Participation as a Capability for Poverty Reduction in Informal Settlements: A Case of Bulawayo Urban, Zimbabwe

With informal settlements becoming a central urban feature in developing countries, reducing poverty and disaster risks in these contexts is becoming a priority. Although the participatory approach is increasingly touted as effective for poverty and disaster risk reduction, the perspectives of residents of informal settlements are rarely considered. Using the capability approach, this study investigates the perspectives of people living in four informal settlements in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on participation as a capability for poverty reduction. Employing a critical realist methodology and a multi-case study design, the research draws on data from 243 households and four focus group discussions. Findings reveal that the capability of “control over one’s environment” is highly valued for poverty reduction. Power and social structures define levels of participation. Power is seen as either political, social, or economic. While social power is concentrated among residents, political and economic power, which are the substratum of participation, are concentrated externally. Participation in informal settlements is largely tokenistic due to their low socio-economic status and challenges in exercising counterpower. Resources and the complex interplay of conversion factors constrain effective participation. This study contributes to the discourse on poverty by reframing participation as both a developmental goal and an instrumental capability.