Slums in Southeast Asia

Articles | Research and Analysis | Programs and Projects | Links and Related Organizations

Overview

Slums grow in the region

Across Southeast Asia, rapid urbanization and limited formal sector employment opportunities have helped give rise to the formation of slums. Some studies estimate that more than half of city dwellers in the region live in slums, which are characterized by makeshift housing and limited access to municipal services. Residents of slums face a variety of challenges, including poor living conditions, a shortage of clean and safe drinking water, lack of property title, and exposure to a range of environmental hazards.

Articles

Urbanization and Slum Formation
Online article about slum formation, published by the Journal of Urban Health.
Planet of Slums
The book Planet of Slums, written by Mike Davis and published in 2006, documents poverty and dire conditions in slums throughout the world.
The Challenge of Slums: Global Report on Human Settlements, 2003
The Challenge of Slums: Global Report on Human Settlements, 2003, published by the United Nations Human Settlement Program, is published in its entirety online.

Research and Analysis

Land Tenure and Policy in Southeast Asia [pdf 97KB]

Programs and Projects

Homeless International
Homeless International, based in in the UK, supports partners in Africa and Asia who are working with slum communities to reduce poverty and improve living conditions.

Links and Related Organizations

Slum/Shack Dwellers International
Slum Dwellers International (SDI) works to promote the rights of slum dwellers worldwide.
Asian Coalition for Housing Rights
The Asian Coalition for Housing Rights is a regional network of grassroots community organizations, NGOs and professionals actively involved with urban poor development processes in Asian cities.