The participation of those who live in urban communities has proved to be critical to the successful design and implementation of projects that improve their conditions. It allows communities to take initiative, be creative, learn and assume responsibility for their own development. Often the urban poor have learned to distrust the outsiders and government officials who arrive in their communities with plans to upgrade services. Once they are asked to play a role in the design, implementation and maintenance of such projects there is a world of difference in the results. We are making participatory approaches the norm for projects in all aspects of the Bank's work, including municipal development.
Participation gets results.
Once the community itself was asked to play the leading role, the project turned around and became a major success. We have found that our urban projects throughout the world are accomplished more effectively and often at lower cost when communities participate in the process. Improving the urban environment. The rapid expansion of cities has caused major problems of noise, traffic congestion, air and water pollution and related environmental problems. In Bangkok, high lead exposure from cars has been found to reduce the average child's IQ by four points.