Slum Growing Area and Settlements

Slum Growing Area and Settlements

Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) settlements, often 

referred to as slums, are informal settlements that have emerged in major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, as well as in smaller towns across the country. These settlements are typically built on encroached land, including government or railway properties, and are characterized by makeshift structures, overcrowded living conditions, and a lack of basic amenities.

Emergence and Growth

The proliferation of JJ settlements is rooted in several socio-economic and administrative factors:

1. Urbanization and Migration:

   • Rapid urbanization and migration of rural populations to cities in search of better livelihoods have led to a demand for affordable housing that cities are unable to meet.
   • Low-income workers, unable to afford formal housing, settle in unregulated areas, leading to the rise of slums.
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2. Encroachment on Public and Private Land:

   • JJ clusters are often established on government-owned lands, including railway properties, highways, and vacant public lands.
   • In some cases, private properties that remain unused or abandoned for years are encroached upon for housing or commercial purposes.

3. Negligence and Corruption:

   • Lack of enforcement of land-use policies and the failure of local authorities to protect public lands contribute significantly to the growth of JJ settlements.
   • Corruption within the system enables encroachment, with officials often turning a blind eye or actively facilitating illegal construction for personal gain.

4. Policy Gaps and Delays:

   • Inadequate urban planning and the absence of affordable housing schemes exacerbate the problem.
   • Delayed utilization of acquired lands for public projects leaves them vulnerable to encroachment.

Characteristics of Jhuggi Jhopri Settlements

1. Housing and Infrastructure:

   • Houses are typically made of temporary materials like tarpaulin, tin, bamboo, and plastic sheets.
   • Most structures are built without proper approvals, making them unsafe and prone to fire, flooding, and collapse.

2. Living Conditions:

   • Overcrowding is a common issue, with families often living in single-room structures.
   • Lack of sanitation facilities, clean water, electricity, and proper waste management results in unhygienic conditions.

3. Commercial Activities:

   • Encroached lands are not only used for housing but also for shops, workshops, and other small businesses, leading to unregulated economic activities.

City-Specific Scenarios

1. Delhi:

   • JJ clusters in Delhi are often located near railway tracks, highways, or industrial areas.
   • The city’s master plans have consistently struggled to integrate slum redevelopment into its urban policies.

2. Mumbai:

   • Known for its extensive slums, such as Dharavi, Mumbai has a long history of JJ settlements arising due to the city’s high population density and unaffordable housing market.
   • Encroachments are common on lands owned by the municipal corporation, railways, and private entities.

3. Kolkata:

   • The city’s slums are concentrated along riverbanks, railway lines, and abandoned industrial areas.
   • Lack of affordable housing and poor urban planning have been significant contributors.

Impact on Society and Governance

1. Social Impact:

   • Slums contribute to urban poverty cycles, with limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for residents.
   • Crime rates in and around JJ settlements are often higher due to the lack of formal policing and governance.

2. Environmental Impact:

   • Unregulated waste disposal from JJ settlements leads to pollution of water bodies and urban ecosystems.
   • The absence of proper drainage systems results in waterlogging and associated health hazards.

3. Administrative Challenges:

   • Eviction drives and demolitions often face backlash due to humanitarian concerns.
   • Slum rehabilitation projects are plagued by delays, corruption, and inadequate execution.

Policy and Legal Framework

1. Encroachment and Rehabilitation Laws:

   • Laws exist to prevent encroachments on public and private lands, but their enforcement is weak.
   • Rehabilitation policies, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), aim to provide affordable housing to slum dwellers, but implementation remains inconsistent.

2. Unused Private Land:

   • In cases where private land remains unutilized for years, some laws allow for its return to the original owners. However, this process is rarely enforced.

Way Forward

1. Strengthening Urban Planning:

   • Cities must prioritize inclusive urban planning that accounts for affordable housing needs.
   • Proper utilization of acquired lands can prevent encroachments.

2. Strict Enforcement and Transparency:

   • Authorities must enforce land-use policies rigorously while ensuring transparency to curb corruption.

3. Slum Rehabilitation and Resettlement:

   • Programs focused on slum redevelopment, such as in-situ rehabilitation, can provide formal housing to JJ residents without disrupting their livelihoods.
   • Public-private partnerships can play a crucial role in financing and executing these projects.

4. Empowering Communities:

   • Encouraging community participation in urban governance can lead to better maintenance and protection of public lands.

Jhuggi Jhopri settlements represent a complex challenge arising from socio-economic disparities, governance failures, and rapid urbanization. Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach involving urban planning, strict policy enforcement, and inclusive development strategies to ensure that cities grow sustainably and equitably.

Slums and Settlements in Pakistan

In Pakistan, slums or katchi abadis (informal settlements) have proliferated in urban centers such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other major cities. These settlements are characterized by overcrowding, substandard housing, lack of basic amenities, and an informal structure that operates outside official governance.

Emergence and Growth of Slums in Pakistan

1. Urbanization and Population Growth:

   • Rapid urbanization and migration from rural areas to cities in search of better economic opportunities have led to the growth of katchi abadis.
   • Cities struggle to meet the demand for affordable housing, pushing low-income families to settle in slums.

2. Encroachment on Public and Private Lands:

   • Many slums are built on government land, railway properties, or unused private land.
   • Residents often lack legal ownership or tenure rights.

3. Socio-Economic Inequalities:

   • High property prices and inadequate low-cost housing schemes leave the urban poor with no choice but to live in informal settlements.

4. Neglect by Authorities:

   • Weak enforcement of urban planning and governance systems allows slums to grow unchecked.
   • Corruption within local administrations sometimes facilitates illegal land occupation.

Conditions in Pakistani Slums

1. Housing and Infrastructure:

   • Houses are made of low-quality materials such as mud, bamboo, and metal sheets.
   • Basic facilities like clean water, sanitation, and electricity are often missing.

2. Living Conditions:

   • Overcrowding and poor sanitation lead to health issues such as waterborne diseases.
   • Limited access to education and healthcare traps residents in poverty cycles.

3. Environmental Hazards:

   • Many slums are situated on environmentally vulnerable land, such as floodplains or garbage dumps, making residents susceptible to natural disasters.

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Efforts for Resettlement in Pakistan

1. Regularization of Katchi Abadis:

   • Provincial governments have initiated schemes to legalize and provide basic services to some informal settlements. For example:
     • Sindh Katchi Abadi Authority (SKAA) works to regularize slums in Karachi.
   • Residents are granted tenure rights and access to utilities.

2. Slum Rehabilitation Programs:

   • Public-private partnerships are being explored to build affordable housing for slum dwellers.
   • NGOs like The Citizens Foundation and Aahung focus on improving living standards in slums through education, health, and skill development programs.

3. Eviction and Resettlement:

   • In cases of eviction, governments occasionally provide alternative housing, but these efforts often face criticism for being insufficient or poorly executed.

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Slums and Resettlement in India

India faces a similar challenge with slums in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai. The situation in Indian slums shares many parallels with Pakistan in terms of overcrowding, poor living conditions, and encroachment on public lands.

Efforts for Resettlement in India

1. Slum Rehabilitation Schemes (SRS):

   • Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) aim to provide affordable housing to slum dwellers.
   • Mumbai’s Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) works to replace slums with formal housing.

2. Public-Private Partnerships:

   • Governments collaborate with private developers to construct multi-story apartments for slum dwellers in exchange for the right to develop commercial projects on prime urban land.

3. In-Situ Slum Redevelopment:

   • Focus on upgrading slums where they exist rather than displacing residents, ensuring minimal disruption to livelihoods.

4. NGO Contributions:

   • Organizations like SPARC, Goonj, and Habitat for Humanity work to improve slum conditions by providing education, healthcare, and infrastructure upgrades.

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Comparison: Resettlement Challenges in India and Pakistan

1. Common Issues:

   • Both countries face challenges such as corruption, lack of funds, and delays in implementing rehabilitation programs.
   • Inadequate consultation with slum dwellers often leads to resistance and unrest.

2. Unique Challenges:

   • In Pakistan, political instability and weaker governance structures often hinder large-scale rehabilitation projects.
   • In India, the sheer scale of slum populations, coupled with rapid urbanization, makes rehabilitation efforts more complex.

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Way Forward for Both Countries

1. Inclusive Urban Planning:

   • Both nations need to adopt long-term urban planning strategies that account for affordable housing for low-income groups.

2. Community Participation:

   • Empowering slum residents to participate in the planning and implementation of rehabilitation projects can ensure better outcomes.

3. Strengthening Governance and Transparency:

   • Curbing corruption and improving transparency in land-use policies and housing schemes are crucial.

4. International Collaboration:

   • Learning from global best practices, such as Brazil’s Favela Upgrading Program, can provide valuable insights.

Slums and informal settlements remain a pressing challenge for both India and Pakistan, reflecting deeper socio-economic disparities and governance failures. Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach involving policy reforms, active civil society participation, and sustainable urban development.