Innovative Communities: Rethinking India’s Urban Informal Settlements

In Chennai, Coimbatore & Madurai, untenable slums increased by 63% between 2014-2018, based on a comparative analysis of Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board’s data. This surge is being witnessed across Indian cities, due to intense urban migration, limited affordable housing & inadequate urban planning.

Rapid industrialization in Rourkela & Angul has drawn migrant workers, leading to informal settlements around industrial zones. Despite efforts by the Odisha government’s Jaga Mission to improve slums, a study found that 84 slums in Bhubaneswar lacked access to safe drinking water. It highlighted significant water shortages, contamination, poor sanitation, & dysfunctional infrastructure.

Poor living conditions & the lack of basic amenities heighten health & socio-economic vulnerabilities in such communities. A study by Andhra University in Visakhapatnam’s slums found that 76% of women suffer from migraines, while 52% have thyroid issues, 48% hypertension, & 42% diabetes. In Sambalpur, Dr. Gitarani Choubey & Dr. Sanjeeb Mishra from VIMSAR, initiated a free clinic for Samleipadar residents due to inaccessibility in healthcare.

Climate change exacerbates these problems, particularly affecting women in dense, informal settlements. In Coimbatore & Chennai, GIZ is transforming ICDS buildings to mitigate heat stress for domestic workers, teachers, & students. Meanwhile, the Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) Ahmedabad is involving low-income women in installing modular roofing systems for climate-resilient housing.

To promote reading among children, the Cuttack MC plans to establish 10 prefab smart libraries in slums, powered by solar panels for self-sustainability. In Ahmednagar’s Sanjaynagar Slum, a community-led redevelopment project is addressing the lack of nutrition among children by integrating rooftops “edible gardens.” Such initiatives have empowered residents to engage in the redevelopment of their homes, fostering ownership & community cohesion.

Have you observed a rise in informal settlements within your city? Have there been any redevelopment efforts for such settlements?