This document discusses research on informal settlements. It begins by providing context on slums as a percentage of urban populations. It then discusses how poverty and violence are linked, and cites policies aimed at poverty alleviation and violence reduction. Specific examples from Medellin, Colombia are discussed, including its history of violence from illegal armed groups and how integrated urban projects have helped create safer spaces and reduce the influence of gangs in informal settlements.

1. Informal Settlements Research
Jota Samper jota@mit.edu

2. Division of world population
Rural Urban
Slums

3. Urban population living in slums

4. Non–Integrating Gap
it tends to be in a place that is
relatively disconnected from the
world, where globalization hasn't
taken root because of a repressive
regime, abject poverty, or the lack
of a robust legal system.
It's these places that incubate
global terrorism.
Thomas P.M. Barnett

5. Poverty Violence
João Pina

6. Poverty Violence
Policies of
Poverty Violence
alleviation reduction

7. “Todos somos Juarez” - War against the drug cartels

8. Morar Carioca – Operacion Complexo do Alemão

9. Urban Integrated Project (IUP) - Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR)

10. Informal Settlements and
Security
in Medellin

11. Medellin Context of violence
400 Medellín
350 Colombia
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Years
Death rate in Colombia VS. Medellín since 1975 to 2002 Source: Instituto Nacional de Medicina
Legal y ciencias Forenses, regional Noroccidente. Boletin de prensa 2002
Medellin the most violent city in Colombia

12. 450
400
350
300
250 Rio de janeiro
Caracas
200
Medellin
Juarez
150
100
50
0
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Death Rio de Janeiro, Caracas, Medellin and Juarez from 1986 to 2010 Source: Instituto Nacional
de Medicina Legal y ciencias Forenses.
Why is important to study Medellin?

14. Illegal Armed Actors
Local government
gradient of control
Informal settlements

15. Gans in Comunas 5 and 6
Gans in Comunas 5 and 6
AUC
Bloque Cacique Nutibara

16. Integrated Urban Projects
Illegal Armed Actors
Local government
gradient of control
Informal settlements

17. João Pina

18. IUP and influence per
RiskGangIUP Projects project

20. IUP NorOriental
IUP NorOriental
New Infrastructure
creating safe spaces