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The Planet of Slums: Mike Davis's Investigation into Urban Poverty

Darren Blair

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Planet of Slums

by Mike Davis

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	894 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	240 pages

Mike Davis's book 'Planet of Slums' is a comprehensive investigation into the causes and consequences of urban poverty in the developing world. It argues that slums are not a temporary phenomenon, but a permanent feature of the global landscape. The book provides a detailed analysis of the slum phenomenon and offers some innovative solutions to this pressing issue.

The Causes of Slums

Davis argues that slums are the product of a global political economy that favors the wealthy and powerful over the poor and marginalized. He identifies a number of factors that contribute to the growth of slums, including:

The lack of affordable housing: The cost of housing in many cities has risen beyond the reach of the poor, who are forced to live in informal settlements.
The displacement of people from rural areas: Economic and environmental factors are driving people from rural areas to cities, where they often end up living in slums.
The lack of decent jobs: Many slum dwellers are employed in the informal economy, where they work for low wages and have little job security.
The lack of access to basic services: Slum dwellers often lack access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare.

The Consequences of Slums

Slums have a devastating impact on the lives of their residents. They are breeding grounds for disease and crime, and they contribute to social inequality and environmental degradation. Davis argues that slums are a threat to human security and that they must be addressed as a global priority.

Solutions to the Problem of Slums

Davis offers a number of innovative solutions to the problem of slums. He argues that we need to:

Invest in affordable housing: Governments need to invest in the construction of affordable housing for the poor.
Promote decent work opportunities: Governments need to create decent work opportunities for the poor so that they can earn a living wage.
Provide access to basic services: Governments need to provide slum dwellers with access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare.
Protect the rights of slum dwellers: Governments need to protect the rights of slum dwellers and ensure that they are not evicted from their homes.
Address the underlying causes of slums: We need to address the underlying causes of slums, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.

Mike Davis's book 'Planet of Slums' is a powerful indictment of the global political economy that produces and perpetuates poverty. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the slum phenomenon and offers some innovative solutions to this pressing issue. It is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the future of our planet.

Planet of Slums

by Mike Davis

4.3 out of 5