The Informal Settlements of Chiang Mai: Lessons of Sustainability for Other Intermediate Size Cities

This chapter uses a sustainable development framework to assess the status of the informal settlements in Chiang Mai, an intermediate size city in the north of Thailand, and considers the lessons from these settlements that may be useful for the sustainable development of intermediate size cities in Asia. Informal settlements serve a critical role in providing affordable shelter close to jobs for poor urban residents, yet impose substantial costs on those living in and near the settlements as a result of significant externalities. A sustainable development framework is well suited for the issues of informal settlements that encompass social, cultural, economic, and environmental impacts. This is especially true in intermediate size cities, where most Southeast Asian urbanization is currently focused. Such cities are more readily able to adopt the decentralized public management approaches needed by their informal settlements than their mega-city counterparts. The lessons for sustainable development include: recognition that residents of informal settlements are a community asset; eviction and relocation programs should be approached with caution; community networking and cooperation should be nurtured; social service provision must be made a priority; and, environmental infrastructure has tremendous potential for return on investment and need not impose a financial burden.