What is the impact of urbanization on housing conditions in India?
Next to food and clothing, housing is one of the basic needs of human beings. Hence the housing conditions and amenities are considered as one of the key indicators of socio-economic development.
In the big metropolitan cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai etc. there is a serious problem of housing. The Municipal authorities and the state governments are struggling to meet the rising housing demands of the inhabitants and the immigrants. Shortage of houses leads to over crowding and congestion as the density of population per square kilometer increases.This has resulted in the development of slums and illegal settlements in open areas around mills and industries, where the slum dwellers seek employment. Slums cropped up near village settlements and then their scatter spread to other areas eventually encroaching upon public lands.
In Mumbai they are concentrated in areas such as Byculla , Dharavi , Mahim working in the small scale or cottage industries. There is a gap in policymaking and regulations to prevent such unauthorized housing. Most immigrants, unable to find meaningful employment, get absorbed into the informal sector as rag pickers, sweepers, construction workers, masons, carpenters, domestic helps etc. or forced to become wage labourers. They are driven to destitution and get trapped in the vicious circle of urban poverty.
Furthermore the excessive housing demand has actually pushed up the housing prices in cities, making urban accommodations and life expensive. The real estate sector has experienced exponential growth in prices of apartments and spaces for offices , shops. Even rents for temporary lodging and leased flats have hit the roof, burning a deep hole in the pockets of the average city dweller. Migrants find it extremely difficult to find cheap accommodations close to their workplace and commute tedious distances.
The problem of overcrowding has led to various social problems. The economic and class differences are becoming more prominent as reflected in the duality of city life. It is the cities which are attracting huge investments from domestic businesses and foreign MNCs. They have thriving malls, multiplexes, luxury hotels, pubs, amusement parks and other major avenues of entertainment. The skyscrapers and well equipped residential areas are reflective of a posh lifestyle. But on the other hand there are proliferating matchbox sized apartments, chawl systems, squatter settlements and cramped spaces which indicate the inability of the marginalized poor to meet even their essential needs. Other than widening income disparities between the rich and the poor, it has caused an increase in the crime rates. Instances of murders, thefts, rape and other forms of violence are on the rise, indicating extreme level of frustration and disappointment among the people. There is greater exposure to drugs, alcohol, corruption and other vices, which is corroding the moral fabric of society.
The joint family system is being replaced by nuclear families and DINKS (double income no kids working couples). People, caught in a rat race to earn more money and possess more goods of snob appeal, are spending lesser time on maintaining interpersonal relations while at the same time getting lonelier and depressed. Children and elderly are becoming the casualties of this indifferent lifestyle. Many children especially in the lower income strata are going without any basic education. Child labour is on the rise and the senior citizens are forced to rely on their own savings or live in old age homes. Relationships are getting fractured and motives turning selfish. Several millions remain jobless. Abject poverty has also pushed several into begging, prostitution, betting, drug peddling and other crimes.
As the cities grow, the costs of housing and infrastructure are also growing, With such pressure on civic amenities, municipal corporations are unable to cope with massive requirement of water, electricity, sanitation and provision of other infrastructure. People are facing acute water shortages, electricity cuts. Congestion in living spaces as well as commutation has increased stress levels. Buildings are getting taller, roads congested with traffic and trains overcrowded. The civic authorities find it increasingly difficult to maintain cleanliness and hygienic conditions.
According to the Planning Commission (12th Five Year Plan) , the challenge of affordable housing in India can be met through policies and incentives that develop economically feasible housing model for both the government housing agencies and private builders and by encouraging rental housing for the extremely poor. Moreover initiatives need to be taken by the municipal authorities to curb high levels of pollution, control vehicular congestion and accidents. The state governments may play an active role in providing feasible alternatives to slums. It is a harsh reality that slums cannot be completely wiped out and therefore there is need for upgradation and redevelopment of slums to better the lives of slum dwellers. NGOs and employment agencies can provide support services and raise awareness about the growing urban social problems. The policymakers have a huge responsibility in allocating investment and directing industrial growth to rural areas to overcome regional disparities by generating employment and reducing migration