Slums and Urban Development: Questions on Society and Globalisation JEAN-CLAUDE BOLAY The slum is not only a manifestation of mismanaged urban planning in the countries of the South. The existence of slums worldwide is also a sign that the slum is a crucial element of contemporary urbanisation. This article will attempt to define this phenomenon and understand its causes. Adequate policy responses are then suggested. Without finding appropriate solutions to the housing problems of a majority of urban dwellers, public and private decision makers will not be able to meet the challenges of sustainable development. Le bidonville n’est pas seulement la manifestation d’une planification urbaine mal ge ´re ´e dans les pays du Sud. Sa pre ´sence au plan mondial est e ´galement le signe que le bidonville repre ´sente une composante cruciale du phe ´nome `ne contemporain d’urbanisation. L’article cherchera a ` de ´finir ce phe ´nome `ne et a ` en comprendre les causes, de manie `re a ` sugge ´rer des re ´ponses ade ´quates. Sans trouver de solutions a ` l’habitat de la majorite ´ des citadins, les de ´cideurs publics et prive ´s ne seront pas en mesure de faire face aux enjeux du de ´veloppement durable. INTRODUCTION The urban environment is highly complex. In the past, public policies have aimed at eradicating slums, without taking into account the potential of their inhabitants to resolve the very problems that slums reputedly generate. Especially in the contemporary era of globalisation, it is important to stress the resources that slums can offer the ‘chaotic’ city. This requires a reassessment of views on urbanisation. Sustainable urban development will only be possible if we concentrate on solving the problems of the majority of urban populations in ways that make use of their own creativity and involve them in decision-making. According to a whole range of material, natural and socio-economic indicators on developing countries, spatial and demographic urban growth is characterised by the deterioration of physical, economic and social living conditions for a large and The European Journal of Development Research, Vol.18, No.2, June 2006, pp.284–298 ISSN 0957-8811 print/ISSN 1743-9728 online DOI: 10.1080/09578810600709492 q 2006 Taylor & Francis Jean-Claude Bolay is Dr in Political Sciences, Professor and Director of Cooperation and Vice-President for International Affairs, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne. Email: jean-claude.bolay@ epfl.ch