Community-Based Solutions:Locally-funded, designed, constructed and managed

Using Lessons from the Orangi Pilot Project for West Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Needs

More permiable surfaces

More stormwater retention

At no/low cost to city

Ongoing maintanance

Support from neighborhoods and communities

Community empowerment to improve their neighborhoods with stormwater BMPs

From Orangi to Philadelphia

Karachi

OPP

Capacity Building

Lanes

Sanitation

Philadelphia

“Philadelphia Community Water Project” (or something)

“No jobs, no hope”

Blocks or alleys

Stormwater (and other community issues)

OPP relied on a critical issue. In Phily, this could lead to two models:

1. Communities organized around water

2. Communities organized around complementary issues (gathering space, gardens, beautification, vacancies...)

Who Does What

Component Sharing

Process

Trains socialorganizers

Socialorganizershold communitymeetings

Communityorganization forms and picks a leader

Collects $from community

Construction

Monitor quality of work

Technical assistance and training

Monitorquality of work

Community/Households: -Management of money and process-Organization of neighborhood-Construction

Support Organization: -Technical staff-Expertise-Training

Qualities of a Support Organization

Community Empowerment Organization

Exploratory

Relationship with the city

Non-bureacratic

Flexible

Egalitarian

Flat salary structure, no expensive consultants

Minimal reporting requirements or overhead

Ability to collaborate and to pressure

Goals are community driven

Adapts to community needs

>>> City-wide non-profit

Division of Responsibilitiesin Implementing Community-BasedSanitation Infrastructure(OPP Example)

Responsibilities of the Actions Household Block Association OPP City Government

Organizing and Mobilizing

Identifying the Problem ·

· Research to identify low-cost technologies compatible with the

economic dynamics and capacities of local

communities.

· Accept that high-tech engineering solutions are

not the answers to everything, while

recognizing the value of existing works carried out

by communities

Organizing Lane

Associations

· Nominate or elect a Lane Association

Manager

· Nominate or elect a Lane Association

Manager

· Host meetings to mobilize and inform

individuals that interventions will only be

carried out on the initiative of the community

Lining Up Finances · Pay dues · Collect dues from

households · Assist in organization of

Lane Associations · Garner funds from

outside donors and public tenders

Planning and Mobilization of

Community

· Volunteer to carry out work needed to complete

development

· Liaise between local residents and OPP

regarding work schedules and project

deliverables

· Survey the lane, provide designs and estimates for

infrastructure · Provide technical

support and maps for Lane Associations and

city agencies

Responsibilities of Different Actors when Carrying out Specific Developments Casting

Manholes · Cast manholes · Organize manpower and finance construction

· Supervise work carried out

Construction of Box Sewers

· Pressure government agencies to carry out

specific developments and monitor development

· Consolidate individual household pressures

and monitor development

· Advocate for local community interest,

provide technical support, and monitor development

· Conversion of natural drainage channels into

box sewers

Construction of Hygenic

Sanitation Infrastructure

· Build Latrines · Develop Underground sewerage lines running

beneath lanes

· Oversight of development

· Construction of treatment facilities at the end of natural drainage

channels Capacity Building

Building Capacities of

Local Community

· Participate in training · Organize households for training

· Organize and train youth to carry out surveying, mapping, development

and maintenance

Maintenance Maintenance

Responsibilities of Sanitation Infrastructure

· Maintain latrines

· Desilt and unclogg underground sewerage lines running beneath

lanes

· Oversee and assure maintenance is carried

out

· Desilt and Unclog trunk sewer / natural nala with

excavator · Maintain treatment

plant Long-term Planning

Contributions in Long-term Planning Process

· Conduct mapping and voice concerns

· Consolidate concerns and attend meetings

with government agencies

· Provide technical asssistance and advice

· Jointly create long-term plans based upon

community-made maps and citizens needs

Starting Off in Philadelphia....

Criteria for the community for first projects:

1. Cohesive social unit -Organized around blocks, alleys or lanes

2. Clear problem that relates to water -Basement flooding -New sidewalks or distruptive street trees -Derelict open spaces -Lack of green space or community gathering space

3. High potential for sucess (for pilot phase) -Community leaders -Active self-organization -Voluntary contribution of finances or services