dharavi slum redevelopment case study

8 Conceptual plans for Dharavi redevelopment by innovative architects

“Dharavi is its extraordinary conundrum and kaleidoscopic alterations offers a multiplicity of investigative trajectories that combine and separate, creating never-stable but always interrelated patterns.” -Contested Urbanism

Dharavi is an informal settlement that started with the village of Koliwada and eventually spread out to 175 ha of slum dwellings. It is home to a population of around 1.5 million and one of Asia’s largest slums. It comprises a myriad of multifunctional living units, open spaces, organic clusters, commercial, institutional, industrial and social zones and has emerged as a symbol of informal urbanism.

The incremental evolution of the built and adaptability of the settlement over time gives a certain characteristic to the settlement which has a lot of potential for ambitious and passionate designers. Following is a list of different Dharavi redevelopment concepts proposed for the settlement by innovative architects and planners across the globe.

1. DCLT- Dharavi Community Land Trust | Dharavi Redevelopment

Idea by: Plural and Kriva

The idea explores the hypothesis ‘How would the residents (of Dharavi) envision their future if they had their rights?’ Through a collaborative approach, it introduces the concept of ‘Community Land Trust’ intending to tackle the most important factor contributing to the problem and also the potential solution- Land. Plural claims the idea can be further extended to the creation of affordable housing in any brownfield neighborhood.

For more information: https://www.plural.org.in/reinventing-dharavi

2. Shipping Container Skyscraper

Idea by: Ganti + Associates (GA) Designs

The idea utilizes the port of Mumbai and the geographic configuration of the site to produce a vertical settlement made of a repetitive module of shipping containers. The 100 m high vertical tower would consist of self-supported container clusters with steel girders at every 8 stories. The design identifies with the modular, recyclable character of Dharavi and also features recycled terracotta jalis locally produced at Kumbharwada, the potter’s community of Dharavi.

For more information: https://www.archdaily.com/772414/ga-designs-radical-shipping-container-skyscraper-for-mumbai-slum

3. Dharavi Infrastructure Improvement Trust 

Idea by: Smita Singh (India), Aman Luthra (India), Mike Hardin (USA), Magdalena Gajewska (Poland), Geroge Attokaran (India), Pranay Manocha (India).

This idea acknowledges Dharavi’s strategic location concerning the urban context of Mumbai and proposes an incremental improvement plan as a middle ground between the greenfield and conservative struggle. Secondly, it aims to develop a participatory design practice where the conceptualization or at least the finalization of the development comes from its people. The team combined both these aspects into a platform which they named the Dharavi Infrastructure Improvement Trust. The trust aims at an improvement strategy in ‘small’ and large moves like installing Bathroom towers and alternative strategies for compact urban living.

For more information: https://reinventingdharavi.org/awards.php )

4. ReDharavi | Dharavi Redevelopment

Idea by: Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centers, and Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies

After the residents of Dharavi protested the Dharavi Redevelopment Plan 2004, conceived by architect Mukesh Mehta based following a 2003 report by McKinsey, new organizations came to light for the specific purpose of redeveloping Dharavi while catering to the interests of its residents. The Alternative Strategy developed and proposed followed consultations by the residents- nagars (neighborhoods) based on shared religion or working conditions supported by a strong transportation network. Through careful consideration of the living and working conditions of the residents, new housing typologies were developed.

For more information: https://knowyourcity.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ReDharavi1.pdf

5. Inclusive Neutrality

Idea by: Atelier Anonyme, Degree Zero, Troisième Paysage and 3×3 design

This concept aims to cater to both the people’s interest and that of the economic stakeholders of the project. The designers acknowledge how the industrial-cum-residential Dharavi settlements are in stark contrast with the urban models of the west. It features low-rise settlements with housing typologies which are a hybrid of work and living spaces while featuring community spaces as well.

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/AnsalUniversity/posts/making-mark-internationally-prof-amrita-madan-faculty-at-sushant-school-of-art-a/887835604572738/

6. Containscrapper

Idea by: CRG Architects

The whole site is divided into 2 towers rising to a 100m carefully placed according to the shape and geography of the site. This idea is an ambitious one, which aims to provide a standard of living to the residents of Dharavi and also add to the already dynamic skyline of the city. Built from recycled shipping containers, it features vertical gardens and mesmerizing views. The facades are color-coded according to the original color of the container, responding to the rate of heat on each side- warm on the south and cold colors on the north side.

For more information: https://www.crgarchitects.com/containscraper

7. The Game is On!

Idea by: Felixx + Studio OxL Architects

This idea aims at upgrading public spaces within the settlement to make it a deprived neighborhood in the city rather than an isolated ‘island of poverty’. The three-tier strategy focuses on infrastructure and mobility, water and sanitation, and regeneration and development. All these factors are integrated into the streetscape of the city which connects neighborhoods, businesses, and social activities. The central squares created in the proposal aim to establish social and economic focal points and act as identity carriers for every community of Dharavi.

For more information: https://www.felixx.nl/projects/dharavi-mumbai.html

8. Smart Dharavi | Dharavi Redevelopment

Idea by: Silvia Soonets

This development concept is based on the work-place relationship characteristic of Dharavi- where the street is the primary space and no design element is limited to just one function- be it a staircase, a window, or even a roof. Every inch is utilized to its maximum capacity. It incorporates a low rise ‘new’ Dharavi ground with four-story structures, sustained economically by a high-rise ground which will sell Real Estate. Combining the two, the plan hopes to achieve a symbiosis between both the different worlds and hence promote equality within the difference, and cooperation on fair distribution.

For more information: https://issuu.com/ssoonets/docs/51ecf3-booklet-f

Pursuing his bachelors’ degree of architecture, he is still exploring whatis it exactly that draws him to it. He believes that every story is worth knowing and wants to exchange them with the world irrespective of the form- brush strokes, words, musical notes or bricks and mortar.

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Explore The Deborah J. Norden Fund Essay

Rethinking Dharavi: An analysis of redevelopment programs for slums in Mumbai, India

Abigail ransmeier writes about the successes and shortcomings of slum redevelopment programs in mumbai..

July 16, 2001

Credit: [CC BY 2.0].

The Deborah J. Norden Fund, a program of The Architectural League of New York, was established in 1995 in memory of architect and arts administrator Deborah Norden. Each year, the competition awards up to $5,000 in travel grants to students and recent graduates in the fields of architecture, architectural history, and urban studies.

Abigail Ransmeier received a 2001 award.

Dharavi is Mumbai’s largest slum. There, nearly one million people inhabit low-lying structures erected haphazardly on four hundred acres of former swampland. For more than three centuries, this waterlogged district existed at the outskirts of the city, an undesirable stretch where only Mumbai’s poorest and newest residents made their homes. Over time, Dharavi’s relative location has shifted. Today, this unplanned, poorly-serviced tract sits strategically between the city’s two commuter lines and adjacent to the Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai’s new corporate hub. Land that was once deemed undesirable suddenly claims a valuable, even vital position, and parties that ignored Dharavi for over a century now show a determined interest in its rehabilitation.

In 1995, in an effort to reinvigorate key slum areas, The Maharashtra Housing and Urban Development Authority (MHADA) established the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) and enacted Mumbai’s current Slum Rehabilitation Scheme (SRS). The SRS makes innovative use of land as a resource, offering free land and financial incentives to private real estate developers who agree to rehabilitate existing slums. This free land subsidizes the development of fully-serviced Western-style apartment blocks comprised of 225 square foot self-contained housing units. The units are made available at no cost to slum dwellers who can prove that they have lived in Mumbai since before January 1, 1995.

But while the MHADA may have good intentions, the SRS falls short. By encouraging high-rise residential developments, the SRS creates a built environment that is incompatible with the lifestyles of Dharavi’s current inhabitants. To rehabilitate in a more sensitive way, planners ought to be more flexible and adopt an interdisciplinary approach that better negotiates Dharavi’s complex physical and economic condition.

Credit: Rajas Chitnis.

Dharavi’s landscape

After India’s independence in 1947, Mumbai’s squatter population soared. City officials now estimate that 63 percent of the city’s current population (measured just shy of sixteen million) live in slums, on pavements or along railway tracks. This population occupies only eight percent of the city’s total land, area creating densities of up to eighteen thousand persons per square kilometer.

Dharavi’s unplanned streets attract migrants from every region of India. Potters from Gujurat, Muslim tanners from Tamil Nadu and embroidery workers from Uttar Pradesh occupy closely-knit settlements jammed one beside the next. This ethnic diversity fosters Dharavi’s socioeconomic strength. In March 2004, the BBC reported that Dharavi’s markets generate roughly 1 billion dollars per year. Export-quality leather bags, chiki, embroidered shawls and jewelry pop out of illegal workshops and saturate Mumbai’s streets. Only 10 percent of the settlement’s population is unemployed – a small percentage for any Indian suburb, let alone for a slum.

Furthermore, despite their informal planning, Dharavi’s “kutcha” districts offer something that Mumbai’s more formal “pukka” neighborhoods lack. Unlike the residential developments that typify westernized Mumbai –  mega-structures standing on super-plots separated by overly-wide roads that foster little sense of community – Dharavi’s settlements operate like small, self-governed neighborhood units. Hutments are arranged along footpaths or in clusters that open onto shared spaces that easily adapt to the settlement’s daily activities. Shrines, workshops and markets are interspersed throughout. At dusk, men congregate to discuss local politics over rounds of chai, and women gather at communal water taps to gossip over piles of laundry and vegetables. The settlement’s maze-like configuration offers a sense of security to its inhabitants. Gateways are barely recognizable, and even the youngest children wander freely within the boundaries of their communities.

Credit: Jon Hurd.

Free housing – rehabilitation under the SRS

In 1995, a coalition of the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party assumed power in Mumbai, promising four million units of free housing to eligible slum dwellers. The government’s goal was two-fold: to mitigate Mumbai’s housing crisis and to improve the city’s infrastructure.

A few years later, MHADA asked the architect Mukesh Mehta to create a master plan for Dharavi’s rehabilitation, along the lines of SRS. At the time, Mehta proposed that Dharavi be organized into twelve residential sectors, based on the boundaries of existing slum settlements. He suggested sector-based, phased collaborations between private developers and existing communities, advising that each slum settlement receive an autonomous mixed-cooperative housing facility comprised of 225 square foot residential units complete with private kitchen, toilet and wash closet facilities.

His plan placed commercial units on ground floors with residential units above them, and included community workshops, health centers, day cares, and open space, to ensure a sense of community at all SRS facilities.

Since the fall of 2001, several densely packed slum societies have been collaborating with Mehta on housing complexes. While most slum dwellers are eager to relocate to new Western-style apartment complexes, others are concerned. Thus far, SRS buildings have provided only a limited number of ground floor commercial lots.   Slum dwellers wonder: can barbers and shoe repairmen, seamstresses and pan bidi stalls – small businesses that barely subsisted with ample foot traffic – survive if they relocate to the tenth story of a high-rise apartment complex?

Credit: Erin from Evanston [CC BY 2.0].

Kumbharwada is one slum community facing this conflict. Occupying twelve acres of prime real estate at the intersection of two of Dharavi’s most prominent roads, Kumbharwada is one of Dharavi’s poorest communities. The Kumbhars specialize in making pots, a craft they brought with them from their homeland in Kutch. Their traditional potting methods mandate specific spatial arrangements. Women tend to their homes and to their kilns, integrating their pottery activities with child-rearing and household chores. This unique way of life makes relocation to the proposed SRS buildings impractical. Moreover, the Kumbhar’s existing slum huts are larger than the 225 square-foot apartments that the SRS promises, yet they house twice as many people as smaller huts do in typical slums. Since the SRS allots free apartments based on the number of existing huts and not on the number of people who live in them, the Kumbhar’s free apartment quota does not accommodate the community’s most basic residential needs, let alone their kilns.

In November 2001, Bombay’s Principal Secretary of Urban Development, Mr. A. P. Sinha addressed local officials and non-governmental organizations in a talk entitled “Work Plan for Cities Without Slums.” In his address, he demanded a “cafeteria approach” to rehabilitating Dharavi. Sinha’s call for a variety of responses represents a constructive step forward. It recognizes that the SRS housing blocks offer logical solutions for some slum populations, but not for all. For example, a temporary site and services model might suit the transient needs of migrant workers.  Some Kumbhars say that they would share toilet and cooking facilities if it would free funds for improved kilns. Slum women have suggested that kitchen walls and counters should be removed from SRS units since women like to cook communally while seated on the floor. More affluent slum dwellers in Dharavi even say that they would like to pay extra for larger apartments with layouts more suited to their lifestyles.

It is clear that Dharavi is poised for change. Its unique geographic position and socioeconomic makeup demans new building typologies. While it is undeniably operative, Dharavi would offer more to Mumbai, as well as to its own inhabitants, if it better integrated its current residential and commercial requirements with its existing recreational and ceremonial functions. Mumbai’s challenge, therefore, is to employ a rehabilitative approach that reinvigorates Dharavi’s buildings and infrastructure, while respecting its industrious nature and communal social patterns.

Biographies

traveled to India in 2001. She returned eager to become an architect, and is currently in her third year at Yale School of Architecture, where she continues to combine interests in international development and architecture. She recently received a fellowship from the Yale Center for International and Area Studies to complete a schematic design for mixed-use, low-cost housing in Mumbai. In August 2006, she will begin work at Behnisch Architekten in Stuttgart , Germany.

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Abigail ransmeier, rahul mehrotra: working in mumbai.

Rahul Mehotra discusses his research and design practice.

Arverne: Housing on the Edge

A 2001 exhibition considering four proposals for the Arverne Urban Renewal Area on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens.

A Parallel History

In an introduction to 1977 book Women in American Architecture, Susana Torre considers cultural assumptions about women as consumers, producers, critics, and creators of space.

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Revitalizing Urban Spaces: The Transformation of Mumbai’s Dharavi Slum

• 19 March 2024
• Case Studies

Table of Contents

Introduction of dharavi slum.

Dharavi Slum is Asia’s largest slum, India, is a vibrant microcosm of resilience and diversity. Home to over a million people, it’s a paradox of poverty and industry, where narrow alleys host bustling markets, small-scale industries, and tight-knit communities. Despite its challenges, Dharavi thrives with a spirit of entrepreneurship, as artisans craft leather goods, pottery, and textiles, contributing to Mumbai’s economy. Amidst the overcrowding and basic infrastructure, residents display remarkable ingenuity and solidarity. Efforts to improve living conditions are ongoing, highlighting the complex interplay between urban development, social justice, and economic empowerment in this dynamic enclave.

Historical Context of Dharavi Slum

Dharavi Slum history traces back to the late 19th century when it emerged as a settlement for migrants, particularly those involved in the burgeoning textile industry of Bombay (now Mumbai). Initially, it was marshy land reclaimed by the British colonial government for industrial purposes, attracting communities like the Koli fishermen and the leather tanners.

During the early 20th century, Dharavi evolved into a densely populated area as migrants from rural areas flocked to Bombay in search of employment opportunities. Post-independence, rapid urbanization and industrialization further swelled its population, as it became a hub for informal sector activities ranging from recycling and pottery to leather goods production.

The lack of affordable housing in Mumbai led to Dharavi’s expansion, with residents constructing makeshift shelters and unauthorized structures. Over time, it became Asia’s largest slum, symbolizing both the resilience of marginalized communities and the failure of urban planning policies to address their needs adequately.

Despite its challenges, Dharavi has been a vital economic contributor, with its industries generating significant revenue. However, its informal nature often leaves residents vulnerable to exploitation and neglect. Efforts to redevelop Dharavi have been met with controversy, reflecting the complex socio-economic and political dynamics underlying its history and continued existence.

Issues in Dharavi Slum

Overcrowding and lack of infrastructure.

Dharavi’s confined space accommodates over a million residents, resulting in cramped living conditions and strained amenities. The sheer density leads to challenges in mobility, access to basic services, and creates a breeding ground for health hazards.

Sanitation and Hygiene Concerns

Dharavi grapples with inadequate sanitation facilities and limited access to healthcare, exacerbating public health risks. Lack of clean water, proper waste disposal systems, and healthcare infrastructure contribute to the prevalence of diseases and health disparities among residents.

Economic Disparity and Informal Economy

Dharavi’s economy revolves around a labyrinth of small-scale industries, including leather tanning, pottery, and recycling. While these enterprises foster entrepreneurship and innovation, they also perpetuate a cycle of poverty, with workers toiling in hazardous conditions for meager wages. Moreover, the lack of formal recognition hampers access to credit, hindering business growth and diversification.

Substandard Housing

Many dwellings in Dharavi are makeshift structures, lacking proper ventilation, structural integrity, and safety measures. Residents endure overcrowded living spaces with insufficient amenities, posing risks of accidents and health hazards.

Lack of Formal Infrastructure

Dharavi Slum suffers from a dearth of formal infrastructure, including roads, sewage systems, and water supply networks, hindering socio-economic development and residents’ quality of life.

Environmental Pollution

Industrial activities in Dharavi contribute to environmental pollution, with inadequate waste management systems leading to air and water contamination, posing health risks to residents and harming the local ecosystem.

Social Inequality

Socio-economic disparities persist in Dharavi, with unequal access to education, employment opportunities, and basic services exacerbating social tensions and perpetuating cycles of poverty.

Vulnerability to Disasters

Dharavi’s densely populated settlements and lack of robust infrastructure make it highly susceptible to natural disasters such as floods and fires, endangering lives and exacerbating the challenges faced by residents.

Legal Ambiguity

The presence of unauthorized structures in Dharavi complicates redevelopment efforts and creates uncertainty regarding land ownership and tenure rights, impeding progress towards improving living conditions and socio-economic stability.

Initiatives for Revitalization of Dharavi Slum

Government interventions.

The government has undertaken various initiatives to address the challenges facing Dharavi, including slum redevelopment schemes and infrastructure upgrades. Projects such as the Dharavi Redevelopment Plan aim to rehabilitate slum dwellers in multi-story buildings while creating commercial spaces for sustainable development.

NGO Efforts and Community Initiatives for Dharavi Slum

Non-governmental organizations play a pivotal role in empowering Dharavi’s residents through education, healthcare, and vocational training programs. Community-based initiatives focus on capacity building and skill development, fostering a sense of ownership and agency among marginalized communities.

Private Sector Involvement

Corporate entities have also stepped up their efforts to drive positive change in Dharavi, partnering with local stakeholders to implement social impact projects. From affordable housing initiatives to artisanal cooperatives, private sector investments contribute to the revitalization of urban spaces while promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Case Studies of Successful Projects

Redevelopment projects.

Projects such as the Mahindra Lifespace Developers’ Avirahi Heights exemplify the potential for slum rehabilitation and urban renewal in Dharavi. By providing modern amenities and community facilities, these developments offer residents a pathway out of poverty while revitalizing the neighborhood.

Social Enterprises and Cooperatives

Initiatives like Dharavi Diary and Reality Gives empower local artisans and entrepreneurs by providing them with training, market linkages, and access to capital. By nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, these social enterprises contribute to the socio-economic transformation of Dharavi.

Art and Cultural Initiatives

Art installations, street murals, and cultural events have emerged as catalysts for change in Dharavi, transforming neglected spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity and expression. Projects like the Dharavi Art Room and the Dharavi Biennale showcase the rich cultural heritage of the slum while fostering a sense of pride and belonging among its residents.

Impact of Revitalization Efforts for Dharavi Slum

The revitalization efforts in Dharavi have yielded tangible improvements, enhancing living conditions and socio-economic prospects for its residents. Redevelopment projects have replaced substandard housing with modern, multi-story buildings equipped with essential amenities, providing residents with safer and more comfortable living spaces. Infrastructure upgrades have improved access to basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity, while community development programs have empowered residents through education, healthcare, and skill development. These efforts have not only transformed the physical landscape of Dharavi but have also fostered economic growth, social cohesion, and a sense of hope for a better future among its inhabitants.

Future Prospects and Challenges of Dharavi Slum

Sustainable development goals.

Dharavi’s future hinges on aligning development efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on eradicating poverty, ensuring inclusive growth, and promoting sustainable urbanization. However, achieving these goals requires addressing challenges such as environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic empowerment within the context of Dharavi’s unique socio-economic landscape.

Balancing Modernization with Heritage Preservation

Preserving Dharavi’s rich cultural heritage while pursuing modernization poses a delicate balancing act. Efforts must ensure that redevelopment initiatives respect and incorporate the area’s cultural identity, historical significance, and traditional practices, fostering a harmonious coexistence between modern amenities and heritage preservation.

Community Involvement and Empowerment

Empowering Dharavi’s residents through community involvement is essential for sustainable development. Engaging residents in decision-making processes, providing opportunities for skill development, and fostering entrepreneurship can enhance ownership of development initiatives, ensuring they meet the needs and aspirations of the community while promoting inclusivity and social cohesion.

Unique FAQs

Gentrification poses both opportunities and challenges for Dharavi, with new investments driving economic growth while displacing existing residents. It is essential to strike a balance between development and social equity to ensure that revitalization benefits all stakeholders.

Traditional industries such as leather tanning, pottery, and recycling form the backbone of Dharavi’s economy, providing livelihood opportunities for thousands of residents. However, modernization and mechanization threaten the viability of these industries, necessitating interventions to promote sustainability and innovation.

Technology holds immense potential to address the socio-economic challenges facing Dharavi, from digital inclusion and e-governance to smart infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions. By harnessing the power of innovation and connectivity, we can create a more resilient and inclusive urban future for Dharavi and beyond.

Collaboration, community engagement, and adaptive governance are among the key factors driving the success of revitalization projects in Dharavi. By fostering partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector, we can leverage collective expertise and resources to achieve meaningful impact and lasting change.

Individuals can contribute to Dharavi’s revitalization efforts through volunteering, supporting local businesses, advocating for inclusive policies, and raising awareness about the challenges facing the community. By taking action at the grassroots level, we can all play a role in shaping a brighter future for Dharavi and its residents.

The revitalization of urban spaces, exemplified by the transformation of Mumbai’s Dharavi slum, represents a paradigm shift in urban development strategies. By leveraging the collective efforts of governments, NGOs, the private sector, and local communities, Dharavi has emerged as a model for inclusive growth, social innovation, and sustainable urbanization. As we look towards the future, it is imperative that we build upon these successes, learning from the challenges and embracing the opportunities to create cities that are truly livable, resilient, and equitable for all.

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Dharavi: Where the Urban Design Episteme Is Falling Apart

• First Online: 30 July 2016

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• Camillo Boano 4  

Part of the book series: GeoJournal Library ((GEJL,volume 119))

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Dharavi is the iconic symbol of a “slum” understood as an inevitable spatial product of global predatory capitalism. Contemporary Mumbai and specifically Dharavi serve as an extreme example of urban design episteme falling apart and putting in place new urban imaginations and practices of resettlements and displacement. Such multiple forms of different urbanisms and heterogeneous forms of urban lives and occupations may be challenged by: fighting non-critical engagement with (re)interrogation of design practice, design thinking and design education, adopting a more nuanced and critical, transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary vision of architectural and urban design, as well as dealing with precariousness, scarcity and informality as constituent materials of everyday urban planetary condition.

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See for example: recent exhibitions such as Design with the Other 90 %: Cities exhibit at the UN and MoMA’s Small Scale, Big Change or Stefano Boeri, Sao Paulo Calling; or the Lotus International 143 (2010) and 145 (2011), Harvard Design Magazine, Architectural Design May 2011, Magazine dell’Architettura, n. 53, 2012 just to mention a few.

Design is a term here adopted very broadly, aiming to encompass both architecture and urban design, and any design actions and design practice going beyond the urban scale and the expert knowledge. Design is conceived as holistic practice loosely refereed to imagining, making, strategising, building and inhabiting urban spaces. (For more see Boano 2014 ).

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Further Reading

Arputham, J. (2012). How community-based enumerations started and developed in India. Environment and Urbanization, 24 (1), 27–30.

Arputham, J., & Patel, S. (2010). Recent developments in plans for Dharavi and for the airport slums in Mumbai. Environment and Urbanization, 22 (2), 501–504.

Bapat, M., & Agarwal, I. (2003). Our needs, our priorities; women and men from the slums in Mumbai and Pune talk about their needs for water and sanitation. Environment and Urbanization, 15 (2), 71–86.

Buckley, R. M. (2011). Social inclusion in Mumbai: Economics matters too. Environment and Urbanization, 23 (1), 277–284.

Burra, S. (2005). Towards a pro-poor framework for slum upgrading in Mumbai, India. Environment and Urbanization, 17 (1), 67–88. doi: 10.1177/095624780501700106 .

Burra, S., Patel, S., & Kerr, T. (2003). Community-designed, built and managed toilet blocks in Indian cities. Environment and Urbanization, 15 (2), 11–32. doi: 10.1177/095624780301500202 .

Burrows, R., Ellison, N., & Woods, B. (2005). Neighbourhoods on the net: The nature and impact of internet-based neighbourhood information systems . T. P. Press (Ed.): Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Chaplin, S. E. (2011). Indian cities, sanitation and the state: The politics of the failure to provide. Environment and Urbanization, 23 (1), 57–70. doi: 10.1177/0956247810396277 .

Das, A., & Parikh, J. (2004). Transport scenarios in two metropolitan cities in India: Delhi and Mumbai. Energy Conversion and Management, 45 (15–16), 2603–2625.

de Zoysa, I., Bhandari, N., Akhtari, N., & Bhan, M. K. (1998). Careseeking for illness in young infants in an urban slum in India. Social Science & Medicine, 47 (12), 2101–2111.

Desai, V. (1988). Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia: Development of low-income urban housing in India. Habitat International, 12 (2), 67–74.

Fernandes, L. (2004). The politics of forgetting: Class politics, state power and the restructuring of urban space in India. Urban Studies, 41 (12), 2415–2430. doi: 10.1080/00420980412331297609 .

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Boano, C. (2016). Dharavi: Where the Urban Design Episteme Is Falling Apart. In: Bolay, JC., Chenal, J., Pedrazzini, Y. (eds) Learning from the Slums for the Development of Emerging Cities. GeoJournal Library, vol 119. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31794-6_15

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Land, housing and gentrification in Mumbai

The Slum Redevelopment Project in Dharavi

• What is Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP)?

The Slum redevelopment in Dharavi called the Dharavi Redevelopment Plan (DRP), is a public – private partnership project developed by private developers (Arputham & Patel 2010). The method is to divide “Dharavi into 32 sectors or units based on boundaries that the residents feel define their neighborhoods” (Arputham & Patel 2010), in which 5 sectors are selected to be the first step of the DRP.

According to “Video 1: DRP – Dharavi Redevelopment Plan”, DRP crossed 5 sectors on 216 hectares and the buildings would be constructed on 103 hectares. In the DRP, there are around 70,000 families in Dharavi benefitting from this residential, commercial, and industrial construction project. Moreover, there are around 35,000-40,000 houses available for sale to the middle class. The DRP benefits the whole working class in the city, thus it is not restricted to the residents in Dharavi.

2. Why is it important to the city?

Dharavi is the largest and and most known slum in India, a fast developing nation. Therefore, the process of gentrification acts as a medium to transform their perceived identity into the aesthetics of a world city. Before the implementation of DRP, there were no developers interested in Dharavi. Only 15% of the area had been developed in the past 12 years. This highlights the importance of DRP as a necessary process for Mumbai’s future.

3. Problems with the DRP

The Dharavi’s residents originally supported the redevelopment process, such that 70 percent of the population agreed to the redevelopment (Patel and Arputham, 2008). However, the project was postponed because of the absence of  the community participation and the dereliction of the duty of local government in DRP. Patel and Arputham (2008) also point out that the DPR would essentially benefit the developers and government but not the squatters, which would deviate the purpose of the project (Patel & Arputham 2008).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYa6ooID1ZE

The residents from claimed that the institutions had never surveyed nor asked for the residents’ opinions regarding the DRP, instead, they had directly declared the residents’ agreement to the plan (Patel & Arputham 2008). The failure of the plan is then manifest through the dispossession of more than 50,000 families. In addition, the residents were promised with houses more than 400 square foot after the redevelopment, but instead were only given 269 square foot; moreover, the DRP had agreed to provide public institutions such as schools and health centers, but there was no transparency provided to explain how the institutes would be developed nor was there any mention on how it would be made affordable to the peoples most affected (Patel & Arputham 2008).

Arputham, J., & Patel, S. (2010). Recent developments in plans for Dharavi and for the airport slums in Mumbai. Environment & Urbanization, 22(2), pp. 501-504.

Lamarca, M.C., (2010).  Contested Urbanism: Reclaiming the Right to the City in Dharavi. (2010, April 14). [Image]. Retrieved March 30, 2017, from  at: http://www.thepolisblog.org/2010/04/contested-urbanism-reclaiming-right-to.html

Org. P, (2014).  DRP – Dharavi Redevelopment Plan. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eszv0xan8E [Accessed 30 Mar. 2017].

Patel, S., & Arputham, J. (2008). Plans for Dharavi: Negotiating a reconciliation between a state-driven market redevelopment and residents’ aspirations. Environment & Urbanization, 20(1), pp. 243-253.

StanleyFoundation, (2009). Dharavi Slum Rehabilitation. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYa6ooID1ZE [Accessed 30 Mar. 2017].

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URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AND THE CREATION OF SLUMS: CASE STUDY OF THE DHARAVI SLUMS IN MUMBAI, INDIA

Cities have changed vastly over a large period of time and have shaped a new era of development in the world. These urban centers have powerful networks, which help them function at a national and international level. On the other hand, the number of models also explains how slums are by-product of cities. With the economic growth and development in infrastructure, there is a vast area/field to be explored by various researchers and that is the creation of slums and challenges of liveability in it. The present research has explored the Dharavi Slums in Mumbai, India.

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Over 1 billion people currently live in slums, with the number of slum dwellers only expected to grow in the coming decades. The vast majority of slums are located in and around urban centers in the less economically developed countries, which are also experiencing greater rates of urbanization compared with more developed countries. This rapid rate of urbanization is cause for significant concern given that many of these countries often lack the ability to provide the infrastructure (e.g., roads and affordable housing) and basic services (e.g., water and sanitation) to provide adequately for the increasing influx of people into cities. While research on slums has been ongoing, such work has mainly focused on one of three constructs: exploring the socioeconomic and policy issues; exploring the physical characteristics; and, lastly, those modeling slums. This paper reviews these lines of research and argues that while each is valuable, there is a need for a more holistic approach for studying slums to truly understand them. By synthesizing the social and physical constructs, this paper provides a more holistic synthesis of the problem, which can potentially lead to a deeper understanding and, consequently, better approaches for tackling the challenge of slums at the local, national and regional scales.

The objective of this paper was to understand the basic concept of slums and comprehend the multidimensional factors that affect the redevelopment of these settlements in India. This short exercise with a help of a detailed case study reveals a generic loophole of these numerous redevelopment programs; that is it ignores to fulfill the environmental aspects and comfort conditions of the occupants. This, in the longer run causes higher maintenance costs which the urban poor cannot afford. Therefore to begin with solving this issue, the paper tries to analyse the various spatial organization strategies for urban layouts that can contribute towards environmental comfort for developments with high population density (like slums).The analysis was done for hot and humid climate of Kolkata in India which has the second highest percentage of its urban population living in informal settlements.

Journal of Sustainable Development, 2016

Slums have become an unavoidable reality in many countries of the world, particularly the developing world. Although there are various slums upgrading models and approaches to address the urban poverty in developing countries, the number of slum dwellers has actually grown and the problem is expected to become worse. Other public policies have to eradicate slums and didn't take into account the resources and the potentials that slums offer. This refers to the need to change the procedures followed in the development processes. Along with the human-related problems associated with slums, slums cause serious impacts on the environment and natural resources. In this context, sustainable development is the main outlet to achieve a real boom of the developing world that consequently confirms the need to develop slums in an integrated manner. So, this paper adopts a concept of investing the positive aspects of the slums' community in conjunction with developing a thorough framework based on the three pillars of sustainability, economy, society, and environment. From this vein, the research is guided by a set of successful practices of many of developing countries through an approach grounded on the three pillars of sustainability. The objectives of this paper are; 1) shedding light on the positive human power of slum dwellers, 2) disseminating best practices on sustainable approaches, from which it can be developed and adapted to fit in the context of the urban slums of developing countries, and 3) providing a comprehensive framework for developing sustainable slums.

This research examines a contemporary but disturbing issue in environmental management using Nigeria as a case study. The study probes the major causes, consequences and solutions to urban slums. Using secondary sources of data, themes were identified in relation to issues bothering on urban slums. The paper identifies ruralurban migration, population, explosion, poverty, unemployment, shortage of housing, neglect, poor physical development, poor transportation network, as well as poor waste management as the major causes of urban slums. Similarly, the review indicates that shortage of housing, unemployment, inadequate social infrastructure, waste management, environmental degradation, crimes, insecurity, land use conflicts, health hazards, population, and other ecological hazards as the negative consequences of slums. Additionally, this paper addresses the issue of environmental sustainability by emphasizing that slums are cogs in the wheels of sustainable development. To this end, the study recommends urban redevelopment, sum upgrading, poverty alleviation, provision of employment, provision of social and infrastructural amenities, sustainable waste management, as well as resettlement schemes as measures to sustainable urban environment. Urban living is the keystone of modern human ecology. Cities have increased and expanded rapidly worldwide over the past centuries. Cities are sources of employment and education, and they are the engines for economic growth. However, they are also sources of poverty, inequality, and health hazards from the environment. Environmental decay in a city is essentially caused by rapid urbanization and the mismatch in the provision and maintenance of housing and infrastructure. These include exposure to lead, air pollution, traffic hazards, and the "urban heat island" amplification of heat waves. As the number of urban consumers and their material expectations rise and as the use of fossil fuels increases, cities contribute to the largescale pressures on the biosphere including climate change. In this paper, environmental problems of slum and informal settlements in India, will be introduced and analysed. The problems of slum have received a global attention from many fields of academic endeavor-geography, planning, sociology, political science, psychology, engineering, medicine, architecture, demography, environmental management, and criminology. This is due mainly to its detrimental consequences on man and his environment. It is a great challenge to environmental sustainability.

Today, more than half of the world's population live in urban areas (United Nations, Department of Economics and Social Affairs, 2014) out of which 31.2% live in slums with 43% in developing countries (Un-Habitat, 2003). Slums generally develop in the outer parts of the urban settlement areas. The industrial revolution of the 19 th century, which led to emergence of modern industrial cities, was the factor as a new central element in urban organization. Slums also began to develop on a large scale with the industrialization of the 19 th century. "Any predominantly residential area where the dwellings by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement of design, lack of ventilation, light and sanitary facilities or any combination of factors are detrimental to safety, health and morals" (U.S. Housing Act,1949). The appearance of slums may be seen as a byproduct in the process of urbanization in a developing country like India (Goswami, and Manns, 2013). Rapid urbanization is increasing in the mountainous regions of the Himalayan states of Uttarakhand, due to which the urban sprawl, suburban and slum area is also increasing, the main reason for this can be attributed to unemployment, poverty and migration. These cities house almost 69.1% of the total means 0.77 million populations residing in 578 slums spread across the state (Pant, 2017). The condition of the people is worse as slum is usually a highly populated urban residential area consisting mostly of closely packed, decrepit housing units in located in a deteriorated or incomplete infrastructure, inhabited primarily by impoverished persons (UN-Habitat, Kenya, 2007). Although slums, especially in America, are usually located in suburban areas, in other countries they can be located in suburban areas where housing quality is low and living conditions are poor (Caves, 2004). The two major issues in dealing with slums are most vulnerable slums with respect to climate change and how are they being addressed through government policies (Habeeb and Javaid, 2019). Now, environmental health issues are some of the most visible symptoms of the challenges facing informal and slum settlements (Mossavi, 2011). Slums in the study area are facing a variety of physical, socio-cultural, economic and environmental problems. The area with low level of housing which is characterized by large population is called slum. Therefore, slum is defined as illegal occupation with overpopulation, in which lack of basic facilities such as poor domicile, poor drinking water, and poor health facilities are found. At present, slums are the biggest problems of urban centres due to rapid urbanization and lack of resources. This growth of the slums has provoked increasing

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'only an election issue': dharavi reporters tell facts of redevelopment politics, targeted by both pro & anti-redvelopment residents, 3 dharavi reporters tell facts of redevelopment by adani group..

Video Editor: Kriti Saxena

"No matter what government it is, redevelopment has to happen. There are 7x8 feet houses where families live with 2-3 children. The kitchen, sleeping everything is in that much space. What is this life?" said Yunus Sheikh, a resident of Dharavi who was born in the slum clusters in 1970, and has been living there since.

About a decade ago, Sheikh and his family received a new accommodation in one of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects, a 350 sq feet apartment in Dharavi itself. The housing apartment he lives in was one of the several attempts at redeveloping Asia's largest slum over the years.

Throughout the conversation, Sheikh kept insisting on the drastic transformation that one's life goes through with mere basic facilities like uninterrupted supply of water and electricity.

Sheikh's perspective in endorsed by lakhs of families in Dharavi who have waited for years for better homes and facilities.

Women wash utensils outside their homes in Dharavi.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Adani Group, led by business tycoon Gautam Adani, is set to redevelop 300 acres of the slum cluster. As per details made publicly known so far, Dharavi will be transformed into not just better residences but a twonship with schools, hospitals, roads, community centres and open spaces. So, what could possibly be the opposition?

The issue is not as complex to understand as it looks, and Dharavi is not as easy to redevelop as it sounds. And with the Maharashtra Assembly elections due, the issue is the biggest poll plank of Opposition parties.

With thousands of different perspectives floating around, we spoke to three reporters who are born in Dharavi, have lived there all their lives and are reporting on issues of Dharavi — Afaque Ahmad, Aashiq Ali Syed, and Ishwar Tathawde.

'We All Want Development But...': What's The Problem?

The project is being driven by the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), a body that consists of members of the Adani Group and the Maharashtra government. So far, the DRP in the redeveloped township has promised

350 sq feet Residences to 'Eligible' Dharavikars with all amenities

New hospitals and schools in Dharavi

Business units and industrial zones within Dharavi for 'eligible' small scale industries

There are two primary problems with what's been promised so far: Survey and Eligibility.

What is the survey?

"They are conducting a survey of every house and establishment. A survey number is being put on all structures This is DRP, Sector 2, Zone 13. Similarly, establishments on upper floors will get a different number," Afaque said as he pointed to on a survey number pained in red on a general store.

Afaque Ahmad, a journalist from Dharavi, explains the survey number engraved on a shop.

"After the survey is conducted, the eligibility will be decided. The list will be made and ineligible ones will be shifted out of here," Aashiq explained.

What is the 'eligibility criteria?'

The 'eligibility criteria' is the second big aspect of the redevelopment project which is being opposed.

"A group of 8-10 people comes with security forces. It is being opposed since the beginning," Aashiq added.

According to the criteria, all those residing in Dharavi who have resident proofs from before 1 January, 2000, are eligible for free housing within Dharavi.

Security forces stand guard as DRP officials conduct a survey in Dharavi.

"All those who gave residence proofs before 2000, they will be considered eligible and all those who are not, will be considered ineligible. Those whose houses came up after 2000, they will be shifted out of Dharavi to places like Wadala salt pans, Mulund, Deonar dumping ground where land has been sanctioned the developers," Aashiq explained.

So, the protest is that this eligibility criteria should be done away with and every resident of Dharavi, including those who have moved out of 1 January, 2000, should also get homes within Dharavi," Afaque said.

Why the Cut off Date?

As per rules of the Maharashtra Slum Areas Redevelopment Act 1971, only those living in slums built until January 1, 2000, are 'eligible ' for free rehabilitation. 

In May 2018, the Devendra Fadnavis government decided to also rehabilitate those in slums built till January 1, 2011, but for a minimal cost.

Then, a sub-committee formed by the Uddhav Thackeray government recommended this minimal cost be fixed at Rs 2.5 lakh for ineligible slum dwellers.

These are the rules that the DRP is looking to follow for the 'ineligible' residents of Dharavi, along with eligibility under the PM Awas Yojana as well.

'Shoot Them Or Shoot Us': 500 Leopards Are Driving an Election in Maharashtra

The Social and Financial Impact of 'Eligibility Criteria'

The prescribed eligibility criteria has left lakhs of families staring at an uncertain future due to lack of documentation to prove their residency since before 2000. Like Mugamma, an old single mother who lives in a 10 feet by 10 feet house. 

"They (BMC officials) asked for all documents — Aadhaar card, PAN card, voting card, ration card, and electricity bill. We are told this will be demolished but we don't know where we will be shifted," Mugamma said.

Mugamma, an old single mother who lives in a 10 feet by 10 feet house in Dharavi with her daughter.

Mugamma's neighbour, Mahadev Mhaske, a daily wage labourer, moved to Dharavi in 1998 but has no documentation to prove so. Like Mugamma, he too lives in a 10x10 feet house with his wife and daughter.

"I shifted here in 1998 but I don't have any proof because I used to travel a lot for work. I have an LIC document from 1998 (with this address) but they say that is not acceptable. Wherever they give, we just want a home. If they give it in this area, it will be better because all my work is here. If they give it elsewhere, we will have to move," he said.

His wife, Urmila, has had to quit her job after getting embroiled in documentation work since the eligibility criteria was announced.

"I worked at a security company for an entire year before this but when we heard this may be demolished, I could not because I had to attend meetings, go the BMC office for documentation," she said.

Samya Korde, a youth leader of the Shetkari Kamgar Paksh and daughter of activist Raju Korde, had been at the forefront of protests against the survey.

"Nobody is against development. But the key demand is to waive the eligibility criteria and the survey is being opposed only for that reason," Samya said.

"There are some who are educated so they can get documentation work done and ensure eligibility. But there are thousands like Mugamma who cannot do anything about it and remain ineligible. There have been vital public projects in the past in which cut-off dates have been waived. There is provision for in-situ rehabilitation," she said.

The DRP, meanwhile, has said that this is the first rehabilitation in which residents living on upper floors other than the ground floor will also be given houses on a hire-purchase basis, which is not in the norms for rehabilitation projects.

Maharashtra Elections: High Unemployment Among Graduates, Jobs Voters' Top Issue

The Never-Ending Wait for Better Homes

While there are thousands of families who find these concerns and demands to be valid, there are also thousands who have been waiting desperately for redevelopment and have welcomed the project.

"There are scores of people who want redevelopment. There are so many who died waiting for it," said Ishwar Thathawde, a journalist whose three generations have been born in Dharavi.

" There are gullies in Dharavi so narrow that they don't get sunlight in Dharavi unless people step out. There are diseases like Asthama and TB that have spread here. People want to leave these diseases behind. They want better housings," he said.

Yunus Sheikh is assisting on the current survey being conducted by the DRP and has also officially worked as an advisor on a previous one.

A leather processing unit worker rests next to the machinery in Dharavi.

"The survey has to happen for a count of how many structures - residential, commercial, industrial like garments, leather, etc. How will you know what is there without a survey?" he said.

In several of the surveys, heated discussions have taken place between the two sides, with parties like Shetkari Kamgar Paksh and Aam Aadmi Party having protested in front of survey officials.

Many journalists, including those from Dharavi, have faced criticism.

"There are many times when we are targeted by both sides. The ones against te survey think we are doing DRP's bidding, while the authorities and leaders don't want us asking any questions on the challenges of the project," Afaque said.

"We are journalists, it is our job to show both sides of the story," he said.

However, there are several other challenges when it comes to the redevelopment when it comes to the small and micro industries in Dharavi that generate employment for lakhs of people. Will redevelopment trigger job losses?

The Dharavi-Adani issue is driving the politics before the Maharashtra elections. Why is Opposition alleging 'land grab'?

The Adani Group is in the crosshairs of it all. How have they reacted to the allegations? What does the DRP have to say about Dharavikars' demands?

We are going to get you tell you all that in the second part of this report.

In the meantime, we need your support to continue this trip and to keep telling stories of the people of Maharashtra. Please CLICK ON THIS LINK to choose a plan and support us so that we can continue this travel.

Maharashtra Elections | 'Ajit Pawar's NCP Will Regret': Jayant Patil Interview

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Topics:    george reddy      adani group      gautam adani  .

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