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Rural-Urban Migration and the Growth of Informal Settlements: A Socio-Ecological System Conceptualization with Insights Through a “Water Lens”

Author

Listed:
  • Venla Niva

    (Water and Development Research Group, Aalto University, P.O. Box 11000, FI-00076 Espoo, Finland)

  • Maija Taka

    (Water and Development Research Group, Aalto University, P.O. Box 11000, FI-00076 Espoo, Finland)

  • Olli Varis

    (Water and Development Research Group, Aalto University, P.O. Box 11000, FI-00076 Espoo, Finland)

Abstract

Informal settlements i.e., slums emerge from the interplay of multidimensional factors related to urbanization and sustainability. While the contribution of urban factors is well understood, the role of external drivers, such as uncontrolled migration to urban areas, is rarely addressed in research or policy-making. This study develops a novel conceptualization of slums by reviewing the pushing and pulling factors of migration and their contribution to informal settlements through 1) a socio-ecological system approach and 2) the concept of adaptive capacity. Further, it advances the discussion around synergistic and coherent policy-making in the urban context by reviewing three urban agendas and further using water as a case with the concept of cross-cutting domains. We show that the emergence of urban challenges can, and should be, linked to the root causes of flows into urban areas. Understanding these linkages through a socio-ecological system framework opens a window for knowledge-based policy development and addressing the question of how to avoid unsustainable urban development. Urbanization is one of the phenomena where the excessive complexity and dimensions of problems should not hamper action but instead, actions should be encouraged and enabled with synergistic and integrative pathways for sustainable urban development.

Suggested Citation

  • Venla Niva & Maija Taka & Olli Varis, 2019. "Rural-Urban Migration and the Growth of Informal Settlements: A Socio-Ecological System Conceptualization with Insights Through a “Water Lens”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:12:p:3487-:d:242836
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    1. Ali Hosseini & Brandon Marc Finn & Seyed Aliakbar Sajjadi & Tahereh Mosavei, 2023. "Urban Disparities and Quality of Life Among Afghan Refugees Living in Informal Settlements in Mashhad, Iran," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(2), pages 1073-1097, April.
    2. Samira Salam & Md. Abul Kalam Azad & Md. Abdus Salam & Mohammad M. Islam, 2020. "Rural-to-Urban Migration and Realization of Expected Better Life in Bangladesh: An Empirical Study in Rajshahi City Corporation," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 10(10), pages 612-622, October.
    3. Batara Surya & Syafri Syafri & Hadijah Hadijah & Baharuddin Baharuddin & Andi Tenri Fitriyah & Harry Hardian Sakti, 2020. "Management of Slum-Based Urban Farming and Economic Empowerment of the Community of Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-42, September.
    4. Thelma de Jager & Mashupye Herbert Maserumule, 2021. "Innovative Community Projects to Educate Informal Settlement Inhabitants in the Sustainment of the Natural Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Batara Surya & Haeruddin Saleh & Seri Suriani & Harry Hardian Sakti & Hadijah Hadijah & Muhammad Idris, 2020. "Environmental Pollution Control and Sustainability Management of Slum Settlements in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-34, August.
    6. Batara Surya & Hadijah Hadijah & Seri Suriani & Baharuddin Baharuddin & A. Tenri Fitriyah & Firman Menne & Emil Salim Rasyidi, 2020. "Spatial Transformation of a New City in 2006–2020: Perspectives on the Spatial Dynamics, Environmental Quality Degradation, and Socio—Economic Sustainability of Local Communities in Makassar City, Ind," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-50, September.
    7. Brock Ternes, 2019. "Are Well Owners Unique Environmentalists? An Exploration of Rural Water Supply Infrastructure, Conservation Routines, and Moderation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-14, September.

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