ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the effect of the new paradigm on Asian cities based on a study by the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR). The ACHR is an Asia-Pacific network of professionals, non-governmental organisations and community organisations. The chapter focuses on Karachi, specifically on the work of the Urban Resource Centre (URC) in trying to create a space for consensus building between various actors in the urban drama, so that communities and weaker interest groups can regain ownership of the city. The basic objective of the URC is to influence the planning and implementation process in Karachi to make it more environment- and poor-friendly by involving communities and interest groups in this process. The URC’s research and forums on solid waste management has led to the informal recycling industry being accepted as an important interest group in this sector.
