Modelling the evolution of housing and socio-spatial processes in low income settlements: case of Davao City, Philippines

Abstract

Previously, low income households in Davao City, Philippines, were classified into five different types from informal to formal housing. Furthermore, self-help provision and incremental construction of different housing types were explored in the course of their development. To further understand housing as a material expression of the status of the urban poor, and to explore socio-spatial processes in progressive settlements, the aim of this paper is to model the evolution of housing in low income settlements. Housing evolution is illustrated from the time when homeless people first built their shacks in squatter settlements, to transitions of different housing types from informal to formal, through to formal ownership of permanent houses. With formal ownership, the houses had evolved to either one-storey or two-storey permanent structures. This observed evolution of housing in low income settlements demonstrates that housing is socially constructed. From the point of view of social constructionism, the discussion of this paper emphasises the importance of political, economic and cultural factors in low income housing provision. Thus, this paper renews timely lessons about how the engagement of people in sustainable housing provision must be valued, especially in developing countries which are rich in human resources.