Debates on Urban Informality in Latin America: A Defining Characteristic and Challenge for Latin American Cities

Abstract

The article examines the evolution of studies on urban informality in Latin America and the contributions of works published on this issue in EURE. Informality is understood as a complex phenomenon, linked to urbanization, poverty, and social exclusion. Over time, theories have gone from associating informality with marginality to recognizing it as a structural feature of urbanization in the region. State policies have evolved from the eradication of informal settlements to upgrading and regularization approaches, although they often lack a comprehensive framework for implementation. The article concludes that informality is a constitutive part of the Latin American cities’ structure, reflecting the tensions between the formal and informal aspects and underscoring the need to address the underlying causes of this phenomenon.