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111. "Removing Barriers to Land Security in Haiti"

Author:
Cynthia McCoy
Publication Date:
10-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Wilson Center
Abstract:
Haiti continues to experience overwhelming urban population growth and scarcity of land, causing increasing numbers of people to live and work in high-risk, low-potential or marginal urban environments. The land tends to be characterized as unplanned and sprawling, on public lands without proper municipal control, or on private land with informal ownership. Over time these settlements become inadequate, lacking infrastructure and direct access. Settlements tend to be situated precariously in inaccessible locations, such as on steep slopes or on outer city rubbish dumps (Overseas Development Institute, 2010). These lands are most attractive because the land rents tend to be much lower, or land is cheaper for people to build their homes – usually illegally. The informal status of housing for many of the urban poor can inhibit productivity, and the fear of eviction prevents people's willingness to invest in their homes.
Topic:
Development, Political Economy, Territorial Disputes, and Urbanization
Political Geography:
Caribbean

112. Reducing Urban Poverty: A New Generation of Ideas

Author:
Lauren E. Herzer (ed.)
Publication Date:
11-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Wilson Center
Abstract:
In 2008 the global population reached a remarkable turning point; for the first time in history, more than half of the world's people were living in cities. Moving forward into the 21st century, the world faces an unprecedented urban expansion with projections for the global urban population to reach nearly 5 billion by the year 2030. Virtually all of this growth will occur in the developing world where cities gain an average of 5 million residents every month, overwhelming ecosystems and placing tremendous pressure on the capacity of local governments to provide necessary infrastructure and services. Failure to incorporate urban priorities into the global development agenda carries serious implications for human security, global security, and environmental sustainability.
Topic:
Economics, Political Economy, Poverty, World Bank, and Urbanization

113. Urban Livelihoods in Afghanistan

Author:
Jo Ball and Stefan Schutte
Publication Date:
08-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU)
Abstract:
This synthesis report draws out the main findings and recommendations from five case studies on urban poverty in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad and Pul-i-Khumri. The report examines livelihood strategies, assets and crisis management over time in a set of households in each of these cities. It calls on the Afghan government to implement long-term strategies for economic growth that would create more jobs with regular income, and draws attention to the uneven thrust of national assistance—focused more on poverty-reduction initiatives in the rural communities—and the need to expand programmes to urban areas.
Topic:
Poverty, Urbanization, Urban, Rural, and Job Creation
Political Geography:
Afghanistan and Middle East