are there squatter settlements in developed countries

What are squatter settlements in Lagos?

Squatter settlements are not only found in Lagos. They are located in all cities in low-income countries and newly emerging countries all around the world. They can also be called informal settlements, shanty towns, favelas, barrios or slums.

What is the importance of squatter settlements?

Squatter settlements or informal settlements have been a very important part of many cities in the Global South. Shifting government and international agency attitudes toward them since the 1960s have reflected a growing recognition of the capacity of the urban poor to adapt and sometimes to thrive in very difficult circumstances.

What is another name for squatter settlement?

They are known as, e.g., “Baraccopalli” in Italy, “Chabolas” in Spain, “Bidonvilles” in France, and “Mahalale” in Romania. Regardless of their various names or types, the squatter settlements and slums have common characteristics, being residential areas of low-income group dwellings in the cities and towns.

Where do squatters live in America?

Following the Great Depression, squatters lived in shacks on landfill sites beside the Martin Pena canal in Puerto Rico and were still there in 2010. More recently, cities such as Newark and Oakland have witnessed the creation of tent cities.

Which countries have squatter settlements?

In developing countries and least developed countries, shanty towns often begin as squatted settlements. In African cities such as Lagos much of the population lives in slums. There are pavement dwellers in India and in Hong Kong as well as rooftop slums....2.1 Liberia.2.2 South Africa.2.3 Sudan.2.4 Zimbabwe.

Why are squatter settlements common in developing countries?

An unprecedented rate of urbanization and increasing poverty has resulted in uncontrolled proliferation of squatter settlements and slums. Informal settlements result in undesirable urbanization driven less by economic growth and more by rural-urban migration of the poor.

Where are squatter settlements located in developing countries?

Introduction. Squatter settlements, widespread in urban Africa, Latin America, and South and Southeast Asia, are a characteristic feature of contemporary urbanization.

What is a real life example of a squatter settlement?

In Bangkok, Thailand, thousands of people live in shacks built over a fetid tidal swamp. In Lima, Peru; Khartoum, Sudan; and Nouakchott, shanty towns have spread onto sandy deserts.

What is the difference between slum and squatter settlement?

"Slums" are highly congested urban areas marked by deteriorated, unsanitary buildings, poverty, and social disorganization. "Squatters" settle on land, especially public or unoccupied land, without right or"Squatters" settle on land, especially public or unoccupied land, without right or title.

Are squatter settlements illegal?

In the United States, squatting is illegal and squatters can be evicted for trespassing.

What are the advantages of living in a squatter settlement?

Easy Jobs are the common advantage of shantytowns Slum-dwellers are often hired for blue-collar jobs in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Most people are poor and have to work in nearby cities and towns. This solves their problems of work as they can live nearby to their work.

Do squatters have rights in Spain?

Squatters in Spain move quickly: once they have entered a property they will move in their own belongings and change the locks. This creates the appearance that they live in the property and they are then afforded squatters rights, making the legal process to remove them a frustratingly time-consuming one.

When did squatting become illegal?

1 September 2012Under Section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, squatting in residential property became a criminal offence on 1 September 2012.

Why are there so many squatters?

Professor Lorna Fox O'Mahony, an expert in property law, says there are three factors associated with spikes in urban squatting - rising house prices, a high proportion of empty homes and an increase in the homeless population.

What are the causes of squatter settlements?

Rapid urbanization, poverty and lack of access to land and ownership, in addition to limited or no social housing, have led citizens to build their homes illegally under very poor environmental and social conditions.

What are the reasons for development of slums and squatters in urban areas?

Squatter and slum settlements have formed mainly because of the inability of city governments to plan and provide affordable housing for the low-income segments of the urban population. Hence, squatter and slum housing is the housing solution for this low-income urban population.

Why are squatters important?

Squatter settlements or informal settlements have been a very important part of many cities in the Global South. Shifting government and international agency attitudes toward them since the 1960s have reflected a growing recognition of the capacity of the urban poor to adapt and sometimes to thrive in very difficult circumstances. As the world’s urban population grows , there will be increasing pressure on both land and housing. The shift toward market mechanisms for both land and housing delivery has been beneficial in some cases, but without forms of support and protection, millions of poor households will be excluded and left to fend for themselves in the diminishing number of available spaces in the world’s cities.

What are informal settlements?

Informal settlements, as prevalent neighbourhood types in rapidly transforming cities, possess high-density and heterogeneous morphological patterns. They provide affordable housing and employment opportunities for low-income populations while also supporting cities' operation and development.

What percentage of the population lives in informal settlements in Ahmedabad?

In Ahmedabad, about 40% of the population resides in informal settlements. A substantial number of the urban poor reside in these locations. The two dominant types of informal settlements are slums that have developed out of the illegal occupation of the marginal areas of the city by migrants and squatters, and chawls, which are residential units originally built for workers in the mills and factories. Most slum dwellers tend to settle along the waterways in the city, like Sabarmati River, on vacant land or in low-lying areas ( Bhatt, 2003 ).

What are the challenges of WSUD?

The (re)development and upgrading of informal settlement areas in a water-sensitive manner pose several challenges, such as limited budgets, increasing population, and a National Housing Policy advocating for only basic water supply and sanitation services for these areas. WSUD should no longer be the domain of the upper socioeconomic class as it is equally important to the poor communities in need of quantity and quality water. WSUD not only entails far more than retrofit of urban systems to be more water sensitive but also includes a social dimension to environmentally educate communities. As such, informal settlement development should attempt to “leapfrog” the stages through which the formal settlement areas have developed, thereby avoiding the need to retrofit these areas at some time in the future. Using water-sensitive technologies should also result in a range of secondary benefits for these communities, helping to address some of the misperceptions of authorities regarding the social advantages of WSUD. WSUD approaches should form part of national priorities, recognizing that advocating WSUD principles in policies will be confronted by challenges of density, scale of demand, and political sensitivities concerning the perceived quality of the engineering options it represents. The focus of providing WSUD in South Africa should be framed as a social component and justified in terms of equity and provision of services to all people ( Fisher-Jeffes et al., 2012 ).

What is the clash of rationalities in dealing with informal settlements in the global South?

Our study illustrates a clash of rationalities in dealing with informal settlements in the global South: the neoliberal visioning of a modern, globally competitive, and orderly city, and the right of city authorities and the private sector to “upgrade” the city and the rights of ordinary citizens for access to services, housing, space, and a decent life. Both positions offer promises of a better future but cannot guarantee that experience will be improved for all, particularly the poor. Neither approach provides much clarity about the social and spatial outcomes and the effects of (re)making place on broader political, economic, and social processes of the city.

What are the tenure problems in informal unplanned settlements and shacks?

More important, the tenure problems in informal unplanned settlements and shacks play a direct role in purchasing electrical appliances or other expensive investments in efficiency. Migrant workers continue to play a large role in many countries' urban communities.

What was the first destination for climate migrants to Khulna?

The first destination for most of the climate migrants to Khulna was its slums and squatters settlements to which they had easy access, but the migration destination offered them little or no improvement in their housing because they could not afford the cost of formal housing. Not all the migrant households could gain access to established urban slums ; only a few who had relatives or social networks could access or rent a place in the established urban slums . Most of these urban slums are maintained or owned by “musclemen” (local community leaders whose power and influence stems from the political leaders and current ruling party of the country), who did not allow just anyone to live in their slums. Migrant households who could not afford or gain access to the urban slums usually established themselves as squatters in urban fringe areas, on marginal agricultural land, along rail corridors, next to the highway, or even in the natural drainage network, as well as in low-lying flood-prone areas and on river banks. These migrants settled wherever they could get free or cheap land. In most cases, they built their own informal shelters with dry leaves, plastic bags, bamboo, and mud on whatever land they could access. In some cases, migrant households chose to live on public construction sites (bridges or culverts). Sometimes, private landowners allowed these migrant families to live on their agricultural land or construction sites in order to protect their land and provide security for the assets on the site. These informal settlements provide immediate shelter for the migrant communities, but impact the existing land use pattern. Figure 19.5 shows the location of the climate migrants in Khulna’s urban area ( Ahsan, 2013 ).

Definition

Squatter settlement is defined as a low residential area, which has developed without legal right to the land or permission from the concerned authorities to build, and as a result, of their illegal status, infrastructure and services are usually inadequate (UN-Habitat 2003 ).

Introduction

In this entry, the squatter settlements and slums are discussed critically. At the outset, the concepts of squatter settlement and slum are defined, and the meaning, processes, causes, consequences, and challenges of squatter settlements and slums are discussed. There have been rapid urbanization and unbalanced...

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How are squatter settlements formed?

1 Economics. Squatter settlements are most often formed by rises in the numbers of homeless people. The homeless people then seek shelter off the street in abandoned buildings. Some of the buildings may still have power and water, which causes the homeless to flock to the "free" resources.

Why do squatters congregate in settlements?

Additionally, squatters congregate in settlements to protect each other from those who prey on the homeless. Criminals will target homeless because they only carry cash and are reluctant to contact the police. Additionally, many homeless are also weak from poor diets and disease, so they are easier targets for criminals.

Why do untouchables squat?

The untouchables will squat in abandoned buildings for shelter and to protect themselves from attacks. Often the squatter settlements are located near trash dumps, where the untouchables can make money by sifting through the trash for recyclables.

What is a squatter?

Squatters are homeless people who illegally occupy buildings to use as permanent shelter. Squatter settlements are formed when large numbers of squatters occupy a building or group of buildings. These settlements occur around the world for a variety of reasons.

Why do artists squat in abandoned factories?

Some artists will squat in abandoned factories for the working room the buildings provide . Some real estate developers will actually encourage the formation of these artist squatters to gentrify an area and attract young urban professionals. When the real estate then becomes more valuable, the artists are forcibly evicted and trendy lofts are installed. Most artist colonies are in Europe where they are semi-tolerated in some municipalities. East Berlin became noted for its artist colonies after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Where do anarchist squatters live?

It is notable that anarchistic squatter settlements only occur in Europe, where anarchism is taken semi-seriously as a political ideology.

Where are artists' colonies located?

When the real estate then becomes more valuable, the artists are forcibly evicted and trendy lofts are installed. Most artist colonies are in Europe where they are semi-tolerated in some municipalities. East Berlin became noted for its artist colonies after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

What are some examples of developing countries?

The examples from the developing countries include Asia’s largest shanty town, which is Orangi in Karachi, Pakistan, and many others across South Africa, Haiti, Kenya, India, and Bangladesh. In the developed countries, these can be found in some parts of the European Union, Spain, the United States of America, and France. 3. Sanitation and Disease. ...

When were shanty towns first developed?

Shanty town history in the U.S. dates back to the year 1929 when the unemployed people were thrown out of their houses, and they started building these shanty settlements. In the year 1930, when the economy saw a setback, the condition also worsened as more and more people settled here. As these shanty towns were first developed in America, so they were known as Hoovervilles but, by the year 1940, as the economy recovered so too did the conditions. The examples from the developing countries include Asia’s largest shanty town, which is Orangi in Karachi, Pakistan, and many others across South Africa, Haiti, Kenya, India, and Bangladesh. In the developed countries, these can be found in some parts of the European Union, Spain, the United States of America, and France.

Is there any urban planning?

There is no urban planning or any house number and even no street name. Moreover, they even lack the basic amenities of the life. The most prominent cases of fire occur here, and it is almost difficult to reach because of uneven street planning. 4. Historic and Modern Examples.

What is a squatter settlement?

Squatter settlements are any collection of buildings where the people have no legal rights to the land they are built upon. The people are living there illegally and do not own the land. They provide housing for many of the world’s poorest people and offer basic shelter.

Where are squatters located?

Squatter settlements are not only found in Lagos. They are located in all cities in low-income countries and newly emerging countries all around the world . They can also be called informal settlements, shantytowns, favelas, barrios or slums.

What are the problems of living in a squatter settlement?

Population density is very high in squatter settlements in Lagos. This is because of the lack of available land to build on. The area known to outsiders as Makoko is actually six distinct “villages” spread across land and water: Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe, Sogunro and Apollo. The first four are the floating communities, known as “Makoko on water”; the rest are based on land. In these floating communities, homes are built on stilts on the edge of the Lagos Lagoon. It is estimated that a quarter of a million people live in Makoko.

How many squatter settlements are there in Lagos?

There are 13 squatter settlements in Lagos, These are: The map below shows the location of a number of squatter settlements in Lagos. Squatter settlements are found all over Lagos. They are typically found in areas where more wealthy people do not want to live. This includes marshland and land close to industry.

Why did the authorities demolish Badia?

However, the authorities want to demolish it to help improve the image of the city. Though residents have nowhere else to live. In recent years the authorities have demolished areas of squatter settlements, like the one in 2012. Badia, a swampland settlement on the edge of the city’s Apapa Port, was one of the worst-hit targets. More than 15,000 people have lost their homes.

What is the lack of housing in Lagos?

In Lagos, the lack of housing and rapid rate of urbanisation has forced millions of people to build their own homes. These are typically on land they do not own. However, in Lagos, some homes have been built on water.

Where are floating communities built?

In these floating communities, homes are built on stilts on the edge of the Lagos Lagoon. It is estimated that a quarter of a million people live in Makoko. The homes are built from materials such as wood and metal sheets. They do not have basic facilities or sanitation.

Where did squatters live?

Following the Great Depression, squatters lived in shacks on landfill sites beside the Martin Pena canal in Puerto Rico and were still there in 2010. More recently, cities such as Newark and Oakland have witnessed the creation of tent cities. The Umoja Village shanty town was squatted in 2006 in Miami, Florida.

How many informal settlements are there in Thailand?

Thailand has 5,500 informal settlements, one of the largest being a shanty town in the Khlong Toei District of Bangkok. In China, 171 urban villages were demolished before the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. As of 2005, there were 346 shanty towns in Beijing, housing 1.5 million people.

What are shanty towns called?

In Argentina, shanty towns are known as villas miseria. As of 2011, there were 500,000 people living in 864 informal settlements in the metropolitan Buenos Aires area. In Peru they are known as pueblos jóvenes ("young towns"), as campamentos in Chile and as asentamientos in Guatemala.

Where are shanty towns found?

Shanty towns are mostly found in developing nations, but also in the cities of developed nations, such as Athens, Los Angeles, and Madrid. Cañada Real is considered the largest informal settlement in Europe, and Skid Row is an infamous shanty town in Los Angeles. Shanty towns are usually found on places such as railway sidings, ...

Is a shanty town a small settlement?

Development. Shanty towns may be large or small settlements. Above a shanty town in Hong Kong. While most shanty towns begin as precarious establishments haphazardly thrown together without basic social and civil services, over time, some have undergone a certain amount of development.

Do shanty towns exist in Europe?

There are also colonias near the border with Mexico. Although shanty towns are now generally less common in developed countries in Europe, they still exist. The growing influx of migrants has fuelled shantytowns in cities commonly used as a point of entry into the European Union, including Athens and Patras in Greece.

Characteristics of A Squatter Settlement

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Squatter Settlements in Developing Nations

Disadvantages of Squatter Settlement

Characteristics of A Squatter Settlement

Squatter Settlements in Developed Countries

• Even though squatter settlements are not common in developed states, there are numerous European cities with shanty towns. The high number of immigrants has resulted in the growth of shanty towns in the cities situated on the entry points of the EU like Patras and Athens. Canada Real, a low-class settlement in Madrid, is considered to be the larges...

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Squatter Settlements in Developing Nations

Disadvantages of Squatter Settlement