Case Study- Squatter Settlements

KIbera in Nairobi, Kenya

• 60% of Nairobi's inhabitants live in slums, over half of them, in Kibera. It  is believed between 800,000 and 1 million people live in the shanty town, in an area of 255 ha. This gives extremely high densities, with people only having 1m2 of floor space each. Over 100,000 children are believed to be orphans as a result  of the high incidence of HIV/Aids.
• The homes are made of mud, plastered-over boards, wood or corrugated iron sheeting. The paths between are irregular, narrow and often have a ditch running down the middle  that has sewage in it. Rubbish litters the area as it is not collected. the area smells of the charcoal used to provide fuel, and human waste. A stand pipe may provide water for up to 40 families; private operators hosepipes into the area and charge double the going rate for water. Crime is rife and vigilante groups offer security- at…