LEDC urban models and
concepts
Rural to urban migration
Natural increase
Zelinsky’s Model
Migration linked to the country’s development and its
demographic transition.
Rural to urban migration during industrialisation and
stages 2/3 of Demographic transition Model.
Basic urban model for an LEDC city.
Higher cost housing and higher class residential areas located
centrally. Historical core of colonial city. Rapid urban growth
expanding the peripheral areas.
Urban growth is too rapid
for planners and for the city
to provide basic urban
infrastructure, housing and
services. Peripheral areas
characterised by poor
quality housing and
spontaneous settlements
as immigrants attempt to
satisfy their basic needs of
housing and employment
through the informal
economy.
Caracas - Venezuela
Rocinha – Rio de
Janeiro Brazil
Squatter Settlements
Residential areas which have developed without legal
claims to the land and/or permission from the concerned
authorities to build; as a result of their illegal or semilegal status, infrastructure and services are usually
inadequate.
30% of the urban population of the world live in squatter
settlements. 1 billion people!
This animation shows how squatter settlements are
upgraded over time.
http://www.sln.org.uk/geography/geoweb/blowmedown/shanty05.swf
Watch Richard Neuwirth’s TED presentation on
his book Shadow Cities
He presents an empathic
and positive view of
squatter settlements and
their role in modern cities.
http://www.ted.com/talk
s/robert_neuwirth_on_o
ur_shadow_cities.html
The role of the Informal Sector
This whole process of urbanisation and urban growth
is a sum of millions of people’s individual decisions,
aspirations, hopes and desire to provide for their
loved ones.
As the governments are unable to provide solutions,
then these individuals, faced with these problems are
struggling to find their own solutions to their housing
and employment needs.
This is why squatter settlements play such a vital role
in the process of urban growth we are witnessing now
in the world.
Is it possible that squatter settlements, shanty
towns, bustees, favelas, slums are part of the
solution?
Or perhaps is it true that they are a potent symbol
of the failure of society to address the basic needs
of the majority and it must be the responsibility of
the public sector to provide housing for its
citizens?
Slums of hope or slums of despair?
Problems of the informal economy
No
money
Low
profit
No
investment
Low
output
Turner’s Model
Changing Priorities of the urban poor in LEDC cities
Fits the profile of a traditional
rural to urban migrant.
For a young male
bridgeheader location
near employment is the only
priority. They are prepared to
live in overcrowded central
tenaments or squatter
settlements often with
extended families.
Successful bridgeheaders need to establish themselves and consolidate their
status. They seek more space and permanence and become consolidators
often building their own home or paying for a more permanent residence,
coinciding with starting their own families. Tenure and ownership priority.
As an established inhabitant of the city the status seeker will then seek to
improve their dwelling and demand more urban services such as health care
and education. Amenities priority.
Turner’s model
can be linked to a
intra-urban
movement of
migrants
Case study – Shanghai
Migrants are attracted to areas with employment
opportunities. Proximity to employment the main
criteria for migrants when deciding where to locate.
Turner's main conclusions were:
• Uncontrolled urban settlement is a manifestation of normal
urban growth under the exceptional conditions of rapid
urbanisation.
• Autonomous urban settlement (squatter settlements) is the
product of the difference between the nature of the popular
demand for dwellings and those supplied by
institutionalised society.
• The institutional control of urban settlement depends on the
encouragement and support of popular initiative through
the government servicing of local resources.
• Autonomous urban settlements give evidence of
improvement over time and organisation by the inhabitants.
•
‘Uncontrolled Urban Settlements: Problems and Policies’ in Gerald Breese (ed.), 1972 The City in Newly Developing Countries, Ch 35 p.507.
“
Changes since Turners model
•
•
•
•
Continued rapid urban growth
Central locations too full, expensive, inaccessible.
No employment opportunities in formal sector.
Main criteria becomes simply to be near extended family
or kinship groups.
• Available cheap land on outskirts.
As a result of these changes new migrants to mega cities
are forced to locate in peripheral squatter settlements or
tenements, far from central employment opportunities, with
the informal sector as the main employment possibility.
Urban Housing Stakeholders
Darwell 2007
National govt, local govt, city
authorities, urban planners,
NGOs, charities.
Public
Private
Supply and demand in the
formal housing market.
Individuals and Property
developers.
Informal
Urban poor and new migrants.
Informal housing market,
operating extra-legally.
Availability of land.
Urban Housing Stakeholders
Darwell 2007
National govt, local govt, city
authorities, urban planners,
NGOs, charities.
Public
Profit v social housing
Top down or bottom up
Private
Supply and demand in the
formal housing market.
Individuals and Property
developers.
Informal
Legal ownership
access to capital
Urban poor and new migrants.
Informal housing market,
operating extra-legally.
Availability of land.
Urban Housing Stakeholders
Darwell 2007
National govt, local govt, city
authorities, urban planners,
NGOs, charities.
Public
Profithousing
v social housing
Affordable
Top down or bottom up
Residents associations
Private
Supply and demand in the
formal housing market.
Individuals and Property
developers.
Informal
Legal ownership
access to capital
Normalisation
programmes and
micro loans
Urban poor and new migrants.
Informal housing market,
operating extra-legally.
Availability of land.
Useful weblinks:
http://web.mit.edu/urbanupgrading/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/world/20
06/urbanisation/default.stm
http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbo
oks/uu11ee/uu11ee00.htm#Contents