ABSTRACT
There is a long tradition of research on informal settlements in Latin America, since the phenomenon of rapid urbanization was first observed in the region in the 1950s. Because of this long tradition, it has been noted that research on informal settlements in Latin America has significantly influenced understandings of urban informality globally. This chapter presents a brief overview of the Latin American experience of informal settlements. It focuses initially on the historic development of informal settlements and the evolution of policy responses, followed by a consideration of some of the main theoretical approaches that have informed and interpreted these developments. The chapter also presents a snapshot of current issues in this field, and reflects briefly on further avenues for exploration.
