TOUR OF THE HABITAT WORLD SEEN BY CIVIL SOCIETY

Squat

Dernière mise à jour le 7 June 2019

 A squat is a space, such as a building, that a group of individuals occupy illegally. This occupation occurs for economic reasons and, occasionally, for socio-political reasons (to defend a cause, for example).

Buildings that squatters take over have often been abandoned: vacant homes, unoccupied buildings or offices, shuttered factors, etc. Sometimes public spaces are squatted to defend a cause, such as a post office (to prevent its closure) or a factory (to prevent restructuring).

Squatters’ Rights

The Dutch Example

The birth of Amsterdam’s squats arose out of struggles dating back to the sixties. Civic protests had an impact on Amsterdam’s urban development. The presence of activist squats (like the Dutch Krakers) is tied to this mobilization, which began in the 1960s.

A number of principles relating to urban development emerged out of demonstrations and dialogues held in the late seventies. Plans for a highway were scrapped, public housing was built according to participatory procedures, and the “compact city” championed by the counter-culture became urban planners’ basic model.

Many squats have been legalized, purchased by city hall and rented at affordable rates. They still exist today. Since this time, the Kraakspreekuuren give advice to prospective occupants and encourage cohesion.

Source: Amsterdam et ses squats.

The French Example

Though occupation is illegal, occupiers are not lacking in rights (or duties). As Nathalie Sempé explains in her article “Les droits de l’occupant ‘sans droit ni titre’” (The Rights of Occupants ‘without Right or Title’): “Squatters also have rights. Proprietors who want to evict irregular occupants from their land or housing discover this fact at their own risk. Moreover, it happens that some occupants are in good faith, as when fake proprietors had them sign a fake lease while asking them to pay real rent. It is not the proprietors’ right to enforce the law on their own.

“Each individual must have the right to freely choose his or her form of habitat. A balance must be struck between the respective rights and obligations of the occupants and the lessors. Finally, it is incumbent upon public authorities to provide assistance that makes it possible to acquire housing. The social character of the right to housing is in this way acknowledged.”

Source: Les droits de l’occupant ‘sans droit ni titre.

Squatters across the Globe

Squats are a global phenomenon, even if it is somewhat more prevalent in Europe. Several cities have already adopted measures to eradicate, help, and change this mode of habitat and/or life.

Calcutta

Source: http://base.d-p-h.info/fr/fiches/premierdph/fiche-premierdph-1383.html

Berlin

Source: http://base.d-p-h.info/fr/fiches/dph/fiche-dph-7687.html

Kenya

Source: http://base.d-p-h.info/fr/fiches/premierdph/fiche-premierdph-598.html

Barcelona

Source: http://base.d-p-h.info/fr/fiches/dph/fiche-dph-7634.html

Beirut

Source: http://base.d-p-h.info/fr/fiches/premierdph/fiche-premierdph-1381.html

File translated by Michael C. Behrent – Assistant Professor – Department of History – Appalachian State University – Boone, NC  28608