Contact: Tarlungeni Open Space Project University of Sheffield Enterprise Portobello Sheffield South Yorkshire S1 4DP tarlungeni@gmail.com www.tarlungeni.tumblr.com 07806783677 01515262972
Tarlungeni Open Space Project Proposal Document
Tarlungeni Open Space Project
Fighting poverty and segregation of Roma communities in Tarlungeni, Romania This project is in partnership with FAST (Foundation for Social Assistance and Youth), Romania. An invitation from FAST to create a proposal for an area of unappropriated land in the village saw the emergence of the Tarlungeni Open Space Project in July 2010. The initiative focuses on a site near the entrance to the village which is currently covered in waste. It aims to empower local people to improve their village environment. Roma children, Tarlungeni
Background Roma communities across Europe are subject to widespread discrimination and live a marginalised existence in extreme poverty. Although the Roma community settled in Tarlungeni, Brasov county, over 100 years ago, continued discrimination and disempowerment have seen them remain a sub community on the village’s periphery (see location map on back page). Located on land previously used for waste disposal, adjacent to a polluted local river, the Roma village’s appearance is a noticeable reflection of ongoing poverty. The picture above reveals the view from the Tarlungeni village entrance, the first, and often only, impression outsiders have of the Roma community. The appearance helps endorse existing prejudices against Roma people while contributing to the ghettoisation of the sub village. Other residents avoid contact with the Roma community, exacerbating myths and prejudices.
FAST (Foundation for Social Assistance and Youth) Our partner FAST has worked for over 10 years in Tarlungeni, resulting in a high level of understanding and a sucessful relationship with the community. The charity’s Better Homes program has made considerable achievements in its efforts to address substandard housing. This has involved building new homes as well as supporting improvements to existing ones through technical, financial and material support. The program has challenged prejudices by demonstrating the Roma community’s engagement and investment in self improvement. FAST has strong links with UK, receiving the support of numerous community and church groups. The charity has worked with University of Sheffield since 2007. Tarlungeni Open Space Project will be coordinated and evaluated by Huan Rimington and Hannah Martin, research graduates from the university’s School of Architecture.
Entrance to Roma settlement, Tarlungeni 2007
Entrance to Roma settlement, Tarlungeni 2010
Tarlungeni Open Space Project is a resident lead initiative to develop much needed communal facilities. Our main aims and objectives are to: - Empower local people to improve their village environment. Workshops and resident leadership will give villagers control over the design and construction of the new facilities. The process will support and strengthen incipient community infrastructure.
1collection March 2011 Clear the rubbish along the riverside and initiate waste pilot project. Rubbish dumped along the riverside
- Challenge the prejudices and ghettoisation endorsed by the current appearance of the village. - Foster community relations through creating facilities that residents can take ownership of. Where ingrained poverty has led to individualistic attitudes, it is important to support community cooperation. The overall project is broken down into three stages for two reasons: a) to allow time to raise sufficient funding and b) to avoid creating unachievable expectations in the community.
2reinforcing April / May 2011 Prevent further erosion of the riverbank by the area with gabions.
The eroded riverbank, Tarlungeni
3for young June 2011 Create productive communal facilities (such as a play area children) as determined by community workshops on the new reinforced riverside.
Background: Roma villagers, Tarlungeni Foreground: Roma children in the local kindergarten
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Phase 1 Funding Proposal March 2011 - Waste Disposal We believe that the only long term solution to the dumping of waste is integrating the Roma community with the local municipalities’ services. However, because the local authority is hostile to the Roma population, an externally funded pilot project is necessary to bring about this outcome. M
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The pilot will involve the provision of bins, plot fencing and refuse collection by horse and cart to the 18 houses nearest the main (serviced) road. Project to provide 12 bins (6 already have bins) and 9 x plot fencing (9 already have fencing) Bins: (ea) = 210 RON Fencing: Average plot size = 10m frontage Steel post = 100 RON, Timber = 500 RON / m2, Gate fixing =100 RON Fencing per plot = 5 posts + (10 x 2 x 0.025)m2 timber + gate fixing = 850 RON Total pilot project cost = 2000 GBP
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To fund the scheme, we are seeking to raise £2000 altogether. We would like to seek your support for this first, important step to improve the welfare of the Tarlungeni Village Roma Community. Phase 1 will commence as soon as the funding is received.
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Map of bin proposal along the river side of the Roma settlement, Tarlungeni
Tarlungeni TotalÊPopulation:Ê7657* TotalÊRomaÊPopulation:Ê2300Êapprox.