Publisher's Synopsis
This book investigates the failure of state and market to provide affordable housing in Third World cities, showing how the poor solve their shelter needs by illegal land invasions and self-help production of houses. Despite promotion of these solutions by international agencies, informal settlements still struggle for recognition by Third World states and planning authorities. The source of this discrepancy is analysed in class alignments, inappropriate planning transfer from the First World, and the need to retain informal modes of production in the peripheral capitalist growth model. - - The sustainability of self-help housing is analysed in international housing projects and the Zambia case study. Under the impact of structural adjustment in Zambia, the limited potential of joint state/bilateral aid low-cost housing projection Lusaka is compared to the NGO-supported development of an unauthorized settlement. Finally, appropriate planning and policy proposals are made for better integration of LusakaÆs growing squatter population.
