The Challenge
In many parts of the developing world, the demand for housing far exceeds the capacity of governments to provide adequate infrastructure. Consequently, residential and commercial buildings often emerge rapidly, outpacing proper planning and development.
This lack of planning leads to the proliferation of shanty towns, where basic amenities and structural integrity are lacking. Typically, those constructing these new buildings lack the financial resources and technical expertise required to plan sustainable communities.
As a result, informal settlements expand, exacerbating issues related to health, safety, and environmental degradation.
Proposal Objective
This framework aims to curb the growth of shanty towns by introducing a basic, easy-to-understand design framework that serves as a guideline for:
Estate Developers
Professionals planning larger residential developments
Builders
Construction teams implementing the physical structures
Homeowners
Individuals building or modifying their own dwellings
Land Sellers
Those parceling and selling land for development
Guidelines for Sustainable Community Development
Plot and Spacing Requirements
- Minimum Plot Size: 500 square meters to ensure adequate space for construction, utilities, and green areas
- Minimum Distance Between Houses: 10 meters to ensure privacy, ventilation, and access to sunlight
- Alignment of Houses: Must form a continuous path without encroaching on access roads
Road Network Planning
- Community Roads: Minimum width of 15 meters to facilitate traffic flow and provide safe pedestrian pathways
- Access Roads: For every five parallel community roads, include one main access road with a minimum width of 30 meters
- Freeways: After every ten access roads, incorporate a freeway with a minimum width of 50 meters
- Preservation of Access: Designated paths must remain clear and unobstructed
Public Amenities
For every ten access roads, designate spaces for essential public amenities:
Schools
Minimum of 1 hectare per school
Bus Parks
Minimum of 0.5 hectares
Sports Centers
Minimum of 1 hectare
Markets
Minimum of 0.5 hectares per market area
Green Spaces & Utilities
- Green Space Allocation: At least 10% of total community area dedicated to parks and green spaces
- Utility Corridors: Must be at least 5 meters wide and placed underground where feasible
- Public Service Points: Each property must provide designated connection points at the boundary
Community Involvement & Flexibility
- Resident Engagement: Involve local residents in planning and implementation processes
- Advisory Board: Establish a community advisory board for ongoing input
- Adaptive Design: Allow flexibility in plot sizes and layouts to accommodate specific community needs
Building Design Standards
Room Design Guidelines
- Room Size: Minimum 12 square meters for first occupant + 6 square meters for each additional occupant
- Window Size: At least 10% of room's floor area for natural light
- Ventilation: Minimum 0.5 square meters of openable window area per occupant
- Ceiling Height: Minimum 2.4 meters for proper air circulation
- Emergency Egress: At least one window or door that can serve as emergency exit
Lavatory Requirements
Minimum Number of Lavatories:
- 1-3 occupants: At least 1 full bathroom
- 4-6 occupants: At least 1 full bathroom and 1 half bathroom
- 7-10 occupants: At least 2 full bathrooms
Full Bathroom
Includes toilet, sink, and shower or bathtub
Half Bathroom
Includes toilet and sink
Structural Requirements
Foundation
Minimum depth of 1 meter below ground level
Wall Thickness
Exterior walls minimum 20 centimeters thick
Roofing
Minimum slope of 15 degrees for proper drainage
Door Sizes
Main entrance: 90cm wide; Interior: 75cm wide
Staircases
Width: 90cm; Risers: max 20cm; Treads: min 25cm
Fire Safety
Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, marked escape routes
Private Communities
Private communities have flexibility to determine specific aspects like house spacing and road widths, provided they don't contradict building codes.
Size Requirements
Must span at least the space between two access roads
Infrastructure
Must provide basic utilities: water, electricity, sewage systems
Access
Cannot block or restrict access to main roads
Compliance
Must comply with general safety and building codes
Environmental Considerations
Noise Level Guidelines by Area Type
| Area Type | Daytime Limit | Nighttime Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Areas | 55 dB (7am-10pm) | 45 dB (10pm-7am) |
| Commercial Areas | 65 dB | 55 dB |
| Industrial Areas | 75 dB | 65 dB |
| Parks & Recreation | 60 dB | 50 dB |
| Sports Facilities | 70 dB | 60 dB |
| Healthcare Facilities | 50 dB | 40 dB |
Measurement and Compliance
- Noise levels measured at property boundary
- Regular monitoring and enforcement ensures adherence
- Temporary exceptions may be granted with prior notification
Enforcement Framework
Community-Based Enforcement Model
Decentralized Approach
Enforcement delegated to the community, ensuring better oversight, fostering a thriving ecosystem, and creating employment opportunities
Violation Reporting System
- Any individual can report violations through a dedicated portal
- Reports require evidence as specified in reporting guidelines
- System accessible to all community members
Verification Process
- Reports verified by accredited agents to ensure legitimacy
- Process prevents duplicate submissions and system misuse
- Verifying agents pre-accredited by government agencies
Incentive Structure
- Percentage of collected fines awarded to reporters and verifying agents
- Encourages community involvement in maintaining standards
- Penalties for frivolous reports maintain system integrity
Resolution Process
- Violation notices include due dates for correction
- Fines double if not addressed by deadline
- Violations must be rectified before fines can be paid
- Dispute resolution mechanism available for contested cases
Implementation Strategy
Local Stakeholder Collaboration
Partner with local governments, NGOs, and community leaders to promote widespread adoption
Pilot Programs
Launch test projects in selected areas to demonstrate effectiveness and gather feedback
Education & Training
Conduct workshops for builders and homeowners on sustainable building techniques
Continuous Improvement
Regularly update framework based on community feedback and emerging best practices
Conclusion
This framework represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the critical challenge of unplanned urban development in developing countries.
By providing clear, accessible guidelines for community design and building standards, it empowers local stakeholders to create sustainable urban environments without requiring extensive resources or technical expertise.
The community-based enforcement model ensures that compliance is maintained through local involvement rather than relying solely on centralized government oversight, creating a self-sustaining system of accountability.
Through collaborative implementation and continuous improvement, this framework has the potential to transform urban development practices and prevent the proliferation of shanty towns, improving quality of life for millions of people.
