Researchers at Charles Darwin University (CDU) suggest that we can learn valuable lessons about creating sustainable cities in developing countries by studying the slums in the Global South.

Slums are places where people live in informal, often unsafe housing with limited access to clean water, toilets, and proper homes. They are known for causing many social and environmental problems.

CDU researchers looked at how people in slums practice circular economy habits in countries like Mexico, South Africa, India, Brazil, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Angola. Their goal is to guide future research and policies for making slums more sustainable in the Global South.

The research is important because more and more people around the world are moving to cities, especially in developing countries. This urban growth puts a lot of stress on the environment and limited resources, which the researchers are concerned about. The researchers believe that studying slums could help find creative solutions for this growing urban challenge.

“Unfortunately, population growth is inevitably linked to higher demand for food, water and infrastructure,” they explain. “These concerns have led to global calls to think about ways to slow and narrow resource use.”

Core elements

The researchers identify three key elements of slums that help align them with circular principles. These are the houses themselves, the spaces in the slums, and the livelihoods of the inhabitants.

“Overall, the everyday practices in slums reflect the ten elements underpinning the circular economy, which brings into sharp focus the intricate connections between slum life and CE principles,” they explain.

“Evidence shows that slum dwellers in a range of areas, including Durban in South Africa and Lima in Peru, make a living from waste picking and sorting and scrutinize waste to help identify recyclable materials that could be sold for income.”

Age old principles

Additionally, these findings support the idea that the basic principles of the Circular Economy (CE) are not new. They are already deeply integrated into the everyday strategies used by people living in slums.

The research also revealed that slum residents have a good understanding of CE practices and are committed to promoting ways to reduce waste in a circular manner. This is important when considering how urban planning authorities can work with slum residents to help create circular cities in developing countries.

“We can argue that slum dwellers with knowledge and experience in the CE will be active rather than passive stakeholders, which will help engagement levels,” the authors conclude.

“Through this research, we have revitalized the potential of the urban poor and marginalized communities to help stimulate activities capable of accelerating the realization of the circular cities agenda in developing countries.”