The Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide - Democrats Against UN ...

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The Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide analysis approach can be extended to involve inhabitants directly in the design of specific service systems. The issue analysis process can be strengthened by engaging community associations or local residents in the design and implementation of issue analysis activities in their communities. BOX A: The Prosanear Project, Brazil Comparative Cost Assessment Residents of low-income settlements in Brazil typically lack adequate water and sanitation services. Low-income settlements are often unplanned and sometimes occupy high-risk areas such as steep slopes and flood plains. Public utilities companies are often reluctant to provide services in these areas. They assume that the poverty-stricken residents of these areas are unwilling and unable to pay for services. Experience gained over the past decade indicates that low-income communities are not only willing to pay, but also want to participate in the entire process of planning, designing, and maintaining the services. The Prosanear Project uses this participatory approach and illustrates how a comparative cost approach can assist low-income communities in selecting viable service options. Initiated in 1993, the Prosanear Project works to establish affordable and flexible water ond sanitation service systems in lowincome neighborhoods in 11 medium-sized Brazilian cities. Jointly financed by the Brazilian national and state governments and the World Bank, the Project develops technical and institutional solutions in the low-income neighborhoods without any preconceived blueprint In terms of service levels, delivery systems, and targets. Resident participation in the design, construction, and maintenance of their neighborhood water, drainage, and sewerage treatment systems, as well as cost-sharing by residents and cost-recovery, are integral to the Prosanear Project’s methodology. The State water companies or municipalities that manage the Project in each city are encouraged to try out flexible, adaptive, and participatory designs, so that the services are based on what the residents want and are willing to pay for. Residents are given the opportunity to assess costs and benefits of different design models of sanitation service and to opt for the one that is affordable and acceptable to them. The project is implemented by local teams comprising engineers, social workers, planners, technical staff of the municipality, and the State water companies. Engineers develop cost-effective service options suitable to each community. Options may include, onsite systems such as latrines and septic tanks, or condo-minial sewerage and conventional sewerage systems. The financial implications of each option in terms of installation costs, maintenance, and service-user costs are calculated and presented to residents so that customers can make a choice according to their needs and financial abilities. The first step of the Project methodology, “community mobilization and organization,” involves consultation with the leaders of the existing community organizations and, subsequently, with the resident service users themselves. The local project team works with the residents to explain the proposed project, the cost of each design option, and the role of the residents and the public utility in each option. Block-by-block meetings are held to discuss the technical, financial, and maintenance details of each option. Residents are encouraged to see and understand the various options in operation in pilot locations. In addition to creating an awareness of the technical and financial aspects of the options, environmental health information is disseminated to increase awareness and create further demand for the service. These meetings are followed by intensive negotiations between the project staff, the local service provider (water company or municipality), and the residents (service users). Direct agreements are reached between the design engineers and the residents. Issues that are negotiated are: level of service (selection of a design option), water rate levels, maintenance costs, and user maintenance responsibilities. In one city, Angra dos Reis, local residents can pay for their sewer hook-ups by making a direct payment, contributing their labor, accepting financing from the municipality, or by exchanging a specified volume of recyclable garbage, such as cans and paper. Once residents decide on a design option, they sign a formal petition asking for the sewer system to be built and committing to pay the agreed-upon tariff. Only after signing the final petition does the construction begin. The entire process of mobilization and negotiation can take a few months or as long as a year or more. The Prosanear Project provides evidence of the benefits of an approach that is both participatory and flexible. The approach has led http://www.idrc.ca/openebooks/448-2/ (44 of 180)18/10/2010 12:47:23 AM
The Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide to reduced costs for adequate service provision as well as an increased sense of ownership within communities. These results are attributable to several factors, including: CONTACT: • the requirement of the Project that community-based organizations are consulted at every stage from design to construction, and that the contracts for local project construction/management are awarded to those engineering firms/NGOs specializing in community participation; and • the insistence of the national Project staff that the proposals on service levels, technology, construction schedules, cost recovery arrangements, billing, etc., be finalized only after the conclusion of active negotiations with communities. Luiz Claudio Martins Tavares, Chefe da Divisao de Cooedenacao de Projectos Especias e Apoio ao Desenvolví mentó Institucional- DIPIN Caixa Económica Federal- SBS Quadra 04 Bloco 2 Andar Lote 3/4 Ed. Sede Da Mtriz, Brasilia, Brazil. Defining Target Communities and Target Groups Based on the level of participation to be achieved, the Stakeholder Group or Working Group will need to determine which target communities and target groups will be recruited to participate in issue analysis. Target communities consist of neighborhoods, districts, or other geographical areas which, in spite of the diversity of their populations, may share common concerns such as traffic congestion, crime, erosion, flooding, and so on. Target groups are cross-sections of the population that may not share common geographical concerns, but that have common sectoral or social interests. These groups include private business, women, youth, racial or ethnic groups, environmentalists, and so forth. It is extremely important in a community-based issue analysis process that traditionally underrepresented target groups are involved. It is equally important to recognize that many traditionally defined groups are not homogeneous and that members of these groups may have differing opinions as well as their shared positions. Participation and the breadth of the issue analysis process can be increased by engaging community associations or local residents in the management and implementation of issue analysis activities in their communities. Similarly, special interest organizations can be recruited to undertake appropriate informationgathering activities within their constituencies. Local residents and community groups have day-to-day experience with the problems affecting them and they can identify and characterize key problems more readily than outside experts. 3.1.2 IDENTIFY THE ISSUES TO BE ANALYZED While the scope of the issue analysis process is being defined, the target communities and groups are assisted in selecting the key issues that they think must be addressed to achieve the Community Vision. This selection is facilitated through a general information campaign and priority-setting and issue identification exercises. General Information Campaign Access to information is a prerequisite to effective and fair participation. The public should be provided with meaningful information about the whole planning process, including the Community Vision developed by the Stakeholder Group. Other information might include: • information on sustainable development and its implications for local development and municipal service activities; • summaries of current research findings and reports on present and projected future conditions in the community; • a description of the issue analysis process and its time schedule; • how local groups and individuals can become involved; • what to expect and what not to expect from the issue analysis exercise; and http://www.idrc.ca/openebooks/448-2/ (45 of 180)18/10/2010 12:47:23 AM
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