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Housing informality in Buenos Aires: Past, present and future?

Author

Listed:
  • Jean-Louis van Gelder

    (Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Netherlands)

  • Maria Cristina Cravino

    (Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento, Argentina)

  • Fernando Ostuni

    (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Abstract

As in most other Latin American cities, a principal way of accessing housing for the urban poor in Buenos Aires has been through the illegal occupation of land. Over a period of roughly eight decades, this has led to the formation of hundreds of informal settlements in the city. This article traces the historical development of informality in Argentina’s capital. It shows that different phases in this development, each with particular characteristics, can be discerned. Currently, the contours of a new phase, different from all previous ones, are taking shape. It will be argued that without an adequate understanding of the different conditioning factors of this new phase and an integrated approach to address them, informality in the city is bound to persist and even to increase in size, in spite of the country’s impressive recent economic growth and high government expenditure on social housing.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Louis van Gelder & Maria Cristina Cravino & Fernando Ostuni, 2016. "Housing informality in Buenos Aires: Past, present and future?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 53(9), pages 1958-1975, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:53:y:2016:i:9:p:1958-1975
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098015581801
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paavo Monkkonen & Lucas Ronconi, 2013. "Land Use Regulations, Compliance and Land Markets in Argentina," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 50(10), pages 1951-1969, August.
    2. Faranak Miraftab, 1997. "Revisiting Informal‐Sector Home Ownership: The Relevance of Household Composition for Housing Options of the Poor," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(2), pages 303-322, June.
    3. Ryan Centner, 2012. "Microcitizenships: Fractious Forms of Urban Belonging after Argentine Neoliberalism," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(2), pages 336-362, March.
    4. Jean‐Louis Van Gelder, 2009. "Legal Tenure Security, Perceived Tenure Security and Housing Improvement in Buenos Aires: An Attempt towards Integration," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 126-146, March.
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