Bogota's unregulated subdivisions : the myths and realities of incremental housing construction
Hamer, Andrew
Over half of the recent housing construction in Bogota, Colombia has taken place in initially unregulated subdivisions. The households involved in the process are primarily former renter households entering the homeownership market with very limited savings. The residential lots are sold to the first owners with few if any public utilities present at the subdivision level. The developer frequently sells the lots on an installment credit plan and makes allowances for delayed payments. The lots are either developed by the buyer or resold, with or without a structure, to another household. As a rule, structures are built in discrete stages, with a mixture of hired and unpaid labor. The unregulated development process serves a useful purpose. Most subdivisions are eventually regularized and almost all lot owners do secure proof of ownership. In time, the owners gain access to public services. The prior accommodations, are almost always built of durable materials, and are well-located with respect to jobs. Through this approach, large numbers of lower-income households acquire valuable assets and create much of the housing supply not only for homeowners but for renters as well.
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