POSSIBLE FUTURE STRATEGIES – FOR JnNURM and RAY UN Habitat recognized common attributes in countries that had successfully reduced slum population: Long term political commitment to in-situ slum improvements Pro poor land and housing reforms, tenure security for slum dwellers Efforts to improve access to basic services

Why in-situ slum improvement? Geographic location important for slum dwellers – not just for livelihoods, but also education, services, etc. Viable and affordable. Can be improved incrementally More humane Policy in countries like Brazil has long since shifted from slum eradication to slum upgrading or improvement.

The Brazil Story: Alagados, Salvador

physical improvements + social interventions those in precarious settlements resettled nearby high community participation and inclusiveness: over 70 CBOs strengthened

The Brazil Story: Sao Paulo

Upgrading in slums along the Guarapiranga and Billings reservoirs

The Bangladesh Story Social + economic + physical development high emphasis on women involvement group formation for slum improvement specific requirements for project completion credit and savings scheme very useful

In situ slum improvement under the JnNURM : PUNE Pune has a history of slum improvement schemes: free housing construction (Government Redevelopment Scheme), sanitation blocks, subsidies for housing construction, etc. Attempted under the JnNURM as well by the PMC: to raise standard of housing for the poor without relocation, especially in high density areas like Yerwada. SPARC + Mahila Milan + NSDF + CHF International

In situ slum improvement under the JnNURM : PUNE Around 1,100 kachcha houses benefit Each unit at Rs. 3 lakh (10% from beneficiary) Grant of Rs. 15,000 to build toilets in pucca houses High community participation – to tailor-make each house Community involved to work on the project as well – carpenters, etc. Terraces allowed for incremental growth

In situ slum improvement under the JnNURM : PUNE As pilot for RAY, five slums in Dhankawadi targeted next, for slum improvement with community participation. High NGO involvement expected, just like in the Yerwada project JnNURM project showcased at a UN exhibition.

Why look further? Chennai till the 1990s Slum Improvement Scheme under the MUDP and TNUDP initiatives: around 1,20,000 households benefited Roads, footpaths, drainage, community water supply, sanitation facilities, schools Now have access to rental income, due to scope for incremental improvements (like in Pulianthope) Other schemes like the EIS and ASIS worked on similar principles: over 1 lakh households benefited.

Chennai Now?

No slum improvement since the 1990s 29,864 tenements in Ezhil Nagar and Perumbakkam under the JnNURM, at the cost of Rs crore. Works out to Rs. 3.6 lakh per tenement/family However, TNSCB in , provided environmental improvement in various towns at only Rs a family. Relocation costs 72 times more than provision of environmental improvements.

Community Mapping Community participation required for inclusiveness, and for community investment and ownership in projects Community mapping – important for identifying beneficiary slums Accurate information Communities themselves can identify/recognise problems and seek solutions Communities empowered – tool to create info and represent themselves to the government, NGOs and the world

Community Mapping: Opportunities Guidelines for RAY emphasize on community participation in planning Aims to formalise informal settlements: ALL slums, not just declared slums, are eligible RAY cell in TNSCB has commenced mapping; ongoing in 7 zones However, communities can undertake mapping initiatives themselves, and submit it to the government for inclusion into RAY.

Community Mapping: Successes Byculla Pavement Dwellers, Mumbai (perhaps first of its kind?) Pune and Sangli (led to declaration) Participatory Settlement Mapping project in Cuttack (for RAY)