Revitalizing the slum as a micro economic center, Bhopal

Abstract

Slums are an unavoidable by product of a long term development process of any city. This development process includes many aspects. For example, the changes brought about in the target city result in a better quality of life, an improved standard of living, employment opportunities etc. which in turn results in excessive migration from neighboring small towns or rural areas. This in turn leads to eventual formation of slum pockets in and around the city. The definition of slum is contextual. It cannot be generalized for all the places. But in developing countries such as ours broadly a slum can be defined as a neglected part of the city and an unhygienic settlement of substandard housing and services which consists of people who sustain themselves with hardships. With a view to make the cities slum free, the term ‘slum rehabilitation’ has become widely known all across the world and many measures are being taken by respective governments for the same, providing housing being the major concern. The idea should not be just to provide housing to the slum dwellers but to equip them with a system to make them self sufficient. Instead of neglecting these people their capabilities should be identified and meaningful and sustainable livelihoods should be generated accordingly. Here, system refers to a combination of housing plus livelihood/industrial center within the boundary. The site shall be chosen as per the requirements of the livelihood activity selected (recycling, dairy, packaging, pottery, carpet making etc.) and the housing and other amenities shall be provided as per the comfort and requirements of the people engaged in that activity. Provision of training sessions at regular intervals shall also be made to keep the habitants familiar with changing trends and technologies. Providing urban poor with housing along with employment opportunities will result in a micro economic centre within an urban settlement which once put into flow shall eventually become a self sustaining community imparting entrepreneurial spirit in the slum dwellers with improved infrastructure and better quality of life.