Urban Matters
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The Cordaid Urban Matters network sets itself the goal of improving the living conditions of residents of urban slums. We pursue this in a process of Urban Neighbourhood Development in demarcated areas (of 50 to 150,000 residents) by working on three levels: improving infrastructure, reinforcing social cohesion and stimulating the local economy.
Cordaid Urban Matters is currently working in slums in San Salvador, Cape Town and Kisumu.
Connecting expertise in North and South
In every Urban Neighbourhood Development project, Cordaid Urban Matters brings together a network of parties from North and South to work out an area development plan. At the local level, these are authorities (both political decision-makers and municipal urban planners), slum residents (united in resident organisations and groups for young people and women), NGOs with hands-on local experience and added value in the field of Urban Neighbourhood Development, and the local private sector (entrepreneurs, investors and contractors).
In the development of the urban neighbourhood plans, and in particular the sub-plans on water, urban agriculture, sanitation and housing, Cordaid Urban Matters connects the knowledge and experience of Dutch industry, water boards, housing cooperatives and knowledge institutions with local parties. The result is innovative, sustainable and affordable solutions created with local resident associations, NGOs and authorities.
Knowledge sharing
In partnership with T-Xchange, Urban Matters has developed an Urban Planning Game to facilitate such a multi-stakeholder process on urban development. Lessons learned and best practices are documented to facilitate sharing of this innovative knowledge and experience to benefit the development of urban slums worldwide.
The Cordaid Urban Matters network is a member of the Netherlands Water Partnership and UN-Habitat’s World Urban Campaign.
