The Arts of Survival

The ingenuity showed by the millions of slum dwellers across the third world really is remarkable, not just in the way their houses are constructed, but the fascinating and beautiful objects they can create from what we deem to be waste, such as the Volkswagen Beetle pictured in James’ blog constructed from used Fanta cans. The resourcefulness and creative ability of the people themselves raises questions as to whether it is necessary for western designers to intervene at all in these slum societies. The work of artist Marjetica Potrc reflects the creativity of the slum dwellers in Caracas themselves, re-fashions it as art and brings it into the public forum. ‘Growing house,’ ‘dry toilet’ and ‘house with extended territory’ are all examples of ingenuity which Marjetica has observed in the city.

The dwellings constructed by those in squatter communities often eventually form a ‘large part of the low income housing stock.’ (Skinner and Rodell 1983:1) Their abilities and determination to build are hindered by the lack of adequate sites and fear of being moved off the land, as well as lack of public services, infrastructure and ‘construction credit.’ (Skinner and Rodell 1983:1) After the failure of housing policies in the fifties and sixties, new approaches to housing policy which take into consideration these limitations on the abilities of the people themselves have emerged. Following observations of the way unofficial housing is created, it is often the case that if the housing agencies set out to meet the residents halfway, a successful outcome can be reached. These new housing policy initiatives of the seventies enabled the residents and government to work together, in the form of self help schemes. Skinner and Rodell calculate that a city with 100,000 squatter houses represents 100 million hours of family labor. With ‘five-hundred thousand to 1 million’ (Web 2) people estimated to live on the hillsides of Rio de Janeiro, surely they represent a resource which could be used more productively in the formal sector?

The extent to which this family labor can be utilized as part of a self-help scheme varies according to the design of the scheme. If family labor can only be involved in the preparation and finishing of the site, wage savings for the build project would be slim, whereas if the dwellings are designed in order that the families can construct them unaided, or if training is given to the families themselves, labor costs are virtually eradicated. Another concept for self help schemes was developed by Abrams and Otto Koenigsberger, where the government to play no part in the design or construction of housing, but ‘lay out and provide plots and utilities,’ allowing the owner to either build himself or employ others, according to the families budget. Abrams himself stated that the result may still be described as a slum, but it would be an ‘alterable and improvable slum.’ (Skinner and Rodell 1983:8)

A point worth bringing to attention is that even the word ‘Favelas’ is not recognised by spell-check on Microsoft Word. The massive injustices and problems in society cannot begin to be rectified whilst the predominantly white, and excessively rich turn a blind eye. Yes capitalism works pretty well for us, we have job opportunities, health care, money to spend, and we are legally obliged to complete eleven years of education. However our economy as a nation still thrives on the exploitation of others.

People Poverty and Shelter, Skinner and Rodell, 1983
Web 2: http://www.macalester.edu/courses/geog61/chad/thefavel.htm