1.8. Survey and Prioritization of Assets

CAM is the management of physical assets in collective use by urban or rural populations so, this brings the management so, these are the physical assets whether it is in the form of buildings or in a form of infrastructure or in the form of any livelihood stock so, how collectively they are able to access, whether it is an urban or rural population. And it actually envisages; CAM envisages improved capacity of low income communities because in developing countries, the poverty aspect is one of the holding factor for any kind of vulnerability setup so, how the livelihood aspect is directly related to the access to their capacities for the management of lifecycle planning.

Community Asset Management (CAM) involves overseeing and maintaining physical assets (like buildings or local infrastructure) that are used by communities. This is crucial for both urban and rural populations. CAM is designed to enhance the ability of low-income communities to manage these assets effectively. In regions where poverty is prevalent, CAM seeks to improve access to resources and provides a framework for sustainable management practices. This means not only addressing immediate needs but also planning for the long-term lifecycle of the assets, ensuring they remain functional and beneficial for community members.

Imagine a community center in a small town that serves as a hub for various social activities like meetings, classes, and events. If the town does not have a proper management plan, the center could fall into disrepair and eventually be closed. However, with a good CAM strategy, the community members will work together to maintain the center, organize repair efforts, and even fundraise for improvements. This collaborative management helps keep the center alive for current and future generations.

The capacity building can be taken in few steps; one is the identification of assets and their condition. So, here one is the few points which has been listed and both the references of mind the gap and as well as the CBDRM approach which was listed by John Twigg, and disaster risk reduction, so they talked about listing the experiences and analysing the skills of the community to manage and implement any repair and maintenance program.

Capacity building for CAM involves a series of systematically planned steps. The first step is to identify the community's physical assets, like schools, bridges, or parks, and assess their current condition to understand what needs attention. Following this, a review of past experiences and the skills within the community is essential to determine who has the expertise to carry out necessary repairs and maintenance. This could include training local workers or mobilizing volunteers to improve community capabilities in asset management.

Consider a community that has a community park that is in disrepair. First, they would conduct a survey to list the park's facilities, such as benches, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Next, they would assess the condition of each element, identifying which benches are broken or which playground sections need safety improvements. They can then draw on volunteers or local skilled workers to devise a plan for repairs, allowing the community to collectively enhance their park.

Physical survey and identification of community assets to be repaired and upgraded through discussion with local community, what is relevant to the community you know, how one can able to because you need to engage the community in this discussion, so that, they can identify what is relevant to them and they can identify how to work on it, how they can even put some efforts and funds possibly to make it better.

Engagement with the community is critical in asset identification. By conducting discussions and surveys within the community, it becomes possible to identify which assets are most relevant and in need of repair or improvement. This participatory approach ensures that community members have a say in what matters most to them. It can also motivate them to contribute resources or volunteer their time and skills to the improvement processes, leading to a more invested community.

Think of a school with a playground that isn't used anymore because it's unsafe. By discussing with children and their parents, the school can find out what types of playground equipment the kids want or need. Parents might offer to fundraise or donate materials, and a local builder could volunteer to lead construction. This not only improves the playground but also fosters community spirit and ownership over the school’s resources.

Orientation of the stakeholders; so presenting the task of repair and recovery to different target audiences such as policymakers, administrators, accountants community masons, engineers and building centre managers and supervisors so, if once can be able to present this outcome when these are the list of the buildings, we have identified that could be repaired further, these are the areas which we can construct for a new purpose.

Once the community has engaged and identified the necessary repairs, the next step involves orienting stakeholders, which includes policymakers, community leaders, engineers, and others involved in the restoration process. Presentation of findings to these groups is crucial because it lays the groundwork for collaboration and informs them about what the community needs. Through this orientation process, stakeholders can provide resources, advocate for funding, or offer technical assistance based on the community's priorities.

Imagine a community that wants to renovate an old library that has fallen into disrepair. The community organizes a meeting with local officials, engineers, and potential funders, showcasing their repair plan and emphasizing how restoring the library will benefit everyone. This collaborative meeting could lead to the allocation of funds and expert advice for renovation, demonstrating how engaging various stakeholders can help turn a community's vision into reality.

Condition survey of assets; so how physical inspection and also one can make an inventory and determining the priorities you know, what is the first priority because you only have a limited fund, how you can priorities the set of activities and analysis of distress and recommendations so, this is where the analysis plays an important role.

Conducting a condition survey of the identified assets involves physically inspecting each one and taking inventory of their current state. This step is essential in determining priorities since resources are typically limited. By assessing damage levels, communities can decide which repairs or improvements need immediate action and which can wait. The result is a prioritization of tasks based on urgency, which is crucial for effective resource allocation.

Picture a local community center that suffered damage after a storm. After inspecting the center, members find that some sections of the roof are leaking, while others are still intact. Instead of trying to tackle all repairs at once, they prioritize fixing the roof first, as it directly affects the building's usability. They compile a list of necessary repairs in order of urgency, ensuring that the most critical issues are addressed first while planning for later repairs.

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