Presentation: Unpacking the definition of 'slum' households
CAHF, Reall and 71point4 have been collaborating on the ‘Data Agenda for Africa’, interrogating the availability of key data relevant to housing at the national, urban and city levels, and then sharing our findings with key agencies in each country in an effort to promote better data collection and dissemination. As part of this broader effort, 71point4 have been thinking about the definition of “slum” households – and how, on the one hand, this is covered by the data, while on the other, considered in terms of policy. The definition has five points: (1) lack of sufficient living area; (2) lack of access to improved water sources; (3) lack of security of tenure; (4) lack of access to improved sanitation facilities; and (5) lack of housing durability. 71point4 have been using the Demographic and Health Surveys dataset to interrogate the five points of definition and what they mean for household experiences, and potential responses.
On the 3rd of October, 71Point4’s Jessica Smith and Natalie Cuzen led a discussion on how this approach fits into the wider literature and conversation on slum upgrading, and how we might use the data to champion a more differentiated response by both the public and the private sectors on data regarding the definition of slums.
The presentation can be downloaded below.
Download Presentation