Strengthening the knowledge and information systems of the urban poor (KIS)

Poor men and women living in urban informal settlements do need knowledge and information to cope with risks and improve their livelihoods, but they sometimes find it hard to access. How do the urban poor obtain information and develop knowledge? Do they get what they require and is it appropriate? And how could development agencies fill the gaps and help to strengthen their knowledge and information systems (KIS)? Where most previous studies considers this issue from the supply side, analyzing the dissemination of information, this research considered primarily the demand side, focusing on the information needs of the urban poor, and the sources they use in accessing that information. Fieldwork was carried out in low-income settlements in the capital city and at least one secondary town in three countries in the developing world: Peru, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The research concludes that poor men and women in urban areas are often deprived by a lack of information and knowledge. Not knowing about their rights, services they could access, plans for their areas, or what options there are for tackling certain problems, puts them at a disadvantage and increases their vulnerability. Life in urban areas in complex, and the urban poor therefore have a range of information needs; these may vary between locations, with local context and politics, target groups etc. State institutions often discriminate against the urban poor when they seek access to information, or are simply inefficient. The poor thus turn for help to non-governmental organisations and private institutions, which are more trusted and efficient, but also cannot cope with the scale of the demand. Faced with that situation, the urban poor largely have to rely on their social networks and key informants within their communities, or sometimes outside, for support in developing their livelihoods and coping with crisis. In doing so, they make good use of their indigenous knowledge, but this is inadequate to deal with every problem. The urban poor are not a homogeneous group: some are clearly better informed than others; social exclusion leading to inadequate access to information often affects women, the disabled and ill, and the homeless. Exclusion is influenced by the ways how networks function, but also by external factors such as urban violence, politics and illegality. Development agencies can undertake a number of actions that would help to make the knowledge and information they hold more accessible to the urban poor, and to strengthen their knowledge and information base: Rethink their information strategies, to ensure that the poor get equal access to information, treat them as equals who are a useful source of knowledge too, create two-way communication systems, and address a range of needs comprehensively. Reduce exclusion, by targeting groups of poor people that have problems in accessing information, and by reducing external factors that increase exclusion, such as urban violence, oppressive politics and illegality. Support communities to build their knowledge and information capital, amongst others by taking stock of existing resources and addressing gaps, building the capacity of key informants, empowering communities, stimulating meeting places, resource centres and exchange visits. Improve the attitudes and the impact of information suppliers, by sensitising and supporting public authorities, producing appropriate information resources and building capacity, by documenting and sharing good communication practice, and using a range of media to communicate, including traditional methods alongside modern ones. Invest in developing sustainable ICTs for the urban poor, which will require research into a number of issues, the inclusion of ICT equipment and training into urban projects, and the production of appropriate information materials for ICTs. Look at the impact of their information dissemination on the urban poor, develop additional methods and indicators, as well as more knowledge of the cost-effectiveness of alternative communication methods and share the results of urban development work more widely. [author]There are two versions of the paper available:<A HREF="http://www.itdg.org/html/shelter/docs/kis_urban_poor_policy_paper.doc">short policy briefing</A><A HREF="http://www.itdg.org/html/shelter/docs/kis_urban_poor_report_march2002.doc">full report</A>