Setting up a city-level community fund for the urban poor : the case of city development fund in Thailand | |
| Author | Bussara Sripanich |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.UE-15-02 |
| Subject(s) | Urban poor--Housing--Thailand Housing--Thailand--Finance City planning--Thailand |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Environmental Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. UE-15-02 |
| Abstract | The purpose of this study is to investigate the process and mechanism of setting up city level community fund, with particular consideration on factors influencing their initiations and performance. This research used a qualitative approach based on a single case study of city development funds (CDFs) with embedded sub-cases in Thailand. As CDFs are well established in the country, four Thai CDFs in separate cities were selected as sub-cases. The study consisted of three phases: 1) collection of data conducted from multiple sources, including historical review, field observations, non-participant observations, interviews, a questionnaire-based survey, and focus group discussions; 2) data analysis using Kolb’s learning cycle methods in conjunction with the techniques of within-case and cross-case analysis; and, 3) review of findings through focus group discussion, with an analysis of the relationship between factors through the application of Contemporary Value Chain model. The roots of CDF development in Thailand are based upon three decades of housing development as well as development initiatives for urban poor. Shaped by global as well as local factors, the concept of setting up community funding has evolved from national-level government initiatives to city-level process locally initiated, with an integrated top-down and bottom-up management style. The need for community-run funding sources and welfare funds for urban poor that are free from the uncertainty and insufficiency of government funding became the key drivers for CDF establishments. Once established, the CDFs are operated through a Multi-level Structure Model. They greatly benefit from the existing citywide housing and livelihood development program. Networking, collectivity, decentralization and integrative management allow for more elaborate linkages between stakeholders. The multi-level structure typically involves three major linkages: 1) people to be community organizations, 2) money to be resources, and, 3) people and their money to set up funds. The complexity of a CDF structure is both its strengths and weaknesses. There are eleven factors influencing the setting up Thai CDFs, as shown in the four cases. Nine are internal factors while the others are external, all of which have complex interrelationship. Further analysis of these factors revealed that the five key factors are: 1) tangible results, 2) communication, 3) cooperation, 4) teamwork, and management systems, and, 5) vision. Most of them are internal factors. Tangible results and communication greatly contribute to successful fund initiation and operation. For the performance of setting up CDFs, it was found that most cases have exceeded the people’s level of expectation. Effective team work leads to high performance in the implementation process, while the importance of support from external agencies is comparatively negligible. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in community-based finance, particularly city-level community funds. The details of mechanism, processes and influencing factors were investigated. Furthermore, it contributes to the research design in terms of a case study approach application. The research findings provide guidance for community organizations, other stakeholders and local authorities, to initiate city-level community funds as a tool for addressing urban poverty issues. |
| Year | 2015 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. UE-15-02 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Vilas Nitivattananon;Perera, Ranjith; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Supasith Chonglerttham;Kusakabe, Kyoko;Yap, Kioe Sheng; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2015 |