Publications - details

More inclusive cities in East Africa: working with politics and informality

2020 - IIED Briefing February 2020

Author:

Lucy Earle

Publisher:

IIED

Description:

Power and informality interact in complex ways in urban shelter provision. This briefing is based on a study of three East African cities: Nairobi, Hawassa and Mogadishu. The three-year research project studied both financial constraints to accessing land or housing and non- financial constraints such as discrimination on the basis of identity. Our findings underline the importance of knowing who has power within the housing and land markets. Power does not just derive from wealth; politicians, traditional leaders, gatekeepers and others exercise influence in these markets. A person’s identity — and income — impacts the extent to which they can navigate these power structures, and the formal and informal systems that govern access to shelter. Governments and international donors need to improve the lives of the urban poor: notably with low-income, regulated rental schemes; slum-upgrading and affordable finance.

Copyright:

IIED

Latest publications

Lörrach plans Germany’s first timber-built commercial area

2024 - A climate-neutral and sustainable commercial area is taking shape on the site of the Lauffenmühle, a former textiles factory.

Connective Cities

Resilience in Times of War - Municipal Exchange between Ukraine and Germany

2024 - Summary of the Connective Cities' Project Planning Workshop from 28 to 29 November 2023 in Munich

Connnective Cities

Establishing a Primary Healthcare Center

2024 - The Partnership between Al Mohammara (Lebanon) and Opfenbach (Germany)

GIZ & Engagement Global with its Agency Communities in One World

Top