Learning from the Slums for the Development of Emerging Cities

Más información sobre el libro

This book addresses slums as a central issue in urban planning, challenging the traditional narrative that positions them on the margins of urbanization. Instead, it argues that slums are integral to the contemporary urban landscape. By focusing on slums as indicators of urban transformation, it delves into critical urban planning problems. The text includes 16 case studies that contribute to a theory of slums and provide a practical development manual. Its interdisciplinary approach allows for an analysis of social, economic, constructive, and spatial dimensions of slums. The book emphasizes the role of slum residents as vital contributors to the development of their neighborhoods, urging a reevaluation of priorities set by public and private stakeholders in urban planning. This perspective challenges the assumptions of slums' marginality and incongruity, highlighting their significance in shaping urban identities. For planners, architects, developers, and inhabitants of emerging cities, the presence of slums prompts essential questions about urban development. Ultimately, the book asserts that slums are now a fundamental aspect of urban life, influencing the identity and dynamics of cities and their communities.