Paper short abstract:

Based on a qualitative research the paper describes the self-reliant DIY eco-community Green Camp Gallery in Durban. At the same time the paper discusses if the community can be interpreted as a reaction to urban crises, as a form of resistance and/or symbolizes upcoming urban forms of utopian communities.

Paper long abstract:

Utopia is generally considered as a literary genre of fiction and has little place in the debate about African informal settlements. Rather citizens of informal settlements are commonly perceived as being focused on satisfying their daily needs or claiming for basic services and not dreaming and experimenting with alternative forms of living. In contrast to this wide spreading description of "poor" citizens the urban context of Durban shows that in informal settlements communities were created standing for an ecologically sustainable and collaborative lifestyles based on DIY urbanism. By this DIY urbanism citizens react to societal tensions and/or economic crisis create gardening projects, plan self-reliant communities or offer space for experimenting with alternative ways of living. Based in a demolished house in the industrial area of Durban the Green Camp Gallery is one of this communities based on DIY urbanism. But what can we lean form this example? Should we interpret the community as a strategical way to survive, as form of resistance or an idealistic utopian community?

Based on a qualitative research the paper describes and discusses the DIY eco-community Green Camp Gallery in Durban as a utopian community.