Why do cities take certain forms and the poor congregate in particular locations? How do macro or external forces act on the cities responsible for slum formation? Written for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, this paper examines urbanisation trends and the forces that shape slums. It is argued the internal spatial organisation of cities can be seen as ‘ecological’ competition, with the strongest groups taking the more desirable land.
There are differences between slums due to local culture, conditions, topography and the environment. Although similarities are shared with the economic, social and spatial forces that shape and differentiate slums from the rest of the city.
Slums are the result of a combination of poverty and inadequacies in housing provision. Thus people are forced to seek affordable housing on increasingly inadequate land. Characteristics on the shape and formation of these slums include:
- A lack of revenue for local government in slum areas, accentuating inequality as the infrastructure declines and more affluent residents and businesses leave. This has an impact on the ability to raise taxes and increasing special inequality accordingly.
- Slums and poverty continually reproducing social classes. The allocation of status from an early age perpetuates conditions, with most of the social chances and opportunities resulting from the cultural landscape.
- New immigrants tending to join their own ethnic communities, due to family, friends, welcome and familiarisation. Thus the formation of ethnic neighbourhoods in the poorer parts of towns acts as a part of slum formation, with fewer opportunities to join the wider community.
- The trend of yuppies and childless couples moving back into the cities, moving the rich and poor closer together. The latter are displaced by the more affluent and pushed to more disadvantageous ground.
- Declining areas of population and evacuation of places of urban blight, leading to economic decline and capital withdrawal. This creates depressed and decaying areas as the youth leave.
- Urbanization without adequate economic growth in developing countries. Poor rural populations continually move to cities, despite the lack of jobs. This is largely due to ‘bright light syndrome’ and more opportunity.
The reduction of poverty in all its forms is now the prime objective of development policy. However, there are challenges over corruption and general governance in targeting poverty reduction programmes. Funds intended for the poor and development can disappear. Corruption in local service provision acts as an effective tax on the whole community. Other particular challenges and recommendations include:
- The increasing population age and declining birth rates driving economic stagnation on a national scale. Depopulation without immigration will cause economic stagnation. Preparation must be made for the global problems that aging populations will bring.
- There are different levels of poverty within slums and resources need to be targeted at those with the most need. In particular, female headed households and certain ethnic and religious groups.
- Specific measures must be provided to assist poorer groups during poverty reduction programmes. Benefits can take time to reach the poorest, with better connected groups tending to capture benefits.
