Quality: 3 - Región

Settlements Observatory, Montevideo

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Settlements Observatory, Montevideo

Policies and regulations Local policies Governance Data and monitoring Participatory processes
Promotion and production Favelas/Slums

Main objectives of the project

In 2017, Montevideo created the Settlements Observatory. The objective was to have an instrument of information and public data on the biggest challenge the city faces: achieving livable environments for its most vulnerable communities, but maintaining its idiosyncrasy.

Date

  • 2017: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Montevideo municipality - divisiontierrasyhabitat@imm.gub.uy

Location

Continent: South America
Country/Region: Montevideo, Uruguay

Description

Montevideo today has more than three hundred informal settlements. They are inhabited by more than 120,000 people, most of them from vulnerable communities. This is the result of years of urban growth in a context of economic crisis and years of migration and uncontrolled urban sprawl. Thus, the city lived and lives a deep urgency. There is an urgent need to integrate these neighborhoods. But to do so, the magnitude of the problem must be known.

In the previous decade, it was unknown how many people lived in settlements (beyond census data), there was no knowledge of the status of the interventions, nor was it recorded in a unified way. For this reason, in 2017 the Settlements Observatory was created. This instrument aims to systematize the main indicators of the city's settlements. Thus, it aims to put data to the reality of the settlements, seeing their realities and differences. Moreover, it does it in a systematic and longitudinal way, being able to monitor its evolution. In this way, it becomes the evaluation and follow-up instrument for Montevideo's neighborhood improvement programs. The information related to irregular settlements includes data on interventions carried out by different agencies and institutions. This allows their categorization, as well as establishing whether or not the conditions of the definition of irregular settlement are maintained or not, in order to maintain or remove them from the database, respectively.

Each settlement collects a series of simple and mapped data in the metropolitan environment of Montevideo. Mainly, each settlement has a name, the area, the number of inhabitants, the status (intervened or not), the plan that intervenes in it and the number of dwellings. It is also possible to find out if they are in the process of regularization or not and since when or if their inhabitants have been relocated. All this makes it possible to follow up on people living in low climatic comfort, in sub-standard housing and to systematize the programs that have an impact on their environment.

One of the most important issues of the observatory was to be an instrument of transparency. Thus, in addition to influencing and improving programs, it also transfers information to interested agents, affected communities and other administrations on the work being carried out and the state of the situation. This transparency exercise is essential to encourage participation in the programs and build trust. The open data system also allows the intervention of universities, researchers and those interested in the subject, helping to delve deeper into the realities of the settlements.

In addition, the communities are also a vehicle for information. The observatory's ultimate goal is to ensure that these communities can also become empowered by the realities of their environments.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Metropolitan Housing Observatory, Barcelona (O-HB)

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Metropolitan Housing Observatory, Barcelona (O-HB)

Policies and regulations National policies Local policies Governance Data and monitoring Evaluation and impact

Main objectives of the project

The Metropolitan Housing Observatory of Barcelona (O-HB) is a supra-municipal entity dedicated to researching and analyzing housing-related data with the aim of supporting the design and evaluation of public policies in this area. It emerged in 2017 as a collaboration between the Barcelona City Council, the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB), the Barcelona Provincial Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya, with the support of the Association of Social Housing Managers (GHS).

Date

  • 2017: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Barcelona City Council
  • AMB (Metropolitan Government)
  • Diputació de Barcelona
  • Generalitat de Catalunya

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Barcelona
Country/Region: Barcelona, Spain

Description

Barcelona is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis. Rents have skyrocketed and housing prices are unaffordable for the majority of the population. Despite this, housing data were fragmented among different administrations, were not transparent and unclear. For this reason, the City Council promoted a metropolitan observatory that could systematize the data to provide clear information on how to act in the face of the crisis. To this end, the Generalitat (the national government), the Diputació provincial (the region), the metropolitan government and the City Council, as well as civil society, with the Association of Social Housing Managers, came to an agreement. Together they made possible the Metropolitan Housing Observatory (O-HB).

Thus, the Observatory gives an open data system since its creation. The data is structured in six chapters: housing stock; construction and rehabilitation; socio-demographic and socio-economic aspects; housing and land market; problems of permanence, access and maintenance; and public policies. From these open data, all the administrations share their information and citizens, researchers and social agents can also have an impact on them.

In addition, the observatory carries out its own studies and annual reports on the state of housing. In fact, when a regulation of rental prices was made, the Observatory was in charge of evaluating it from different methodologies. As a democratic instrument at the service of housing, it also organizes debates and lectures with specialists on a regular basis.

In short, the Observatory acts as a scientific tool at the service of citizens, researchers and administrations. For the first time, it systematizes data on the current housing crisis, debates the main policies and evaluates the programs that affect affordable housing. An open laboratory and a critical space to guide the future of a Barcelona where its inhabitants can live.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Habitatge Metròpolis (HMB), Barcelona

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Habitatge Metròpolis (HMB), Barcelona

Policies and regulations Local policies Global frameworks Governance Public-private initiatives
Financing Public funding Public-private collaboration
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships
Ownership and tenure Protection of social housing Public-private partnerships

Main objectives of the project

Habitatge Metròplis is the metropolitan operator for the promotion of public housing. A mixed public-private company that seeks to build social housing in a profitable way for the private company. Its greatest advantages are 1) the innovative governance it assumes and 2) its metropolitan dimension.

Date

  • 2019: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Barcelona City Council
  • Promotor: Metropolitan Area of Barcleona (AMB)
  • Promotor: Neinor Homes, S.A

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Barcelona
Country/Region: Barcelona, Spain

Description

Barcelona is facing the biggest housing crisis in recent years. In the capital and its metropolitan area, rents are much higher than in the rest of the country. This is causing applications for social housing to skyrocket. Despite this, the number of social housing units in Barcelona is well below the European average and is falling. This is due to the fact that for years, social housing was under ownership regime. That is, after a few years it ceases to be protected and goes to the free market. Thus, there is a need to build social housing quickly and in large quantities.

Unfortunately, the administration alone could not cope with the great demand. That is why they have decided to promote a metropolitan operator. That is to say, they have created a mixed company, between the public and private sectors, to promote social housing for the metropolitan area of Barcelona. The goal is to build 4500 homes in 6 years, 50% within the city of Barcelona and 50% in the metropolitan area. The shareholders of the company are the AMB (25%), the Barcelona City Council (25%), the company NICRENT Residencial (50%), of which Neinor Homes, S.A. and CEVASA are 50% shareholders. The balance between public and private partners and the relationship of equality, co-responsibility and long-term trust is the basis for sharing investment efforts, risks, costs and benefits. This formula guarantees the social goals of the project and its economic success, taking into account the technical capabilities and economic solvency of the participating partners.

Unlike in the past, all the housing will be for subsidized rental at below-market prices and will always be publicly owned. In this way, the land will remain under social housing protection, despite the passage of time. With regard to construction, the operator must guarantee environmental quality and sustainability with energy saving criteria and promote accessibility and architectural quality.

It is the first company of its kind to have a metropolitan dimension in Spain. In fact, Spain has a high deficit of metropolitan housing policies. A study has detected 384 institutions operating in Spain's metropolitan environments. Of these, only about 30 deal directly or indirectly with the issue of housing, despite being one of the main problems of Spanish cities (1). Thus, the operator is innovative because it assumes, for the first time, that housing does not have a municipal dimension, but goes beyond its limits. In this way, its metropolitan approach is vital for developing a joint housing policy among the 36 municipalities that make up the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona.

(1) To see more into: Tomàs, M. (2023). Metrópolis sin gobierno. La anomalía española en Europa. Ed. Tirant lo Blanch.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Jaga Mission

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Jaga Mission

Mismatches Vulnerable groups Demographic/Urban growth
Policies and regulations National policies Local policies Governance Participatory processes
Financing
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships Favelas/Slums
Ownership and tenure Land ownership Public-private partnerships

Main objectives of the project

The Government of Odisha has set an ambitious goal: to be the first state in India to eradicate informal settlements. To achieve this, they have implemented the innovative Jaga Mission, which aims to upgrade the state's 2,919 existing informal settlements by December 2022, benefiting approximately 1.7 million people. This program is based on a decentralized approach, where associations of residents of these settlements work closely with public authorities to carry out the necessary improvements. The municipal government allocates 25 percent of its budgets to finance the works, while the rest of the funding comes mainly from Odisha state funds.

Date

  • 2017: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha

Location

Continent: Asia
Country/Region: India

Description

In the eastern Indian state of Odisha, more than 1.7 million people, approximately 25 percent of the state's total population, reside in urban informal settlements and slums. The inhabitants of these areas face extremely precarious conditions, with a lack of access to basic services such as running water, electricity and sewerage, as well as the absence of property rights and public resources. This situation creates a cycle of poverty and marginalization, exposing residents to the risk of disease, evictions and the loss of their homes, especially affecting vulnerable groups such as women, migrants and people of certain castes.

Since 2017, the state's Mission Jaga and Mission for Adequate Habitat programs in Odisha have joined an innovative effort to title land and upgrade informal settlements, with the aim of drastically improving living conditions and promoting social equality for those in urban poverty.

The program is based on the principle that all families living in informal settlements in Odisha must obtain on-site land rights to access public housing subsidies and avoid evictions. Land rights certificates are inheritable and eligible for mortgages, but cannot be sold to prevent gentrification. To date, land rights have been granted to 125,000 residents of informal settlements, including women who can acquire them through co-ownership.

Once informal settlements are mapped and land rights are granted, residents' associations are established to oversee housing and infrastructure improvements. These associations have inclusive representation, where 50 percent of members must be women or other marginalized groups. Formally recognized as partners in project governance, these associations have control over the implementation of improvements and access to funds through a special bank account.

Community participation is central to the project, with residents, including women, hired to carry out community improvements without the intervention of private contractors. Local associations oversee the work and set standards of control, ensuring fair wages that help improve family incomes.

Mission Jaga has an innovative financing system that leverages funds from various government departments to maximize investments, avoiding the creation of separate budget lines. In addition, a legal provision was established that sets aside 25 percent of a city's budget for improvements in informal settlements, a unique approach compared to other programs that often rely on external development institutions.

The program has been implemented in 2,919 informal settlements in 114 cities in Odisha, with notable progress in upgrading 585 settlements and complete eradication in eight cities between September 2020 and May 2022. This effort, considered one of the largest land titling and informal settlement upgrading projects in India and the world, continues to expand throughout the state thanks to a mentoring model that has proven effective in training and guiding new cities in the process of upgrading their informal settlements.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España
World Habitat

Móstoles fight against homelessness

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Móstoles fight against homelessness

Mismatches Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations Local policies Global frameworks Data and monitoring

Main objectives of the project

The city of Móstoles in Spain, with a population of 205,614, stands as a compelling example of the proactive measures taken by local authorities worldwide to address housing challenges. Situated in the southern metropolitan area of Madrid, Móstoles, like many neighboring municipalities, endured severe repercussions from the enduring economic downturn that began in 2008. With a predominantly working-class population, the city faced a pressing housing crisis marked by escalating evictions and a rise in homelessness. In response, Móstoles initiated a multifaceted strategy aimed at ameliorating the situation and safeguarding the right to housing. This comprehensive approach encompasses a spectrum of initiatives, ranging from providing direct assistance to families facing eviction to actively promoting social housing and advocating for the rights of the homeless population.

Date

  • 2016: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Móstoles municipality

Location

Country/Region: Madrid, Spain

Description

Móstoles, situated in the southern periphery of Madrid, predominantly comprises a working-class demographic, with an average per capita income of 19,000 euros, notably lower than Madrid's average of 30,000 euros. The lingering effects of the economic downturn have exacerbated social and economic disparities, reflected in the surge of users accessing municipal social services from 8,000 before the crisis to 25,000 in 2017. This crisis has particularly impacted the most vulnerable segments of our population, with homelessness emerging as a stark manifestation of social exclusion.

To address this pressing issue, Móstoles has fortified its existing services, including shelters, and in 2016, established a community center providing nighttime shelter—a rarity in the southern metropolitan area of Madrid. Additionally, the city has implemented a successful Housing First strategy and expanded its "emergency apartments" stock by nearly 100 units.

Two key innovations have been introduced to tackle homelessness head-on. Firstly, the creation of the "Office for the Right to Housing" aims to prevent evictions and homelessness. This office serves two primary functions: facilitating connections between housing issues and municipal social services, including the provision of emergency financial aid, and offering legal services to negotiate with various stakeholders to halt evictions and seek resolutions for those affected by financial speculation. The objective here is to stop evictions in our city or reaching agreements that will free people who have been victims of financial speculation, such as moratorium agreements, payment dams or debt forgiveness.

The second innovation is the adoption of the Homeless Bill of Rights, positioning Móstoles as one of the few cities pioneering such initiatives. A multidisciplinary team monitors the daily experiences of homeless individuals, ensuring their rights are upheld. Administrative flexibility has been introduced to enable homeless individuals to access essential services by facilitating their registration. In Spain, you need to be registered in a house to have access to many social services. For this reason, they have facilitated homeless people access to this registry regardless of their housing situation. Collaborative efforts with social agents aim to raise awareness and engage citizens in addressing homelessness.

Through these measures, Móstoles underscores the importance of prioritizing housing issues. Despite budgetary constraints, the city has demonstrated how strategic policy implementation can prevent a housing emergency from escalating into a social crisis.

It is important to mention that the policies have allowed us to have more data on the situation of homelessness in Móstoles. This allows us to improve future care, innovating in future actions.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Diverse Metropolis Regulation

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Diverse Metropolis Regulation

Mismatches Diversity
Policies and regulations Local policies Planning
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

Montreal, Canada, implements a new regulation to have affordable housing, the Diverse Metropolis Regulation. The main goal of the regulation is that all the projects done in “affordable zones” (a new zoning category) must reach an agreement with the city to enhance social and affordable housing. Preserving the diversity of our neighborhoods and promoting access to suitable housing for all: this is the objective set by the City of Montreal with its Regulations for a mixed metropolis.

Date

  • 2021: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Montreal

Location

Continent: North America
Country/Region: Canada, Montreal

Description

Montreal wanted to foster more mixed communities. However, in its planning legal framework, the private initiative has a lot of power. Thus, agreements with promoters must be reached in order to have affordable housing and a diverse typology of housing units. For this reason, in 2021, they enforced a new planning regulation on certain areas of the city. Any person who carries out a project involving the addition of at least 1 dwelling and a residential surface area exceeding the threshold set in the Regulation must enter into an agreement with the City in order to contribute to the supply of social, affordable and family housing. This may be a new building, an extension or the conversion of a building.
The threshold set in the Regulation is 450 m² of added residential area (equivalent to approximately 5 housing units). However, until December 31, 2026, the threshold is temporarily increased to 1,800 m² (equivalent to approximately 20 housing units) in order to take into account the economic context. After this period, the threshold will be restored to 450 m².

Contributions are made either for social housing (any dwelling unit owned by a non-profit organization, cooperative, government or paramunicipal corporation that is intended for people with special housing needs or households with low or modest incomes) or affordable housing (dwelling unit, not necessarily owned by non-profits or municipality, for which the selling price or rent is subject to a commitment of at least a 20-year period). The percentage going into affordable housing is between 10 to 20% of the project. Then you must add the social contribution depending on the surface of land.

The affordable contribution of the project is agreed with the city and has three main ways to be fulfilled: the creation of affordable housing by the promoter; the sale of a building to the city, which can take the form of the sale of an existing rental building or vacant land; a financial contribution: the contribution varies depending on the size of the project and the sector in which it takes place. A combination of the three is also possible. In the case of social housing, a portion of land must be selled to the city or made a financial contribution.

The new regulation is an innovative way to generate mixed communities in a market-driven development scheme. Using the legal tools of planning, the municipality enhanced social housing and affordability in different typologies of buildings.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Oukalas Project in Tunis

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Oukalas Project in Tunis

Mismatches Segregation Vulnerable groups Demographic/Urban growth Vacant housing
Policies and regulations Global frameworks
Urban Design Liveability Inclusion Equity Segregation
Promotion and production

Main objectives of the project

Tunis grapples with intricate migration dynamics, serving as both a destination and a transit point for international migrants bound for Europe. Additionally, internal migration has significantly shaped the city's demographic landscape since gaining independence in 1956. Drawn by employment prospects, a large influx of internal migrants settled in Tunis, particularly in the historic center known as the Medina. This area saw an increase in vacant housing units as former residents moved to suburban areas seeking modern accommodations. In response to the housing challenges faced by these migrants, many from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, makeshift living arrangements called Oukalas emerged within the Medina. While these Oukalas provided affordable housing, they often lacked basic amenities, were overcrowded, and posed safety hazards due to deteriorating conditions. To address these issues, the Municipality of Tunis launched the Oukalas Project in 1991 with dual objectives: to improve living standards for residents, many of whom were internal migrants, and to preserve and restore historic structures within the neighborhood. This initiative, which concluded in 2012, positively impacted over 3,000 households in the Medina.

Date

  • 1991: Implementation
  • 2012: Rehabilitación

Stakeholders

  • Tunis Municipality

Location

Continent: Africa
Country/Region: Tunis, Tunisia

Description

Tunis experiences a significant influx of migrants, although the city does not undertake specific projects tailored exclusively to address their needs. Instead, the municipality incorporates migrants into existing social and cultural initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall quality of life for all residents of Tunis. One such initiative is the Oukalas project, which ran from 1991 to 2012. Focused on inhabitants of the Medina, including a substantial number of internal migrants, the project aimed to offer suitable housing and essential services while simultaneously preserving and revitalizing this historic area. Consequently, the project serves as an illustration of government-led revitalization efforts aimed at improving housing conditions for Medina residents, many of whom are internal migrants.

Oukala refers to an urban caravanserai, resembling a hotel where rooms are rented for short periods like days or weeks. Following the expansion of the city and shifts in demographics within the Medina, numerous private residences and historical landmarks in the old city were converted into multi-family dwellings. They were "oukalaised". These transformed dwellings accommodated multiple households, often those facing economic challenges, in substandard living conditions. Deterioration of buildings, compounded by inadequate rental regulations, rendered oukalas precarious residences for low-income families, with some buildings experiencing partial or complete collapse over time.

The oukalas project constitutes a multifaceted intervention strategy aiming to enhance living conditions and restore the aesthetic appeal of the Medina. By implementing appropriate technical, legal, and financial protocols, its overarching goal is to address the housing challenges within the Medina while preserving its cultural heritage.

Initially, the project aimed to improve the housing conditions of 3,000 households residing in the Medina's 600 oukalas through demolition and subsequent reconstruction. The program's broader objective focused on ameliorating the precarious living situations of the oukalas' occupants, encompassing several key components:

Re-housing: Identified 256 oukalas accommodating 1,296 households in severe disrepair for demolition. To accommodate these occupants, three new residential areas were established in Tunis' western suburbs—Douar Hicher, El Agba, and Sidi Hassine Séjoumi. New residents were offered 25-year sale-by-rent plans with affordable monthly payments.

Reconstruction: Sites of demolished oukalas were either sold through public auction or reclaimed by former owners. Municipality-led or private and public developers were tasked with new construction in accordance with existing land use regulations within the Medina.

Rehabilitation: Identified 404 oukalas housing 1,600 households requiring renovations to meet standards. This rehabilitation effort encompassed both privately and municipally owned housing stock. Private owners were offered a 15-year loan with a 5% interest rate and complimentary technical assistance.

Restoration/Adaptive Reuse: Thirteen buildings of significant historical or architectural value were identified for restoration and adaptive reuse for public purposes, with specific projects devised to facilitate their transformation.

In addition to ensuring secure housing and restoring historical edifices, the project extended social support to vulnerable residents of the Oukalas. These initiatives comprised various interventions, including the construction of 76 residences tailored for elderly individuals living independently, facilitation of loan access for 220 elderly individuals lacking familial or social support networks, provision of assistance for twelve disabled children encompassing education and healthcare expenses, allocation of 60 scholarship grants to local students pursuing higher education, and seasonal aid for vulnerable groups to address expenses related to religious observance and school year cycles.

The nature of the project evolved across its phases. In earlier stages, residents from central Oukalas were relocated to peripheral districts, prompting significant considerations regarding the impact of such relocations on residents' social connections and employment prospects. However, in the final phase, Oukalas inhabitants were offered housing opportunities within the Medina itself, in buildings constructed over the sites of previously demolished structures deemed unsafe in earlier phases. Residents were presented with the option to rent or purchase these new apartments at discounted rates, with residents covering expenses equivalent to construction costs, supplemented by contributions from the municipality and the national government.

The Oukalas is one of the major transformations of the city center in Northern Africa.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Al-Darb al-Ahmar Housing Rehabilitation Programme (ADAA HRP), Cairo

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Al-Darb al-Ahmar Housing Rehabilitation Programme (ADAA HRP), Cairo

Mismatches Financing Segregation Functional adequacy Cultural suitability Vulnerable groups Demographic/Urban growth
Policies and regulations Local policies Planning Data and monitoring Public-private initiatives
Financing Financial actors Supply subsidies Public-private collaboration
Urban Design Urban fabrics Environments Liveability Public-private initiative
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships Private promotion

Main objectives of the project

The district of Al-Darb al-Ahmar in Cairo holds significant historical importance, yet its approximately 100,000 residents are among the most economically disadvantaged in the city. Despite being home to numerous Islamic landmarks, the area suffers from inadequate infrastructure and services, leading to a high prevalence of health issues among its inhabitants. In response, the Housing Rehabilitation Programme (HRP) was initiated to enhance both the quality and quantity of housing while adhering to health standards and preserving the district's architectural heritage. Launched in 2004 with a goal of rehabilitating 200 houses by the end of 2009, the programme has since continued with ongoing efforts, reliant on the involvement of local communities and contributions from various donors. The HRP is committed to improving housing conditions sustainably by addressing the root causes of deterioration through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach involving all stakeholders. The goal is to change the “Action Areas” and the surrounding of monuments into vivid communities.

Date

  • 2004: Rehabilitación

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
  • Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance
  • Ford Foundation
  • Cairo Government

Location

Continent: Africa
Country/Region: Cairo, Egypt

Description

The Greater Cairo Region, with a population exceeding 18 million, confronts substantial challenges, notably over half residing in informal settlements. The Cairo Governorate alone hosts over 7 million inhabitants, positioning Cairo as one of the Arab world's most populous cities boasting a rich Islamic architectural heritage. Over the past century, urban management policies have grappled with the region's burgeoning population and associated issues such as informal housing proliferation, overcrowding in historic areas, and the deterioration of ancient urban fabrics due to transformations and gentrification.

Less than two centuries ago, al-Darb al-Ahmar epitomized wealth in Cairo. Today, its 100,000 residents, living within a historic district spanning 1.2 square kilometers, rank among the city's poorest. Despite its central location, historical significance, and vibrant community, living conditions have steadily deteriorated, resulting in a 50% population decline since the 1970s. Contributing factors include infrastructure neglect, low incomes, and the degradation of monuments and private housing. Outdated planning regulations, coupled with tenure insecurity and unrealistic rent controls, exacerbate the situation. Nonetheless, al-Darb al-Ahmar maintains social cohesion and architectural authenticity, necessitating interventions meeting varied needs while upholding health standards. Thus, the Housing Rehabilitation Programme emerged, advocating against neighborhood demolition while enhancing housing quality and quantity, preserving original architectural elements.

In 1999, a survey in the Aslam Mosque neighborhood kick-started efforts to identify planning and housing strategies for area-wide preservation and development. Subsequent baseline surveys in 2003 revealed alarming deficiencies, with 22% of dwelling units lacking private lavatories, 51% deprived of consistent water sources in kitchens, and 32% suffering from non-ventilated rooms. Despite declining living conditions, 86% of residents expressed a desire to remain in al-Darb al-Ahmar.

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture spearheaded redevelopment post-survey, focusing on physical upgrades and socioeconomic development. By 2004, completion milestones included 19 community-owned houses, a health center, a business center, school building restoration, and reconstructed minarets. Additional housing rehabilitation projects ensued, supported by microcredit programs. Subsequent phases targeted broader infrastructure enhancements and private investment facilitation. Emphasizing local engagement and capacity-building, the project ensured staff recruitment from the al-Darb al-Ahmar community, foreseeing self-sustaining credit services and envisioning microcredit activities evolving into a formal microfinance bank.

The policy targets the residents, businesses, and social groups within the district. The proposed urban improvement program by AKTC necessitates coordinated physical, social, and economic efforts sustained over an extended period. It also emphasizes the importance of institutional capacity-building, including supporting the establishment of local NGOs across various domains until they can operate with reduced assistance. Additionally, a public/private Development Corporation has been set up as an overarching entity in Al-Darb al-Ahmar, tasked with coordinating ongoing activities, generating income from restored facilities and services, and ultimately overseeing a self-sustained rehabilitation process. Furthermore, there is a focus on promoting community awareness and self-governance as a means of restoring the traditional Muslim city feature in residential areas and enhancing cultural awareness among residents.

Resource types, roles, and team players are diverse. It has financial resources from the Social Fund for Development, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and Ford Foundation grants; residents’ direct financial and in-kind contributions (cost share 30% to 50% of rehabilitation costs); and Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance’s housing loans to support different income levels. The technical expertise in rehabilitation comes from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Community Development Corporation; partners at different levels ranging from Cairo Governorate, municipal authorities, community-based organizations, to communitymembers; and local HRP staff providing administration and technical support. And, as we stated, there is Microenterprises, suppliers, and small contractors in Al-Darb al-Ahmar providing construction and finishing works.

To bolster physical rehabilitation efforts, the Housing Rehabilitation Programme (HRP) has enlisted a social housing team. This team aids in procuring the necessary legal documentation for building rehabilitation, mediates among stakeholders, and ensures that all non-physical conditions are addressed prior to the commencement of physical rehabilitation. Once a preliminary agreement is reached with residents of earmarked buildings, an independent credit team evaluates the creditworthiness of individual families. Consequently, microcredit loans are allocated based on each family's earnings. This microcredit scheme serves both tenants and property owners while ensuring secure tenure. Notably, through negotiations with tenants, property owners, and public authorities, approximately 285 households facing eviction due to deteriorating structural conditions were granted secured tenure status. These households were part of the housing stock at risk of demolition, and their rehabilitation allowed tenants to retain their residences.

The Housing Rehabilitation Programme catalyzed policy shifts, influencing demolition regulations and urban planning practices to prioritize community needs and conservation. Notable outcomes include a decree protecting existing housing stock near monuments and a revised conservation plan fostering community involvement. In summary, the program safeguarded residents' tenure, established national planning norms acknowledging community needs, and circulated a significant percentage of rehabilitation costs within the community, fostering job creation and supporting local businesses.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Dzivarasekwa Slum Upgrading Project, Zimbabwe

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Dzivarasekwa Slum Upgrading Project, Zimbabwe

Mismatches Vulnerable groups Demographic/Urban growth
Policies and regulations Local policies Planning Governance Evictions Participatory processes
Financing Savings systems Public-private collaboration
Promotion and production Favelas/Slums

Main objectives of the project

The Dzivarasekwa Slum Upgrading Project, situated in Dzivarasekwa Extension, is a significant component of the broader Harare Slum Upgrading Project. Spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Homeless People's Federation and the Dialogue on Shelter for the Homeless Trust, in collaboration with the City of Harare and the central government, this initiative marks the first instance of city authorities partnering directly with slum communities in such a manner. This innovative partnership model empowers residents to actively participate in all aspects of the upgrading process, ensuring that improvements align closely with their needs and priorities. Additionally, residents receive training across various fields, including construction, fostering skills development and community involvement. Commencing in 2011, construction efforts remain ongoing, with 480 families poised to benefit as primary recipients of land for housing development, leading to enhanced tenure security and the provision of essential services such as water and sanitation facilities.

Date

  • 2011: Rehabilitación

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: City of Harare
  • Promotor: Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation
  • Promotor: Dialogue on Shelter for the Homeless in Zimbabwe Trust
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Slum Dwellers International (SDI)
  • Selavip Foundation

Location

Continent: Africa
Country/Region: Harare, Zimbabwe

Description

Following independence in 1980, Zimbabwe witnessed a significant influx of rural residents migrating to urban areas, resulting in the rapid proliferation of slums throughout major towns and cities. However, the lack of housing development exacerbated this issue. In response, the government launched a nationwide slum clearance campaign in 2005, displacing thousands and demolishing their homes. During this campaign, slum dwellers were relocated to holding camps, including the one in Dzivarasekwa Extension in Harare, where basic services were lacking. Two years later, the government allocated land to upgrade the settlement, aiming to prevent further eviction and displacement. In 2010, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Dialogue on Shelter for the Homeless in Zimbabwe Trust, Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation, and the City of Harare, focusing on city-wide slum upgrading initiatives, marking a radical shift in approach where city authorities collaborated directly with slum communities.

The Dzivarasekwa project aimed to enhance living conditions for residents, promote inclusive local government practices, and serve as a model for upgrading other slums under the Harare Slum Upgrading Project (HSUP). The project's implementation involved distinct roles for various organizations. The Dialogue on Shelter for the Homeless in Zimbabwe Trust and the Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation were responsible for documentation, labor provision, community mobilization, and construction, while the City of Harare oversaw infrastructure installation, technical expertise provision, and project supervision. A project management committee, comprising community, alliance, and city representatives, supervised the upgrade project. Funding for the project was sourced from savings by beneficiaries, waivers from the City of Harare, and contributions from partners like the Selavip Foundation, SDI, DFID, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Community engagement was integral to every phase of the Dzivarasekwa initiative to ensure improvements aligned with residents’ needs. Community members participated in data collection, mapping, inventorying, service upgrading, and housing planning and construction. Architectural designs for new homes were developed through community consultations, leading to the adoption of a semi-detached design to reduce construction costs. Residents contributed to trench digging, pipe laying, and house building, while artisan training programs produced teams of plumbers and bricklayers. Housing beneficiaries were selected based on household employment status and income, with priority given to vulnerable households led by children, elderly, or women. The average cost per 24 square meter house was $2,400 USD, financed through resident loans from savings groups.

Since commencement in 2011, approximately 2,050 residents have obtained secure land tenure, 336 homes have been constructed, and 1,344 people have been housed. Sanitation facilities have been upgraded, solar-powered water and lighting systems installed, and roads tarred. Slums like Dzivarasekwa are now recognized as integral parts of the city, aligning with its broader development agenda. This integration fosters community inclusion and secures housing rights and access to basic services. The project contributed to the formulation of the Harare Slum Upgrading Strategy in 2012, enhancing residents' understanding of city processes, rights, and obligations. This initiative established a precedent for constructive engagement between local authorities and slum communities, contrasting previous adversarial relations marked by evictions and demolitions. Lessons learned from the Dzivarasekwa project are being applied in other HSUP initiatives across Harare and beyond, such as in Masvingo, where the city council has supported the construction of 1,000 eco-san toilets.

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Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Chamazi Community Housing

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Chamazi Community Housing

Mismatches Location Segregation Services Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations Governance Evictions
Financing Financial actors Savings systems Sustainable development financing Public-private collaboration
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships Self-management Self-promotion Self-construction Cooperatives Favelas/Slums
Ownership and tenure Shared ownership

Main objectives of the project

When the expansion of Tanzania’s Dar Es Salaam port led to the demolition of the homes of 36,000 individuals, the Chamazi Community Based Housing Scheme rallied displaced communities, civil society organizations, government entities, donors, and the private sector to collaboratively construct new and affordable housing. Currently, a new neighborhood is being developed, displacing informal settlements and presenting an innovative solution for addressing evictions. It serves as a model for transitioning from displacement to cooperative housing, demonstrating a proactive approach to housing challenges.

Date

  • 2006: En proceso

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Muungano Housing Cooperatives
  • Promotor: Centre for Community Initiative
  • Promotor: Tanzanian Urban Poor Fund
  • Temeke Municipal Council
  • Reall
  • Slum Dwellers International (SDI)
  • Tanzania's Ministry of Land, Housing, and Human Settlement Development

Location

Continent: Africa
Country/Region: Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania

Description

In 2006, the Tanzanian government demolished 7,351 houses in Kurasini to facilitate the expansion of the Dar Es Salaam port, resulting in approximately 36,000 individuals being displaced. Despite the government offering relocation only to homeowners, a significant portion, about 80%, of the affected residents were tenants. In response, the community took proactive measures by securing 30 acres of land for resettlement and pooling together approximately 24 million Tanzanian shillings (equivalent to US$ 24,000) from 300 members to purchase the land. The Tanzania Federation for Urban Poor (TFUP), with support from the Centre for Community Initiative (CCI), played a pivotal role in assisting the dispossessed tenants in utilizing their savings for the land acquisition scheme.

This initiative was made possible through the establishment of the Chamazi Community Based Housing Scheme, also known as Muungano Housing Cooperatives, spearheaded by the affected community’s savings, along with the Tanzanian Urban Poor Fund. Collaboratively, they secured a loan of US$ 100,000 from Slum Dwellers International (SDI) and US$ 40,000 from the UK-based organization Homeless International (Reall) for water and sanitation infrastructure, including a solar-powered water pump for the community borehole, facilitated by the Temeke Municipal Council. Additionally, CCI provided training to the community in construction skills, enabling on-site fabrication of construction materials by community members who actively participated in house building. Other partners contributed expertise and professional guidance in surveying, land acquisition, building planning, and house design. The establishment of the Muungano Housing Cooperative played a crucial role in enhancing community-led land planning, ownership, management, and financial resource mobilization.

The project significantly improved access to water and sanitation facilities, with sewage now being treated using a constructed wetland employing recyclable water technology. One of the primary challenges encountered was the necessity to construct houses for a large number of people within limited land space. Through collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, the scheme successfully influenced the Temeke Municipal Council and the Ministry of Land, Housing, and Human Settlement Development to reduce plot sizes from a minimum of 400 square meters to 150 square meters. This reduction in plot sizes is essential for enhancing decentralized infrastructure services such as water supply and sewerage systems.

Another major issue has been the end of the funds. Many families, thus, are now in possession of a land but without the capability to build new homes. However, the community has lowered the price of the construction by using recycle materials. For example, they are building its community center with plastic bottles instead of bricks. An innovative approach used in other affordable housing buildings. They are testing it in the new community center under-construction. Thus, the community center building will function as a pilot project and learning platform for new affordable building techniques. One of these is the already mentioned bottle wall technique, where re-used water bottles are filled with sand and stacked like bricks for a load bearing wall structure.

The Chamazi Community Based Housing Scheme is an example of how dispossessed people can form a community, build affordable housing, generate new neighborhoods and propose a new governance scheme to tackle the housing crisis they live in.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España