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Villas Miserias or Informal cities

Posted by Ros Grant at 06:23 AM on January 02, 2009

I was amazed to read this new name "Informal cities", for the slums or Villas Miserias recently.

Some of you may have read about Villa 31 in Buenos Aires with plans by the municipal government to cap growth and probably expel thousands of residents of this Villa so that they are able to use the area for commercial development. Villa 31 is right in the centre of Buenos Aires, it is an eye sore and an embaressment to the city and the land that was claimed by the homeless is worth millions of Pesos to developers!

Nonformal Cities -an other new way of saying it, in Buenos Aires alone constitute upwards of 250,000 'housing units' in 750 communities that over one million people call home!

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2 Comments

Reply Thelma

03:33 PM on January 31, 2009

Hi, Ros, I watched half of a programme on that very subject the other day. I am hoping to catch the rest on iPlayer. It really is horrific, when all the people really want is a reasonable chance in life. 'Informal Cities' is the worst political 'spin' I think I have ever heard. Take care, good luck with your efforts.

Reply Thelma

03:40 PM on January 31, 2009

I have just checked and the programme is available in the UK on iPlayer under the title 'Explore - Patagonia to the Pampas' for another 22 days. It is worth a look for those interested in what Ros is talking about.