Whereas most of us experience day-to-day problems of living in Mumbai, only few of us make any resolve to understand them holistically and work towards solutions to improve the quality of life in the city. Two experts - Mr. David Satterthwite, an urban planner with an enormous worldwide experience, especially in Asia and Africa, and Mr. William Lim, a Singapore based architect concerned about urban issues in Asia - present their respective opinions about Mumbai. Following are the excerpts of their observations from an interview to the press media in the city.
Mr. Satterthwite opines that the growth of urban population and urban areas is not a problem as such, but is a management challenge. Like Mumbai, some of the South American cities experienced rapid growth, but managed to do well; so do several other developed country cities. These cities ensured an improved access to basic amenities like water, sanitation, education, housing and health facilities to their citizens. He points out that the cities offering basic amenities can attract young educated people and continue to grow, which otherwise will wane away to competing cities, as it is found in the USA.
He further argues that the urban poverty estimates are grossly underestimated because, these are based on income or consumption rather than actual cost of living, particularly the cost of accessing basic amenities. The cost of such basic services in urban areas is very high, and often incomes are not enough to meet the costs. In other words, the income adjusted for high cost in the specific local context will reflect the poverty status rather than the estimates based on the income or expenditure alone.
The solutions to the problems of cities like Mumbai, Mr. Satterthwite emphasizes, lie in the strength of democratic institutions that can play a major role even at local level. This means more decentralization as well as constitution and consolidation of democratic institutions at local level, which will have their own agenda and means of redressal in cooperation with the local government. He cites examples of this happening in about ten cities in the third world countries, including Zimbabwe, Philippines and Cambodia. In the context of Mumbai city, he cites National Slum Dwellers Federation (NSDF) and Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres (SPARC) for having attained partial success in their efforts, which can be looked upon as models for forming alliances between the local government and micro organizations.
He reaffirms that the policy shift from slum relocation to slum upgradation is the approach taken by several governments across the world since it is less disruptive of local economy and alienation from the space. Moreover, even big cities in the developed world have derelict areas that were once considered slums, which are now revitalized with the support of citizens. The shift in policy focus from viewing slums as demolish sites to viewing them as an integral part of the city has been overriding governments across the world.
In short, Mr. Satterthwite seeks to provide a refreshing perspective to the problems of cities like Mumbai. Rapid urban area growth, urban poverty and slums are undoubtedly critical issues that can be dealt with effective techno-management of cities and cost-effective provision of public infrastructure. This can be facilitated through partnerships with local NGOs or micro-organizations, in addition to partnership with private sector.
Mr. Lim also shares some of these perceptions. The industrial decline in Mumbai, he considers, is not a decline but rather a process of reorganization. However, Mumbai is yet to find its new identity in this process of transition into a new state. In the meantime, there is an inevitable deterioration of physical environment, evident from the slums and squalor. In contrast to China, which made housing provisions for employees through appropriate planning and implementation, India witnessed the failure of government as well as corporates in addressing the problem of housing provision to their employees. He observes that, unlike India, China has a transparent system, devoid of corruption. By implication individuals, corporates and voluntary organizations have to assume greater responsibility in the management of their localities and neighbourhoods.
Mr. Lim emphasizes on the participation of NGOs in the revitalization of urban areas. They can be given a role in civic maintenance through partnerships and networking. The management of civic tasks in co-operation with local NGOs eases the problem of physical decline, and makes slums an integral part of the city rather than a problem. These groups can have an agenda that covers wider issues like water supply, sanitation, solid waste disposal, education and public health.
Mr. Lim also raises the point that the emergence of slums is inherently linked to the evolution of local economy. This is evident from the production of high value-added goods and services and the emergence of shopping malls alongside the roads in slums like Dharavi. It is necessary to make slums an integral part of the planning process by recognizing, regulating and upgrading them with an active participation of local community and voluntary groups. Although controversial, secured tenure is required for economic as well as emotional wellbeing of a metropolitan city like Mumbai. Hence, slum demolition and population control are not appropriate strategies if cities are to continue to grow; indeed, the prosperity of cities could emanate from value added services of an educated and healthy population.
Mr. Lim also emphasizes the need for preserving the identity of the cities manifesting in architectural, cultural and historical heritage with which they are endowed. Singapore, he mentions, made the mistake of knocking down many old and quaint buildings while providing for large buildings, shops and services, which resulted in the loss of identity that left boring impressions. Mumbai is endowed with rich cultural, architectural and historical heritage passed on through various rulers; it needs to preserve its identity while giving space to market forces.
In summary, Mr. Lim argues for viewing urban problems, such as those in Mumbai, in a more holistic way rather than in a narrow perception of growing population, and within it the slum population. There is a need for coordinating with community development groups and NGOs in the revival of the city through improvement in basic amenities, while also preserving the cultural and historical heritage.
In substance, both the experts emphasize that the revitalization of urban areas like Mumbai is possible through active involvement of non-governmental and voluntary organizations by entering various kinds of partnerships with them.
Prepared by
Ramakrishna Nallathiga