Precarious Urbanism

This chapter examines housing vulnerability and spatial inequality in informal settlements across the Global South through the lens of precarious urbanism. Rapid urbanization, limited affordable housing, and weak planning systems have driven the expansion of informal settlements, many of which are located in environmentally hazardous areas and lack basic infrastructure and secure tenure. The chapter synthesizes recent research to explain how land markets, governance structures, and environmental risks interact to produce cumulative vulnerabilities in marginalized urban spaces. Particular attention is given to climate-related hazards, everyday environmental risks, and unequal access to services. While emphasizing structural drivers of vulnerability, the chapter also highlights the role of community agency, participatory planning, and incremental housing improvements in strengthening resilience. The chapter concludes by outlining policy directions focused on inclusive governance, tenure security, in-situ upgrading, and climate-resilient infrastructure for equitable urban development.