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Slum Rehabilitation Scheme at Jaunapur: Planning for Sustainable Human Settlements Anil Laul Email: anillaul@del2.vsnl.net.in; Website: www.anangpur.com T here are nearly 3600 families that are located in an ecologically sensitive area of the Southern Ridge in Delhi. With a view to protect this area, the Supreme Court of India, ordered the Slum Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, to rehabilitate these families to another location. It was felt that this scheme be designed as a model for Sustainable Human Settlement so that a holistic approach for Slum Rehabilitation may emerge.After detailed deliberations by the Special Committee, the Design put up by the Nizamuddin Building Centre, (the implementing agency) through their consultants – the Anangpur Building Centre – was considered to be the most appropriate one. This project is now listed under the 'Best Practices' of the UNCHS web site on Sustainable Development, under Good Practices. It has also been chosen as an Expo2000 (Hannover) project.
Design Approach and Project Details The project activities started in May 1996, with a Supreme Court (of India) directive to resettle the 3600 families illegally squatting on the southern ridge of Delhi. The Slum Department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi initiated the project. The initial project time frame was of one and a half years, to be completed by October 1998. The Project Concept hinges around Appropriate Land choice by way of using Degraded Highland as the primary governing factor for Sustainable Human Settlement Planning. There was a considerable amount of resistance encountered from the engineers of the Slum Department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, owing to the fact that they worked on the conventional belief that flat land was best suited for Human Settlements. It was further contended that this would also be far more economical than the conventional practice as adopted by the Government. In May 1997, the Lt. Governor of Delhi ordered that a pilot Scheme consisting of 52 units be built so that the veracity of the claim, as made by the Anangpur Building Centre, might be examined. The pilots to be built were to have the Skeletal stage of the proposed living units, single room completed units and two room units. Thus, the beneficiary may be in a position to fully understand the basic unit that was being given to him and also know that which he can aspire for when completed, by way of the two-room tenement. This would also enable the planning authorities of the Government to take a considered and value based decision. Currently, the pilot scheme is being evaluated in comparison with the conventional norms. The project is now to be completed by the year 2000.
Financing The Nizamuddin Building Centre (the implementing agency) has estimated the cost of the entire project at US$4.5 million (Rs.180 million) on the basis of the design as worked out by the Project Planner of the Anangpur Building Centre. This includes the cost of infrastructure, such as roads, water supply and drainage, decentralised sewage disposal, street lighting, horticulture and the cost of a skeletal house (support system and the roof). The cost of land is not included. Land is provided by the Forest Department of the Delhi Government, which is the land owning agency of the lands being cleared i.e. the Southern Ridge. A break up of the resources is given in the above table. Cost comparison – By the Anangpur Building Centre Total cost per unit of the scheme: Rs.44,000 (US$1100), including the cost of site development & skeletal unit. – By the Public Works Department Total estimated cost per unit: Rs.80,000 (US$ 2000) using the conventional resettlement approach. In addition to the above resources, the beneficiary families are expected to contribute in terms of labour and material for providing the walling material of the dwelling units to complete the Skeletal Units proposed to be provided to them. The families will be assisted in transporting the existing walling material form their current dwelling to the settlement site as part of the scheme.* The beneficiaries may also use the facilities as available with the Nizamuddin Building Centre and make permanently finished walling elements as already used in the pilot scheme. A total of Rs.160 million (US$ 4 million) has been transferred to the Slum and JJ Department of the Delhi Municipal Corporation. The beneficiaries' contribution of Rs.80 million (US$ 0.5 million) is to be collected before giving possession at the site. The funds are available till the year 2000, or till the completion and handing over of the scheme.
Activity Program The activity program may be viewed in two parts, the first being the activity targets for the particular scheme at Jaunapur. The Second being a much larger objective of facilitating a change in the design and development of resettlement schemes in Delhi, targeted towards providing a better living environment at more viable costs and utilisation of degraded lands. To begin with, there was a considerable amount of resistance for rehabilitation at the new site. Subsequently, a large number of beneficiaries visited the site and were pleasantly surprised. Most of the decision-makers, who are the key players in the development of Delhi, have visited the pilot scheme. The Vice President of the World Bank visited this development site in March ’98, which was followed by a visit of the Appraisal Committee of the World Bank. Several other representatives of other slum areas now visit this pilot scheme and are making representations to the Slum Department for similar development initiatives.
Technical Details Innovative techniques have been used in the scheme both at the level of overall planning and for the construction of the structural elements. Use of these, as opposed to the conventional systems, leads to a greater cost and resource efficiency and provides a better living environment, while protecting the nature at the same time.
Planning Systems Residential Landuse: on relatively gentler slopes Commercial Landuse: in pits, (which, otherwise, are rendered useless or involve a high expenditure) as they confine further expansion and encroachments, and also provide spaces for social interaction. Educational Landuse: in the pit, as it provides a sheltered area away from the chaos. It serves as a play area and also for larger social gatherings (melas, ramleelas etc.) Civic amenities: like Basti Vikas Kendras, NGOs, health centres etc. will be located on the high ridge above the catchment area and close to the social forestry, as these are the watchdogs and managers of the community.
Streets The streets are located along the valleys for proper drainage. The main streets follow the natural course of water as per the lowest drainage levels. These would be fed by secondary streets, which in turn would be fed by the courts. Roads and streets occur after every 9 units, saving on infrastructure costs.
Sites & Skeletal System provided Versus Sites & Services System of conventional rehabilitation schemes This scheme has adopted a system of providing a skeletal system. The skeletal system consists of:
Cluster Planning Versus conventional Back to Back Sites The morphology of 4-5 units grouped in a ‘through cluster’ around wide open courts, as opposed to enclosed courts or linear streets allows for: n Greater efficiency of site utilisationn Reduction in the length of roads and service linesn Creation of a group identity which would help in maintenance of common facilities.n Deterrent to encroachment by a system of in-built checks by residents of the clustern Functional hierarchy of courts from public to private, and for different activities – washing area, women’s court, men’s court. (The achievable density is 110d.u/acre.)Unit In accordance with the government norms of 18sq.m/d.u, a unit will have a habitable area of 15.8 sq.m, which can grow to 32sq.m. The 2.2sq.m/d.u will be given at the cluster level in the form of group toilets, baths and wash areas. Water supply The water supply point at the highest elevation such that is flows by gravity through pipes into underground tanks located in each court of the cluster. Deep borewells are to be drilled on the site boundary. The considerable distance between the ravine and the well points ensures absolute filtration through six water channels before recharging the cavity of the well. Segregation of Soil and Waste Water Versus Combined System The soil on the site is highly absorptive; this has been used to advantage in order to treat the night soil and wastewater locally. Night soil and wastewater are segregated at source. The night soil is drained directly from the toilets into a set of alternating twin leach pits.* The soil matter in the leach pits is anaerobically digested and alternate removal of manure can be done every 18 months. The kitchen and bath water are separately carried in a drain along the centre of the road, which also carries the storm water, eliminating the need for an additional storm water drainage system. The joints of the wastewater drain are open for on-line absorption and enable filtration and groundwater recharge. The balance wastewater is taken into a 15-acre ravine on the site. Dense afforestation of plants that digest fat, and use it as a nutrient, is being planted to organically treat the waste locally. Features of this system n Ground water recharge on a sustainable basis.n Lower water requirement as compared to water flow required for maintaining the requisite drainage velocity in a conventional sewage system.**n Reduces the wastage of water.n Local treatment of liquid waste avoids the need for expensive centralised infrastructure.The system comprises the following Construction Techniques and Materials:
Welded Trussed Girders: Prefabricated steel girders have been used for the structural framework, in plinth beams, vertical columns and tie beams. Its salient features are: n Efficient use of RCC owing to larger area of concrete under compressionn Faster construction due to rapid assemblyn Saving on the labour cost
Funicular Shell Roofing with Waste Stone Infill: The roofing system consists of waste stone masonry funicular shells. A funicular shell is the equivalent of a three dimensional catenary, developed on a rectilinear base. In this case, a square base of size 2.2m X 2.2 m has been used. The natural curved shape is obtained by loading stretched hessian fabric; these are used as moulds for modular fibreglass shuttering panels. The shells are then made in situ with stone waste and brick masonry, and de-moulded every 48 hours. The pay back of the fibreglass moulds is at 40 applications. One mason and two labourers can build 5 shells in a day. Salient features of this system are: n Eliminated use of high-energy steel reinforcement used in the conventional RCC roofn Uses waste materialn Minimises requirement of internal plastersn Provides roofing at a lower cost
Hollow Core Concrete Wall Blocks: Lean concrete hollow core blocks are used for walling in the pilot units. The blocks are cast using simple hand operated moulds. Each set of four moulds, outputs 300 blocks per day, with 1 master mason, 1 mason and 4 labourers. The blocks are pre-finished with an external permanent face of waste stone and aggregate. The blocks have a horizontal core (rather than a vertical core) for ease of handling by masons. The size of the blocks is 7.5" X 7.5" X15". Some of its salient features are: n Each block is equivalent to 7 bricks.n Integral permanent finish reduces maintenance costsn Rapid constructionn Better insulating properties.
Stone-faced Cement Paving Panels and Jack Arched RCC drain covers: The internal roads are paved in 18" X 18" cement panels that are faced with waste stone. The inherent strength of the jack arch from allows for the minimal use of steel and cement in panels that span the drains. Some of the salient features are: n Lower cost compared to macadam roadn Higher specification compared to brick pavingn Efficient use of steel and cementn Pleasant appearance, allowing for percolating of storm water through joints.
Social and Economic Targets Working to provide for social and economic upgradation, with the physical infrastructure, the project team is trying to bring about a change in the functioning of the nodal government agencies, which typically function in isolation. n The land is acquired from the common village land, at the rate of Rs.60,4000/- (US$ 15100) per acre. At a total of 61 acres it is the equivalent of US$ 0.92 million. Since Gram Sabha lands come under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Government, this money for the village lands is deposited with the Development Commissioner, Delhi, in the coffers of the Delhi government. It is proposed that this fund be made available to the residents of the village (Jaunapur) whose lands were acquired, and to the residents of the resettlement. A bank is to be opened in the village, which would, apart form regular banking activities, make available this fund through micro-credit loaning schemes to encourage local micro enterprises.
n The Scheme includes proposals for other social and community facilities, in addition to the housing sites, such as schools, community centres, health facilities, commercial areas, and playgrounds and social forestry (in the catchment area because of abundant ground water ensured by constant recharging).n A common shelter space of 36 sq.m. is proposed at the mouth of some of the internal clusters in the scheme. This space is to be available as a shelter for destitute children within the cluster. The residents of the cluster will look after the welfare of these children, in a collective way. Any destitute child will have the right to live in the shelter free of cost till the age of 18. The Slum Department, however, seems to resist this policy on the basis that this is the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Social Welfare.
Realisation The pilot scheme has been successfully built and at a cost that is nearly half of what the government department is able to deliver. It clearly demonstrates the advantages of natural drainage and onsite waste disposal. The dwelling units have been provided as skeletal structures built with waste stone and other resource efficient technologies to be completed by the owners on a self-help basis, reusing walling materials from their erstwhile homes. The cluster grouping responding to the socio-cultural needs, optimising the length of service lines and roads and allowing the provision of basic services at the cluster level.
Long Term Objective - Action for Change It is envisaged that this resettlement can be a model for dealing with the problem of housing the slum population of Delhi. The major problems faced in the resettlement of squatters are the non-availability of land, (most land available is identified as prime land by the development agencies and earmarked for privileged uses); lack of funds, and high cost of infrastructure. This scheme demonstrates a sound way of using the ‘degraded land’ with an ecologically sound infrastructure planning and cost effective construction technology, to achieve a humane built environment at half the cost. This project is not limited to the resultant built form, planning methodologies or infrastructure systems but is intended to evolve future planning policies which hinge around the large population of the ‘have nots’ rather than the ‘haves’. q
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