When is Leaving Preferable to Staying? Exploring the Factors Essential to A Successful Residential Relocation

The expansion of overcrowded residential communities with the lack of basic amenities has been witness in many developing countries for the last five decades. Relocations have been adopted to solve the issue because the “best practice” offers opportunities for original residents to dwell in a safer and better living environment, while allows governments and developers to redevelop the previous settlement with the potential to create more public benefits. The research aims to draw generic conclusions on essential factors that contribute to a successful relocation, by studying literature and previous projects. Based on evaluation of three cases in south and southeast of Asia, including MUTP resettlement and rehabilitation in Mumbai, Shanghai “Old Town” renewal and relocation, and UCDO housing projects in Bangkok, suggestions are made for future projects. MUTP case covers the most categories of relocation factor matrix by demonstrating a typical bottom-up scenario and providing post-resettlement support. Besides, it is also found that other features such as community-based information collection, compensation system, incentives for landowners and developers, housing development loans, and encouragement of return resettlement can contribute greatly to the positive effects of a residential relocation.