Urban problems

1. Urban problems Housing problems

2. ABERDEEN

3. HOLY CROSS VILLAGES

4. JOHNSTON ROAD, WAN CHAI

5. ALDRICH BAY

6. TSUI PING ESTATE

14. MEXICO

15. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

16. MANILA, THE PHILIPPINES

17. HAITI

18. Definition • Housing is not only a shelter to weather, but also includes access to such basic services as electricity, water and transport. Therefore, problem occurs when the quantity and quality of provision of housing do not reach satisfactory levels.

19. Functions performed by a house as residence • a shelter that protects the residents from environmental hazards • a place where residents can enjoy privacy • a place where essential physical, psychological and social needs are satisfied.

20. Criteria to assess the standard of a house • building materials used and the construction method, which determine the house’s ability to protect its residents • living density, as measured by number of people per room. This determines the degree of privacy enjoyed by individuals • availability and quality of facilities in the houses. These are essential for meeting various needs of the residents

21. MDC City LDC City RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION CBD OVERSEAS MIGRANTS Inner city Outward migration of higher-income group

22. Housing problems • Inadequate quantity • Housing shortage • Overcrowding • Poor quality • Slums • Squatters • Poor sanitation, pollution, social problems… • Urban decay

23. Inadequate quantity of housing • common in LDC cities • demand for housing exceeds supply, leading to housing shortage / housing attainability --> overcrowding

24. Poor quality of housing • common in both LDC and MDC cities • urban slums = legal, low-rent housing in inner city areas • squatters = illegal (usually not rent-paying) housing in inner city areas / at city margins / on hillslopes

25. Urban decay • common in both LDC and MDC cities • substandard and derelict buildings • poor sanitation / inadequate facilities • congested / overcrowding living condition / high building density • narrow streets / traffic congestion • lack of recreational space / parks / social facilities • lack of planning / mixed land use • environmental pollution / environmentally degraded • poor aesthetic value • fire hazards • social problems like family conflicts / mental distresses / theft / vandalism • urban ghetto / racial segregation

26. 1.1.1 Causes and Impacts of Housing Problem in LDCs • Inadequate quantity • Large natural increase • Rapid rural-urban migration from rural push factors • Over-population and pseudo-urbanization

27. 1.1.1 Causes and Impacts of Housing Problem in MDCs • Housing demand > supply • Keen competition of land uses • Second World War • Overcrowding

28. rural-urban migration and overseas in-migration • started in the early 20th century • The nowadays' most affected destinies are the USA, UK, South Europe • The immigrants usually come from Africa, China, Eastern Europe, South America and Middle East. • United States - Inflow of foreign-born population from Asia (total) as a percentage of total inflow: 1984 – 37.9%; 2004 – 35.7%

29. limited space but keen competition among different land users • economic development pushes the urban land value up • forcing many low-income residents and high proportion of minority groups to live in slums in inner city areas

30. Second World War • many houses were seriously damaged and destroyed during WWII. • The housing stock was badly depleted.

31. Overcrowding • overcrowding and tenants sub-letting their units mainly occur in older housing near the CBD --> forming slums in inner city areas

32. Substandard housing • Socially, both slums and squatter housing are a reflection of unequal access to urban resources because squatter residents belong to the low-income, poor, socio-economically and politically marginal group in society.

33. Slums • they are found in transition zones next to the CBD, where • houses are deteriorating, without adequate amenities • the tenants are too poor to improve the living conditions

34. Slums • in MDC cities, landlords have moved out to the suburbs (suburbanization of the high-income groups) due to improved transport links • some areas are ghettos of minor racial immigrant groups • some industries have relocated to the suburbs (suburbanization of industrial activities) • local government has little income from tax to improve the living environment

35. Squatters • they are illegal, temporary housing found • on roof tops • hillslopes fringing the urban areas • and on stilts or boats in the sheltered coastal areas near the city

36. Squatters • they are usually the result of a large influx of new-comers / rural migrants to the city and also be the population growth of the poor

37. Squatters • squatters settlements are known as “shanty towns” which are characterized by: • scrap materials, e.g. wood and metal sheeting • insufficient basic services, e.g. sanitation, water, electricity • overcrowded settlements

38. Poor living environment • Environmental pollution • due to the mixed land use (workshops and retail units + residential units) • land-use conflicts • poor air quality + noise and land pollution • Fire and health hazards • these squatter huts are built of wood and cardboard • there are no surface roads / electricity supply / water and sewage facilities • creating fire and health risks • Social problems • family conflicts • mental distresses • theft, robberies, crimes, vandalism • ethnic and social segregation

39. Solutions to housing problems • New town development • Urban renewal • Slums / squatters clearance • Provision of more housing

40. New Town development • new town = a planned community aiming at solving certain problems, e.g. population redistribution

41. Factors of new town development • to relieve congested urban areas • to decentralize industries • for land use separation • for administration purpose

42. New town development • The development of new towns / satellite towns general involves the outward movement of urban residents to the peripheral areas.

43. New town development • However, not all the residents are willing to move though they are suffering from rather poor living environment because • they cannot afford the higher rent in the new town • they have to spend more time on journey-to-work • they have to pay higher transport cost in jorney-to-work

44. New town development • Therefore, new town development / satellite towns must be associated with the process of industrial decentralization. In this way, people moving outward may find their new jobs in the surrounding areas easily.

45. Urban renewal • Redevelopment = the demolition of bad housing • Rehabilitation = involves improvement of existing old buildings and environment rather than demolition of buildings

46. What is rehabilitation? • Rehabilitation includes the renovation and management of buildings, such as • improving external appearance of buildings by cleaning and repairing • fitting new windows and new doors • installing indoor toilets and baths • redesigning recreational areas

47. Rehabilitation • causes less disruption to residents • less social disruption and resentment • involves less financial cost, especially compensation • helps preserve and restore buildings of cultural, historical and architectural value • the living environment is greatly upgraded

48. slum / squatter clearance • replaced by public housing • to solve the problems of landslides / fire hazards / poor living conditions

49. building more adequate houses • through public organizations, e.g. Housing Authority / Housing Society in Hong Kong • or private sectors / developers

50. Poor quality • Urban slums • Squatters • On the roof tops • Hillslopes fringing the urban areas • On boats in the sheltered coastal areas • Environmental pollution • Workshops and retail units intermingle with residential units