Evaluate the successes of different strategies employed around the world to
improve and better manage these urban areas. (Shanty towns)
Shanty towns are an issue across the world from poor developing countries such as India to
developed countries like France. As it is such a widespread issue there are a many different
strategies to manage these areas some of which are more effective than others.
Firstly, in Organi town, Pakistan, they used a strategy of integrated councils where each of the 13
neighbourhoods has a union council which listens to and addresses the problems of the people. This
has been successful in the building of anew sewage system and toilet blocks.
In India the Slum Rehabilitation Authority has moved 2000 dwellers in Dharavi into 14 storey
apartment blocks. In the Kathputhli slum the helping hand society has provided people with skills
and trades such as blacksmithing and shoe making, enabling them to earn money and move out. This
is beneficial as it is a long-term solution and uses education which is a very powerful tool as people
that learn skills will then be able to pass these on to future generations. The problem with this is
increases the informal economy which doesn’t contribute to taxes meaning there is not more money
to spend on improving these shanty towns.
A more direct solution is being used in Kenya where slums are being repaired as well as people being
rehoused in Nairobi, this does however come at a cost of over £1 billion. This strategy is also being
used in the South of Sydney where the Holt family is building 200 homes to rehouse inhabitants. The
positives for this strategy is that it resolves the issue and immediately improves these urban areas.
The downside is that this is very expensive, therefore cannot be done on a large scale. It is also
perhaps not a long-term solution as the people living there may still not earn much money and
therefore be unable to maintain the upkeep of the properties.
In shanty towns there can also be major issues of crime due to these areas already being setup
illegally they tend to be taken over and run by different gangs. To prevent this police and solider
checkpoints can be used one place where this has been implemented is in Petare Slum, Venezuela.
These have prevented numerous crimes occurring and is only one of the 19 security plans that this
government has implemented since 1999.
Another strategy which is used in Peru is to try and depopulate these shanty towns by encouraging
people there to counter urbanise back to rural areas, particularly to farming and mining
communities these has been rather ineffective though with few people migrating. The problem here
is that the government cannot just bulldoze the shanty towns as it knows people this will just divert
the problem to other parts of the city instead of resolving it.
In conclusion, different strategies have different levels of effectiveness as every shanty town
situation is different and it is also dependent on how much money is willing to be invested as well as
the size of the shanty towns. Although, in general the best way to manage an urban area would be
to use a variety of strategy’s.
improve and better manage these urban areas. (Shanty towns)
Shanty towns are an issue across the world from poor developing countries such as India to
developed countries like France. As it is such a widespread issue there are a many different
strategies to manage these areas some of which are more effective than others.
Firstly, in Organi town, Pakistan, they used a strategy of integrated councils where each of the 13
neighbourhoods has a union council which listens to and addresses the problems of the people. This
has been successful in the building of anew sewage system and toilet blocks.
In India the Slum Rehabilitation Authority has moved 2000 dwellers in Dharavi into 14 storey
apartment blocks. In the Kathputhli slum the helping hand society has provided people with skills
and trades such as blacksmithing and shoe making, enabling them to earn money and move out. This
is beneficial as it is a long-term solution and uses education which is a very powerful tool as people
that learn skills will then be able to pass these on to future generations. The problem with this is
increases the informal economy which doesn’t contribute to taxes meaning there is not more money
to spend on improving these shanty towns.
A more direct solution is being used in Kenya where slums are being repaired as well as people being
rehoused in Nairobi, this does however come at a cost of over £1 billion. This strategy is also being
used in the South of Sydney where the Holt family is building 200 homes to rehouse inhabitants. The
positives for this strategy is that it resolves the issue and immediately improves these urban areas.
The downside is that this is very expensive, therefore cannot be done on a large scale. It is also
perhaps not a long-term solution as the people living there may still not earn much money and
therefore be unable to maintain the upkeep of the properties.
In shanty towns there can also be major issues of crime due to these areas already being setup
illegally they tend to be taken over and run by different gangs. To prevent this police and solider
checkpoints can be used one place where this has been implemented is in Petare Slum, Venezuela.
These have prevented numerous crimes occurring and is only one of the 19 security plans that this
government has implemented since 1999.
Another strategy which is used in Peru is to try and depopulate these shanty towns by encouraging
people there to counter urbanise back to rural areas, particularly to farming and mining
communities these has been rather ineffective though with few people migrating. The problem here
is that the government cannot just bulldoze the shanty towns as it knows people this will just divert
the problem to other parts of the city instead of resolving it.
In conclusion, different strategies have different levels of effectiveness as every shanty town
situation is different and it is also dependent on how much money is willing to be invested as well as
the size of the shanty towns. Although, in general the best way to manage an urban area would be
to use a variety of strategy’s.
