ODA workshop on urbanization and British aid: A note on the discussion

Abstract

The Overseas Development Administration (ODA) is the British Government Department responsible for managing Britain 's official aid programme. On 21 February 1989 the ODA collaborated with the Development Planning Unit of London University to run a workshop for ODA staff. The aim was to consider the implications of rapid urbanization in developing countries for the British aid programme. The discussion began with an assessment from Nigel Harris of urbanization trends and the economic and social importance of cities. The workshop then considered ways of using aid to benefit poor urban dwellers in the context of a paper from John Harriss, who considered programmes for employment and incomes and Patrick Wakely, who reviewed low-income housing and slum upgrading schemes. The discussion concluded with a session, led by Jim Amos, on using aid to strengthen municipal government. The ODA is following up this workshop in order to develop a more coherent response to urbanization problems in developing countries. Meanwhile, the following notes are intended to give a flavour of the discussion.