ACTIVITY 1: The nature of slums and squatter settlements
As Kleeman describes, one of the key characterisitics of housing in megacities is the development of slums or squatter settlements. Let’s investigate these urban features more deeply. Read the first two sections of the Cities Alliance website: What are slums? and why do slums develop? And answer the questions on your worksheet.
ACTIVITY 2: SKILLS & TOOLS
View the photographs of housing problems in megacities throughout the world. What does each photograph tell you about the challenge of housing in mega cities ?
- Write notes in the table on your worksheet.
- Compare your ideas with a partner
- Add each other's great ideas and vocabulary to your notes.
PHOTO 1: A street scene in Dhaka, Bangledesh
Source:http://www.radford.edu/~gmartin/Dhaka%20families%20living%20on%20street.JPG
Source:http://www.radford.edu/~gmartin/Dhaka%20families%20living%20on%20street.JPG
PHOTO 2: Building near a sewer, Dharavi slum, Mumbai, India
PHOTO 3: The daily routine, Dharavi, Mumbai, India.
Source: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01404/Dharavi_1404002c.jpg
Source: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01404/Dharavi_1404002c.jpg
PHOTO 5: A hillside favela, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Source: http://www.passport2freedom.org/favela/
Source: http://www.passport2freedom.org/favela/
PHOTO 6: a family inside the slum. Dharavi, Mumbai.
Source: http://www.dinodiamumbaiphotos.com/photos/1816496878_large_img.jpg
Source: http://www.dinodiamumbaiphotos.com/photos/1816496878_large_img.jpg
PHOTO 6: Different types of housing in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Source: Geography all the way website
Source: Geography all the way website
PHOTO 7: A slum built on a swamp in Kolkata, India.
PHOTO 8: daily living, Kolkata, India.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/foto/2011-09/06/c_131105981.htm
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/foto/2011-09/06/c_131105981.htm
PHOTO 9: A slum toilet, Dhaka, Bangledesh
Source: National Geographic
Source: National Geographic
PHOTO 10: a factory inside the slum, Mumbai, India
Source: http://www.mikeandrachelworldcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mumbai-slum_1252099i.jpg
Source: http://www.mikeandrachelworldcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mumbai-slum_1252099i.jpg
HOMEWORK ACTIVITY : Toughest place to be a bin man documentary
Toughest place to be a bin man is a documentary which tracks the experience living and working in two very different cities. A London bin man spends a week in the slums of Jakarta, doing the same job he does back home in London - collecting people's garbage. The story highlights many of the problems of mega cities including lack of employment opportunities, poor health and sanitation, lack of infrastructure and waste disposal facilities, spatial inequality, the story also clearly demonstrates housing conditions of the urban poor. As you watch, make notes in the table in your worksheet comparing the living and housing conditions in Jakarta and London.
ACTIVITY 3: Case study of Dharavi, Mumbai.
1. Watch the official trailor for the documentary: Dharavi: Slum for sale, and answer the questions on your worksheet to build up an understanding of Mumbai and its largest slum -Dharavi.
2. Watch the 12-minute documentary Mumbai Makeover about the plan to demolish the slum and answer the questions on your worksheet to build up an understanding of the issue.
ACTIVITY 4: The positive side of slums
Read the article Taking lessons from informal settlements which highlights some of the positive aspects of slums and complete the questions on your worksheet
RESPONSES TO HOUSING CHALLENGES IN MEGA CITIES
Despite the ongoing problem of housing in mega cities, people have tried to make improvements. some of the strategies for meeting the housing needs of the urban poor include, upgrading projects, site and service projects, upgrading projects and relocation. These initiatives have been implemented by governments, NGO's and the residents themselves. Each of these solutions has a range of costs an benefits for the various stakeholders.
ACTIVITY 1: Jigsaw Reading
Work in groups of 5 Each group member must read ONE of the following articles outlining a response (or range of responses) to housing problems which have been implemented in mega cities. Complete the table in your worksheet with notes about each strategy.
1. Explain the strategy(s)
2. List the benefits in dot points and say who are the main beneficiaries.
3. List the disadvantages in dot points and say who these disadvantages affect.
1. Explain the strategy(s)
2. List the benefits in dot points and say who are the main beneficiaries.
3. List the disadvantages in dot points and say who these disadvantages affect.
- Reform your groups and explain the strategy you read about to the other group members.
- Listen to the explanations from the other group members and take notes.
- Read the other 3 articles for homework and complete your notes.