BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 17. Close cooperation
between local communities, state, and municipal authorities can
fundamentally improve housing conditions and urban development,
Celine D'Cruz, co-founder of Slum Dwellers International (SDI),
said during the panel session titled "Housing for Urban Prosperity
and Opportunities for All," held within the framework of WUF13 in
Baku, Trend
reports.
"Imagine what results can be achieved if communities, with their
resources and experience, work closely with the state and local
authorities," she noted.
According to her, non-governmental organizations have limited
capabilities, whereas sustainable changes require the full
participation of state structures.
She spoke about the work carried out with street and slum
dwellers in Mumbai. According to her, the key role in solving their
problems was played by the self-organization of communities, access
to land, financing, and the participation of the residents
themselves in housing design.
She noted that residents, together with activists, surveyed
vacant plots in the city, pushing for land to be allocated for
affordable housing, and also created collective savings systems
that helped them secure bank loans.
"People were able to prove to banks that they are capable of
saving funds, taking out loans, and repaying them," the SDI
co-founder emphasized.
She added that even the design of future homes took place with
the direct participation of the residents themselves, including
women from poor neighborhoods.
According to her, such experience shows that the participation
of local communities can become a vital element of sustainable
urban development.
