A tale of two cities: A multi-dimensional portrait of poverty and living conditions in the slums of Dakar and Nairobi

Abstract Our understanding of settlement conditions and the nature of poverty across urban slums is limited. Using three simple frameworks, we create a meso-level portrait of poverty and living conditions in the slums of Dakar, Senegal and Nairobi, Kenya. While slum residents in both cities share the challenge of monetary poverty, their experience diverges significantly relative to employment levels, education, and living conditions. Nairobi’s relatively well-educated and employed residents suffer from poorer living conditions—as measured by access to infrastructure and urban services, housing quality and crime—than residents of Dakar, who report much lower levels of educational attainment and paid employment. The research findings challenge conventional development theory—particularly notions that education and jobs will translate into lower poverty and improved living conditions. More comparative research is needed to better understand what drives settlement conditions and to create more effective strategies to improve the lives of all urban residents.