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The
Official Print-Newsletter
of LOCOA
[
Visting Organizers ]
Society
for Community
Organization
(SoCO)
 SoCO is a community work organization started in 1971 in Hong
Kong. It now is one of the board member of LOCOA. It aims at raising the ability
of people to solve problems and at building citizen power through the process of
community work, so as to improve the livelihood of people and, as a result, to
change the social system. Since its start, SoCO has been challenging the myths
of the politically apathetic Chinese culture? and there fugee mentality that
are exaggerated by the intellectuals.
SoCO hopes to enhance social
justice, raise citizen power, and help people know they are not only a passive
beneficiary, but also an active participant in formulating social
policies.
These objectives are divided
into five parts: 1. To help
Hong Kong citizens develop a sense of belonging to the community.
2. To
guide and help citizens take responsibility through participation in efforts to
solve community problems.
3. To provide training for Hong Kong
community organizations.
4. To stimulate community organization in Hong
Kong.
5. To co-ordinate with local and international community organizations.
For more
contact
soco@super.hk
Urban Resource Center
(URC)
In volves
communities
in the urban planning process
The Urban Resource Center (URC) of Karachi,
Pakistan was set up in 1989. Its founders were urban planning related professionals, representatives of NGOs
and grass-root community organizations, and teachers from professional
colleges. They felt that Karachi official
development plans ignored the larger socio-economic reality of the city and as
such were unworkable, unaffordable and environmentally disastrous. They further
felt that workable alternatives were required and these were possible only with
the involvement of informed communities and interest groups.
To promote its objectives
the URC identifies the actors and factors that are involved in shaping Karachi
development along with their relationships with each other and with relevant
state agencies. In addition, it carries out research on all proposed major urban
development projects and analyses them from the point of view of communities and
interest groups. This research is developed through case studies;
profiles of formal and
informal organizations and individuals; and by holding forums on different
subjects in which the various interest groups (communities, informal service
providers, government agencies, political parties) participate. These forums are
documented and their results disseminated.
This interaction has
generated debate and discussion in the press about subjects not discussed
before, and brought about substantial changes in how problems and planning are
viewed by government agencies and different stakeholders.
Through this process the URC
has managed to create a space for interaction between poor communities, NGOs,
private (formal and informal) sector interest groups, academic institutions and
government agencies. The URC feels that this space needs to be nurtured and
institutionalized.
Impact of the URC
Activities
As a result of URC
work, the Karachi Mass Transit Project (KMTP) was modified considerably, because
of pressure from citizen groups, and was made more environment and cost
friendly.
URC proposal for the
extension of circular railway into Orangi, Baldia, North Karachi and Korangi was
also accepted by the Federal Government and was made part of the proposal for
the revitalization of the circular railway. In addition to this, the URC
research, negotiations and support to the Karachi transporters has helped them
in establishing a more equitable relationship with state organizations. In the
process 32 Bus terminal sites were identified and are being
developed.
URC involvement in the
Karachi Sewerage Plan has forced Asian Development Bank to cancel its loan for
the ill-conceived project. URC research on the garbage recycling industry, not
only documented its economic, physical and environmental repercussions on the
city, but has made it one of the major interest groups in the search for a new
Solid Waste Management Programme for Karachi. Through forums, problems (and
their micro and macro level causes) of flat owners, scavengers, theatre groups,
commuters, residents of the historic districts of Karachi, working women,
wholesale markets, transporters and others, have been identified and documented
along with their activists. This knowledge has been disseminated and these
groups have also been introduced and asked to collaborate with each other and
also with other relevant resource persons and professionals. The result has not
only been the beginning of an involvement of communities and interest groups in
the planning process but also an increase in the awareness of planning related
issues in society as a whole.
The URC works in close
association with the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) and the Department of
Architecture and Planning (DAP) at the Dawood College of Engineering &
Technology (DCET).
For more
contact
Muhammad Younus
Director of Urban Resource Centre
Tel 92 21
4559275 Fax 92 21 4384288
E-mail urc@inet.com.pk
Web site
www.urckarachi.org
LOCOA :
Leaders and Organizers of Community Organization in Asia
28-B, Matino cor. Malumanay Street, Sikatuna
Village, Brgy
Malaya Quezon City, Philippines
Tel :
(632) 925-8432, 426-4119, 922-0988 Fax : (632) 426-4118
E-mail :
locoa2000@yahoo.com
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