Name: The hidden world of shadow cities
Uploaded: 2007-01-02T00:11:00Z
Duration: 13 min 50 s
Description: Robert Neuwirth, author of "Shadow Cities," finds the world's squatter sites -- where a billion people now make their homes -- to be thriving centers of ingenuity and innovation. He takes us on a tour.

Robert Neuwirth, author of "Shadow Cities," finds the world's squatter sites -- where a billion people now make their homes -- to be thriving centers of ingenuity and innovation. He takes us on a tour.

The hidden world of shadow cities

Rapid urban migration means millions now live in self-built communities, with more than one in six people on Earth considered squatters. These neighborhoods, often dismissed as slums, are vibrant hubs of innovation, adaptation, and social connection. Residents build their own homes, organize commerce, and create support networks where official systems fall short. Recognizing their ingenuity challenges outdated ideas of poverty and urban development.

Squatter Settlements Are Shaping The Cities Of The Future

*Shadow Cities*

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TED Stage Talk

Robert Neuwirth: The hidden world of shadow cities