Metropolis NonFormal

‘Metropolis Nonformal’ addresses one of the most urgent urban challenges of our time. Informal settlements, known also as slums, shantytowns, or favelas, are on the rise: some one billion people live in them now. Up to two thirds of future urban growth will add billions more, consisting of neighborhoods that lack basic services such as sanitation—and the security of simple occupancy rights. This presents many problems, but there are people working on solutions.This book contains twenty-five essays that present the ideas of leading thinkers, practitioners, and activists tackling this phenomenon in our cities now. With an eye toward the future, ‘Metropolis Nonformal’ is the first publication aligned with the UN-Habitat Hub on ‘Informal Urbanism’.
Alongside an informative introduction to the topic, a careful selection of candid photographs from around the globe depicts diverse nonformal conditions, getting beyond stereotypical depictions. Each approach profiled is different—and each is lushly illustrated. Personal insights, extended resource listings, and carefully orchestrated content are designed to introduce the topic and to inspire people to consider getting involved in shaping our 21st century cities.