Date of Publication: September 16, 2014
Language
of Publication: English
Source: ng.boell.org
Makoko
on Water – it’s a fascinating boat ride through an autarkic and vibrant, still
peaceful community on water within an ever busy, noisy and hectic Megacity.
Although the lack of government support and infrastructure result in poor
living conditions, the communal life offers exemplary potentials to adapt to
rapid urbanisation and climate change in coastal cities. The “Makoko/Iwaya
Waterfront Regeneration Plan” - a comprehensive people-centered development
framework – was submitted to the Ministry of Physical Planning in October 2013.
One of the major objectives is ensuring participation and community ownership
in the formulation, implementation and sustainability of the plan. It looks at
all facets of life and development in Makoko-Iwaya Waterfront including land
use, housing, tourism opportunities, tenure security, funding strategies and an
institutional framework for implementation and management.
The
idea of the Regeneration Plan centers on the assumption that upgrading of
infrastructure and the transformation of the communities can only succeed if
its residents are empowered to contribute with their own funds. This brochure
gives you an idea of the identified potential for economic empowerment as an
integral part of the Regeneration Plan. Supported by a working group with
members of the communities, professionals, academicians and human rights
organizations, Fabulous Urban developed the concept of “Decentralized
Neighborhood Hotspots” powered by biogas facilities which offer a wide range of
micro-entrepreneurial opportunities for a resource-based economy. The income
will be sufficient to pay each worker an appropriate salary and still save
money in a fund for the general maintenance of the facility so that it can be
self-sustainable. “Opportunity Cards” describe and visualize these job
potentials with a cost/benefit analysis for necessary financial investments
which, if implemented within the framework of the Regeneration Plan through
concerted efforts from society, government and the communities, could turn the
Makoko/Iwaya Waterfront communities into a worldwide showcase of a sustainable
and flood-resilient lifestyle.
