slum_cindy moon

The problem of slum is not really in architectural or urban boundary. Even though we know the way, architect or urban planner couldn’t solve the problem because it is from social conflicts. Like article ‘seventeen reasons why the squatter problem can’t be solved’, the way of exit from slum seems so hard in current system of capitalism and economic development. To pursue the strongest and most innovate culture, society ignore loser as squatter and they lose their place to leave in a city. However, they don’t have anywhere to leave, and then they start making their own area as ghetto in a city.

All of these problems as ‘habitat debate’ mentioned originated from negligence of central government. The government didn’t hear squatter’s voice and they just made and follow its policy. However, to make habitat program effective squatter around the world must band together and to overcome this situation, political policy and their demand of participating is essential (habitat debate, 12)

Also ‘housing as a verb rather than a noun’ is so notable phrase. Just saying home or housing is not sufficient. To make comfortable home, the policy needs to lead squatter to build up their area through self-particiation. For the usual normal urban people housing became shop, factory, and rental income. However, for the people who remain in slum, they don’t have anything to live.

I am not sure how architect or urban planner could approach this problem. In this case, I have usually so pessimistic view to the role of architect. We could say some opinion, but all the decision usually comes from politics. And usually politics could pretend to solve this problem but not usually get into it because they never been in slum culture.