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Proposed Research title:

Methodological approach for selection of appropriate strategies

for slum interventions in Indian context

1. Problem to be investigated:

Since independence various slum redevelopment approaches were adopted by the

Government of India to eradicate slums and improve living conditions of slum dwellers.

Some of the major approaches adopted by the Government of India are:

Slum eviction programmes

Slum clearance and rehabilitation

Community development programme

Environmental improvement of urban slum

Site and service schemes

Provision of basic services

Public participation approaches

Systematic approaches under JNNURM

Inclusive planning approaches (RAY)

These strategies were adopted under various five year plans and implemented nationwide

through national and state housing policies and programmes but still, results are marginal. In

many cases the solutions seems to be implemented regardless of the life-style and socio-

economic, cultural, psychological and behavioral dimensions of the slum dwellers and fails to

address their specific needs.

It seems that there is a mis-match between preferences and aspirations of slum dwellers and

what has been provided. The actual requirements of housing for the slum dwellers usually

varied in nature that governed by many contributing factors. There is need to increase

understanding in this area so that more acceptable housing solution can be provided.

Various studies on housing for slum dwellers show that the acceptance among the slum

dwellers for housing provided by Government is very low. Many a times it is sold or rented

to the people who belong to above poverty line. Moreover, dissatisfied beneficiaries creates

new slum for their living. The proposed research study will help the policymakers, executing

agencies and researchers to understand the factual needs, priorities and expectation of slum

dwellers. In this way the appropriate strategies, can be formed for wider acceptance among

the people and creation of slum free cities.

2. Hypothesis: During the study of various slums and squatters mainly regarding their

physical, social, environmental, economic, demographic and cultural profile, I made a

hypothesis that every slum is UNIQUE in its characteristics hence, cannot be improved using

one approach to all. This may be possible that using case specific approach for particular

slum or may be some mixed kind of approaches can provide better solutions for the creation

of more sustainable and acceptable slum interventions. This might be due to varied degree of

preferences, aspirations, and needs of the different slum pockets.

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Conceptual Analogies

One medicine cannot eliminate all diseases thus, medical science adopts a simplistic

method of observing symptoms-diagnose-

assessment-treatment method for propercure.

Symptoms of any disease can be observed by

experience or can be reported by the person

concerned whereas, the diagnostic tools are

used to take guidance for confirmation of

disease but, it does not suggest any remedial

measures itself. To eliminate cause one has

to make right assessment with help of

diagnostic reports to prescribe appropriate

treatment.

Similarly, all slums are not alike they differs in their problems and potentials which should be

deal as separate case for remedial measures of its problems rather than proto-type solutions

thus, similar methodology can also be developed for preparation of redevelopment model for

the slum.

3. Research questions:

Can we develop methodological approaches to identify appropriate or best suited

interventions for a particular slum?

4. Aim of the study

To improve/ eradicate slums by raising their minimum living standard at par with the average

living standards of the city by adopting appropriate interventions in tune with their needs and

aspirations.

5. Objective of the study:

1. To study and understand various approaches adopted for slum interventions and

identifying prospects and constraints.

2. To study and understand symptoms of slum in terms of their physical, social,

environmental, economic, demographic and cultural characteristics along with theirneeds and aspirations.

3. To correlate existing approaches adopted for slum interventions and identifying

reasons for marginal results

4. To develop a methodological approach for selection of appropriate strategies for slum

interventions.

6. Scope and limitation of the research:

The problems of the slums are related to several issues such as physical, demographic, socio-

economic, technological, cultural, behavioral, administrative and political etc. at National,Regional and Local levels. Therefore its scope is very vast and the challenges posed by it are

Figure 1 Model commonly used in

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many. In fact, the task is so enlarged that it required multidimensional and optimal efforts in

a systematic way. Keeping in mind the magnitude of the problem the proposed study will be

focused to the existing squatter settlements of the Bhopal a fast growing city of the

country. One squatter settlement from each ward of the city will be selected for the study.

The selection of the squatter settlement will be carried out in such a way so that a time line of

last six decades can have its representations. Nearly 15 % of squatter population of the city

will be studied and secondary data can also be used after its authorization and updation.

7. Methodology:

8. Conceptual Methodology for study

The symptoms of the slum under consideration may be observed through certain well defined

parameters for which, data can be obtain form primary and secondary surveys of the slum.

These data can be weighted on likert scale for its measurements. At next stage there will be

need to filter the collected information because sometimes data may be skewed and do not

match with the symptoms that we observed in real situation. In such cases one should relook

into the symptoms and collected information. Making an assessment will be important steps

that will leads to provide set of action to be taken into consideration. Finally, redevelopment

model can be suggested with categorizing parameters, variables and attributes for its demand,

priority and feasibility.

Fig: 2 Conceptual Methodology for study

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When defined weighted symptoms (problems and potentials) of particular slum will be

entered into the framework, this will generate a set of key parameters/ indicators/ variables

through multiple filtration process. The data used at this stage will be collected from already

compiled data of secondary sources or primary surveys (in case of absence or incomplete

secondary data). These set of parameters can be used to prepare preliminary slum

redevelopment model for particular case. This will be like short listing of key issues by the

authorities/model maker and their viewpoint towards the redevelopment this may or may not

be in line of community expectations.

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At next level, authorities/model maker will be required to make dialogue with the slum

communities to know about the aspirations and possible contributions of the people for

improving quality of life in the slum. Here, the preliminary slum redevelopment model will

help and guide both (authority & slum dwellers) to understand ground realities and

possibilities of development.After this community expectations will be required to feed into the framework for further

filtration and deducing data for bringing out key parameters for preparation of tentative slum

redevelopment model.

At next level, feasibility analysis for project financing, possibilities of participations of

various stake holders, phasing, pre occupancy arrangements, etc. will be required to finalize

and incorporated with the tentative models to prepare final acceptable and adoptable slum

redevelopment model for achieving desired goal.

9. Testing of the proposed framework:

At least 3-4 squatter settlements will be selected as case study to check the validity of the

proposed methodology. Selection of case will be based on availability of proper compileddata (spatial and socio-economic) of the slum with the government records. This is because

as per the recent guidelines of the Government of India the local authorities are required to

compile spatial and socio-economic data for each slum.

10. Academic significance of the project

The academic significance of the proposed project is:

Programming and developing techniques for conducting field surveys and

investigation especially to understand quality of life in slum, their socio-cultural and

livelihood patterns and expectations

A novel record and reference to the students and faculty for understanding the slum

and its inherent issues with bottoms-up approach for its solutions.

Updating of curricula for the subject of housing at different levels.

11. Relevance to present day problem

There is growing problems of slums in India as well as many other nations where peoples are

forced to live in sub standard housing and unhealthy conditions. Although governments are

making continuous efforts to solve the problem but their policies and programmes are not

achieving desired success. Most of the slum dwellers usually remain dissatisfied because they

face lot of problems after kind of redevelopment of their neighborhood. At times they feelmiserable in retrofitting their broken socio-economic fabric due to kind of housing

provisions. Their life becomes more difficult during the operational phase with enormous

increase in daily expenditure.

On the other side house constructed by the government for slum dweller remained

unoccupied for long duration due to their poor quality of housing, unsupported lifestyle and

livelihood patterns, far from employment location or informal market and incapability to loan

repayment. As a result they suffer financial loss. The proposed research will help the policy

makers / authorities / researchers to understand the expected types of housing solutions for

specific slum communities. In this way the proposed research intends to serve both the sidesof the society.

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12. Relevance to the needs of the society

The research is directly related to the needs of the poorest section of the society. The utility

of the developed framework will benefit the potential slum dwellers to provide them

appropriate housing solution of their expectations. The Government and other housing

industry will be able to produce quality housing as per the expectations of the people and

offer maximum satisfaction to them.

(Ar. A.K. Vinodia)

Research Scholar

SPA Bhopal

Forwarded by

(Dr. Yogesh Garg) (Dr. Sanjeev Singh)

Co-Guide Guide