Author: McAuslan Patrick
Place: Washington
Publisher: Earthscan
Year: 1985
Pages: 140
ISBN: 9780905347561
Subject: Urbanisation
Sub-Subject: Urban Studies
Keyword: Urban Land, Third World, Urban Poverty, Homelessness, Land Management, Urban Planning, Sustainable Urban Policy
Shelf: C1R4
Accession No: B1112
Contents: Preface, Summary, Foreword, Introduction: Urban Realty and Urban Reality, Chap 1: Land tenure, Chap 2: Land transfer, Chap 3: Credit for land deals, Chap 4: Squatting and illegal development, Chap 5: Many plans but little planning, Chap 6: Land banking and acquisition, Chap 7: Taxing the land, Chap 8: Municipal administration, Chap 9: The legal and illegal city, Appendix 1: Urban Growth, Appendix 2: Squatting and Illegal Subdivision-Some Examples, Notes
Abstract: Millions in the Third World are homeless or live in slums lacking basic necessities like clean water, sanitation, and adequate shelter. In 1987, the United Nations declared the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless to raise awareness of this crisis. Slums and squatter settlements often emerge outside official regulations, as the urban poor are forced to settle wherever they can. This uncontrolled growth overwhelms city planners and administrators. The book *Urban Land and Shelter for the Poor* explores how urban land is managed in developing countries, arguing that the state of housing reflects how effectively a city functions. It highlights a shift in government approaches: instead of demolishing informal settlements, many now recognize the potential of the poor to contribute to urban development. By supporting their efforts, cities can improve living conditions more sustainably. Patrick McAuslan, a legal scholar with extensive experience in urban planning across Africa and India, offers a practical and accessible analysis. His work has been praised for being informative, readable, and relevant for both professionals and general readers. The book emphasizes the urgency of addressing the housing crisis through inclusive and pragmatic urban policies that empower the poor.