Syllabus: GS I Role of Women and Women’s Organization, Population and Associated Issues, Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Examine the challenges that squatter settlements pose to achieving sustainable urban development, and suggest practical strategies to address these issues.
Introduction
Squatter settlements, characterized by informal housing with inadequate planning, infrastructure, and legal tenure, are a manifestation of rapid urbanization and insufficient affordable housing policies. They symbolize a growing urban crisis, undermining sustainable development by exacerbating social, economic, and environmental challenges. These settlements strain urban resources and infrastructure, posing a significant obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Body
Key Issues Associated with Squatter Settlements
- Lack of Basic Amenities
- Squatter settlements often lack access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, healthcare, and education.
- Example: In 2021, 65% of slums in India were reported to lack adequate access to potable water (MoHUA Report).
- Environmental Degradation
- Encroachment on ecologically sensitive areas, such as wetlands and forests, contributes to urban sprawl, pollution, and deforestation, undermining environmental sustainability.
- Example: Mumbai’s Dharavi slum generates significant waste, affecting local ecosystems and water bodies.
- Health and Safety Risks
- Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate waste disposal create an environment conducive to the spread of communicable diseases and accidents.
- Example: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted densely populated slum areas like Dharavi due to inadequate healthcare and high population density.
- Tenure Insecurity
- Residents of squatter settlements lack legal ownership of land, making them vulnerable to forced evictions and denying them access to basic services.
- Example: In Delhi, over 5,000 families faced displacement in 2020 due to infrastructure development projects without proper rehabilitation.
- Social Exclusion and Marginalization
- Slum dwellers often face discrimination, limited access to formal employment, and poor representation in governance, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
- Example: A 2018 NITI Aayog report highlighted that 80% of urban slum dwellers are engaged in informal employment with minimal job security.
Viable Solutions
- In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation
- Upgrading slums while ensuring minimal displacement of residents improves living conditions and fosters community cohesion.
- Example: The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) emphasizes in-situ rehabilitation with basic amenities.
- Affordable Housing Policies
- Developing inclusive housing policies that promote affordable housing for the urban poor can prevent the formation of new squatter settlements.
- Example: Maharashtra’s Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has delivered affordable housing to slum dwellers in Mumbai.
- Land Tenure Reforms
- Providing legal land ownership and titles to slum dwellers reduces vulnerability to eviction and enhances access to formal credit and services.
- Example: Odisha’s Jaga Mission aims to provide land rights to 1 million urban slum dwellers, significantly improving their quality of life.
- Basic Infrastructure Development
- Enhancing access to clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education in slum areas can significantly reduce health risks and improve living standards.
- Example: The Swachh Bharat Mission has significantly improved sanitation infrastructure in urban slums, reducing open defecation.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
- Leveraging private sector expertise and funding for infrastructure and housing development can accelerate slum upgrading.
- Example: Ahmedabad’s PPP model under the BSUP scheme delivered improved housing and basic amenities to slum residents.
- Community Participation and Capacity Building
- Involving slum communities in decision-making fosters ownership, ensuring the sustainability of interventions.
- Example: Kerala’s Kudumbashree initiative has empowered slum residents by involving them in urban governance and skill-building programs.
Conclusion
Squatter settlements reflect the dual challenges of urban poverty and rapid urbanization, underscoring the need for holistic, inclusive, and sustainable urban policies. Addressing these issues requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, private sectors, and communities. By ensuring access to basic services, promoting secure tenure, and fostering participatory planning, cities can move closer to achieving inclusive and sustainable urban development, aligning with India’s commitments to SDG 11 and the New Urban Agenda.
