|
Municipality
of Lurigancho - Chosica opens more doors of dialogue
December,
2005
The Municipality of
Lurigancho-Chosica and the Rimac Users Committee (JUR)
have never communicated in a
formal manner. However, recently, these two organizations,
partners of Urban Harvest, were brought together to
discuss several key issues pertaining to urban agriculturists.
Both
organizations discussed and identify themes and
problems that they felt necessary to resolve
in order to improve agricultural activities in the
district and even the Rimac valley itself. There
were many issues discussed, however the priorities
were contaminated water, municipal tax for
agriculturalists, the increasing disorder of
urbanization, and market access. After identifying
problems and important issues both parties agreed on
several points: that both organizations continue the
dialogue between them; the municipality would create
a team to evaluate disordered urbanization; and
that the municipality pass an ordinance that
citizens (mostly agriculturalists) do not have to
pay municipal tax if they do not receive any
municipal services.
The
meeting demonstrated how
open dialogue can exist between two organizations
that did not previously recognize each other. In the
course of the reunion the JUR was able to express
some of the realities faced by urban
agriculturalists and have the municipality be aware
of certain key issues. For example, that many
agriculturalists were paying municipal tax but did not receive municipal services. The JUR also became
aware that the municipality does have an interest in
urban agriculture and its sustainability.
The
meeting ended with all parties content and agreed
that further dialogue should continue.
|
