GEOGRAPHIC Information Systems (GIS) technologyhas customarily been regarded as complicated andco... more GEOGRAPHIC Information Systems (GIS) technologyhas customarily been regarded as complicated andcostly and a technology that is primarily used by experts to carry out complex planning projects. During the 1990s, major criticisms regarding the technology’s inaccessibility and elitist qualities triggered the Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) movement which aims to develop alternative systems that demo-cratize the use of the technology, create easy access to govern-ment-generated data, and incorporate local knowledge. Central to the PPGIS movement is the belief that GIS is a powerful tool for facilitating collaborative planning processes and empowering citizens to influence planning and policy-making. PPGIS is an acronym used to describe the many different types of participatory-based geographic information systems being imple-mented in countries throughout the world. Scholars agree that such systems are created locally and influenced by the social and political contexts in which they re...
Housing quality is crucially linked to health and sustainability goals, yet there is limited rese... more Housing quality is crucially linked to health and sustainability goals, yet there is limited research on informal housing and settlements where housing quality is poor, and the health risks are expected to be greatest. This paper describes the investigation of housing conditions in a low-income resettlement colony in Delhi. A novel transdisciplinary methodology to evaluate multiple housing health hazards and establish intervention priorities in participation with the community was developed. Findings from housing surveys and indoor environmental monitoring were contrasted with a participatory self-assessment—revealing the widespread prevalence of hazards and suboptimal housing conditions as well as substantial differences in priorities, and thus perspectives, between participants and researchers. Focus group discussions explored the findings and built consensus on priorities. Our findings uncovered how poor housing conditions affect daily practices and thus are likely to adversely a...
that to tackle these global challenges and inequalities, "projects must evolve consistently into ... more that to tackle these global challenges and inequalities, "projects must evolve consistently into ongoing programs and long-term links/alliances must be established for the provision of lasting support to communities." [1] Within research, this calls for cutting-edge collaborations connecting academic theory to local practices and poli cies. Transdisciplinary approaches focus on integrating academic disciplines with nonacademic or experiential knowledge through collaboration with stakeholders from outside academia. [2] Moreover, it is recognized that "transdisciplinary collaboration is reliably a more efficient way of tackling some of the most pertinacious challenges." [3] Thus to tackle global challenges, scientific disciplines need to transcend their traditional boundaries and allow the integration of multiple disciplinary perspectives, methodologies, and methods as well as relevant stakeholders to find solutions that are effective and impactful. As research collaborations transition to use transdisciplinary approaches, relevant guidance is essential to support these collaborations and ensure best practice outcomes. In this context, this paper discusses the use of participatory action research (PAR) as a framework for transdisciplinary To tackle global challenges, research collaborations need to integrate multiple disciplinary perspectives and connect with local practices to find solutions that are sustainable and impactful. This paper discusses how participatory action research (PAR) is used as a framework for transdisciplinary collaboration to integrate different disciplines and identify healthy and sustainable housing solutions appropriate for local development practices and policy. By analyzing a transdisciplinary research collaboration investigating housing interventions for low-income settlements in Delhi, reflections and recommendations are provided for other projects wishing to use a similar methodology. It is found that the PAR framework has successfully guided the integration of contrasting methods and improved the impact of research outcomes, resulting in the emergence of new shared practices. However, it proves to be challenging and requires heightened communication and engagement to achieve understanding between all disciplines and practices. It is recommend that focus is given to developing relationships and effective communication channels and that time should be preallocated for reflection. The work provides insights for integrating academic disciplines, the community, and relevant stakeholders in the cocreation of evidence that is paramount to formulate effective solutions to global challenges. Transdisciplinary Collaboration
Between 20-40 million persons in urban areas are without access to a toilet. Of these, two thirds... more Between 20-40 million persons in urban areas are without access to a toilet. Of these, two thirds are women and children. High on the list of urgent priorities in urban poor communities are toilets, whose absence is known to exacerbate health and nutritional burden of the poor, and increase susceptibility to abuse. Municipal solutions to toilet needs are invariably big community toilet complexes. This paper discusses problems of big toilets versus smaller alternatives, building a case for household toilets and networking poor households/communities to city systems using examples from some best practices in the country. Sanitation needs require a whole city perspective with the objective of reaching all poor in a city, especially the un-reached. No problem of sanitation can however be resolved without people's involvement. UBSP demonstrated a strategy for community organisation that enabled people to dialogue with city governments. Adopting the strategy under PEEP, women's as...
Lack of education causes and is caused by poverty. In urban areas, it adds to the vulnerability o... more Lack of education causes and is caused by poverty. In urban areas, it adds to the vulnerability of the poor, resulting in inaccessible schools and irrelevant curricula. Building urban communities and harnessing social capital can create an environment where the poor will have greater opportunities for making decisions that influence their lives. Empowered communities are better able to engage institutions in dialogue and articulate their needs to leverage an equitable share of city resources. City plans that integrate poor residents' requirements can mitigate the daily risks faced by the poor. This paper discusses the process of community building within the framework of an education enhancement program that includes a plan for reaching out to the poor in Delhi, India. It discusses various vulnerabilities that place the urban poor at risk, noting self-help strategies that communities have initiated to close the education gap. It describes a spatial information system built upon the Geographical Information System that has captured people's attention, particularly regarding education. Effectiveness of this management tool for addressing and monitoring poverty reduction in urban areas is examined, recommending an inclusive policy for poverty alleviation and suggesting the strategic framework necessary to alleviate urban poverty in partnerships with communities. (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.
has customarily been regarded as complicated and costly and a technology that is primarily used b... more has customarily been regarded as complicated and costly and a technology that is primarily used by experts to carry out complex planning projects. During the 1990s, major criticisms regarding the technology's inaccessibility and elitist qualities triggered the Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) movement which aims to develop alternative systems that democratize the use of the technology, create easy access to government-generated data, and incorporate local knowledge. Central to the PPGIS movement is the belief that GIS is a powerful tool for facilitating collaborative planning processes and empowering citizens to influence planning and policy-making. PPGIS is an acronym used to describe the many different types of participatory-based geographic information systems being implemented in countries throughout the world. Scholars agree that such systems are created locally and influenced by the social and political contexts in which they reside. In this paper, we argue that PPGIS is both a computer-based information system and an interactive human process which facilitates collaborative planning efforts, but that its ability to effectively empower participants is largely determined by the local context-that is, the social and political relations that link or divide individuals, groups, and institutions.
Abstract: Traditionally, the Indian child has been cherished and reared with an approach to paren... more Abstract: Traditionally, the Indian child has been cherished and reared with an approach to parenting characterized by an easy pace, the absence of set rules, and permission to play freely within the matrix of a large, joint family. Rough toys, fashioned by local craftsmen, ...
The paper seeks to mainstream a gender perspective in the Jawaharlal National Rural Urban Renewal... more The paper seeks to mainstream a gender perspective in the Jawaharlal National Rural Urban Renewal Mission through a set of guidelines for integrating gender issues in the urban renewal and reform agenda in urban local bodies. Gender mainstreaming is a well accepted strategy, worldover, to promote gender equality. Mainstreaming is about incorporating gender into all aspects of development programming - policy, dialogue, legislation, structures and institutions, resource allocations and use, planning, implementation and monitoring. In the context of JNNURM, gender mainstreaming will be about keeping the needs of women in mind when developing urban infrastructure.
Poor sanitation is known to increase the risk of morbidity and mortality from diarrhea among chil... more Poor sanitation is known to increase the risk of morbidity and mortality from diarrhea among children. Several studies have found a high correlation between childhood morbidity and availability of sanitation services. It has been estimated that 1.7 million deaths each year, or 3.1 percent of all deaths are attributable to inadequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene. The urgency for sanitation in the urban environment stems from the fact that the urban poor live in crowded slums and informal settlements where sanitation facilities are particularly important for children's health and personal dignity. Demand for sanitation services has remained low, as livelihood priorities have been more pressing. There is a pressing need to get Governments and society to recognize the appalling toll created by poor sanitary conditions in urban poor settlements. Serious efforts should be made to develop local, national and international campaigns which promote convergence among programs ai...
GEOGRAPHIC Information Systems (GIS) technologyhas customarily been regarded as complicated andco... more GEOGRAPHIC Information Systems (GIS) technologyhas customarily been regarded as complicated andcostly and a technology that is primarily used by experts to carry out complex planning projects. During the 1990s, major criticisms regarding the technology’s inaccessibility and elitist qualities triggered the Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) movement which aims to develop alternative systems that demo-cratize the use of the technology, create easy access to govern-ment-generated data, and incorporate local knowledge. Central to the PPGIS movement is the belief that GIS is a powerful tool for facilitating collaborative planning processes and empowering citizens to influence planning and policy-making. PPGIS is an acronym used to describe the many different types of participatory-based geographic information systems being imple-mented in countries throughout the world. Scholars agree that such systems are created locally and influenced by the social and political contexts in which they re...
Housing quality is crucially linked to health and sustainability goals, yet there is limited rese... more Housing quality is crucially linked to health and sustainability goals, yet there is limited research on informal housing and settlements where housing quality is poor, and the health risks are expected to be greatest. This paper describes the investigation of housing conditions in a low-income resettlement colony in Delhi. A novel transdisciplinary methodology to evaluate multiple housing health hazards and establish intervention priorities in participation with the community was developed. Findings from housing surveys and indoor environmental monitoring were contrasted with a participatory self-assessment—revealing the widespread prevalence of hazards and suboptimal housing conditions as well as substantial differences in priorities, and thus perspectives, between participants and researchers. Focus group discussions explored the findings and built consensus on priorities. Our findings uncovered how poor housing conditions affect daily practices and thus are likely to adversely a...
that to tackle these global challenges and inequalities, "projects must evolve consistently into ... more that to tackle these global challenges and inequalities, "projects must evolve consistently into ongoing programs and long-term links/alliances must be established for the provision of lasting support to communities." [1] Within research, this calls for cutting-edge collaborations connecting academic theory to local practices and poli cies. Transdisciplinary approaches focus on integrating academic disciplines with nonacademic or experiential knowledge through collaboration with stakeholders from outside academia. [2] Moreover, it is recognized that "transdisciplinary collaboration is reliably a more efficient way of tackling some of the most pertinacious challenges." [3] Thus to tackle global challenges, scientific disciplines need to transcend their traditional boundaries and allow the integration of multiple disciplinary perspectives, methodologies, and methods as well as relevant stakeholders to find solutions that are effective and impactful. As research collaborations transition to use transdisciplinary approaches, relevant guidance is essential to support these collaborations and ensure best practice outcomes. In this context, this paper discusses the use of participatory action research (PAR) as a framework for transdisciplinary To tackle global challenges, research collaborations need to integrate multiple disciplinary perspectives and connect with local practices to find solutions that are sustainable and impactful. This paper discusses how participatory action research (PAR) is used as a framework for transdisciplinary collaboration to integrate different disciplines and identify healthy and sustainable housing solutions appropriate for local development practices and policy. By analyzing a transdisciplinary research collaboration investigating housing interventions for low-income settlements in Delhi, reflections and recommendations are provided for other projects wishing to use a similar methodology. It is found that the PAR framework has successfully guided the integration of contrasting methods and improved the impact of research outcomes, resulting in the emergence of new shared practices. However, it proves to be challenging and requires heightened communication and engagement to achieve understanding between all disciplines and practices. It is recommend that focus is given to developing relationships and effective communication channels and that time should be preallocated for reflection. The work provides insights for integrating academic disciplines, the community, and relevant stakeholders in the cocreation of evidence that is paramount to formulate effective solutions to global challenges. Transdisciplinary Collaboration
Between 20-40 million persons in urban areas are without access to a toilet. Of these, two thirds... more Between 20-40 million persons in urban areas are without access to a toilet. Of these, two thirds are women and children. High on the list of urgent priorities in urban poor communities are toilets, whose absence is known to exacerbate health and nutritional burden of the poor, and increase susceptibility to abuse. Municipal solutions to toilet needs are invariably big community toilet complexes. This paper discusses problems of big toilets versus smaller alternatives, building a case for household toilets and networking poor households/communities to city systems using examples from some best practices in the country. Sanitation needs require a whole city perspective with the objective of reaching all poor in a city, especially the un-reached. No problem of sanitation can however be resolved without people's involvement. UBSP demonstrated a strategy for community organisation that enabled people to dialogue with city governments. Adopting the strategy under PEEP, women's as...
Lack of education causes and is caused by poverty. In urban areas, it adds to the vulnerability o... more Lack of education causes and is caused by poverty. In urban areas, it adds to the vulnerability of the poor, resulting in inaccessible schools and irrelevant curricula. Building urban communities and harnessing social capital can create an environment where the poor will have greater opportunities for making decisions that influence their lives. Empowered communities are better able to engage institutions in dialogue and articulate their needs to leverage an equitable share of city resources. City plans that integrate poor residents' requirements can mitigate the daily risks faced by the poor. This paper discusses the process of community building within the framework of an education enhancement program that includes a plan for reaching out to the poor in Delhi, India. It discusses various vulnerabilities that place the urban poor at risk, noting self-help strategies that communities have initiated to close the education gap. It describes a spatial information system built upon the Geographical Information System that has captured people's attention, particularly regarding education. Effectiveness of this management tool for addressing and monitoring poverty reduction in urban areas is examined, recommending an inclusive policy for poverty alleviation and suggesting the strategic framework necessary to alleviate urban poverty in partnerships with communities. (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.
has customarily been regarded as complicated and costly and a technology that is primarily used b... more has customarily been regarded as complicated and costly and a technology that is primarily used by experts to carry out complex planning projects. During the 1990s, major criticisms regarding the technology's inaccessibility and elitist qualities triggered the Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) movement which aims to develop alternative systems that democratize the use of the technology, create easy access to government-generated data, and incorporate local knowledge. Central to the PPGIS movement is the belief that GIS is a powerful tool for facilitating collaborative planning processes and empowering citizens to influence planning and policy-making. PPGIS is an acronym used to describe the many different types of participatory-based geographic information systems being implemented in countries throughout the world. Scholars agree that such systems are created locally and influenced by the social and political contexts in which they reside. In this paper, we argue that PPGIS is both a computer-based information system and an interactive human process which facilitates collaborative planning efforts, but that its ability to effectively empower participants is largely determined by the local context-that is, the social and political relations that link or divide individuals, groups, and institutions.
Abstract: Traditionally, the Indian child has been cherished and reared with an approach to paren... more Abstract: Traditionally, the Indian child has been cherished and reared with an approach to parenting characterized by an easy pace, the absence of set rules, and permission to play freely within the matrix of a large, joint family. Rough toys, fashioned by local craftsmen, ...
The paper seeks to mainstream a gender perspective in the Jawaharlal National Rural Urban Renewal... more The paper seeks to mainstream a gender perspective in the Jawaharlal National Rural Urban Renewal Mission through a set of guidelines for integrating gender issues in the urban renewal and reform agenda in urban local bodies. Gender mainstreaming is a well accepted strategy, worldover, to promote gender equality. Mainstreaming is about incorporating gender into all aspects of development programming - policy, dialogue, legislation, structures and institutions, resource allocations and use, planning, implementation and monitoring. In the context of JNNURM, gender mainstreaming will be about keeping the needs of women in mind when developing urban infrastructure.
Poor sanitation is known to increase the risk of morbidity and mortality from diarrhea among chil... more Poor sanitation is known to increase the risk of morbidity and mortality from diarrhea among children. Several studies have found a high correlation between childhood morbidity and availability of sanitation services. It has been estimated that 1.7 million deaths each year, or 3.1 percent of all deaths are attributable to inadequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene. The urgency for sanitation in the urban environment stems from the fact that the urban poor live in crowded slums and informal settlements where sanitation facilities are particularly important for children's health and personal dignity. Demand for sanitation services has remained low, as livelihood priorities have been more pressing. There is a pressing need to get Governments and society to recognize the appalling toll created by poor sanitary conditions in urban poor settlements. Serious efforts should be made to develop local, national and international campaigns which promote convergence among programs ai...
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