Enhancing security by reinstating “shared” space as negotiator between private and public spaces

Abstract

Searching for better opportunities and exponential population growth have forced many rural inhabitants in developing countries to urbanize. Thousands of new “informal” houses are built every day to accommodate these people around the world. Due to the lack of land, financial capacity and planning these areas become particularly dense informal housing districts. The scarcity of social and spatial organization in slums is leading to degradation of the living standard and security. This article argues that one of the main reasons for these problems seems to lie in the relation between private, semi-private and public spaces organization. The article starts by situating the problem within a global context and the magnitude of self-build informal housing. Secondly, explaining the different levels of public private relations found in rural self-build practice by observing a local family on Mt. Elgon. Here the importance of transitional spaces to the sense of security is explained. Thirdly, identifying the lack of spatial negotiation and organization in urban informal housing (Nairobi) in Kenya. The article concludes by describing the importance and possible improvements of reintroducing transitional ‘shared’ space into informal neighbourhood planning.