UNECE, Geneva, November 20, 2007

The Challenge of Informal Settlements in the ECE Region

Dr Sasha Tsenkova

Informal Settlements:Main issues

The problem defined

Economic, social and environmental challenges

Conceptual framework

The ladder of informality

The ladder of policy solutions

Lessons

Draws on ECE HLMC in-depth discussion (Sept. 2007)

Major policy questions

What types of informal settlements are emerging in ECE/regional differences?

What are the factors contributing to informal settlement formation?

What are the planning and land administration constraints?

What are the policy alternatives? Emerging solutions?

Barcelona

Budapest

Vilnius

Stockholm

Manchester

Rotterdam

Glasgow

Köln

Szczecin

Toulouse

European cities

Informal Settlement Phenomenon

A major problem in more than 20 countries in ECE–urban problem

Factors at work:

Economic and social challenges

Rapid migration to cities (SEE, CA)

The refugee & IDP crisis – 2.8 million

Persistence of slums – Europe 6 million, CIS – 19 million

The Economic Challenge

• Second generation of informal settlements in Attika, Greece

The Economic Challenge

Cycles of Informality & Dead Capital

The Social Challenge

Informal Settlement Upgrading n Kamza, Tirana

The Social Challenge

Slums and Unsanitary Settlements in Belgrade

The Environmental Challenge

Amenities (% of dwellings) Informal Settlements Tirana

• Sewage 46% 91%

• Piped Water 41% 95%

• Electricity 68% 97.3%

Addressing the Problem: Strategic Approach to Land Management

The Nexus of Legal, Financial & Institutional Frameworks

Financial FrameworkFinancial Framework

Institutional FrameworkInstitutional Framework

Legal FrameworkLegal Framework

Step 1PROMOTION

Step 2PRODUCTION

Step 3MARKET ALLOCATION

Step 4SERVICING/MAINTENANCE

INDICATORS

LocationFiscal IndicatorsAcquisition Involvement

INDICATORS

Financial IndicatorsPrice of Housing

INDICATORS

Role of Public/Private SectorServicing CapacityMaintenance Capacity

INDICATORS

Quality of Housing StockQuantity of HousingType of housingOccupancy

The Ladder of Informality: Typology

• Squatter Settlements (Turkey, Albania)• Refugee and IDP camps (Azerbaijan,

Armenia)• Informal Subdivision on Agricultural

Land (Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Turkey)• Illegal Development in Protected and

Rural Areas (Greece, Spain)• Inner city slums

The Ladder of Policy Solutions

• Legalization Policies (Turkey, Albania)

• Regularization (Greece, Serbia, Italy)

• Community-based Upgrading (Albania)

• Public Provision of Social Housing/Slum Clearance (Portugal)

Good Practice-Portugalhomes not barracks

• Partnership approach

More efficient planning & enforcement

Better land management

Improved institutional capacity

Lessons: A new approach?The international & European commitments

Regional cooperation (Vienna Declaration)

Systematic commitment at the national and local government level (Portugal)