Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Public Spaces for the Urban Poor in Malawi: The Case of the City of Blantyre By Dr Alfred Chanza ACTING CEO FOR BLANTYRE CITY COUNCIL

Content Introduction to City of Blantyre Introduction to Public Spaces in the City of Blantyre Challenges BBC’s Inspiration and Conviction Regarding Public Spaces Responses to Challenges Opportunities for Improving Public Spaces

Introduction to City of Blantyre Oldest City in Southern Africa Commercial and industrial capital of Malawi Population of 850,000 (night) and over 1,000,000 (day) Over 65% of the residents reside in informal and peri- urban settlements Located in the Southern Region of Malawi

Public Spaces in the City of Blantyre Largely take following forms: Streets, parks, playgrounds, marketplaces, libraries, schools, forest reserves, or other public facilities (e.g toilets) Serve as bedrocks for diverse activities - festivals, meetings, recreation, trade, movement of goods and people, provision of infrastructure, or source of community life and livelihoods Are: – Multi-functional areas for meetings, economic exchanges and cultural expressions among a wide diversity of people – Designed and managed to build peaceful and democratic societies and promoting cultural diversity

Map of Blantyre City

Challenges in Managing Public Spaces Lack of implementation models that favour speed, quality, innovations and cost effectiveness Inadequate resources to meet the demand for modern public spaces Vandalism of public facilities such public toilets and playground equipment Multiple land ownership – development control is difficult

Challenges in Managing Public Spaces Lack of community participation in issues of public space management/utilisation Poor utilization of public spaces Lack of knowledge by residents on benefits of public spaces Lack of policy on public spaces

BCC’s Inspiration and Conviction Public space, not private space, defines the character of a City Public spaces are about meeting people’s needs – social, economic, environmental, cultural, spiritual and historical There exists a symbiotic relationship between public space and a community No public space exists without a community and vice versa - no viable and sustainable community without public spaces. It takes a public space to create a community and a community to create a public space

BCC’s Inspiration and Conviction There is growing need globally to create equitable cities – cities fair to all, treat all in an equitable manner – particularly those who are in greatest need of fairness and equality – the poor, the discriminated, and the disadvantaged. This means that regardless of economic and political status, origin or nationality, at the bare minimum the equitable city will offer, free of charge and on a not- for-profit basis, a substantive and accessible stock of agreeable spaces, accessible amenities and useful services whose costs are shared by all according to each one’s means. This is a fundamental current operational definition of public space for BCC.

Responses to Challenges To create an equitable City Renaming of public spaces (renewal strategy) Plans for rehabilitation of Rangeley Park, Jubillee Park and Namwiri park Adapt to change - Introduction of PPP for parks: investment proposals are being scrutinised by MITC, MLGRD, PPP Commission and MoFEP&D PPP Models suggested: BOT, Joint Ventures and Concessions

Opportunities for Investment Sourcing grants funding from potential bilateral partners - China Seeking external grants funding from Private Sector Community participation to ensure sense of ownership Adopt a park concept – private sector

Conclusion Urban preferences for open spaces are diverse Therefore, must be designed to accommodate cultural differences and significances, express dietary preferences, encourage urban social cohesion and safety, and creative livelihood opportunities for the urban poor

END OF PRESENTATION THANK YOU YOUR ATTENTION!