SLUM REDEVELOPMENT

TOPIC JUSTIFICATION:Architecture is not only the pragmatic approach of designing buildings but it also
contains some social responsibilities of believing that an architect can create better
places,affect society, and can even have a role in making a place civilized by
making a community more livable.
As architects, we believe that architecture affects the quality of life.As members of
society, we can affect the quality of life in our communities through involvement beyond
our practice.We can influence social conditions; even be the cause of positive social
reform.
Our social responsibility is not limited to the needs related to the built environment or
environmental issues. Our critical thinking abilities can also be valuable in designing an
organization or setting strategic goals and implementation plans.
A new type of social responsibility that is as raw and gritty as the global crisis of one
billion slum dwellers must become a new ethos in the pedagogy and practice of
architecture. These individuals which do not include those living in merely substandard
housing account for 14.7% of our planets population, or one in every 6.8 persons.
STATISTICAL DATA
INDIAN SLUM
Slum Population in India - Slum Population simply refers to people living in slum
areas below the poverty line. As India is still on the path of development, there is large
number of people living below the poverty line. These people usually live in slum areas
connected to the city. According to Government sources, the Slum Population of India
have exceeds the population of Britain. It has doubled in last two decades. According to
census in 2001, the slum-dwelling population of India had risen from 27.9 million in
1981 to 61.8 million in 2001. Indian economy has achieved a significant growth of 8
percent annually in last four years, but there is still large number of people nearly 1.1
billion still survives on less than 1 $ (around 46 INR) in a day.
Increase in Indian Population over a period of time has also resulted in slum population
growth. Despite of Government efforts to build new houses and other basic infrastructure,
most of the people living in slum areas do not have electricity, water supply and cooking
gas.
Slum Population in Mumbai - The financial capital of India known as Mumbai is home
to estimated 6.5 million slum people. Nearly half of Mumbai's Population lives in small

shacks surrounded by open sewers. Nearly 55% of Mumbai's population lives in Slum
areas.
Slum Population in Delhi - After Mumbai, Delhi has the second largest slum Population
in India. Nearly 1.8 million people lives in slum areas in capital of India - New Delhi.
These people are mostly unemployed or daily wage workers who cannot even afford
basic necessities of life.
Future Slum Population in India
According to recent estimates, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya
Pradesh will be having largest share of slum population in India by 2017. These states are
already home to a large number of slum populations which mostly lives in and around
urban areas. By 2017, Maharashtra will be home to more than 20 million of slum
population in India followed by Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It is
estimated that by 2017, India's total Slum population will be 104 million
Harmful impacts of slums on society and people living in it:Shortage of space: About 77.6% of the urban dwellers in Mumbai reside in one
room and lakhs of them sleeps on the footpath. About 62% of the households of the
metropolis reside in these slums. This give rise to the problem of shortage of space.
Prone to natural and man-made hazards: As in slums, houses are crammed in a
little space, they are often prone to dangerous hazards like floods, water logging, fire
etc. Extent of hazard is increased because of high population density. The slum
areas of Delhi specially Yamuna-Pushta are affected by flood-water of Yamuna
every year. The Kutchahouses of slums frequently catches fire in summer.
Poor living conditions: Slums are not planned hence they lack basic amenities.
Slums have invariably extreme unhygienic conditions. There are no toilets and
people defecate in open. Slums have practically no drainage. Most of the slums are
located near drains which contain filthy stagnant water.
Health hazards: The poor living condition in slums affects the health of people
mentally and physically. Water contamination cause disease like blood dysentery,
diarrhoea, malaria, typhoid, jaundice etc. Children with bloated bellies or famished
skeletons, many suffering from polio, are common sight. People are not aware of
health problems.
Social problems: Socially, slums remain isolated from rest of the urban society and
exhibit pathological social symptoms like drug abuse, alcoholism, crime, vandalism
and other deviant behavior. The lack of integration of slum inhabitants into urban life
reflects both, the lack ability and culture barriers.