The five-city enumeration: the role of participatory enumerations in developing community capacity and partnerships with government in Uganda

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Makau ◽  
Skye Dobson ◽  
Edith Samia
Keyword(s):  
Urban Poor ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
National Government ◽  
Political Context ◽  
Community Capacity ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Slum Dwellers ◽  
Initial Work ◽  
The Relationship

This paper describes the enumerations of informal settlements undertaken in 2010 by the National Slum Dwellers Federation of Uganda in the cities of Arua, Jinja, Kabale, Mbale and Mbarara, covering about 200,000 people. It describes how this federation was founded and subsequently developed through an earlier enumeration and initial work in informal settlements in Kampala. It also discusses the relationship between the federation and other actors, including the national government and Cities Alliance, and their role in supporting the formation of the federation. It explains how federation members developed the capacity to undertake the enumerations and later improved upon those skills, for example developing a GIS, to support the planning and implementation of upgrading by federation, local and national government agencies. The paper ends with a discussion of the way enumerations can encourage the rapid maturation of urban poor groups and their relationship with their cities and other development actors and the larger political context.

Impact of External Knowledge Inflow on Product and Process Innovation of Korean SMEs: Absorptive Capacity as a Mediator

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
So Won Jeong ◽  
Jae-Eun Chung ◽  
Jung-Sim Roh
Keyword(s):  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Process Innovation ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
Product And Process Innovation ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
The Relationship

We examine the role of external knowledge inflow in improving the product and process innovation of Korean exporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textiles, apparel, and footwear industries. Building on the resource-based view (RBV), we investigate how five sources of knowledge inflow (suppliers, customers, competitors, universities, and government agencies) contribute to product and process innovation through absorptive capacity (AC) as a mechanism to explain the link between external knowledge inflow and innovation. Conducting a path analysis, we found that knowledge inflow from customers and government agencies had a positive effect on AC, subsequently enhancing product and process innovation. Additionally, knowledge inflow from universities and government agencies also affected process innovation and product innovation, respectively. We also demonstrated the mediating role of AC in the relationship between external knowledge inflow and innovation. Korean SMEs should thus invest in developing the knowledge sources of customers, universities, and government agencies to enhance AC and innovation.

Propulsions

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-72
Author(s):  
Thomas Asher ◽  
Steve Ouma Akoth
Keyword(s):  
Urban Poor ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Global South ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Social Cooperation ◽  
Social Worlds ◽  
Spatial Practices ◽  
The Social

Abstract This essay foregrounds mobility in cities in the global South in order to recast our current understanding of how informal settlements function and how residents of these neighborhoods navigate increasingly feral economies. Focusing largely on an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, the piece explores the social worlds animated by mobility, bringing renewed attention to social and spatial practices. These include strategies of economic and social cooperation used by residents to spatially constitute communities, imbue them with meaning, and in the process create ladders to opportunity. The essay also demonstrates that when development agencies and advocates of the urban poor operate without a sociological understanding of the role of mobility, the results can be devastating.

scholarly journals As requested: brief, frank, and informal

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
pp. C01
Author(s):  
Bruna De Marchi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Political Context ◽  
Unlimited Growth ◽  
Scientific Journalism ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Shed Light

Scientific journalism ought to pay attention not only to the “products” of science, but also to the ways in which it operates in any given historical and political   context. A critical analysis of the presently dominant rhetoric of innovation and unlimited growth is necessary to shed light on the relationship between science  and democracy. Equally profitable would be a thorough investigation of past and present controversies on the role of scientists in decision-making.

scholarly journals Expanding entrepreneurship opportunities through local governance: the case of Barbados

2015 ◽  
pp. 137-149
Author(s):  
Paul Pounder
Keyword(s):  
Local Governance ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Complex Issue ◽  
Government Institutions ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

This paper looks at the government and local governance structures of Barbados, arguing that local governance should be leveraged to expand entrepreneurship opportunities at the community level. It examines the links between local governance and entrepreneurship, and proposes a framework aimed at strengthening the relationship between Barbados’ newly formed constituency councils and its government institutions supporting entrepreneurship. The research concludes that there are many inefficiencies in the interaction between government agencies and constituency councils, which the proposed framework is a first step toward remedying.  The research suggests that local governance is a complex issue worldwide. More specifically in Barbados, even though the role of the constituency councils is defined, there are weak formal arrangements which undermine the processes and activities to support community entrepreneurship. The proposed framework highlighted in the research is a first step in formalising a way forward for entrepreneurship in the community. 

Ideologically motivated perception: The role of political context and active open-mindedness

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Kossowska ◽  
Paulina Szwed ◽  
Gabriela Czarnek
Keyword(s):  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Political Context ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Political Beliefs ◽  
Cultural Domain ◽  
The Relationship

In three experimental studies we investigate the role of contextual (i.e. issue politicization) and individual (i.e. active open-mindedness) factors, assuming that they influence the manner in which people of different political affinities perceive policy-relevant facts. We focus on political beliefs in the cultural domain, expecting that right-wing beliefs, compared to left-wing beliefs are associated with more inaccurate perceptions of facts (i.e. misperceptions) in ways that are politically congenial to right-wing ideology and official right-wing party narratives. We also argue that the level of accuracy in perceptions held by right-wingers (vs. lefts-wingers) is even lower when assessing highly-politicized (vs. less-politicalized) facts. Then, we postulate that assessments of highly-politicized facts are driven by political beliefs. In contrast, when assessing less-politicized facts, active open-mindedness modifies the relationship between ideology and accuracy assessment. The results of the study confirm the hypotheses proposed.

“If in doubt, count”: the role of community-driven enumerations in blocking eviction in Old Fadama, Accra

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Braimah R Farouk ◽  
Mensah Owusu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Poor ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Population Data ◽  
City Government ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
City Governments ◽  
New City

This paper describes the community-driven enumerations undertaken in Old Fadama, the largest informal settlement in Accra, which has long been threatened with eviction. After meeting with members of shack dweller federations from other nations, residents formed the Ghana Homeless People’s Federation in 2003 (now known as the Ghana Federation of the Urban Poor (GHAFUP). Together with the NGO People’s Dialogue on Human Settlements, they supported the first community-driven enumeration in Old Fadama in 2004 to counter the threat of eviction, by showing the large scale of economic activities in the community and the gap in accurate population data. This was followed by further enumerations, in 2006–2007 and in 2009, to counter new eviction threats from new city governments. These enumerations increased the residents’ confidence, empowering them in terms of engagement with city government. They also changed government’s perspective on informal settlements and helped shape policy away from forced evictions towards participatory relocations or rehabilitation.

Inclusive shelter provision in Mogadishu

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-462
Author(s):  
Charlotte Bonnet ◽  
Erik Bryld ◽  
Christine Kamau ◽  
Mohamed Mohamud ◽  
Fathia Farah
Keyword(s):  
Urban Poor ◽  
Urban Poverty ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Internal Displacement ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Informal Networks ◽  
Social Unit ◽  
Environment And Development ◽  
The City

This article is based on a research project led by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) on shelter in East Africa. It explores Mogadishu’s history, political settlements and variations in housing to inform more inclusive, affordable shelter interventions. MAIN FINDINGS: • Connection between urban poverty and internal displacement. Mogadishu’s informal settlements are inhabited by people displaced from other regions and poor urban residents. As the urban poor live in areas with high tenure insecurity and can be evicted without notice, there are migration flows both into the city and within Mogadishu itself. • Role of informal networks and relations. As access to land and shelter is governed by a complex system of formal and informal rules, having contacts with powerful actors in the informal settlements is key to finding shelter. • Vulnerabilities of women, people with disabilities, and young single men. In Somalia’s patriarchal society, the male-headed family is the fundamental social unit; people who fall outside this category are heavily disadvantaged when accessing housing.

scholarly journals Financing the inclusive city: the catalytic role of community savings

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Shand ◽  
Sarah Colenbrander
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Shared Vision ◽  
Collective Decision Making ◽  
Marginalized Groups ◽  
Catalytic Role

Global conversations around financing urban development typically neglect the importance of coordinating the activities of different stakeholders behind a shared vision for their city. In particular, low-income and other marginalized groups must be seen as entrepreneurs and partners in service delivery to enhance the efficacy of resource use and to reduce poverty. This paper explores the creation of non-traditional business models and alliances to invest in informal settlements. It presents examples from India, Kenya, Pakistan, Thailand and Zimbabwe, where local authorities, commercial banks and other formal actors have co-financed and co-delivered urban plans, housing and infrastructure through collaborations with organized groups of the urban poor. These groups make three critical contributions: financial resources, detailed information on the composition of informal settlements, and capabilities for collective decision-making and action. These contributions are underpinned by the financial and social capital developed through collective saving, and enable the delivery of complex urban improvements at scale.

Facilitating community mapping and planning for citywide upgrading: the role of community architects

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Archer ◽  
Chawanad Luansang ◽  
Supawut Boonmahathanakorn
Keyword(s):  
Urban Poor ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Physical Map ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Mapping ◽  
Community Residents ◽  
Mapping Process ◽  
The Right

This paper examines the role that community architects and other professionals can play in helping urban poor communities to survey and map their living conditions and draw up comprehensive site plans for upgrading or relocation projects. The mapping process can lead not only to a physical map but also to dialogue and understanding between community residents about the place they call home and how it relates to the wider environment, which will feed into the planning process. In addition, all the communities within a city may join together to carry out citywide mapping of informal settlements, effectively putting themselves on the map and on the local authorities’ agenda. Throughout these stages of mapping, the role of the professional is to facilitate the processes technically, as well as to ask the right questions of the community members so as to encourage them towards a deeper understanding of their socio-political and physical living context, and to take the lead in developing solutions.

Assisted Community Housing Initiative in Dhaka

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-229
Author(s):  
Halima Begum ◽  
Philip Richard Heywood ◽  
Connie Susilawati
Keyword(s):  
Urban Poor ◽  
Future Prospect ◽  
Housing Development ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Government Organization ◽  
Sustainable Housing ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Slum Dwellers ◽  
Operational Practices

This research highlights how the strength of a group of mobilized slum dwellers was harnessed to bring in change in their housing condition. The community, with active support from a non-government organization, was able to develop housing for themselves. The article demonstrates that assisted community housing as an approach is capable of offering a sustainable housing development solution in a resource-constrained country like Bangladesh. The article aims at examining the context and the process, and identifying the operational barriers, and it explores future prospect of this approach in a specific context. Through elaborating on the community efforts, the article sheds lights on the difficulties that were encountered by the NGO and the community, making this a shared struggling experience. It identifies that with a few policy-level interventions and changes in operational practices of different government agencies, a supportive environment can be created which will foster NGO’s stewardship to making this approach produce more equitable, efficient, affordable and, above all, sustainable housing development for the urban poor.

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