"This is the first book to address future informal settlements at the global scale. It argues that to foster favourable conditions for the sustainable evolution of future informal cities, planners must consider the same issues that are paramount in formal urban developments, such as provision of: balanced land uses energy efficiency and mobility water management and food sufficiency governance and community participation productivity and competitiveness identity and sense of place Planning and Design for Future Informal Settlements makes a call for responsible action to address the urban challenges of the developing world, suggesting that the vitality of informality, coupled with spatial design and good management, can support the efficient use of resources in better places to live. The book analyses the strengths and weaknesses of informal urbanism and the challenges faced by the fast growing cities of the developing world. Through case studies, it demonstrates the contributions and limitations of different attempts to plan ahead for urban growth, from the creation of formal housing and urban infrastructures for self-built dwellings to the improvement of existing informal settlements. It provides a robust framework for planners and designers, policy-makers, NGOs and local governments working to improve living conditions in developing cities."--Cover.;Attempts to deal with the urbanization challenges of the developing world -- Dealing with informal settlements of the developing world: lessons from Venezuela and Colombia -- The concepts of informal armatures -- Forces at play -- The IA as a system of components guided by principles of implementation -- Enacting -- Adapting the IA approach to different contexts -- Conclusions: Looking into the future of the cities of the developing world -- Bibliography -- Index.