"We should not dismiss them because they look ugly, they look messy," says Cruz, a professor at UC San Diego. "They have sophisticated, participatory practices, a light way of occupying the land. Because people are trying to survive, creativity flourishes."

In most cases, these people are doing the best they can, which is often more than can be said for the rest of us.

I agree chestnut501. And that is perhaps why their ways are being considered in future, possible, community plannings. Most are there by need. Some have chosen to live more meager, communal lives. And that combination is creating a more creative and sustainable approach that as most economies falter may want to take notice.