Slum

By Assoc. Prof. Chaweewan DenpaiboonFaculty of Architecture and Planning

Thammasat University

10 th Regular Summer Workshop 2015

Slum Settlement and Problems in Thailand

Definition of Slum A slum is defined by the United Nations as a group of

individuals living under following conditions:

Access to adequate

water supply

Access to adequate sanitation

facilities Structural quality/

durability of dwellings

Security of tenure

Violent and unhealthy

environments

Slum

Land and Tenure: Ownership Issues

Security Levels of Different Tenure Categories

Tenure Categories Security Levels Freeholder

Leaseholder

Tenant with contract

Legal owner-unauthorized subdivision

Owner-unauthorized subdivision

Tenant in unauthorized subdivision

Squatter “owner”

Squatter tenant

Low High

The Growth of Slums- Asia has by far the highest number of city dwellers living in slums—the problem is worst in South Asia, where half of the urban population is composed of slum dwellers. - But in percentage terms, sub-Saharan Africa leads the pack: about 72 percent of city dwellers in that region live in slums.

Example of Slum Areas

Barrios in Caracas, Venezuela

Dharavi Zopadpatti in Mumbai, India

Kibera slum, Nairobi, Kenya

Why Some People Live in Slum?Job opportunities

Quality of educationTransportation

system

Center of business development

Ability to pay high cost of living for low-income group

(e.g. transportation, land and housing)

Situation of Slum in Thailand In 1961, Thailand’s first National Economic and Social Development Plan

promoted infrastructure investment in addition to free enterprise, pro-investment policies and export industries. The plan sought greater diversification in the economy through industrial development and increased agricultural production. This was the initial push for Thailand to become an industrialised economy from an agricultural base, and spurred urbanisation, with Bangkok at its centre.

Bangkok Metropolitan Region has been the major destination of labor migrants, which contributed to Bangkok’s population growth

(UN-Habitat, 2003).

Successive economic and social development plans in the 1970s and 1980s recognised Bangkok’s primacy (compared with Thailand’s other urban centres) and the need for spatial planning to reduce regional disparities. While these policies helped induce growth in secondary cities, Bangkok’s primacy continued

Situation of Slum in Thailand (Continue)The increasing numbers of poor migrants moving into urban

areas in search of jobs has led to overcrowded residential areas, increasing pressures on affordable housing and the expansion of slums, particularly in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

Communities living in slum settlements rented land informally from private or public authorities without secure tenure and a minority squatted on vacant land (Pornchokchai, 2008).

The informality of these tenure arrangements explains why fear of eviction was one of the leading concerns among slum communities in the early 1990s (National Housing Authority, 1992). This insecurity prevented communities and service providers from investing in housing and basic services (Boonyabancha, 2003).

Situation of Slum in Thailand (Continue)

The Sixth and Seventh National Economic and Social Development Plans (1987-91 and 1992-97) recognised the concerns of urban low-income groups. To encourage community participation in the early 1990s, a new fund providing loans to urban low-income communities for housing improvements and income generating activities was established.


Slum settlement form Slums do not have:

• Basic municipal services --- water, sanitation, waste collection, paved footpaths, roads for emergency access.

• Schools and Clinics within easy reach, safe areas for children.

• Places for community meeting and socialize.

Slums are worsening:

• Increase the social tensions in poorer areas

• Unplanned growth of settlements

canal settlement squatter settlement



Klong Toey Slum, Bangkok


Source: USAVAGOVITWONG, N. (2012)

Year Genres Outcomes

1932 The National revolution “Absolute Monarchy” to “Constitutional Monarchy”

Institutional design of Nation

40s’ – 60s’ Military and Bureaucratic polity Ad-hoc housing instrumental design and mandatory

60s ’- 70s’ Military, Bureaucratic polity and market driven mechanism

- National Economic and Social development Policy- Comprehensive policy instrument (i.e. National Housing Authority, Government Housing Bank)

70s’ – 90s’ Bureaucratic polity and market driven mechanism, and social movement

Slum eviction, Cooperative housing developed laterally by NGOs and Urban Community Development Organization (UCDO)

90s’ – 10s’ Social movement, Decentralization and participation trend

Participatory mechanism in policy setting,Development of Community Organization Development Institute (CODI)

Table: Progress of Political Economy and National Housing Development

Physical Strategies

1. On-site UPGRADING

Strategies in slum improvement for enhancing housing development


Physical Strategies

2. On-site REBLOCKING


Physical Strategies

3. On-site RECONSTRUCTION


Physical Strategies

4. LAND SHARING


Physical Strategies

5. Nearby or not so nearby RELOCATION

people empowerment community empowerment

to make a model

to find solutions of community design

to build a house and community

to build discipline

to build democracy

to save money

PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Strategies in slum improvement for enhancing housing development Social Strategies

Case Study Area: From slum squatter to slum relocation

- Unhealthy environments- Uncertainly income- Unsecure house

- Better living condition- Increase community collaboration- Secure house

Before

Procedure of informing and discussion in easiest way are needed

Case Study Area: From slum squatter to slum relocation

After

Thank you very much for your attention

Documents

Slum