Thomas McLaughlin

A Framework for Informal Urbanism

Since independence, Port Moresby has seen a rapid migration of rural populations to urban areas in search of economic opportunities both in the formal and informal sectors. The proximity of both formal and informal activity zones to informal settlements is a key factor to residents’ access to economic opportunities. In Erima, distance from designated economic activity zone coupled with police crackdowns on illegal vending has bred volatile living conditions, characterized by increased criminal activity and a breakdown of ‘Wantokism’.

This thesis proposes a future-adaptive housing typology in Erima: a low-cost housing project that facilitates informal economic possibilities and remediates social cohesion.

This thesis aims to upgrade informal settlements of Port Moresby through the implementation of a new typology of affordable housing.

Can a new adaptable housing typology be informed by an existing informal urbanism? Can a top-down approach to housing integrate with and help facilitate the informal economy?

In the rapidly urbanising settlement of Erima many local residents rely upon the informal economy for their income. By establishing an ‘urban block’ typology of housing and community facilities, the housing block becomes integrated with and facilitates the informal economy taking form as an internalised market street - creating a ‘live-work’ environment within one building.

<sub>Images:
01. ‘Street perspective of informal street vending and community building’
02. ‘1:50 section of housing with internalised market street below’
03. ‘1:200 section of housing and street’
04. ‘1:100 plan of market stalls’
05. ‘Internal perspective of community building’</sub>