Background and use of SL
The project approach was 'integrated' in two senses. Primarily,
integration was seen in terms of the sustainable livelihoods
framework, which led the project to address a range of constraints
blocking the poor from achieving adequate shelter. Specifically
it looked at how far increases in incomes of the urban poor
(through promotion of income-generating activities) can generate
significant investment in housing. Other issues tackled included
credit systems, building social capital, and work on more
affordable building technologies and designs. A secondary
meaning of 'integration' was in terms of the partnerships
forged with community-based organisations, other NGOs, and
Local Authorities.
The
project builds on lessons learned and knowledge acquired through
working with the urban poor in the South. A process-oriented,
consultative, participatory and inclusive
approach that enables active involvement of target groups
in problem identification, planning, implementation and management,
as well as monitoring and evaluation, has thus been adopted.
Considerable resources have been invested in building the
capacity of and forging strategic partnerships
between community-based organizations (CBOs), the local authorities,
central government agencies, and partner nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) (macro to micro) to better address
the shelter, infrastructure and livelihoods priorities of
the target populations.
The
project aims to integrate a number of services in a holistic
approach. These include skills training, managerial
training, provision of credit, marketing assistance, various
support services (e.g. information, technology, inter-group
linkages, etc.), and action to facilitate women's involvement
in economic activities (e.g., training in basic literacy and
numeracy, awareness-raising of women's role, etc.).
The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework was
used as a conceptual framework for the project.
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