Planet of Slumsby Mike Davis

Presentation byMatthew Seymour

Hist 5 OnlineProfessor Arguello

Rapid Unplanned Urbanization• Davis’ first set of data reviews the

recent rate of urbanization – largely unplanned and organized, resulting in the rapid expansion of slums.

• “Indeed, in many cases, rural people no longer have to migrate to the city: it migrates to them.” Davis, pg. 9.

• Davis further claims that urban population growth “will account for virtually all future world population growth, which is expected to peak at about 10 billion in 2050.

Impact of Colonialism• Davis makes a particular point in

routing the prevalence of slums in the Global South back to it’s colonial routes.

• Davis points out in his 2nd chapter that Imperialists, notably the British, “denied native populations the rights of urban land ownership and permanent residence… [the British] feared that city life would “detribalize” Africans and foster anticolonial solidarity.” pg. 51

• After imperial rule ended, there was already a legacy of inequity & a local economy that was devastated by its connection to world economy.

Failure of the State• Many post-colonial regimes made

poor decisions that resulted in the creation of vast slums.– One such example is when the Chinese

communist opened up their cities to the massive rural population resulting in 14 million arriving in just 4 years. (pg. 53).

• Post-colonial regimes have also been noted to be at odds with slums – often fighting their growth. He lists describes several instances where government authorities actually destroy entire neighborhoods of shacks in an effort to clean up town or make room for expansion of the more well-to-do.

Danger of Slums• Davis examines some of the particular

problems of slums. He focuses mainly on the humanitarian concerns that arise from such destitute living environments.

• Slums tend to form on the most undesirable land – land on or near garbage dumps, sewage, marshes, high pollution, on steep hillsides, and in most direct danger of damage from natural disasters .

• The poor infrastructure often results in poor sanitation. The availability of potable drinking water is one of basic needs for life and it is something the slums are still striving to harness. He devotes an entire section to the lack of even the most basic latrines in the slums.

The Problem of SAPing• SAP – ‘Structural Adjustment

Program’ mandated by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on third world countries seeking aid.

• The program was simple, the Western dominated organization provides finances to keep the companies going, the countries abide by IMF regulations which were often at odds with traditional understandings.

• In most cases, they forced these countries to remove tarriffs and trade barriers that protected local farmers and craftsmen from global competition.