Assess the attempts being made to address the considerable challenges the
city faces.
In an endeavour to solve the challenges presented by the rapid urbanisation of Mumbai
there have been many different schemes put in place, particularly in slum areas, some of
which have been more successful than others.
As Mumbai has urbanised the land which Dharavi occupies has become increasingly
valuable real estate and in the early 2000s there were plans to redevelop the land to make
the most out of it. This could turn it into a world class location within a decade: with higher
quality housing and state-of-the-art transport systems. Already, there has been a road
bridge built on the western side that has improved transport infrastructure. Alternative
transport systems would also reduce air pollution. Additionally, this plan included plans to
re-home Dharavi’s citizens by building well over a million low-cost homes which would
reduce slum population down to 10% of their original level. As well as this there are further
plans to develop the derelict eastern shore of Mumbai’s peninsula. This would aim to target
the poor housing and transport.
Another scheme implemented targeting housing and sanitation needs, allowed developers
to develop land in the slums at a cheap price provided they rehoused the current residents.
The rule is for every square foot of housing they build for the poor, they are allowed 30%
more for property development. This has already started to take place providing many
benefits to the community such as clean water, sanitation, and safety. This will also involve
planting trees and will incorporate the care of city green spaces as a key element in urban
planning.
A major property developer Mukesh Mehta is driving the min campaign to redevelop
Dharavi, he is determined to bring improved healthcare, education, and job opportunities.
He plans on building 57,00 new apartments however there has been controversy over this
as currently there are 90,000 families in Dharavi so this would not be enough to
accommodate for all of them. As well as this only those there before the 21 st century will be
eligible for free housing.
On the other hand, though once these redevelopment plans have taken place they have
often been unsuccessful with high rise buildings constructed within a small area and many
have now become dilapidated. Many of these buildings were also built on cheap land which
was far away from the centre of Mumbai which in some cases meant that it was not
possible to commute to work, which increased unemployment. High rises also reduce
industry due to the reduction in workshops as well as breaking up communities and families
who now have to live separately. By 2007 300 hectares of land had been cleared and
200,000 people had been removed.
In conclusion, slum improvement schemes aim to lower the housing density in order to
increase the quality of life and sanitary conditions for people living there. However,
unfortunately this usually leads to urban sprawl which has a serious impact on transport
infrastructure with more people now needing to commute longer journeys. As well as the
many environmental impacts caused by this it can also lead to segregation within the city.
city faces.
In an endeavour to solve the challenges presented by the rapid urbanisation of Mumbai
there have been many different schemes put in place, particularly in slum areas, some of
which have been more successful than others.
As Mumbai has urbanised the land which Dharavi occupies has become increasingly
valuable real estate and in the early 2000s there were plans to redevelop the land to make
the most out of it. This could turn it into a world class location within a decade: with higher
quality housing and state-of-the-art transport systems. Already, there has been a road
bridge built on the western side that has improved transport infrastructure. Alternative
transport systems would also reduce air pollution. Additionally, this plan included plans to
re-home Dharavi’s citizens by building well over a million low-cost homes which would
reduce slum population down to 10% of their original level. As well as this there are further
plans to develop the derelict eastern shore of Mumbai’s peninsula. This would aim to target
the poor housing and transport.
Another scheme implemented targeting housing and sanitation needs, allowed developers
to develop land in the slums at a cheap price provided they rehoused the current residents.
The rule is for every square foot of housing they build for the poor, they are allowed 30%
more for property development. This has already started to take place providing many
benefits to the community such as clean water, sanitation, and safety. This will also involve
planting trees and will incorporate the care of city green spaces as a key element in urban
planning.
A major property developer Mukesh Mehta is driving the min campaign to redevelop
Dharavi, he is determined to bring improved healthcare, education, and job opportunities.
He plans on building 57,00 new apartments however there has been controversy over this
as currently there are 90,000 families in Dharavi so this would not be enough to
accommodate for all of them. As well as this only those there before the 21 st century will be
eligible for free housing.
On the other hand, though once these redevelopment plans have taken place they have
often been unsuccessful with high rise buildings constructed within a small area and many
have now become dilapidated. Many of these buildings were also built on cheap land which
was far away from the centre of Mumbai which in some cases meant that it was not
possible to commute to work, which increased unemployment. High rises also reduce
industry due to the reduction in workshops as well as breaking up communities and families
who now have to live separately. By 2007 300 hectares of land had been cleared and
200,000 people had been removed.
In conclusion, slum improvement schemes aim to lower the housing density in order to
increase the quality of life and sanitary conditions for people living there. However,
unfortunately this usually leads to urban sprawl which has a serious impact on transport
infrastructure with more people now needing to commute longer journeys. As well as the
many environmental impacts caused by this it can also lead to segregation within the city.
