The problem – Concrete data about the conditions in which they live is a powerful tool that residents of informal settlements can use to advocate for service provision in their communities. By detailing the number of people who live within a settlement and the number and locations of amenities such as schools, ATMs, water standpipes, and toilets they can more effectively communicate to municipal authorities the degree to which they are in need.  However, it is important that the data used are unassailable to guard against possible accusations of number manipulation with an eye towards presenting a more compelling case for upgrading.

The way forward – Slum and Shack Dwellers International, a community-based organization comprised of residents of informal settlements in over 30 countries, was paired with researchers at the Santa Fe Institute to capture profile information for thousands of new slums, vet the data collection process, and to create a database to hold settlement profile information that had been collected by the network over many years.

Contribution – Proposal and project plan feedback; development of metrics and scheduling of deliverables; project management through regular calls, meetings, and site visits.