Explain the lack of safe shelters and insufficient basic services

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The lack of safe shelters: -weak foundations -unstable walls and roofs made up of poor quality materials such as cardboard and zinc -most construction material are flammable -Built on unsuitable sites such as lying areas and steep slopes -Built in and dense and disorderly manner

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Lack of safe shelter • People who live in slums and squatter settlements face many problems – Houses often built on unsuitable sites such as low-lying areas or steep slopes are prone to floods and landslides – Houses built in a dense and disorderly manner are difficult to evacuate during emergencies – They are not protected against natural elements

Insufficient basic services • People in a housing shortage situation often lack access to basic services – Electricity – Clean water – Proper sanitation and waste disposal • This is often due to a lack of infrastructure – Power lines – Water pipes – Toilets and waste management facilities • Example: Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Residents illegally tap the city’s electricity supply to get access to electricity • Example: Kibera slum, Nairobi, Kenya – Inconsistent access to water – Lack of proper sanitation and waste disposal

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Why does housing shortage occur? Reasons for housing shortage • Rapid population growth • High birth rates • Migration • Competing land use • Limited land supply

Rapid population growth • Rapid population growth will lead to an increased demand for housing, which can in turn lead to housing shortage. • Urbanisation: The increase in the proportion of the world’s population living in cities

Migration • Migration refers to the movement of people from one area to another to take up residence for at least a year • Rural-urban migration refers to the movement of people from rural areas into cities to live and work • People migrate due to ‘push’ or ‘pull’ factors • Push factors: The undesirable qualities of the place they wish to leave e.g. o Lack of job opportunities o Poor educational facilities o Lack of medical attention o Famine o War Pull factors: The attractive qualities of the place they would like to move to e.g. o Promise of work o Better schooling and further education o More hospitals and doctors o Perception of exciting city life o Political stability • The decision to migrate is often due to a combination of both factors • People in rural areas often migrate to cities for job opportunities in search of a better life • Migrants do not always get jobs in cities – There are a limited number of jobs for migrants – Migrants may lack the skills required for jobs available in the cities • Migrants who cannot obtain a source of income cannot afford housing • Cities cannot build enough houses for huge numbers of migrants quickly enough, causing them to settle in slums

Another reason for housing shortage is a high birth rate. The rural migrants may contribute also to the high birth rate as most of them are in their 20s to 30s where they are likely to start families. The large family size in some cities makes it hard to provide housing for all. Competing land use • Land has many uses – Residential – Commercial – Industrial – Recreational • Land dedicated for one use will not be available for another – Example: If a piece of land is occupied by a huge industrial park, that plot of land will not be available for housing development. • Stiff competition for land can result in insufficient land for housing

Limited land supply • Cities have limited land supply • Physical features limit the amount of land that can be used to build housing – Seas, rivers, mountains • The amount of flat land is limited • Steep slopes are not ideal for housing development – Cost of construction tends to be high – Landslides can cause damage to buildings • Cities with very small land areas may have insufficient land for housing – There is a limit to how much land can be reclaimed from the seas • Cities with high population densities need to house more people in a small area – Large population size vs limited land areas

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damn, https://sites.google.com/a/moe.edu.sg/sec-2-geog/contact-me/reasons-for-housing-shortange an moe website tells more than jon ng

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Extent of housing shortage is severe in cities of less developed countries with large populations.
Example: 62% of residents in the city of Mumbai, India, are said to live in a slum • Extent of homelessness varies between cities in a country Example: Different cities in the USA • The location of slums have a number of similarities o At the edge of cities o Adjacent to industrial areas or near the city centre o Along major transport routes Example: The location of some major slums in Nairobi, Kenya

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What are the consequences of housing shortage in cities?

Homelessness Slums and squatter settlements Environmental pollution Low level of health due to poor living conditions Vulnerability Homeless people suffer from poor health because of exposure to the cold or rain, hunger and lack of sleep Skin infections Respiratory problems Stress disorders Other illnesses Slums and squatter settlements • People living in slums and squatter settlements suffer negative consequences due to their poor living environments – Environmental pollution – Low level of health due to poor living conditions – Vulnerability Environmental pollution • Pollution is the introduction of substances into the natural environment that results in unpleasant or damaging effects to the environment and human health • Environmental pollution is caused by inadequate provision of basic services – Water pollution ○ Rivers near slum areas may become badly polluted because they are used for washing, garbage and sewage disposal ○ Contaminants from sewage may seep into groundwater and pollute nearby water sources such as wells – Land pollution ○ Lack of proper garbage disposal system may lead to dumping of garbage into open drains and areas outside the houses ○ Example: Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is polluted as a result of the dumping of untreated sewage from nearby slums Low level of health due to poor living conditions Lack of basic services makes people more vulnerable to diseases Lack of access to safe drinking water may cause people to use water from polluted rivers and contaminated wells Using unsafe drinking water may lead to diseases like cholera and dysentery Lack of waste management facilities results in the improper disposal of rubbish which results in clogged drains and sewers The lack of proper sanitation will also lead to food or water contamination through contact with excreta, especially where handwashing is not a habit, leading to diseases like typhoid fever. Vulnerability High risks of Fires • The slum are built close together, enabling the fire to spread quickly and easily.

• The slums are made of flammable materials such as wooden planks and canvas sheets.

• Fire fighting and rescue efforts hampered by lack of space and narrow roads.

Other than the risk of fires, the people living in the slum are also vulnerable to Slums often found on steep slopes and the people are vulnerable to landslides which may destroy their properties and also lead to injuries and loss of lives. If the slum is situated next to busy road or railway station, accidents may occur if children play or walk along the road or railway track. The slum dwellers may be vulnerable to poor health as there is noise and air pollution if they are located near to roads or railway track. Slum dwellers may also be vulnerable to eviction as they are often built on land without permission from authorities and may be asked to leave their home for slums to be cleared for other developments (e.g. construction of transport or commercial centres). This results in loss of property, lack of sense of security and social tension.

TB pg. 68 - Poor housing in slum/squatters Lack of safe shelter and insufficient basic services. The housing not safe because it is flimsy and made of flammable materials.
The hut also does not have sufficient basic services. Since it is so small, there is likely to be no toilet or a kitchen. There is no evidence of piped water and electricity. The lack of basic services such as clean water and proper sanitation makes people vulnerable to diseases. Slum residents with no access to safe drinking water use water from sources such as polluted rivers and contaminated wells. The water may have bacteria that cause diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
Piles of rubbish are seen littered all around as the lack of waste management facilities in slums results in the improper disposal of rubbish. Stagnant waters in blocked drains and sewers provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes and cause the spread of malaria and dengue fever.
Overcrowding in slums and squatter settlements also helps diseases to spread among the residents.

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Examples .Slum upgradingSelf-help schemes Involve the participation of low-income households to improve the living conditions of existing housing. Government does not provide housing directly, but provide assistance on other forms, such as proving construction materials or basic services and training to equip residents to build their houses. People build the houses themselves at their own time which reduced construction costs. Limitation:However, the rate of construction may be slower as residents can only work on the houses during their free time, such as after work or during weekends.Success:  Named example – Rocinha Project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Most of the wooden houses were replaced by concrete houses. 75% of the homes have electricity compared to just 30% before reconstruction. Services such as rooftop water tanks and piped water systems were also added to the houses. Proper sanitation facilities such as toilets and sewers were also built.Partnering with United Nations Named example – the Kenya government partnered with the United Nations (UN_HABITAT) in a project to provide residents in the Nairobi slums with the rights to build on the existing land, and improve housing conditions and infrastructure. Residents shifted temporarily to an area with new housing units equipped with services while the vacated slum areas were upgraded. Mixed responses from the residents. Some welcomed it as an opportunity to improve their living conditions. Limitations: There are some residents who were reluctant to participate as they were uncertain about its success and feared facing difficulties paying for the cost of the new housing units.Provision of public housingPublic housing refers to government efforts to provide housing units with basic services, usually for low-income households and other persons of need such as the elderly and disabled. Reasonably priced compared to private housing, and may be subsidized by the government. Government plan, carry out and fund public housing projects. Many ways – old flats may be rented from the government at a low price, conversion of abandoned buildings for residential use, building new apartments, etc. Named example – Singapore Public Housing ProgrammeIn the 1960s and 1970s, slums and squatter settlements in Singapore were cleared to provide higher quality housing to residents. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) was set up in 1960 to build and provide public housing for Singapore’s increasing population.In 2013, more than 80% of the Singapore’s population live in HDB flats. The public housing programme was so successful that it has evolved to address the diverse needs of all residents today. Named example – Brazil My House, My Life ProgrammeTo provide affordable housing for low and middle income groups and reduce slum areas.Success: The Bairro Carioca Project in Rio de Janeiro comprises 2 240 apartments which will house 10 000 people. Government partnered with the private sector to build the basic infrastructure of roads, sewerage and water plants, and also to design and build the housing units.Limitation/Challenges: Brazil is too large a country to monitor and evaluate all the projects and manage many local issues. The household needs are also too varied and diverse.

Slum Upgrading Self-help schemes involve the participation of low-income households to improve the conditions of existing housing. Governments do not provide housing directly, but instead provide assistance in other forms such as providing construction materials or basic services. e.g. Rocinha Project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - wooden houses replaced by concrete houses, supply of electricity rooftop water tanks, piped water system to home, and proper sanitation facilities such as toilets and sewers were also built.

Slum upgrading effort in Nairobi, Kenya In Nairobi about one million people are living in the slum without any rights to the land on which they live. Sweden is supporting the Pamoja Trust who is working for the peoples right to safe, secure and ample housing. Through saving schemes the communities can get loans for new constructions and ownership of land. Provision of public housing Another strategy to manage housing shortage is provision of public housing which the government provides housing units with basic services, usually for low-income households. In Singapore, the HDB was set up by the government in 1960 to build and provide public housing for the increasing population. Slums and squatter settlements were cleared and the land was used to build high-rise flats. Such HDB flats helped improve the housing situation by providing housing units with basic services such as water, electricity and sewerage. Over the years, many flats have been built. Today, more than 80 per cent of Singapore’s population live in HDB flats. The public housing programmes have also evolved to meet the diverse needs of all residents.

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An inclusive city is one which provides all residents with adequate housing and access to all basic services such as transport and recreation. the residents feel a sense of belonging and actively contribute to the community. Ways in which Singapore provides inclusive housing: Affordable housing a variety of housing types to cater to different income group Financial schemes to subsidise the cost of flats e.g. Additional Housing Grant introduced in 2006 to help low-income families to pay for the flat. Ethnic Integration Policy introduced in 1989 to promote racial integration and harmony - ethnic quota for each block off public housing estate. Watch the video on the importance of the ethnic integration policy. Facilities and amenities for all ages such as retail shops, clinics and parks. 3-Generation facilities comprising a playground, adult fitness corner and wellness stations for seniors, cater to the needs of multi-generational families Strong sense of place and belonging -distinctive physical features and landmarks such as monuments and gardens which allow people to recognise and recall a place easily and contribute to one's sense of place and belonging. Let's look at how HDB promote an active and cohesive community in public housing. Do look out for the part on Punggol.

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and no i am not copying from jon ng's slides

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jon ng slides gay