Planning our urban future

by Seetha KODAGODA

Since 1985, the United Nations celebrates 'World Habitat Day" on the first Monday in October of each year to focus attention on the state of human settlements and the basic right to adequate shelter for all has been celebrated on several themes by the UN-Habitat. This year the "World Habitat Day" will be celebrated on the theme of "Planning our urban future" the United Nations has chosen this theme to raise awareness.

The urbanization which is defined as the relative increase in urban population, is a global phenomenon. In Sri Lanka as well as in other developing countries, urbanization has led to a multitude of socio-economic and health problems, attributed to social and economic disparities and sub-standard or inadequate infrastructural facilities.

The basic housing and sanitation facilities provided nearly 35-40 years ago for them is inadequate. Facilities now have to be shared among a population that has increased almost three-fold. This has resulted in people living either in improvised shanty dwellings with little or no infrastructure facilities and services or in overcrowded and deteriorating tenements.

The urban population in particular is exposed to health hazards and risk factors associated with both communicable diseases (Eg. diarrhoea, tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract infection) and non-communicable diseases (Eg. ischaemic heart diseases, accidents) due to lack of basic sanitary facilities, poor housing, over-crowding, stagnation of waste water, owing to clogged drains, uncollected garbage and environmental pollution owing to rapid industrialization and urbanization are the major contributory factors to the high prevalence of these diseases in the urban areas. It has been observed that among the urban population worst affected is the lowest income group, the slum and shanty dwellers.

Whole pattern changed

Their exposure to the casual factors for diarrhoea, acute upper respiratory tract inspection and malnutrition is much greater than that of comparable income groups in rural areas.

The epidemiological pattern of the country as a whole has changed with the emergence of drug addiction. HIV/AIDS and dengue on the one hand and the resurgence of once-controlled diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis on the other. HIV/AIDS, the recent intruder has not however assumed alarming proportions in Sri Lanka yet nevertheless it has become a matter of great concern. Some adverse effects of city life, such as drug addiction and promiscuous sexual conduct are conducive to the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Urbanization has caused a rapid increase in environmental pollution, especially the streets in Colombo are almost always congested with traffic. The carbon monoxide, lead and other toxic by-products of petrol and diesel emissions of vehicles are serious health hazards not only to those living within the city but also to those who come to the city from rural areas for employment or on business. Carbon Monoxide is now identified as one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Air pollution by toxic gases and dust in urban areas is the main contributory factor for the increase in acute bronchitis and asthma in children and adults in the cities. Life in the metropolitan city, in contrast to the rural setting, is hectic and hazardous and when coupled with other adverse factors such as air and sound pollution aggravates stress-related conditions like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases and emotional disturbances such as anxiety and depression.

Traffic accidents, which contribute to high mortality in Sri Lanka, are a major road hazard in our cities and are mainly due to bad and congested roads, poor traffic management and reckless driving. Homicides are also more prevalent in the city than in rural areas and are attributed to drug peddling, hired killing and other nefarious activities by the criminal underworld.

Commercial sex (or prostitution) is practised in almost all cities in Sri Lanka. Although illegal, it is practised in our cities like in most other countries, in filthy alleyways as well as in multi-star hotels at various levels and under different guises and pretexts. It has several adverse effects besides spreading venereal diseases.

Among them are alcohol and narcotic addiction, exploitation of women, extortion and other criminal activities.

Healthy environment

A healthy environment is not only a need but also a right. According to the universal declaration of human rights it is the right of every person to live and work in an environment conducive to physical and mental well being. The state as well as the community should take the responsibility of achieving a healthy environment. Priority should be given to reducing the burden of diseases by providing safe water, habitable houses, latrines, regular collection of refuse and adequate drainage of waste water. Proper traffic management with enforcement of traffic laws will reduce to some extent environment pollution caused by vehicles. In countries like ours with limited financial resources, assistance the state can provide is minimum. The social community should understand the needs for basic sanitation, housing and clean environment for their well being so that they actively participate and contribute to intervention programmes initiated by the State and NGOs.

People should be given the responsibility of protecting their own health by providing necessary knowledge and skills. Although the state can enforce and implement laws against nefarious activities in the cities, it is only by community initiatives and participation that drug peddling, prostitution and other criminal activities can be reduced. There should be community programmes to promote income generating to remove people involved in unlawful activities.

Uplift low income groups

The city low income groups should be provided with knowledge and skills to improve their resource capacity and make them a self-reliant community with their own organizational activities Emphasis should be placed on facilitating social integration, community participation, NGO management, manpower development and cohesion among people living in low income areas to provide self-reliance. There should be community commitment and participation in providing services to the community so that they perceive the services provided for them. It is the responsibility of the community leaders to initiate appropriate programmes for the needs of their own community and the state should provide only assistance in the form of scientific knowledge and finances to keep them viable.

The writer is a Senior Manager (NHDA),

Town Planner (ITPSL), and Real Estate Consultant (IREV)