Squatter Settlements in LEDC's - management strategies Flashcards
What is a Squatter Settlement/Shanty Town?
A shanty town or squatter area is a settlement of plywood, corrugated metal, sheets of plastic, and cardboard boxes. Such settlements are usually found on the periphery of cities, in public parks, or near railroad tracks, rivers, lagoons or city trash dump sites.
What are the houses like in these towns?
Temporary housing is being replaced with sturdy brick built housing, with electricity, water supplies and sewage systems. The local authorities build the homes, the tenants pay a low rent and must finish off the houses. Those with informal jobs are usually bypassed by the scheme.
What are the self help schemes like?
Local residents are encouraged to undertake most of the work. The local authorities simply supplies the groundwork needed for the drainage and sewage pipes, but the residents undertake the construction. They sometimes surface the roads. The reduction in costs means that limited money can be spread further, so more houses can be built. Once completed residents pay a low rent, meaning that many from the informal sector can not take advantage of the scheme.
Give a problem most LEDC’s Face.
The problem for all LEDC cities is how to cope with the thousands of people who live in shanty towns with no permanent job; meaning they cant afford even the lowest rent.
Where is a good example of a rapidly expanding City that suffers from Shanty Town in Southern Brazil?
Sao Paulo, Brazil.
What is happening in Sao Paulo?
The rapid growth of LEDC cities like Sao Paulo creates problems for city authorities, providing basic services for settlements around the edge, as well as improving older areas of the inner city. The provisions of schooling, medical care, refuse collection and disposal, transport, infrastructure, etc, never catches up with the influx of people.
