Peter Kellett

The home as workplace: a study of income-generating activities within the domestic setting

Many studies of housing concentrate on the dwelling as a place of shelter for the household, as a unit of accommodation and as a key setting for social reproduction. However, in many parts of the world the dwelling is also a place of production: some or all of the household members may be involved in income-generating activities, ranging from small-scale, part-time tasks with few specific spatial demands, to manufacturing activities which may dominate the dwelling environment. This paper draws on a pilot research study into the housing implications of home-based enterprises undertaken in a squatter settlement in New Delhi, India. In addition to a questionnaire survey, detailed case histories of selected households’ work and housing situations were recorded, and plans of dwellings drawn. Drawing on this data, the paper examines the spatial and social implications of income-generating activities and discusses how an analysis of the integration of non-domestic activities can inform and broaden our understanding of the meaning of home.

Routes to home: homelessness and home-making in contrasting societies

Abstract It is not possible to understand the full experience and meaning of homelessness without examining the relative meanings and experiences of home. Being at home is more than having adequate shelter and is as much about being placed in a particular social world. This paper explores ways in which processes of home-making and the goal of home may form part of a route to belonging for disadvantaged groups who share a marginalised place in their respective societies. To examine these ideas, data from empirical case studies from two contrasting contexts are presented: homeless young people in London and Dublin and informal dwellers in Colombia. These cross-disciplinary studies offer insights into how it is possible to move from positions of relative social exclusion towards the goal of home and hence of belonging and acceptance. Central to this is an understanding of peoples conceptions of home and the activities of home-making.

Post-war reconstruction. Participatory approaches to rebuilding the damaged villages of Lebanon: a case study of al-Burjain

Abstract This paper focuses on the reconstruction of war-damaged villages in Lebanon destroyed during the civil war (1975–1991). It presents a holistic approach that considers the complexity of socio-economic, cultural and organisational issues involved in shaping the built environment, in contrast to conventional top–down approaches, which concentrate largely on physical aspects. Therefore, the paper attempts to gain an insight into the socio-cultural conditions of the communities prior to disaster and into the specific situations, which emerged after the destruction of the villages. This will be illustrated by means of a detailed case study of one Lebanese village—namely al Burjain. It develops an understanding of the conditions of the people, their needs and perceptions about rebuilding the village and derives the specific and general principles that should guide the reconstruction process. The paper is based on fieldwork, which employs a qualitative approach that offers flexibility and suits the practical conditions in the field. This allows dynamic discussions with the community under study and permits better understanding of the local conditions. The developmental approach proposed for reconstruction presents principles and good practices appropriate for rebuilding the villages in Lebanon in particular and in similar reconstruction contexts in general.

Housing Consolidation and Home-based Income Generation: Evidence from Self-help Settlements in Two Colombian Cities

Abstract Consolidation of dwellings in self-help settlements is directly dependent on the generation of surplus resources beyond that required for subsistence. A significant proportion of households in such settlements are reliant on income generated within the home for household subsistence as well as to finance the construction of the dwelling itself. There is therefore a close interrelationship between income levels, dwelling consolidation rates and household profiles, all of which are in a state of continuous change. To examine these interrelationships this paper draws on longitudinal studies of settlements in two intermediate sized, regional capitals in Colombia: Pereira in the centre of the country and Santa Marta on the northern coast. The paper identifies the key factors which impact on the complex interlinkage between income generation and housing conditions, and concludes by offering some observations which are relevant to policy agendas in the field of low-income housing and poverty alleviation.

The construction of home in the informal city

The cities of Latin America are expanding rapidly largely through the energy and efforts of ordinary people who are creating their own dwelling environments in informal settlements with varying degrees of support or condemnation from municipal authorities. Although there is considerable diversity between settlements, most share three key characteristics. Firstly, these environments are conceived and constructed by the occupants themselves independently of external controls or professional advice; secondly, occupation and construction frequently take place simultaneously; and thirdly, such places are usually in a process of dynamic change and demonstrate considerable ingenuity and creativity within limited resource constraints. To explore these process of informal place-making and the resulting environments this chapter draws on data from a study of squatter settlements in northern Colombia. Through analysis of the processes of making, both collectively and at household level, we will gain insights into the multiple influences on the decision-making processes involved. Far from the common image of inadequate, chaotically organised places it will be argued that these environments respond to clear, culturally embedded ideas about how cities and dwellings should be configured.

The role of culture and gender in mediating the impact of official interventions in informal settlements: A study from Colombia

Abstract The United Nations Global Strategy for Shelter emphasises participation and the role of women in shelter programmes. These two interrelated components will be discussed in the context of Colombia where progressive housing and social development policies echo the United Nations approach in attempting to target those most in need. Using empirical data from the coastal city of Santa Marta this paper 1 explains how cultural values impact on the ability and motivation of households to consolidate their housing situation in self-help settlements. This analysis of household structures and gender roles is then used to examine the impact of government policy in such settlements by looking at two programmes: social housing subsidy and nursery provision. For the housing subsidy programme it is believed that the differences between the groups are likely to be accentuated, with the group with values closer to the dominant society potentially able to make better use of the opportunities provided. However, the nursery programme (which is linked to housing improvement loans) is building on shared values amongst women and is leading to significant improvements in both housing and health.

Technology for social housing in Latin America: An evaluation of the CYTED research and development programme

Abstract Since the mid 1980s an international programme of scientific and technological co-operation between Spain, Portugal and Latin America has been underway (CYTED). One of the 16 sub-programmes is focussing on Technology for Social Housing, and has brought together hundreds of researchers and housing activists from every corner of the continent, to seek pragmatic approaches to improve the housing conditions of the poor majority in Latin America. In addition to cataloguing and exchanging existing experiences, a wide-ranging and detailed programme of research and development of innovative housing technologies has been set in motion. These include materials, techniques and processes. The paper briefly outlines the characteristics of the existing housing situation in Latin America in order to identify the main elements upon which these new approaches are built. The key components of the CYTED housing programme are then described and illustrated using examples of different projects. A common theme is the relationship between the building process and social patterns, particularly the potential for cooperation and community self-help construction. The paper then identifies some limitations of the programme and concludes that despite the commitment and creativity of those involved, the effectiveness of many projects and the general validity of the approaches adopted, severe structural constraints are likely to limit the impact of the programme. However the increased contacts, communication and opportunities for collaboration within the continent provide grounds for limited optimism about future developments.