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MANILA, Sept 11, 2009 - (ACN Newswire) - It is well acknowledged that many different groups need to work together to deliver effective solutions for the growing numbers living in Asia-Pacific's fast-expanding slums and also in properly housing the survivors of natural disasters.
But the type and range of those who can contribute is often more complex and more nuanced than some people, including sometimes high-level national government decision makers, realize. Many different groups, from academia, civil society, aid and development agencies, business corporations, municipal governments and more, are learning to work together and value each other's contributions. But more needs to be done and in more innovative formats and circumstances.
During the opening day roundtable for the 2nd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, discussion revolved around being innovative by coming up with scalable, replicable and workable urban planning aimed at making communities more resilient to environmental shocks.
An important discussion arose during one of the forum's plenary sessions on housing policy and strategies. Housing is an ideal economic stimulus in current economic conditions as it helps to generate more jobs with its ensuing social benefits; and it causes money to circulate more among lower-income individuals and stays within a domestic economy. In short, reframe housing as an investment or benefit to society.
The Second Asia-Pacific Housing Forum provided the platform for representatives of stakeholder groups to share past experiences and network to work with the vision and enthusiasm for greater multi-sector cooperation and collaboration. It achieved its goal of focusing on the specific shelter issues with sessions on realistic ways to alleviate the burden of slum conditions. Other discussions looked at practical ways to bridge the gap between emergency shelter relief and sustainable housing development in times of disasters.
Housing is an "inclusive" issue as it encompasses policies around land ownership and tenure; accessibility to livelihood choices, public infrastructure and services such as public transportation, education, electricity, water and sanitation; appropriate house construction technology and affordable home financing. Different stakeholders need to continue to perform their different roles but must meet new realities. For example, changing mindsets of stakeholders to see that the informal settlements are not "garbage of the city" but have potential that should be developed in a total participatory approach. The poor are an independent partner in any negotiation.
One of the most insistent voices at the forum came from those involved with technical aspects of housing such as engineering firms and building technology companies. Finance, legal, policy, social and community development aspects of housing the poor and those affected by disasters are known. But, there is a need for more attention to be given to many of the technical aspects of investing in well-designed, well-built shelters that work in practice, that do not deteriorate in a few years and that can withstand extreme weather conditions. To do so, is to build homes and communities people want to live in. They can also be truly sustainable from a social as well as a more obvious "green" environmentally-conscious view.
One innovative and inclusive case study discussed at the forum was the participation in a slum rehabilitation scheme in India by a financial institution and a private real estate developer. Slum dwellers were re-housed on site, and freed-up land was developed and sold on commercial terms. This showcased a replicable solution to urban poverty housing that other cities in India and in Asia could consider adapting.
Together with the leaders of housing organizations and other contributors to affordable housing present at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, Habitat for Humanity International and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are inspired to stay true to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which address the issue of poverty in all its forms, including urban poverty housing, with a specific call for a 'significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2010.'
Habitat for Humanity International is pleased to announce that the 3rd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum will be held in Thailand from 12 to 14 September 2011.
About the 2nd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum
The 2nd Asia-Pacific Housing Forum was held from September 7 to 9, 2009 in Manila, Philippines. The three-day forum was co-organized by Habitat for Humanity International with principal sponsor the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Its theme was "Maximizing Urban Poverty Housing Solutions for Greater Results."
Keynote speakers and influential contributors to the housing forum included Hon. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Majority Floor Leader of the Senate of the Republic of Philippines and Immediate Past Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing; Dr. Nicolas P. Retsinas, Director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University and Hon. Noli De Castro - Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines and Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.
A total of 438 forum delegates (362 participants, 76 speakers) participated in one thought-leaders round table, five plenary sessions, 30 discussion groups and many formal and informal networking opportunities to look at the issues and needs of housing the urban poor. Pertinent discussion tracks covered policy and strategy; technology and finance; sustainability and disaster mitigation; housing indicators, impact and support services; and UNESCAP Quick Guides on Housing the Poor. The 1st Asia-Pacific Housing Forum was held in Singapore in 2007.
About Habitat for Humanity Philippines
Habitat for Humanity Philippines is a non-profit Christian ministry that helps build responsible and self-reliant communities by enabling Filipino families in need to acquire affordable, decent and durable homes. It also partners with organizations, institutions and individuals in transforming lives and promoting people's dignity through building homes and conducting community development programs.
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit; financed with affordable, inflation-adjusted mortgage loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments go into a local revolving fund and are used to build more Habitat houses. In addition to monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest their own labor - "sweat equity" - into building their Habitat house and the houses of others, increasing the pride of ownership and fostering the development of positive relationships within a community.
To date, Habitat for Humanity Philippines has helped rebuild the lives of over 24,000 families and built over 200 school classrooms nationwide.
Contact:
Mika Palileo
Tel: +632 897 3069 loc. 107
Mobile: +63917881 5473
Michele Soh
Mobile: +65 9233 1544
Email: msoh@habitat.org
Peter Witton
Mobile: +66 86105 1767
Email: pwitton@habitat.org
Topic: Trade Show or Conference
Source: Habitat for Humanity International
Sectors: Real Estate & REIT
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