Making cities fair: Misereor

In 2050, seven out of a total of ten billion people will live in cities. In Asia and Africa in particular, more and more people are living in cities. For many, this means living in insecurity in self-built, makeshift accommodation and in cramped conditions. The inhabitants of informal settlements often have to make do without clean water from the tap, flush toilets and electric light in their homes. Even a visit to the doctor, going to school or a trip to the city park are usually unaffordable luxuries for them.

The difficult living situation in the informal settlements is often made even more difficult by politics and city administrations. Informal dwellers rarely receive an official right to stay and the corresponding papers. As a result, they live in constant fear of eviction. In many cases, their homes are at risk of being demolished, including to make way for major projects such as motorways, luxury flats or, increasingly often, flood protection measures. Overall, informal dwellers remain largely excluded from political, social and economic participation.

Favela 21 de Abril on the occupied site of a former hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

View over Lima.

Manila: Where housing on land is too expensive, the poor are forced onto the water.

Die informelle Siedlung "Mathare" im Nordosten Nairobis. Hier leben mehr als 100.000 Menschen auf engstem Raum.

Calcutta: Life on railway tracks.

Dr. Jacqueline Wingens

Fair urban development

Telephone: +49 241 442174
E-mail: jacqueline.wingens@misereor.de

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Whether in the Bay of Manila in the Philippines or on dangerous slopes in Peru's capital Lima: informal settlements are often located in hazard zones. They are particularly exposed to the consequences of climate change such as heat, storms and rising sea levels. Yet, they often receive no state support to protect themselves. On the contrary: climate risks are often used to justify evictions. When their settlements are declared a hazard zone, many informal dwellers and their families are left with nothing, as they are not usually offered a new home - or it is many kilometres away from their community, their workplace and therefore their livelihood.

Together with our partner organisations, we therefore call for more involvement and participation for those affected!

The voices of the urban poor must be heard and heeded by politicians! Climate change adaptation measures will only be effective if they are geared towards the needs and rights of the poor. They can only be developed together.

Informal settlement dwellers are used to improvising and organising almost everything themselves. Our partner organisations foster initiatives and expertise of local people. Together with our partners as well as experts from the fields of architecture, social work, urban planning and law, we also support them to:

jointly organise themselves;
design their housing in a way that is lasting, sustainable, and worth living in;
fight against evictions and for their rights;
gain access to water supply, sanitary facilities, sustainable energy and mobility;
protect themselves from natural disasters;
participate in political and social decision-making processes related to urban planning; and to
contribute to designing their districts and public spaces.

What we do: together with our partner organisations, we advocate for cities in which people can lead a "good life" and are safe from environmental and climate crises. We do this worldwide - in our partner countries and in cooperation with initiatives in Germany. We are committed to the vision of creating sustainable cities worth living in - for all people. Only together can we shape our cities.

The term "informal settlements" refers to areas that lack at least one of the following characteristics:

easy access to clean water and sanitation,
sufficient housing: no more than three people share a room,
permanent and durable shelter that protects against extreme climatic conditions,
secure tenure or tenancy that serve as a safeguard against forced evictions.

There are numerous region-specific terms around the world that often have a pejorative connotation. Such terms include “marginal settlement” or “slum”. Regional names range from "asentamientos populares" or "barriadas" (Latin America), "favelas" (Brazil) and "people's settlements" (Kenya) to local terms for "village" in Asian countries.

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Benita now grows 80% of the food for her family in her own garden.

The world is becoming increasingly urbanised. By 2050, two thirds of the world's population will…

The world is becoming increasingly urbanised. By 2050, two thirds of the world's population will probably live in cities. However, cities are particularly affected by the consequences of climate change. Inclusive, human rights-based and climate and environmentally friendly urban design can have a major "leverage effect" for socio-ecological transformation.

Publisher: Misereor
Year of publication: May 2024
Number of pages: 37

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The world is becoming increasingly urbanised. By 2050, two thirds of the world's population will probably live in cities. However, cities are particularly affected by the consequences of climate change. Inclusive, human rights-based and climate and environmentally friendly urban design can have a major "leverage effect" for socio-ecological transformation.

Publisher: Misereor
Year of publication: May 2024
Number of pages: 37

More information Less information

German

Urban dreams - The city of tomorrow - ecologically and socially just

Secondary level I
Geography

Urban settlements only cover around two per cent of the earth's surface,…

Secondary level I
Geography

Urban settlements only cover around two per cent of the earth's surface, yet more than half of the world's population has been living in cities since 2008. By 2050, the United Nations estimates that this figure will rise to two thirds of all people. This rapid growth poses enormous ecological and social challenges for large cities and urban centres, especially in the Global South.

This "Urban dreams" material set addresses the questions "What can the "city of the future" look like?" and "How can urban structures be designed to be socially just, inclusive and sustainable - worldwide?". The set consists of the teaching material "A World of Cities", which takes a closer look at various aspects of the topic, and the suggestions for the project week "Design your city".

Individual materials for lessons or the project week can be downloaded separately: To the ZIP file.

Publisher: Misereor
Number of pages: 76
Year of publication: 2023

More information Less information

Secondary level I
Geography

Urban settlements only cover around two per cent of the earth's surface, yet more than half of the world's population has been living in cities since 2008. By 2050, the United Nations estimates that this figure will rise to two thirds of all people. This rapid growth poses enormous ecological and social challenges for large cities and urban centres, especially in the Global South.

This "Urban dreams" material set addresses the questions "What can the "city of the future" look like?" and "How can urban structures be designed to be socially just, inclusive and sustainable - worldwide?". The set consists of the teaching material "A World of Cities", which takes a closer look at various aspects of the topic, and the suggestions for the project week "Design your city".

Individual materials for lessons or the project week can be downloaded separately: To the ZIP file.

Publisher: Misereor
Number of pages: 76
Year of publication: 2023

More information Less information

Download

Mobility for all: utilising opportunities - shaping the future

This paper takes a global look at the issue of mobility and calls for a change in favour of the…

This paper takes a global look at the issue of mobility and calls for a change in favour of the poorest population groups in the Global South.

After all, a mobility transition is the core element of the global socio-ecological transformation that enables a good life for all while respecting our planetary boundaries. The positive effects of the mobility transition can be achieved in particular if mobility is designed to be accessible, respects human rights and effectively recognises the interactions within the climate crisis.

Publisher: Misereor
Year of publication: February 2023
Pages: 12

More information Less information

This paper takes a global look at the issue of mobility and calls for a change in favour of the poorest population groups in the Global South.

After all, a mobility transition is the core element of the global socio-ecological transformation that enables a good life for all while respecting our planetary boundaries. The positive effects of the mobility transition can be achieved in particular if mobility is designed to be accessible, respects human rights and effectively recognises the interactions within the climate crisis.

Publisher: Misereor
Year of publication: February 2023
Pages: 12

More information Less information

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Designing fair cities

Informal settlements: Living in cramped conditions in temporary accommodation

The constant threat of eviction

Dr. Jacqueline Wingens

Cities and the climate crisis

Stronger participation

Misereor supports local initiatives

Making cities worth living and fit for the future

Informal settlements

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Brazil | Bolivia: agriculture in the city?!

Ecuador | Peru: Living with dignity in poor neighbourhoods

Kenya: Help for street children

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Position paper on cities as a lever for socio-ecological transformation

Urban dreams - The city of tomorrow - ecologically and socially just

Mobility for all: utilising opportunities - shaping the future

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Zwischen Acker und Asphalt: Stadt-Land-Beziehungen in der Projektarbeit

Gemeinsam für Frauenrechte in Bolivien

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Kenya: Life in the rubbish - life off the rubbish

Slum Upgrading & People-led Settlement Improvement in Nairobi

Foodrevolution - where urban and rural spaces meet

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