Opinions

Urban informality, often depicted as a hindrance to progress, is in fact a multifaceted phenomenon with untapped potential to foster inclusive urban development. Urban informality encompasses economic, social, and residential activities operating outside formal regulatory frameworks in urban areas, such as informal settlements, unregistered businesses, and street vending. By critically examining prevailing narratives and embracing the complexity of informality, we can unlock its transformative power and pave the way towards more equitable cities. The Fallacy of Top-Down Approaches Traditional approaches to urban informality, characterised by top-down interventions and punitive measures, have perpetuated cycles of marginalisation and exclusion. From forced evictions…