Rapid assessment procedures in urban communities: the experience of the health and habitat project in Barrio San Jorge, Argentina

Abstract

Describes how three focus groups were piloted to test participatory methodologies on a small scale in a poor squatter settlement in Buenos Aires. The aim of the focus groups was to get to know local people's perspectives on the main health and habitat problems of the barrio, and to identify local facilitators with whom the project could work. Joint progress could then be made in the design and implementation of initiatives. The results of the pilot project suggested that problems of low levels of community organisation and participation were not fully overcome