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

Abstract

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.

Root causes of underperforming urban waste services in developing countries: Designing a diagnostic tool, based on literature review and qualitative system dynamics

“…A more economic line points the finger at low ratios of industrialisation ( Dercon et al, 2019 ; Venables, 2017 ). Besides that, more exogenous factors like civil unrest and natural disaster can play a role ( Bhorat et al, 2016 ; Bidandi, 2015 ; Calleja et al, 2017 ; Castells-Quintana, 2017 ; Meagher, 2010 ; Phonphoton and Pharino, 2019 ; Rice and Rice, 2012 ).…”

“…Nevertheless, in many CDCs, the combined effect of (some) economic growth and continued urbanisation propels an increase of build-up area, population density, traffic and consumption that is much faster than ever witnessed in any developed country ( Henderson, 2010 ; Mangi et al., 2020 ; Varis, 2006 ). In many cases, and with regard to many urban services, this growth outpaces the capacity of administrative organisations to adapt themselves and their cities ( Bettini et al, 2015 ; Bidandi, 2015 ; Hill and Lindner, 2010 ; Mariathasan, 2016 ; Mason et al., 2020 ; Rice and Rice, 2012 ). This imbalance can be referred to as ‘Urbanisation Overhang’ or ‘Overurbanisation’ ( Rice and Rice, 2012 ).…”

“…In many cases, and with regard to many urban services, this growth outpaces the capacity of administrative organisations to adapt themselves and their cities ( Bettini et al, 2015 ; Bidandi, 2015 ; Hill and Lindner, 2010 ; Mariathasan, 2016 ; Mason et al., 2020 ; Rice and Rice, 2012 ). This imbalance can be referred to as ‘Urbanisation Overhang’ or ‘Overurbanisation’ ( Rice and Rice, 2012 ).…”

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“…Currently, nations in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia have the highest rates of urban slum prevalence (55.9% and 31.3% respectively) (UN-HABITAT, 2016). Slum dwellers often live in unsafe conditions with little access to suitable water, sewerage, and energy infrastructure (Rice & Rice, 2012). Their lack of basic access to resources, such as forms of fossil fuel energy, can have a suppressing effect on CO 2 emissions even though overall growth in urban populations can contribute to increases in CO 2 emissions (Givens, 2015;Jorgenson et al, 2010).…”

Slum Prevalence and Health in Developing Countries: Sustainable Development Challenges in the Urban Context

“…Research illustrates that external debt as percent of gross national income has a statistically significant positive effect, producing higher levels of urban slum growth over the period 1990–2005, and this dynamic is the most pronounced within sub‐Saharan African countries (Rice and Rice, ). The impact, of note, is net the influence of urban population growth between 1960–1990, which also exhibits a statistically significant positive effect contributing to urban slum growth in the developing countries (Rice and Rice, ). Economic development as measured by GDP per capita does not exhibit a statistically significant effect on urban slum change: a conclusion contradicting the general assumption that economic development tempers urban slum expansion and formation.…”