The Impact of Energy Use on Poor Urban Livelihoods in ... - DfID

A Study <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> on Poor Urban Livelihoods in Arusha, Tanzania
Box D: Urban poor – perception <strong>of</strong> urban poverty and well-being
in Arusha
Poverty Inability to afford food and accommodation
Engaged in unpr<strong>of</strong>itable activities
Lack <strong>of</strong> credit/capital facilities for income
generating activities
Lack <strong>of</strong> good shelter and clothing
Lack <strong>of</strong> freedom <strong>of</strong> choice
Being illiterate
Being orphaned
Large families
Single parent families (especially femaleheaded
households)
Lack <strong>of</strong> legal rights
Well-being Own a good house
Access to capital and can undertake
pr<strong>of</strong>itable business
Healthy, able-bodied
Can afford to educate children
Can get all rights including legal rights
Can be a leader if he or she likes
Have fixed assets such as land, house etc.
Source: Residents in the case-study wards
Box E: Findings <strong>of</strong> the Poverty Assessment Arusha 2001
Poor households with fewer adult members contributing to the household income
are the most vulnerable 38 especially female-headed households and the
households <strong>of</strong> the elderly.
Most <strong>of</strong> the urban poor are faced with a trade-<strong>of</strong>f between allocating their minimal
earnings to food or paying other important expenses such as school fees or
medical care
Most <strong>of</strong> the urban poor are migrants most <strong>of</strong> whom are found in marginialised
activities [This finding was not supported by the present study. Many <strong>of</strong> the
residents in Kaloleni and Daraja Mbili had lived in these communities for more
than 15 years].
Poverty eradication efforts have not been successfully translated into local
government's plans and programmes and efforts at poverty eradication are <strong>of</strong>ten
left to the community development department <strong>of</strong> the Municipality.
Source: Participatory Poverty Assessment: 2001
38 '<strong>The</strong>y are <strong>of</strong>ten less mobile and they normally have less stable incomes and assets, leading
to less flexibility in terms <strong>of</strong> their choice <strong>of</strong> income generating activities, housing security and
opportunities for gaining access to social networks'.
Development Planning Unit, UCL London
Dr. Sheilah Meikle and Patrice North