Cities have a long tradition; they exist since thousands of years. They have always had attractive power to mankind. 200 years ago just a small proportion of men was living in cities. Today nearly three billions of people live in urban areas - this is the half of the total world population - and it is estimated by international institutions like UN or World Bank, that this number will go on growing. With an increasing number of people living in cities several problems do come up. One very - maybe the most - important problem is housing the urban poor in the mega-cities of the developing world.
Tipple/Willis (1991: 1) argue that
"Housing the poor in the developing world is one of the major challenges facing mankind in the last decade of the twentieth century".
my opinion, this challenge does still exist in the twenty-first century. And this challenge does not only exist in the developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America but also in the industrialised world, like the USA or the European countries, although the problems in these countries are by far not so tremendous and apparent. Who does not know Harlem in New York? Everybody knows that there are bad living conditions. But what are the problems of the people living in Harlem compared with the problems of the inhabitants of slums and squatter areas in the developing world.
To cite Tipple/Willis (1991: 1) once more:
"The major housing problem is the shortage of affordable accommodation for the urban poor; the low-income majority".
There have been many official housing programs to provide more housing possibilities or to improve the existing housings - especially in the countries of the Third World -, but none of them have been successful at all. All these programs were unable to provide enough dwellings; the history of housing construction programs has shown that all measures need substantial resources, cities often do not have.
This paper wants to show the problems concerning housing the urban poor in the developing world and why these problems arise. After this more general introduction I will concentrate upon squatter-settlements in the Third World. Within this part I will point out some of the housing programs, which were used to solve the immense problems with housing the poor in the mega-cities.
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Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. General problems with the housing of the urban poor
- 2.1. Migration to cities
- 2.2. Social differences
- 2.3. The urban land market
- 2.4. The urban housing market
- 2.5. Different nations, different names for the same problem
- 2.6. United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT)
- 3. The squatter-settlements of Third World countries
- 3.1. What are squatter-settlements?
- 3.2. Common characteristics of squatters and squatter areas all over the world
- 3.3. The advantages of squatter-settlements
- 4. The organisation of squatter areas
- 5. Why governments do not like squatter-settlements
- 6. Possible solutions to the problems of urban squatter areas
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the multifaceted challenges of housing the urban poor in the mega-cities of the developing world. It investigates the reasons behind this persistent problem and examines the difficulties encountered by past housing programs. The focus is primarily on squatter settlements in the Third World.
- The impact of rural-urban migration on urban housing shortages
- The role of social and economic inequalities in shaping housing patterns
- The dynamics of the urban land market and its impact on the housing of the poor
- The characteristics and organization of squatter settlements
- The challenges faced by governments in addressing the issue of urban squatter settlements
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the paper by highlighting the significant increase in global urbanization and the resulting housing crisis for the urban poor, particularly in developing countries. It emphasizes the ongoing challenge of providing affordable housing, referencing Tipple/Willis's assertion that this issue remains a major obstacle. The chapter sets the stage by contrasting the housing problems in developed and developing nations and outlines the paper's objective: to examine the challenges of housing the urban poor in the developing world and the reasons behind these difficulties. It also foreshadows a focus on squatter settlements in the Third World and the limited success of previous housing initiatives.
2. General problems with the housing of the urban poor: This chapter delves into the fundamental issues contributing to the housing crisis. It identifies population growth (both natural increase and rural-urban migration) as a key driver. The chapter details the pull and push factors influencing rural-urban migration, highlighting the lack of resources and opportunities in rural areas, along with the perceived better prospects in cities regarding education, healthcare, and employment. The chapter also analyzes the significant social disparities between the rich and poor, emphasizing the relationship between income and access to housing. The role of the urban land market, as a crucial factor in housing production, is also explored, noting its inaccessibility to the poor and its contribution to the expansion of slums and squatter settlements. The chapter concludes by emphasizing how this complex interplay of factors perpetuates the cycle of poverty and inadequate housing.
3. The squatter-settlements of Third World countries: This chapter focuses specifically on the characteristics and realities of squatter settlements in developing countries. It begins by defining squatter settlements and then examines their common attributes worldwide. Despite their negative perception, this section also touches upon the advantages these settlements may offer to their inhabitants. The section sets the stage for further discussion on the organization of these areas, as well as the reasons for governmental opposition. This lays the groundwork for investigating potential solutions to address the ongoing housing crisis, indicating a shift towards proactive solutions rather than merely documenting the problems.
Keywords
Urban poverty, housing crisis, squatter settlements, developing countries, mega-cities, rural-urban migration, social inequality, land market, affordable housing, housing programs.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Urban Housing for the Poor
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges related to housing the urban poor, particularly focusing on squatter settlements in developing countries. It explores the causes of this issue, examines the characteristics of squatter settlements, and discusses potential solutions.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
Key themes include the impact of rural-urban migration, the role of social and economic inequalities, the dynamics of the urban land market, the characteristics and organization of squatter settlements, and the challenges faced by governments in addressing this issue. The document also highlights the limited success of past housing initiatives.
What are the main problems associated with housing the urban poor?
The document identifies several key problems: rapid population growth (both natural increase and rural-urban migration), social and economic inequalities limiting access to housing, and the inaccessibility of the urban land market to the poor. These factors contribute to the expansion of slums and squatter settlements.
What are squatter settlements, and what are their characteristics?
Squatter settlements are areas where people build homes illegally on land they do not own. Common characteristics include inadequate infrastructure, lack of sanitation, and overcrowding. Despite these negative aspects, the document also acknowledges potential advantages these settlements may offer to their residents.
Why are governments often opposed to squatter settlements?
The document suggests that governments often oppose squatter settlements due to concerns about legality, lack of planning, and the strain these settlements place on public services and infrastructure.
What solutions are proposed to address the housing crisis for the urban poor?
While the document primarily focuses on outlining the problems, it hints at a need for proactive solutions to address the housing crisis in urban squatter areas, indicating a shift from simply documenting problems towards finding solutions.
What is the scope of this document?
The document offers a broad overview, including a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It focuses primarily on squatter settlements in the Third World and draws on existing research and literature on the topic.
What is the purpose of this document?
The aim is to explore the multifaceted challenges of housing the urban poor in the mega-cities of the developing world, investigating the reasons behind this persistent problem and examining the difficulties encountered by past housing programs.
What kind of audience is this document intended for?
The document is intended for an academic audience interested in urban poverty, housing, and development issues. The structured format and comprehensive overview suggest it's suitable for researchers, students, and professionals in related fields.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Marc Landherr (Autor:in), 2001, Housing the urban poor in the mega-cities of the developing world, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/6400
