Conference on Grassroots-led Urban Development – London, 6-8 September 2007 06-09-2007 Introduction There is a growing recognition within development of the role of grassroots
organisations in addressing problems in urban areas in low- and middle-income
nations - not only in what they demand and negotiate from governments but also
in what they themselves can do.
Description
The achievements, innovations and capacities of grassroots organisationsare
documented in a growing number of case-studies - for instance of 'slum'/squatter
financing and upgrading, new house developments and basic service provision.
There are also many nations where grassroots organisations have formed their own
'slum'/shack/homeless people's federations to support each other's initiatives
and press for support and change within municipal, city and national
governments.
This development of 'collective capacity' by grassroots organisations and
federations has led to large-scale programmes in many nations and many strong
and innovative partnerships between these organizations, the private sector and
local governments. There are also some examples of national governments and
international agencies developing mechanisms to team up with grassroots-led
urban development. These initiatives emerge in specific social, political,
cultural and economic contexts and there is much to be learnt from understanding
the contexts within which the potential for interaction between grassroots-led
actions, initiatives and movements and state structures and supports is
realised.
At the same time, such recognition is accompanied by a debate highlighting
the limitations of the role that grassroots-led initiatives can play in urban
development. This debate questions the capacity of grassroots organisations to
bring about urban change at scale, efficiently and effectively; the legitimacy
and accountability deriving from their growing political role and its claim for
bottom- up politics; and the way in which the emerging configurations of
grassroots, private sector and local authorities tend to marginalise central
government involvement.
The conference aims to provide an opportunity for researchers, policymakers,
development practitioners and private sector representatives from Europe and
elsewhere to reflect critically on the achievements, potentials and limitations
of grassroots-led urban development.
The conference organisers encourage researchers to submit papers for
presentation at the conference. Papers can address any topic of relevance to the
conference theme, including:
Deadline for submitting paper proposals is 1 June 2007.
The Conference is organised and hosted by the Development Planning Unit
(University College London) and the International Institute for Environment and
Development (IIED).
Programme Location
London, United Kingdom
Register Links For more information and to register, please visit the conference websiteback |
