PARTICIPATORY APPROACHES IN URBAN AREAS - STRENGTHENING CIVIL-SOCIETYOR REINFORCING THE STATUS-QUO

The paper examines current experiences with the use of participatory m ethodologies in low-income urban communities. It outlines the nature a nd development of participatory approaches and describes experiences, prospects and problems related to their use in an urban context. Three case examples from the UK, Sri Lanka, and India and South Africa demo nstrate how innovative approaches are being used by different agencies to strengthen and support the activities of community based organizat ions. Finally, the paper concludes with a number of broad questions ab out the future application of participatory approaches in low-income u rban communities.