Squatter Settlements As Social Catalysts Towards a Sustainable Urban Development: a Positive Look at the Case of Villa El Salvador, Lima-Peru

Carlos A. A. Bartesaghi Koc [email protected] [email protected] IFaculty of Built Environment. Australian Graduate School of Urbanism (AGSU) University of New South Wales. Sydney – Australia

SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS AS SOCIAL CATALYSTS TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT: A POSITIVE LOOK AT THE CASE OF VILLA EL SALVADOR, LIMA-PERU

RESUMEN

Se ha estimado que más de 900 millones de tudio de Villa El Salvador, ubicado en Lima-Perú, acrecentamiento e integración urbana de comu- personas viven actualmente en asentamien- es analizado como evidencia de que las organi- nidades segregadas; una visión que demanda la tos marginales en países en vías de desarrollo zaciones de base y el modelo de ‘Auto-ayuda’ incorporación de los pobladores como los catali- (Montgomery 2005); fenómeno que se originó a liderados por la propia comunidad son efectivos zadores sociales necesarios para lograr un futuro partir de un acelerado proceso de urbanización para un desarrollo urbano sustentable. Este aná- más equitativo y sustentable.). desencadenado por una masiva migración urba- lisis hace hincapié en la necesidad de cambiar la na (Johansson et al. 2011). El propósito de este actitud hacia los ‘Pueblos Jóvenes’, descubrien- PALABRAS CLAVES; BARRIADAS - PUEBLOS documento es determinar e identificar aquellos do sus potencialidades para proveer vivienda JÓVENES - AUTO-RENOVACIÓN - MODELO atributos, factores, estrategias y políticas necesa- asequible y desarrollo socio-económico para los BOTTOM-UP - PLANIFICACIÓN SOCIAL - AUTO- rias para aumentar la capacidad de auto-mejora más pobres. Las conclusiones intentan lograr un VIVIENDA - DESARROLLO URBANO SUSTENTABLE, de estos asentamientos para lograr convertirlos mejor entendimiento de esta problemática desde VILLA EL SALVADOR. en lugares menos vulnerables, más resistentes y una perspectiva mucho más humana y positiva, ambientalmente más responsables. El Caso de es- con la esperanza de contribuir en el proceso de ABSTRACT

It is estimated that more than 900 million of the is analysed as a supporting evidence of effective ration of dwellers as the social catalyst needed to total population of developing countries is living grass-roots management and as an exemplary achieve a more sustainable and equitable future. in squatter settlements (Montgomery 2005); phe- self-help model led by residents and community nomenon originated from the accelerated pro- organisations. This analysis emphasizes the ne- KEYWORDS: SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS - YOUNG cess of urbanisation unleashed by the massive cessity to change the attitude towards squatter TOWNS - SELF-UPGRADING - BOTTOM-UP migration of the poorer from rural to urban areas settlements, by unveiling their potential to provi- MODEL SOCIAL PLANNING - SELF-HOUSING - (Johansson et al. 2011). The purpose of this paper de affordable housing and socio-economic deve- SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT - VILLA EL is to determine and identify those attributes, fac- lopment to the poorer. Conclusions are intended SALVADOR. tors, strategies and policies necessary for boos- to gain a better understanding of this problematic ting the upgrading capacity of slums in order to from a more positive and humanitarian perspec- turn them into less vulnerable, more resilient and tive, with the hope of contributing with the accre- environmentally-oriented places. The case study tion process and urban integration of segregated of Villa El Salvador, a slum located in Lima-Peru, communities; a vision that demands the incorpo-

INTRODUCTION in Venezuela (Sakay et al., Johansson et al. 2011). physical, aesthetical and environmental problems, In terms of sustainable urban development and some others recognise the possibility of regulate TWO SIDES OF THE COIN welfare of cities, these informal settlements signify them to trigger positive urban changes to tackle In 2008, for the first time in human history, urban a great challenge for urban planners, designers the lack of affordable housing and infrastructure areas were hosting more population than rural and decision makers due to their complex social in particular distressed conditions (Ward 1976, settlements, as a result of an exaggerated process implications and the important role they have Eckstein 1990, Chambers 2005). of urbanization and migration across the world. demonstrated to play in defining the economy, Consequently, the study of these settlements is of These poor migrants opted to invade peripheral spatial growth and evolution of many cities in extreme value if it is intended to plan and design and vacant land of cities, inhabiting in self-made developing countries (Pugh 2000, Neuwirth 2005). more sustainable cities in the future. Thus, the shelters, mainly made of discarded and precarious Although they differ on their attributes related purpose of this paper is to determine and identify materials (Johansson et al. 2011). to location, size, construction materials, land those attributes, factors, strategies and policies This phenomenon, that have reshaped urban tenure and spatial morphology, they coincide in necessary for boosting the upgrading capacity of territories, created new urban models, and the factors that triggered their inception such slums and to turn them into less vulnerable, more encompassed both positive and negative as migration, informality, lack of affordable resilient and more environmentally-oriented places. consequences, is globally called as the Squatter housing, exacerbated urbanization process and The case study of Villa El Salvador, a slum located Settlement or Slum; however, it has received an unattended response from governments and in the left southern corner of Lima-Peru, is analysed multiple names depending on their location such authorities (Ulack 1978, Johansson et al. 2011). as a supporting evidence of effective grass-roots as pueblo joven or barriada in Peru, favela in Whereas, many coincide that these slums are management and as an exemplary model of Brazil, shanty town in South Africa and Chabola serious threatens comprising sanitation, legal, self-help led by residents through community organisations. Accordingly, the conclusions of this analysis will be elaborated from the review of this case and other literature, and also from personal experiences, and learning gathered in previous visits to this ‘young town’. Finally, this document emphasizes the necessity to change the attitude towards squatter settlements, by unveiling their potential to provide affordable access to housing and socio-economic development. Conclusions are intended to gain a Figure 1. -Schematic representation of the urbanisation steps of better understanding of the problem of squatter the ascendant or informal planning model applied for squatters settlements in Lima-Peru. Source: Sakay et al.1999: Fig.2. settlements in many developing countries, those that should be addressed from a more positive the accelerated process of urbanisation unleashed conditions, lack of sanitation and infrastructure, and humanitarian perspective. This will definitely by the massive migration of the poorer. Nowadays, economic uncertainty, and weak institutional contribute with its accretion process and urban urban planning has to rethink the urban boundaries governance should be priority topics in governments’ integration under a holistic or systemic approach, and characteristics of cities by considering the agendas (UNEP 2002, Du Plessis 2007). instead of perpetuating a segregating attitude. proliferation of informal settlements, those that From the urban planning perspective, the This situation demands from us to put additional usually locate in peripheral areas and occupy private ‘Ascendant’ and the ‘Descendant’ models have pressure on professionals and governments in and public vacant land. These have become into new been established for a better understanding order to start thinking not only out of the box, but urban models where newcomer migrants can satisfy of this problematic by contrasting informal perhaps thinking in a new box to cope with this their unattended necessities of shelter, employment, and formal planning approaches (Sakay et al. phenomenon. This means, we need to implement security, health, education and sanitation. (Ulack 2011). Whereas the formal urban planning or new collaborative planning methodologies and 1978, McElroy 2000, Chambers 2005, Johansson et al. ‘Descendent model’ follows a pattern of Planning strategies to shift the decision-making process by 2011). - Parcelling (provision of services) - Building and using settlers as the social catalyst needed to a For a better understanding of the potential Settlement; the informal planning, contrarily more equitable and sustainable future. capacity of slums for shaping a sustainable future; proposes a reversed ‘Ascendant pattern’ starting firstly, it is necessary to point out that sustainable from Settlement (Squatting), continuing with THE SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS development criteria largely differ between Parcelling - Building, and ending up with the developed and developing countries. These Formal Urbanization (Figure 1) (Ibid.). AND THEIR ROLE IN SHAPING THE differences stem from the fact that in distressed From this approach, authors such as Turner SUSTAINABLE CITY IN DEVELOPING conditions, socio-economic development is a (1976), Mangin (1967), Sakay (et al. 2011) and COUNTRIES more urgent issue to resolve in comparison to Johansson (et al. 2011) coincide in indicating that Over the last decade the world entered to the Urban environmental aspects (Gibberd 2005). the squatter settlement has demonstrated to be Millennium in which for the first time in human Indeed, experts have identified that the most an ‘Ascendant model’, opposing radically to the history more people was living in cities than in rural urgent challenges to overcome by the developing traditional urban planning that in many cases settlements (Johansson et al. 201). In fact, UN-Habitat world in order to achieve a real sustainability is ineffective to propose feasible, tangible and has estimated that more than 900 million of the total are those related to the propagation of squatter effective solutions in well-established informal population of developing countries is currently living settlements. Hence, aspects such as rapid contexts. But, even though the ascendant model is in slums or squatter settlements (UN-Habitat 2003 population growth, uncontrolled urbanization, capable to provide shelter straightforwardly, the in Montgomery 2005); phenomenon originated from illegal land tenure, illiteracy, unhealthy living major issue lies in the provision of infrastructure services. This usually happens in the last step of be able to overcome their socio-economic and squatters and authorities (Montgomery 2005.). the process, being one of the most relevant and environmental problems (Mangin 1967, Neuwirth From an cological point of view, Neuman decisive aspects that accelerates or delays the 2007, Johansson et al., Sakay et al. 2011). (2005) explains that sustainability should accretion and upgrading of a squatter community On the contrary, from a positive attitude we should not be measured exclusively in terms of the (Sakay et al. 2011). reconsider the roles of slums beyond their aesthetic urban form, physical characteristics and urban When comparing both models, it can be observed and physical appearance, due to their value for densities of cities, but more importantly in terms that the top-down planning has shown to be more the wider urban economy of cities (Pugh 2000, of the underlying environmental forces and resilient to change and consequently less flexible, Montgomery 2005). Indeed, Neuwirth (2005, 2007) processes that shape the real world in a constant contrarily to the ascendant model that is capable recognise them as vibrant and bustling places interchange of energy and resources. From this to provide a development from below (Fisher where all population work tirelessly to overcome holistic outlook, squatter settlements should be 1984), generating new urban dynamics by itself their vicissitudes and that despite of their informal acknowledged as real sustainable communities (Neuwirth 2007, Sakay et al. 2011). Therefore, economies, slums could serve to reduce poverty when considering the practices and lifestyles of informal planning has proven to resolve many and unemployment (Montgomery 2005) their settlers. These are mainly characterised by issues that the state apparatus cannot. Successful With an appropriate guidance and technical the use of massive transportation systems, use case studies worldwide indicate that squatters management, they can be catalysts of urban of local-scaled technologies, knowledge and establish their own self-government, represented change, capable of improving societal values such resources, recycling of discarded materials for through grass-roots organisations, to gradually as sense of community, creating opportunities to construction, empowerment of local labour and gather the necessary political relevance to access new economic markets, and generating active community and collective participation. attend their demands and legal rights (Pugh 2000, new social dynamics for the whole city. To achieve It has been also said that the long-term success Neuwirth 2007). Hence, these community-based this, it is required an inclusive and participative of squatter settlements is attributed to both its groups, rooted in the concept of mutuality, have policy to improve the living standards of the location and its age (Ibid.). As a result, the older been able to control land-uses, monitor land poorer through low-cost self-housing, the is the settlement, the better located and the tenure and provide solutions for housing, services, provision of infrastructure, and more employment closer to the employment markets, services and transport and public spaces, as a response to the opportunities to fight delinquency and insecurity amenities, and consequently the more integrated inaction of governments (Montgomery 2005, (Mangin 1967, Chambers 2005, Johansson et al., to the city (Mangin 1967, Johansson et al. 2011). Neuwirth 2007). Sakay et al. 2011). Although there are no ultimate solutions to These two distinctive planning approaches, Security of land tenure, accessibility to affordable stop the squatting process worldwide, it has demonstrate how polarised are the attitudes housing and access to politics are key aspects to been proved that the faster the services and towards informal settlements (Ulack 1978). bring squatters into the formality (Neuwirth 2005). infrastructure are provided, the more developed Negative perspectives persist in demonizing In fact, a shift of their status from illegal invaders to and integrated the settlement is to the city (Sakay slums as places of human misery, where legal owners grant them the security to continue et al. 2011).In addition, the physical characteristics extreme poverty, illiteracy, chaos, hunger, high investing, building and upgrading their houses (i.e. topography, weather) are crucial aspects mortality, delinquency, and precarious health and businesses. Nonetheless, methods for the in defining the speed and coverage of the conditions are direct consequences of living formalisation of illegal tenure should be carefully infrastructure needed to boost their upgrading in these informal conditions (Neuwirth 2007). studied in order to avoid plunging owners into (Ulack 1978). However, these assumptions underestimate unpayable mortgages used for purchasing the In fact, it is necessary to consider cases where the the real organizational (social), political, and land (Montgomery, Neuwirth 2005). geographic location and topography are strong economic power of these communities; having Moreover, in many cases these efforts could be impediments for implementing infrastructure shown that while planners continue to focus tarnished by corruption, fraudulent titles and illegal networks as well as in case that these settlements on negative aspects, developing cities will not arrangements that might spark social conflicts between are extremely vulnerable to climatic events and natural disasters. As a result, further research to was by the end of the 1960’s that urban migration overcome these issues is required by focusing on reached its peak when countless peasants decided topics such as alternative technology-scaled and to abandon the countryside as a result of the indigenous solutions (Fisher 1984), GIS and remote failed agrarian policy (Reforma Agraria) enforced sensing mapping, integration of green infrastructure by the former president Juan Velasco Alvarado, in planning, delivery of resilient communities and unfolding the first migration wave in the whole collaborative planning as well as climate change country (Swenarski 1989, Chambers 2005). mitigation and adaptation strategies. Then, a second wave happened some years To summarise, the fully integration of squatters later, when in the 1980’s the terrorism1 broke communities into the legal and formal structures out across the country, forcing the survivors of of the city is a relatively long-term process that abused and slaughtered indigenous families to demands the collaborative, mutual and active seek refuge in the sandy lands and steeped hills of engagement of all stakeholders (Ulack 1978). the capital’s peripheries (Chambers 2005). To this Figure 2: (a) (b) The squatter settlements of Lima and (c) Despite of the negative aspects that these situation was added the contemporary political The growth phases of Villa El Salvador masterplan. Source: communities encompass, a positive attitude is centralisation encouraged by the government of McElroy 2000:Fig.3 & Chambers 2005 Fig.5 & 6 needed to provide them with stronger planning Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) giving rise to the mechanisms and bodies to secure their land birth of a myriad of Pueblos Jóvenes or Barriadas its Active Economic Population Index (Swenarski tenure, access to infrastructure and for avoiding (slums) (Figure 2b) (Dosh et al. 2006) as a response 1989, Bustamante 1993, McElroy 2000). arbitrary evictions; solutions that should arise to the inadequate -and almost non-existent- Villa El Salvador has been internationally praised, from the same population instead of solely planning policies and the inability of public and but behind its success, the self-management depending on top-down decisions (Neuwirth private institutions2 to provide affordable housing approach (Robinson 1988), the active community 2007, Sakay et al. 2011). for the increasing population (Lloyd 1980). participation and the grass-roots management In spite of this atmosphere of despair and initiatives were the crucial aspects that secured VILLA EL SALVADOR, FROM SQUATTING inequities, Villa El Salvador (VES), which is one of its rapid upgrading and economic development (Swenarski 1989, Bustamante 1993). TO SELF-DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY the biggest squatter settlements in Peru, tell us a different story; one of success and international In the absence of governmental action, As many developing cities, Lima-Peru has been recognition. This squatter community originated squatters established an independent planning shaped by squatters settlements since the in the 1970’s (Figure 2b) with only 500 families, committee (also called junta vecinal [Fisher 1950’s (Figure 2a), a urban pattern that remains those that increased up to 9000 in just few 1984]), locally named as CUAVES - Comunidad until nowadays as an unconventional model days. They invaded a sandy piece of land in the Urbana Autogestionaria de Villa El Salvador extensively disseminated as consequence of a southern periphery of Lima and after forty years (Self-Managed Urban Community of Villa El lack of appropriate formal planning policies and of existence is still receiving migrants coming Salvador) (Swenarski 1989, Bustamante 1993). Its mechanisms of control (McElroy 2000). from the highlands and provinces. Despite of implementation was an important step at the very The migration process in Peru has concentrated being a squatter settlement, nowadays it has beginning for securing the application of a very the majority of newcomers in Lima due to several become in one of the most relevant and important organized and hierarchized administration model reasons. The primacy of the capital has been districts throughout the country in terms of its that encouraged residents to actively participate in historically set up from the times of the colony GDP contribution (Gross Domestic Product) and decision-making in a collaborative fashion (Ibid.). and ratified by its privileged geographic location 1 By that time, the most notorious terrorist groups were ‘Shining Path’ Indeed, experts highlight the instauration of this by the sea, the presence of the port of Callao and (Sendero Luminoso) and the ‘Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement’ committee as one of the most important planning the great amalgam of cultural and employment (MRTA – Movimiento Revolucionario Túpac Amaru). features of Villa El Salvador, encompassing high 2 Most of them struggling and dealing with the consequences of opportunities (Lloyd 1980, Chambers 2005). But, it terrorism and the violence from domestic armed conflict. levels of grass-roots initiatives, communal work (faenas) and cooperative ownership of land, bottom-up democratic structure”, adapted to From an economic point of view, Villa El Salvador emulating ancient Peruvian traditions dating back population’s necessities, being a lesson that has shown a close relationship between the to the Incas times (Bustamante 1993, Ioris 2012). should be applied and replicated in other cities municipal administration and the grass-roots It has been said that the case of “Villa El Salvador with similar conditions worldwide. Similarly, it organisations. Moreover, planning strategies was unusual because they had a (zoning) plan” is acknowledged that the accelerated accretion were sufficiently skilful to deal with the prevailing (Dosh et al. 2006:43) that was elaborated by process of Villa El Salvador was propitiated by ‘informality’ context that was also used as an the CUAVES under a Bottom-up approach. the constant self-housing consolidation that opportunity to develop a new economic model. This “Popular Integral Development Plan” improved on time thanks to Non-Governmental This encouraged local entrepreneurship and (Swenarski 1989, Bustamante 1993) as they and private support (McElroy 2000). private industries; organising the population in called it, is a regular pattern of checkerboard- By the end of the 1990’s, some efforts were made federations, unions and business organisations like quadrangular subdivisions named ‘residential to control and keep an eye on the illegal housing, designated to work in specific industrial, groups’, each one containing 16 independent that was rapidly spreading out across the country, commercial and agricultural zones located blocks with 24 families per block allocated in by the creation of a Commission on Formalization aside from the residential areas (Robinson 1988, equally-sized plots (Figure 2c) (Swenarski 1989, of Informal Property (COFOPRI – Comisión de Bustamante 1993). Mc Elroy 2000). Formalización de la Propiedad Informal) in 1998 Nowadays, Villa El Salvador’s industrial park This model is characterised by a polycentric (Dosh et al. 2006). Even though this commission has become in one of the most important in structure of mixed-uses and medium densities aimed to grant squatters with formal titles and the country that initially originated in small where each block has its own communal propitiate self-housing by providing them with workshops or at homes (Swenarski 1989). This organization (leader), services (unions, youth legal opportunities to get banking loans, it was influenced enormously in the rapid provision of groups, communal kitchens), facilities (health, also intended to implement a cadastre database infrastructure that facilitated its consolidation education, social), squares and public spaces analysis and create a more complete housing and integration to the formal economic markets distributed conveniently to promote a walkable inventory (building heights, construction material, of the city. Moreover, this economic model and networking community3 that was entirely demographic distribution and urban densities) for facilitated better household’s income while self-built during designated communal labor days planning purposes (Mc Elroy 2000, Dosh et al. 2006). reduced pressures on the housing, mobility, (faenas) (Swenarski 1989). Nevertheless, the complex political climates employment and infrastructure demands (Ulack Furthermore, this plan possesses additional and the public opinion at that time had opposed 1978, Bustamante 1993, McElroy 2000). features that make it very versatile and flexible. reactions that led to COFOPRI’s decommission. Surprisingly, Villa El Salvador of today is quite This is viewed as a time/space model that has While some defended the incorporation of different to the first squatter settlement of the given way to continual urban transformations the ‘sleeping capital’ represented by informal 70’s (Figure 3). After a long and constant process and adaptations (Mc Elroy 2000). Horizontal housing into the formal economy of the country of self-upgrading, it can be noticed that this subdivision of plots were subsequently followed (Hernando de Soto in Neuwirth 2005 and Dosh Pueblo Joven is a model that demonstrates how by the vertical superposition of other uses; et al. 2006), others ascribed this to private vested underlying social and economic processes were achieving varied land-use hybridisations such as interests aimed to invigorate the real estate masterly incorporated in a highly participative mechanic workshops or groceries stores operating markets and banks. planning process. This plan originated in the in ground floors and owners’ residencies locating In the particular case of Villa El Salvador, it was state, but it was entrusted to the settlers for their in upper levels (Chambers 2005). even said that COFOPRI was used by the former management and improvement. Undoubtedly, Hence, Swenarski (1989:2) qualifies this president Fujimori as a political tactic for the Villa El Salvador is an example of success towards model as “an unprecedented experience of a manipulation of the electorate, due to the self-sustainability and community development, significant number of population living in the but it will continue to be dependent on its settlers’ 3 Concept and characteristics of walkable communities are described in Ritchie et al. 2009. district (Dosh et al 2006). pervasive persistence and desire of self-improvement. Figure 3: Villa El Salvador in 1970 (left) and nowadays (right). Figure 4.1: Differences between the Provider and Supporter models by Source: Roberto Gutierrez and www.insidelima.wordpress.com Nabeel Hamdi. The questions mark explains the possibility of combining both models in the future. Source: Johansson et al. 2011: Fig. 2.6.

UNDER DIFFERENT OUTLOOKS: UPGRADING MODELS, need to comprehend this fact with the support environment, with the technical and economic SELF-HELP COMMUNITIES AND SOCIOECONOMIC of planners and decision makers. It is not just a support of non-governmental, public and private DEVELOPMENT matter of deny, evict and displace them, because partners; envisioning self-help communities that Almost every city in the developing world has to this create more social disruptions and increases understand the socio-economic and natural deal with the squatter settlement phenomenon, public expenditures (Neuwirth 2007). Indeed, processes that evolve over time (Ibid.). where upgrading and redevelopment appear to Turner (1976) and Sakay et al. (2011) coincide in In this sense, professionals and governments be the more affordable options to counteract considering young towns as vital organisms that should intermediate not only to propose top-down the ‘eradication policies’. These are encouraged define the city’s urban functions, generating new solutions that mostly depend on the political by some planners and governments worldwide, dynamics that could be managed to shape the agenda; but on the contrary, bottom-up strategies those that fundament on ideas that originate as cities of tomorrow. that can be maintained over time, ensuring these an aversion to the poor (Mangin1967,Yap et al. In this context of dichotomies, two upgrading are not being influenced by momentary political 2010,Johansson et al. 2011). models, the ‘provider’ versus the ‘supporter’, arises climates (Yap et al. 2010, Johansson et al. 2011). This aversion has erroneously led to the from contradictory point of views (Figure 4). The Even though there is no single solution for majority to consider the eviction, demolition and provider model (top-down), generally associated squatting, both models could be merged at some relocation as final solutions. Nonetheless, such to the modern urban planning, advocates that extent and be adapted to particular and specific policies are not fully effective to reduce poverty slums should be razed and replaced with new conditions (Johansson et al. 2011). Similarly, and to fight against the proliferation of slums; repetitive houses, those that residents are not Turner (1976), whom is attributed the self-help on the contrary, forced evictions have proved to able to adequate beforehand according to model, and Lobo (1992) emphasise the positive create more poverty, forcing dislodged squatters their necessities and concerns; excluding the replications of the self-help approach in achieving to invade new vacant land elsewhere and start community from the decision-making and the a more sustainable development by providing from zero once again (UN Millennium Project in planning process (Johansson et al. 2011). tenure possibilities, low-cost and affordable Montgomery 2005). On the contrary, the supporter model also housing, as well as better access to sanitation and Squatter communities need to be considered as called self-help or bottom-up model, empowers services, giving dwellers the capacity to build their fixed parts of the formal city and their settlers residents to be involved in the design of their built own communities at their pace (Mangin 1967, Fisher 1984). Furthermore, the residents’ feelings spatial databases, GIS-based mapping analysis community participation to produce new know- and strong attachments to the place alongside and the development of new urban and housing how and strategies that propitiate a development their ‘sense of community’ are motivations that policies (Ibid.). from below. Nowadays, squatter settlements encourage them to improve and look after their seem to be a feasible way to provide the poorer environment and nature (Pugh 2000, Johansson et CONCLUSIONS with shelter straightforwardly, even so they need al., Sakay et al. 2011). The aim of this paper was to gain a better of appropriate guidance and mechanisms to In terms of socio-economic development: “Slums understanding of the problem of squatter turn them into effective self-help communities. are not only a place where people live, but also settlements in many developing countries In summary, this vision demands the inclusion of a place where people work to make a living” addressed from a more positive and humanitarian dwellers as the social catalyst needed to achieve (Johansson et al. 2011:32). This assertion can be perspective. Detractors of positive visions need to more sustainable and equitable cities. corroborated in the case study of Villa El Salvador, recognise that these settlements are inevitably which success depended on the community a legitimate form of urban development in the and neighbourhood organisations (or juntas developing world that demands the attention of vecinales) that voiced the popular clamour for governments and professionals. the improvement of their living standards (Fisher The future of these segregated communities lies 1984, Chambers 2005). in their settlers’ ability to work in cooperation As a result, new planning approaches should with authorities in order to implement ‘ascendant contemplate to shift the development of slums or supporter models’ as the case of Villa El by using their community bodies to lever Salvador. However, this model has demonstrated the infrastructure growing and the physical to be successful only if it is entrusted to well- improvement of the whole city as a sum of different organized community organisations to lever components and not just as disaggregated parts the self-housing, the infrastructure growing and (Gilbert et al. 1984). This unconventional outlook the socioeconomic development towards self- challenges us to apply more sensitive and sustainability. Indeed, many experts coincide humanitarian attitudes. Only then, and after the that the bottom-up model is an unconventional 4 provision of technical support and know-how, approach that should be examined more closely these settlements will be more resilient, while to be used for delivering new urban dynamics, they are also extremely flexible to confront future patterns and processes. urban and climatic challenges (Pugh 2000). 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