Cities Alliance is in the process of developing an Action Plan that will guide the City of Dar es Salaam and all interested stakeholders throughout the upgrading process.

While a number of expert working groups are working together to examine the different challenges and opportunities for development, Meghan is meeting with the communities to learn about their priorities for upgrading.

A number of meetings have been held in several unplanned settlement areas of Dar es Salaam. These meetings are focused on engaging women and youth from these communities. Thus far the response has been tremendous. The meetings have been very well attended and a wealth of information has been gathered regarding the needs of the local communities and what residents feel are the best options for sustainable development. The youth, in particular, are enthusiastic about initiating change within their communities and working together, not only to improve local living conditions, but also to create employment opportunities through solid waste collection, sanitation projects, and construction.

The information gathered throughout the course of this community engagement process will be used to support the efforts of the working groups and will ensure that residents will have a say in the upgrading of their communities. This process is also intended to ensure that community members are made aware of new developments in the upgrading process and that they are able to hold municipal planners accountable to themselves as important community stakeholders. Meghan's work involves not only meeting with the communities throughout this phase of the project, but also developing a plan to ensure continuous community feedback and involvement throughout the life of the project.