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Debate: Urban Development Strategies are not Relevant to National Poverty Reduction Strategies

Report

Day / Time Monday, June 19th / 14:00 - 16:00


Event Description

Why is it that urban poverty and investments in housing and infrastructure for the poor are so rarely mentioned in national poverty reduction planning? ComHabitat will host a debate to explore this question based around a motion that "this house believes urban development strategies are not relevant to national poverty reduction strategies". Those who think something can and should be done about the gap between reality and policy in this area will enjoy the event, which offers excellent opportunities for wide audience participation. Speakers include national and local government officials, slum dwellers and NGO representatives.


Session Language

English


Host Organization

ComHabitat


Host Organization Description

ComHabitat is a partnership of the Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements (CCGHS - national Ministers responsible for implementing the Habitat Agenda) and agencies from government, local government, civil society and the private sector. CCGHS has adopted a Commonwealth Goal of "Demonstrated progress towards adequate shelter for all with secure tenure and access to essential services in every community by 2015". ComHabitat aims to link CCGHS with other agencies in practical ways to promote and monitor implementation of the Habitat Agenda, Commonwealth Goal and associated Millennium Development Goals. The secretariat function of ComHabitat is provided by Homeless International. For more information see www.comhabitat.org


Website

www.comhabitat.org


Report

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Title of Event:


Name of Organisation:

Date and time of the session:

Debate: "This house believes that urban development strategies are not relevant to national poverty reduction strategies"

ComHabitat (the Commonwealth network for human settlements)

Monday 19 th June, 2pm - 4pm

Key Highlights

150 participants from a broad range of stakeholder groups (including national and local government, IGOs, donors, NGOs, CBOs, academia and development banks) debated why urban poverty is given little attention in national poverty reduction strategies. More than 20 speakers from the floor shared their national experiences in a broad discussion.

What were the core issues identified in your event as they relate to the theme and sub-themes of WUFIII?

  • National poverty reduction strategies generally ignoring urban poverty and human settlement issues, but some examples of inclusion.
  • Sustainable city development will not be achieved unless urban poverty and human settlements are recognised as key issues by national government and donors. Development investments will be wasted unless living conditions are addressed.

What were the main points raised by panellists and participants in relation to these different issues? What new ideas have been generated as a result of the discussion?

  • Reasons for lack of attention to human settlements in poverty strategies were:
    • "Hidden conditionality" by donors
    • Lack of co-ordination and overlapping portfolios between ministries on issues related to urban development
    • City level government not involved in national policy formulation
    • Lack of data, or lack of capacity to analyse and disaggregate data.
  • Many positive examples of partnerships and strategies to reduce urban poverty and address human settlements issues at city level (particularly local government and civil society partnerships), but these are not yet getting through to national policy level.

What process steps have been identified in your event that could help turn ideas into operational reality?

  • Sharing experiences between cities and countries
  • Lobbying donors on the importance of urban poverty and human settlements issues

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