City Slums Research Articles

Assessing Urban Slums in Post-COVID-19 to Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1: Nigeria’s Stakeholders Perspective Using Qualitative Approach

Studies showed that upgrading urban slums could bridge income inequality, create better opportunities, and mitigate/prevent virus spread in slums environment. There is a paucity of research concerning regenerating urban slums to achieve Goal 1 in Nigeria with reference to the post-COVID-19. Therefore, this research explored the impact of COVID-19 on slums in Nigerian cities and recommend measures to transform slums into sustainable cities and bridge income inequality to improve achieving Goal 1. The research used an interview type of qualitative research design and covered five major cities across Nigeria. The researchers engaged thirty interviewees (selected construction practitioners, NGOs, medical experts, and government agencies). The study adopted a thematic method to analyse the collated data. Findings show an increased poverty level across the five slum cities covered during and immediately after the pandemic. The significant impacts are high exposure to contagious and non-contagious infections, increased food insecurity, homelessness, unemployment, increased crime rates, and worse overcrowding during the lockdown. The study recommended measures to regenerate urban slums. The findings would stir policymakers to promote urban slum upgrading. Findings will support and provide insight into the active transformations of slums for the benefit of humanity and mitigate climate disruptions in future pandemics.

PENINGKATAN KUALITAS HUNIAN PADA PERMUKIMAN PADAT DI RW 02, KELURAHAN KRENDANG, JAKARTA BARAT

The settlement in RW 02, Krendang sub-district, Tambora district, West Jakarta, is a dense and unorganized urban settlement resulting from an unplanned incremental growth process. Apart from poor environmental sanitation conditions, this settlement has a low quality of residential space with very limited natural lighting and ventilation due to the closeness of the buildings and the lack of open space. This settlement is the location for implementing a community service program which aims to help the West Jakarta government deal with the city's slum problem by involving community participation to improve the quality of residential space. The initial program in 2023 aims to open people's minds about the importance of healthy residential spaces, and to make this happen can be done using simple, low-cost methods. In the next stage, sustainable programs will be continued until a model of healthy, low-cost housing is realized in this settlement. A series of community service activities have been carried out with the culmination of counseling activities for social treatment to build collective insight and awareness among residents. The counseling took place at the community hall, attended by RW administrators as well as RT representatives and community leaders within RW 02. The counselor team used pictures of simulation designs for the renovation of multi-purpose buildings and pre-school children's education in RW 02 as counseling aids. Based on pre-test and post-test data through filling out questionnaires by participants, it shows a significant increase in collective awareness regarding the program objectives.

Assessing knowledge of hypertension and diabetes mellitus among informal healthcare providers in urban slums in southeastern Nigeria

Informal healthcare providers (IHPs) often serve as the first point of contact for healthcare services for non-communicable diseases in urban slums and their ability to identify risk factors and symptoms of the diseases is crucial for early detection and management. This paper assesses level of knowledge of hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) among IHPs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight slums in Enugu and Onitsha cities in south-eastern Nigeria. Data was collected from 238 IHPs including patent medicine vendors, traditional birth attendants, traditional bonesetters, and herbalists. Knowledge scores were computed for each respondent. Adequate knowledge was set at ≥ 50% score and inadequate knowledge at < 50%. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors/independent variables associated with adequate knowledge among IHPs. Independent variables in the regression model were seven items that describe the profile of IHPs and can influence their access to information on non-communicable diseases. Knowledge of risk factors and symptoms of hypertension and DM among IHPs was low since only 21 (8.82%) and 19 (7.98%) of them had adequate knowledge of hypertension and DM, respectively. In regression analysis, IHPs who had received formal training in the past demonstrated significantly higher levels of knowledge, with odds of adequate knowledge in hypertension being 14.62 times greater for trained providers, and the odds of adequate knowledge of both non-communicable diseases being 21.34 times greater for trained providers. Training of IHPs is needed to address the critical knowledge deficit of risk factors and symptoms of hypertension and DM. This would contribute to better health outcomes and reduced disease burden in urban slums.

Adapting the Historic Urban Landscape Approach to Study Slums in a Historical City: The Mae Kha Canal Informal Settlements, Chiang Mai

Beyond conserving urban heritage, the concept of historic urban landscapes (HULs) aims to tackle poverty and inequality, as well as to improve the quality of human settlements, through a people-centered approach in the context of rapid urbanization. This paper demonstrates the adaption of HUL tools and methodologies to investigate a slum in a historical city—the informal settlements along the Mae Kha Canal in Chiang Mai. An on-site field survey of the characteristics of the settlement’s composition and interviews with stakeholders, local authorities, and inhabitants were conducted. The analysis revealed that there is a gap between the desired strategy of the Mae Kha Canal agenda and the actual conditions of the location. The aforementioned contrast is discussed to suggest alternate options for upgrading the informal community while preserving its ancient walls, in line with HUL principles. The conclusion highlights the benefits of introducing the HUL approach in a slum setting and provides recommendations for deteriorated neighborhoods elsewhere that are either surrounded by or adjacent to historical features needing resilience.

Informal–Formal Healthcare Services Delivery Nexus in Nigeria’s Urban Slums: A Reconnaissance Study

Urban slums are human habitats with poor habitation qualities that are vulnerable to infectious diseases and public health crises. Low coverage from formal healthcare services providers created opportunity for informal providers to thrive in urban slums. This study examined the nature of relationship between informal and formal healthcare services providers in urban slums and explored opportunities for strengthening collaborations between them. Reconnaissance research method, a qualitative research approach for exploring under-researched terrains, guided the interview of 104 slum healthcare stakeholders across eight purposively selected slums in Enugu and Onitsha cities, in southeastern-Nigeria. Findings show that informal healthcare service providers are dominant in urban slums, and many of them cooperate and compete with formal providers. Supervision of informal providers in slums is inadequate, and the formal providers report that the informal providers find acceptance, despite their lack of adequate training and professionalism. Authorities governing health systems in slums are encouraged to establish a mechanism to profile informal providers, delineate the scope of services, and bridge the gap through the creation of referral channels. Subsequent studies may explore what character any mechanism created to institutionalize the collaboration toward improving healthcare services delivery should take and what challenges could undermine it.

IJCM_311A: Epidemiological profile of tuberculosis cases at an urban slum in a metropolitan city a cross sectional study

Background: The WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme works towards the goal of a world free of TB, with zero deaths, disease and suffering due to the disease. Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and usually curable disease. Yet in 2022, TB was the worlds second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, after coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The reported global number of people newly diagnosed with TB was 7.5 million in 2022; this is the highest number since WHO began global TB monitoring in 1995. Around 87% of new TB cases occurred in the 30 high TB burden countries, with more than two-thirds of the global total in Bangladesh, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines. Objective: To study the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis cases in an urban slum of Mumbai. Methodology: A retrospective record-based analysis of secondary data on tuberculosis (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) reported on the NIKSHAY portal between January to December 2022 at an urban health training center in an urban slum in Mumbai. Results: The total number of drug sensitive TB cases reported in 2022 was 519. Males constituted 42% and females 58%. The most common age group affected was 20-29 years. Pulmonary cases comprised 66.9% of the cases. The total number of Drug resistant TB cases reported were 75, 53 were pulmonary &amp; 22 were extrapulmonary. Conclusion: In contrast to Male predominance (52.26%) of cases in Maharashtra, the urban slum had 42% males affected. India grapples with multiple challenges in combatting tuberculosis (TB), marked by a high disease burden, diagnostic delays, drug resistance, and socioeconomic barriers. While significant strides have been made through programs like the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program, the path to eradication demands continued efforts.

A Global Estimate of the Size and Location of Informal Settlements

Slums are a structural feature of urbanization, and shifting urbanization trends underline their significance for the cities of tomorrow. Despite their importance, data and knowledge on slums are very limited. In consideration of the current data landscape, it is not possible to answer one of the most essential questions: Where are slums located? The goal of this study is to provide a more nuanced understanding of the geography of slums and their growth trajectories. The methods rely on the combination of different datasets (city-level slum maps, world cities, global human settlements layer, Atlas of Informality). Slum data from city-level maps form the backbone of this research and are made compatible by differentiating between the municipal area, the urbanized area, and the area beyond. This study quantifies the location of slums in 30 cities, and our findings show that only half of all slums are located within the administrative borders of cities. Spatial growth has also shifted outwards. However, this phenomenon is very different in different regions of the world; the municipality captures less than half of all slums in Africa and the Middle East but almost two-thirds of all slums in cities of South Asia. These insights are used to estimate land requirements within the Sustainable Development Goals time frame. In 2015, almost one billion slum residents occupied a land area as large as twice the size of the country of Portugal. The estimated 380 million residents to be added up to 2030 will need land equivalent to the size of the country of Egypt. This land will be added to cities mainly outside their administrative borders. Insights are provided on how this land demand differs within cities and between world regions. Such novel insights are highly relevant to the policy actions needed to achieve Target 11.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (“by 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services, and upgrade slums”) as interventions targeted at slums or informal settlements are strongly linked to political and administrative boundaries. More research is needed to draw attention to the urban expansion of cities and the role of slums and informal settlements.

Problems of Educationally Deprived Children Living in Slums of Lucknow

Lucknow City, the capital town of Uttar Pradesh and Lucknow's district headquarters, is one of India's most well-known political council areas. The majority of the world's population resides in Lucknow City's slums. Poverty, crowded living conditions, and dangerous surroundings are the hallmarks of Lucknow's slums. The living conditions of the impoverished in this city are abhorrent, and the slum dwellers' lack of awareness harms their health, in addition to creating unique obstacles to the establishment of health surveys. There are slums in Nishatganj flyover, Nishatganj railway crossing, and Tedhipulia, among other places in Lucknow. Lucknow, the regional capital of Uttar Pradesh, defines slums and squatter communities as places. Once additional information has been obtained, the competent authority may declare an area to become a slum area by publishing a notice in the official gazette if it is satisfied that the majority of the buildings in the area pose a risk to the safety, health, or morals of the local population due to overcrowding, improper building arrangement, narrower or faulty street layouts, lack of ventilation, light, or sanitation facilities, or any combination of all three.

Land Ownership of Climate Migrants in Dhaka City Slum

An increasing number of Bangladeshis have recently migrated from rural to urban areas due to climate change is a matter of concern. Many people migrated from their place of origin to Dhaka city slums due to the influence of the climate and various economic and social reasons. Climate migrants start living in urban slums for a better and more secure life. They permanently reside and work in Dhaka without owning a house, but gradually, many acquire houses and land. The study provides information on the tenants’ ownership of land in the slums of Dhaka. The purpose of this study is the process and financial challenges of land ownership and building houses in the slums of Dhaka city. This study examines land ownership patterns among climate migrants of the Korail slum in Dhaka city. Using a mixed-methods approach, including purposive sampling, key informant interviews, and in-depth qualitative interviews, the researcher investigated the process and challenges of acquiring land ownership. Results indicate that financial constraints and informal networks play crucial roles in land acquisition. These findings have implications for urban planning policies and climate migration management in rapidly growing cities.

The stakeholder analysis of sanitation management in Pontianak City Slums

The development of slum settlements is increasing in Indonesia, one of which is in Pontianak City where most of the slum settlements are on the banks of the Kapuas River. The sanitation conditions are poor and inadequate health services. This study aims to identify stakeholders and their roles and classify stakeholders based on the power-interest matrix for sanitation management in Pontianak’s slum settlements. Data collection was carried out through Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and questionnaires to stakeholders from the government, private sector, civil society, and academics related to sanitation. This research is important for stakeholder to handling sanitation problems in slum settlements. Stakeholders related to sanitation had various roles and different levels of involvement. The Stakeholder analysis was succesfully identified 47 stakeholders involved in sanitation management in Pontianak slums, classified as 15 subjects, 6 key players, 17 crowds, and 10 context setters. The existence of these stakeholders can influence the handling of sanitation in slum settlements and need collaborate among the stakeholders.

Vertical Land Consolidation For Handling Urban Housing And Slum Settlement Arrangements

The proliferation of slums in cities with limited land availability calls for regulation on how best to utilize and control Land and initiatives to streamline and improve land use in metropolitan areas through land consolidation. Therefore, the government can use land consolidation to ensure the quality of the urban environment and the social functions of Land. Land consolidation itself is mainly carried out on city properties due to the high concentration of people and lack of planning that characterizes many urban environments. In urban slum programs, vertical land consolidation is an alternative land supply to reorganize slums. By reorganizing who owns what, where it can be used, and how it can be used, land consolidation is carried out to enhance natural resource conservation and improve environmental quality through community involvement and public use of previously privately owned Land. Community participation is a major part of the framework for improving the quality and quantity of land functions. Vertical land consolidation can serve as a useful solution to urban problems such as housing affordability and density. By consolidating Land vertically, more housing units can be built in a smaller area, providing more affordable housing options for residents. In addition, vertical land consolidation helps reduce urban sprawl and results in more sustainable and livable cities. This paper uses normative legal research techniques, including research into applying positive law and legal principles or norms.

Challenges of Crime in City Slums: A Case Study of Mathare Slum in Nairobi County, Kenya

This study focuses on the challenges of crime within Mathare slum in Nairobi County, Kenya. It has been necessitated by the continued concern on the constant presence of crime within the slum areas of Nairobi. Although there have been studies carried out on various challenges in slums, this study provides a detailed analysis of the security challenges faced by Mathare slum dwellers. The study sought to examine five major thematic areas; major causes of crime in Mathare slum, types and trends of crime within Mathare slum, crime reporting, criminal gangs in Mathare slum and fear of crime within Mathare slum. Questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to obtain data from respondents who included Mathare slum residents, police officers, area chiefs and community policing committees’ chairpersons from the thirteen villages in Mathare slum. The challenges of crime in Mathare slum were found to be a combination of multiple factors working in congruence to influence the commission of crime.

Gut microbiota shifts favorably with delivery of handwashing with soap and water treatment intervention in a prospective cohort (CHoBI7 trial)

BackgroundCholera can result in the expulsion of important microbiota from the gut and result in death if left untreated. The disease transmits mainly via drinking water carrying Vibrio cholerae; and household contacts (HHC) of cholera patients are at elevated risk during the first week of infection. The gut microbiota profiles of HHC-children of cholera patients at Dhaka city slums were investigated before (day 0) and after (day 8) delivery of chlorinated water as part of the major study ‘CHoBI7 trial (cholera-hospital-based intervention for 7 days)’.ResultResults of sequencing and analysis of bacterial community DNA revealed the predominance of two bacterial phyla: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes at day 0 with a relative abundance of 62 ± 6 (mean ± SEM%) and 32 ± 7, respectively. The pattern reversed at day 8 with a decreased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (39 ± 12; p = 0.034) and an increased abundance of Firmicutes (49 ± 12; p = 0.057). Of 65 bacterial families confirmed at day 0, six belonging to Proteobacteria including Vibrionaceae disappeared at day 8. Interestingly, the relative abundance of four Firmicutes families—Lachnospiraceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Ruminococcaceae was increased in all five study children at day 8.ConclusionThe observed exclusion of pathogenic Proteobacteria and enhancement of beneficial Firmicutes in the gut of children delivered with chlorinated water as part of WASH intervention reflect a great promise of the CHoBI7 program in preventing cholera and improving child health.

UNVEILING THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE MIGRANT WOMEN IN DHAKA CITY'S SLUM COMMUNITIES

This study delves into the mental health challenges faced by climate migrant women residing in slum communities within Dhaka City. Through qualitative exploration and community-based assessments, the research sheds light on the multifaceted issues influencing the mental well-being of these vulnerable populations. Findings underscore the intersecting factors of environmental displacement, socioeconomic adversity, gender inequality, and limited access to healthcare services, which contribute to heightened levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma among climate migrant women. The study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions, policy initiatives, and community support networks to address the mental health needs of climate migrant women and promote resilience within Dhaka City's slum communities.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Trichinella spp. in Pigs from Cairo, Egypt.

Pork production is a niche economy in Egypt, and pigs are typically raised as backyard animals with no sanitary control, potentially exposing them to various pathogens. Commercially available ELISAs were used to detect specific antibodies to the food-borne zoonotic parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp., as well as to Neospora caninum, in serum samples of pigs slaughtered at Egypt's only licensed pig abattoir, the El-Bassatin abattoir in Cairo. Among the tested sera (n = 332), seroreactivity for T. gondii was 45.8% (95% confidence interval: 40.4-51.3), N. caninum was 28.0% (95% CI: 23.3-33.2), and Trichinella spp. was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.4-3.3). Mixed infection was only detected for T. gondii and N. caninum (18.7%; 95% CI: 14.7-23.4). The seroprevalence of T. gondii was significantly higher (p = 0.0003) in animals collected from southern Cairo (15 May city slum) than in eastern Cairo (Ezbet El Nakhl slum). Seroprevalence for N. caninum was higher in western (Manshiyat Naser slum; p = 0.0003) and southern Cairo (15 May city slum; p = 0.0003) than in that of eastern Cairo (Ezbet El Nakhl slum; p = 0.0003). Moreover, female pigs exhibited a higher rate of N. caninum antibodies than male ones (p < 0.0001). This study provides the first seroprevalence data for N. caninum in pigs in Egypt, and updates the prevalence of the zoonotic parasites Trichinella spp. and T. gondii.

Evaluation Program in Handling Cities without Slum Settlements (Kotaku) in Sukabumi City

This study focuses on evaluating the city program policy without slums (kotaku) in Sukabumi City. In evaluation theory there are indicators to regulate the course of the program or program implementation in a good and comprehensive manner by producing programs for reducing slums in cities without slums in the city of Sukabumi. The results of the study show six indicators, namely effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, responsiveness, and accuracy in solving the problems of the city program without slums in Sukabumi City. In implementing the city program without slums in Sukabumi City, this program policy has not been fully realized 100% considering that the overall progress of implementing activities in Sukabumi City still has slum areas remaining. Economic, social and political environmental conditions have a significant effect on the performance of the KOTAKU program. High participation can increase the effectiveness of program implementation and support strong public policy sustainability related to the KOTAKU program which is the most important factor in program implementation so that it can produce significant changes.

Health-seeking behaviour and its determinants of health of Under-5 Children living in urban slums of Chennai, India 2018.

Appropriate health-seeking behaviour could help in reducing child mortality and morbidity. Information on social factors of mortality and health-seeking behaviours of caregivers of under-5 children from slums of Indian cities is minimal in literature. We estimated the prevalence of health-seeking behaviour for morbidity ofunder-5 children and its determinants in urban slums in Chennai city, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a mixed-method design among primary caregivers of under-5 children living in Chennai slums, India. Two-stage cluster sampling was adopted to select 40 slums. A total of 233 primary caregivers were interviewed. Nine focus group discussions and 18 in-depth interviews were conducted among the primary caregivers. Prevalence of inappropriate health-seeking behaviour was estimated, and determinants were identified by multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. Thematic analysis was done on qualitative data. We interviewed 233 primary caregivers. The weighted prevalence of inappropriate health-seeking behaviour for under-five children in urban slums of Chennai was 53.9% (95% CI: 46.9 - 60.8). Primary caregivers educated above secondary school were more likely (AOR of 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3-4.1) to follow inappropriate health-seeking behaviour compared to those educated below. Similarly, caregivers who were unaware of young child feeding practices (AOR of 3.6, 95% CI: 1.9-6.5) and early care-seeking and health practices (AOR of 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3-4.9) were more likely to engage in inappropriate health-seeking behaviour compared to those who were aware and we found that illness symptoms influenced health-seeking behaviour and that early disease detection might prevent severe illness. Health-seeking behaviour was found to be suboptimal among under-5 children in Chennai's urban slums. We suggest policymakers improve interventions on early care-seeking of common childhood illnesses in the urban health programme.

Empowering the Marginalized: Technology and Quality of Life in Amritsar's Smart City Slums

Amritsar is the largest city in Punjab, north India, quantified based on its slum population. The present paper attempts to study the accessibility of essential facilities like safe drinking water, bathing provision, drainage connectivity, fuel used for cooking and electricity availability, and evaluate the quality of life in Amritsar slums. Primary data were collected using a multi-module interview schedule between August and September 2022 to achieve these research goals. Thus, 614 households were selected for a preliminary survey based on the location of slums in the city. The analysis identified that the availability of basic amenities and quality of life of slum dwellers varies among various slums; at the same time, the provision of these amenities also depends on the type, location and magnitude of multiple slums. Further, it was concluded that public planning agencies have failed to supply the required facilities to the economically weaker sections of society. In addition to Government efforts, there is a need to strengthen the private sector's role in slum up-gradation, participatory planning for slum areas and other inclusive planning measures to ensure basic amenities and better quality of life for the slum dwellers.

Social Capital and Slum Communities: How to Fulfill Their Basic Needs in Palembang City during The Covid-19 Pandemic

Indonesia and other developing countries, slum settlements remain the most pressing issue. The high pace of population expansion, both in terms of births and urbanization, is a factor in the development of slums. While the Covid-19 outbreak ravaged the city of Palembang, Indonesia, this study examines the role of the city's slums in providing basic necessities. This study employs both a qualitative and descriptive technique. Sampling via purposive sampling and data gathering approaches such as observation and in-depth interviews. The study's findings indicate that (1) a high level of social capital as measured by networks, norms, and beliefs enables slum communities to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) the slum area communities' strategy for survival is to utilize yard land, home industries, social gathering, recitation, and mutual cooperationIndonesia and other developing countries, slum settlements remain the most pressing issue. The high pace of population expansion, both in terms of births and urbanization, is a factor in the development of slums. While the Covid-19 outbreak ravaged the city of Palembang, Indonesia, this study examines the role of the city's slums in providing basic necessities. This study employs both a qualitative and descriptive technique. Sampling via purposive sampling and data gathering approaches such as observation and in-depth interviews. The study's findings indicate that (1) a high level of social capital as measured by networks, norms, and beliefs enables slum communities to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) the slum area communities' strategy for survival is to utilize yard land, home industries, social gathering, recitation, and mutual cooperation

Social Background of North Zone Slums in Mysore - A Sociological Observation

Slums are the abodes of India's poor. On account of inequality, people often face problems like poverty, social backwardness and unemployment, which have led to the birth of slums in cities. Slums are often referred to as housing estates where low-caste residents dwell. The Census of India defines a slum as “A compact area of at least 300 people or about 60-70 families”. Illegally emerged slums on government or private land have further exacerbated the problems of hygienic civic amenities. The number of slums is increasing year by year on account of unemployment problems in the mofussil areas. This study focuses on the background and the material conditions of slums. Seven slums of Mysore city were selected and analyzed through the mode of primary data collection.