In the 1950s, poverty was a condition for post-war European architects to work on. In the 1970s, when favelas hit the architectural media, poverty became a source of social and architectural inspiration as it contained models alternative to the existing order.

In the 1980s, poverty was overshadowed by postmodern musings, but in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it began forging its architectural comeback—this time in full colour and high resolution. We have now entered an era where poverty tourism (poorism) has become a popular holiday, Favela Chic is a hot nightclub in London, and the worlds ‘slum dog’ and ‘jai ho’ were among the 15 finalists in contention to become the 1 millionth English word.

How long will poverty be in fashion this time? If ‘all press is good press’, how can we take advantage of the latest wave of slum popularity?

Visionary Cities -The Why Factory