The Political Economy of Housing the Urban Poor

This book critically examines the application of the enabling housing strategy in Asia. It assesses why this market-driven strategies have systematically strategy failed to meet the housing needs of the urban poor in Asian cities.

The book evaluates various approaches including land sharing, redevelopment, rental housing, and public-private partnerships to determine what works and what does not. It argues that an effective housing policy should be state-led, treating treat low-income housing as a market niche to be shielded by/from downward raiding and gentrification, with targeted interventions to ensure habitat adequacy and resource accessibility. This requires the development or strengthening of institutions and standards that bridge the gap between the rules and requirements of the formal society and economy and the specific socio-economic conditions of the poor. For said policy to be effective and inclusive, authorities must recognize the poor as legitimate city residents who contribute significantly to the urban society and economy.

A book of vital interest to students, researchers, and academics in urban planning, housing, architecture, development studies, and urban economics. It will also be of interest to policymakers, housing activists of NGOs, and private-sector developers in developing countries.