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Prosperity for all: Enabling the Informal Economy through Participatory Slum Upgrading

Networking Events Sunday 11 February 2018, 09:00 - 11:00

Room 403

#### Organizations

##### Lead organization:

- Cardiff University

##### Partners:

- Informal Economy Research Observatory, Cardiff University, UNESCAP, HomeNet Association, UN-Habitat, Shack and Slum Dwellersâ€™ International

#### Summary

Prosperity for all: Enabling the Informal Economy through Participatory Slum Upgrading

This Event demonstrates the extent, complexity and economic importance of micro- and informal enterprise in slums and informal settlements, and how inclusive participatory slum upgrading and enabling policy approaches can enhance the vibrant economic potential of low-income and informal settlements, and contribute to the inclusive agenda of Cities for All.

The Event launches a Guide for all urban stakeholders, including national and city governments, NGOs, urban activists, and those managing participatory slum upgrading programmes such as those promoted through UN-Habitat's Participatory Slum Upgrading Project (PSUP). The Guide is prepared by Cardiff University's Informal Economy Research Observatory and UN-Habitat. The Event focuses on sustainable and inclusive prosperity for all, and demonstrates the potential networked economies of slums.

UN-Habitat estimates that about a billion people live in slum conditions today representing about 30% of the world's urban population. In parallel, the informal economy has become the main source of employment in many cities. Yet despite their importance, these two dimensions of urban informality fall within different sectors of expertise and are rarely considered together in policy debates, and this discussion is long overdue.

The Event directly contributes to SDG Goals on sustainable cities, ending poverty, gender equality and decent work, and to NUA commitments on progressive realisation of the right to adequate housing, and to recognising the contribution of the working poor in the informal economy. Drawing on international case studies, contributions from housing/informal economy experts, practitioners, slum dwellers and home-based workers, the Event will stimulate vibrant debate, to help refine recommendations in the Guide and develop policy and good practice on this new direction to eradicating poverty.

#### Country

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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