You Can’t Just Plan for the Rich

Discussion questions

What does it mean to make development more inclusive?
In this interview, what does the term “social security” mean and why is it important?
Why would it be particularly difficult for poor people to be separated from long time neighbors and community?
Can you think of a project in your city, where poor residents were displaced but given new housing? In what ways was it successful or not?

Somsook Boonyabancha, is Chairperson, Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR), a regional network of grassroots community organizations, NGO’s and professionals actively involved with urban poor development processes in Asian cities; former Director of the Community Organization Development Institute (CODI); Chairperson, of the Baan Mankong Program Committee.

Boonyabancha has been working and facilitating sustainable, equitable collective housing development and slum upgrading in Thailand and other Asian countries for 30 years – specializing in community-led initiatives. As director of CODI, she fostered a “city-wide” approach to community upgrading that has been replicated in cities across Thailand. She is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Section 1 - Essential Insights

Partnering Community and Government,

Social Connection and A Sense of Well Being

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Ryan Smolar is a leader in all things related to local food (e.g., food councils, markets, restaurants, crop swaps, community gardens), placemaking and community development with a focus on expanding access to healthy and affordable food, local economic development, eco-consciousness and cultural vivacity in diverse communities.