AN APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE LOW-INCOME HOUSING

Abstract

Squatter settlements providing housing to 30-70% of the population in many urban centres in the developing countries have grown due to widespread poverty, and inadequate housing finance and land development systems. Governments assisted by the international agencies have improved environment, tenure security, income and resources in many settlements, but could not eradicate the problems as outcome did not multiply into overall development due to lack in institutional development, policy implementation, governance, participation etc. Because the problem was enormous which the government could not overcome, enablement was advocated to sustain long-term solutions. On the other hand past growing developing world cities are facing environmental problems; coupled with low level of economic and social development, which in turn is threatening sustainable development in cities. This paper argues that the spontaneous settlements in informal sector have more positive attributes in terms of social, economic and environmental sustainability as compared to dominant public housing approach. This paper further discusses the changing approaches to the issues of low-income housing worldwide in the above context, and examines the issues related to sustainable housing. Keywords: Housing Policy, Self-Help, Sites-and-Services, Squatter Settlement, Sustainability, World Bank.