Rapid urbanisation in the developing world is the focus of urban development programmes that aim to upgrade physical infrastructure facilities and social community programmes. The participatory urban development programme by the GTZ 1 in El Nasseriya in Aswan/Egypt shows insights on a very heterogeneous community that has been shaped by rural-urban migration. This programme serves as a base to debate limitations and opportunities of participation and gender sensitive approaches within the development discourse by referring to the following scenarios: Firstly, the GTZ failed to implement the participatory component in the planning phase and furthermore, failed to take into consideration the role, needs and resources of women. However, women eventually showed their presence in public and participated independently from the applied policies. Later on, conflicts and power struggles occurred when gender components were finally implemented and institutionalised by the GTZ. It is crucial to study the interrelations between the applied policies and the involvement of a community and to take into account that urban development programmes are not blind to gender, as this will lead to a re-evaluation and re-appreciation of the women within society. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
2.1 Method and research design
2.2 Data collection
2.3 Definitions and delimitations
3. Theory and literature Review
3.1 Participation approaches
3.1.1 Introduction
3.1.2 Participation in urban areas
3.2 Women’s participation in development programmes
3.2.1 From WID to GAD
3.2.2 Women and participation
3.2.3 Women’s participation in an urban setting
3.3 Summary
4. El Nasseriya Participatory Urban Development Project in Aswan
4.1 Outline of the project
4.2 Relevant institutions
4.3 Women participation and donors policies
4.3.1 Planning phase (1985-1987):
4.3.2 Project implementation phase I (1987-1992)
4.3.3 Project implementation phase II (1992-2000)
5. Conclusion:
Objectives and Core Topics
This paper examines how women's participation was incorporated into the GTZ urban development project in Nasseriya, Egypt, between 1985 and 2000. It investigates the shift from top-down infrastructure planning to more participatory, gender-sensitive approaches, highlighting the conflicts, institutional developments, and the evolving agency of local women within a traditional, patriarchal society.
- Analysis of participation methodologies in urban development.
- Evaluation of the transition from Women in Development (WID) to Gender and Development (GAD) frameworks.
- Case study of the Nasseriya Participatory Urban Development Project.
- Investigation of power dynamics and socio-cultural barriers to women's participation.
- Assessment of the impact of donor policies on local community institutions.
Excerpt from the Book
4.3.2 Project implementation phase I (1987-1992)
Local leaders were chosen in order to participate in the upgrading projects, like digging and laying the pipes for the construction of roads, sanitary drainage network, a football field, a potable water network and the establishment of the Nasseriya Services Centre (see point 4.2). It is important to mention that these local leaders were exclusively male.
Three years after planning phase, the first women suddenly appeared in public and helped men digging the streets. “This voluntary participation of women was the first time women participated in public within the community” (Ms. Abdel Fattah). The UMPASR-paper states that the women made clear that they could not be ignored anymore and that they wanted to contribute to the improvement for the community (UMPASR, 2000a). However, their contribution has not been appreciated by men, as many thought that that is not a conventional and appropriate work for women (Mr. Abdel Fattah).
There is no doubt that the digging contributed to the material gain of the project. This can be seen from the perspective that women’s work can highly improve the physical outcome of a project and make a whole programme more efficient what Moser introduced as the last notion of the WID-approach that mainly focuses on the efficiency of women’s participation. Since the women themselves decided to participate, their involvement cannot be seen as an effect of applied policies. Contrarily, the fact that the women were neglected probably encouraged them to eventually participate and finally to call attention to their existence.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the global context of rapid urbanisation and the research question focusing on women's participation in the Nasseriya development project.
2. Methodology: Outlines the qualitative research design, data collection through semi-structured interviews, and definitions of core terms.
3. Theory and literature Review: Discusses participation theories, the evolution from WID to GAD approaches, and specific literature regarding women in urban settings.
4. El Nasseriya Participatory Urban Development Project in Aswan: Provides a detailed case study of the project phases, institutional setup, and the analysis of donor policies versus community realities.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings, emphasizing the importance of considering local socio-cultural contexts over top-down institutional requirements in development programs.
Keywords
Participation, Gender, Urban development, Nasseriya, GTZ, WID, GAD, Informal settlements, Empowerment, Egypt, Community development, Qualitative methodology, Socio-cultural barriers, Donor policies, Urbanization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the dynamics of women's participation within an urban development project implemented by the GTZ in the informal settlement of Nasseriya, Aswan, Egypt.
What are the central themes examined in the study?
The central themes are the interlinkages between participation, gender-sensitive development, and urban infrastructure projects, specifically within the cultural context of a traditional Arab society.
What is the primary research question?
The research question is: How was women’s participation incorporated in the urban development project in Nasseriya?
Which methodology does the author apply?
The author primarily utilizes a qualitative research design, employing a single-case study approach and gathering data through semi-structured interviews with experts and review of project documentation.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body reviews participation and gender literature (WID vs. GAD), introduces the Nasseriya project, and analyzes the project's evolution across three phases, focusing on the outcomes and conflicts that emerged.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The key concepts include Participation, Gender, Urban development, Empowerment, and the specific case of the Nasseriya community project in Egypt.
Why did women start participating in the infrastructure digging in Nasseriya?
The study suggests that women's initial participation was largely a bottom-up, volunteer effort to force recognition of their role in the community after being excluded from the project's initial planning phase.
How did the Nahda Society represent a change in the project's approach?
The establishment of the independent Nahda Society marked a shift where the GTZ adapted its strategy based on past "learning processes," giving women more autonomy in project monitoring and design.
Why was the workshop on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) controversial?
The FGM workshop faced strong resistance because it was perceived as premature and clashed with deep-seated socio-cultural beliefs, demonstrating the complexities and conflicts inherent in gender-sensitive interventions.
- Quote paper
- Bettina Schulte (Author), 2005, Women's participation in urban development programmes, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/63433
