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Resilience Pathways of Informal Settlements in Nairobi: Stasis, Decline, Adaptation, and Transformation

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Abstract

This study investigates resilience pathways of informal settlements, and their diverse impacts through community-based participatory research in Mathare and Korogocho, Nairobi. Results reveal that resilience pathways were relatively stable in the 1970s and 1980s, declined in the 1990s, and changed towards more adaptive approaches in the 2000s. Each period accommodates a dynamic mix of maladaptive, adaptive, and transformative resilience initiatives. Adaptive resilience initiatives are sustainable and adopt frugal practice to cope with resource constraints, without harming others. Transformative resilience initiatives are rare, as they require a significant shift in societal norms and institutions. The study emphasizes the need to recognize the dynamics and variety of resilience initiatives in informal settlements. The study therefore recommends (1) recognizing and supporting adaptive and transformative resilience initiatives; (2) recognizing the dynamics and variety of resilience initiatives of informal settlements; and (3) addressing inhibiting institutional settings of informal settlements.

Résumé

Cette étude examine les moyens de résilience à long terme des établissements informels, et leurs divers impacts, à travers une recherche participative chez les communautés à Mathare et Korogocho, Nairobi. Les résultats révèlent que les moyens de résilience étaient relativement stables dans les années 1970 et 1980, qu’ils ont diminué dans les années 1990, et qu’ils ont changé vers des approches plus adaptatives dans les années 2000. Chaque période accueille un mélange dynamique d'initiatives de résilience inadaptés, adaptés, et transformatives. Les initiatives de résilience adaptés sont durables et adoptent une pratique frugale pour faire face aux contraintes de ressources, sans nuire à autrui. Les initiatives de résilience transformatives sont rares, car elles nécessitent un changement significatif des normes et institutions sociétales. L'étude souligne la nécessité de reconnaître les dynamiques et la variété des initiatives de résilience dans les établissements informels. L'étude recommande donc (1) de reconnaître et de soutenir les initiatives de résilience adaptative et transformatives; (2) de reconnaître les dynamiques et la variété des initiatives de résilience des établissements informels; et (3) d'aborder les cadres institutionnels inhibiteurs qui sous-tendent les vulnérabilités dans les établissements informels.

Resumen

Este estudio investiga los caminos de resiliencia a largo plazo de los asentamientos informales, y sus diversos impactos, a través de la investigación participativa basada en las comunidades de Mathare y Korogocho, Nairobi. Los resultados revelan que los caminos de resiliencia eran relativamente estables en las décadas de 1970 y 1980, disminuyeron en la década de 1990, y cambiaron hacia enfoques más adaptativos en la década de 2000. Cada período acomoda una mezcla dinámica de iniciativas de resiliencia inadaptadas, adaptadas y transformadoras. Las iniciativas de resiliencia adaptadas son sostenibles y adoptan prácticas frugales para hacer frente a las limitaciones de recursos, sin perjudicar a otros. Las iniciativas de resiliencia transformadora son raras, ya que requieren un cambio significativo en las normas e instituciones sociales. El estudio enfatiza la necesidad de reconocer la dinámica y variedad de iniciativas de resiliencia en los asentamientos informales. Por lo tanto, el estudio recomienda (1) reconocer y apoyar las iniciativas de resiliencia adaptada y transformadora; (2) reconocer la dinámica y variedad de iniciativas de resiliencia de los asentamientos informales; y (3) abordar los entornos institucionales inhibidores que subyacen a las vulnerabilidades en los asentamientos informales.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge funding support from the Vital Cities and Citizens initiative of Erasmus University and the International Centre of Frugal Innovations (ICFI). This study would not have been possible without the partnership with Ghetto Foundation and ICFI. We thank the reviewers, members of EADI 2021, Peter Knorringa, and Joop de Wit for feedback on the paper.

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Author notes

  1. Naomi van Stapele

    Present address: Centre of Expertise ‘Global and Inclusive Learning’, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Den Haag, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Vital Cities and Citizens (VCC), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Jan Fransen

  2. International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Den Haag, The Netherlands

    Beatrice Hati

  3. International Centre for Frugal Innovation (ICFI), Kenya Hub, Centenary House, Block B, 1 Floor, Ring Road Westland’s Lane, Nairobi, Kenya

    Beatrice Hati & Rosebella Nyumba

  4. Ghetto Foundation, Juja Road, Macharia Building, Nairobi, Kenya

    Samuel Kiriro

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Correspondence to Jan Fransen.

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Fransen, J., Hati, B., van Stapele, N. et al. Resilience Pathways of Informal Settlements in Nairobi: Stasis, Decline, Adaptation, and Transformation. Eur J Dev Res 36, 355–380 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-023-00605-w

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