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Improving the living conditions of the inhabitants of a marginal urban area

Improving the living conditions of the inhabitants of a marginal urban area

Improving the living conditions of the inhabitants of a marginal urban area

Peru

Organization: Asociación Mano a Mano, Peru

Category: Mitigación, adaptación y resiliencia del hábitat frente al cambio climático y los desastres

Context

Context/issues:
Lima is a vulnerable city facing climate change, exposed to earthquakes and El Niño phenomenon. Seventy percent of the city is built in an informal fashion. The project is being implemented in the village of Ensenada, located on the slopes of the desert hills, composed of 36 communities and 40,000 inhabitants. Most houses are located in dangerous, friable and unsafe areas, with several socio-economic challenges ahead.

Project objective:
To improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of La Ensenada through the training of a group of women, mostly single mothers living in extreme poverty, who work collaboratively in the construction of retaining walls, gardens and public spaces that improve the living conditions of the community and, in addition, provide security against risks posed by creeks and earthquakes. Eco-friendly construction techniques and anti-seismic construction principles are used.

Scope: Municipal, with focus on the northern area of the city of Lima.

Results

Achieved Results:

  • Training of women (single mothers) in masonry, blueprint reading and plumbing
  • 50% of project funds are generated with own resources, and 50% are public and private
  • Home building on solid foundations; household production of vegetables and fruits in gardens, decrease in violence and better relations among neighbors.
  • Improvement in structuring and managing other projects with the municipality (for example, asphalt)

Expected Results:

  • Construction of 80% of the green areas of Jazmines de la Ensenada community throughout 12 years of the project;
  • Enhancing the environment and creating new public spaces of neighborhood coexistence, improving neighborhood safety;
  • Driving social inclusion and economic development;

Person/contact: Marion Verdiere/ manoamanoperou@gmail.com