Public Participation in Commune 8 

Background Information

According to the Territorial Model of the city of Buenos Aires, the public participation in matters regarding the urban planning process is a key principle and requirement needed in order to achieve the desired political and institutional sustainability. 

The public policies developed by the Buenos Aires Government Institutions have to address and find solutions to the Buenos Aires citizen concerns through an organized public participatory mechanism. In this sense, the goal is to have the largest amount of participation in the policy making process in order to guarantee the continuity of these policies even when there is a change of administration. In addition, public participation allows the government to work directly with the people directly affected by urban problems and is the most adequate way of obtaining a deep, first-hand knowledge about the realities of the city. 

Goals of the Initiative

Commune 8 is located in the south of Buenos Aires. Historically, this commune was one of the most degraded parts of the city and has been excluded from past urban plans. The social indicators ranked this area as one of the poorest of the city, characterized by a large number of slums. Taking this into account, this initiative has set the following objectives:

•Revert the historic trend of excluding Commune 8 from past urban plans by implementing a public participatory process.

•Create a space for social consensus where needs and suggestions can be shared among the inhabitants of Commune 8, especially in matters regarding its urban development.

•Develop a Commune 8 Plan in accordance with the Buenos Aires Territorial Model that also reflects the community’s desires or suggestions for specific initiatives and project.

•Transform the Commune 8 Plan, developed by the community and the Buenos Aires Government, into a state policy. Create new laws that guarantee achieving the goals of the Commune Plan beyond the actual government.

Parties and Partners to the Initiative and Resources Used for Implementation

Actors from diverse institutions are involved in the public participatory process devised for Sector Planning of Commune 8. These include the Buenos Aires City Government, multiple neighborhood organizations, non-governmental organizations, various universities, professional associations and any other person who is interested in participating in this process.

The resources used for implementing the initiative include

The initiative is implemented by the Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Economy of the Buenos Aires Government. The resources and funds utilized are from the ministries’ budget.

Innovation for the Initiative

Commune 8 is one of the areas where the highest levels of social exclusion can be found in the city. The population has the lowest average income and economic growth rate. In addition, most of the slums of the city of Buenos Aires are located in this area. The complex situation of Commune 8 is a result of the lack of public investment that the area has received in the past, particularly due to lack of city planning.

This initiative is considered revolutionary because it marks a milestone. It is the first time in history that a city government has implanted a Participatory Planning mechanism. This initiative will help develop Commune 8 through the integrated vision provided by Buenos Aires Territorial Model.

This initiative is being applied at three different levels:

•Governance: The Buenos Aires City Government considers that the participation of population in the urban planning process is essential to achieve the desired political and institutional sustainability.

•Planning and Design: The final mission is to develop a Commune Plan that clearly reflects the concerns of the Commune 8 inhabitants and that it will contribute to improving their quality of life. The main topics that will be discussed are: urban housing, public space use and improvement, urban heritage, production and employment activities, mobility, and urban structure.

•Policy: The Commune 8 Plan will be submitted to the Legislative Branch of the City Government in order to turn it into a state policy. It will guarantee the achievement of the goals set by Commune 8 Plan by guaranteeing that these policies transcend this administration.

During the past years, in Argentina, many cities have been working on the public participatory process mechanisms. The city of Buenos Aires obtained inspiration from these experiences, especially the processes that the cities of Rosario and La Plata have put into practice. Buenos Aires has learnt from other cities around the world, including Barcelona and Paris. 

Obstacles and Solutions for Innovation

The main obstacles faced during the development of this initiative was the creation of a space where a positive and enriching debate among actors that represent social sectors and institutions with different concerns could take place. This obstacle was overcome by hiring people with proven experience in dealing with this kind of situation. The specialists that were hired had experience in the mediation of conflicts and the organization of meetings where different opinions could be reconciled. 

Outcomes and Assessments

Outcomes achieved are as follows:

The Commune Law, which organizes the city of Buenos Aires in 15 communes, was passed in 2005. The city is still gathering experience and learning step-by-step the complexities involved when implementing a public participatory mechanism.

The main transformation that we expect to achieve is the involvement of the population in the urban planning process as a means to obtain substantial improvements in their quality of life.

The final goal that we hope to achieve is the development of the first Commune Plan created from the combined participation of the Commune 8 population and the Buenos Aires City Government.

Participatory Planning is fundamental for political, social and institutional sustainability. This initiative will contribute to creating an image of transparency, social integration, and community identity with the aim of improving the citizens’ quality of life.

Assessments are as follows:

The primary measurements to be taken into account are those calculated by urban indicators. The USI (Urban Sustainability Index) is an index developed for the Buenos Aires Territorial Model, which measures the current conditions of urban sustainability and compares it with desired conditions. The USI is used to evaluate the changes that the community and the government expect to reach with the implementation of the Commune 8 Plan.

The second measurement utilized to assess change is related to the public participation process. After each meeting with the community the success is measured by a “Trust Survey” where the participants are asked if they trust the participatory process. Thus far, the answers have been very positive and they have highlighted that it is the first time that they have been invited to take part in the planning of their neighborhoods.

Methods Applied

•Participatory Urban Planning: This is the first time that city government drives a process of Participatory Urban Planning at the commune level. Previously there had been some having participation experiences, yet none of which comprised the whole planning process, they were all partially inclusive.

•New Communication Channels: Social network were used to create alternative ways of participation. Anyone who wants to express their ideas about what action should be taken in the Commune 8 can do so through a Facebook page, Twitter account, and a special website created for this purpose.

•Information Technologies: New technologies have been used to describe the current conditions of Commune 8. Some technologies that were used are the Geographical Informational Systems for analyses, 3D Aerial Images, 360 degree Cameras, and a Georadar. 

Benefits to Other Cities

The Commune Law, passed in 2005, established the organization of the territory of the city of Buenos Aires in 15 Communes, thus creating a new administrative level that allows a decentralization of government while empowering smaller regions of the city. The Commune System allows for the implementation of measures to make society more equal, redistribution policies, and structural compensation actions to be initiated in order to help the most disadvantaged areas of the city.

The highest levels of social exclusion among all of the communes in Buenos Aires can be found in Commune 8. This situation is a consequence of the areas´ geographic characteristics (mainly low lands with high flood risks) and the historical process from which many polluting industries have been located in this commune.

In addition, people that live in Commune 8 have the lowest average income and economic growth rates in all of the city of Buenos Aires. Furthermore, most of the slums of Buenos Aires are located in this commune. This complex situation has been deepened by the lack of public investment made in this area, as well as the limited city planning.

The organization by communes will help revert this situation because it promotes the participation of citizens in the decision making process and the control of public affairs. However, since 2005, the administrative structure required to support mechanisms of direct democracy still have not created. Therefore this Participatory Planning initiative is the first step taken by the Buenos Aires City Government toward the creation of a participatory organization that involves all of the commune’s population in events related to urban policies.

The Participatory activity developed for the Commune 8 Plan is organized through several meetings where citizens voice their opinion and provide suggestions on how the plan should be carried out. The Buenos Aires Government, various neighborhood organizations, diverse non-governmental organizations, universities, professional associations and anyone else who wants to become involved in or to participate in the process are among participants that attend the meetings. The result will be the Commune 8 Plan that will be submitted to the Legislative Body in order to turn it into a state policy once the law is passed.

This initiative is an important experience in the implementation of public participatory mechanisms in urban planning that are used as a tool to build social, political and institutional sustainability. It is also revolutionary method for resolving problems in areas that have been excluded in the past. This tool allows citizens to participate in the creation of urban planning solutions, yet it requires an important effort from those involved. A commitment must be made, agreements must take place, and actors will have to share their different opinions and concerns in order to find the best solution for their community. The success of this initiative will help other communities as it becomes an example to be replicated throughout the city of Buenos Aires.