MigraplanAPP: Urbanization and Migration Participatory Planning Tools to Prevent Informal Settlements Proliferation

The event will present two new books produced by the network, “Migraplan I and II” containing case studies of rapid urbanization with a significant component of international and national migration, displaced population and refugees in Latin American and Caribbean countries. The publications presents case studies in which specific habitat projects for the most vulnerable populations lead to identify different participatory planning tools (the “Compass”, “Participlan”, “Migraplan” and “Postplan”). Such experiences are discussed in terms of their contribution to informal settlements upgrading and prevention. The publications aims to fill the knowledge gap to carry out urban planning prioritizing progressive human rights fulfillment of vulnerable groups in general and migrants, displaced and refugee groups in particular. Comparative analysis of the impact of migration in the formation of informal settlements, urban expansion trends, neighborhoods transformation shaping migrant corridors will be presented and discusses in terms of scales, approaches and institutional setting. Comparing the Latin- America and Caribbean experience respect Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East seeking to contribute some inputs on territorial planning schemes to respond to the ongoing world migrant crisis. In addition, it will be launched a handbook for informal settlement upgrade and prevention (the “compass”) and the magazine “Postplan”, dedicated to assess critically the impact of urban and housing policies in the last two decade, as a contribution to the discussion at Habitat III.
Activities are structured in three stages: A short presentation of authors representing different countries of the region. The moderator will summarize the facts presented and will invite for questions and comments. A second stage will consists in a presentation of 10 minutes video containing key questions regarding urbanization and migration inviting to discuss approaches to cope with rapid urbanization engaging self- organized communities. The third stage will consists of final remarks inviting participants to work collaboratively providing details on coming activities of the network.