The question persists, if one billion people on this earth live in these so called squatter settlements, what solution can be prescribed to help those in such conditions. Serious issues arise with regards to sanitation, health, social segregation and more. Many of these settlements are architectural nightmares. Various buildings become death traps due to poor construction and inferior materials. It is important to note that not all squatter settlements are slums, some are rich thriving communities. Unfortunately, none of these areas are favored among the legal urban dwellers. Some settlements have become architectural wonders bringing new meaning to informal vernacular design. Can such architectural ideas be the solution? and what of the surrounding "legal" communities?
