Challenges in Slum Redevelopment

Challenges in Slum Redevelopment

For Prelims: Right to shelter, Article 21, Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), Floor Space Index (FSI)
For Mains: Efficacy of slum rehabilitation laws, Judicial activism, Conflict between real estate interests and slum dwellers’ rights

Why in News?
The Bombay High Court, following a Supreme Court directive, has initiated a unique review of the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971. This review seeks to address systemic gaps that have caused delays in slum redevelopment projects, which in turn violate slum dwellers' right to shelter (Article 21) and livelihood.

Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance, and Redevelopment) Act, 1971

Key Provisions of the Act:

• Grants the Maharashtra government the authority to declare an area a “slum area” and acquire land if necessary.
• Establishes the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to oversee redevelopment, often carried out through private developers.

Maharashtra Slum Rehabilitation Scheme (1995):

• Private developers, in agreement with slum dwellers, fund redevelopment and provide new housing at no cost to the residents.
• In exchange, developers are allotted additional construction area to sell in the open market.
• Developers also benefit from incentives like higher Floor Space Index (FSI) and saleable areas.

What Are Slums?

According to the United Nations, slums are impoverished urban areas marked by substandard housing, lack of basic services, and insecure tenure. Slums are chaotic, overcrowded, and often emerge as unplanned settlements due to rapid urban growth.

• Slum population in India is 17.4% of the total urban population (Census 2011).
• Slums expand due to population growth, poverty, rural-to-urban migration, and imbalanced regional development. Major states like Maharashtra and Gujarat experience the highest migration rates, with Maharashtra hosting the largest slum population (1.18 crore).

Issues Due to Neglected Slum Development:

• Illusion of Urban Opportunity:
  Slums attract rural migrants with promises of better opportunities, but often fail to meet the basic needs of residents, exacerbating poverty.

• Health Risks:
  Slum dwellers face significant health challenges, particularly from waterborne diseases like typhoid and cholera, due to poor sanitation and overcrowding.

• Exploitation of Vulnerable Populations:
  Women and children in slums are often vulnerable to exploitation, including prostitution, begging, and trafficking.

• Crime and Social Neglect:
  Slums are often associated with higher crime rates due to inadequate law enforcement, limited education, and lack of basic public services.

Challenges in Slum Rehabilitation:

• Land and Legal Issues:
  Bureaucratic processes and legal clearances often delay land acquisition and hinder slum redevelopment projects.

• Financial Constraints:
  Securing investment for slum redevelopment is challenging, as private developers are often reluctant due to low returns on investment.

• Social and Cultural Barriers:
  Rehabilitation efforts face resistance from slum dwellers who fear losing their social ties and cultural heritage.

• Environmental Concerns:
  Slums often lack proper waste management systems, leading to environmental degradation and inadequate green spaces.

• Implementation and Governance Issues:
  Delays in project implementation and a lack of transparency in governance hinder the progress of slum rehabilitation, as seen in Mumbai's SRA model.

Way Forward:

• Holistic Slum Rehabilitation:
  Investments in resilient slum rehabilitation could yield substantial social returns, estimated to generate USD 1.3 trillion for India, with an impact of USD 7,500 per household.

• Clear Legal Frameworks:
  Streamlining land acquisition processes through policies like Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) land pooling can provide legal clarity and fair compensation.

• Innovative Financial Models:
  Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can be leveraged, as seen in the Mumbai SRA model, to attract private investment while ensuring social benefits.

• Community Engagement:
  Programs like the Participatory Slum Upgrading Program by UN-Habitat show that involving communities in planning and execution can help mitigate resistance and cater to social and cultural needs.

• Environmental Integration:
  Incorporating sustainable and green practices, such as those in Delhi’s Kathputli Colony, can improve environmental conditions in slum rehabilitation.

• Effective Governance and Transparency:
  Strengthening governance and ensuring transparency, as demonstrated by Ahmedabad’s Slum Networking Project, can enhance the efficiency and impact of rehabilitation efforts.

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Drishti Mains Question:
Q. Discuss the socio-economic challenges faced by slum dwellers in Indian urban areas and suggest measures to resolve these issues.

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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Mains:
Q. Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (2023)
Q. Discuss the various social problems that have emerged due to the rapid pace of urbanization in India. (2013)

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