(The poor in the developing countries, by the way, regard these questions, for the most part, in a much
more prosaic and realistic light than the planners responsible, who are often even
creating the corresponding needs.) Additionally, in the public institutions efforts
are directed towards carrying out, as a proof of their own achievement, projects
which serve as ‘show-pieces’, thus even qualifying to be officially opened ~ where
possible - by the minister in charge and by the ambassador of the country providing
the financial aid. The combined effect of all these influences is that the individual
houses are larger, technically more sophisticated and visually more impressive
- in short, more expensive and quite alien to self-help -- and all this
almost always with the best intentions towards the poor, but in reality is to their
detriment. The interest of the state institutions and their employees, most of
whom have had a technical training, in completing the projects as quickly and
smoothly as possible is often a hindrance to any participation worth mentioning
by those concerned and to the use of self-help and neighbourhood aid, for which
a protracted organisation and training of self-help teams is a necessary precondition.