This report presents case studies that highlight how ADB's teams are working together to design innovative urban projects across the Asia and Pacific region that leverage its value-added services and support
Slum-dwellers in Dar es Salaam pay the equivalent of
Even after concerted efforts made by central and state governments, housing shortage has assumed frightening proportions. It is estimated that there is a housing shortage of nearly 25 million dwelling units affecting 67 million households. Most of this housing shortage pertains to low income families.
the Bangalore Corporation has decided to give land titles to 36 slums. On February 14, the corporation chairman announced the decision at a meeting with a joint action committee of ngos. The city
The purge of slums to free up real estate in cities began in 1994, through
A delegation of slum dwellers of Kusumpur Pahari village here led by Vasant Kunj Municipal Councillor Rakesh Rajora called on Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday urging her to allow the residents to continue living in the village after construction of rehabilitation flats for them. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajora observed: "The villagers have been living here for the past 35 years with their families. The Government has a policy of providing a two-room flat to each family on payment of Rs.2 lakh. While Rs.1 lakh will be paid by the residents, the remaining Rs.1 lakh will be granted as a loan that will be recovered in instalments spread over 25 years.' According to Mr. Rajora, besides rehabilitating the residents, the Chief Minister should also ensure provision of basic civic amenities like electricity, drinking water, dispensary and a community centre in the area. Addressing the gathering, Ms. Dikshit encouraged the residents to make sure of educating their girl children and said the Government would deposit Rs.10,000 in the name of the girl children born in the families residing in Kusum Pahari village. "When the girl reaches 18 years of age, this amount would increase to Rs.1 lakh which could be utilised in furthering the education of the child.' The Chief Minister advised the gathering to not only educate their girl child but also train them in vocational skills such as computers, embroidery and tailoring so that they would have no problem in seeking employment when they grow up.
An 18-month to two-year delay is expected in the Mumbai airport slum rehabilitation programme to find alternative land to relocate and resettle approximately 80,000 slum-dwellers, who have encroached on 276 acres of airport land. The delay will seriously impact the expansion and modernisation of the country's second-busiest airport. The GVK-led consortium, which is modernising the airport, had appointed Housing Development and Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL) to work out a slum resettlement programme to identify alternative land and relocate people in four phases. Once free, this airport land was to be used to augment the runway system and, therefore, increase the airport's ability to handle more passengers. The first phase of the slum resettlement was to be completed in 18 months with a deadline of April 2009 and the second phase by October 2009. The target date for the final phase was October 2011. But HDIL's managing director, Sarang Wadhawan, told Business Standard: "It will be at least two-and-a-half years before the first slum-dweller is shifted.' What this means is that the relocation of slum dwellers even of the first phase can only begin only in late 2010. The delay is chiefly because HDIL is keen to take all stakeholders, especially the local administration, on board its plans. The company has asked for time to make a presentation on the programme. "It is important to take the corporators, councillors and NGOs into confidence,' said Wadhawan. The slum rehab policy demands that at least 70 per cent of the affected dwellers give the developer consent to move. The survey work to identify the exact number of slum -dwellers is yet to begin but the company said it had already identified the land for slum resettlement from its land reserves. It has earmarked 147.5 acres, nearly 6 per cent of its vast land bank in the city, for the project. Under regulations, the relocation has to take place around the airport and each family, irrespective of size, is to be given a dwelling of 225 sq foot.
Pune-based NGO, Mashal, is to conduct GIS-based biometric socio-economic survey in Dharavi, for the first time. Based on natural and topographical divisions, Dharavi has been divided into 12 segments. Around 25 teams are being deployed to carry out the survey. Officials say it is important to conduct a biometric survey and fingerprints of slum dwellers scientifically stored so that ineligible persons do not lay claim to free flats. Media reports say the Dharavi Rehabilitation Project may fine-tune the survey to image retinas so that there is no scope for bogus allotments and resales.
<i><b>Housing policy not driven by welfare</b></i><br> <br> Real estate prices have hit the roof largely because of a lack of regulation in a housing sector ruled by speculators. Faced with a crisis, the centre wants to facilitate private-sector housing initiatives for the urban poor, without doing anything itself. This, the <font class="UCASE">alf </font> study notes, is an unsuccessful strategy.<br>
<i><b>Dharavi is not just a slum. It is an economic hub churning out a variety of goods, from pottery to branded snacks. It also provides essential services, like recycling waste. But it is all in the informal sector that gives it a competitive edge. It is also why the government does not recognize it. Instead of sops, this SEZ is getting marching orders</b></i><br><br> <b>Pottery</b><br>
