City-wide, ‘at scale’ participatory slum upgrading refers to a strategic slum upgrading choice and approach to poverty
alleviation. It emphasizes the integration of all stakeholders – including urban managers and slum dwellers themselves
– and is a process undertaken across all scales - from the local to the metropolitan level. It is an inclusive, integrated,
In the world today, one in eight people or 1 billion people on earth live in slums.
The proportion of slum dwellers is most acute in Africa (at 55.9 per cent), followed by Asia (at 27.9 per cent), and Latin America and the Caribbean (at 21.1 per cent)
Informal settlements are increasingly found in the developed world too.
A key outcome of participatory, city-wide slum upgrading is that governance arrangements, institutions and processes for long term sustainable and inclusive urban development are strengthened
Urban poverty is becoming increasingly feminized1 - there are more women and girls, than men and boys, who live in poverty in urban centers around the world2.
• Slums and informal settlements are one of the most visible urban contexts highlighting female poverty, These settlements are characterized by a disproportionately highlevel
Slums and informal settlements are the most visible physical manifestation of the ways in which poor urban planning and a lack of sustainable policy frameworks result in a deficit of adequate housing and serviced land.
Adequate housing in urban contexts is improved when:
1) A commitment to progressively realize the right to adequate housing is promoted by all key stakeholders, and
Many slum dwellers are engaged in economic and livelihood activities that sustain families and contribute to the broader urban economy.
Participatory city-wide slum upgrading is an approach that:
1) Improves all stakeholders understanding of slum dwellers’ contribution to local and city-wide economies and,
2) Harnesses the assets of that activity to strengthen economic activity.
Slums and informal settlements are challenges facing many urban contexts. They require innovative and inclusive approaches to solve. Evidence shows that forced evictions are not a short or long-term solution.
Participatory planning that engages all stakeholders including slum dwellers, is a pre-condition for city-wide slum upgrading and inclusive sustainable urbanization. It has been identified as a fundamental approach in the Sustainable Development Goals.
Participation in city-wide slum upgrading – incorporating the engagement of a broad range of stakeholders including slum dwellers themselves - is an asset.
It is a trigger for socio-economic development and institutional strengthening for pro-poor urban development, which are pre-conditions for inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
Participatory city-wide slum upgrading is a pre-condition and trigger for inclusive and sustainable urbanization. The approach strengthens everyone’s capacity to contribute and benefit from the advantages of urbanization, including slum dwellers themselves.