S Farid

Urban Population Growth and Poverty:Issues and Challenges: 

Urban Population Growth and Poverty: Issues and Challenges Samir M. Farid

Urban Growth in the Arab Region: 

1950: 25% urban 1990: 50% urban 2001: 56% urban 1990-95: urban growth rates in all Arab states were at or above global average of 2.5 % Urban Growth in the Arab Region

Urban Growth in the Arab Region: 

Differences in Degree of Urbanization: In 2000, Proportion Urban: - Below 50% in 5 Countries - Between 50-74% in 7 Countries - Between 75-89% in 5 Countries - Over 90% in 5 Countries Urban Growth in the Arab Region

Urban Growth in the Arab Region: 

Differences in Degree of Urbanization: By 2030, Proportion Urban: - Below 50% in 2 Countries - Over 90% in 9 Countries - In the Most Populous Arab States, the Proportion Urban will Range from 60% to 85% Urban Growth in the Arab Region

Dynamics of Urban Growth: 

In 2000: Cairo was the only ‘mega-city’ (10 million inhabitants) All other Arab cities andlt; 5 million inhabitants each. By 2015: population of Cairo will rise to 14 million 4 Arab cities will qualify as ‘large cities’ : 5-10 million inhabitants Baghdad (7 m), Alexandria (6 m), Riyadh (5 m),Casablanca (almost 5 m). Dynamics of Urban Growth

Dynamics of Urban Growth: 

Urban growth is a result of: Natural increase Net in-migration Reclassification of boundaries Dynamics of Urban Growth

Urban Poverty: 

Average indicators of social conditions in urban areas can be misleading. Population of slum and squatter areas fare worse in health and nutrition than is shown by city averages. Urban Poverty

Urban Poverty: 

Municipalities traditionally have not concerned themselves with questions of poverty and social services. Urban authorities are now striving to provide efficient social services to the poor, low-income children and women, young people seeking work, and the elderly. Urban Poverty

Urban Poverty: 

There is a need for an information strategy for cities to monitor changes in poverty indicators. Urban Poverty

Urban Poverty: 

Sources of Information: ·    the population census; ·    existing household surveys ·    linking a city survey to a national household survey; ·    conducting rapid service satisfaction surveys and participatory assessments; ·    using partnerships with organizations to gather information. Urban Poverty

Health: 

Current infant and child mortality rates and maternal mortality rates remain high in most countries in the region. Currently, only 8 countries in the region have rates of infant mortality below 30 per 1,000 live births, whereas 5 countries have rates of infant mortality exceeding 80 per 1,000 live births.   Health

Health: 

Three factors contribute to the persistently high infant and maternal mortality levels in the region: pregnancies at a young age, pregnancies at a late age, and pregnancies that are too closely spaced. Health

Health: 

Core health problems (particularly among children): faecally transmitted diseases airborne diseases malnutrition  Health

Health: 

A comprehensive strategy for basic health in the cities should involve the provision of out-patient treatment in community-based, smaller health centres, which also would be charged with the preventive and promotional functions of a basic health care system. Health

Health: 

Basic health services in cities should include: child health care including immunization, Reproductive health services including family planning, nutrition programmes, and health education. Health

Setting Priorities: 

In the reproductive health area, the questions to be considered include:  ·  Which health services shall be provided now? ·    Which health services later? ·    At what level of service? ·    Under what circumstances? ·    And which health services not at all? Setting Priorities

Setting Priorities: 

Each option chosen would be expected to: ·   Respond to an important problem; ·   Be realistic within the capacity of the system; ·   Supplement rather than substitute for what the commercial sector is providing; ·   Have minimal cultural and related negative consequences; and ·   Enjoy widespread support among stakeholders. Setting Priorities

Setting Priorities: 

Objections to setting priorities might include statements such as the following: ·   Purposeful priority setting takes time and energy away from getting going and doing the job. ·   International donors often have their own priorities that always prevail - so why waste time? We are powerless to change events and have to take what is offered because of scarce resources and bureaucratic constraints. Setting Priorities

Need for Standardized Guidelines: 

The need and demand for social indicators at the municipality level has grown in recent years with the recognition of the importance of social monitoring. Household sample surveys, and situation analysis studies, are the most important tools for assessing certain dimensions of social conditions. Need for Standardized Guidelines

Need for Standardized Guidelines: 

A regional initiative is urgently needed to produce guidelines for household social surveys and situation analysis studies at the municipality level in two broad categories: survey strategy and survey operations. Need for Standardized Guidelines

Need for Standardized Guidelines: 

The guidelines should propose a series of modules on priority areas that would be adopted and adapted by urban authorities according to local conditions and needs. They should discuss the problems associated with measuring the many faces of urban poverty. Need for Standardized Guidelines