WUF13 calls for end to evictions in urban development

Communities should be at the center of all development processes, not just formal recipients of aid, Nalini Chawla, a representative of the Grassroots and Civil Society Organizations Assembly, said at the joint closing dialogue of the Assemblies at the World Urban Forum (WUF13), Report informs.

"One of the issues we raised was the issue of evictions. We stated that all types of evictions should end," she said.

According to Chawla, conditions must be created where laws protect communities, and where communities themselves have access to land and secure tenure.

"If people are forced to leave their homes, they must be provided with a dignified alternative that allows them to live with respect for human dignity," the Assembly representative emphasized.

She noted the importance of planning development with communities, not instead of them.

"Communities must be at the center of all development processes, not just formal recipients of aid," Chawla said.

The Assembly representative also emphasized the importance of inclusivity.

"Our group represented a variety of stakeholders: older people, people with disabilities, community representatives, slum dwellers-people with real-life experience," she said.

She emphasized that member states must ensure the participation of all stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Chawla also addressed the issue of funding. "We cannot continue to adopt beautifully written policies without action and without allocating resources for their implementation. Our strategies cannot simply gather dust on shelves," the Assembly representative stated.

She also identified the issue of accountability as fundamental. "We cannot continue to sign documents declaring that housing is a human right without being accountable to each other," she said, adding that responsibility must rest with member states and all stakeholders.

In conclusion, she called on governments to engage local community representatives in such forums so that they can speak for themselves.

Chawla also expressed hope for more space for local communities at the next World Urban Forum.