scholarly journals Fire risk reduction on the margins of an urbanizing world

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 747-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Rush ◽  
Greg Bankoff ◽  
Sarah-Jane Cooper-Knock ◽  
Lesley Gibson ◽  
Laura Hirst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Political Issue ◽  
Power Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technical Data

PurposeGlobally, over 95% of fire related deaths and injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries. Within informal settlements, the risk of fire resulting in injury or death is particularly high. This paper examines fire risks in informal settlements in New Delhi and Cape Town, and tented informal settlements in Lebanon.Design/methodology/approachOur analysis draws on primary sources, secondary literature, statistical data and qualitative interviews.FindingsThe distribution of fire risk across urban societies is a fundamentally political issue. Residential fire risk can be tackled by accessible, affordable, safety-compliant housing. That said, important interim measures can be taken to mitigate fire risk. Some of the risks requiring attention are similar across our case studies, driven by high population densities; flammable housing materials; unreliable or inaccessible access to safe power sources; and – in the case of Cape Town and New Delhi particularly – the inability of fire services to reach sites of fire. However, these common risks are embedded in distinct social, economic and political contexts that must be placed at the center of any intervention. Interventions must also be aware that the risk of fire is not spread evenly within informal settlements, intersecting as it does with factors like gender, age, health and disability.Originality/valueInformal settlement fires have been under-studied to date. The studies that do exist tend to operate within disciplinary silos. This paper represents an important interdisciplinary approach to fire within informal settlements, which grounds technical data, modeling and experiments in political, social and economic realities.

scholarly journals Determination of Critical Separation Distance Between Dwellings in Informal Settlements Fire

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Lesley Gibson ◽  
Mohamed Beshir ◽  
David Rush
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Separation Distance ◽  
Flame Length ◽  
Critical Distance ◽  
Fire Disaster ◽  
Critical Separation

AbstractApproximately one billion people across the globe are living in informal settlements with a large potential fire risk. Due to the high dwelling density, a single informal settlement dwelling fire may result in a very serious fire disaster leaving thousands of people homeless. In this work, a simple physics-based theoretical model was employed to assess the critical fire separation distance between dwellings. The heat flux and ejected flame length were obtained from a full-scale dwelling tests with ISO 9705 dimension (3.6 m × 2.4 m × 2.4 m) to estimate the radiation decay coefficient of the radiation heat flux away from the open door. The ignition potential of combustible materials in adjacent dwellings are analyzed based on the critical heat flux from cone calorimeter tests. To verify the critical distance in real informal settlement fire, a parallel method using aerial photography within geographic information systems (GIS), was employed to determine the critical separation distances in four real informal settlement fires of 2014–2015 in Masiphumelele, Cape Town, South Africa. The fire-spread distances were obtained as well through the real fires. The probabilistic analysis was conducted by Weibull distribution and logistic regression, and the corresponding separation distances were given with different fire spread probabilities. From the experiments with the assumption of no interventions and open doors and windows, it was established that the heat flux would decay from around 36 kW/m2 within a distance of 1.0 m to a value smaller than 5 kW/m2 at a distance of 4.0 m. Both experiments and GIS results agree well and suggest the ignition probabilities at distances of 1.0 m, 2.0 m and 3.0 m are 97%, 52% and 5% respectively. While wind is not explicitly considered in the work, it is implicit within the GIS analyses of fire spread risk, therefore, it is reasonable to say that there is a relatively low fire spread risk at distances greater than 3 m. The distance of 1.0 m in GIS is verified to well and conservatively predict the fire spread risk in the informal settlements.

Guided heritage walks as a tool for inclusive heritage education: case study of New Delhi

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekta Chauhan ◽  
Sanjana Anand
Keyword(s):  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Heritage Education

PurposeThis paper studies the role of heritage walks and tours in promoting inclusive education. It assesses if these walks are an effective method of exhibiting culture and facilitating inclusive heritage learning. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to establish that walks can play an imperative role in creating greater sensitivity towards heritage and conservation.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a case study approach using mixed methods. Participants for qualitative interviews were chosen using purposive sampling and six interview schedules were sent to walk leaders. Walk participant data were collected through participant observation and standardised survey with randomly selected participants of the case walks. Surveys were sent to participants electronically.FindingsHeritage walks play a crucial role in not only imparting knowledge about history and heritage but also as a tool for learning other crucial skills, competencies, values, attitudes, etc. This paper attempts to highlight that walks are an effective and inclusive way to shed light on the alternative and forgotten stories. As an educational tool these walks can not only encourage the development of historical knowledge and appreciation but also assist in the development of competency to “de-construct” mainstream “grand narratives”, questioning and learning about the forgotten.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper has limited itself to the study of select cases in New Delhi. Since the study has followed a case study design, it does not produce a largely generalizable result, but rather examines and understands the dynamics of particular walks and produces insights that may well be applicable in other contexts. Whilst this paper makes an attempt to understand the changes in perception and attitudes, it does not study behavioural changes.Social implicationsIn the long run, walks allow for meaningful citizen engagement with tangible heritage such as monuments as well as intangible heritage such as practices and festivals. This allows for appreciation for the value of heritage resources and leads to a demand for better conservation and preservation from the authorities. In a few cases, local citizens themselves lead heritage management and development activities in a bid to promote their local culture. This paper has shown that heritage walks can be helpful tools in giving “forgotten” voices and stories recognition in contemporary society.Originality/valueAs heritage walks have recently gained popularity, there has been very limited research in the field especially linking heritage walks to heritage education. This is especially true for India. Even a city like New Delhi, which boasts of a robust heritage and is one of the tourism hubs of the country, heritage walks have been a very recent phenomenon. This research aims to address this lacuna in academic research and contribute meaningfully to the field of heritage education and conservation by studying how heritage walks support and promote inclusive heritage education.

The MobiSan approach: informal settlements of Cape Town, South Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
pp. 3078-3090 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Naranjo ◽  
D. Castellano ◽  
H. Kraaijvanger ◽  
B. Meulman ◽  
A. Mels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Basic Sanitation ◽  
Reducing Costs

Pook se Bos informal settlement and the Cape Town Water & Sanitation Services Department are partnering on an urban sanitation project with a Dutch Consortium consisting of Lettinga Associates Foundation (LeAF), Landustrie Sneek and Vitens-Evides International. The aim of the project is to improve the basic sanitation services provided in informal settlements through the implementation of the MobiSan approach. The approach consists of a communal Urine-Diversion and Dehydration Toilet (UDDT) built in a former sea shipping container. The system is independent of water, electricity or sewerage connection and it is maintained by full-time community caretakers who also act as hygiene promoters. The project seeks to link sanitation services with hygiene promotion in informal settlements while enhancing user satisfaction and reducing costs in providing basic sanitation services. This paper describes the preliminary experiences and lessons learnt during the implementation and evaluation of the MobiSan prototype and discusses its potential for replication. The MobiSan has proved to be an appropriate option by means of dealing successfully with shallow groundwater table, land availability and high settlement densities. In addition it has been demonstrated to be cost-competitive in terms of operating cost compared to chemical toilets.

scholarly journals Sanitation Upgrading as Climate Action: Lessons for Local Government from a Community Informal Settlement Project in Cape Town

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8598
Author(s):  
Alma Elisabeth Peirson ◽  
Gina Ziervogel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

In light of the increasing call for climate action, there is a growing body of literature studying the ways in which informal settlements in the Global South are adapting to the impacts of climate change. In these particularly vulnerable communities where the existing infrastructural vulnerabilities faced by residents are exacerbated by the hazards of climate change, multi-level approaches involving more inclusive forms of governance are needed for the implementation of climate action. Drawing from the case of a sanitation upgrading project in the informal settlement of Murray, located in Philippi, Cape Town, this paper adds to current understandings of multi-level rapid climate action in informal settlements by endeavouring to address two gaps in this body of literature. Firstly, this paper demonstrates a link between climate change and sanitation which has received little attention by showing that improving sanitation infrastructure makes communities more resilient to extreme weather events associated with climate change. Secondly, the paper addresses how and by whom rapid climate action can be implemented in complex socio-institutional contexts such as informal settlements where the impacts of climate change are felt particularly strongly. This paper identifies what enabled and constrained climate action in the Murray informal settlement in an attempt to provide lessons for local government from the case of the sanitation upgrading project. Bottom-up initiation of multi-level climate action is dependent on fragile partnerships which require the support and involvement of a skilled and dedicated local government. Nevertheless, co-operative and transparent engagements across levels hold the potential to contribute to transformative adaptation through the establishment of new partnerships and forms of governance which recognise community groups as legitimate stakeholders and acknowledge the importance of lived experiences and mentalities.

Vulnerability analysis of building structures to floods

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 629-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine Kikwasi ◽  
Elinorata Mbuya
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Building Structures ◽  
Water Drainage ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Peace Of Mind

Purpose There is evidence of increasing urban floods being aftermath of climate change. The purpose of this paper is to present findings-related analysis of vulnerability of building structures in informal settlements to floods and associated coping strategies. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a case study strategy, supported by field surveys and laboratory experiments. The informal settlement taken as case study is Sunna sub-ward. Field surveys involved interviews, questionnaires and observations and tests were conducted to determine the strength of walls, blocks and mortar. Findings The findings reveal that vulnerability of building structures to floods are due to poor quality of materials used in construction of houses which are influenced by income levels, location (lower areas of Sunna sub-ward) and inadequate storm water drainage system. Moreover, socio-economic vulnerabilities do exist in the settlements and are related to lack of peace of mind, outbreak of disease and expenses related to repairing of flood affected houses. Coping strategies used in the sub-ward for built structures are building barrier walls at the front door of the house and use multiple strategies which are supported by reactive and recovery strategies. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study were mostly affected by limited knowledge of respondents on construction materials and processes. Practical implications Findings of the paper provide an insight on the effects of climate change on building structures in informal settlements and coping strategies in place to protect buildings. The outputs can be used for any other informal settlement in Dar es Salaam the only limitation is the terrain. Originality/value The paper recommends use of quality building materials and technicians/artisans, improvement of surface water drainage and training of residents on the effects of climate change and variability. In addition, promising coping strategies should be adopted while those under-performing should be discouraged as they increase the cost burden among the urban poor.

scholarly journals Informal settlement janitorial services: implementation of a municipal job creation initiative in Cape Town, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 299-314
Author(s):  
Lina Taing
Keyword(s):  
Good Governance ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Multi Objective Programming ◽  
Services Implementation ◽  
Dual Objectives

In 2011/12, the City of Cape Town announced that it would commence an on-site janitorial service for communal flush toilets in informal settlements throughout the metropolitan area. The dual objectives of the programme were to improve municipal sanitation services in informal settlements and to create new job opportunities in areas with high unemployment. This paper examines the janitorial programme’s development and administration in Cape Town’s largest township from 2011 to 2014, from the viewpoints of: (1) municipal sanitation officials; (2) civil society advocates; and (3) informal settlement residents employed as janitors. Interviews with key informants and observation of sanitation actors indicated that the implementation of the janitorial programme was mired in conflicting understandings of good governance and different prioritization of goals in multi-objective development initiatives. This case, in particular, points to a potential repercussion of including sanitation in multi-objective programming, for the administration of the job creation aspect took precedence and ultimately detracted from the janitorial programme’s servicing goal.

From placemaking to sustainability citizenship

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beau Bradley Beza ◽  
Jaime Hernández-Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Political Process ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Path Dependencies ◽  
Evolutionary Step ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Placemaking is an established practice and research field. It takes on a spatial dimension created through a socio-political process where value and meaning are assigned to settings. An emerging concept, sustainability citizenship relies on social actors creating sustainable urban settings by working, sometimes, “outside” formal planning; offering an evolutionary step in the creation and understanding of community realised places. The purpose of this paper is twofold: examine one of Bogotá, Colombia’s informal settlements to explore the placemaking/sustainability citizenship relationship, and use this exploration as a means to argue the appropriateness of sustainability citizenship when investigating/realising settings in Bogotá’s informal settlements. Design/methodology/approach To address the paper’s aim, books, journal articles and monographs related to citizen/community participation, placemaking, citizenship (in Latin America and conceptually) and sustainability citizenship were collected and critically reviewed. Identification of these documents was achieved through a literature review of the library database at Deakin University and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and the co-authors of this paper contributing to and reviewing submissions to the 2016 Routledge publication, Sustainability Citizenship. Field observation and engagement with the citizenry living in the informal settlements of Bogotá, Colombia were conducted at various times in 2013, 2014 and 2017. Findings Sustainability citizenship and placemaking are linked through their “process-driven” approach to realising places and use of the citizenry to enact change. In Bogotá, Colombia’s informal settlement of Caracoli, public spaces are created outside formal planning processes through alternative path dependencies and the resourcefulness of its citizens. Sustainability citizenship, rather than placemaking, can work outside formal planning and manoeuvre around established path dependencies, which offers an evolutionary step in the creation and understanding of community realised places in the global south. Originality/value This paper provides insight into the use of placemaking when explaining the realisation process of Bogotá, Colombia’s informal settlements. The paper’s contents also explore the placemaking/sustainability citizenship relationship, which in terms of the latter is a new citizenry dimension that can be used to provide new insight into the realisation process of public spaces in Bogotá’s informal settlements.

scholarly journals Improving the quality of child-care centres through supportive assessment and ‘communities of practice’ in informal settlements in Nairobi: protocol of a feasibility study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e042544
Author(s):  
Margaret Nampijja ◽  
Kenneth Okelo ◽  
Patricia Kitsao Wekulo ◽  
Elizabeth W Kimani-Murage ◽  
Helen Elsey
Keyword(s):  
Child Care ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Child Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Child Care Centre ◽  
Scientific Review

IntroductionInvesting in children during the critical period between birth and age 5 years can have long-lasting benefits throughout their life. Children in Kenya’s urban informal settlements, face significant challenges to healthy development, particularly when their families need to earn a daily wage and cannot care for them during the day. In response, informal and poor quality child-care centres with untrained caregivers have proliferated. We aim to co-design and test the feasibility of a supportive assessment and skills-building for child-care centre providers.Methods and analysisA sequential mixed-methods approach will be used. We will map and profile child-care centres in two informal settlements in Nairobi, and complete a brief quality assessment of 50 child-care centres. We will test the feasibility of a supportive assessment skills-building system on 40 child-care centres, beginning with assessing centre-caregivers’ knowledge and skills in these centres. This will inform the subsequent co-design process and provide baseline data. Following a policy review, we will use experience-based co-design to develop the supportive assessment process. This will include qualitative interviews with policymakers (n=15), focus groups with parents (n=4 focus group discussions (FGDs)), child-care providers (n=4 FGDs) and joint workshops. To assess feasibility and acceptability, we will observe, record and cost implementation for 6 months. The knowledge/skills questionnaire will be repeated at the end of implementation and results will inform the purposive selection of 10 child-care providers and parents for qualitative interviews. Descriptive statistics and thematic framework approach will respectively be used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data and identify drivers of feasibility.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by Amref Health Africa’s Ethics and Scientific Review Committee (Ref: P7802020 on 20th April 2020) and the University of York (Ref: HSRGC 20th March 2020). Findings will be published and continual engagement with decision-makers will embed findings into child-care policy and practice.

scholarly journals Fit-For-Purpose, Private-Sector Led Land Regularization and Financing of Informal Settlements in Brazil

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 797
Author(s):  
Malcolm Childress ◽  
Selina Carter ◽  
Edgard Barki
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Property Values ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Private Land ◽  
Operational Approach ◽  
Municipal Governments ◽  
Fit For Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the financial and operational approach to land regularization and financing used in Brazil by an innovative private social enterprise in order to demonstrate that the approach widens the concept fit-for-purpose land regularization to include fit-for-purpose land financing, with relevance for wider efforts in informal settlement regularization and upgrading. In this approach, the enterprise acts as a coordinator and broker to organize the residents of informal settlements to regularize their settlements by negotiating buyouts of the underlying private owners at discounted values, handling titling and registration of the occupants, and coordinating with municipal governments to provide infrastructure. The analysis of parcel-level repayment and price data provides evidence of the sustainability of the business model and increase of property values of the regularized parcels. The results presented from the enterprise’s own repayment data demonstrate that under (non-pandemic) historical conditions residents are largely able to pay an affordable monthly payment over 7–10 years to the enterprise for the service to purchase the plots and maintain the enterprise. In operation since 2001, the enterprise has regularized over 20,000 parcels in more than 30 settlements, primarily in the cities of Sao Paolo and Curitiba in Brazil. The approach suggests that it could be widely replicable and add to the set of options for regularizing informal settlements, especially when purchase of private land is required.

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