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1.1 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN URBAN AREAS

This document is the output of an initiative by the ILO Regional Office for Asia and Pacific
(ROAP) and the Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP), with the purpose of
developing tools and guidelines for community infrastructure development in low-income urban
settlements. The emphasis is on the use of local resources in settlement upgrading such as
labour, materials, skills and contractors.

The initiative consisted of the implementation of a number of pilot projects in urban areas in
Cambodia and the Philippines and the preparation of a generic Guide for use in the Asia Pacific
region.

A diverse team of experts provided the necessary inputs to the first version of this guide based
on their current and previous experiences. They have produced the designs, contracts and
other materials for the pilot projects in cooperation with local government and the benefiting
communities. They have also documented the experiences gained during the process. The
project reports have formed the basis of the project descriptions and results reproduced in the
guide.

Sincere gratitude is extended to: The communities in which the infrastructure works took place,
their leaders and the workers in:

 Chamka Samrong Muoy Settlement Area in Battambang, Cambodia

 Purok Albacia, Zone 4, Barangay San Isidro, La Paz District, Iloilo City, Philippines

 Urban Family, Barangay M. V. Hechanova, Jaro District, Iloilo City, Philippines

 Project 5 Sooc Relocation Site, Arevalo District, Iloilo City, Philippines

The world's population is rapidly growing, with nearly 500 cities of over 1 million people
expected to exist within ten years. This rapid urbanization poses challenges for those living in
slums, run-down areas with substandard housing, squalor, and lack of tenure security. Slums,
characterized by poverty and social disadvantaged individuals, are often found in less
developed countries and lack basic services like clean water, electricity, and sanitation. The
rapid growth of urbanization poses significant challenges for those living in these areas.

Low-income settlements in the Asia Pacific region are permanent, with basic needs such as
clean water, electricity, sanitation, and access. With one-third of the region's population in urban
areas, cities face deteriorating sanitation, environmental conditions, inadequate housing, and
infrastructure, as well as unemployment. The ILO sees low-income settlements as places of
opportunity, as improvements in infrastructure, shelter, and services can directly and indirectly
improve lives and create employment opportunities, ultimately alleviating poverty in a
sustainable manner.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has developed specific tools for improving
infrastructure and services while creating employment and income. Over 50 countries are
applying these tools in community participation, planning, labor-based technology, and small-
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scale contracting. These tools are used for poverty reduction and crisis response in rural areas.
The Asia Pacific region still accounts for two-thirds of the world's poor, with 250 million living in
urban areas. The ILO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific has reviewed and modified
these rural tools.

The ILO has developed technical tools to enhance the impact of investments in rural
infrastructure on local development, poverty reduction, and employment creation. These tools,
categorized into four fields, contribute to improving rural infrastructure planning, resource-based
technology, small-scale contracting, and infrastructure maintenance.

The Guide's goal is to offer guidance to government planners, engineers, and policy-makers,
decision-makers, institutions, NGOs, and federations learning about possibilities for enhancing
low-income urban areas by construction of local infrastructure and enhanced service provision.
The Manual gives advice on how to get an agreement when planning for enhancing urban
regions; expanding employment opportunities for the neighborhood before, during, and after the
planned maximizing the use of local resources, both human and financial and resources, relying
on reliable and fundamental work techniques and technologies to construct and maintain the
infrastructure efficiently.

Many governments and development organizations, up until recently, have prioritized enhancing
the living conditions of rural disadvantaged people. Despite the obstacles urban poverty are not
new, but there has been a rise in awareness of them In recent years, metropolitan areas have
been unable to get development aid. take a backseat and that help is required for municipal
authorities to meet the the difficulty of enhancing the living conditions of the urban poor.
Numerous millions of urban poor people live in developing and post-industrial countries. have
little choice but to stay in filthy, dangerous areas where they must deal with numerous dangers
to their safety and wellbeing. Squatter colonies and slums lack the most fundamental facilities
and services.

Their populations are largely disenfranchised and frequently stigmatized. Those are exposed to
illness, criminal activity, and natural disasters. poor and Squatter communities are expanding at
alarming rates and are expected to double in size within 25 years. In addition to problems, the
rate of urbanization also opportunities. Cities have the potential to promote social and economic
development and enhancements to living quality. They can produce. openings for employment,
employment, and the improvement of livelihood.

The ILO is one organization that recognizes the need of combating poverty. in urban settings. a
number of initiatives, such as Habitat I and II conferences, a globally recognized strategy to
enhancing urban areas the development of. To what end enhancing the quality of life for urban
Poor has also significantly increased. strengthened by being included in the millennium
development objectives. Sector Activities in Cities many global organizations, NGOs and
neighborhood-based groups have been and still are actively working to improve the living
conditions of urban impoverished people. The The World Bank created and then changed the
table below, which lists organizations actively helping low-income communities' upgrading
metropolitan areas in Asia and the Pacific that are well-off. This list is not all-inclusive, but
demonstrates the strong backing for the urban poor.
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1.2 In terms of implementation of infrastructure works, the ILO is perhaps best known for
guidance on works organization and skills development in relation to the efficient and technically
competent use of labor-based approaches, as well as their combination with locally available
materials and equipment. Low-income settlements may have widespread poverty, with the
number of poor nearly equal to the total population. Unplanned areas may provide housing for
wealthy individuals.

The decision-making process excludes communities on hazardous sites and private land,
potentially affecting the poorest. The inclusion or exclusion of these communities may depend
on city policy and funding sources, potentially causing delays in implementation and causing
further hardship.

The prioritization process focuses on infrastructure improvements and budget allocation, not
land tenure or settlement legalization. To finance these, existing city planning systems or
alternatives should be followed.

This knowledge and approach has also been successfully applied in the urban setting, and
together with appropriate planning methods, designs and maintenance, provides an informed
approach to urban up-grading and infrastructure improvements. Planning exercises for plot
allocation in community boundaries often exclude long-term renters, who may be the poorest
members of the community. To include them in upgrading exercises, precautions must be taken
to avoid increased rents and displacement.

1.3 Low-income Communities

Many slums and other low-income neighborhoods in urban areas there is a paucity of services
and uncontrolled regions. They frequently confined, with little room left for access or the delivery
of services. The Residents of these communities and their representatives are well aware of the
difficulties presented by their living conditions. To efficiently prepare for Engineers and planners
must develop an understanding of these settlements to enhance them. Insight and
comprehension of these issues with the community before looking for suitable and reasonably
priced options. Even when it comes to designated areas like family resettlement programs
individuals have been forced to relocate, the government frequently lags in providing of
fundamental infrastructure and services, and communities would appreciate the chance to
enhance their employment and residential conditions.

Unplanned settlements are places for more than just

habitation working. Many urban poor people work from
home and in the informal economy or from locations in their
neighborhood. Improvements to services and housing
should take into account not only improving the living
environment, but the impact of improvements on
employment and enterprises. For instance, there are work-
from-home opportunities available for generating revenue.
But which will become more challenging because of
inflexible house designs or family migration. of households.
There are a lot of urban unplanned communities close to
city or town centers, and moving them outward could hurt
local residents' chances of finding work.
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Landownership

The spread of squatter settlements has caused a large number

of new low-income settlements. These Unplanned
neighborhoods are often near one another to places where
there is revenue Possibilities abound. The households residing
in these colonies won't truly own the land that their residences
are built on. They live in squats. There no plot assignments will
occur, and if any families do possess plots, they will have been
frequently "bought" without a legal status or one that is dubious.
A few of it’s possible that the families residing in the village rent
their homes.

On some regarded unsuitable pieces of land, low-income communities have sprouted housing
that has overhead high-voltage electrical cables is hazardous, in locations at risk for
catastrophic flooding, mudslides, or proximity to to highways, airports, and trains. All of these
cases need to be examined to determine what might be done to increase safety or whether the
only choice is relocation. Anything being discussed must be implemented along with the
impacted neighborhood.

Providing stable land tenure is a key accomplishment in the campaign to living circumstances
for urban poor. However, the improvement and provision construction of infrastructure might
begin before securing a lease or development if required, simultaneously. Land tenure problems
are not this situation's primary concern but must be kept in mind at all times to prevent
undesirable effects on groups and their constituents.

Affordable Services

Many times, urban households must pay to use basic infrastructural services. As opposed to the
impoverished in rural areas, where access to water and sanitary facilities Urban regions may or
may not have water, although it may not always be accessible or economical. The provision
may not be feasible for the poorest residents because of the crowded environment. of domestic
sanitation conceivable.

1.4 TECHNICAL OPTIONS AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Standard designs that have been created and accepted whenever possible by the relevant
technical authority be applied. Planners and engineers, however must be open to the notion of
changing the typical designs to societal demands.

 Affordability of the services offered to the most underprivileged groups in society

population;
 Refraining from needless demolition of existing real estate and assets;
 Different requirements for various city planning zones;
 Possibilities for gradual improvement (the city standard may be for a concrete-lined
drain; however, due to the limited funding, the community prefers to finish the drain and
just line the foundation for simplicity of upkeep (side walls could be lined in the future).
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Types of Infrastructure

The design alternatives for various infrastructure types were taken into the issues that will be
dealt with at the community level should be manageable, and the solutions that are feasible.
Always verify municipal or city plans to see whether or not renovations to a location are already
scheduled. If progress is made planned, a realistic evaluation of the timing and budget must be
established the funding that is available for the upgrades, and the likelihood that the work will
carried performed as soon as possible. Improvements are frequently intended, but
unfortunately, there is not enough money to fund all of the projects.

If flooding occurs in the neighborhood but it impacts the entire community, it seems improbable
that the issue can be resolved through a tiny area in the city center community initiative.
However, there can be solutions to lessen the issue for the without negatively influencing their
neighbors or the environment, for example ensuring drainage pipes aren't obstructed to improve
water flow and let the flooding will subside more rapidly

Drainage and Outlets

The infrastructure's goal is to divert water away from homes, Avoid or minimize as much as
feasible structures, access roads, and pathways Flooding and/or erosion are needed to
eliminate any standing water that could harbor disease to properly release water without
endangering nearby places, water flows.

Examples of Open and Covered Drains

Open channel drains are employed whenever possible occupy

space and provide a hazard to traffic customers and locals,
particularly if the drain is very deep, wide, or traverses a busy area.
If this circumstance can be prevented, if resources are available,
drains ought to be built with removable slabs covering it, permitting
rainwater and sullage access.

Flood Protection

The infrastructure's objective is to safeguard the neighborhood

from flooding to lessen housing damage and for businesses,
reducing diseases that result derived from freshwater and
generally keeping a clean environment in the neighborhood during
the rainy season.

To regulate flooding was brought on by water backing up from

streaming into the village area from a neighboring canal. Engineer's suggestion gates be built at
the end of the drainage canals, which may as the water level rose and there was a barrier
between them and the canal's water Flooding around the community and the risk of water
flowing back in houses.
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Roads, Streets and Access Paths

To regulate flooding. flooding was brought on by water backing up from streaming into the
village this kind of infrastructure is used to facilitate access to dwellings, marketplaces, places of
employment, and public facilities like Public restrooms, wells, schools, clinics, etc. After being
installed, these modifications also aid in providing sufficient drainage alongside the roads and
trails delivering an efficient solution to the neighborhood's general drainage situation a method
for clearing out puddles of standing water and muddy places area from a neighboring canal.
Engineer's suggestion gates be built at the end of the drainage canals, which may as the water
level rose and there was a barrier between them and the canal's water Flooding around the
community and the risk of water flowing back in houses.

Bus Stops and Parking Areas

The infrastructure's goal is to offer appropriate stopping, parking, and loading zones for both
private and public transportation. Stone that has been dressed or naturally formed can be used
to create stone surfaces. The stone is positioned on a solid foundation and serves as a surface
layer. Depending on the subgrade's quality, the foundation would have a 20–30 cm layer gravel
that has been compacted. A thin layer of sand is used to manually place the stone. Any gaps
between the stone and the base course are filled up by the sand bedding. When employing
concrete blocks as a surface, a similar design strategy is used treatment

Environment: Open Areas, Play Areas, Parks and Tree Lots

The goal of enhancing and protecting the urban environment settlements are built to raise the
community's standard of living and to guarantee the maintenance of green spaces and open
spaces

Community and Public Buildings

These structures function as gathering places for social events and storage organizations,
neighborhood gatherings, and emergency refuge during natural catastrophes like floods. The
infrastructure's primary goal is to deliver clean and culturally appropriate restrooms, secure
excreta disposal, and to minimize health dangers connected to illness transmission through
contact excreta

Street Lighting

Safety and security are the primary goals of providing street lighting.

As demonstrated by the above examples and descriptions, there isn't a single right answer.
Only where precise data is communities are grouped together as taking part in the design
choices, then the most effective design options be determined using available budgets.
Acceptable locally designs and governmental requirements should be used when necessary.
Communities shouldn't be used as "experimentation" but provided workable and tested design
solutions.