Bottom-up practices and resilience strategies in informal settlements

The project investigates collaborations between local governments, citizens’ organisations, and businesses in informal settlements to improve the conditions of the urban space, public service delivery and livelihoods. We research both governments’ policies and bottom-up community projects, whereby residents of informal settlements mobilize formal and informal institutions to vitalise informal settlements. 

How are we conducting the research?

The research is likely to be the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature on the socio-economic effects of policy interventions and community projects in informal settlements. The enquiry subsequently performs a qualitative comparative analysis to identify factors associated with resilience strategies found to be effective, including individual (residents and businesses) and collective (networks, organisations, and associations) projects. The research aims at conceptualising the notion of institutional borderlands as hybrid conceptual spaces between the formal and the informal worlds.  

How does our research make an impact?

The intended impacts of the project are both scientific and societal. On the societal side, the research will generate systematic knowledge on policy actions and bottom-up strategies in informal settlements to improve the living conditions of residents. This will inform policymakers, residents of informal settlements, and multilateral and local organisations about inclusive and effective policies. The project represents an occasion for building a bridge between citizens’ organisations, academics, and local governments and identifying inclusive policies that support the vitality of the citizens. On the scientific side, the project will contribute to institutional theory by theorising and operationalising the notion of the borderlands. 

Project team

Outreach

We intend to organise a conference at the end of the project with at least one panel with the practitioners’ organisations partnering in the project. The research outcomes will be disseminated via blog posts and other media (such as podcasts and talk shows). It will allow the partner organisations to think with each other. In addition, the research aims at producing articles in academic journals and/or book chapters. 

Funding

The research is co-financed by VCC, ISS, and IHS.

Partners

• Réseau National des Habitants du Cameroun (RNHC) (Cameroon)
• Fundación Salvadoreña de Desarrollo y Vivienda Mínima (FUNDASAL) (El Salvador)
• Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) (Indonesia)