informal settlements Archive

Navigating Heterogeneity: The Way to a Just Energy Transition in the Global South’s Housing Sector

Energy in Cities

Navigating Heterogeneity: The Way to a Just Energy Transition in the Global South’s Housing Sector

By Marie Urfels|2023-04-20T11:29:57+02:00April 20th 2023|

Achieving a just energy transition in the urban housing sectors of the Global South demands recognition and engagement with their heterogeneous energy networks and rapidly evolving spatialities. Marie Urfels explores the challenges of achieving a just energy transition in the housing sector of the Global South while emphasising the importance of embracing these complexities to create targeted, context-specific solutions.

Improving Thermal Comfort in Community Buildings in India’s Informal Settlements

Energy in Cities

Improving Thermal Comfort in Community Buildings in India’s Informal Settlements

By URBANET|2023-04-12T15:57:40+02:00April 11th 2023|

India has a long tradition of building climate-friendly houses. But in the case of informal settlements, applying this knowledge presents many difficulties. This leads to intense heat stress for residents. However, there is hope on the horizon, as we highlight an exciting initiative: utilising innovative design solutions for thermal comfort in community buildings in Chennai and Coimbatore - an Urban Living Lab approach.

Creating Integrated and Safe Neighbourhoods for All Through International Peer Learning Exchange

Gender, LNOB & Feminist Development Policy

Creating Integrated and Safe Neighbourhoods for All Through International Peer Learning Exchange

By Linda Heiss|2023-03-30T16:08:39+02:00March 30th 2023|

For years cities have been planned and built for only half the population: Women’s needs are represented sparsely at most. The BMWSB project “Dialogues for Urban Change” implements the approach of international peer learning to create safe public spaces for everyone.

Navigating the Concrete Jungle: The Gender Divide in Urban Life

Gender, LNOB & Feminist Development Policy

Navigating the Concrete Jungle: The Gender Divide in Urban Life

By Paula Meth|2023-03-21T14:46:32+01:00March 21st 2023|

From accessing public services to just being able to survive, the city can be a vastly different place for different genders. Join Paula Meth as she explores gender inequalities in informal urban environments.

Rebuilding Evicted Kampungs in Jakarta – Restoring Communities, Providing a Better Quality of Life

Urban Health

Rebuilding Evicted Kampungs in Jakarta – Restoring Communities, Providing a Better Quality of Life

By Muhammad Azka Gulsyan|2022-09-27T10:07:48+02:00September 27th 2022|

Forced evictions and displacements should be stopped, but it is not enough. Muhammad Azka Gulsyan wants us to think about how to rebuild the evicted homes, and restore affected communities and their livelihoods. Vertical Kampung-projects in Jakarta show that rebuilding and restoration are possible.

Empowerment Through Blocking-Out In Cape Town’s Informal Settlements

LIVEABLE CITIES

Empowerment Through Blocking-Out In Cape Town’s Informal Settlements

By Alfredo Brillembourg|2022-05-23T12:00:47+02:00May 5th 2022|

How can architectural solutions contribute to increase liveability in informal settlements? Alfredo Brillembourg portrays how the process of blocking-out facilitated the empowerment and upgrading in the informal settlement of Khayelitsha.

JAGA MISSION – Transforming Lives, Leaderships, and Liveability

URBAN LABS AND INNOVATION

JAGA MISSION – Transforming Lives, Leaderships, and Liveability

By Preeti Prada Panigrahi|2022-04-21T09:17:22+02:00April 21st 2022|

The Indian state of Odisha has initiated a slum upgrading programme that acknowledges residents as city makers. Preeti Prada Panigrahi presents its advantages and successes.

Rethinking Resilience In Bangladesh’s Urban Slum Communities: An Experimental Thought

Rethinking Resilience In Bangladesh’s Urban Slum Communities: An Experimental Thought

By Zakir Hossain and Mostafizur Rahman|2022-03-30T09:08:31+02:00March 30th 2022|

When thinking about the resilience of urban poor, it is worthwhile to think of resilience as a dynamic process of transition on individual and household level, argue Zakir Hossain and Mostafizur Rahman.

Understanding Dynamics of Urban Poverty in Nigeria: What Role for Urban Governance?

Understanding Dynamics of Urban Poverty in Nigeria: What Role for Urban Governance?

By Bassey Bassey|2021-09-14T11:54:41+02:00September 14th 2021|

How are rapid urbanisation, urban poverty, and slums' emergence interconnected in Nigeria? And what areas of urban governance should local governments focus on if they are to successfully tackle urban poverty? Bassey Bassey shares some reflections.

Infrastructure: Ensuring No One Is Worse Off

Infrastructure: Ensuring No One Is Worse Off

By Julian Baskin|2021-09-07T11:52:08+02:00September 7th 2021|

Relocations and resettlements are often inevitable. But how can we protect the most vulnerable along the way? By Julian Baskin, Principal Urban Advisor, Cities Alliance

Integrating Water and Sanitation with Wider Slum Upgrading

Integrating Water and Sanitation with Wider Slum Upgrading

By Sam Drabble, Sara Márquez Martín, and Jane Weru|2021-07-08T08:33:04+02:00July 8th 2021|

Sam Drabble, Sara Márquez Martín, and Jane Weru explore how water and sanitation can and should be better integrated with wider slum upgrading initiatives.

COVID-19 in Cities – Pathways Towards Transformative Urban Recovery

COVID-19 in Cities – Pathways Towards Transformative Urban Recovery

By Anna Walnycki and Alice Sverdlik|2021-06-22T08:31:11+02:00June 8th 2021|

Anna Walnycki and Alice Sverdlik present the new framework co-created by the IIED's Human Settlements Groups and key urban stakeholders.

Regularising Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi: A Missed Opportunity to Improve Gendered Access to Land?

Regularising Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi: A Missed Opportunity to Improve Gendered Access to Land?

By Sukrit Nagpal, Smriti Singh and Sonal Sharma|2021-04-01T10:33:29+02:00April 1st 2021|

Delhi’s recent regularisation scheme PM-UDAY promises to improve tenure security of about 5 million residents – a highly ambitious task considering the gendered implications of land tenure security in India. Can the scheme deliver on its potential and strengthen women’s land ownership? By Sonal Sharma, Smriti Singh and Sukrit Nagpal from SEWA Bharat

Regularising Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi: Well-Intended but Not Enough

Regularising Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi: Well-Intended but Not Enough

By Sukrit Nagpal, Smriti Singh and Sonal Sharma|2021-03-30T14:09:34+02:00March 30th 2021|

A recent regularisation scheme promises to improve the tenure security of about 5 million Delhi residents. But how inclusive is the scheme and does it keep pace with the realities on the ground? Sukrit Nagpal, Smriti Singh and Sonal Sharma from SEWA Bharat take a critical look.

Smart City: Is Africa Ready? Echoes from African Urban Slums

Smart City: Is Africa Ready? Echoes from African Urban Slums

By Emana Nsikan-George|2020-11-30T15:12:19+01:00November 12th 2020|

Everyone wants to go smart. But Emana Nsikan-George warns against creating a new class of unfit-for-smart-city urban dwellers, especially when African cities are still struggling with fundamental development goals. A thought-provoking tale of smart fantasies and urban realities.