ministry of Social Development

María Fernanda Carvallo, Gestor Comunitario de Mexico D.F.

En el 2013 el Banco Mundial realizó un estudio junto con Global Findex (el Índice Global de Inclusión Financiera) confirmando grandes brechas de género en el tema de inclusión financiera. De acuerdo al Banco Mundial, las mujeres son 15 por ciento menos propensas de tener una cuenta bancaria, (la cifra es mayor en mujeres en condiciones de pobreza), lo que hace que este grupo sea muy vulnerable ante el tema. Este estudio demuestra que la inclusión financiera va más allá de la apertura de cuentas bancarias, como el acceso a sistemas de préstamo y ahorro, o el pertenecer a sistemas financieros formales que abren las puertas al ingreso proveniente de otras fuentes. Asli Demirguc-Kunt, Directora de Investigación del Banco Mundial afirma que “[s]in una cuenta, a las mujeres les cuesta más ahorrar formalmente y recibir subsidios gubernamentales o remesas de familiares que viven en el extranjero.” Las mujeres son el sustento de los hogares, por lo que la falta de inclusión financiera refleja poca independencia económica y dificultad al obtener ingresos por cuenta propia.

En el estudio del Especial de Inclusión Financiera de Nextbillion y Ashoka Changemakers, CrediMUJER de Perú afirma que la inclusión financiera está relacionada con el reconocimiento de los derechos de las mujeres, el refuerzo de su autoestima, autonomía económica y control de su vida.

En este contexto, Alcance Financiera brinda servicios crediticios a la mujer generadora de ingresos en condiciones de pobreza y vulnerabilidad—a través del apoyo a la actividad productiva se genera transformación en el contexto de las mujeres. El pago de los créditos es realizado a través de la generación de ingresos de la actividad productiva apoyada.

Alcance Financiera y Pro Mujer son organizaciones subsidiarias del programa de educación financiera de la organización Freedom from Hunger (Libre de Hambre). El programa Credit with Education (Crédito con Educación) integra el acceso a las microfinanzas, combinado con enseñanzas educativas para las mujeres. El programa está basado en créditos comunitarios, incentivando a que las mujeres se unan en un grupo para recibir préstamos y así garantizar conjuntamente el pago. (En las reuniones de los grupos se depositan los pagos y los ahorros.) Además, se comparten aprendizajes y conocimientos a través de sesiones dinámicas y lúdicas sobre: mejores prácticas de negocios, diversificación de actividades emprendedoras, contabilidad básica, finanzas del hogar y estrategias de ahorro y préstamos.

Un caso de éxito, se encuentra al norte de la Ciudad de México, en el que Pro Mujer y Credit with Education apoyaron a una pequeña tienda de abarrotes de la Señora Yolanda. La “tiendita” abastece al vecindario y a comunidades cercanas, por lo que la Señora Yolanda descubrió que mientras más productos tiene en inventario, más ganancias se generan y más gente se atrae. Un primer crédito de $167 dólares ($2.150 pesos) lo obtuvo de Pro Mujer para abastecer el inventario de la tienda; al pagar el crédito obtuvo $287 dólares ($3.700 pesos) más para incrementarlo. Como parte del crédito, la Señora Yolanda se incorporó al programa Credit with Education en el que ha logrado pagar los préstamos y ahorrar para la inversión en la educación de sus hijos.

El propósito de estos programas es de incentivar a que las mujeres progresen. Esto requiere que las mujeres tomen decisiones financieras. Por otro lado, requiere que reflexionen acerca de las estrategias de crédito, de las circunstancias que las ameritan, y en las formas de ahorro y sus ventajas.

Foto: Pro Mujer México

María Fernanda Carvallo, Mexico City Community Manager

In 2013, the World Bank conducted a study along with Global Findex (the Global Financial Inclusion Database) confirming the existence of large gender gaps with regard to financial inclusion. According to the World Bank, women are 15 percent less likely to have a bank account (the figure is higher for women living in poverty), making women as a whole more vulnerable to financial exclusion. This study demonstrates that financial inclusion is far more than just opening a bank account. It includes having access to borrowing and lending systems, and being a member of formal financial systems, allowing access to other sources of income. Asli Demirguc-Kunt, Investigative Director at the World Bank, stated that “without a bank account, women have a difficult time saving and receiving government subsidies or remittances from family members living abroad.” Women are the foundation of the home, so the lack of financial inclusion leads to a lack of economic independence.

In a Nextbillion and Ashoka Changemakers study, “Financial Inclusion Special,” CrediMUJER of Peru states that financial inclusion is essential to the recognition of women’s rights, the strengthening of their self-esteem and economic autonomy, and their control over their own lives.

In this context of financial exclusion, Alcance Financiera provides credit services to poor and vulnerable women who are income earners. Women launch income-generating activities that transform their lives and help them repay their credit payments.

Alcance Financiera and Pro Mujer are subsidiary organizations of the financial education program at Freedom from Hunger. The Credit with Education program combines the access to microfinance with educational modules for women. The program is based on community credits, creating incentives for women to join a group in order to receive loans, and thus jointly to guarantee that payments are made. Payments and savings are collected at group meetings. In addition, knowledge and information is shared through dynamic and creative sessions on proper business practices, diversification of entrepreneurial activities, basic accounting, household finances, and saving and lending strategies.

A financial inclusion success story can be found north of Mexico City, where Pro Mujer and Credit with Education supported a small grocery store owned by Mrs. Yolanda. The tiendita (small store) supplies the entire neighborhood and nearby communities with groceries. Mrs. Yolanda learned that by having a fully-stocked inventory, more people shopped at her store, and more profits were generated. She was able to obtain a loan of $167 dollars ($2,150 pesos) from Pro Mujer to restock her store’s inventory. Upon paying off her loan, she obtained an additional $287 dollars ($3,700 pesos) to help her with future costs. As part of the credit terms, Mrs. Yolanda joined the Credit with Education program, where she received help in paying off her loans and information on how to save for the future education of her children.

The goal of these programs is to encourage women to transform their lives. This requires the women to make financial decisions; it requires them to reflect on their financial circumstances and where they stand, on credit strategies, and on saving methods and their benefits.

Photo: Pro Mujer México

Katy Fentress, Nairobi Community Manager

In Kenyan communities that have little of the collateral needed to access credit, a common approach is to set up savings and investment associations known as “Chamas.”

A Chama is an informal group, often composed of women, that follows a system by which everyone contributes money on a regular basis and in turn gets disbursed a fixed amount. The method evolved from the tradition of rural women grouping together and pooling their labor to work on each other’s farms.

Over the past decades, Chamas have increased in popularity: women have embraced them not only to send their children to school, undertake household maintenance, and weather them through major events and crises, but also as engines with which to forward their entrepreneurial skills and invest in income-generating activities.

As women’s priorities have changed, so have Chamas, which in time have evolved into recognized credit-worthy institutions. Major banks like Rafiki Microfinance, K-Rep, Barclays, Kenya Commercial Bank, and Bank of Africa have all begun to recognize the potential of Chamas and to create lending schemes focused on their needs.

Smaller credit institutions that provide financial mentoring, tailor-made solutions, and a more grassroots approach to lending are also getting in on the game. In Nairobi, for example, a company called Creative Capital Solutions (CCS) has since 2006 been providing cash-flow solutions to female-run Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Chamas.

“We initially used to also target men’s groups,” says Sadiq Dewani, the CCS Operations Director. “Unfortunately, men would all too often use the money for other purposes or turn out to be serial borrowers. We realized that women were more reliable earners and generally had around 60 percent to 70 percent returns on their investments, so we decided to cater our credit solutions specifically around their needs.”

The objective of CCS is to offer fast, flexible and, above all, manageable solutions to women’s Chamas. “We aim to provide alternative, niche solutions for women who cannot find working capital from banks that have stringent requirements, rely on collateral, and do not offer flexible options catered around the groups’ needs,” explains Dewany, who says that although major banks do lend to Chamas, the system can be complicated and groups can easily get disheartened by all the bureaucracy. “With our approach we initially focus on providing a two-week financial training program; following this, we undertake individual group background checks in order to assess their ability to pay back loans, and if they are then accepted, we formalize the group and enable it to borrow from us.”

Similarly to unsecured micro-finance loans, Chama lending usually has high interest rates. CCS has devised a methodology by which if groups pay back loans faster, they can reduce the amount they have to pay. According to Dewany, the system is working, and the fact that their repayment rates stand at around 85 percent is proof of this.

CCS has over the years helped women’s Chamas set up irrigation schemes, flour mills, bakeries, tailors, hairdressers, and tea shops. In Nairobi, they currently work with 12 different women’s Chamas situated in different corners of the city. Their loans go from as low as 30,000Ksh- ($350) to as high as 300,000Ksh- ($3,500). They are currently in the process of mutating into an established Microfinance lending institution.

“We are exploring options for increasing the level of training we undertake with individual groups,” concludes Dewani. “Although this might prove costly for us, we feel that the better trained our members are, the more they can make out of their money and, eventually, the more returns we will see.”

Carlin Carr, Bangalore Community Manager

The poor live in precarious circumstances on a daily basis. Unexpected illnesses or job losses that would put a strain on any family often leave the poor on the brink. With no access to the formal banking system, microloans have not only served to help in emergency situations, but have actually helped these families to build up savings and gain access to important, life-saving products. The loans, mainly to women, have expanded in purpose and scope since Grameen launched its rural banking system in the 1990s. Today, microfinance institutions such as Samasta in Bangalore have used the women’s groups that form the basis of lending to focus loans on other important intervention areas, including insurance, home gas connections, and water purifiers.

Samasta started in Bangalore in 2008 and in just the first two years reached nearly 77,000 clients with a 99.97 percent repayment rate. Originally focusing on India’s southern states, the institution’s goal is to expand north and reach 1.8 million people by the end of this year. The bank’s focus is to “bridge the gap between ambition and achievement for the working poor across India, by providing financial and non-financial services in a sustainable, long-term relationship to enable them to achieve a better quality of life.” Samasta has had to expand its range of products in order to keep its clients as long-term customers.

Some of the new products Samasta has added include:

• Micro Health Insurance: The United Samasta Micro Health Insurance policy protects members and their families from burdensome costs due to unexpected medical emergencies.

• LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) Loan: The LPG loan helps clients to move away from collecting firewood or accessing kerosene, both of which are highly polluting and dangerous to their health.

• Water Purifier Loan: Not only can lack of access to safe drinking water be dangerous, the ongoing health impacts due to water-borne illnesses can take a large financial toll on families. This loan helps families access new safe-water technologies and products for their home.

One client — 49-year-old Victoria, a grandmother — was selling fruit on the roadside. Her first micro loan with Samasta helped her to set up a fruit stall at the market, thereby increasing her income. Once she repaid her first loan, Victoria took out a second loan to invest in her granddaughter’s education. Samasta’s loans have empowered women such as Victoria to take control of her family’s health and well-being in a variety of ways, from education to household improvements to healthcare.

No longer subject to rogue moneylenders, Victoria and thousands of others are taking incremental steps to improve their daily lives and expand opportunities for their own families as well as for the next generation. The growing importance of MFIs in the lives of the poor has moved the institutional role from one of expanding income opportunities to expanding opportunities to improve the overall quality of life. This is the new MFI in India.

Photo credit: McKay Savage

অনুবাদকঃ ফারজানা নওশিন এবং নুসরাত ইয়াসমিন

বাংলাদেশের আর্থসামাজিক উন্নতির জন্য মহিলাদের অর্থনীতিতে অংশগ্রহণ প্রধান চাবিকাঠি। শহরাঞ্চলের মহিলারা বিশেষত যারা ঢাকায় বাস করেন, তারা প্রতিনিয়ত বিভিন্ন জটিল সমস্যার মুখোমুখি হন যেমন নারী সহিংসতা, অপুষ্টি এবং গর্ভকালীন শারীরিক জতিলতা; এসকল সমস্যার অন্যতম কারণ নারীদের অনেকসময়ই পরিবারের অর্থনৈতিক সিদ্ধান্ত নেয়া থেকে বঞ্চিত করা হয়। মহিলারা ঘরের সকল কাজ করে এবং ঘরের বাইরেও তাদের কাজের সুযোগ ও চাহিদা বেড়ে যাচ্ছে; কিন্তু এসকল কাজের বিনিময়ে তাদের উপযুক্ত মজুরি দেয়া হচ্ছে না। সুতরাং, বাংলাদেশ এবং অন্যান্য উন্নয়নশীল দেশের অর্থনৈতিক বৃদ্ধি নিশ্চিত করার জন্য অর্থনীতিতে মহিলাদের অংশগ্রহন অত্যন্ত প্রয়োজনীয় এবং তাদের অংশগ্রহণের জন্য যথাশীঘ্র প্রয়োজনীয় আইন তৈরি করা উচিত।

ঢাকার বস্তিতে বসবাসরত মহিলারা সাধারণত অর্থনৈতিক ব্যাবস্থার ব্যাবহার সঠিক ভাবে করতে পারেন না; অপরুন্তু ডোনার এবং এন জি ও এর কাছ থেকে যে পরিমান অর্থ আসে তা এই বস্তির মহিলারা পান না, কারণ ডোনার এবং এন জি ও এসব বস্তি মূল্যায়ন করে না। এসব মহিলারা কোন ধনশম্পত্তিও পান না এবং তারের কোন ভুমি অধিকারও থাকে নাহ। বস্তুত, খাদ্য এবং কৃষি জরিপ অনুযায়ী বাংলাদেশে কেবল ২% মহিলা ভুমির মালিক, যা প্রতিবেশী দেশগুলোর তুলনায় অত্যন্ত কম। মহিলারা পার্লামেন্টে এবং অন্যান্য কর্মক্ষেত্রে এখন কাজ করলেও ভূমিমালিকাধীন নারীর সংখ্যা এখনো অনেক কম, যা অর্থনৈতিক নিরাপত্তা রক্ষায় অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ।

মহিলাদের ভুমিঅধিকার তাদেরকে অর্থনৈতিক ভাবে সবল করে তুলবে এবং তাদেরকে আত্মবিশ্বাসী করে তুলবে কর্মস্থলে সহকর্মীদের সাথে কাধে কাধ মিলিয়ে কাজ করার। বাংলাদেশে ব্রাক এবং বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক মহিলাদের ভূমিমালিকানা নিয়ে সক্রিয় ভাবে কাজ করছে। ঢাকার বস্তিবাসীদের এলাকায় চরম দারিদ্র্য মোকাবেলার, ব্র্যাক “দারিদ্র্য হ্রাস এর সীমানা চ্যালেঞ্জিং” তার প্রোগ্রাম শুরু করছে যা ২০০২ সালের টার্গেটিং আল্ট্রা খারাপ (TUP) এর একটি অংশ।এটির মিশন চরম দারিদ্রে বাস করা মানুষদের অর্থনৈতিক এবং সামাজিক ক্ষমতার উন্নয়ন করা। এটি প্রথমে গ্রামকেন্দ্রিক প্রোজেক্ট ছিল কিন্তু এর সাফল্যর জন্য এটি এখন শহরাঞ্চলেও কাজ করে। টি ইউ পি প্রোজেক্ট মহিলাদের উপর বেশী প্রাধান্য দেয় কারণ ব্রাক বিশ্বাস করে যেহেতু মহিলারা সবসময়ই ঘরের কাজ করে এবং কম অর্থের অধিকারী হয় তাই তাদের কথার সমাজে মূল্যায়ন পাওয়ার সম্ভাবনা বেশী।

প্রকল্প শুরু করার আগে, ঢাকার সবচেয়ে অসহায় মহিলাদের সনাক্ত করার জন্য ঢাকার জুরাইন ও মোহাম্মদপুর এলাকাই একটি জরিপ চালানো হয়। এই দুই বস্তি থেকে প্রাথমিকভাবে ১০০ পরিবারকে বাছাই করা হয়, এবং ২০১২ সালের এপ্রিলে আরও তেরটি ভিন্ন বস্তিকে এই প্রোগ্রামের অন্তর্ভুক্ত করা হয়। এই বস্তিগুলোর মধ্য থেকে টিইউপি প্রোগ্রাম এমন ৩০০ পরিবারকে নির্বাচন করে যার সদস্যরা দীর্ঘস্থায়ী ক্ষুধা, অপর্যাপ্ত আশ্রয়, এবং শহুরে ও মৌলিক সুবিধা থেকে বঞ্চিত। নির্বাচিত নারীদের সম্পদ স্থানান্তর, এন্টারপ্রাইজ উন্নয়ন ও পৃষ্ঠপোষকতার উপর প্রশিক্ষণ দেওয়া হয়। ব্র্যাকের এই প্রোগ্রামের উপর তৈরীকৃত মূল্যায়ন প্রতিবেদন থেকে দেখা যাই, মহিলাদের মধ্যে সম্পদ স্থানান্থরের পরেও সম্পদ ধারণের ক্ষেত্রে উল্লেখযোগ্য উন্নতি হয়েছে। সম্পদ স্থানান্থর, টিইউপি প্রোগ্রামের একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অঙ্গ কারণ এটি মহিলাদের পশু-মালিক হতে এবং ব্যবসায় মূলধন নিয়োগের সুযোগ সৃষ্টি করে দেয়। প্রশিক্ষিত হওয়ার পর মহিলারা টিইউপি প্রোগ্রামের পৃষ্ঠপোষকতায় নিজস্ব ব্যবসা শুরু করতে পারেন।

যদিও আরবান টিইউপি প্রোগ্রাম এখনো প্রাথমিক অবস্থায় রয়েছে, এরই মধ্যে তা সুবিধাভোগীদের জীবনে ইতিবাচক প্রভাবী হিসেবে প্রমাণিত করেছে। উদাহরণস্বরূপ, এক মহিলা চা ব্যবসায়ী টিইউপি প্রোগ্রামের পৃষ্ঠপোষকতায় তার আয় স্বল্পসময়ে ১০০ টাকা থেকে ৪০০ টাকায় উন্নীত করেছে। উপরন্তু, প্রোগ্রামের স্বাস্থ্য বিভাগ মহিলাদের সুস্থ ও সক্রিয় রাখবার জন্য স্বাস্থ্য সুবিধা প্রদান করে যাচ্ছে যাতে কেউ যেন মাঝপথে কাজ ছেড়ে না দেয়। এক কথায়, ব্র্যাকের আরবান টিইউপি প্রোগ্রামের প্রশিক্ষণ ও আর্থিক ইনসেনটিভ শক্তি প্রমাণ করে, আর্থ-সামাজিক অবস্থান ও ঢাকার জমি মালিকানা সুযোগ সৃষ্টির মাধ্যমে নারীর ক্ষমতায়ন সম্ভব।

Photo credit: BRAC Communications

Syeda Ahmed and Rubina Akter, Dhaka Community Managers

Finding ways to financially include women is one of the major keys to socio-economic development in Bangladesh. While women are usually responsible for household labor and increasingly for outside work and wages, they generally do not receive equal recognition or pay for their labor. In fact, according to a Food and Agricultural survey, only two percent of the women in Bangladesh own land, which is very low compared to neighboring countries. Despite women’s notable representation in the workforce, their lack of access to land ownership is one of the fundamental barriers to financial stability. Financial inclusion is therefore a high-priority policy goal for Bangladesh in order to ensure stable and equitable economic growth.

BRAC and the Bangladesh Bank are helping women gain access to financial services and land ownership. Women living in Dhaka’s slums, in particular, have very limited access to financial services, as little aid comes from the government and NGOs because the slums are not officially recognized. These women do not have access to wealth and savings, and land rights are usually totally absent. To address this problem, BRAC initiated “Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction” (CFPR) in 2010, a part of the Targeting Ultra Poor (TUP) program. Its mission is to strengthen the economic and social capacities of the people who live in extreme poverty. Initially, the TUP program was rurally based, but the huge success of the project led to its expansion into urban areas. The Urban TUP program is focused on women since BRAC believes that women have less access to wealth than men, but a greater potential to influence social standards.

Before starting the project, a survey was conducted to select the areas with the most vulnerable women in Dhaka, resulting in the selection of Jurain and Mohammadpur districts. The pilot program started off with one hundred households from these two slums. By April 2012, the program had grown to include 13 different slums. Within these slums, the TUP program selects 300 families whose members are suffering from chronic hunger, inadequate shelter, and lack of access to basic facilities. The selected women were given training in assets transfer, enterprise development, and support for enterprise. According to BRAC’s impact assessment report of the program, there is a significant improvement in participating women’s holding assets. Asset transfer is a particularly important component of the TUP strategy, as it allows women to own livestock and have business inputs. After being trained, women can then start their own businesses, supported by the TUP program.

Although the Urban TUP program is fairly recent, it already has had a huge impact on its beneficiaries’ lives. For example, one woman who has a tea business supported by the TUP program increased her income from 100 ($1.25) taka to 400 ($5) taka within a short time. In addition, the health module of the program provides health facilities, helping the women remain active and reducing sick days. In all, BRAC’s Urban TUP program demonstrates the power of training and financial incentives in empowering women through socio-economic status and land ownership in Dhaka.

Photo credit: BRAC Communications