Urban Informality: An Introduction

This book is the first to provide an introductory overview to the concept of ‘urban informality’, taking an international perspective across the global North and South. It explores theoretical understandings of the term, and looks at how it affects ways of living, such as land use, housing and basic services, working lives and politics.

Using a broad range of material to bring the topic to life, including non-conventional sources – such as fiction, poetry, photography, interviews and other media – the book helps students, practitioners and scholars develop learning and research on this topic. The book also includes interjections from diverse voices of practitioners, community activists and regional experts.

Melanie Lombard is Senior Lecturer in the Urban Studies and Planning Department at University of Sheffield, UK. Her research explores aspects of urban informality, relating particularly to housing, land and place, through a focus on urban residents’ everyday constructive activities, in cities in Latin America, Africa and the UK. She has published widely in journals and contributed chapters to several edited collections.

Philipp Horn is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of Sheffield, UK. His research focuses on inclusive urban development, indigenous urbanization, youth rights, and participatory planning in the global South, with a regional focus on Latin America. He has published numerous journal articles, books, book chapters and working papers.