Unveiling the Reality of Slum: UPSC Social Justice Notes

A slum is a contiguous settlement characterized by inadequate housing and basic services, where inhabitants face challenging living conditions. Described by the Cities Alliance Action Plan as neglected urban areas with severely poor housing and living conditions, slums often emerge as neglected parts of cities.

According to the Census of India 2011, slums are residential areas where dwellings are deemed unfit for human habitation due to factors such as dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangements and design of buildings, narrow or improperly arranged streets, and deficiencies in ventilation, light, sanitation facilities, or a combination of these issues, posing risks to safety and health.

In the context of modern urbanization, slums have become an inevitable part of urban landscapes, with the urban poor actively contributing to economic growth while serving the needs of non-slum dwellers.

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Slum in India – Statistics:

Among the 4,041 Statutory Towns surveyed in Census 2011, slums were reported in 2,543 towns, constituting 63% of the total.
Maharashtra recorded the largest number of slums, totaling 21,359.
The population residing in slums increased from 52 million in 2001 to 65.5 million in 2011.
Understanding the prevalence and dynamics of slums is crucial for developing effective strategies to improve living conditions, enhance basic services, and address the challenges faced by inhabitants. By acknowledging slums as integral components of urbanization, policymakers can work towards sustainable solutions that uplift the urban poor and foster inclusive urban development.

Factors Contributing to the Emergence of Slum

1. Demand-Supply Dynamics in Housing: The widening gap between the escalating demand for affordable urban housing and the limited supply from formal sectors has fuelled the growth of slums. When the formal housing sector fails to meet the surplus demand, informal settlements like slums emerge to fill this housing gap.

2. Limited Access to Financial Resources: The geographical locations of slums, often situated in marginal areas such as dumping grounds, are primarily a result of the low purchasing power of slum dwellers in formal land markets compared to higher-income groups.

3. Rural to Urban Migration: The significant influx of people migrating from rural to urban areas constitutes a major catalyst for the growth of slums in Indian cities. Urban centers, unprepared for the surge in population, grapple with challenges such as housing shortages, unemployment, and the subsequent development of informal settlements.

4. Poor Urban Governance: Governments’ failure to integrate slum dwellers into the overall planning process is exacerbated by inadequate policies, resource shortages, and instances of corruption, hindering the alignment of urban development with the pace of urbanization.

Challenges and Remedial Measures for Slum Dwellers

1. Lack of Basic Services/Amenities: Slum areas are characterized by a dearth of essential services and amenities, including inadequate sanitation facilities, limited access to clean water sources, absence of waste collection systems, irregular electricity supply, and deficient drainage. Census 2011 statistics reveal alarming figures, such as 58% of slums lacking proper drainage, 26% without access to clean drinking water, and 34% devoid of in-house latrines.

2. Substandard Housing:

Slum dwellings are often substandard, constructed with non-permanent materials that are unsuitable for long-term habitation. These structures contribute to the dilapidated living conditions prevalent in slum areas.

3. Overcrowding: A common issue in slum areas is overcrowding, with limited space per person and high occupancy rates. Families often cohabit in confined one-room units used for multiple purposes, such as cooking, sleeping, and living.

4. Unhealthy Living Conditions and Hazardous Locations: The absence of basic services leads to unhealthy living conditions, characterized by open sewers, inadequate pathways, uncontrolled waste dumping, and polluted environments. Slums are also prone to developing in hazardous locations, such as proximity to industrial plants emitting toxic substances or waste disposal sites.

5. Perpetuating the Cycle of Poverty:

The conditions in slums create a cycle of poverty, with low incomes hindering human and social development. Poor nutrition, limited education, and inadequate medical care contribute to a lack of human capital development, trapping slum dwellers in a persistent cycle of poverty.

6. Social Problems: Slums are often areas of social exclusion, associated with high levels of crime, gender discrimination, violence towards women and children, and substance abuse, reflecting the social challenges prevalent in these environments.

7. Health Concerns: The absence of basic services such as clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in slums puts residents at a heightened risk of water-borne and respiratory diseases. High population density, improper toilet facilities, and close proximity of homes facilitate the rapid spread of diseases.

Steps Taken:

National Slum Development Programme (NSDP): Initiated in 1996, providing loans and subsidies for slum rehabilitation projects.

Valmiki Ambedkar Malina Basti Awas Yozana (VAMBAY): Introduced in 2001, focusing on shelter for the urban poor.

Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP): An integral part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) to provide basic services in major cities.

Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP): Launched by merging NSDP and VAMBAY schemes to provide shelter and infrastructure facilities.

Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP): Offering interest subsidies to economically weak sections for house construction.

Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY): Launched in 2013 to bring existing slums within the formal system and address urban land and housing shortages.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- “Housing for All (Urban): Launched in 2015 to provide housing for all beneficiaries by 2022 through various components.

Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1956: Empowers competent authorities to improve or eradicate slums, emphasizing mechanical improvement or complete eradication.

Way Forward:

Holistic Development Beyond Housing: Emphasize not only housing construction but also promote livelihood options and develop social and economic infrastructure to enhance overall livelihoods.
Establishment of Comprehensive Policies: Develop housing and population policies rooted in housing rights and the right to a clean environment. These policies should prioritize inclusive cities and poverty alleviation.
Focus on Income Generation and Empowerment: Pay attention to income generation, transport facilities, and empowerment initiatives for beneficiaries to address potential future challenges effectively.

Three-Pronged Approach to Slum-Free Cities:

Provide clear, free titles to residents, empowering them to use property as a tangible asset.
Upgrade infrastructure and services, ensuring water, power, sewage connections, waste management, street lighting, and neighborhood security.
Implement high-density, low-income zoning, enabling property owners to upgrade homes without risk and facilitating formal commercial establishments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are urban slums, and how are they defined?

Urban slums are densely populated areas within cities characterized by inadequate housing, lack of access to basic services such as clean water and sanitation, overcrowding, and often poor infrastructure. They typically house low-income populations, migrants, and marginalized communities.

What factors contribute to the formation of urban slums?

Urban slums emerge due to a combination of factors, including rapid urbanization, rural-to-urban migration, poverty, inequality, lack of affordable housing, inadequate urban planning, and limited access to formal land tenure.

What are the living conditions like in urban slums?

Living conditions in urban slums are often substandard, with residents facing challenges such as overcrowded and makeshift housing, lack of clean water and sanitation facilities, limited access to healthcare and education, insecurity, and exposure to environmental hazards.

What are the social and economic impacts of urban slums?

Urban slums perpetuate cycles of poverty and exclusion, hindering social mobility and economic development. They are associated with higher rates of unemployment, crime, poor health outcomes, and limited educational opportunities for residents, exacerbating inequalities within cities.

What strategies exist to address the challenges posed by urban slums?

Strategies to address urban slums include improving access to basic services and infrastructure, upgrading housing and sanitation facilities, implementing inclusive urban planning policies, promoting community participation and empowerment, and addressing underlying factors such as poverty and inequality through targeted interventions and sustainable development initiatives.

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