2007年-世界发展银行全球_Bangladesh_-_Dhaka___Improving_Living_Conditions_for_the_Urban_Poor_146页_9mb

Summary of Report No. 35824-BD: Improving Living Conditions for the Urban Poor in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Core Content

This report, authored by the World Bank and published in April 2007, provides a comprehensive analysis of urban poverty in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and outlines policy recommendations to improve living conditions for the urban poor. The report highlights the challenges of poverty, employment, shelter, service delivery, and crime and violence in the city, which is the fastest-growing megacity in the world and projected to reach 20 million by 2020.

Main Policy Constraints

• Fragmented Governance: Dhaka has over 16 to 40 different bodies involved in urban matters with little coordination and planning.
• Informal Settlements: Most slums are located on privately owned land, creating institutional challenges for service provision.
• High Land Prices: The lack of developable land due to topography and the use of public land for non-residential purposes has led to high land prices, making housing unaffordable for the poor.
• Weak Institutional Capacity: DCC and RAJUK have limited authority and resources to manage urban development effectively.
• Lack of Policy for the Poor: There is no comprehensive policy addressing urban poverty, leading to weak service delivery and poor governance.
• Role of Mastaans: These middlemen control service provision in slums, often at high costs and with extortion practices.
• Evictions: Slum evictions occur without proper resettlement plans, increasing insecurity and stress among the urban poor.
• Institutional Gaps: Limited access to basic services such as water, sanitation, and health care in slums.

Key Findings

Poverty Profile

• Poverty affects about one in three residents, with a stark inequality between the rich and the poor.
• The poorest quintile has significantly less access to basic services and infrastructure compared to the wealthiest.
• Slums are the primary residence for the urban poor, with 80% located on private land.
• Only 43 out of 1925 slums are within 100 meters of a public toilet.
• Approximately 7,600 households live in flood-prone areas, increasing vulnerability to environmental hazards.

Employment and Income

• The poor are mainly engaged in the informal sector, with low wages and limited job security.
• Poor male workers are concentrated in manufacturing, transport, and trade.
• Poor female workers are often employed in domestic work or the RMG sector.
• The unemployment rate for the poor is nearly double that of the non-poor.
• Child labor is prevalent, with about 20% of children aged 5-14 working, often contributing up to one-third of household income.

Shelter and Housing

• Secure and affordable housing is a major challenge for the urban poor.
• The National Housing Policy is not effectively implemented, with many urban developments being informal.
• Public land is often misused for non-residential purposes, exacerbating land scarcity.
• The poor are unable to access legal land or housing due to high prices and weak enforcement of property rights.

Service Delivery

• Access to basic services is limited in slums due to lack of legal recognition and government support.
• Mastaans dominate service provision, often at high costs and with exploitative practices.
• There is a lack of coordination among service providers, leading to inefficiencies and poor service quality.
• DCC lacks the authority and resources to deliver services effectively.

Crime and Violence

• Crime and violence are widespread in slums, with 93% of residents reporting being affected by such issues in the last 12 months.
• Common crimes include toll collection, mastaan-induced violence, drug trafficking, land grabbing, and domestic violence.
• The justice system and police are perceived as ineffective and discriminatory.
• Only 1% of reported crimes lead to police action, indicating a severe lack of accountability and response.

Policy Recommendations

Urban Poverty Reduction Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive urban poverty reduction strategy, integrating with the national Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).
• Clarify institutional roles and responsibilities for national and local governments, as well as the private and NGO sectors.
• Create a political and legal environment that supports the poor and ensures their rights.

Institutional Reforms

• Conduct institutional mapping and reform key agencies such as RAJUK and DCC.
• Strengthen the capacity of local agencies through training in urban management and technical skills.
• Establish an inter-agency committee to oversee urban development and housing policy implementation, including LGED, National Housing Authority, Ministry of Land, and RAJUK.

Housing Policy Implementation

• Implement the National Housing Policy to provide shelter for the poor.
• Enforce basic property rights and improve land use planning.
• Develop mechanisms for accountability in land use and service coordination.
• Strengthen public institutions to support housing and urban development policies.

Service Delivery Improvements

• Improve access to basic services such as water, sanitation, health, and education in slums.
• Reduce the role of mastaans by creating formal service delivery structures.
• Increase government investment in slum areas and ensure legal recognition of slum dwellers.

Crime and Violence Prevention

• Reform the judicial and policing systems to improve response and accountability.
• Implement community-based crime prevention initiatives, such as those seen in Mumbai.
• Integrate crime and violence prevention components into urban upgrading projects.
• Encourage NGO participation in developing and implementing effective crime prevention strategies.

Conclusion

Dhaka's urban poor face significant challenges in terms of housing, employment, service delivery, and safety. These issues are compounded by weak governance, fragmented policies, and lack of institutional capacity. A coordinated and comprehensive strategy is essential to address these challenges, involving all stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, and donors. This strategy should be aligned with the national PRSP and focus on long-term reforms to improve the living conditions of the urban poor.