Urban Infrastructure Services Urban Infrastructure Services Experiences in Zimbabwe for Experiences in Zimbabwe for

low income settlements low income settlements

Eng.Fungai MatahwaEng.Fungai MatahwaPractical Action Southern AfricaPractical Action Southern Africa

www.practicalaction.orgwww.practicalaction.orgNo. 4 Ludlow Road, Newlands, P.O. Box 1744, Harare, Zimbabwe.No. 4 Ludlow Road, Newlands, P.O. Box 1744, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Telephone: +263 4 776 631-3Telephone: +263 4 776 631-3Fax:Fax: +263 4 788 157+263 4 788 157

Mobile: +263 11 444 960Mobile: +263 11 444 960Email:Email: fungaim@practicalactionzw.org.fungaim@practicalactionzw.org.

Skype address: fungaim2Skype address: fungaim2

PRACTICAL ACTIONPRACTICAL ACTION Practical Action - formerly Intermediate Technology Practical Action - formerly Intermediate Technology

development Group (ITDG)development Group (ITDG)

An international technology development organization with its An international technology development organization with its head offices in the United Kingdom. head offices in the United Kingdom.

Founded in 1965 and has offices in Southern Africa, East Founded in 1965 and has offices in Southern Africa, East Africa, Sudan, Latin America, Bangladesh, Nepal and South Africa, Sudan, Latin America, Bangladesh, Nepal and South Asia.Asia.

Practical Action Southern Africa office based in Harare covers Practical Action Southern Africa office based in Harare covers work in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi work in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi

VISION

Our vision is a of a sustainable world free of poverty and injustice in which technology is used for the benefit of all.

MISSIONTo use technology to challenge poverty by:

Building the capabilities of poor people; Improving their access to technical options and

knowledge, and Working with them to influence social economic and

institutional systems for innovation and the use of technology.

Our work focus on four key areas normally referred to as Our work focus on four key areas normally referred to as Programme aims Programme aims

1.1. Reducing VulnerabilityReducing Vulnerability2.2. Markets and livelihoodsMarkets and livelihoods3.3. Access to infrastructure ServicesAccess to infrastructure Services4.4. New technologiesNew technologies

AIM 1AIM 1: : Reducing vulnerabilityReducing vulnerability-help reduce the vulnerability of poor people affected by natural -help reduce the vulnerability of poor people affected by natural disasters, conflict and environmental degradation. disasters, conflict and environmental degradation. 

AIM2: AIM2: Making markets work for the poorMaking markets work for the poorWe help poor people to make a better living – by enabling We help poor people to make a better living – by enabling producers to improve their production, processing and marketing. producers to improve their production, processing and marketing. 

AIM3 AIM3 Improving access to infrastructure servicesImproving access to infrastructure servicesWe help poor communities gain access to basic services – water, We help poor communities gain access to basic services – water, sanitation, housing and electricity. sanitation, housing and electricity. 

AIM 4 AIM 4 New technologiesNew technologiesWe help poor communities respond to the challenges of new We help poor communities respond to the challenges of new technologies, helping them to access effective technologies that technologies, helping them to access effective technologies that can change lives forevercan change lives forever..

Presentation theme Presentation theme

AIM 3 Access to infrastructure services :- Goal 2

Poor people in slums or low income urban settlements enjoy a better living environment and income generating opportunities from accessing or providing infrastructure services.

Shelter, water, sanitation, energy and waste management services

2.5 million tonnes of both industrial and household waste is generated per annum

Collapse of a local governance system

urban waste collection rates dropped from at least 80% (mid 1990s) to as low as 30% 2008 in some large cities and small towns *despite a declining economy.

low waste collection levels have triggered widespread illegal open dumping and backyard incineration

Zimbabwe Waste management highlights

Key lessons to shareKey lessons to share

Public health and hygiene training and awareness is key in Public health and hygiene training and awareness is key in dealing with the waste management problem dealing with the waste management problem

Value addition of the waste is vital for sustainability of the Value addition of the waste is vital for sustainability of the income generating groupsincome generating groups

Giving up or sub contracting of services in the traditional sector occupied by LAs has been a challenge taking a cue from past experiences from the City of Harare

Working in an environments were there is no clear policy at national level will not bear meaningful results

Housing Experiences in Zimbabwe after OMHousing Experiences in Zimbabwe after OM

On 19 May 2005, with little or On 19 May 2005, with little or no warning, the Government no warning, the Government of Zimbabwe embarked on an of Zimbabwe embarked on an operation to “clean-up” its operation to “clean-up” its cities. cities.

It was a “crash" operation It was a “crash" operation known as “Operation known as “Operation Murambatsvina”, (OM)Murambatsvina”, (OM)

resulted in the destruction of resulted in the destruction of homes, business premises homes, business premises and vending sites. and vending sites.

It was estimated that some It was estimated that some 700,000 people in cities 700,000 people in cities across the country lost either across the country lost either their homes, their source of their homes, their source of livelihood or both.livelihood or both.

Factors leading to the clean up campaign Factors leading to the clean up campaign

Economic contextEconomic context Political contextPolitical context UrbanizationUrbanization

Economic contextEconomic context In 1980 the informal economy - In 1980 the informal economy -

10% of the labour force. 10% of the labour force.

The informal sector share of The informal sector share of employment grew to 20% employment grew to 20% by1986/87, 27% by 1991 and an by1986/87, 27% by 1991 and an estimated 40% by 2004. estimated 40% by 2004.

The informal economy had The informal economy had effectively become the mainstay effectively become the mainstay for the majority of the for the majority of the Zimbabweans. Zimbabweans.

The Political Factor The Political Factor

Zimbabwe had been ruled by one political party for Zimbabwe had been ruled by one political party for 20 years before a real opposition could emerge20 years before a real opposition could emerge

Against this backdrop of a deeply weakened Against this backdrop of a deeply weakened economy the MDC emerged, against this economy the MDC emerged, against this background, as a formidable challenge to the background, as a formidable challenge to the ruling party.ruling party.

Although ZANU-PF eventually won the 2000 Although ZANU-PF eventually won the 2000 parliamentary elections, Towns and cities emerged parliamentary elections, Towns and cities emerged as strongholds of opposition to the ruling party and as strongholds of opposition to the ruling party and have since been viewed with suspicion by the have since been viewed with suspicion by the government.government.

Legal context: Double Legal context: Double standardsstandards

The national laws were inconsistent

Government policy statements leading to the rapid formation of backyard extensions from the mid 1990s now dubbed illegal

Local authorities recognizes theses form of structures and collects rates

Then the sudden application of the laws governing towns and

cites under Operation Restore Order

UrbanizationUrbanization

High population growth rateHigh population growth rate 30 – 40 people per 200m2 stand30 – 40 people per 200m2 standOver loading of existing Over loading of existing

infrastructureinfrastructureHigh incidents of disease outbreaks High incidents of disease outbreaks High growth rate of illegal High growth rate of illegal

settlementssettlements

NGO JI ProjectNGO JI Project In 2006 Practical Action intervened in a relief In 2006 Practical Action intervened in a relief

housing provision project ‘The NGO joint Initiative housing provision project ‘The NGO joint Initiative “. “.

The NGO Joint initiative (JI) was an intervention The NGO Joint initiative (JI) was an intervention conceptualised by seven NGOs with a wide conceptualised by seven NGOs with a wide spectrum of experience in addressing acute spectrum of experience in addressing acute needs of the vulnerable groups in urban areas of needs of the vulnerable groups in urban areas of Zimbabwe through an integrated programming Zimbabwe through an integrated programming soon after Operation Murambatsvina.( Care, CRS, soon after Operation Murambatsvina.( Care, CRS, Africare, Oxfam GB, Save the Children UK, Mercy Africare, Oxfam GB, Save the Children UK, Mercy Corps and Practical Action.Corps and Practical Action.

INTERGRATION OF NGO ACTIVITIESINTERGRATION OF NGO ACTIVITIESAREA SUBURB PRIORITIES AGENCY

Greater Harare Mbare • Livelihoods• Shelter materials• Food

Africare Practical Action Oxfam

St Mary’s 1. Livelihoods2. Shelter materials3. Education

Africare Practical Action Mercy Corps

Bulawayo Mzilikazi 1. Livelihoods2. Food3. shelter

CRS Oxfam

Makokoba 1. Livelihoods2. Food

CRS Oxfam

Mutare Sakubva • Livelihoods• Shelter materials• Education

CARE Practical Action Mercy Corps

Gweru Mkoba 1. Food2. Livelihoods3. HIV/AIDS

CARE Africare CARE

Masvingo Mucheke 1. Livelihoods2. Food3. HIV/AIDS

CARE CARE CARE

Shelter having been greatly exacerbated by the Operation Shelter having been greatly exacerbated by the Operation Murambatsvina was singled out as one of the major priority Murambatsvina was singled out as one of the major priority needs in five urban areas of Zimbabwe. needs in five urban areas of Zimbabwe.

The shelter project’s objective was to restore dignity to the The shelter project’s objective was to restore dignity to the victims of Operation Murambatsvina by increasing descent victims of Operation Murambatsvina by increasing descent habitable space. habitable space.

The following strategies were employed to achieve the target; The following strategies were employed to achieve the target; Reduce cost of housing construction by adopting Reduce cost of housing construction by adopting

community based models and promoting the use of community based models and promoting the use of alternative low cost materialsalternative low cost materials

Increase household income through shelter servicesIncrease household income through shelter services

Foster partnerships with local authorities, and civic Foster partnerships with local authorities, and civic organisations in addressing victims immediate and long organisations in addressing victims immediate and long term challenges that include;term challenges that include;

Advocacy for secure tenure Advocacy for secure tenure Child protection and gender mainstreaming Child protection and gender mainstreaming Disaster mitigation and,Disaster mitigation and,

Community empowerment ,participation and training as Community empowerment ,participation and training as an integral part of the approach. The project relied on an integral part of the approach. The project relied on tested approaches to community empowerment and tested approaches to community empowerment and these were:-these were:-

Training in participatory methodologies Training in participatory methodologies

Enterprise development in shelter related servicesEnterprise development in shelter related services

Community draughting and space optimisationCommunity draughting and space optimisation

Project Model Project Model

Shelter model in response to OROShelter model in response to ORO

DEMONSTRATION OF TECHNOLOGIESDEMONSTRATION OF TECHNOLOGIES

2000- 4000 SSBs per day2000- 4000 SSBs per day Training of material production centered among womenTraining of material production centered among women RUTASHI and Vimbayi secured orders to supply RUTASHI and Vimbayi secured orders to supply

Chitungwiza municipality with building materials worth Chitungwiza municipality with building materials worth over Z$10 million (US$ 1923.00).over Z$10 million (US$ 1923.00).

Demonstrating technologies Demonstrating technologies

Egg layer cement block Egg layer cement block

8000- 12000 cement block 8000- 12000 cement block per day per day

Manual operated Manual operated

On site production On site production

Training in the construction of housing units Training in the construction of housing units

Communities establish Communities establish shelter construction shelter construction groups groups

Communities are Communities are trained in all the trained in all the elements of elements of construction standard construction standard houses houses

Youth are then sent to Youth are then sent to vocational training vocational training centers to centers to complement the complement the practical experience practical experience

Community draughtingCommunity draughting

The justification in the demolition of structures during the The justification in the demolition of structures during the clean-up operation in 2005 was the non compliance of the clean-up operation in 2005 was the non compliance of the structures with the model building bylaws, structures with the model building bylaws,

training endeavoured to enhance community’s appreciation training endeavoured to enhance community’s appreciation of the building bylaws requirements in housing of the building bylaws requirements in housing construction. construction.

Participation of LAs enabled beneficiaries and residents at Participation of LAs enabled beneficiaries and residents at large to be aware of the regulatory framework on illegal large to be aware of the regulatory framework on illegal developments and on development control mechanisms. developments and on development control mechanisms.

The process culminated in the production and adoption of The process culminated in the production and adoption of model housing plans approved by the Las/ Municipalities model housing plans approved by the Las/ Municipalities and available for adaptation and uptake by the community. and available for adaptation and uptake by the community.

Tenure SecurityTenure Security

Working in these old suburbs beleaguered with strong Working in these old suburbs beleaguered with strong colonial relics unearthed unanticipated varying tenure issues colonial relics unearthed unanticipated varying tenure issues which many residents were not even aware of. Most residents which many residents were not even aware of. Most residents moved into these suburbs under various housing schemes at moved into these suburbs under various housing schemes at independence in 1980 while some had been there earlier. independence in 1980 while some had been there earlier.

The tenure clarification process initially was not prioritised The tenure clarification process initially was not prioritised but progressively the need became more apparent as it but progressively the need became more apparent as it emerged that in all the three sites majority of the emerged that in all the three sites majority of the beneficiaries were either children or grand children of beneficiaries were either children or grand children of deceased owners. deceased owners.

A community driven tenure clarification and awareness A community driven tenure clarification and awareness programme was embarked upon which benefited even those programme was embarked upon which benefited even those that were not direct beneficiaries of the housing project. that were not direct beneficiaries of the housing project.

A number of tenure workshops were held with the A number of tenure workshops were held with the beneficiaries resulting in the establishment of a section within beneficiaries resulting in the establishment of a section within LAs to deal with tenure clarification issues. LAs to deal with tenure clarification issues.

In 12 months 1100 cases tenure cases were clarified and In 12 months 1100 cases tenure cases were clarified and 1620 stands were subsequently surveyed in retrospect to 1620 stands were subsequently surveyed in retrospect to facilitate for the granting of title deeds. facilitate for the granting of title deeds.

Resource persons for this process came from local authority Resource persons for this process came from local authority departments, Master of the High Court and Community departments, Master of the High Court and Community courts, the Government Rent Board and Wills and Inheritance courts, the Government Rent Board and Wills and Inheritance specialists.specialists.

Beneficiary contributionBeneficiary contribution

Material – average of Material – average of 34% beneficiary 34% beneficiary contribution contribution

Ranged form 0 – 61% Ranged form 0 – 61% contributioncontribution

Labour – 20% reduction Labour – 20% reduction on the overall cost of on the overall cost of constructionconstruction

Costs 10% using Costs 10% using community construction community construction as opposed to 30% as opposed to 30% using conventional using conventional contractors contractors

USD1650.

USD783.

USD1804.

USD504.

USD1003.

USD512.

USD1486.

USD600.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Mbare St Mary's Mutare Average

Donor Vs Beneficiary Own Contribution

Beneficiary

Donor

Project outputs to dateProject outputs to date

488 three roomed houses constructed to date 488 three roomed houses constructed to date 6120 people benefiting to date6120 people benefiting to date 123 houses benefiting form rental income123 houses benefiting form rental income 1265 residential stands allocated to the homeless1265 residential stands allocated to the homeless 1100 households with clarified and secure tenure1100 households with clarified and secure tenure 38 material production enterprises established 38 material production enterprises established

7 cement block producers7 cement block producers 6 SSBs producers6 SSBs producers 4 MCR tiles producers4 MCR tiles producers 13 stone crushers13 stone crushers 6 door carpentries6 door carpentries 2 welding centres 2 welding centres

Project ExperiencesProject Experiences Households that benefited from additional accommodation space were Households that benefited from additional accommodation space were

able to ease overcrowding while others began to realise income from able to ease overcrowding while others began to realise income from rentals.rentals.

Meeting accommodation needs of poor communities alone without Meeting accommodation needs of poor communities alone without enhancing livelihoods options may lead to the beneficiaries opting to enhancing livelihoods options may lead to the beneficiaries opting to remain overcrowded while they rent out some space to raise income.remain overcrowded while they rent out some space to raise income.

The contribution by residents in both materials and sweat equity raised the The contribution by residents in both materials and sweat equity raised the stakes and ensured the continued involvement in the initiative. If poor stakes and ensured the continued involvement in the initiative. If poor communities are provided with shell structures and capacity to build , they communities are provided with shell structures and capacity to build , they can complete their own unitscan complete their own units

The promotion of appropriate low cost technologies that utilise locally The promotion of appropriate low cost technologies that utilise locally available materials in enterprise development helped to reduce the service available materials in enterprise development helped to reduce the service and maintenance costs.and maintenance costs.

Nurturing partnerships with local authorities ensured buy- in which enabled Nurturing partnerships with local authorities ensured buy- in which enabled smooth accelerated progress. Participation of local authorities made them smooth accelerated progress. Participation of local authorities made them appreciate community driven initiatives and as such became flexible to appreciate community driven initiatives and as such became flexible to changing their practices appropriately to meet the communities changing their practices appropriately to meet the communities

The project initiated the healing and restoration of trust by the The project initiated the healing and restoration of trust by the communities on the local authorities following the Operation communities on the local authorities following the Operation Murambatsvina Murambatsvina

Thank you Thank you