Initiatives in Grassroot’s Participation

3.3 Future Possibilities

Subsequently the programme could deal with

• Identification of design/function problems and their removal through extension literature
• Help the people of Orangi in some appropriate way in the regularization and documentation
  formalities required by the local bodies.

III. General Conclusions

1. Current state policies cannot cater to the housing needs of lower income groups. A change in these policies is unlikely in the present socio-political set up. An organized and aware population, however, could help in pressurizing governments to make policies which are more appropriate to their needs.
2. For the foreseeable future the informal sector will continue to cater to the needs of the lower income groups. An improvement in its functioning can be brought about through research into its sociology, economics and technology, by making the results of this research available to the actors in this drama, and by motivating them to make use of it. This will not only greatly improve the quality of housing at no extra cost or additional investment but will also bring about greater cohesion and awareness in society. This cohesion and awareness will, in the long run, bring about major changes in state policies.
3. In many countries there is much talk of “formalizing” the informal sector. Given the present unequal political relationship between the state and the participants in the informal sector, this ‘formation’ will be nothing more than colonization. It will merely lead to further disorganization and exploitation of the poor. The OPP’s housing programme, by helping to organize the people involved in the housing drama, will be a major deterrent to such colonization.