February 4th, 2002

Local Area Sustainable Development Observatory

Paris – Madrid – Colombo

LASDO

State of Progress by January 2003

Sub-project 1

Multimedia tool for urban communication purposes

The “Multimedia tool for municipal communication purposes” is almost completed and was presented to CMC during the Mid-Term Seminar. The different topics integrated in the GIS are the following: administrations, schools, religious places, protected buildings, markets, police stations, hotels, restaurants and banks. The PMU will focus on the completion of the database, as few information are still missing (telephone numbers, historical background,…).

Presentation of sub-project 1 Multimedia tool for urban communication purposes (Mid-Term Seminar)

Sub-project 2

GIS for Urban and Sector Planning

The “GIS for urban and sector planning” has been developed regarding health and environment issues. The layers about health facilities (hospitals, dispensaries, maternity homes, cemeteries, laboratories,…) and demographic data (population by ward, age, sex,…) have been completed already achieved. The solid waste database has been defined and will be implemented at the beginning of 2003. Moreover, the CMC would like to create other layers about polluting industries and eating houses. These databases are already available within CMC and are now in a control process.

Moreover, the core of this sub-project is to also build a reference geocoding system on the street network in order to locate graphically at the address level epidemiological data from the notification register maintained by the Physical Health Department of the CMC (in addition to any other relevant address-based data deemed relevant to map graphically). This consists in assigning for each street segment within the currently completed digitized network the assessment number ranges, in addition to its street name and postal code. This task is in the process of being completed and validated with the Assessment Department of the CMC. Once this task is completed the geocoding process can be done.

Once epidemiological data is geocoded, it can be aggregated at different levels (blocks or street segments) to produce thematic maps which can be effectively used to analyze correlation with surrounding environment (blocked canals, bare land sites, industries). The geocoded data can also be aggregated at a more general level, (wards or GNDs) and crossed with associated socio-economic indicators from the Census (population density, Water supply facilities, Sanitation facilities, etc).

Sub-project 3

GIS for Local Operational Planning

Following a “state of sub-project 3” meeting held with the NGO SEVANATHA on December 5^th 2002, it was decided to organize the GIS work at three levels, corresponding to three mapping scales, namely:

- LEVEL 1/General level : this GIS would comprise the location of the USS for the whole city (around 1600), attached to a basic data base.

The idea is to better link the LASDO project with the PRIMUSS and the Poverty Reduction Projects (UK funding via the UN Habitat).

1614 USS have been identified through the Poverty Reduction Project.

- LEVEL 2/Wards 2 and 34 (62 USS)

The GIS would be more detailed, integrating results from the survey.

Types and repartition of USS between wards 2 and 34

(as recorded by SEVANATHA surveyors)

Types of USS	Ward 2	Ward 34
Up-graded slums	4	1
Non up-graded slums	1	0
Up-graded shanties	15	10
Non up-graded shanties	7	17
Low cost dwellings	1	3
Relocated households	0	3
TOTAL	28	34

- LEVEL 3/Selection of 4 USS, corresponding to 3 categories :

. Upgraded slums

. Upgraded shanties

. Non-upgraded shanties

For each of these USS types, a GIS for local operational planning would be realised on the selected pilot USS (to be determined in concertation with local NGO and precarious housing experts). This would be one of the major outcomes of the sub-project 3.

Aside from this working programme elaboration, the NGO representatives insisted on the importance of empowering the people from the communities while designing the maps. These maps could serve as development, planning and squat control documents. People would be trained and they would be in a better position to negotiate with CMC. Such communities empowerment would equally be considered a significant outcome of the project.

From SEVANATHA view point, the methodology adopted by the project has actually strengthened community organisations in the USS.

In the continuation of this, it was agreed that some of the NGOs staff could be trained to GIS technologies, together with the CMC team. Arc view software is already installed in SEVENATHA office.

The aforementioned Poverty Reduction Project has established guidelines for on-site upgrading which would be shared by the LASDO Project.

Detailed mapping may also interest the PRIMUSS project since they aim at improving 18 USS per year over the five coming years.

For this sub-project, it is foreseen to prepare a booklet containing the general problematic, graphic elements (maps, pictures, drawings...), methodology, achievements and recommendations.

NGO SEVANATHA at work : performing surveys and public consultations

LASDO Sub-project 3 : Local NGO SEVANATHA carrying out field surveys in Under-served settlements

LASDO Sub-project 3 : Local NGO SEVANATHA carrying out field surveys in Under-served settlements

LASDO Sub-project 3 : Local NGO SEVANATHA carrying out field surveys in Under-served settlements

LASDO Sub-Project 3 : Public meetings held with local USS communities

Poverty Reduction Project (PRP)

This project is funded by UNCHS/HABITAT. The south Asia UN co-ordinator is based in New Delhi, represented locally by the NGO SEVANATHA.

HABITAT has global programmes for urban management which they have been implementing for 20 years. For each phase, they had different amounts of money. Then, they decided to decentralise the programme and to build partnerships with local partners. They organised city level consultations and decided to allocate the money for one year. Colombo was considered as a successful city consultation. The objectives were to promote community participation.

Since the city of Colombo had already established a Community Development Council, SEVANATHA was asked to make a proposal to UNCHS to design the Urban poverty reduction for community empowerment. The UNCHS accepted the proposal and the contract was signed in 2001 with SEVANATHA and CMC. Mr Shantha JAYANSUNDERA is the general coordinator for this project, which implies three Departments within CMC, namely, the Health, Engineering and Institutional development Departments. The Colombo Poverty Profile was prepared in the scope of phase one of this project.

After selection of the USS, the project focused on community organisations and strengthening process. USS were selected based on their level of poverty. The poorest ones have been selected (21 in total from districts 3 and 4). By now, USS profiles have been prepared for the 19 USS – 2USS being judged too small, including action plans for community empowerment. Current phase is the implementation of the action plans to strengthen corresponding CBOs. The plan mostly consist of securing land tenure and legalise the USS.

CBOs also participate in funding the action plan implementation (for example, to carry surveys). From CMC side, contacts and partnerships have been established with CBOs representatives and CMC engineers.

Training for CBOs and District office staff is systematically organised as an important part of the Action plan implementation. In this regards, the training sessions take the form of specific thematic modules. The policy which sustains this project relies on self CBOs empowerment, via self fund rising and organisation.

The project has been fully included into CMC policy towards USS.

Three cities : Colombo, Kotte, Mount Lavinia

The project started in the mid-nineties and is now managed under the scope of the Ministry of Housing.

Budget : 40 000 USD (for pilot projects in Sri Lanka).

For any further information, please contact : kajay@sri.lanka.net

Views of the Underserved Settlements

LASDO Sub-project 3 : View of USS