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

<strong>The</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> energy on poor urban livelihoods, Arusha, Tanzania
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
<strong>The</strong>re are very few micro level studies on energy use and the impact <strong>of</strong>
energy on the livelihoods <strong>of</strong> the urban poor, despite the fact that urban
families may spend a third or more <strong>of</strong> their income on energy.
Furthermore, existing studies tend to address technological/economic
issues, rather than social aspects <strong>of</strong> energy use and are quantitative
rather than qualitative in approach.
This DFID funded study (R8321) was undertaken jointly by the
Development Planning Unit, University College London (DPU), and the
Community Development Training Institute (CDTI), Tengeru, and
addresses this imbalance by examining the energy/poverty/gender
relationships in two urban wards, Daraja Mbili and Kaloleni, in Arusha,
Tanzania. <strong>The</strong> core team was supported by the staff <strong>of</strong> WODSTA
(Women’s Development <strong>of</strong> Science and Technology Association), a local
NGO; Arusha Municipality employees at the urban and ward level; a
virtual steering committee; and, most importantly, the women, men and
children living in the two study wards.
Research focus
<strong>The</strong> study perceives poverty as multi-dimensional and uses a
sustainable livelihoods framework to structure poor men’s and women’s
perceptions <strong>of</strong> their condition. It acknowledges that urban poverty is
qualitatively different from rural poverty and the significance <strong>of</strong> gender
roles within a household. It accepts that energy has a significant role in
improving the lives <strong>of</strong> the urban poor and sets out to clarify the nature <strong>of</strong>
the transforming process. In particular, it tests the assumptions
underlying two <strong>of</strong> the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 2 and 3. 1
Purpose
<strong>The</strong> research has two aims:
� to provide stakeholders (including policy makers, planners and
implementers in the public and community sectors and poor people
themselves) with an improved understanding <strong>of</strong> how access to
energy impacts on the livelihoods <strong>of</strong> poor urban women and girls. In
particular, to consider how changes in the energy decision-making
process, and women’s and girls' energy responsibilities, might affect
their capacity to take advantage <strong>of</strong> educational opportunities (MDG2)
and contribute to their greater empowerment and greater equality in
the household (MDG 3); and
1
Specifically the achievement <strong>of</strong> primary education and the promotion <strong>of</strong> gender equality and the
empowerment <strong>of</strong> women
v Development Planning Unit, UCL London
Dr. Sheilah Meikle and Patrice North