NEW DELHI DECLARATION (http:www.unchs/unchs/land/delhie.htm)

ABSTRACT

The New Delhi Declaration was created by the "Global Conference on Access to Land and Security of Tenure as a Condition for Sustainable Shelter and Urban Development" held in New Delhi, India 17-19 January 1996 and discusses the social and economic problems caused by the current regulation of informal settlements in urban areas. Discussion and recommendations were made on five topics:

• Decentralization and Local Government

Local government should handle land management and in so doing will favor the local populations.

• Informal Land Development

Planning and land policies should be revised to work with informal tenure.

• Community-Sector Participation in Tenure Regularization and Land Development

The community should provide that urban poor, including women and children, be allowed to acquire land and  have basic services as a matter of right and not as a welfare measure.

• Formal Private Sector Participation Including Public-Private Partnerships

Government should create policy that results in private businesses creating greater access and security of tenure to land by the urban poor.

• Norms, Standards and Procedures for Facilitating Implementation and Financing.

Building regulations, zoning and financing should be revised to create sustainable transportation from home to work places and efficient use of the land.

(Abstract prepared by Carlton Brown)