New Books in Sociology Pablo Meninato and Gregory Marinic, "Urban Labyrinths: Informal Settlements, Architecture, and Social Change in Latin America" (Routledge, 2025)
Oct 31, 2025
Pablo Meninato, an Associate Professor at Temple University, explores informal settlements in Latin America through his insights on urban architecture and social change. He discusses innovative initiatives like Rio's Favela-Bairro program and Medellín's phased Social Urbanism strategy, emphasizing community involvement and cultural sensitivity. Meninato also addresses the challenges of violence and maintenance post-intervention, along with the importance of tenure security. His work illustrates how thoughtful urban design can transform marginalized areas while respecting existing cultures.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
From Scattered Fixes To Coordinated Programs
- Informal-settlement interventions in Latin America evolved from isolated acts to organized municipal programs centered on infrastructure and social services.
- Rio's Favela-Bairro initiated large-scale, multidisciplinary upgrades that later influenced Medellín, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires.
Survey Residents Before Designing
- Always include resident surveys and consultations in design briefs for informal-settlement work.
- Use multidisciplinary teams that combine architects, engineers, sociologists, and social workers.
Phased Projects And Stable Funding Win
- Medellín used phased, targeted projects called PUI to transform one neighborhood at a time and then replicate lessons elsewhere.
- Dedicated funding from public service companies sustained both construction and long-term maintenance.
