Informal settlements in megacities: causes, characteristics and upgrading strategies

What this note covers

1. Why informal settlements form: the push–pull mechanics of rapid urbanisation
2. Physical characteristics: the built environment of informal settlements
3. Social characteristics: poverty, exclusion and community resilience
4. Upgrading strategy 1 — Site and service schemes
5. Upgrading strategy 2 — In-situ slum rehabilitation and participatory upgrading
6. Upgrading strategy 3 — Legal tenure and its transformative potential
7. Evaluating sustainability: which strategies work and why scale matters

7 sections · 14 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes