UDeveLoP: Real Potential to Eradicate Poverty

By Mandeep Kaur Gill

Editor Mandeep Kaur Gill

BANDUNG, itb.ac.id- This year, KK PPK (Kelompok Keahlian Perencanaan & Perancangan Kota) SAPPK returned writing through the ITB Excellence Research. The research titled ” Urban Development through Local Partnership (UdeveLoP)” is no normal research but an action research expected to directly be felt by the society made the study object. UdeveLoP was made by KK PPK and their concern of the poverty and squatter settlements happening in many towns Indonesia and confidence that the educational institution should be able to give contribution for the prosperity of society. It is clearly written in MDG the main purpose is to eradicate poverty and hunger. MDGs purpose strengthens KK PKK’s determination to carryout the active UdeveLoP research. With UdeveLoP, it is hope that squatter areas can be developed into cleaner, healthier and friendlier environment without chasing out the community there. One of the ’tools’ used in UdeveLoP is slow consolidation. UdeveLoP is planned to be carried out for 3 years till year 2010 for the first phase. The three year time limit was chosen as it seemed to be a more precise and rational time span to carry out UdeveLoP. The releases of UdeveLoP are not just observation results, S1 final year assignment, S2 thesis’s but also be of real benefit to society and develop society commitment. In the second year, the exact slow consolidation design is to be planned and develop society participation. The project will be implemented in third year. The area of study is a place that will have the income generation factor when UdeveLoP is carried out. Income generation is also by means of hotels near the education facility, creative industry like Cibinong and Garut. In the meantime, at first phase the area of study selected was Tamansari, a district near Cikapundung River. Tamansari was chosen because of its strategic location, close to ITB and there is a distinct income generation through the construction of slow consolidated hostels that were successful. For the first phase the area of study was as wide as 2 hectares. UdeveLoP clearly involves many parties, from the community of the study area, government, developer, banks and even privatized companies. ITB in action research will play the role of a catalyst towards the process and relationships with stakeholders. From SAPPK party, there are 4 lecturers, 4 assistants and 5 students’ final year assignment involved, not counting the students who will be carrying out field work. The research is fully sponsored by ITB and also has the support of UN-Habitat. Obstacles faced in developing this project are how in convincing the community that the project will benefit them and the private sector why they should fund UdeveLoP. ”The key of action research is the cooperation of all parties,” said Ir. Haryo Winarso, M.Eng.PhD, who is responsible for UdeveLoP