The Challenge of Informal Settlements in the ECE Region

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The Challenge of Informal Settlements in the ECE
Region
Dr Sasha Tsenkova
UNECE, Geneva, November 20, 2007
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Informal SettlementsMain issues
The problem defined Economic, social and
environmental challenges Conceptual framework
The ladder of informality The ladder of policy
solutions Lessons Draws on ECE HLMC in-depth
discussion (Sept. 2007)
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Major policy questions
What types of informal settlements are emerging
in ECE/regional differences? What are the factors
contributing to informal settlement
formation? What are the planning and land
administration constraints? What are the policy
alternatives? Emerging solutions?
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European cities
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Informal Settlement Phenomenon
A major problem in more than 20 countries in
ECEurban problem Factors at work Economic and
social challenges Rapid migration to cities
(SEE, CA) The refugee IDP crisis 2.8
million Persistence of slums Europe 6 million,
CIS 19 million
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The Economic Challenge

• Second generation of informal settlements in
  Attika, Greece

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The Economic Challenge
Cycles of Informality Dead Capital
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The Social Challenge
Informal Settlement Upgrading n Kamza, Tirana
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The Social Challenge
Slums and Unsanitary Settlements in Belgrade
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The Environmental Challenge

• Amenities
• ( of dwellings) Informal Settlements Tirana
• Sewage 46 91
• Piped Water 41 95
• Electricity 68 97.3

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Addressing the Problem Strategic Approach to
Land Management
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The Nexus of Legal, Financial Institutional
Frameworks
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The Ladder of Informality Typology

• Squatter Settlements (Turkey, Albania)
• Refugee and IDP camps (Azerbaijan, Armenia)
• Informal Subdivision on Agricultural Land (Italy,
  Serbia, Croatia, Turkey)
• Illegal Development in Protected and Rural Areas
  (Greece, Spain)
• Inner city slums

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The Ladder of Policy Solutions

• Legalization Policies (Turkey, Albania)
• Regularization (Greece, Serbia, Italy)
• Community-based Upgrading (Albania)
• Public Provision of Social Housing/Slum Clearance
  (Portugal)

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Good Practice-Portugal homes not barracks

• Partnership approach

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Lessons A new approach?
The international European commitments
Regional cooperation (Vienna Declaration) Systema
tic commitment at the national and local
government level (Portugal)
More efficient planning enforcement

Better land management
Improved institutional capacity