Urban Development and Energy Access in Informal Settlements. A Review for Latin America and Africa

Focusing on Latin America and Africa, a review on energy access, efficient energy use, and energy efficiency of the built environment in informal settlements of developing countries is presented, providing information on energy issues such as access, consumption, distribution, services, end use, technologies, and energy efficiency. Information about the main patterns of energy use and consumption in slums is provided, and the main barriers that reduce access to modern (and more efficient) energy sources for dwellers are highlighted. This review also reveals from one side that data on energy, and in particular energy efficiency, are missing or out-dated, as well as data and information on the interaction between energy distribution companies and slums’ dwellers. Further investigations are now in progress in order to fill the gap. In particular, in cooperation with local stakeholders and utilities, workshops and surveys with interviews to people living in slums are being carried out.