Reconditioning Dharavi: A Toolkit of Strategies for Incrementa Development

Abstract

The 2003 Global Report on Human Settlements defines a “slum” as a densely populated metropolitan area that is distinguished by a variety of low-income settlements, subpar housing, and squalor. Dharavi, on the other hand, is far more than a “slum.”

In the heart of Mumbai, Dharavi is an economically prosperous and socially active informal town. Mumbai is a thriving metropolis with many different realities and patterns, even though it appears to be a slum filled with squatters. However, the region has recently become a hub for informal settlements and urban problems associated with poor hygiene in developing countries. People’s misconceptions about Dharavi stem from a failure to recognize its social capital and economic power: The area encompasses a variety of economic networks, production types, income levels, land tenure arrangements, and religious activities and festivities. Dharavi is made up of 85 separate groups with a strong feeling of belonging and high expectations for stability and improved economic position and living standards. It is also clear that these folks are capable of building and enhancing their shelter if they have the resources to do so. To develop all these qualities, Dharavi’s social capital must be recognized and promoted as an asset to the city of Mumbai. A community such as Dharavi requires ‘urban acupuncture’; where mediation of the littlest kind will have the greatest effect. Dharavi, like any other “informal” city, requires rigorous examination to be fully comprehended. It is a unique location where a large flood of migrants has managed to build jobs and their city (Baweja, 2015).