ABSTRACT
This chapter presents relevant information about the national contexts of Brazil, India, South Africa and Peru, including information about urbanisation, economic growth and social indicators. This section is followed by six fact sheets on Rio de Janeiro, Delhi, Chennai, Cape Town, Durban and Lima. In terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita Brazil was in the 77th position globally. It is ranked number 85 on united nations development programme (UNDP's) human development index (HDI). The Chennai municipal corporation (CMC) extended its limits in October 2011, covering now 426 square kilometres. As per the census data and definition of 'slums', 28.5 per cent of the population in the CMC area lived in slums in 2011. Social mobilisation for land and housing, borne by neighbourhood organisations, was particularly efficient in the 1970s. Social mobilisation has taken on a variety of forms in the 30-year history of the settlement as residents have struggled for their 'right to the city'.
