1. What are Squatter Settlements like,
what are the issues and how can
these areas be improved?

2. What is
next to this
image?
Draw it on!

4. Initial Impressions of Rochina
• Rochina is a squatter settlement in Rio de
Janerio, Brazil (LEDC). It is the largest in South
America
• Watch the video here and
complete the Initial Impressions
sheet as you go.
What are Squatter Settlements like, what are the issues and how can these areas be improved?

5. What are the characteristics of
squatter settlements?
• Squatter settlements are areas of cities in LEDC’s (usually
on outskirts) that are built by people from any materials
they can find (e.g. wood or corrugated iron sheets). The
occupiers don’t own the land, and therefore could be
forcible removed at any time.
• They are often overcrowded, high density.
• They often don’t have ‘official’ services (e.g. electricity,
water). Often set their own supplies up.
• They can be known as Shanty Towns or Favelas, (South
America).
• Squatter settlements have emerged as so many countries
have experienced urbanisation at such a fast pace.
What are Squatter Settlements like, what are the issues and how can these areas be improved?

6. Photos of slums

7. Photos of slums

10. Photos of slums

11. What is the effect on the lives of
people living in squatter settlements?
• 1. Employment opportunities are lower.
• As there are few jobs, a lot of people create
their own jobs. These include selling items
(e.g. charcoal, clay pots), making and repairing
things, becoming cleaners, etc.
• These jobs are in the ‘informal sector’.
Informal sector workers don’t pay tax and are
on low wages.
• Video of informal job here
What are Squatter Settlements like, what are the issues and how can these areas be improved?

15. What is the effect on the lives of
people living in squatter settlements?
2. Health
People who live in Shanty towns suffer from a high
percentage of respiratory problems due to all the
pollution from small informal industries as well as
not having ‘clean’ fuels.
3. Overcrowded
People are packed into high densities, e.g. 1m
people live in a squatter settlement in Mumbai
called Dharavi (this is the same population as
Birmingham!). This creates a lack of space and
privacy too.

17. How can squatter settlements
be improved?
1. Self help schemes
2. Site and services
3. Local authority schemes
What are Squatter Settlements like, what are the issues and how can these areas be improved?

18. 1. Self Help schemes
• Groups are encouraged to help improve the standard of their
own homes.
• People are given the land that they live on.
• Local authorities provide the building materials for the
squatter settlement dwellers to improve their own homes,
they carry out their own work.
Advantages Disadvantages
What are Squatter Settlements like, what are the issues and how can these areas be improved?

19. 2. Site and Services
• More formal as land is identified in advance and
infrastructure laid (water, electricity, roads, etc.)
• Homes then built by locals with whatever materials
they can find.
Advantages Disadvantages
What are Squatter Settlements like, what are the issues and how can these areas be improved?

20. 3. Local Authority schemes
• Could be more improvements to the squatter settlement or
totally new towns constructed.
• For example Barra da Tijuca in Rio. A new planned settlement
on the edge of Rio designed to take some of the pressure off
the growth of the main city. Has lots of services (shops,
garages, schools, etc.) and is well connected to the CBD of Rio.
• Local government built and planned
Advantages Disadvantages
What are Squatter Settlements like, what are the issues and how can these areas be improved?

21. Your turn
• Imagine you live in a squatter settlement like
Rocinha.
• A reporter wants to write a piece for a local
newspaper about what it is like living in Rocinha.
He wants to know about;
– Your life
– Your surroundings
– What are the good and bad points about living there
– What your family is like.
• Write down what you would say.
What are Squatter Settlements like, what are the issues and how can these areas be improved?