Growth Of Slums Research Articles

Electricity access in urban slum households of Bangladesh: A case of Dhaka

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, is one of the fastest growing cities in Southern Asia, having population of more than 13 million, and is expected to accommodate more than 20 million by 2025. This growth has been accompanied by the growth of urban slums and the subsequent challenges to access basic urban services like water, sanitation, clean energy, and transport for the urban poor. Despite its importance for basic survival, electricity supply is not recognized as a basic urban service, as a result of which, the poverty alleviation and basic infrastructure provision programs have not addressed this issue completely. On the basis of a stakeholder interaction approach, following a set of logically sequenced questions to assess the availability, accessibility, affordability, reliability and continuity of usage of electricity, this study assesses the current status of electricity access in an urban poor area of Dhaka and identifies barriers to electricity access from both demand and supply side. Barriers specific recommendations are also suggested based on the experiences from field visit and the best practices outside Bangladesh are also identified.

The global health threat of African urban slums: the example of urban tuberculosis

Urban slums in developing countries are experiencing the most rapid population growth of any settlement type globally. Such growth of densely settled slums exerts a profound influence on the epidemiology and geography of communicable disease, transmitted through multiple modes. Specifically, high density, poor sanitation, poorly built housing, and lack of both adequate sewage systems and water supply facilitate pathogen spread. Long-range transmission of infection, partly through migration or travel of infected individuals, makes communicable diseases of urban areas in developing countries health problems of the entire world rather than localized areas. Non-endemic areas are threatened with disease spread. Because a significant proportion of slum growth and disease burden is in sub-Saharan Africa, global well-being demands that we understand and control disease spread in African slums as a major international health priority. This paper outlines the potential threats and implications of African urban slum health using the example of tuberculosis (TB), which is highly prevalent in developing countries. Using the case of Nima, a slum in Accra, Ghana, we argue that successful disease control efforts in developed countries depend critically on effective disease surveillance and control efforts in developing countries, including African urban slums.

The Economics of Slums in the Developing World

The global expansion of urban slums poses questions for economic research as well as problems for policymakers. We provide evidence that the type of poverty observed in contemporary slums of the developing world is characteristic of that described in the literature on poverty traps. We document how human capital threshold effects, investment inertia, and a “policy trap” may prevent slum dwellers from seizing economic opportunities offered by geographic proximity to the city. We test the assumptions of another theory—that slums are a just transitory phenomenon characteristic of fastgrowing economies—by examining the relationship between economic growth, urban growth, and slum growth in the developing world, and whether standards of living of slum dwellers are improving over time, both within slums and across generations. Finally, we discuss why standard policy approaches have often failed to mitigate the expansion of slums in the developing world. Our aim is to inform public debate on the essential issues posed by slums in the developing world.

Growth of Slums in Pimpri-Chinchwad Urban Area & Its Effects on Urban Environment

Growth of Slums in Pimpri-Chinchwad Urban Area & Its Effects on Urban Environment

Real or Perceived: The Environmental Health Risks of Urban Sack Gardening in Kibera Slums of Nairobi, Kenya

Cities around the world are undergoing rapid urbanization, resulting in the growth of informal settlements or slums. These informal settlements lack basic services, including sanitation, and are associated with joblessness, low-income levels, and insecurity. Families living in such settlements may turn to a variety of strategies to improve their livelihoods and household food security, including urban agriculture. However, given the lack of formal sanitation services in most of these informal settlements, residents are frequently exposed to a number of environmental risks, including biological and chemical contaminants. In the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya, households practice a form of urban agriculture called sack gardening, or vertical gardening, where plants such as kale and Swiss chard are planted into large sacks filled with soil. Given the nature of farming in slum environments, farmers and consumers of this produce in Kibera are potentially exposed to a variety of environmental contaminants due to the lack of formal sanitation systems. Our research demonstrates that perceived and actual environmental risks, in terms of contamination of food crops from sack gardening, are not the same. Farmers perceived exposure to biological contaminants to be the greatest risk to their food crops, but we found that heavy metal contamination was also significant risk. By demonstrating this disconnect between risk perception and actual risk, we wish to inform debates about how to appropriately promote urban agriculture in informal settlements, and more generally about the trade-offs created by farming in urban spaces.

Squatter Settlements in the Kathmandu Valley: Looking Through the Prism of Land Rights and Tenure Security

Rural–urban migration has resulted in the rapid growth of slums and squatter settlements in the Kathmandu Valley. Such migration is due to low socio-economic growth, a poor land administration system, inadequate capacity to cope with housing needs and poor governance. These settlements are not recognised administratively, but they are legitimatised through the provision of amenities. However, due to the lack of land rights and tenure security, the squatter settlements are facing multiple problems, i.e. lack of urban investment, poor access to financing options, increasing vulnerability and social exclusion. The present trend of land development and housing provision is inadequate due to the limited allocation of land and housing units. A twofold strategy is necessary to reverse this trend. New policies are required to recognise the existing genuine slums and squatter settlements and prevent the formation of such areas in the future, to make provision for easy finance options and affordable housing units, as well as to establish special funds for upgrading and relocating squatters. At the local level, different forms of land tenure should be granted to squatters after classifying them based on their characteristics. Instead of providing freehold land title and free shelter and amenities, the identification of the right combination of grants and loans through the establishment of community credit and a microfinance system is recommended so that the relevant communities can purchase (rent or lease) the land and house and extend infrastructure development in the long run. Economic empowerment of the dwellers and coordination between local-level and national-level institutions are prerequisites to reverse the current situation of the settlements.

Use of agent based modelling to investigate the dynamics of slum growth

The purpose of this study is first, to provide a mine survey perspective on the typical problems that can be expected during slope monitoring using total station (also known as prism monitoring) and second, to suggest ways of mitigating such problems. The aim is to create awareness of the implications of incorrect use or negligence during slope monitoring surveys utilising a total station.

Globalisation and Urban Poverty in India: A Sociological Analysis of Slums

Globalisation has many positive impacts like growing opportunities for communications, mobility and exchange, etc. However, it also carries serious risks for the urban poor like impoverishment of the underemployed, unemployed and under-represented lower classes. The growth of slums is a manifestation of the urban poverty as the majority of the urban poor lives in the slums. Poverty is one of the disturbing features of slums. It cannot be separated from slum life. This research paper attempts to analyse the position of urban poor with reference to slum dwellers during the era of globalisation. It is a secondary data-based study.

Rural-Urban Transformation in Nigeria

Abstract Since the late 1960s, Nigeria's structural and rural-urban transformations have been driven largely by developments in its oil sector. Due to increased oil revenues, incentives for the production of internationally tradable agricultural commodities declined and the agricultural sector stagnated. Incentives to produce domestically consumed agricultural products also declined as oil exports financed increasing food imports. The decline of the agricultural sector fueled rural-urban migration. Migration continued into the 1980s and 1990s, even when large parts of the economy - including manufacturing - collapsed due to lower oil prices, unsustainable policies, and foreign debt. Growth in the urban informal sector, fueled by migrants has posed challenges in terms of urban poverty and the growth of urban and peri-urban slums. The government of Nigeria has attempted to stem the tide of rural-urban migration through rural development programs. However these programs have had limited impact and were unable to stem the flow of migrants into urban areas. Key remaining questions center on how to increase productivity in the agricultural sector and at the same time provide more lucrative opportunities in urban areas.

Rethinking community and public space from the margins: a study of community libraries in Bangalore's slums

The growth of slums in urban regions of the Global South is an issue of major concern for a variety of fields. These rapid urban changes are presenting a myriad of challenges, including the provision of social and educational services to urban populations that are often invisible to the gaze of the state. One issue that is not often discussed in slums is the role that educational spaces and places can play in facilitating community development. Specifically, this article discusses the case of community libraries in the slums of Bangalore, India. Community libraries, while only part of a larger empowerment and development strategy, can play an important role in providing a sense of place and belonging. The libraries that are part of this case study are focused on providing services to children, which in certain respects creates wider community support.

Economics of Affordable Housing in Indian Cities

With increasing concentration of economic and commercial activities, rapid economic growth and influx of population in Indian cities, the pressure on affordable housing delivery is mounting, resulting in the proliferation of slums. For a sense of the magnitude of the problem, a snapshot view of slums in a few Indian cities has been provided in this article. Focusing on the case of Mumbai, it is estimated that at the present income distribution and institutional rates, only 5–6 per cent of households can afford a house in Mumbai. The article demonstrates that the failure of policies to adhere to basic economic principles results in massive distortions in the land and housing markets, leading to failure in resolving problems of affordable housing and slums. Thus, for cities to ameliorate affordable housing delivery whilst keeping a check on the growth of slums, it is essential that policies ensure the satisfaction of certain core economic principles—in particular, the household stock and flow principle—that are instrumental in efficient functioning of land and housing markets. The article advocates that the success of Rajiv Awas Yojana would depend upon its ability to understand the informal institutions in place, given the extant distortions in the land and housing markets.

Debt and the Built Urban Environment: Examining the Growth of Urban Slums in the Less Developed Countries, 1990–2010

The present study examines the influence of external debt on the change in the proportion of the total population living in urban slum conditions in the less developed countries between 1990 and 2010, drawing from a political economy of the world-system theoretical perspective. Ordinary least squares panel regression illustrates external debt as a percent of gross national income has a statistically significant positive effect producing higher levels of urban slum growth. This result is recurrent across all developing countries but is particularly strong among sub-Saharan African nations. Further, urban population growth 1960–1990 exhibits a positive effect contributing to higher urban slum growth. The results support the hypothesis that external debt burden is an important factor contributing to higher levels of urban slum growth in the less developed countries between 1990 and 2010. This effect, moreover, is particularly strong among sub-Saharan African countries relative to developing countries within other regions of the world.

The 21st Century Urban Landscape: Plus ça change

In his account of the turbulent decade of the 1960s, in which New York City dealt with endemic corruption, racism and economic distress, English begins by telling us “(u)ntold thousands, perhaps millions, have fallen prey to the perils of municipal dysfunction, to the growing pains of a city forced to adjust to violent demographic shifts, internal hostilities, wrenching social changes…(2011: xi).” It is a description that those of us who lived through that decade in that city would find neither unfamiliar nor surprising. It is a description that can still describe urban society in the advanced industrial societies today, half a century later. We are not surprised to learn about administrative dysfunction any more than we are surprised to see graft and corruption at a time when there are fewer and fewer resources in municipal coffers. Xenophobia increasingly is the expressed sentiment among citizens of more advanced industrialized nations, reflecting a rightward shift among European and North American populations resentful of the influx of immigrants that is the result of rapidly expanding globalized patterns of migration from the underdeveloped regions of the world. As Davis (2006) points out, industrial cities like Chicago, Manchester or Berlin did not end up being the model for globalization the world over, much as the models of “modernization” did not produce emergent industrial countries following the European model of development. Rather, dependent development describes countries under the sway of advanced capitalist countries, and the ravages of poverty and dysfunction in cities of these countries have created the Dickensonian urban disasters causing Davis to anticipate a planet of slums. These cities are attracting a constant stream of rural migrants in the hopeless search for employment bloating already large urban populations in the mega-cities of developing countries. Davis states, “(s)ince 1970, slum growth everywhere in the South has outpaced urbanization per se (2006:17)” and suggests that Engel’s tome on working class conditions at the middle of the 19th Century is still applicable as a description of urban conditions today (2006:138). Indeed, as reflected in the title of his work, Davis paints a rather dystopic vision of the cities of the near future. Even as Davis details the patterns of growth and decay in these mega-cities of the world, we might consider that his vision and framework is rooted in an urbanism set against the standard of Western urbanization. Implicit in this understanding of the spread of urbanization in industrial societies is the role globalization plays–not just in the movement of people, but the standardization that comes with globalization leading us assume that there is standard urbanization narrative. Relying on what he calls urban imaginaries, Huyssen (2008) presents a series of essays that combat the idea that globalization, with its McDonaldization and consumerism driven by some global media recreating suburban malls everywhere, is both inevitable and dominant. Urban spaces are

Urbanisation and environmental degradation in Dhaka Metropolitan Area of Bangladesh

Using available data on relevant issues and onsite field visits, this paper documented the environmental problems associated with the unprecedented urbanization in Dhaka Metropolitan Area of Bangladesh. Analyses revealed that a rapid spatial expansion of the city has been taking place alongside the remarkable rise in urban population, simultaneously putting immense pressure on natural resource-base. Substantial changes that were observed in land use and cover are believed to be a significant factor in elevating the risk of natural hazards, particularly flooding during monsoon. In addition, air, water, and noise quality, have all become acute, and are subsequently posing uncertain liabilities to the inhabitants’ health of the area. Rapid uncoordinated urbanisation gives rise to a spectacular growth of slums and squatters, making 3.4 million slum dwellers in 2006 from only 1.5 million in 1996. Achieving sustainable urban development in the DMA therefore, requires tackling the environmental problems in a rational manner.

Curbing Malnutrition and Micronutrient Defi ciencies in India… Food Based Strategies at the Centre of a Holistic Approach

India has the largest number of undernourished people the world. Malnutrition is a major problem with nearly 55% of the pre-school children and one-third of women the age group 15-49 years being underweight. The problem of malnutrition is causing an economic pullback as India tends to lose 3-4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) terms of loss of productivity. This glaring problem of malnutrition and micronutrient defi ciencies is multi-factorial. Important causes include lack of improvement agricultural productivity owing to inadequate resources, lack of education and inadequate job opportunities. Increased informal workforce due to rural-urban migration along with unplanned growth of slums is one of the key issues the urban set-up. Other factors catalyzing the problem include overpopulation, gender inequality, inadequate distribution of food through public distribution mechanisms and lack of coherent nutrition policies. The government policies should focus on growth agriculture and on improving the food storing facilities. An accurate targeting of in need population, so that they get food at substantially low price along with introduction of holistic employment schemes is required. Nutrition based programmes should have in-built system of evaluation based on key nutritional indicators. Social determinants of health such as water, sanitation and women empowerment also have to be addressed to achieve long term gains the health of the community. Community awareness and mass movement is required to ensure that demographic dividend might not turn into demographic nightmare. Keeping view that nutrition is not a 'stand alone' subject, a multisectoral approach is needed.

MANAGING THE LAGOS MEGACITY AND ITS GEOSPATIAL IMPERATIVE

Abstract. Lagos has assumed the Megacity status and it is projected to have its population doubled in the first quarter of this century. The Megacity has extended beyond the administrative boundary of the state, which is also one of the fastest growing urban agglomerations in the world. Information is the most vital component of urban management; however, a survey of the spatial data infrastructure of the city proves it derisory or out-of-date, thereby creating a void between urban development and its management. This has led to a sporadic growth of slums and unplanned settlements which now accounts for over 60 % of the city. To avoid an impasse, it is necessary to review the level of geospatial technologies used at the local level and recommend formidable means of integration in the decision making process. This paper examines the level of geospatial technologies the 20 local governments of Lagos State and within the Megacity region and suggests success factors.

Urban Slum Growth and Human Health: A Panel Study of Infant and Child Mortality in Less-Developed Countries, 1990–2005

Drawing from various bodies of social scientific literature and research, the authors assess the extent to which infant and child mortality rates in less-developed countries are affected by the percent of domestic populations living in urban slum conditions. Results of first-difference panel model estimates of 80 less-developed countries from 1990 to 2005 indicate that growth in the percent of populations living in urban slum conditions positively affects both forms of mortality, and the effects are much more pronounced for African countries than for less-developed countries in Latin America and Asia. These findings hold, net of economic development, fertility rates, world-economic integration, and other factors. Cross-sectional analyses of infant and child mortality rates in 2005 that include additional controls provide further evidence of the mortality/urban slum relationships found in the panel model estimates. The authors conclude by highlighting the theoretical implications of the results and describe the next steps in this research agenda.

AS COMUNIDADES TRADICIONAIS E A LUTA POR DIREITOS ÉTNICOS E COLETIVOS NO SUL DO BRASIL

In the south of Brazil, specially in Parana and Santa Catarina, the social invisibility is something historical to the people and traditional communities in front of society. The recognition of rights by these groups that came from the articulation and organization of themselves, beyond of not being seen before, by realization of many collective actions, have been generated new paradigms in juridical field. This “invisibility” of people and traditional communities have, historically, resulted in the implementation of public policies in which are founded proccesses like agrarian exodus, the growth of slums in the urban centers, the increase of poverty and the enviromental degradation of traditional territories. There are positivized laws in the national legal system, as on international, that are used to guarantee fundamental rights of people and traditional communities. One of the ways of utilization of these laws is called “positivism of battle”, being started a fight to prevail the rights of subaltern groups. It is also questioned the construction of Law with an individual and formalistic optical, that difficults the recognition of collective and plural rights. Today, despite of liberalism being the paradigm of juridical science, the Law is insert in the social practices, product coming from dialectical of a praxis produced day by day, alike stimulated by the traditional communities.

Access to clean energy services for the urban and peri-urban poor: a case-study of Delhi, India

Indian cities are rapidly growing. Their growth has been accompanied by the growth of urban slums and subsequent challenges to access basic urban services like water, sanitation, clean energy, and transport for the urban poor. Despite its importance for basic survival, and from an economic and health (both personal and environmental) perspective, clean energy supply is not recognised as a basic urban service, as a result of which the poverty alleviation and basic infrastructure provision programmes in India have not addressed it completely. The situation is also aggravated by the existence of distorted energy markets in India, which have resulted in the true benefits of energy subsidies not reaching the poor and therefore hindering their access to cleaner fuels. Data on the status of physical access of households in India to different energy sources, whether households have access to different energy markets, whether energy is affordable to them, quality of energy supply, etc. is meagre. On the basis of a stakeholder interaction approach, following a set of logically sequenced questions to assess availability, accessibility, affordability, reliability and continuity of usage of clean fuels, this study assesses the current levels of access to clean forms of energy for cooking, lighting and productive/economic purposes, for the urban and peri-urban poor in Delhi, the capital of India, and identifies challenges and policy measures to improve clean energy access.

Towards action on social determinants for health equity in urban settings

More than half of the global population now live in urban settings. Urbanization can and should be beneficial for health. In general, nations with high life expectancies and low infant mortality rates are those where city governments address the key social determinants of health. Better housing and living conditions, access to safe water and good sanitation, efficient waste management systems, safer working environments and neighbourhoods, food security and access to services such as education, health, welfare, public transportation and child care are examples of social determinants of health that can be addressed through good urban governance. Failure of governance in today's cities has resulted in the growth of informal settlements and slums that constitute unhealthy living and working environments for one billion people. A credible health agenda is one that benefits all people in cities, especially the urban poor who live in informal settlements. International agreements calling for urgent action to reduce poverty, such as the Millennium Development Goals, can only be met through national strategies that include both urban and rural commitments and involve local governments and the poor themselves. Health inequalities in urban areas need to be addressed in countries at all income levels. Urban development and town planning are key to creating supportive social and physical environments for health and health equity. Achieving healthy urbanization in all countries is a shared global responsibility. Eliminating deprived urban living conditions will require resources — aid, loans, private investments — from more affluent countries in the order of US$ 200 billion per year, no more than 20 per cent of the annual increase in GDP in high-income countries. Creating global political support for a sustained and well-funded effort for social, economic and health equity is one of the greatest challenges of this generation.