Settlement » Urban issues in LEDCs (squatter settlements, services)

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

What squatter settlements are and why they form in LEDCs
The key challenges faced by people living in squatter settlements
How services and infrastructure are lacking in these areas
Case studies of squatter settlements in different countries
Strategies for improving conditions in squatter settlements
Self-help schemes and government initiatives

Urban Issues in LEDCs: Squatter Settlements

In many cities across Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs), rapid urban growth has led to the development of squatter settlements. These areas are home to millions of people who have migrated to cities in search of better opportunities but cannot afford formal housing.

Key Definitions:

Squatter settlement: An area of usually unauthorized housing built by people who have no legal rights to the land. Also known as shanty towns, favelas, or informal settlements.
LEDCs: Less Economically Developed Countries - nations with lower levels of economic development and lower standards of living.
Rural-urban migration: The movement of people from rural areas to urban areas.
Urban growth: The increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities.

Why Do Squatter Settlements Form?

📊 Push Factors

Reasons why people leave rural areas:

Lack of jobs and economic opportunities
Poor agricultural yields and land shortages
Limited access to education and healthcare
Natural disasters and climate change impacts
Conflict and political instability

🎢 Pull Factors

Reasons why people are attracted to cities:

Perceived job opportunities and higher wages
Better access to education and healthcare
Improved services and infrastructure
Social and cultural attractions
Family connections and networks

When people arrive in cities, they often find that:

Housing is too expensive in formal areas
There is a shortage of affordable housing
Government housing programmes cannot keep up with demand
They have no choice but to build their own shelter on whatever land is available

Characteristics of Squatter Settlements

🏠 Housing

Made from scavenged materials (plastic sheets, corrugated iron, cardboard)
Densely packed with little space between dwellings
Often unsafe and vulnerable to weather and natural hazards
Limited or no legal rights to the land

🚰 Services

Limited or no clean water supply
Poor or non-existent sewage systems
Irregular electricity (often illegally tapped)
Few paved roads or formal transport links
Limited waste collection

🏥 Community

Strong community networks and social ties
Informal economy and local markets
Self-built schools and community centres
Vulnerable to crime and exploitation
Stigmatisation from formal city residents

Key Challenges in Squatter Settlements

People living in squatter settlements face numerous challenges that affect their quality of life, health and opportunities:

💧 Water and Sanitation Issues

Limited access to clean water leads to:

Water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid
Time spent collecting water (often by women and children)
High costs from private water vendors
Open sewers causing pollution and health risks
Contamination of water sources

🏥 Health and Education Challenges

Limited services affect human development:

Few healthcare facilities with limited resources
Spread of infectious diseases due to overcrowding
Respiratory problems from indoor air pollution
Limited schools and educational resources
Children working instead of attending school

Case Study: Dharavi, Mumbai, India

Dharavi is one of Asia's largest squatter settlements, housing approximately 1 million people in just 2.1 square kilometres of land. Despite challenging conditions, Dharavi has a thriving informal economy worth an estimated $1 billion annually. Industries include recycling, pottery, textiles and leather goods.

Key facts:

Population density: Over 277,000 people per square kilometre
One toilet per 1,440 residents in some areas
85% of residents have jobs within Dharavi itself
Many homes double as workplaces
Redevelopment plans have been controversial, with residents fearing displacement

Improving Squatter Settlements

There are several approaches to improving conditions in squatter settlements:

🛠 Self-help Schemes

Communities improving their own areas:

Site and service schemes: Government provides basic infrastructure (water, electricity, roads) and residents build their own homes
Upgrading: Improving existing settlements rather than relocating people
Microfinance: Small loans to help residents improve their homes
Community organisations: Residents working together to lobby for improvements

🏢 Government Initiatives

Formal approaches to addressing the issues:

Slum clearance: Demolishing settlements (often controversial)
Public housing: Building affordable apartments
Land tenure: Giving residents legal rights to their land
Infrastructure development: Extending formal services into informal areas
Rural development: Addressing push factors to reduce migration

Case Study: Favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio's favelas house approximately 1.5 million people, about 24% of the city's population. The government has implemented various programmes to improve conditions:

Favela-Bairro Programme:

Launched in the 1990s to integrate favelas into the formal city
Provided water, sewage systems, electricity and paved roads
Built community centres, schools and health clinics
Created public spaces and sports facilities
Provided land titles to residents

Challenges: Despite improvements, issues remain with crime, drug trafficking and police violence. The 2016 Olympics led to controversial evictions in some areas.

Sustainable Approaches to Urban Development

Addressing squatter settlements requires comprehensive approaches that consider social, economic and environmental factors:

Participatory planning: Involving residents in decisions about their communities
Integrated development: Addressing housing, services, employment and transport together
Appropriate technology: Using affordable, locally maintained solutions
Recognising informal economies: Supporting rather than eliminating local businesses
Building resilience: Preparing settlements for climate change impacts and natural disasters

The UN's Sustainable Development Goal 11 aims to "Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable" and includes targets to ensure access to adequate housing and basic services for all by 2030.

💡 Success Factors

What makes improvement programmes work:

Community involvement and ownership
Affordable solutions that can be maintained locally
Political will and sustained funding
Recognition of residents' rights
Integration with wider urban planning

⚠ Challenges

Obstacles to effective improvement:

Corruption and mismanagement of funds
Land speculation and gentrification
Continued rural-urban migration
Limited government resources
Climate change impacts

Summary: Urban Issues in LEDCs

Squatter settlements are a complex urban issue in LEDCs, resulting from rapid urbanisation and insufficient affordable housing. While they present significant challenges in terms of services, health and quality of life, they also demonstrate human resilience and community strength.

Addressing these issues requires multi-faceted approaches that combine community participation, government support and sustainable planning. The most successful interventions recognise the existing social and economic structures within settlements and work with communities rather than imposing solutions from outside.

As urbanisation continues globally, finding effective ways to improve conditions in squatter settlements and prevent their formation remains a critical challenge for sustainable development.