EMERGING ROLE OF RWAs : EXPLORING CITIZENS PARTICIPATION...
Transcript of EMERGING ROLE OF RWAs : EXPLORING CITIZENS PARTICIPATION...
EMERGING ROLE OF RWAs :
EXPLORING CITIZENS PARTICIPATION FOR BETTER
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOODS
By Chitra.S.Jain,
Architect Planner, Visiting Faculty- School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
Member, Managing Committee, New Friends Colony RWA
INTRODUCTION
• Community participation or Public Participation worldwide is recognised as an important tool in Urban Planning at the macro level and to plan, manage and improve residential neighbourhoods at the micro level.
• Communication and participation among citizens enhances the sense of empowerment which helps entire communities to evolve better living environments responsive to its changing needs.
• Such involvement can lead to more appropriate and sustainable development solutions and stronger citizen groups and communities.
• There is an uncertainty as to the best way of involving residential communities in a given situation and each community needs to devise its own Participation process.
• In the Urban Indian context, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs)
have been recognised as an important stake holder, whose inputs and
participation are of importance at various levels of planning and
development.
• RWAs today are instrumental in encouraging citizen's participation
in planning, improving and ensuring better living environments.
• Empowering residents helps to identify better the areas of conflict
and their practical solutions, as well as participate in the decision
making process of fund utilization .
• Increasing levels of awareness and desire to participate at the
Neighbourhood level to resolve common issues are today drawing
likeminded residents to work together.
Defining a model for Public Participation at the
Urban grass root level :
The role of Resident Welfare Associations
Defining a model for Public Participation at the
Urban grass root level :
The role of Resident Welfare Associations.... Cont.
• The upgradation of existing neighbourhoods also need to be
addressed in a planned manner.
• City level interventions and other Master Plan proposals like
revision in Floor Area Ratio , Transit Oriented Development, Mixed
Land use roads etc will transform existing planned areas and need
an evaluation of their impact.
• Socio economic transformations and increasing residential densities
have negatively stressed existing infrastructure. In many planned
residential areas, the nature of developments in adjoining areas also
have their impact on the existing infrastructure and circulation
network.
Defining a model for Public Participation at the
Urban grass root level :
The role of Resident Welfare Associations.... Cont.
• The changing political ideologies, with its positive stress on civic
issues creates a suitable climate /platform to push for reforms.
Active participation of the public in urban planning issues, including
redevelopment and improvement is being sought for by the
Government and could be the game changer at the urban grass root
level.
• The Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) irrespective of their
socio-economic status can be instrumental in bringing about a
visible change towards this end through active Citizens'
Participation and empowerment. The citizens and RWAs of
adjoining neighbourhoods need to work together to plan and engage
local authorities to ensure implementation.
• A Public Participation model with the RWA and the Government
agencies/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as the main participants.
• What could in the current scenario be a viable and probable role for
the RWAs to be an effective stakeholder at the grass root level
planning process.
• Explore the nuances of various inter and intra relationships of an
RWA with its neighbouring areas and the need for inclusive
approach to remain a relevant force.
Through a Case Study we explore :
The Public Participation Model by Dr. Frank
Friesecke
• Flow of information, plans and decisions from the decision maker to public through meetings, fact sheets and mails.
INFORMATION
• Feedback from public to the decision maker through discussions and surveys CONSULTATION
• Partnership between the decision maker and public, including development of alternatives, through planning cells, ballots and consensus building.
COLLABORATION
Roles re-defined
Application of Dr. Frank
Friesecke’s simplified model to
the Indian urban grass root
level with reversal of roles of
the 'Decision maker' and
'Public' - with RWAs in the
role of the 'Decision maker'
and the local governing
bodies/ULBs in that of the '
Public' may be more effective
in strengthening Community
Participation and
'Empowerment' of the citizens .
ULBS-DECISION MAKER
RWA-PUBLIC
RWA-DECISION MAKER
ULBS-PUBLIC
Idea initiation ; need for the project-identify action
Sharing information with the citizens
Debate, Discuss and Development of project with inputs from citizens
Discuss and develop with Urban Local Bodies/Govt. departments
Sharing progress and results with citizens through meetings and mails
The Public Participation sequence :
Role of the RWA
RWA Information Consultation Collaboration
Engage citizens through-
Discussion, dialogues ,
mails
Use of digital and electronic media to
shorten participation and
response time
Role of the RWA
• This model puts the RWA in the
driver's seat with involved citizens
playing an active role at all levels
of the Public Participation Model,
from Information and Consultation
to Collaboration.
• The most important task for a
RWA is to create a platform or a
forum to engage the citizens by
way of discussions, dialogues and
mails.
• Ease of communication and
information sharing through
electronic and digital media
ensures participation results in
shorter time frames.
• Positive interaction among
interested and involved citizens
forms the basis for identifying the
needs of the community with the
RWA then taking a lead in initiating
debates and discussions and project
development.
• Approaching the ULBs with a
'COMMUNITY NEED' now
converted into a 'PROJECT' with a
defined 'GOAL' will make it more
productive for both groups to
interact and further detail the same.
• Feedback and sharing progress of
the project ensures that all citizens
continue to be involved with an
enhanced feeling of
‘Empowerment’.
COMMUNITY NEED
GOALS PROJECTS
•MAILS
•NEWSLETTERS
INFORMATION
•MAILS
•INTERACTIVE SESSIONS
FEEDBACK
•ENTHUSIASM
•INVOVEMENT
EMPOWERMENT
Role of the RWA- Public participation process
Participatory Planning and Budgeting
The RWA and citizens identify, discuss and prioritize the areas and projects for public funding.
The RWA approaches the ULB with the project.
The ULB implements the priority projects through Councillor/MLA/MP funds or through their own funds.
Areas of application
Improvement works in roads, storm water drains, parks, street lighting, solid waste
collection and disposal
The Public Participation Approach:
For Basic Civic issues
The RWA and citizens identify needs and goals
The RWA debates, discusses and develops with expert inputs innovative solutions and methodology for each specific project.
The RWA approaches and through discussions and presentations conveys the solutions and methodology to the ULB
RWA collaborates with ULB to implement the priority projects through ULBs' funds or through Councillor /MLA/MP funds.
Ideas workshop:
1. Projects involving Government agencies
2. Projects not involving Government agencies
The Public Participation Approach:
For specific Needs/Goals
Areas of application
• Traffic management, Social Infrastructure augmentation, Redevelopment of local commercial areas.
• Neighbourhood up gradation and improvement schemes
• An 'A' Grade Colony, in South-East Delhi,
with the unique distinction of being a hi-end
plotted housing area, close to River Yamuna,
surrounded by three Urban villages , Bharath
Nagar, Taimoor Nagar, Khizrabad and
adjacent to Zakhir Nagar.
• The RWA of New Friends Colony has been
in existence since 1975.
• The general lack of involvement of the
residents and the RWA resulted in
deterioration of both physical and social
infrastructure within the Colony .
• Lack of interaction between the RWAs of
neighbouring residential areas resulted in
deterioration of shared roads and
infrastructure.
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi
Introduction:
The study area, New
Friends colony, an A grade
residential colony, in
South-East Delhi, has
unique distinction of
being a hi-end plotted
housing area, surrounded
by three urban villages
and Zakhir nagar and
surrounding areas like
Joga Bai etc.
Has excellent
connectivity from both
Ring Roads as well as
Mathura Road.
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
Taimoor Nagar
Zakhir Nagar Bharath Nagar
Khizrabad
• The current RWA of New Friends Colony has been
working on the model of 'Public Participation' as
outlined earlier for the past eight months.
• First step: Establishment of an effective
'Communication channel‘ for residents to share
their thoughts and give their inputs was put in
place. Several layers of this platform were created.
• Regular informal meetings with the residents
termed ‘Chat over Chai' were held where the
RWA shared their working methodology,
communication channels and Goals/Action Plans
and encouraged resident feedback.
• Monthly newsletters updated the residents on the
status of the Goals.
• Second step : formulate main Goals and identify
action areas.
• Each Sub-Committee to identify NEED and
translate it into GOALS and STRATEGIES.
• Third Step: To identify FUNDS.
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
Conflicts and Success so far :
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
1. Conflicts
I. Inter -community,
II. Intra- community as well as
III. Between the RWA as Decision maker and ULBs as the Public.
A. Mismatch between Fund allocation and Community needs.
B. Lack of transparency and reluctance to involve citizens/RWAs in
project identification the ULBs and detailing/development by.
2. Success I. Inclusive approach.
I. Inter –community:
• Adjoining neighbourhoods with widely varying
income groups have inherent differences in their
needs and aspirations giving rise to conflicts.
• Manifold increase in population surrounding
New Friends Colony is stressing the existing
social infrastructure , Parks and Open spaces .
• The peripheral roads are over-stressed , with
increase in volume of slow-moving traffic as well
un-regulated hawking on the carriageway and
pedestrian walkway.
• Sharing civic spaces and infrastructure does
result in encroachment by one group into the
domain of the other, the resolution of such
intergroup conflicts needs initiative as well as a
participatory approach involving citizens
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
1. Conflicts............
• Within each neighbourhood/community there are variations in levels of
tolerance and understanding of the need for inclusive approach to conflict
resolution which in itself becomes a conflict, albeit more subtle.
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
II. Intra-community:
1. Conflicts............
• Funds for improvement works related to civic amenities and parks as well as other
development works are released without information to the RWA. Hence there is a gap
between the actual need, the areas where funds need to be spent and where they are being
spent.
• For example, the Local Councillor funds were released to ' Improve back lanes' and
Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the ULB in this case ,took a decision to hard pave the same.
Neither the fund allocation nor the decision to hard pave with concrete was conveyed to the
RWA which came to light at the execution stage. The RWA intervened and the project was
shelved as the 'Need 'was to have a sustainable ,easy to maintain surface for accessing
underground piped services as well as from sanitation point of view. The RWA then proposed
use of interlocking pavers which has after a number of meetings now been accepted by the
MCD. We now have funds allocated by the ULB for the same.
A. Mismatch between Fund allocation and Community needs :
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
III. Between the RWA as Decision maker and ULBs as the Public.
1. Conflicts............
• As end users, the residents and the RWA should ideally be involved with the ULBs in
identifying the problem areas , in prioritising interventions and project development.
• Having firsthand experience of the problems and being familiar with ground realities , Public
Participation in at least problem identification and prioritising action would reduce the gap
between 'Need' and 'Action'.
• Lack of transparency and reluctance to share information often negates 'empowerment' and
replaces it with frustration leading to gradual loss of interest and finally a sense of
resignation.
B. Lack of transparency and reluctance to involve citizens/RWAs in project
identification and detailing/development by the ULBs:
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
III. Between the RWA as Decision maker and ULBs as the Public.
1. Conflicts............
• Case Study: A Rupees 7 crore package allocated for improvement of drains and roads.
• The potholed roads and clogged storm water drains which result in massive water logging during the
monsoons was listed by the RWA as the priority 'Need' which required immediate action.
• The RWA, in consultation with the ULB, identified the roads prone to water logging to be rectified before
surfacing of roads.
• But after small sections of the storm water drains were rectified, execution works on relaying elevated
pedestrian walkways which were in perfect condition with interlocking pavers was in full swing.
• Execution work was put on hold after protests from the RWA highlighting the futility of the exercise and waste
of the fund allocated. Information on the time frames, details of the works and the funds utilized was asked to
be shared with the RWA but met with resistance and reluctance.
• The quality of the works was also monitored by the RWA and found shoddy, forcing the execution team to
stop work.
• Presently, dialogues are on with the ULB to ensure good quality execution.
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
B. Lack of transparency and reluctance to involve citizens/RWAs in project
identification and detailing/development by the ULBs: ...cont
III. Between the RWA as Decision maker and ULBs as the Public.
1. Conflicts............
• In issues related to conflicts between the neighbourhoods, the ULBs, bureaucrats as
well as the political representatives responsible for funding or resolving such issues
most often than not view the same with a prejudice against the higher income
group.
C. Bias and Prejudice
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
III. Between the RWA as Decision maker and ULBs as the Public.
1. Conflicts............
• Traffic Management Plan, involving New Friends
colony and the adjoining areas, addressing problems of
the adjoining areas to resolve the conflicts.
• On its most important proposal of identifying and
developing new alternate travel routes, the MoUD and
the RWA may be partnering together on planning and
funding.
• Improvements and Managing Ashoka Park:The RWA
began with engaging the village Pradhan and residents
from both Zakhir Nagar and Khizrabad to resolve the
various problems and issues .
• Development of opens spaces and parks for the
adjoining villages is also being examined to reduce
stress on the internal parks and open spaces of New
Friends colony.
• To tackle the issues related to solid waste management ,
which is an infrastructure shared by NFC and adjoining
areas, sensitisation of the citizens of the urban villages
through ‘Pitara’ rounds.
I. Inclusive approach.
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.
2. Success........
Conclusion
• The Public Participation model with the RWA in the role of the Decision maker is
an experimental one and has been applied in the case of New Friends Colony for a
very short duration of six months.
• With the numerous challenges, conflicts and some success it has been an
interesting journey so far and the feeling of 'Empowerment' is fairly recent.
• The long-term effectiveness of the model and its success in empowering the
citizens would however need evaluation.
• In 'Projects' other than civic issues ,involving the citizens of adjoining
neighbourhoods does need a great deal of initiative and perseverance, beginning
with confidence building.
• This could however be viewed as the first level in the emerging role of the RWAs
and could be extended to working with RWAs of adjoining neighbourhoods at the
Ward level.
Case Study: Resident Welfare Association,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi.... Cont.