Squatters,collective action,and participation: Learning from Lusaka

There are few large self-help housing projects that endeavour to have real squatter participation in the decision-making processes. Because of the substantial community building skills of the Zambians involved, the Lusaka Housing Project in Zambia may be a worthwhile example of what can be done. Utilizing the rational-actor model, this article identifies the core obstacles to collective action. Where collective action is necessary to deal with a problem, collective effort will rarely be rational and, hence, will rarely take place. If and when it does occur, it means increased leverage. At another level, therefore, this project raises a paradox. There is an intricate interdependence between rural and urban sectors in national development. Increased leverage for previously powerless urban squatters can add to the pressures for an urban bias in public expenditures and have negative consequences for rural development. If, however, there is no increased leverage, then one must question the reality of the participation.