scholarly journals From taking money to making money: SPARC, NSDF and Mahila Milan transform low-income shelter options in India

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheela Patel ◽  
Aseena Viccajee ◽  
Jockin Arputham
Keyword(s):  
Community Development ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
City Development ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Financial Architecture ◽  
Grassroots Groups ◽  
Entrepreneurial Behaviour ◽  
Low Income Households

In India, a new approach to finance has been transforming shelter options for low-income households and supporting community-led development over recent decades. This paper examines the financial architecture developed to support hundreds of community-driven efforts by grassroots groups working in alliance with the Mumbai-based NGO SPARC. Much has been written about this Alliance’s work, but its financial architecture has had little attention. This paper seeks to explain how grants given for grassroots community development in urban areas can produce new forms of entrepreneurial behaviour among the urban poor, showing how they can design and execute large projects with the expertise gained from more modest efforts. It also shows how this Alliance has managed, invested and revolved these grants and other sources of funding, including its own savings, to leverage resources and opportunities for inclusive city development.

scholarly journals Rethinking inclusive city development amid COVID-19: the Indonesia context

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-82
Author(s):  
Giska Raissa ◽  
Filia Christy ◽  
Sandhy Sihotang ◽  
Karen Wijaya
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
City Development ◽  
Indonesian Population ◽  
The World ◽  
Vulnerable People ◽  
Future Challenges

Currently, cities all over the world are experiencing pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including cities in Indonesia. Studies show that the number of poor has been increasing since the spread of COVID-19, mostly in urban areas. Recent news indicates that the pandemic has the potential to add millions of new urban poor due to the threat of future layoffs faced by low-income people. The current condition in Indonesia’s urban areas indicates exclusion of the urban poor, which underlines the need for inclusive city development. Indeed, this crisis exposes the exclusion of vulnerable people, reveals deep inequalities in society and exacerbates the existing inequality among the Indonesian population. Because of the ongoing disruptions that arise in urban areas, the COVID-19 pandemic offers the opportunity to rethink the importance of inclusive city development so that they may become thriving cities for all. Besides, this study also argues that only inclusive cities can grow and thrive under all circumstances and future challenges. This paper discusses how to transform challenges amid COVID-19 to opportunities that can promote inclusive city development.   Abstrak. Saat ini, kota-kota di seluruh dunia sedang mengalami tekanan akibat pandemi COVID-19, termasuk kota-kota di Indonesia. Studi menunjukkan bahwa jumlah penduduk miskin terus meningkat sejak penyebaran COVID-19 yang umumnya terjadi di wilayah perkotaan. Berita terbaru menunjukkan bahwa pandemi berpotensi menambah jutaan orang miskin baru di perkotaan akibat ancaman PHK di masa depan yang dihadapi oleh masyarakat berpenghasilan rendah. Kondisi perkotaan di Indonesia saat ini menunjukkan eksklusi dari kaum miskin kota, yang menggarisbawahi perlunya pembangunan kota yang inklusif. Memang, krisis ini mengekspos pengucilan orang-orang yang rentan, mengungkapkan ketidaksetaraan yang dalam di masyarakat dan memperburuk ketimpangan yang ada di antara penduduk Indonesia. Karena gangguan yang terus menerus muncul di perkotaan, pandemi COVID-19 menawarkan kesempatan untuk memikirkan kembali pentingnya pembangunan kota yang inklusif sehingga dapat menjadi kota yang berkembang untuk semua. Selain itu, studi ini juga berkesimpulan bahwa hanya kota inklusif yang dapat tumbuh dan berkembang dalam segala situasi dan tantangan di masa depan. Makalah ini membahas bagaimana mengubah tantangan di tengah COVID-19 menjadi peluang yang dapat mendorong pembangunan kota yang inklusif.   Kata kunci. kota inklusif, pengembangan kota, COVID-19, Indonesia.

scholarly journals Where Do I Allocate My Urban Allotment Gardens? Development of a Site Selection Tool for Three Cities in Benin

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 318
Author(s):  
B. G. J. S. Sonneveld ◽  
M. D. Houessou ◽  
G. J. M. van den Boom ◽  
A. Aoudji
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Site Suitability ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Allotment Gardens

In the context of rapid urbanization, poorer residents in cities across low- and middle-income countries increasingly experience food and nutrition deficiencies. The United Nations has highlighted urban agriculture (UA) as a viable solution to food insecurity, by empowering the urban poor to produce their own fresh foods and make some profit from surplus production. Despite its potential role in reducing poverty and food insecurity, there appears to be little political will to support urban agriculture. This is seen in unclear political mandates that are sustained by information gaps on selection criteria for UA sites. The research reported here addresses this issue in the form of a decision-making support tool that assesses the suitability of cadastral units and informal plots for allotment gardens in urban and peri-urban areas. The tool was developed and tested for three rapidly expanding cities in Benin, a low-income country in West Africa, based on an ordered logit model that relates a set of 300 expert assessments on site suitability to georeferenced information on biophysical and socio-economic characteristics. Soil, land use, groundwater depth, vicinity to market and women’s safety were significant factors in the assessment. Scaled up across all cadastral units and informal sites, the tool generated detailed baseline maps on site suitability and availability of areas. Its capacity to support policymakers in selecting appropriate sites comes to the fore by reporting changes in site suitability under scenarios of improved soil fertility and enhanced safety for women.

scholarly journals Accessibility of summer meals and the food insecurity of low-income households with children

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 2079-2089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P Miller
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
California Health Interview Survey ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Geographic Accessibility ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Income Households

AbstractObjectiveAlmost no previous research has examined the impact of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program and related Seamless Summer Option, which provide meals and snacks to low-income children over the summer. The present study investigated whether geographic accessibility of summer meals programme sites (a proxy for programme participation) was associated with food insecurity for low-income households.DesignThe study used data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and administrative data on summer meals sites in California. Geocoding was used to calculate driving time between CHIS households and nearby summer meals sites. Geographic accessibility was measured using a gravity model, which accounted for the spatially distributed supply of and demand for summer meals. Food insecurity and very low food security were measured using a standard six-item measure from the USDA.SubjectsLow-income families with children (n5394).SettingA representative surveillance study of non-institutionalized households in California.ResultsGeographic accessibility was not associated with food insecurity. However, geographic accessibility was associated with a significantly lower probability of very low food security in the full sample and among households with younger children and those living in less urban areas.ConclusionsThe USDA’s summer meals programme may be effective at reducing the most severe form of food insecurity for low-income households with children. Expanding the number of summer meals sites, the number of meals served at sites and sites’ hours of operation may be effective strategies to promote nutritional health over the summer months.

Kaantabay Sa Kauswagan: Empowering the Urban Poor in Naga City, Philippines

2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 56-59
Author(s):  
Wilfredo Prilles
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Central Government ◽  
City Government ◽  
Political Will ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Resources And Capabilities ◽  
Vital Factor

Initiated in 1989, the KsK programme (literally Partners in Development) shows how a tri-partite approach of pooling resources and capabilities of private landowners, city and central government and the poor can be used to improve urban living conditions. Strong political will and an enlightened perception of the poor has enabled a city government to reduce poverty, manage urbanisation and improve quality of life in urban areas. Eighty-one per cent of the 7,400 low-income houses have been improved to date. Strong community participation has been a vital factor in achieving this success.

scholarly journals Closing the Digital Divide in Low-Income Urban Communities: A Domestication Approach

10.28945/3885 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 117-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Kanyi Wamuyu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Low Income Households

Aim/Purpose: Significant urban digital divide exists in Nairobi County where low income households lack digital literacy skills and do not have access to the internet. The study was undertaken as an intervention, designed to close the digital divide among low income households in Nairobi by introducing internet access using the domestication framework. Background: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential to help reduce social inequality and have been hailed as critical to the achievement of the Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). Skills in use of ICTs have also become a prerequisite for almost all forms of employment and in accessing government services, hence, the need for digital inclusion for all. Methodology: In this research study, I employed a mixed methods approach to investigate the problem. This was achieved through a preliminary survey to collect data on the existence of urban digital divide in Nairobi and a contextual analysis of the internet domestication process among the eighteen selected case studies. Contribution: While there have been many studies on digital divide between Africa and the rest of the world, within the African continent, among genders and between rural and urban areas at national levels, there are few studies exploring urban digital divide and especially among the marginalized communities living in the low-income urban areas. Findings: Successful domestication of internet and related technologies was achieved among the selected households, and the households appreciated the benefits of having and using the internet for the first time. A number of factors that impede use of internet among the marginalized communities in Nairobi were also identified. Recommendations for Practitioners: In the study, I found that use of differentiated costs internet services targeting specific demographic groups is possible and that use of such a service could help the marginalized urban communities’ access the internet. Therefore, ISPs should offer special internet access packages for the low-income households. Recommendation for Researchers: In this research study, I found that the urban digital divide in Nairobi is an indication of social economic development problems. Therefore, researchers should carryout studies involving multipronged strategies to address the growing digital divide among the marginalized urban communities. Impact on Society: The absence of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) inclusion policy is a huge setback to the achievement of the SDGs in Kenya. Digital inclusion policies prioritizing digital literacy training, universal internet access and to elucidate the social-economic benefits of internet access for all Kenyans should be developed. Future Research: Future studies should explore ways of providing affordable mass internet access solutions among the residents of low-income communities and in eliminating the persistence urban digital divide in Kenya.

The Welfare Effects of Carbon Tax on Chinese Households: A Study Based on the 2013 Chip Survey Data

2021 ◽  
pp. 2050019
Author(s):  
LI Xuehui ◽  
LI Zhi ◽  
WANG Zhengxin
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Carbon Tax ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
High Income ◽  
Cyclic Utilization ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Low Income Households

Based on the micro-data from the 2013 Chinese Household Income Project (CHIP) Survey, the authors use a Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) model to simulate and measure the impacts on the welfare of urban and rural households with different incomes after a carbon tax at 50[Formula: see text]RMB/ton was levied in China. The results show that the collection of carbon tax will increase households’ consumer spending to varying degrees. In urban areas, the carbon tax exerts the greatest impact on low-income households, followed by high-income households; while in rural areas, it has the most significant effects on high-income households and the least on low-income households. On the whole, carbon tax’s impact on urban households is greater than that on rural households. To a certain extent, it can help the household income inequality change for the better and narrow the urban–rural income gap. Since the carbon tax does not act on the distribution of Chinese household income in a simply regressive or progressive way, the authors believe that China should implement supporting policies such as tax subsidies or tax refund as supplements to carbon taxation in an effort to establish a mechanism for cyclic utilization of carbon tax revenue.

scholarly journals Household resilience to climate change hazards in Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Oriangi ◽  
Frederike Albrecht ◽  
Giuliano Di Baldassarre ◽  
Yazidhi Bamutaze ◽  
Paul Isolo Mukwaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Income Households

Purpose As climate change shocks and stresses increasingly affect urban areas in developing countries, resilience is imperative for the purposes of preparation, recovery and adaptation. This study aims to investigate demographic characteristics and social networks that influence the household capacity to prepare, recover and adapt when faced with prolonged droughts or erratic rainfall events in Mbale municipality in Eastern Uganda. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional research design was used to elicit subjective opinions. Previous studies indicate the importance of subjective approaches for measuring social resilience but their use has not been well explored in the context of quantifying urban resilience to climate change shocks and stresses. This study uses 389 structured household interviews to capture demographic characteristics, social networks and resilience capacities. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. Findings The ability of low-income households to meet their daily expenditure needs, household size, and networks with relatives and non government organizations (NGOs) were significant determinants of preparedness, recovery and adaptation to prolonged droughts or erratic rainfall events. Practical implications The results imply that policymakers and practitioners have an important role vis-à-vis encouraging activities that boost the ability of households to meet their daily expenditure needs, promoting small household size and reinforcing social networks that enhance household resilience. Originality/value Even the low-income households are substantially more likely to prepare for and recover from prolonged droughts or erratic rainfall events if they can meet their daily expenditure needs. This finding is noteworthy because the poorest in society are generally the most vulnerable to hazards.

Residential mobility and the geography of low-income households

Urban Studies ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 004209802092212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Schouten
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Central City ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Suburban Communities ◽  
Household Resources ◽  
Suburban Poverty ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Low Income Households

In contrast to the traditional image of suburban communities as stable and secure enclaves surrounding a more volatile urban core, scholars have noted considerable increases in suburban poverty over the past several decades. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) from 1999 to 2015 and a seven-category neighbourhood typology, this analysis seeks to better understand the growing economic distress of suburban areas in two stages: first by examining the degree to which low-income residents have left urban communities for suburban neighbourhoods; and second by identifying the types of low-income households that have made urban-to-suburban moves. Results show that although low-income households rapidly suburbanised during the study period, higher-income households left urban areas for suburban neighbourhoods at nearly the same rate. This finding suggests that while the overall number of economically disadvantaged residents in the suburbs has grown, population flows have had only a modest impact on the income composition of suburban neighbourhoods. Results also highlight important differences between low-income households that suburbanised during the study period and those that remained in urban communities. In particular, urban-to-suburban movers were more likely to be white, had more household resources and lived in origin neighbourhoods with fewer urban characteristics than the origin neighbourhoods of those who relocated within central-city areas.

scholarly journals Managed Retreat as Adaptation Option: Investigating Different Resettlement Approaches and Their Impacts—Lessons from Metro Manila

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 829
Author(s):  
Hannes Lauer ◽  
Mario Delos Reyes ◽  
Joern Birkmann
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Central Element ◽  
Adaptation Strategy ◽  
Poor People ◽  
City Development ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Metro Manila ◽  
Urban And Regional Development

Managed retreat has become a recommended adaptation strategy for hazard-prone coastal cities. The study aimed to improve considerations for the contextual factors that influence the success of managed retreat and resettlement projects in Metro Manila. Data were collected through a mixed-method approach consisting of a screening of relevant literature, a qualitative case analysis of resettlement projects, and a workshop series with Philippine stakeholders. It turned out that the resettlement of informal settlers is a central element of urban development. Though in-city resettlement is preferred, the majority of existing and planned projects are developed in off-city locations. The findings present a nuanced view of different retreat approaches. Not all in-city resettlements are successful, and the unpopular off-city projects have a potentially important role for urban and regional development. A strategic planning thread to develop concepts for qualitative off-city settlements that counteract uncontrolled urban sprawl with monofunctional residential areas for urban poor people was deduced. The other thread asks for pathways for inner-city development with innovative, vertical, in-city projects. A final observation was that climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are worsening the situation in informal settlements, thus strengthening the argument for the planned decentralization of Metro Manila’s congested urban areas.

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