Challenging the Concept of ''informal'' in Sub-Saharan African Cities: the case of Maxaquene A, Maputo, Mozambique

Bidragets oversatte titel: Problematisering af koncepter om formel og uformel byudvikling: casen Maxaquene i Maputo, Mozambique

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    Abstract

    Current definitions of urbanity lead to claims that a large proportion (75% according to UN Habitat) of Sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) urban population is housed in ‘informal’ settlements with almost all new housing stock provided ‘informally’ in contradiction to the “formal” that is defined as planned and regulated by the state. In most cases in SSA cities urban development has no professional assistance in the form of architects or engineers, and what is characterised as ‘disorder’, as is the case with informal urbanisation, is considered as undesirable, inappropriate, dangerous, unhealthy and un-modern (Folkers 2009, Hardoy 1990, Jenkins 2011, Nielsen 2008, Nguluma 2003, Mitlin, D. 2004, Koolhaas 2006).

    In 2003 the UN adopted a new terminology for what over decades used to be labelled as ‘informal’-, ‘squatter’-, ‘illegal’-, ‘unplanned’-, ‘spontaneous’ settlements, “shanty towns” with the term “slum” (UN habitat 2003). However, defining what slum implies is complex and this author consider the term as prejudiced and not covering the diversity most informal settlements represents Further the term stigmatises a remarkable share of any city population in SSA (Huchzermeyer 2011, Davis 2007, Harber 2011, Garau 2005).
    Bidragets oversatte titelProblematisering af koncepter om formel og uformel byudvikling: casen Maxaquene i Maputo, Mozambique
    OriginalsprogEngelsk
    TitelCities in transformation : research & design : ideas, methods, techniques, tools, case studies
    RedaktørerMarco Bovati, Michele Caja, Giancarlo Floridi, Martina Landsberger
    Antal sider10
    UdgivelsesstedMilano
    ForlagIpoligrafo
    Publikationsdato15 dec. 2014
    Sider201-210
    StatusUdgivet - 15 dec. 2014
    BegivenhedCities in transformation : Housing and the Shape of the City - EAAE/ARCC, Milano, Italien
    Varighed: 7 jun. 201210 jun. 2012
    Konferencens nummer: EAAE/ARCC

    Konference

    KonferenceCities in transformation
    NummerEAAE/ARCC
    LokationEAAE/ARCC
    Land/OmrådeItalien
    ByMilano
    Periode07/06/201210/06/2012
    NavnEAAE Transactions on Architectural Education
    Nummer57
    Vol/bind1

    Emneord

    • informal urbanisation
    • urban planning and urban upgrading of informal settlements
    • public participation

    Kunstnerisk udviklingsvirksomhed (KUV)

    • Nej

    Citationsformater