The theory and reality of urban slums: Pathways-out-of-poverty or cul-de-sacs?

Abstract

This article explores two contrasting perspectives on the role of informal settlements in urban labour markets. One proposes that they help to lift households out of rural poverty and onto a path to prosperity through affordable access to urban opportunities. The other suggests that the debilitating conditions confine residents to enduring hardship and insecurity. South Africa is an important test case because of the extent of social and spatial inequalities, and the policy ambivalence towards shack settlements. Preliminary evidence indicates that employment rates are much closer to formal urban areas than to rural areas, but conditions of employment are noticeably worse. Other forms of data are required to assess the magnitude and timescale of economic progression for households.

Navigating the city: dialectics of everyday urbanism

“…It is clear that if the state were to approach Namuwongo in a spirit of partnership and openness, many residents would be willing to work with it, especially in the context of growing recognition by governments and urban authorities to attempt in‐situ upgrading of residents in marginalised urban spaces (see for example Abbott ; Turok and Borel‐Saladin ). There are at least some scraps of evidence that parts of the local state are prepared to do this.…”

The Social Network: How People with Visual Impairment use Mobile Phones in Kibera, Kenya

“…Digital infrastructure is also challengingelectricity, where it is available, is often 'tapped' illegally from main lines and is therefore unreliable. On the positive side, informal settlements have reduced social constraints, allowing for the creation of wider and more dynamic social support systems which influence how people interact with each other [68]. Furthermore, informal settlements are characterized by ever changing circumstances (including casual working arrangements and non-permanent housing) which can cause residents to be more resilient and less fearful of change which might reflect in their attitudes towards mobile technology [76].…”

Evaluasi Program Penyediaan Rumah Layak Huni Bagi Masyarakat Miskin Di Kabupaten Belitung

“…Bermukim di perkotaan memberi harapan besar dibandingkan perdesaan karena adanya kelengkapan fasilitas kota (Bernstein, Altbeker, & Storme, 2014), namun dianggap tidak berkelanjutan karena bersifat konsumtif, penghasil limbah dan pemanasan global (van der Heijden, 2017). Secara ekonomi dan finansial tinggal di permukiman kumuh perkotaan merupakan pilihan bagi masyarakat miskin (Turok & Borel-Saladin, 2016). Hal tersebut dipicu adanya migrasi masyarakat desa ke kota, tekanan ekonomi, kebijakan politik, dan konflik social (United Nation, 2017), dan umumya perkampungan kumuh merupakan hasil pertumbuhan nonformal perkotaan, ilegal dan tidak terencana (Ragheb, El-Shimy, & Ragheb, 2016).…”