Huchzermeyer: Informal settlements are an integral part of modern urban development

Informal settlements are an integral part of modern urban development, Marie Huchzermeyer, professor at the School of Architecture of University of the Witwatersrand, said during a dialogue session held within the framework of World Urban Forum 13 in Baku.

Report quotes her as saying that in major cities, informal settlements have become a response to the growing demand for housing.

"Since many cities have failed to sufficiently expand affordable housing stock and basic services, informal settlements have gradually become living spaces," the professor said.

She also noted that informal settlements are extremely complex and diverse, shaped by parallel systems of governance, service provision, and rental markets.

"In some countries, rental markets in these settlements are controlled by both small landlords and large investors, and even criminal groups, which leads to the exploitation of poor families. We must find ways to overcome this situation," Huchzermeyer added.