Abstract:
Slums have become an important element of contemporary urbanization. They have become a
part of the cities. They are direct result of the continuous growth of migration and slums are the
only shelter for the migrant in the cities. One of the reasons for this is economical but beyond
that are social and cultural aspects. More than the physical survival, the migrant looks for social
and cultural survival which is found in the slums. Thus slums are heterogeneous.
The slum comes into existence and continues to exist because it meets certain needs. The
migrants from the pre urban hinterland need a place to live and the city needs them for their
labor. Slums are one of the important sources of workforces in cities. Some of these slums
develop a livelihood and a community within themselves.The basic idea is to promote and
develop such slum dwellers to perform their occupation in respect and dignity. Similar example
for such a situation is Mahalakshmi Dhobighat in Mumbai. A place where the Dhobi community
lives and are engaged in their occupation of washing clothes. The Dhobighat was initially built
by the British for their services, were the community were provided with concrete stones built
for washing clothes. Later in 1990’s , the dhobighat was encroached by the dhobis working and
migrants. The dhobighat is still acts as an Industrial core and employs thousands of Dhobis
(washer men) with great productivity. Now the dhobighat is a place with cramped and
unhygienic living conditions due to its hyper population density and pollution.
