What do urban problems refer to?

• Housing problems

• Transport problems

• Urban decay

• Pollutions

• Social problems

Causes of urban problems in cities of developing countries

• Rapid increase of population due to

• large scale rural-urban migration and

• high rates of natural increase

• High degree of primacy

• Low level of industrialization and

• slow economic

• poor governance

Nature of housing problems

• Shortage of accommodation

• Substandard houses made of any materials

• Unobtainable to basic facilities such as clean water, electricity and sewage system

• Unobtainable to urban resources such as job opportunities, transport, education, medical and social services

Problems related to shortage of of accommodation

• Growing squatter and slum population

• as most immigrants tend to build themselves a shelter on land which does not belong to them.

• Or rent a single room in overcrowded and deteriorated slums near the CBD.

Problems related to substandard houses

• Risk of collapse,

• Risk of landslide

• Risk of fire

• overcrowding

Problems related to unobtainable to basic facilities

• Poor sanitation

• Poor living environment

• Outbreak of diseases

Problems related to unobtainable to urban resources

• Unemployment and underemployment

• Social problems such as family conflicts, mental distresses

• High crime rate

• Social unrest

Solutions

• Site and service scheme

• Squatter improvement scheme

• Squatter and slum clearance and resettlement scheme

Site and service scheme

• Self help scheme

• Provide squatter occupants with building materials

• Provide with basic services(water and electricity)

Advantages

• Require smaller capital amount

• Improve skill of local people

• Preserve community spirit for certain extent

• Improve housing conditions a lot

Disadvantages

• New sites are usually in suburbs

• Squatter occupants are reluctant to move in due to poor accessibility

Squatter improvement scheme

• Provide basic services(water supply, electricity and sewage system)

• Squatter remain at the places where they are occupying

Advantages

• Its the cheapest and easiest way

• Improve living conditions for certain extent

• Entirely preserve community spirit

Disadvantages

• The unpleasant squatter settlement remains unchanged in location and appearance

• The improvement attracts more incoming occupants

• Overcrowding problems deteriorated

Squatter and slum clearance and resettlement scheme

• Clearance of illegal and unsafe settlements

• Provide accommodation with standard basic facilities for squatter inhabitants

• The most comprehensive scheme

Advantages

• A scheme thoroughly solve al the housing problems

• Urban renewal becomes possible

Disadvantages

• Require large amount of capital

• Require high technology level

• Disputes related to resettlement

• Acts of rebellious and violence taken by people being affected

Worksheet question 1.

• Squatter settlements

Question 2.

• Houses are constructed from any materials available- wood, corrugated iron or cardboard.

• Houses are built on hill slopes without safe foundations nor slope retaining walls.

• Houses are simply shelters of rain and sunlight, do not meet basic health and safety standards.

Question 3

• Lack of clean water supply

• Lack of properly installed electricity supply

• Lack of properly run waste disposal and sewage system

• Lack of paved footpaths or vehicular roads

• Lack of open space or recreational facilities

• Lack of public lighting

Question 4

• Risks of collapse, fire and landslides• Poor sanitation• Poor ventilation• Overcrowding• Environmental pollution• Outbreak of diseases• Visual pollution• Family conflict and mental distress•

Question 5

• Rapid increase of urban population due to continuous influx of rural immigrants

• Lack of financial resources to provide adequate accommodation due to

• Slow economic growth

• Lack of town planning

• Inefficient government

Question 6

• Squatter improvement scheme or

• Site and service scheme

• Give comments on its effectiveness