Balancing Redevelopment and Preservation
The Challenges of Redevelopment
Slum Clearances: Improving or Displacing?
- Slum clearances aim to replace informal settlements with modern housing and infrastructure.
- However, they often displace vulnerable populations without providing affordable alternatives.
Slum clearances can disrupt informal economies that sustain livelihoods. In Kibera, small businesses and community networks were severely affected.
Urban Redevelopment: Who Benefits?
- Urban redevelopment often leads to gentrification, where rising property values exclude lower-income residents.
It's a common misconception that redevelopment always benefits everyone. In reality, it often widens economic and social inequalities.
Green Space Loss: The Hidden Cost of Expansion
- Urban expansion frequently consumes parks and forests, worsening environmental issues like the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) and flooding risks.
Preserving green spaces isn't just about aesthetics, it's essential for climate resilience and public health.
Balancing Redevelopment and Preservation
Inclusive Planning: Putting People First
- Successful urban redevelopment requires inclusive planning that prioritizes the needs of all residents, especially vulnerable populations.
Engaging communities early in the planning process ensures that redevelopment aligns with their needs and aspirations.
Mixed-Use Development: A Sustainable Solution
- Mixed-use development combines residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, reducing need for daily commuting and the push for urban sprawl.
