Sustainable strategies for improving living conditions of informal Romani settlements Stela Krasteva, Zornitza Soichkova, Nina Ilieva, David Bergman, Catalin Berescu, Kai Voeckler The recent EU enlargement and large-scale migration across the continent have brought issues to the whole European community, which only a decade ago were not that relevant to its agenda. Today, the whole European Union has to face and solve problems, which before were mainly restricted to a few countries in Central and South Eastern Europe. These issues relate to Romani inequality and integration, and have brought recent intense discussions, as well as new actions and programs across the continent. In 2008 in Brussels, for example, an Integrated Platform for Roma Inclusion[1] was created, to stimulate cooperation between the member states, civil society and European Institutions, and support initiatives, cooperation and better understanding of the Roma problems. At present Romani people across Europe are still suffering from a long term disinvestment in the physical capacity of their communities to deliver basic health, welfare and economic growth opportunities. Steps to improve the housing conditions in Roma neighborhoods have been mostly sporadic and/or short term solutions, in particular due to the illegal status of many of the houses in the Roma communities. In the past, the national and regional governments have approached these communities with culturally inappropriate infrastructure and technical solutions, resulting in the continued marginalization of this ethnic group and the development of mutual distrust about the motivations and efficiency of interventions in public improvements. The Bulgarian Romani neighborhood “Faculteta,� in the outskirts of the capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia, is a good illustration of the scale and complexity of the problems Roma communities have to face today. Three main case studies were identified and future strategies were discussed at and after a workshop supported by Archis Berlin and Frontal, Bucharest in June 2010 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The issues were brought to public discussion, later that year at Sofia Architecture Week. The work will attempt to establish a sustainable way to integrate positive working conditions that do not lead to the destruction of the neighborhood, a solution widely supported also by the Romani residents. The key questions will be focused on the new urban typology which would emerge from the new strategies. This will develop a new approach, incorporating the existing informal conditions, while improving the city’s regulations and offering a more humane city environment for diverse ethnic and cultural groups. Until now, the bottom-up approach initiated by the Roma residents and volunteers, and the top-down approach of regulated long-term planning by the city administration, backed up with whole government politics, have not been done simultaneously. New architectural and urban approaches are essential for responding effectively to these challenges. How can they not only resolve the issues currently so common in South-East Europe, but also inform better the global discussion of the evolution of the 21st century city? How can they legalize tenure, considering the overall development of city planning and administration?
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ROMANI IN EUROPE
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The Romani are the largest minority in Europe, numbering close to 9.2 million people, and are widely spread across the continent, but are highly concentrated in Central and South-Eastern Europe. The Romani migrated from North India from the region bordering Pakistan, called Punjab, and settled in Europe between 8th and 10th century C.E. They were rejected by the majority of the population, persecuted, singled out and targeted for discrimination for centuries all over 000 Europe. During the Middle Ages they were expelled from Spain and France. At the beginning of 15th century400 the first anti-Roma law was enacted in Germany. In Romania, the Roma were sold as slaves as late as 1856. During the Second World War, almost 1,500,000 Romani were killed by the Nazis. They were called “Gypsies�, because the Europeans mistakenly believed that they came from Egypt. Even in the 21st century, across Europe the Roma remain segregated from mainstream society. They are still seen as criminals and undesirable
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РОМСКИТЕ КВАРТАЛИ В СОФИЯ
Serbia
ПОГЛЕД ОТБЛИЗО - “ФАКУЛТЕТА”
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ХОРАТА и КВАРТАЛИТЕ
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Roma neighborhoods are located on the outskirts of all the major cities in Bulgaria, including Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, Shumen, Stara Zagora and Sliven. Many of these communities are illegal in terms of their structure and occupation, and are socially and physically isolated. The reasons for this are complex: inadequate transportaIN SOFIA tion infrastructure and connections to the rest of the city, ethnic ROMAS prejudices and resentment, as well as cultural and CASE STUDY “FACULTETA” IN SOFIA economic differences. Historically, the Romani people have chosen to remain separate in their own communities, even though they live in extreme poverty and insecurity. Although in the recent years many surveys on the housing problems of the Roma neighborhoods have been carried out by the World Bank, United Nation Development Program (UNDP) and EU Commission, no funds have been spent on practical solutions. There is a National Program for the Improvement of Conditions of the Roma in Bulgaria, adopted with Decree No. 395 of the Council of Ministers, dated 14 May 2004. On the basis of all the data from the surveys, actions for the development of architectural plans, regulation of Roma neighborhoods, and building of infrastructure should have been started long ago. Until now, however, each Bulgarian government has looked for a temporary solution to the problem, and the current government also opts out of responsibility for long term solutions. In Faculteta, more than 40,000 people , predominantly Romani, are living in an area of approximately 180 hectares. According to recent unofficial estimates, only 20% of the properties and buildings are regulated and documented. Only 40% have access to running water and an adequate sewage system, and sanitary drainage practically does not exist. There is no public transportation within the neighborhood, and Sofia’s public transportation barely touches the outskirts of the “Faculteta” neighborhood. Unemployment is around 80%. For more than 70 years, the people in this neighborhood have tried to improve the infrastructure with their own volunteer forces and work, without any general plan and without technical assistance by the state. The excuse of the government is that it cannot allocate funds for infrastructure improvement because the neighborhood is illegal. This paradox results in underdeveloped living conditions, and an inability of the government to solve the problem effectively and successfully. There have been sporadic attempts by Roma residents to obtain ownership of the land and buildings they occupy, and sporadic attempts by the municipalities to solve the problem. This raises many issues,
Татарли 2 500
филиповци 7 500
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Обеля 7 500
Баталова воденица 500
Орландовци Малашевци 500
Милево ханче 500
Ботунец 2 500
Христо Ботев 10 000
гара “Искър” Дружба 3 000
Serbia
The project will focus on developing new strategies for physical improvement of the unregulated and ethnically segregated neighborhood “Faculteta”, located in the outskirts of the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia. There are living more than 40 000 people, predominantly Romani, on an area of approximately 180 hectares. Most of the buildings are illegal and have severe issues of habitability and sanitation.The work will aim methods for legalizing of the tenure, improvements and maintenance of existing structures, improvement of the infrastructure and establishing a sustainable way for integrating positive and working conditions using appropriate technologies and strategies that are within the economic scale of the community’s internal capacity. The strategies will be developed in collaboration with the Sofia’s municipalities and Roma’s NGO for better integration of the existing segregated neighborhood will be developed that do not lead to the destruction of the existing neighborhoods and eviction of the people there, a solution strongly supported by the current “Faculteta” residents . Roma neighborhoods are located on the outskirts of all of the major cities in Bulgaria including Sofia, Plovdiv, Bourgas, Shumen, Stara Zagora and Sliven. Many of these communities are illegal in terms of their structure and occupation and are socially and physically isolated. The reasons for that are complex: inadequate transportation infrastructure and connections to the rest of the city, ethnic prejudices and resentment as well as cultural and economic differences. Historically the Romani people have chosen to remain separated in their own communities, even though they live in extreme poverty and insecurity. Steps to improve the housing conditions of the Roma’s neighborhoods have been made before, mostly sporadic and/or as short term solutions, in particular due to the illegal status of the many or the houses in each Roma community. In the past the national and regional governments have approached these communities with culturally inappropriate infrastructure and technical solutions, the latter as resulting in a continuing marginalization of this ethnic group and the development of mutual distrust about the motivations and efficiency of interventions in public improvements. Until now, however, each Bulgarian government has looked for temporary solution of the problem, and the current government has also opted out of responsibility for long term solutions. There are sporadic attempts of Roma residents to obtain ownership of the land and buildings they occupy, as well as sporadic attempts of the municipalities to improve the conditions in these communities. One issue is definitely clear - most of the previous studies do not offer extensive study and planning how to legalize the land tenure of the residents, considering the overall development of the city planning and administration. On March 4, 2010, The European Roma Rights Center and the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee organized Round table discussion where the urgency of finding proper solutions to solve the problem was addressed to Bulgarian government, Ministry of Regional development, Local Municipalities and NGO’s. Our proposal responds to these final conclusions and recommendations. The key questions will focus on the new urban typology, which will emerge from the new strategies that will be applied. This eventually will develop a new approach, incorporating the existing informal conditions, while improving the city’s regulations and offering more humane city’s environment for diverse ethnic and cultural groups. СТРАТЕГИИ ЗА ИНТЕГРИРАНЕ НА НЕФОРМАЛНИТЕ РОМСКИ НАСЕЛЕНИ МЕСТА В БЪЛГАРИЯ
but one is definitely clear - most of the previous studies do not offer extensive study and planning regarding how to legalize tenure, considering the overall development of city planning and administration. Efforts in this direction were practically stopped in 2004 by a law forbidding the legalization of any illegal buildings and settlements in Bulgaria. This brought constant insecurity and fear to Roma families, since they can be evicted any time if they don’t have property ownership. Even after living on property for more than 50 years, Roma people still cannot gain title to that property. In Meden Rudnic, in the suburbs of the city of Burgas, for example, 75 illegal houses were torn down and 300 families lost their houses. Only few families were eligible for compensation. The rest were left on the streets. On March 4, 2010, the European Roma Rights Center and the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee organized a round-
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Ромските квартали в България са се сформирали като изолирани и нелегални гета главно в покрайнините на големите градове като София, Пловдив, Бургас,Шумен, Стара Загора и Сливен. Причините за това са комплексни: лоша инфраструктура и транспортни връзки, етнически предразсъдаци, културни различия и др. Самите Роми се чустват по-добре в техните гета, отколкото сред етническите Българи, въпреки че живеят в крайна бедност и несигурност. В миналото националните и регионалните правителства са се опитвали да решат проблемите на тези общности , но често това е довеждало до задалбочаването им и до продължаващото изолиране на тази етническа група, успоредно с развитието на взаимното недоверие относно мотивацията и ефективността на тези интервенции. Стъпки за подобряване на жилищните условия на ромските квартали са били предимно изолирани и /или краткосрочни решения, по-специално в резултат на незаконният статут на постройките и земите.Добри примери за това са Софийският квартал „Христо Ботев” , също така новият жилищният квартал за Роми в Пазарджик с участието на фирма „Конкурент-90”, както и нереализираният проект на арх. Леонидов за новите предложения на квартал „Факултета”. Въпреки че през последните години много изследвания за развитието на жилищния проблем на ромските квартали са били проведени от Световната банка, ПРООН, Европейската комисия, няма достатъчно средства изразходвани за практически решения. Има Национална програма за подобряване на условията на Ромите в България, приета с постановление No395 на Министерския съвет от 14 май 2004 година. Въз основа на всички данни от изследвания, дейностите за развитие на архитектурни планове, регулиране на ромския квартал, както и изграждането на инфраструктурата трябва да са започнали много отдавна. Характерните ромски гета в София и квартали , където могат да се срещнат роми са: Филиповци, Обеля, Христо Ботев, Факултета, Баталова воденитца, Малашевци, Ботунец, Татарли, Орландовци, Обеля, Захарна Фабрика и др. “Факултета” е най-големямата ромска махала в София и се намира се в западните покрайнини на града,с площ от около 180 хектара. Повечето от сградите са неформални и имат сериозни инфраструктурни проблеми. В момента повече от 40 000 души живеят във “Факултета”. и съглсно последните неофициални данни само 20% от имотите и сградите са регулирани и с документирани, отговарящи нанормативите и изискванията. Само 40% имат достъп до течаща вода и адекватна канализация и санитарни отводняване на практика не съществува. Няма обществен транспорт в рамките на квартала и градския транспорт на София едва стига до покрайнините на квартал “Факултета”. Безработицата е около 80%. За повече от 70 години хората в този квартал се опитват да подобрят инфраструктурата със собствени сили, с доброволен труд, без общ план и без технически сътрудник от държавата. Извинението на правителството е, че тя не може да отпуска средства за инфраструктура и облогородяване, предвид факта, че квартала е незаконен. Това е парадоксът и се отразява на хиските условията на живот и неспособността на правителството да реши проблема ефективно и успешно. Има изолирани опити на местните Роми да получат собственост на земя и сгради, както и изолирани опити на общините за решаване на проблема. Няма единна политика координирана между местните общини и Министертсвото на регионалното развитие, имайки се в предвид цялостното развитие на града, планиране и управление. Усилията в тази насока на практика спряха след 2004 г. е със закон за забрана за узаконяване на незаконни сгради и населени места в България. Това доведе до постоянна несигурност и страх в ромските семейства, тъй като те могат да бъдат изгонени всяко време, ако не получават собствеността на земята. Дори ако са живели повече от 50 години на даден имот, Ромите не могат да получат право на собственост върху него. На 4-ти март 2010 година се състоя кръгла маса в София, организиран от Helsinskiа комитет и Европейския ромски Комитет, с участието на българското правителство, общините и няколко ромски и неправителствени организации . Основните проблеми, които се разглеждаха да бъдат следващите стъпки за подобряването на сегашната ситуация на ромите. В частност, беше подчертано важността за намирането на нови и по-ефикасни пътища за легализирането и привеждането им към минималните изискванията и норми на стандарт за живот в градовете, както и да се спре насилственото изгонване на хората от къщите им без да са подсигурени с алтернативен подслон.
On March 4, 2010, the European Roma Rights Center and the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee organized a roundtable discussion where the urgency of finding proper solutions to solve the problem was addressed to the Bulgarian government, the Ministry of Regional Development, local municipalities and NGO’s. Currently Bulgarian government is under intense pressure by international agencies to take drastic measures to resolve the problem around the country. What can we learn from the worldwide experience of countries facing similar challenges, such as China, India and Latin America? Can we for example implement and further develop the sustainable incremental strategies housing development in the inner-city slum called Yerawada, located in Pune, east of Bombay, a collaboration between Urbanouveau and one of the India’s largest NGO’s [2] ? A strategy simple enough to be carried out by the slum dwellers themselves, which works against the wide spread top down planning approach, destroying the existing slums and relocating the people. Is the market driven approach for low income housing improvement, developed by TATA housing inc. in India and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in USA suitable for our economical, political and cultural environment? Or we should develop a totally unique approach for our conditions, which can be followed by other slum improvement redevelopment in Eastern Europe and around the world?
1.The first integrated platform on Roma inclusion will be officially launched on April 24th in Prague. The launch conference is organized within the framework of the Czech presidency to EU Council and will build upon conclusions of the First EU Roma Summit that was held in Brussels in September 2008. It also follows conclusions of December 2008 European Council, which called on the Commission and Member States to (i) draw up concrete actions for 2009 and 2010 to ensure access to education, housing, health, employment, justice and culture and (ii) to make better use of EU financial instruments for Roma inclusion, while calling on the Commission to (iii) organize another EU Roma Summit in 2010, and (iv) report on progress by 2010. In addition, it called on the Commission to provide analytical support and stimulate cooperation between all parties concerned by Roma issues in the context of an integrated European platform 2.Filipe and Sara of Urbanouveau were invited to India in 2008 by Jockin Arputham and Sheela Patel from, one of India’s largest NGOs dealing with housing and infrastructure, to develop a strategy for incremental housing for inner-city slums. It had to be able to be implemented elsewhere and be simple enough to be carried out by the slum dwellers themselves. The project runs counter to previous slum upgrades across the world that have involved the demolition of entire neighborhoods followed by the construction of repetitive social housing blocks or relocation of the communities to places far away from their source of income and friends
Notes and References: 1.<http://www.euromanet.eu/> EURoma Report 2010, Roma and Structural Funds, Madrid, Spain 2. The World Bank, Vitosha research group, SOCIOLOGICAL AND BENEFICIARY ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL LOW-INCOME HOUSING MICRO-PROJECTS, Sofia May-June 2001 3. Members on Housing-related policies and implementation of CM recommendation (2005)4 on housing, Strasbourg, 8 November 2007, Council of Europe 4. Framework Programmed for Integration of Roma into Bulgarian Society (2010-2020), Council of Ministry of Bulgaria, May, 2010 5. National Program for improving the living conditions for Romani population in Bulgaria for the period 2005-2015, prepared in coordination with National housing policy in Bulgaria , accepted with resolution #395 of the Ministry Committee as of the 14th of May 2004 4. Decade of Roma inclusion 2005-2015: http://www.romdecade.org The Situations of Roma in an Enlarged European Union (2005), 5. National Programme for Improving the Living Conditions of Disadvantaged Ethnic Minorities in Urban Areas, United Nation Development Program (UNDP) , Sofia 2005, Edited by Zhivkova, Emiliana 6. “ Four strategic themes for the housing policy in Serbia”, National Housing Conference “Towards a new national housing policy for Serbia” Belgrade, 6-7 July 2007, Settlement and integration of Refugees Programme in Serbia-SIRP 7. UN ECE (2006) Guidelines on Social Housing, Principles and Examples, New York and Geneva: United Nations, Economic Comission for Europe. 8. Project BUL/02/011- Urbanisation and Social Development of Areas with Disadvantaged Minority Populations 9. Background Survey on Urbanisation and Housing in Roma Neighbourhoods, Bulgaria, April 2003, EU, Preparation of Phare 2002 Economic and Social Cohesion, FAS International Consortium.