Saturday, May 2, 2009

Robert Neuwirth: The "shadow cities" of the future

"One billion now live in squatter Cities...This is good news." Steward Brand.

Here is 15 minute video is from TED by Robert Neuwirth, author of Shadow Cities. Poor folks squat on garbage dumps and built shanty cities in South America, Africa, and everywhere. Mr. Neuwirth makes the case that this is a good thing for the squatters. And he make makes the case for helping them but not the way you think. Watch and you'll understand, maybe even agree.



Of course Mr. Neuwirth has a blog: "Squatercity"

Stewart Brand makes a (3 minute) case: Why Squatter Cities are Good. "Squatter cities are where people are climbing out of poverty"

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2 comments:

  1. MichelleMay 7, 2009 at 12:17 AM

    I am amazed by the power of human beings in these circumstances, and how we naturally develop goverment and systems; even without governmental assistance.

    I appreciate Mr. Neuwirth mentioning that everyone works in in these communities; it should shift some of our notions. It does for me. Also, I assumed property ownership would be a good thing; something else to ponder.

    One third of the population...wow. Thanks for sharing these with us.

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  2. TerryMay 7, 2009 at 4:51 PM

    Well property ownership is a good thing. Of course there is the significant issue about the ownership of the property being squatted, building wealth is certainly about property not limited to real estate.

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