Urban Informal Settlements Research Articles

Assessment of climate change knowledge of residents of informal sectors of Abuja Federal Capital City, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Urban informal settlement dwellers face uncertainties from climate change (CC) and need to understand its causes and impacts to adapt effectively. Few studies explore their levels of CC knowledge. This research surveyed 388 purposively selected households across five informal sectors in Abuja, Nigeria (Apo, Gaduwa, Garki, Jabi, and Mabushi), using structured questionnaires. Key variables assessed for their influence on CC knowledge included age, family size, education, income, livelihood type, tenure security, and marital status. Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square tests evaluated the significance of these factors. Findings showed that most households are aware of local CC trends, with perceptions closely aligning with scientific insights. However, understanding of CC causes and consequences remains limited. Among seven hypotheses tested, age, family size, income, and livelihood type significantly influenced CC knowledge, while education, tenure security, and marital status had little effect. The study highlights that even educated residents may lack comprehensive knowledge of CC causes. Enhancing scientific understanding in CC-prone communities is essential for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Food Security Status and Associated Drivers Among Climate Migrant Households in Bangladesh: Insight From Urban Informal Settlements

ABSTRACTClimate migrants and their food accessibility are a pressing issue in Bangladesh that has not been adequately addressed in previous studies. This research aimed to examine the food security status and its associated drivers among climate migrant households' residing in urban informal settlements in Khulna city. This study was conducted in three selected wards (12, 21, and 31) known for their urban informal settlements and high concentrations of climate migrants. Data were collected on socioeconomic, demographic, COVID‐19 impacts, and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale using an interview schedule. Descriptive (mean, standard deviation, and percentage) and inferential statistics (chi‐square test and binary logit model) were used to analyze the data. The study found a large portion of households to be food insecure (83.3%). Several socio‐demographic and economic issues, including the household head's education, occupation, and health, the number of working members, monthly income, savings, debt, and access to a safety net, were identified as significant drivers of food insecurity. Moreover, COVID‐19 impacts, considering loss of employment, income, and savings, shortages of daily needs, and price hikes on food items, were identified as the significant contributors to food insecurity. Responsible stakeholders may utilize the outcomes of this study to combat food insecurity and hunger among climate migrants residing in urban informal settlements through necessary policy measures.

Remarks on sustainable disposal and potential reuse of greywater in an informal urban settlement, Cape Town, South Africa

Background The disposal of greywater is a challenge for informal urban settlements that do not have a reticulation system to collect the wastewater they generate. Greywater, which includes domestic wastewater, represents a potential resource that can alleviate water stress if efficiently managed. This study aimed to provide sustainable disposal and potential reuse of greywater produced using informal settlements in Cape Town, South Africa. Greywater has the potential to contribute significantly to food security in such settlements by providing a source of both irrigation water and toilet flushing. Methods A combination of desktop research and interviews was employed to gather and analyze the data. A total of 69 questionnaires were administered in the study, and greywater management practices were investigated. Results The findings showed deficiencies in the sustainable disposal of greywater from households. To understand the volumes of greywater generated from a household, a model has been proposed in the study, as there has been a lack of focus on making predictions that quantify the volume of greywater recovered from these households. Conclusions In the context of sustainable development, water management, and considering the scarcity of water resources, particularly in semi-arid regions, the use of treated greywater is an alternative method that can reduce the burden of withdrawals. The study has demonstrated that socio-economic status and education level has reciprocal outcomes on the communities’ understanding of environmental issues. Eliminating inappropriate disposal and providing means to sustainable reuse of greywater effluent is the key.

Governmentality at the urban grassroots: governing from below in an informal settlement

ABSTRACT In urban informal settlements, the state’s material presence is often thought to be marginal or even absent. However, the state can be very much present in different forms even when its material presence might be seemingly absent. Examining the ways governing rationalities of the state may circulate and get reproduced in spaces of informality can thus offer a nuanced understanding of how the informal is governed in the everyday at the urban grassroots. Using Foucauldian notions of governmentality as an analytical lens, this paper examines the governing rationalities and subjectivities of urban citizenship that residents of an informal settlement reproduce in their everyday expressions and spatial practices of self and neighbourhood management. Drawing on empirical data from ethnographic fieldwork in Dhaka, the paper reveals how by reproducing the logics of the state at the urban grassroots, the settlement residents in effect reproduce state control within conditions of informality.

Tracing the Historical Roots of Urban Transformation: The Case of Portoviejo, Ecuador

This paper examines the historical trajectory of Portoviejo, Ecuador, to address how urban planning often overlooks the significance of historical processes, leading to fragmentation and neglect of culturally important spaces. While urban transformation literature has explored the socio-economic, environmental, and infrastructural drivers of change, a gap remains in understanding the specific historical contexts that shape cities in developing countries. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring key moments in Portoviejo’s development, including its colonial foundation, natural disasters, and modernization efforts, and how they have shaped its urban form. Using a mixed-methods qualitative approach, the research analyses 63 historical documents and local archives, combined with Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping to trace urban growth and spatial reorganization. The findings reveal that Portoviejo’s development has been shaped by colonial policies, infrastructural changes such as the introduction of the railway, and natural disasters that led to urban fragmentation and informal settlements. The study highlights that understanding the historical trajectory of cities is essential for developing urban planning strategies that are resilient and contextually grounded. For practitioners, this research underscores the importance of integrating historical insights into planning processes to ensure development aligns with the socio-cultural identity and long-term resilience of cities.

Determinants of under-five mortality in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya from 2002 to 2018

BackgroundChildhood mortality persists as a significant public health challenge in low and middle-income countries and is uneven within countries, with poor communities such as urban informal settlements bearing the highest burden. There is limited literature from urban informal settlements on the risk factors of mortality. We assessed under-five mortality and associated risk factors from the period 2002 to 2018 in Nairobi urban informal settlements.MethodsWe used secondary data from the Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS), a longitudinal surveillance platform that routinely collects individual and household-level data in two informal settlements (Viwandani and Korogocho) in Nairobi, Kenya. We used Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate overall survival and the Cox proportional hazard model with a frailty term to evaluate the impact of risk factors on survival time.ResultsOverall under-five survival rate was 96.8% and this improved from 82.6% (2002-2006) to 95% (2007-2012) and 98.4% (2012-2018). There was a reduced risk of mortality among children who had BCG vaccination, those born to a married mother or a mother not engaging in any income-generating activity (both from 2007 to 2011), children from singleton pregnancy, children born in Viwandani slum and ethnicity of the child.ConclusionUnder-five mortality is still high in urban informal settlements. Targeted public health interventions such as vaccinations and interventions empowering women such as single mothers, those with multiple pregnancies, and more impoverished slums are needed to further reduce under-five mortality in urban informal settlements.

Mental health on two continua: mental wellbeing and common mental disorders in a community-based cross-sectional study with women in urban informal settlements in India

BackgroundWe considered the suggestion that mental health is the product of two intersecting continua: psychological distress and mental wellbeing.ObjectivesTo understand prevalences of low mental wellbeing, depression and anxiety, and examine associations between them and with sociodemographic variables.MethodsIn a cross-sectional survey in informal settlements, 4906 women aged 18–49 years answered questions on mental wellbeing (Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale: SWEMWBS) and symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire: PHQ-9) and anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder: GAD-7). We used regression models to examine associations of lower mental wellbeing with symptoms suggesting moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety, and with sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsAbout 15% of women reported symptoms of low wellbeing, 9% symptoms of moderate-to-severe depression, and 6% symptoms of moderate-to-severe anxiety. Women with low wellbeing did not necessarily report symptoms suggesting anxiety or depression, and women with anxiety or depression did not necessarily report low wellbeing. In adjusted models, poorer and less educated women were more likely to report low wellbeing. Symptoms of anxiety or depression were more likely to be reported by widowed, separated, or divorced women, women who were in paid employment, and women who used drugs or alcohol themselves or whose partners did. Women with low wellbeing had at least double the odds of reporting symptoms of moderate-to-severe depression or anxiety than women who reported greater wellbeing.ConclusionThe findings support the idea of two continua of mental health. How individual women cope with mental illness and nevertheless enjoy a state of wellbeing deserves more study.

Effective community-based interventions to prevent and control infectious diseases in urban informal settlements in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

BackgroundThe impact of rapid urbanization taking place across the world is posing variegated challenges. Especially in terms of communicable disease, the risk is more concentrated in urban poor areas where basic amenities are inadequate. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the effective community-based interventions (CBIs) aimed at preventing and controlling infectious diseases among the urban poor in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsThis systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. A comprehensive search across five major databases was conducted to capture literature on CBIs published between 2011 and 2021. Scientific articles of any design that reported any type of CBIs effective in preventing and controlling infectious diseases (tuberculosis, diarrhea, typhoid, dengue, hepatitis B and C, influenza, and COVID-19) were included. Screening and selection of studies were done by two pairs of independent researchers using the predefined eligibility criteria. The risk of bias in included studies was assessed using the modified checklist outlined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP). Analysis of effective CBIs was guided by the conceptual framework for integrated CBIs for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and narrative synthesis was carried out. Geographical restrictions were limited to LMICs and papers published in English.ResultsOut of 18,260 identified papers, 20 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Community-based screening and socio-economic support, community-based vector control, behavior change communication, capacity building of the community health workers (CHWs), health education, and e- and m-health interventions were found as effective CBIs. Diversified CBIs were found to be effective for specific diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), diarrhea, dengue, influenza and ARI, and hepatitis B and C. Bundling of interventions were found to be effective against specific diseases. However, it was difficult to isolate the effectiveness of individual interventions within the bundle. The socio-cultural context was considered while designing and implementing these CBIs.ConclusionThe effectiveness of an intervention is inextricably linked to social context, stakeholder dimensions, and broader societal issues. System approach is recommended, emphasizing context-specific, multi-component interventions that address social determinants of health. Integrating these interventions with public health strategies and community involvement is crucial for sustainable outcomes. These findings can guide the design of future interventions for better prevention and control of communicable diseases in urban poor areas.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42021278689.

Housing infrastructure and women in care: COVID-19 experiences from urban informal settlements of Khulna, Bangladesh

Urban informal settlements in the Global South, home to over a billion people, face significant challenges due to limited space and inadequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Solid Waste Management (SWM) infrastructure. These deficiencies significantly impact women's ‘triple care role’—reproductive, productive, and community caregiving responsibilities—within their families, society, and the economy, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore how inadequate infrastructure in three informal settlements in Khulna, Bangladesh, influenced women's caregiving roles during the pandemic and their responses. Through semi-structured interviews with 24 women community leaders, who served as front-line workers during COVID-19, and supporting fieldwork, we discovered that women adapted by modifying their habits and the spatial layouts of their homes for isolation. Although some improvements were noted in WASH and SWM conditions, significant challenges remained, particularly in temporary housing, household adaptability, and reproductive responsibilities Despite facing informal employment, financial constraints, and food insecurity, women showed resilience through leadership, socio-political networking, and community initiatives. This study underscores the urgent need for adaptive infrastructure planning to improve living conditions in informal settlements, with a focus on proactive management of both spatial and non-spatial resources to enhance adaptation in resource-scarce contexts.

Caregiving experiences and practices: qualitative formative research towards development of integrated early childhood development interventions targeting Kenyans and refugees in Nairobi’s informal settlements

BackgroundEvidence is needed to understand factors that influence child development and caregiving experiences, especially in marginalized contexts, to inform the development and implementation of early childhood development (ECD) interventions. This study explores caregiving practices for young children in an urban informal settlement with Kenyans and embedded refugees, and identifies factors shaping these caregiving experiences, to inform the design and development of potentially appropriate ECD interventions.MethodsA qualitative formative study, which included 14 focus group discussions (n = 125 participants), and 13 key informant interviews was conducted between August and October 2018. Purposive sampling approaches were used to select a diverse range of respondents including caregivers of children below three years of age and stakeholders of Kenyan nationality and refugees. Data were analysed using a thematic approach and the Nurturing Care Framework was used as an interpretative lens.ResultsThere was a fusion of traditional, religious and modern practices in the care for young children, influenced by the caregivers’ culture, and financial disposition. There were mixed views/practices on nutrition for young children. For example, while there was recognition of the value for breastfeeding, working mothers, especially in the informal economy, found it a difficult practice. Stimulation through play was common, especially for older children, but gaps were identified in aspects such as reading, and storytelling in the home environment. Some barriers identified included the limited availability of a caregiver, insecurity, and confined space in the informal settlement, all of which made it difficult for children to engage in play activities. Physical and psychological forms of discipline were commonly mentioned, although few caregivers practiced and recognized the need for using non-violent approaches. Some overarching challenges for caregivers were unemployment or unstable sources of income, and, particularly for refugee caregivers, their legal status.ConclusionThese findings point to the interplay of various factors affecting optimal caregiving for young children in an urban informal settlement with Kenyans and refugees. Integrated ECD interventions are needed for such a mixed population, especially those that strive to anchor along caregivers’ social support system, co-designed together with community stakeholders, that ideally focus on parent skills training promoting nurturing care and economic empowerment.

Usability and acceptability of self-testing for hepatitis C virus exposure in a high-prevalence urban informal settlement in Karachi, Pakistan

BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody self-testing (HCVST) may help expand screening access and support HCV elimination efforts. Despite potential benefits, HCVST is not currently implemented in Pakistan. This study aimed to assess the usability and acceptability of HCVST in a high HCV prevalence informal settlement in Karachi, Pakistan.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study in a hepatitis C clinic from April through June 2023. Participants were invited to perform a saliva-based HCVST (OraSure Technologies, USA) while following pictorial instructions. A study member evaluated test performance using a standardized checklist and provided verbal support if a step could not be completed. Perceived usability and acceptability were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The HCVST was considered successful if the participant was able to complete all steps and correctly interpret test results. Overall concordance and positive and negative agreement were estimated in comparison with the HCVST result read by the study member (inter-reader concordance and agreement) and result of a second rapid HCV test (Abbott Diagnostics Korea Inc, South Korea) performed by a trained user (inter-operator concordance and agreement).ResultsThe study included 295 participants of which 97 (32%) were illiterate. In total, 280 (95%, 95% CI 92–97%) HCVSTs were successful. Overall, 38 (13%) people performed the HCVST without verbal assistance, 67 (23%) needed verbal assistance in one step, 190 (64%) in two or more. Assistance was most often needed in managing the test buffer and test reading times. The inter-reader concordance was 96% and inter-operator concordance 93%. Inter-reader and inter-operator positive percent agreement were 84 and 70%, respectively. All participants reported they would use HCVST again and would recommend it to friends and family.ConclusionSaliva-based HCVST was very well accepted in this clinic-based setting. However, many people requested verbal support in several steps, highlighting the need for clear instructions for use and test devices that are simple to use, particularly in low literacy settings. Moderately low positive percent agreement with the results of a rapid test performed by a trained user highlights potential uncertainty in the accuracy of HCVST in the hands of lay users.

A multi-country survey on sanitation systems in underserved urban settlements in the Melanesian Pacific region

Safe and enduring water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for all is the key target of Sustainable Development Goal 6. Despite progress in global WASH monitoring to support SDG 6, significant data gaps persist, especially in urban informal settlements in the Melanesian Pacific Region. This study aimed to improve understanding of existing sanitation systems, residents’ preferences, and climate hazard exposure in these areas. Household surveys were conducted with 393 households in Suva (Fiji) and Port Vila (Vanuatu). Water availability for sanitation was high in Suva (99%) and Port Vila (70%), with noted improvements in sanitation superstructure. However, dry pits without slabs remain significant (15%) in Port Vila. The preference for water-based systems highlights the need for a resilient sanitation service chain, including adequate faecal sludge management, which was problematic in both locations. Reports of climate-driven hazard damage were more frequent in Vanuatu, with one in three respondents reporting impacts on their sanitation services.

Disentangling the influence of reservoir abundance and pathogen shedding on zoonotic spillover of the Leptospira agent in urban informal settlements.

Rats are major reservoirs for pathogenic Leptospira, the bacteria causing leptospirosis, particularly in urban informal settlements. However, the impact of variation in rat abundance and pathogen shedding rates on spillover transmission to humans remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate how spatial variation in reservoir abundance and pathogen pressure affect Leptospira spillover transmission to humans in a Brazilian urban informal settlement. A longitudinal eco-epidemiological study was conducted from 2013 to 2014 to characterize the spatial distribution of rat abundance and Leptospira shedding rates in rats and determine the association with human infection risk in a cohort of 2,206 community residents. Tracking plates and live-trapping were used to measure rat abundance and quantify rat shedding status and load. In parallel, four sequential biannual serosurveys were used to identify human Leptospira infections. To evaluate the role of shedding on human risk, we built three statistical models for: (1) the relative abundance of rats, (2) the shedding rate by individual rats, and (3) human Leptospira infection, in which "total shedding", obtained by multiplying the predictions from those two models, was used as a risk factor. We found that Leptospira shedding was associated with older and sexually mature rats and varied spatially and temporally-higher at valley bottoms and with seasonal rainfall (December to March). The point estimate for "total shedding" by rat populations was positive, i.e., Leptospira infection risk increased with total shedding, but the association was not significant [odds ratio (OR) = 1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9, 1.4]. This positive trend was mainly driven by rat abundance, rather than individual rat shedding (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 0.6, 5.4 vs. OR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.7, 1.4]. Infection risk was higher in areas with more vegetative land cover (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2, 4.8), and when floodwater entered the house (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.6, 3.4). Our findings indicate that environmental and hydrological factors play a more significant role in Leptospira spillover than rat associated factors. Furthermore, we developed a novel approach combining several models to elucidate complex links between animal reservoir abundance, pathogen shedding and environmental factors on zoonotic spillover in humans that can be extended to other environmentally transmitted diseases.

Independent mobility and outdoor play time: Insights from urban informal settlements in India

This study assesses differences in children's independent mobility and outdoor play time between two urban informal housing settlements within India's in-situ slum redevelopment policy. This redevelopment policy involves replacement of existing slum housing with new apartment-style structures at the original site. One of the settlements under study has undergone redevelopment, while the other remains on the waitlist for redevelopment. Additionally, the study explores potential gender-based variations in independent mobility and outdoor play time, shedding light on the distinct effects of redevelopment on boys and girls. Questionnaires were administered to mothers, addressing aspects such as independent mobility licenses, the range of independent mobility, the age at which mobility licenses are granted, and the duration of outdoor play of children. Findings show that children in slum settlement were reported to have more mobility licenses, broader independent mobility range, and earlier licenses than children in redeveloped settlement. Gender differences are evident, with girls in redeveloped settlement receiving mobility licenses later than both boys and girls in slum settlement, but boys' age at which they received independent mobility licenses remained consistent regardless of their place of residence. Boys in the redeveloped settlement engage in more outdoor play time than boys and girls in slum settlement. Conversely, girls in slum settlement participate in more outdoor play time than those in redeveloped settlement. These findings have important implications for slum redevelopment policies, highlighting the need to consider morphological aspects of residential environments that support girls' outdoor play time and independent mobility. It is crucial that these considerations be integrated into the design of redeveloped settlements to ensure equitable development of children in such communities.

Impactos Socioambientais em Assentamentos Urbanos Informais

Aim – Analyze, critically, the environmental licensing process of informal urban settlements, seeking to improve the instrument in a context of climate change. Methodology - This is a qualitative approach in which the documentary research method was used in environmental licensing processes of informal urban land subdivisions in the Federal District. Originality/relevance - There is a scarcity of studies investigating licensing in informal urban settlements. Considering that environmental licensing is required for activities that may cause socio-environmental damage and aims to mitigate or compensate for such damage, research that empirically evaluates the application of the instrument should be encouraged. Results - In general, environmental licensing in informal urban settlements has not been efficient, mitigation measures are not complied with, monitoring is unsatisfactory, there is a lack of indicators to measure urban environmental quality, and there is a lack of analysis of technological alternatives that consider climate projections and nature-based solutions. Theoretical/methodological contributions: Research on environmental licensing processes for informal urban settlements for low-income (ARIS) and high-income populations (ARINE) has contributed to complement the global literature, focused on investigating the mining and energy sectors. Comparative research on informal urban land subdivision in other socioeconomic contexts is recommended. Social and environmental contributions - Low-income settlements in ARIS are more vulnerable to socio-environmental risks and climate change than settlements in ARINE, requiring greater attention from managers to reduce this vulnerability.

Examining the suitability of the local climate zones (LCZ) framework in informal urban settlements: Insights from Kabul, Afghanistan

To better investigate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, a standardized framework known as Local Climate Zones (LCZ) has been developed and widely applied to numerous cities. However, cities from least-developed countries with heterogeneous typologies are underrepresented in the LCZ literature. This study assesses the applicability of the LCZ framework in the slum-dominant built-up environment of Kabul. Using a combined method involving GIS and remote sensing, we classified natural and built-type LCZs and analyzed LCZ-LST fluctuations. The analysis revealed that four new subclasses cover 23 % of the built type LCZs: LCZ 35 (mid/high-rise buildings within compact lowrise layouts) and LCZ 65 (midrise buildings among open lowrise areas) have the lowest LSTs at 34.36 °C and 34.42 °C in July, respectively. In contrast, LCZ 73 (two/three-story buildings in lightweight configurations), and LCZ 9F (sparse buildings on bare soil or sand) have higher LSTs at 37.2 °C and 38.6 °C in July, respectively. These subclasses showed distinct zone parameter thresholds compared to standard LCZs. In most built-type LCZs, Average Building Height (ABH) and Pervious Surface Fraction (PSF) negatively influenced LST, while impervious surfaces and Sky View Factor contributed to higher LST. Based on the findings, LCZ-specified strategies (Vegetation, urban form, and using high-albedo materials) for LST mitigation are proposed. Furthermore, we provide planning, design, and policy recommendations aimed at mitigating urban heat, with potential applicability to other cities facing rapid urbanization and growth of informal settlements. The findings can inform action toward urban climate change adaptation.

Task sharing for increasing access to obstetric ultrasonography: a formative qualitative study of nurse-led scanning with telemedicine review in Kenya

Abstract The informal settlements of Nairobi have higher neonatal and infant mortality rates than the average for Nairobi. Universal access to important diagnostics like ultrasonography is poor and inequitable due to the high cost of devices and limited availability of skilled sonographers. Recent advances of mobile ultrasound probes connected to smartphones, with or without artificial intelligence support, have improved access to devices; but skills to perform and interpret scans continue to be limited. The SonoMobile intervention involved training nurse-midwives to conduct point-of-care obstetric ultrasound scans in antenatal care clinics in urban informal settlements. Scan data and images were shared, using telemedicine technology, with remote sonographers, who reviewed scan images and data, and provided reports. This study of 61 respondents from diverse stakeholder groups describes the acceptability, utility and considerations for sustainability of nurse-led, point-of-care obstetric ultrasonography with telemedicine review. Perceived value of nurse-led obstetric ultrasonography include improving access and affordability of obstetric ultrasonography services, timely identification and referral of high-risk pregnancies, and improving awareness of appropriate antenatal care among underserved populations. The relative affordability of SonoMobile was described as a critical enabler for a business model targeting low- and middle-income segments of the population, and for increasing quality and equity of antenatal care coverage. Areas highlighted for improvement include strengthening supervision of nurse trainees, broadening the scope of nurse training, and development of clear regulatory guidelines for nurse-led obstetric ultrasonography. The study highlights the complex task shifting required to provide universal access to a life-saving technology in an LMIC health system.

The Impact of Public Participation Through Invited and Invented Spaces on Water Supply in Urban Informal Settlements

Though public participation forms part of the foundation of the South African democracy, insufficient consideration has been paid to the processes of public participation at local government, particularly in the provision of water supply in informal settlement communities. Informal settlements and their leadership structures are continuously excluded and overlooked in decisions and plans around water supply for their designated communities by invited public participation platforms such as ward committees and ward councillors. As a result, this has negative implications on the settlements’ access to water supply. It is within this context that this article demonstrates how the exclusion of informal settlement communities and their leadership structures in water supply decision making processes at local government exacerbate and enforce water struggles in informal settlements. This paper uses a qualitative research approach. The data was collected using field observations, photographic images, in-depth household interviews, in-depth interviews with community leaders and key informants.

Pathways of exposure to Vibrio Cholerae in an urban informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya.

Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) bacterium, with strains belonging to serogroups 01 and 0139 causing a huge proportion of the disease. V. cholerae can contaminate drinking water sources and food through poor sanitation and hygiene. This study aimed to identify environmental routes of exposure to V. cholerae within Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi. We collected nine types of environmental samples (drinking water, flood water, open drains, surface water, shaved ice, raw produce, street food, soil, and public latrine swabs) over 12 months. All samples were analysed for V. cholerae by culture and qPCR, then qPCR-positive samples were quantified using a V. cholerae DNA standard. Data about the frequency of contact with the environment was collected using behavioural surveys. Of the 803 samples collected, 28.5% were positive for V. cholerae by qPCR. However, none were positive for V. cholerae by culture. V. cholerae genes were detected in majority of the environmental water samples (79.3%), including open drains, flood water, and surface water, but were only detected in small proportions of other sample types. Vibrio-positive environmental water samples had higher mean V. cholerae concentrations [2490-3469 genome copies (gc) per millilitre (mL)] compared to drinking water samples (25.6 gc/mL). Combined with the behavioural data, exposure assessment showed that contact with surface water had the highest contribution to the total V. cholerae exposure among children while ingestion of municipal drinking water and street food and contact with surface water made substantial contributions to the total V. cholerae exposure for adults. Detection of V. cholerae in street food and drinking water indicates possible risk of exposure to toxigenic V. cholerae in this community. Exposure to V. cholerae through multiple pathways highlights the need to improve water and sanitation infrastructure, strengthen food hygiene practices, and roll out cholera vaccination.

Land use transformation by urban informal settlements and ecosystem impact

The rapid expansion of informal settlements poses significant challenges to urban ecosystems and their services, a pressing issue that this study addresses by examining its impacts in Addis Ababa. This study delves into the impact of informal settlements on ecosystem services in Addis Ababa, comparing them with formal settlements. Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, it employed Landsat imagery, aerial photography, and base maps to track spatiotemporal changes and analyze trends. Through a GIS overlay approach, informal settlements and associated land use changes were identified, while the benefit transfer method assessed ecosystem service values. The findings revealed a significant increase in informal settlements on the city’s outskirts, expanding from 77 ha in 2009 (2% of the total area) to 765.6 ha in 2023 (21% of the total area). Nearly half (48.5%) of these informal settlements were established on previously natural land covers through encroachment. The research highlighted the ongoing conversion of agricultural land, forests, and urban green spaces into informal settlements, particularly on the city’s outskirts, leading to significant encroachment on these areas. This transformation caused an annual loss of $1,665,033.7 in ecosystem services from 2009 to 2023. Significant impacts were identified on food production, climate regulation, and habitat ecosystem services. Overall, the annual loss in ecosystem services due to land use changes amounted to $1,933,320.08. Informal settlements accounted for 86.1% of this total loss, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate their disproportionate effects on ecosystem services. The study underscores the urgency of addressing the impact of informal settlements on ecosystem services through effective urban planning, sustainable land management practices, prevention of encroachment on natural land covers, and promotion of sustainable ecosystem management and utilization.