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Strengthening the knowledge and information systems of the urban poor

Poor men and women in urban informal settlements need knowledge and information to reduce risks and improve livelihoods. How do the urban poor obtain information and develop knowledge? Do they get what they require and is it appropriate? And how could development agencies fill the gaps and help to strengthen the knowledge and information systems of the urban poor?

Most previous research has focused on institutions as information providers. This study examined the processes and assets poor people themselves use and how institutions could link into these systems. The research was undertaken by the Intermediate Technology Development Group together with local associates, with field work carried out in low-income settlements in the capital cities of Peru, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and at least one secondary town in each country, together with complementary case studies and a literature review.

It was found that poor men and women in urban areas are often deprived of information and knowledge. Not knowing about their rights, services they could access, plans for their area, or what options there are for tackling certain problems, aggravates disadvantage and increases vulnerability. The information needs of the urban poor are also diverse and variable.

The key findings were that:

State institutions often discriminate against the urban poor in access to information, or are simply inefficient.
Non-governmental organisations and private institutions are sometimes more trusted and efficient, but also cannot cope with the scale of demand.
The urban poor largely have to rely on their social networks, key informants and knowledge within their communities, or sometimes from outside, for support in developing their livelihoods and coping with crisis, but this is inadequate to deal with every problem.
The urban poor are not a homogeneous group: social exclusion affects some people, particularly women, the disabled, the ill and the homeless, leading to inadequate access to information; external factors such as urban violence, politics and illegality can also be relevant.

Policy implications for development agencies to make their knowledge and information more accessible to the urban poor, and to strengthen the latter's knowledge and information base include:

Treat poor people as equals, value their knowledge and create two-way communication.
Reduce exclusion, by targeting groups of poor people that have the greatest problems, and by reducing external factors that increase exclusion.
Support communities to build knowledge and information capital, by taking stock of existing resources and addressing gaps, building the capacity of key informants, empowering communities, and stimulating meeting places, resource centres and exchange visits.
Improve the attitudes and impact of information suppliers, by sensitising and supporting public authorities, producing appropriate information resources and building capacity, documenting and sharing good communication practice, and using a range of media including the traditional alongside the modern.
Invest in developing sustainable ICTs for the urban poor.
Develop more appropriate impact indicators, as well as more knowledge of the cost-effectiveness of alternative communication methods, and disseminate the results of urban-based work more widely.

Source(s):
‘Strengthening the Knowledge and Information Systems of the Urban Poor’, ITDG, Rugby, UK, March 2002 by T. Schilderman Full document.

Funded by: Department for International Development. UK

id21 Research Highlight: 10 July 2002

Further Information:
Theo Schilderman
ITDG
The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development
Bourton-on-Dunsmore
Rugby CV23 9QZ
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1926 634400
Fax: +44 (0)1926 634401
Contact the contributor: theos@itdg.org.uk

Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), UK

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