Cities, Not Camps, by Günter Nooke

Lack of resources and limited perspectives for a decent living and a sense of disenfranchisement of the young generation lead to migration in many countries. Most of this labor migration takes place within countries, usually from rural areas to urban centers. Most migrants settle illegally in townships and slums that grow unregulated and that rarely offer decent housing with adequate service infrastructure. At the same time, there are increased levels of forced migration triggered by conflicts; the refugees are often settled within the region in tented camps, often erected far away from centers of economic activity.

Because the reality in most developing countries is very far from achieving the best possible, this book presents a range of the current thinking along new or planned cities, including alternatives such as slum upgrading, along with valuable critical views. We are proud to have some of the most important experts on this topic contibuting to this volume. Each paper represents the author’s or authors’ own view not necessarily shared by myself or other contributors.

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