Translating Policies into Informal Settlements Critical Services: Reframing, Anchoring and Muddling Through
Journal article, 2016

This paper examines how policies and plans are translated into informal settlementsˈ practice. It builds on literature on policy implementation practice and organization studies, and more particularly, it applies the concepts of reframing, anchoring and muddling through. The paper is informed by the case of Kisumu City in Kenya and its Kisumu Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan and its implementation on Kisumuˈs informal settlements. The plan was funded by the Swedish International Devel- opment Agency through the United Nations Human Settlement Programme and implemented from 2007 to 2009. The study is based on action research carried out by a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary group of researchers, through focus groups, participatory workshops, collaborative action, in-depth interviews, document analysis and observations. The paper examines what original aspects of Kisumu Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan were translated, that is, which ones faded out and which ones became stabilized into and travel as ‘best practices’ to other locations. The paper shows how the generation of ‘best practices’ can be loosely coupled with the practices that policy seeks to change. It concludes, in line with previous research in the field, how successful policy implementation is based on cultural and political interpretations rather on evidence of improved practices.

Author

Jaan-Henrik Kain

Chalmers, Architecture

Belinda Nyakinya

Kisumu Department of Environment

Nicholas Odhiambo

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science & Technology

Michael Oloko

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science & Technology

John Omolo

Maseno University

Silas Otieno

SWM Sacco/Cooperative

Patrik Zapata

University of Gothenburg

María José Zapata Campos

University of Gothenburg

Public Administration and Development

0271-2075 (ISSN)

Vol. 36 5 330-346

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Building Futures (2010-2018)

Subject Categories

Infrastructure Engineering

Public Administration Studies

DOI

10.1002/pad.1782

More information

Latest update

9/6/2018 1