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squatting

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File:Chien Rouge.jpg
The Chien Rouge in Lausanne, a squat held in the old hospital.

Squatting is the act of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied space or building that the squatter does not own, rent or otherwise have permission to use. Squatters often claim rights over the spaces they have squatted by virtue of occupation, rather than ownership; in this sense, squatting is similar to (and potentially a necessary condition of) adverse possession, by which a possessor of real property without title may eventually gain legal title to the real property.

Squatting has a long history, as old as or older than the idea of property itself. To squat in many countries is in itself a crime; in others it is only seen as a civil conflict between the owner and the occupants. Property law and the state have traditionally favored the property owner. However, in many cases where squatters had de facto ownership, laws have been changed to legitimize their status. It is said that the United States Homestead Act is an example of such legislation. Additionally, US states which have a shortage of housing tend to tolerate squatters in property awaiting redevelopment until the developer is ready to begin work; however, at that point the laws tend to be enforced.

Urban migration has driven global estimates of the number of squatters over one billion people, with 200,000 added every day. In many of the world's poorer countries there are extensive slums or shanty towns, such as the favelas of Brazil, typically built on the edges of major cities and consisting almost entirely of self-constructed housing built on terrain seized and occupied illegally. Also, common in many of these same countries are rural squatter movements, such as, again taking a Brazilian example, the Landless Workers' Movement.

Besides being residences, a few squats are hosts to give-away shops, pirate radio stations and even cafés. 

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Squatting in the United States

In the United States, squatting laws vary from state to state and city to city. For the most part it is rarely tolerated to any degree for long, particularly in cities. Laws biased towards a contract ownership interpretation of property make it easy for deed holders to evict squatters under loitering or trespassing laws. The situation is more complicated for legal residents who fail to make rent or mortgage payments, but the result is largely the same. Most squatting in the U.S. is dependent on law enforcement and the person legally considered to be owner of the property being unaware of the occupants. Often the most important factors in the longevity of squats in the US are apathy of the owner and the likeliness of neighbors to call police. The most common tactic to accomplish this is not to be seen going in and out, which doesn't always make American squats as sustainable as those in many other countries.

Squats used for living in can be divided into two types (although they are not absolutes): So-called "back window squats" (the most common type, in which occupants sneak in and out of the building with the intent of hiding the fact that they live there), and "front door squats" (where the occupants make little or no effort to conceal their comings and goings). Many squats may start out as one or the other and then change over time. Frequently squatters will move in and then later assess how open they can be about their activities before they approach the neighbors; others will not move into a place until they have first met and discussed the idea with the neighbors. The difference between the two types can be signs of vast differences in philosophies of squatting and its purpose, how long the occupants plan to be around, and on the atmosphere of the neighborhood, among many other factors.

This was not always the case, particularly in the era of Westward expansion, wherein the Federal government specifically recognized the rights of squatters. For example, see the 1841 Pre-emption Act.

Squatted social centres

Although acting as a home is their primary use, there have been nearly as many different things happening in squats as there has been in rented/owned property. Squat cafés, drinking establishments, libraries, "swap shops"/"share stores", gyms and even rooms for BDSM activity have all been created, with many squats also holding parties and concerts. Squatted social centres are often a combination of many things that happen in one space with the main aim of creating a space for people to meet in a non-commercial setting, whether it be for a party, political workshop, to see a film, have a drink or have breakfast. There are many squatted social centres around the world but mainly in countries where squatting is legal.

Notable and well known squats

The Chien Rouge in Lausanne, a squat held in the old hospital.

Austria

Belgium

Brazil

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Italy

The Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Slovenia

Spain

A squat in Viladecans(Spain)

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States

See also

External links

References

  • Waterhouse, Richard (2005). The Vision Splendid: A Social and Cultural History of Rural Australia, Fremantle, Curtin University Books
  • Survival Without Rent a NYC how to guide originally published in 1986 and reprinted in 1989 published by The Shadow Press.
  • War In The Neighborhood – a Graphic Novel about squatting on New York City's Lower East Side in the 1980's by World War 3 Illustrated artist and editor Seth Tobocman published by Autonomedia.
  • No Trespassing! An international study of squatting and land takeovers by Anders Corr published by South End Press
  • 949 Market - a 2002 zine by a group of people who squatted an abandoned pool hall in a very public way and created a community center in San Francisco. $2-3 cash to: Lara, 3288 21st St. PMB #79, San Francisco, CA 94110
  • Cracking the Movement a history of Amsterdam squatters published by Autonomedia.
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