Introduction
Urban informal settlements are a growing reality in many developing countries, including India. As cities expand, many people—especially the urban poor—are unable to access formal housing due to high costs and legal restrictions. They turn to informal settlements such as slums, squatter colonies, and unauthorized developments. In this post, we will describe the typology of urban informal settlements and explain the causes and formation of these areas.
What Are Urban Informal Settlements?
Urban informal settlements refer to residential areas where housing units have been built without legal approval or proper urban planning. These areas often lack access to basic services such as water supply, sanitation, electricity, and waste disposal.
Typology of Urban Informal Settlements
The classification or typology of informal settlements can vary based on location, legal status, quality of structures, and services. Common types include:
1. Squatter Settlements
These are settlements established by people who occupy land without the legal right or title. They build shelters using temporary materials like plastic sheets, bamboo, and tin.
Example: Dharavi in Mumbai initially started as a squatter settlement.
2. Slums
Slums are densely populated urban areas characterized by substandard housing, poor sanitation, and lack of infrastructure. Slums may be legally recognized but still suffer from neglect.
Example: Many slums in Delhi, like Seelampur and Sangam Vihar.
3. Unauthorized Colonies
These are areas developed without the approval of planning authorities. They often start as agricultural or vacant land and gradually get converted into residential plots without following building codes.
4. Pavement Dwellings
These are makeshift homes built on sidewalks, under flyovers, or along railway tracks. They represent the most vulnerable section of the urban poor.
5. Resettlement Colonies
These are areas where slum dwellers or squatters are relocated by the government. Often, these colonies lack adequate infrastructure and services.
Causes of Informal Settlements
Informal settlements form due to a combination of push and pull factors. Below are some major causes:
1. Rapid Urbanization
People move to cities in search of jobs and better opportunities. However, cities often fail to provide affordable housing, forcing migrants to settle informally.
2. Lack of Affordable Housing
Urban housing costs are high, especially in metro cities. The formal housing market does not cater to low-income groups.
3. Unemployment and Poverty
Many urban poor work in informal sectors with low income and no job security. They cannot afford proper housing and settle wherever space is available.
4. Weak Urban Planning and Governance
Failure of city planning authorities to forecast population growth and plan for inclusive housing leads to the growth of unauthorized settlements.
5. Rural Push Factors
Poverty, lack of employment, and agricultural distress in rural areas force people to migrate to cities, increasing the demand for housing.
6. Political Patronage
In some cases, local politicians support illegal settlements to gain votes. Regularization of unauthorized colonies is used as a political tool.
7. Natural Disasters and Conflicts
People displaced due to floods, droughts, or communal violence may move to urban areas and create informal settlements.
Formation Process of Informal Settlements
Informal settlements typically evolve in the following manner:
- People identify vacant or unused land, often public land or environmentally sensitive zones.
- Temporary shelters are built using locally available materials.
- More families join, creating a community with shared facilities like water tanks and community toilets.
- Over time, settlements grow in size and may receive some recognition or basic services from local authorities.
Consequences of Informal Settlements
- Poor living conditions and health hazards
- Limited access to education and healthcare
- Insecurity due to lack of legal ownership
- Environmental degradation due to unregulated construction
Conclusion
Urban informal settlements are a response to the failure of urban planning systems to meet the housing needs of the poor. They are a visible sign of economic inequality, social exclusion, and planning gaps. To address this challenge, cities must invest in inclusive housing policies, regularize existing settlements, provide basic services, and involve communities in the planning process. Only then can cities become more livable, equitable, and sustainable for all.