Review of Urban Slums in India - Sumit
How slums developed ?
Slums develop when economic growth not at par to the population growth of a urban region
After independence in 1947, commercial and industrial activity needed cheap labor and people were encouraged to come to cities and work.
Rural to urban migration rates were very high. They have prospered but are unable to find affordable housing, hence have continued to stay in the slums
Conditions
No sanitation (open defecation)
No adequate drinking water supply (handpump near the sewage discharge)
No drainage
Bad indoor air quality due to biomass usage for cooking
How would the slums be removed ?
An economic equilibrium has not been reached in the society yet, where enough money in people’s pocket will persuade them to vacate the slums
If we grow by 8% GDP, there is a good chance that the new and upcoming generation may stay away from slum dwelling.
8% growth trajectory will take the PPP daily income of the very poor in India from 7 dollars to 40 dollars.
Jobs for poor
Only recently a huge building and construction boom has started in all cities in India
Whereas governments are concentrating on building infrastructure and industrial base, private construction is building work places, shopping districts and housing for the middle class
a demand for in-expensive housing, which will have to be met with innovative use of land and building techniques.