power for the people

Next billion highlights some case studies which prove that treating squatters as citizens makes for better conditions in their communities.

With examples from Morocco, Argentina, Sudan and Colombia, the article shows that squatters overwhelmingly will pay for infrastructure, and that getting access to modern infrastructure improves health and well-being in their communities and grows the local economy.

I'm not sure that I applaud the policy in Casablanca that if one person is late in paying their electric bill, the whole block is disconnected.

Still, the general idea is terrific: Squatter communities are normal urban neighborhoods, and governments have to start treating them like they are.

[All praise to Emeka for sending me the link]