2.
Place citizens at core of development
Recognise that cities are for citizens
3.
Post war context – drive to catch up for lost time
Urban vision - ‘leap forward’ to achieve ‘World
Class City’ status
Focus - improving connectivity and infrastructure
Colombo Metro Region - the centre of current
urban development model
4.
Symposium - ‘Reimagining Development’ Colombo, Sri Lanka, December 2012
Focus Group Discussion - Citizens negatively
impacted by urban development projects
6. Land acquisition, Involuntary
Displacement, Commons
Land conceived as a financial asset, loss of
social value
City development defined by aesthetic appeal
Public spaces re defined to encourage specific
life styles
Tension between state and citizenry
Tension between right to the city and right to a
lifestyle
7. Water, sanitation, schooling
Living conditions of the poorest segments not
improved
Access to schools hampered by involuntary
displacement
‘Development’ model not inclusive
‘Development’ for whom?
8.
Few opportunities to voice opinions
Lack of opportunity to challenge and dissent
Lack of information about decisions made
How do we make governments accountable?
How do we ensure rights are protected?
9. Need to take our City back
Embrace diversity
◦ Don’t polarize communities and create’ them’
and ‘us’ culture
◦ Let there be no losers
◦ Public spaces for greater interactions
10. Strengthen relationships between citizens and
local authorities
◦ Improve flow of information
◦ Create trust
Make governments accountable
◦ Vibrant civil society : peoples’ organizations to demand
rights
◦ Voter Education