World Urban Forum

While urban planning can contribute to preventing slum formation / expansion, it is not sufficient on its own. The Project Preparation Trust's (PPT) experience in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province and the city of eThekwini (Durban) in South Africa in formulating an Informal Settlement Strategy and an interim services roll-out offer examples and methodologies. PPT will be adding further detail on this.

We need more options such as urban planning should include systematic upgrading and services for slums. The formation of slums may be the least costly and in many ways most efficient way to expand the city with housing and services for the poor who cannot afford the planned and professionally built housing areas.

It is indeed important not to be naive about the potential role of urban planning and fully grasp why slums come into being. If the income gaps are too wide and a portion of the population cannot afford to access the existing land and housing market, people will do what they have to with the first priority being access to job opportunities. Drastically expanding the planning horizon and creating more urban land, in the hope that prices will go down, will not result in inclusive cities with housing for all. Urban planning and urban design can help to draw more socially integrated spaces but complementary regulation will be necessary to cross-subsidize more affordable land and housing.

As man struggles to improve his environment by planning productive, sustainable, intelligent city, social policy piercing into the underclass, and, poverty has never been addressed in a typical tradition of eliminating or reducing to the minimum. In this manner he creates a problem by generating the home for the poor. The poor will always struggle to survive within the urban areas. As earlier noticed the rural dweller , with rural poverty would want to migrate to a more comfortable region (the city) to survive. The rural poverty is converted into urban poverty. When slums are created it shows the worst forms of urban poverty. The rest ground to spring to comfort. To slow urban poverty, the rural regions should be integrated in our planning thought. Good urban governance to introduce or rethink social policy, in line with poverty. Informal local businesses should be promoted, project management and effective policy coordination will be helpful. Housing policy by political leaders locally should be reviewed. Job creation should be a plus to the exploding urban poor.

For many years, in my country (Mexico), the Slum formation was very much permitted, allowed and almost stimulated by many politicians who understood how to use this very extreme poverty settlements as valuable Shock Group in a double agenda scheme to defeat their political rivals in exchange for paternalistic and populist safety net aid intended to establish a long term unsustainable codependency between both parts.

You should understand that the political class enjoy poverty to the worst level, so addressing the issue of poverty and the underclass will not be part of social policy that could be addressed in any subject plan.Till this moment in my region south-south, down in the Niger delta(Nigeria) the worst form urban poverty is in existence. So, slum is still rendering the political class the home for propaganda and leadership as sociopolitical bedrock. We awake to extend ample hands of greetings to slum. unless we address the underlining tone of poverty by rethinking development in the phase of the poor, the underclass as well as race in our development plans slum will continue to rule as a problem to urban planners.

Slums represent the lack of planning !

Slum represent neglect and insufficient enthusiasm and commitment on the part of policy makers. Planners have never lacked the zeal to plan. We could argue that the technical aspect or process of planning has always been in motion, but ,the political process is where the issue ls. Slum is political leaders nightmare but it is the planners strength to show case knowledge and play mini-god to plan the city- man's creation.

Thank you for your views. Indeed, we cannot be naive enough to believe that improved urban planning will by itself resolve the problem of slums. Slums are a manifestation of the socio-economic and political reality of cities, and better urban planning practices and plans will have to be accompanied by policies to improve access to land and secure tenure, expanding livelihood opportunities for economic upliftment, as well as upgrading and provision of services to slum communities. Finally, none of this will be possible without clear and positive political commitment, or without the engagement and participation of slum-dwellers themselves.

Thank you moderator, you have sealed this discuss. Definitely the point!

I believe that planners all over the world are more than competent and capable to advice the political class on the type of policies to formulate or evolve that will reduce the incidence of rural urban migration; but the only problem is the political will on the part of the rulers to implement these policies, where the political will is lacking especially in the developing countries, the resultant effect is very visible; slums, diseases, epidemics to mention but few. One can pnly hope that one day the ruling class will wake up to their responsibilities to ensure we leave our society better than we met it.

Yeaph !! I certainly agree with you Olayemi. And in regards to my previous comment, it was really to bring into discussion two topics: Planning and Slums..

Because I believe that planners work can have a far more significant contribution for resolving the Slum dilemma, if only our level of expertise could reach a much wider context such as be more involved on conditions that fuel the rural migration.

Also, I would like to stress that we tend very much to generalize the term Slums, but we have yet to find ways to distinguish one type of slum from the other. While the term Slums bring into our mind the rural poor that have move to the city with the intent to find a better life only to find harsher environments that depict some of the worst poverty conditions.

I also have found plenty evidence newer and not so new Pseudo-Slums, quite common in South America were instant slums appear in matter of weeks, but in reality are empty shacks kept by a handful of individuals and built by politically protected mercenary type of invasion intended only to secure a land tenure of a property thew do not own and that they do not really need as they live elsewhere anyway, with the sole intention to sale later that land to another party...

Slum or squatter settlement formation is generally sub division and occupation of land. It is therefore primarily a land management and supply issue. At the heart of the issue lies the real estate market that makes certain locations lie beyond the affordability of the poor. Secondly, certain land because of existing regulations make it not possible for it to be 'legally' used e.g. land next to railway lines, land on flooding areas, etc. The urban poor therefore squat on 'unusable' land close to their choice locations. Choice locations of the poor are related to places of employment. Because Planning does not give priority to urban poor's choice of location but to real estate development investments, squatting will always take place. Also, land development regulations and procedures such as only allowing developed land to be made available for housing, deny urban poor access to housing made for them. Pro-poor land management e.g. incremental housing development combined with modification in land regulations and land supply procedures are necessary to reduce squatting.

A very recent study by a colleage of mine at the Inter American Development Bank revealed that one third of Latin American families live in an inadequate house – badly built, using poor building materials or lacking infrastructure. Also almost two million among the three million new families formed in the region annually are forced to live in informal settlements.

Can we consider that this is part due to a failure of planning?

By the way the complete spanish version of the research can be downloaded though http://www.iadb.org/es/noticias/comunicados-de-prensa/2012-05-14/deficit-de-vivienda-en-america-latina-y-el-caribe,9978.html.

I think we could go further the poll questions about the relationship between urban planning and slums, because both have several causes as economic conditions, natural disasters, political movements, etc and I consider it will be a little flat to link it only as a matter of house or land issue, for me it could be better to have a transversal approach to find more inclusive proposals to improve the situations and the transition of the slums to a dignified place to live.

The distortion of the Port Harcourt Master plan in Rivers State Nigeria during the military era and subsequent elimination of the middle class, triggered many slums in Port Harcourt. Neglect and abandonment of the legal and planning framework by the then military government, inadequate social services and poor housing policies incresed slums and land market distortions. The result of many years of neglect of the urban environmentt by past administrations is now away of life not only to the poor but to those who migrate to the city daily. A source of insecurity, diseases and and other social crimes, which the present administration hope to tackle, through a new master plan called greater Port Harcourt.
Although, sceptical about the affordability of the proposed housing unit for the poor, which will bring about relocation. Ignorance, ethnicity and economic conditions has played a negative role in the urban renewal program of the present administration.

Lets me add a bit more spice to de debate.

What about slum upgrading? should we promote programs of this nature? Are they too costly? Can they stimulate the creation of more slums? What about relocation? When are they valid to pursue? What are the general principles to be followed when relocation is required? What are the rights to be guaranteed?

Fernanda Magalhaes, I am not against the upgrading of slums, it is definitely a very expensive process but it is better than relocation; my argument is drawn from the angle of a developing country like Nigeria where relocation has never worked, from Lagos to Abuja where it has been tried; so the best bet will be upgrading or in very worse cases spot clearance could be done, but it is a no no to total slum clearance.
Also it can't create more slums, what is creating slums is poor management of resources in the rural areas and the absence of those factors that are termed as pull factors in the urban centres in the rural areas

Has anyone else a response to Olayemi position?

Slums, in most cases are inhabited by the poor. Therefore there are two sides of the equation that need to be addressed: poverty and slums. Firstly, poverty should be addressed from a macro perspective through urban economic growth by creating jobs that would provide adequate incomes. A number of macro issues such as education, training, minimum wages, etc… should also be put in place to address poverty in a systemic way. With adequate incomes, the poor would move to a better income bracket that allows them to access urban land and housing in the city thus not needing to revert to slums. This necessitates structural changes and economic development. Even if the macro issues are addressed, there will always be marginalized and impoverished groups in any society that would need to be supported through social security programmes.
Secondly, at the city level, Urban Planning should play an important role in the prevention of the creation of new slums. By planning the expansion of cities to scale, in advance, with mixed uses and by achieving optimum densities as well as the infill of vacant areas within the cities, as UN-Habitat is advocating, the growth of cities will be directed towards the most suitable areas for urban development. The aim is to avoid the creation of new slums and informal development particularly in hazardous and environmentally sensitive areas thus ensuring the safety of the settlers as well as conserving the environment. In pursuit of the “Adequate Housing for All” pillar of the Habitat Agenda, Urban Planning and Urban Management should play key roles in the provision of a variety of affordable land and housing tenure options to accommodate all income groups. A variety of instruments to ensure affordability should be built in the development plans of urban areas as well as in their management; these could include varying plot sizes and housing tenure modalities including for example, rental, cooperative and condominium options in addition to ownership modalities. Cross-subsidies, taxation and social support systems could be utilized as needed to achieve affordability and equity. Prevention of new slums through urban planning and management should also be coupled with the improvement of living conditions in existing slums through national and city-wide upgrading programmes.
UN-Habitat is mandated by its Governing Council to formulate a “Global Housing Strategy to the Year 2025”. Within this Strategy the issue of housing and slums will be addressed through a comprehenisive perspective starting with macro issues followed by urban planning, legislation, urban economy and other systemic aspects. The aim is also to achieve scale so as to effectively have an impact aiming at better acheiving the MDG Target on Slums. For more background and to participate in formulating the Strategy, please visit the topic on the “Global Housing Strategy to the Year 2025” in the WUF e-Dialogue on “Equity and Prosperity of Cities”.

Mohamed El Sioufi, thanks for that elaborate and educating explanation, in most rural areas of the developing countries, the people are at a great disadvantage, I have lived in a developing country and presently living in a developed country and I see a huge difference in the quality of life in rural areas in a developing country and that of a developed country. But despite these differences there is one thing that they both have in common, lack of economic opportunities. This single factor alone often have a profound effect on the life of individuals as well as on the environment; it is rather unfortunate though that while governments in the developed countries are doing everything to stimulate economic growth in the rural areas, our governments back home are doing everything in their power to suppress the growth and development of the rural areas, and i make bold to say that it is for their selfish interest. An educated society cannot be manipulated easily but poor and illiterate population are like 'sheep under the control of the shepherd' just like we have today in some parts of Nigeria.
My Phd theses will 'hopefully' be on urban management and planning, because whether we like it or not, more and more people will continue to flock to the urban centers and the onus is on town planners to make the cities as conducive as possible for these migrants while at the same time make sure the cities continue to function as a single component.

The moderator has moved this coment posted on the topic" Urban Renewal: How can It be achieved effectively?" by Diriyai Benson, 10 May 2012 13:23
Urban Renewal: How can It be achieved effectively?

Urban renewal has been in existence for many years, with a lot of new approaches that are innovative. However, most developing countries still practice older forms of urban planning "policies"- not changing in the trend (in terms of urban renewal). In most cases, inhabitants or city dwellers are not put into consideration as policy of renewal are simply a matter for political leaders.They do not glide along the path of participatory planning or slum upgrading program. How best is it to renew a city? Can gentrification be avoided? How effective will renovation be in a typical shanty town? Should political leaders dictate the tone and pace of renewal?

The moderator has moved this coment posted on the topic" Urban Renewal: How can It be achieved effectively?" by Clarence Shubert, 10 May 2012 16:05

As they say, it is easier in practice than in theory. In some cases like Singapore which is a city state on an island with tightly controlled access, a systematic government subsidized urban renewal and rehousing may be suitable. In others such as Indonesia, the massive size and mobility of relatively poor populations made on site improvement of "kampung" the only viable alternative. Physical upgrading with walkways, drainage and extension of water supply and electricity combined with community based social services improvements have made Indonesian urban kampungs relatively good residential areas without large scale clearing and rehousing. Each city and community is unique and requires unique solutions.

The moderator has moved this coment posted on the topic" Urban Renewal: How can It be achieved effectively?" by Clarence Shubert, 10 May 2012 16:05

Dharavi in Mumbai (india) is one of the largest slums in the world. A few years ago, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority of the state government invited international bids for the redevelopment of Dharavi - unfortunately, the proposal did not get off the ground; not on account of lack of participation but due to political apathy. Leading real estate developers in India see huge business sense in participating in slum redevelopment programmes even when they are being expected to provide subsidised services - the real estate lobby agrees that private sector participation in slum development will be a 'win-win' for them, the government & slum dwellers. It is indeed unfortunate that politics and vote banks disallow a dignified quality of life for slum dwellers.

Ambitious and unrealistic goals to provide sufficient adequate housing to all of the poor in South Africa have not been met and there is a growing realisation that slums (known as informal settlements in South Africa) will remain part of the urban landscape into at least the medium term as result of a combination of factors including ongoing urban migration, a lack of suitable land and state limitations. This has led to a growing appreciation in South Africa of the importance of in situ developmental responses to informal settlements.

This support requires consultative planning and should amongst other interventions should include the provision of basic services (water and sanitation, fire protection measures, solid waste removal, emergency vehicular and footpath access, electrical connections where possible). Project Preparation Trust (PPT) has in recent years assisted eThekwini Municipality (the City of Durban) to develop its large scale interim services program which is the first of its kind in South Africa to provide basic services (as outlined above) to informal settlements at city scale (in this case over 77,000 households in approximately 166 settlements). The development of basic precinct-level master plans helps to promote improved local level spatial planning (e.g. a prioritized road network to create improved urban efficiency and city restructuring). For more information see http://www.pptrust.org.za/informal-settlement-upgrading/view-category.html. The rollout of participative local economic action planning is in its pilot phase as are multi-purpose community facilities and associated job linkage centres.

It is important that developmental response to informal settlements are properly planned and informed by an adequate understanding of each settlement, including community engagement and participation. In respect of the delivery of housing and basic services, PPT has developed a system of categorizing informal settlements and this approach has found traction within several spheres of government in South Africa. PPT advocates the rapid assessment and categorization of all informal settlements in order to assist the State in formulating appropriate housing and basic infrastructural responses. The following are the main categories: A) Settlements where the provision of state housing is imminent (these represent a very small proportion of all slums). B) Settlements on land which is suitable for formal housing but where it cannot be provided in the short term and where the provision of basic services should be expedited as an interim step towards eventual formalization. C) Settlements on land not suitable for formal housing but where no suitable (and better) relocations destinations are available and where basic (emergency) services should be expedited to provide relief from health and safety threats. D) Settlements facing imminent and serious health and safety threats and which can and must be rapidly relocated to alternative and better sites (these again represent a very small proportion of all slums).

Recent study of old town of Karachi by NED University shows a real estate development trend. Being near to the port, warehousing and wholesale markets are getting entrenched despite inadequate infrastructure and services. One reason is because there is no alternative. A complication in Old town is tenure system introduced in the sixties which froze the rent at the rate of that time. The renters have therefore started to sell the property and the name change is exacted by giving 20% of the sale price to the owner. This complication is holding up the urban renewal process. The poor tenants are of course delighted since they can stay in the inner city by paying a meager rent such as Rs.50 per month. What the owners do to evict the tenants is let the building fall into disrepair and then try and get the building enlisted as 'dangerous'. Urban planning requires hard decision making, something which is done informally without making regulatory changes. Generally in such cases it is for the benefit of the real estate developers.