Mumbai and Dharavi

Mumbai and Dharavi

Mumbai is India's largest city, with a population of 14,350,000 people, and is India's financial centre. It is also a major port due to British influence, which allowed it to industrialise. The British colonial administration developed the peninsula into a major port for travellers from Europe, and it became known as the Gateway to India. Access to the sea on both sides allowed the fishing villages to grow and develop, and from 1947 (after India gained independence from the British Empire), the population grew even more rapidly. It is an example of a consolidating megacity, with fast growth but a lack of basic amenities.

The land price in the central business district (CBD) of Mumbai is exceptionally high, and unaffordable for those even with skilled jobs, so this has lead to the spread of cheap and poorly built houses into the suburbs. There is massive overcrowding on public transportation systems, and as the city has grown, people now have more difficulty commuting from settlement areas to the CBD, a distance that can exceed 40km. To support the growing population, squatter settlements (slums) such as Dharavi have developed, producing many health and safety issues, as well as an increased need for sophisticated waste, pollution and sewage removal services. Air pollution is significantly higher than normal levels, with 97% of the population exposed daily to pollution above the World Health Organisation's guidelines. The city authorities struggle with the rapid population growth and urbanisation, and the growing economy is in need of formal workers in a wider range of sectors excluding manual labour, as the port location of the city restricts building work and development. The city is at an increasing risk of flooding as it expands, as it causes damage to the mangrove swamps that retain the water.

 

The Redevelopment of Dharavi

Dharavi is a slum covering 2km², and is home to 600,000 people and 4500 industries. The family-owned businesses generate US $40 million profit each year for India, but the slum significantly restricts the growth of central Mumbai. Due to this, redevelopment of the site appears to be inevitable, but this will lead to conflict between residents and developers. 

The governments of Mumbai and Maharashtra State are planning wholesale development of the Dharavi slum, with houses cleared in stages. Residents will be offered temporary accommodation, and any family with a history in the area will receive free housing in the soon to be build redevelopments. The remaining houses will be sold or let on the open market. Redevelopments will also include health care facilities, civic amenities and industries. 

To summarise, benefits of the redevelopment of Dharavi include:

• The site's close proximity to the Bandra Kurla Complex, the major business and technology centre of Mumbai.
• The land's protection against flooding, as Dharavi was once a swamp, but now as it has been built on, the ground level has been raised.
• High real estate value (for its location near the CBD as well as being on elevated ground).
• The improved ability for the city to compete with other business centres. 
• The preservation of landmark colonies within the slum, such as Kumbharwada, a potters colony with a rich history.

Drawbacks include:

• The forced closure of thousands of small industries. 
• The views of unregistered people will be ignored, and they are unlikely to receive any form of alternate shelter.
• Financial pressures mean that housing plans are more likely to be changed to commercial developments, in order to increase profits.