AUDI organized this workshop in collaboration with Marrakech Municipality, the World Bank, Cities Alliance and the OPEC fund.
The Workshop was aimed to training the municipal officials and local technicians on the nature and size of the upgrading process of squatters and slums, define the partners requirements and the expectations and required assistance, especially the vulnerable groups; and also to setup a strategy for development that covers all sectors which includes economy, social and physical features as well as determining the suitable activities that would increase revenues for slum inhabitants of slums and set detailed guiding indicators and steps to be followed at all stages. And also suggest legislations of social and economic development trend to enable municipalities and local administration departments carry on their daily duties and upcoming issues.
The Workshop concluded the following recommendations:
- Support countries that host Palestine and Arab refugees who were forced to leave their lands, thus dual support (physical and economical development) is needed.
- Replacement of Asian work force by Arab work force in the Gulf countries to create job opportunities, especially for emigrants from countries of conflicts.
- The solution of squatters in Saudi Arabia is to be strict in preventing pilgrims to remain behind after the end of the season of Pilgrimage.
- It is recommended that economic development and the provision of job opportunities in rural areas is a paramount for Arab cities to encounter the spreading of squatter settlements around urban areas. (Morocco experience: Creation of job opportunities at rural areas). (Sudan experience: A regional plan for the state of Khartoum that rely on economic development at villages to hinder growth of squatters.)
- Conduct studies on qualifications and productivity of the settlers of squatters, such as: “The National initiative for Human Development” to benefit of the expertise of each area’s inhabitants and set up productive societies / coops, and assist in marketing their products.
- Expand the Practice of tax free economic development areas (example: Aaqaba area in Jordan) + constructing large residential complexes, create job opportunities, avoid squatters (substitutes for squatters), and start with economic development before housing and services. Encourage reverse migration from squatters to ease pressure on cities.
- It is important to prepare a clear and comprehensive report that reviews the results of the three workshops held on this field, to assist the decision makers to tackle the squatters’ issue.
- Assure the importance of strict implementing and updating of the laws, as well as setting legislations to deal with corruption at local levels and political abuse.
- Highlight the issue through the media and enlighten the Arab citizens on the negative impacts of squatters.
- Encourage developers to build alternative dwellings to accommodate those living in the squatters…. Organise promotion forums for funding agencies such as Arab banks and businessmen to enable the municipalities present their squatter for development.
- It is very important that urban physical planning is to determine the residential, production and services areas, to prevent squatter settlements, as well as coordinating and balancing of land usages, to encourage the link between the economic development and residential areas.
- To engage squatter settlements in economic and social developments, as well as conduct special studies for them, and ultimately integrate them economically with the main city, so as to encounter their weak economic abilities.
- Authentification of successful experiences of some Arab cities during a certain period of time, for the benefit of other Arab countries.
- Applying good governance to control squatters, such as transparency and accountability, to ensure the respect of the laws and development plans.
- To view squatters from the perspective of preservation of real estate in Arab countries within the global frame of providing housing.