IRB Reading Quiz 1

Framing slums’: global policy discourses and urban inequalities

What are some of the terms used to describe urban informal settlements, as mentioned in the introduction?

Terms such as "slum," "favela," "basti," "katchi abadi," and "shanty town" are used to describe urban informal settlements across various regions, including Latin America, South Asia, and Africa

According to the WHO and UN-Habitat, what percentage of the world's urban population lived in slum conditions by 2018?

By 2018, slum dwellers and informal residents were estimated to make up almost 30 percent of the world's urban populations

What is the significance of the "Cities Without Slums" action plan launched in 1999?

The "Cities Without Slums" action plan marked a global shift in the approach towards engaging with slums and urban informal settlements, committing to significantly improve the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers

How do Bacchi and Goodwin's WPR framework questions help analyze policy discourses related to slums?

Bacchi and Goodwin's WPR framework poses critical questions that guide the analysis of policy discourses, allowing for an examination of how problems are represented and the underlying assumptions that shape these representations

What are the "5 deprivations" that characterize slum households according to UN-Habitat

The "5 deprivations" include

lack of access to improved water source,

lack of access to improved sanitation facilities,

insufficient living area,

housing durability,

security of tenure 7.

How has the definition of slums evolved from 2000 to 2018 according to the World Bank?

The World Bank's definition of slums has evolved to include aspects such as overcrowding and lack of services, reflecting a closer alignment with UN-Habitat's definitions over time

What assumptions are embedded in the definitions of slums and informal settlements that may contribute to urban inequality?

The definitions often emphasize material and legal deficiencies, which can perpetuate stigma and socio-spatial inequality, overlooking the complex realities and dynamics of these spaces

How do the definitions used by global organizations like UN-Habitat and the World Bank potentially stigmatize slum dwellers?

The use of the term "slum" carries historical baggage associated with negative connotations, which can stigmatize the communities living in these areas and obscure their diverse realities

What role do slums and informal settlements play in the economic functioning of cities, as discussed in the findings?

Slums and informal settlements are integral to the economic functioning of cities, housing a labor force that supports formal activities and providing critical informal services

What are the implications of using standardized definitions for slums and informal settlements in policy-making?

Standardized definitions can lead to a flattening of urban trends and disparities, making it difficult for policy responses to effectively target the specific needs of diverse communities within informal settlements

How does the concept of intersectionality relate to the understanding of urban inequalities in informal settlements?

Intersectionality highlights that inequalities in informal settlements are often multi-dimensional, relating to various characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status, which are underrepresented in the reviewed documents

What critiques are made regarding the top-down conceptualization of slums by development agencies?

Critics argue that top-down approaches fail to capture the dynamism and complexity of informal settlements, often leading to oversimplified definitions that do not reflect the lived experiences of residents

Why is it important to consider the heterogeneous nature of populations living in slums when framing policies?

Acknowledging the heterogeneous nature of populations allows for more targeted policy responses that address the specific needs and vulnerabilities of different groups within slums

What is the relationship between urban governance and the persistence of slums, according to the World Bank?

The World Bank suggests that the persistence of slums is often due to the inability or unwillingness of urban governments and service providers to operate in these areas, viewing them as illegal and informal

How do grassroots organizations like Slum Dwellers International attempt to reappropriate the term "slum"?

Grassroots organizations like Slum Dwellers International aim to reappropriate the term "slum" by using it positively to identify themselves and their communities, emphasizing community engagement and agency