Investigating the factors affecting Slum Rehabilitation: A Comparative Analysis of Indian Metro Cities

Abstract

Slums continue to persist in the fast growing cities of India- areas that are densely populated where access to basic amenities is poor, usually comprise of poor housing and inadequate infrastructure. Projects that aim to rehabilitate slums are aimed at converting these denizened habitats into viable urban environments that enhance the livelihoods of the poor in cities. The process of the slum rehabilitation, though, is a complex one that encompasses a range of social, economical and administrative obstacles to have given way to a heated debate on the country-wide scale. This paper will address the effect of such slum rehabilitation policies in India examining the issues that lead to project execution delays, the future sustainability of quarantined settlements, and the failures in the policy implementation. Using case studies of cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Indore and Surat, it brings out the successes as well as the challenges that continue to prevail with these interventions. The analysis has found that although the rehabilitation of slums in an inclusive urban development strategy is significant, it must be holistic and highly coordinated so that it can succeed in actions that are able to meet the needs of the affected population and eliminate structural barriers.