The objective of the Support Project for Reconstruction and Upgrading in Desprez (Parad) is post-earthquake reconstruction and upgrading of the Desprez area (6th communal section in Port-au-Prince). This area is characterised by the juxtaposition of densely populated urban spaces and semi-urban spaces where poor neighbourhoods and residential neighbourhoods are intertwined; it has a surface area of seventy hectares and a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants, the majority of whom live in extremely precarious conditions: substandard housing, precarious land tenure, disrepair and insufficient capacity of road infrastructures, absence of publics services (water, sanitation, electricity) and social and cultural services.

This integrated urban project promotes territorial rather than sectoral approaches and combines sustainable and preventive reconstruction and upgrading. It aims to contribute to the sustainable improvement of the living environment and living conditions of the populations in the Desprez district, via 3 areas of interdependent intervention:

• The definition of a joint urban plan and its implementation via priority urban improvements conducted by public or community works.
• Support for mixed community organisations and women’s organisations, in order to strengthen their capacities to conduct construction projects and reinforce collective dynamics; support for the professionalisation and structuring of economic stakeholders in order to develop income-generating services, especially in the construction and basic services sector.
• Reconstruction and reinforcement of housing on the one hand, with the extension of the Reconstruction Support Centre (CAR) that will provide technical advice and financial support to residents who wish to reconstruct or improve their housing. On the other hand, GRET will support the “construction” sector and the promotion of greater involvement of women.

Launched in June 2014, initially for a period of 30 months, the project is due to end in December 2016. However, an extension for the year 2017 is currently being examined.

The project is based on a participative approach promoting direct, effective civic involvement of the communities concerned in the choice of priority actions to upgrade and develop the neighbourhood. These actions are consistent with the National housing, accommodation and urban development policy and coproduced with the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Territorial Upgrading – CIAT, the Housing and Public Buildings Construction Unit – UCLBP and the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications – MTPTC.

The main results achieved or expected are:

• Production of an urban planning study;
• Upgrading of infrastructures (roads, bridge, public spaces);
• Works to improve safety (retaining wall and upgrading of ravines, public lighting, demolition of buildings with high danger risks);
• Improvement of access to urban water and sanitation services (construction of sanitary facilities, water kiosks…);
• Strengthening of capacities of community organisations in the area to conduct construction projects and supply basic services;
• Group housing operations and provision of support to families to rebuild their homes;
• Provision of support (training) to small construction businesses.

GRET is the project leader for the European Union in this project designed jointly with Oxfam GB.

The Haitian institutions in charge of reconstruction and upgrading are involved in piloting this action (CIAT, UCLBP, MTPTC, municipality of Port-au-Prince).

The project also works with the Department of Human and Social Sciences (FASCH) at Haiti State University on training and follow-up & evaluation.