| dc.description.abstract | Worldwide, the informal settlements percentages out of all human settlements are growing. Academics argue for the usage of participatory planning methods in working in this context. Evaluating the existing processes of participatory development of informal settlements is a somewhat neglected area of study, which this thesis contributes to by answering the main research question: What lessons for working with informal settlements as a planner, can be drawn from a case study of two participatory, long-term, development planning-oriented processes, based on studying relationships between informal settlement communities and NGO planners? The research was done through a case study method of two Nepalese informal settlements of Chitwan district. The two settlements were small-scale of around 30 households. The partnerships with the NGO were long-term. The research explored the relationships between informal settlement communities and development NGO planners. Data collection was primarily done through unstructured interviews with settlers and planners that have worked with them in a community led processes. Findings were discussed from eight perspectives a planner can see such projects from, examining found issues and solutions: (1) initial contact with the community and earning their trust, (2) community`s sacrifices for development, (3) the status of community women in the process, (4) taking care of the vulnerable, (5) spread of information, (6) community leadership roles and issues, (7) engineers` roles in the project, and (8) community`s independency. Based on the findings in these eight perspectives the conclusion presented five most important and replicable lessons and proposed ideas for further study. | |
