Revitalizing Slums: Inclusive Solutions for Viable Rehabilitation.
Slums often evoke the picture of neglect and desolate congested population with temporary housing and
unhygienic condition. They are in suburbs of a city, infamous for their infrastructure deficiencies and
elevated crime level. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to understand these negative stereotypes and recognize the
mankind and capability of locals.
As per United Nations Human Settlements Program, 56% of Pakistan’s urban communities resided in slum
residence as of 2020. These societies are not only overloaded with the country’s resources but people having
some goals and human resilience. Residents end up renting out their new homes to return to slums due to
proximity to jobs and low living costs. Earlier initiatives to rehabilitate slum residents by offering
government-subsidized housing, frequently unsuccessful because of inadequate fulfillment of resident’s
basic needs like socio-economic needs. For instance, Dharavi Redevelopment Project in India, the project
aimed to provide the subsidized housing to slum’s residents but failed because of discrepancy of
requirement and solutions.
Therefore, it is necessary to consider all the basic needs of slum residents while planning and implementing
the rehabilitation programs. There are successful programs that use strategies considering the local
requirements and conditions. These are Kenya slum upgrading program, Minha Casa Minha Vida program
Brazil, Baan Mankong Program, Medellin’s urban transformation. These programs not just improve
sanitary conditions but also offer real advantage to the community.
Efforts to rehabilitate slum areas in Pakistan have seen range of results but The Orangi Pilot Project (OPP)
in Karachi emerged as a one of the successful projects. Initiated in the 1980s, the OPP directed on
upgrading housing and sanitation in Orangi Town, one of major informal settlements in Karachi.
Regardless of such successes, Pakistan still encounters hurdles in slum rehabilitation, such as limited
resource and rapid urbanization. Continued emphasis on community-driven initiatives and sustainable
urban planning is critical for achieving lasting improvements.
Developing microfinance programs targeted at slum dwellers is another feasible strategy. These programs,
by offering small loans for business ventures and housing upgrades can enable residents to recover their
living conditions and economic opportunities. In addition, slums up gradation initiatives should emphasize
the provision of vital services like fresh water, sanitary conditions, public health, and education.
Coordinating with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private sector entities can potentially
overcome resource constraints. Like, the Urban Resource Centre in Karachi collaborates with local
communities to deal with urban challenges, urging for the rights and needs of slum inhabitants.
The key to rehabilitating slums requires recognizing and exploiting the potential of their inhabitants. By
engaging residents in decision-making processes and delivering support based on their needs, we can
rehabilitate these underprivileged areas into developing communities. It is time to provide slum inhabitants
a seat at the stakeholders’ table for decision making, making sure that their voices are heard and their
dreams are supported.
By: Umm-e-Maliha (QAU, Islamabad)
Comments are closed.