The Search for Shelter: Writings on Land and Housing - Paperback

by Arif Hasan (Author)

The Search for Shelter sheds light on the global population living in slums, which has increased from 1 billion in 2014 to 1.6 billion in 2018. The book also looks at the impact of neoliberalism on urban planning, the manner of organization and the struggles of the communities affected by these processes, the cultural and political decision-making processes of the State, and their repercussions on the form and life of the city. In this book, Arif Hasan discusses the conflicts between ground realities, academic theory, governmental policies, and international interventions in the shelter sector. With the help of individual case studies, he goes into depths of the various issues faced, and in certain instances also gives recommendations to improve upon the situation.

Author Biography

Arif Hasan

Arif Hasan is an architect, planner, activist, teacher, researcher, and the author of many books, research papers, and monographs on anthropology and urban and rural development issues. He has been the Principal Consultant to the Orangi Pilot Project-Research and Training Institute from 1981 to 2017. He is also the founding Chairperson of the Urban Resource Centre, Karachi and a founding member of the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights, Bangkok. He has also taught at a number of Pakistani and European universities, been a member of various UN committees, and his activism has led to the modification of a number of projects in favour of low-income communities. He has received multiple national and international awards for his work including the Hilal-e-Imtiaz and the Prince Claus Award.