scholarly journals One In Seven

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
James Browning
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Urban Migration ◽  
The People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Architectural Framework

<p>Like many cities across South America, Caracas is a city of widespread informal settlements, with over a third of the city’s population living in slums. South America’s urban slums are expected to continue their rapid expansion, with an estimated 113 million people across the continent living in sprawling slums beyond the reach of official planning and regulation. These communities develop for many reasons; lack of affordable housing; large urban migration; or high levels of poverty. As people become frustrated with their situation they begin to build on empty areas in the city, continuously expanding and adding to the urban sprawl. However, South American cities are already highly developed, urban space is at a premium, and there’s limited space for new construction. How can we improve the conditions within these informal communities rather than following the usual approach of force relocations into, often insufficient in number and inadequate in design, social housing? Forced relocations split communities apart and move inhabitants away from work and amenities, and often does nothing to slow the growth of informal settlements due to the limited number of social housing available.  This research proposes to form a self-sustainable architectural framework that integrates into the existing informal settlements without unnecessary harm or relocation of the city’s urban poor, to improve their quality of life. The research argues that new strategies of regeneration that seek to promote a collaborative construction of the physical environment, would boost neighbourhood development and improve existing conditions without undue harm to the people it attempts to help. The regeneration strategy would be a system which works on 3 scales to solve basic problems, such as water, power, and community spaces through sustainable means. This system would be the starting point of a revitalization process, helping to improve the permanence and resilience of these communities.</p>

scholarly journals One In Seven

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
James Browning
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Urban Migration ◽  
The People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Architectural Framework

<p>Like many cities across South America, Caracas is a city of widespread informal settlements, with over a third of the city’s population living in slums. South America’s urban slums are expected to continue their rapid expansion, with an estimated 113 million people across the continent living in sprawling slums beyond the reach of official planning and regulation. These communities develop for many reasons; lack of affordable housing; large urban migration; or high levels of poverty. As people become frustrated with their situation they begin to build on empty areas in the city, continuously expanding and adding to the urban sprawl. However, South American cities are already highly developed, urban space is at a premium, and there’s limited space for new construction. How can we improve the conditions within these informal communities rather than following the usual approach of force relocations into, often insufficient in number and inadequate in design, social housing? Forced relocations split communities apart and move inhabitants away from work and amenities, and often does nothing to slow the growth of informal settlements due to the limited number of social housing available.  This research proposes to form a self-sustainable architectural framework that integrates into the existing informal settlements without unnecessary harm or relocation of the city’s urban poor, to improve their quality of life. The research argues that new strategies of regeneration that seek to promote a collaborative construction of the physical environment, would boost neighbourhood development and improve existing conditions without undue harm to the people it attempts to help. The regeneration strategy would be a system which works on 3 scales to solve basic problems, such as water, power, and community spaces through sustainable means. This system would be the starting point of a revitalization process, helping to improve the permanence and resilience of these communities.</p>

scholarly journals Architecture & Legitimacy: Strategies for the Development of Urban Informal Settlements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel D. Pressick
Keyword(s):  
Urban Poor ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Global City ◽  
The People ◽  
Urban Informal Settlements ◽  
Cultural Networks ◽  
The City ◽  
Autonomous Development

Currently, 1 in 6 people live in slums, or informal settlements in cities throughout the developing world. They are built illegally and are characterized by lack of proper sanitation, unsafe housing, and crowded living conditions. Despite their appearance, informal settlements are legitimate communities; they are vibrant, with sophisticated social, economic and cultural networks that support the livelihoods of residents who call them home. These communities give the urban poor a physical place within the city, giving them access to the opportunities and advantages that the current age of the 'global city' can offer to any willing participant. As architects who see the responsibility in choosing the informal settlement as a realm for engagement, this thesis proposes that any architectural intervention be mindful of the importance of the networks contained within the streets and buildings of the informal settlement. By preserving the built-fabric of the settlement, the architect legitimizes the settlement's density and scale, while ensuring the urban poor have a physical place in the city. They have managed to develop their own communities without any investment from outside forces, any intervention should only support that autonomous development. These structures, as well as the people and activities with them, are vital to the survival of residents of informal settlements.

scholarly journals Low-income housing provision: between governmental interventions and informal settlements

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-50
Author(s):  
Hussaen Ali Hasan Kahachi ◽  
Alison Brown
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
City Planning ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Housing Provision ◽  
Low Cost Housing

Low-cost housing, so-called affordable housing, is an important subject as it affects many aspects of people's well-being and city planning. The urban poor, who form a respectable percentage of cities' residents in many developing countries, are the most affected segment by the availability and affordability of housing. Governments often try their best to provide affordable housing through housing interventions and programs. However, many low-income people end up in informal settlements including slums and squatter settlements. This research analyzes state-led low-cost housing initiatives compared to informal affordable housing in developing countries. The importance of this research is mainly associated with understanding how governmental housing initiatives and laws affect the housing preferences of the urban poor. The research starts by providing a brief background about the subject and its importance from the literature. The research uses mixed methods approach and a case study of Greater Cairo Region following the massive migration during the period between the 1980s and the 2000s to provide an in-depth understanding of the situation. The research then analyzes/discusses some housing initiatives, and uses both quantitative/qualitative data in order to explain potential malpractice and issues. Finally, the research will highlight the key findings and provide some recommendations for change/improvement.

scholarly journals Perpetual ‘Outcasts’? Squatters in peri-urban Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Afrika Focus ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Busani Mpofu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Urban Migration ◽  
Informal Economies ◽  
Hard Times ◽  
Housing Shortages ◽  
Urban Development Policy

After independence in 1980 Zimbabwe’s cities experienced a proliferation in the number of squatter camps. This was because of the failure of the urban economy to offer adequate housing and jobs, leaving peri-urban space as the only sanctuary for the urban poor to live in and eke out a living informally. The promotion of rural ‘growth points’ by the national government to promote rural development to discourage migration to urban areas failed. Yet, a poor policy response by the state to this negative outcome of rapid urbanisation that aims to reverse this rural-urban migration has led to unending confrontations between its various arms and squatters who continue to be regarded as encroachers. Focussing on Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and based on interviews, archival research, Council minutes and newspapers, this article critiques the state’s urban development policy vis-à-vis squatters and informality. It is argued that the persist- ence of a salient perception by government officials that all Africans belong to rural areas and have access to land they can fall back on in hard times serves as a vital lubricant to the state’s action of forcibly sending squatters to rural areas. This ignores the historical pattern of rapid urbanisation and the growth of informal economies supporting the livelihoods of thousands of people. I seek to add to the literature on low-cost housing shortages, urban squatters and peri-urbanism in Zim- babwe and on studies of informality in Third World cities in general. Key words: squatters, outcasts, informality, institutional weaknesses, peri-urban Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 

scholarly journals Architecture & Legitimacy: Strategies for the Development of Urban Informal Settlements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel D. Pressick
Keyword(s):  
Urban Poor ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Global City ◽  
The People ◽  
Urban Informal Settlements ◽  
Cultural Networks ◽  
The City ◽  
Autonomous Development

Currently, 1 in 6 people live in slums, or informal settlements in cities throughout the developing world. They are built illegally and are characterized by lack of proper sanitation, unsafe housing, and crowded living conditions. Despite their appearance, informal settlements are legitimate communities; they are vibrant, with sophisticated social, economic and cultural networks that support the livelihoods of residents who call them home. These communities give the urban poor a physical place within the city, giving them access to the opportunities and advantages that the current age of the 'global city' can offer to any willing participant. As architects who see the responsibility in choosing the informal settlement as a realm for engagement, this thesis proposes that any architectural intervention be mindful of the importance of the networks contained within the streets and buildings of the informal settlement. By preserving the built-fabric of the settlement, the architect legitimizes the settlement's density and scale, while ensuring the urban poor have a physical place in the city. They have managed to develop their own communities without any investment from outside forces, any intervention should only support that autonomous development. These structures, as well as the people and activities with them, are vital to the survival of residents of informal settlements.

Slum Rehabilitation Through Public Housing Schemes in India: A Case of Chandigarh

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-246
Author(s):  
Namita Gupta ◽  
Kavita
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Public Housing ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Urban Population ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Sustainable Cities ◽  
Urban Households ◽  
Union Territory

It is a widely accepted fact that sustainable development cannot be achieved without sustainable human settlements. Cities cannot be made sustainable without ensuring access to adequate and affordable housing to all and improving informal settlements. According to the Census of India (2011), 13.75 million urban households, that is, 65–70 million people live in informal settlements and about 1.77 million people were homeless in India. The goal of sustainable cities cannot be fulfilled with such a large number of populations still being deprived of their basic right to adequate housing. Chandigarh is one of the first planned cities of modern India and has the second highest percentage (89.8%) of urban population to its total population among all the states and union territories in India. This article endeavours to analyse the adequacy and affordability of public housing for urban poor in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

scholarly journals Perpetual ‘Outcasts’? Squatters in peri-urban Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Afrika Focus ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-63
Author(s):  
Busani Mpofu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Urban Migration ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Hard Times ◽  
Housing Shortages ◽  
Urban Development Policy

After independence in 1980 Zimbabwe’s cities experienced a proliferation in the number of squatter camps. This was because of the failure of the urban economy to offer adequate housing and jobs, leaving peri-urban space as the only sanctuary for the urban poor to live in and eke out a living informally. The promotion of rural ‘growth points’ by the national government to promote rural development to discourage migration to urban areas failed. Yet, a poor policy response by the state to this negative outcome of rapid urbanisation that aims to reverse this rural-urban migration has led to unending confrontations between its various arms and squatters who continue to be regarded as encroachers. Focussing on Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and based on interviews, archival research, Council minutes and newspapers, this article critiques the state’s urban development policy vis-à-vis squatters and informality. It is argued that the persistence of a salient perception by government officials that all Africans belong to rural areas and have access to land they can fall back on in hard times serves as a vital lubricant to the state’s action of forcibly sending squatters to rural areas. This ignores the historical pattern of rapid urbanisation and the growth ofinformal economies supporting the livelihoods of thousands of people. I seek to add to the literature on low-cost housing shortages, urban squatters and peri-urbanism in Zimbabwe and on studies of informality in Third World cities in general.

INTERPRETATION OF SINO-RUSSIAN CULTURE AND HUMANITIES COOPERATION IN THE NEW ERA

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-193
Author(s):  
REN YANYAN ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Current Status ◽  
Human Relations ◽  
New Era ◽  
Russian Culture ◽  
The People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Cooperative Partnership ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
The Belt And Road

The friendship between nations lies in the mutual affinity of the people, and the people’s affinity lies in the communion of hearts. The cultural and humanities cooperation between China and Russia has a long history. In recent years, under the role of the“Belt and Road” initiative, the SCO, and the Sino-Russian Humanities Cooperation Committee, Sino-Russian culture and humanities cooperation has continued to deepen. Entering a new era, taking the opportunity to promote Sino-Russian relations into a “new era China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership”, the development of human relations between the two countries has entered a new historical starting point, while also facing a series of problems and challenges. This article is based on the current status of Sino-Russian human relations in the new era, interprets the characteristics of Sino-Russian human relations in the new era, analyzes the problems and challenges of Sino-Russian human relations in the new era, and tries to propose solutions and solutions with a view to further developing Sino-Russian cultural and humanities relations in the new era. It is a useful reference, and provides a reference for future related research, and ultimately helps the Sino-Russian cultural and humanities relations in the new era to be stable and far-reaching.

RURAL–URBAN MIGRATION AND CHILD SURVIVAL IN URBAN BANGLADESH: ARE THE URBAN MIGRANTS AND POOR DISADVANTAGED?

2008 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. MAZHARUL ISLAM ◽  
KAZI MD ABUL KALAM AZAD
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Child Survival ◽  
Childhood Mortality ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Urban Migration ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Urban Migrants ◽  
Urban Rural

SummaryThis paper analyses the levels and trends of childhood mortality in urban Bangladesh, and examines whether children’s survival chances are poorer among the urban migrants and urban poor. It also examines the determinants of child survival in urban Bangladesh. Data come from the 1999–2000 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. The results indicate that, although the indices of infant and child mortality are consistently better in urban areas, the urban–rural differentials in childhood mortality have diminished in recent years. The study identifies two distinct child morality regimes in urban Bangladesh: one for urban natives and one for rural–urban migrants. Under-five mortality is higher among children born to urban migrants compared with children born to life-long urban natives (102 and 62 per 1000 live births, respectively). The migrant–native mortality differentials more-or-less correspond with the differences in socioeconomic status. Like childhood mortality rates, rural–urban migrants seem to be moderately disadvantaged by economic status compared with their urban native counterparts. Within the urban areas, the child survival status is even worse among the migrant poor than among the average urban poor, especially recent migrants. This poor–non-poor differential in childhood mortality is higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The study findings indicate that rapid growth of the urban population in recent years due to rural-to-urban migration, coupled with higher risk of mortality among migrant’s children, may be considered as one of the major explanations for slower decline in under-five mortality in urban Bangladesh, thus diminishing urban–rural differentials in childhood mortality in Bangladesh. The study demonstrates that housing conditions and access to safe drinking water and hygienic toilet facilities are the most critical determinants of child survival in urban areas, even after controlling for migration status. The findings of the study may have important policy implications for urban planning, highlighting the need to target migrant groups and the urban poor within urban areas in the provision of health care services.

A Diagnosis of Urban Poor Housing in Vietnam

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-105
Author(s):  
Iftekhar Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Economic Reforms ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Ho Chi Minh City ◽  
Housing Sector ◽  
Housing Supply ◽  
Extensive Field ◽  
Key Factor

This paper presents concepts important for understanding urban poor housing in Vietnam, with a focus on key environmental, socio-economic, and cultural dimensions that bear on the housing sector. The paper draws on extensive field studies and presents a diagnosis of the context of and prospects for housing of the urban poor in Vietnam's two main cities: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. While the literature on this theme is scanty, it points to the market-orientated economic reforms initiated in the 1980s as a key factor in creating imbalance in the housing supply. Recognising the current challenges in balancing affordability and sustainability, the study explores Vietnam's lack of adequate and affordable housing and the problems faced by the urban poor in accessing adequate housing.

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