Que: Does urbanization lead to further segregation or marginalization of the poor in Indian cities?

Urbanization is a process in which the proportion of population in urban areas increases. Urban settlements are characterized by close contact, benefits of collectivization, anonymity, and social mobility. However, urbanization in India has often been exclusionary, showing signs of segregation and marginalization of the poor, especially in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

• Factors contributing to segregation:

• Upper-class areas: The growth of upper-class residential areas restricts the accessibility of the poor, creating physical and social barriers. For example, Gurgaon

• Religious and social segregation: The poor, especially from minority communities like Muslims, are concentrated in areas of absence due to unfair practices. Often, some communities refuse to rent houses to minorities even at market rates.

• Availability of common amenities: Poor areas are densely populated, with low per capita availability of common amenities such as public parks, roads and recreational areas. For example, the Dharavi area of ​​Mumbai

• Inequality in education: Children of the urban poor often study in government schools with inadequate teachers and inadequate facilities. The 2011 census recorded a gender literacy gap of 17%. This shows the limitations of quality education for poor children.

• Cultural isolation: The urban poor are largely migrants, who are alienated from the mainstream culture of the metropolis due to linguistic and cultural differences.

• Lack of transport: The lack of affordable and well-developed public transport limits the poor’s access to jobs and urban amenities. The rich use private vehicles. While the poor face long and congested journeys.

• Factors that marginalize the poor:

• Slums and informal settlements: According to the 2011 census, more than 20% of the urban population lives in slums, which lack basic amenities such as clean water, sanitation and electricity. For example, 40% of Mumbai’s population lives in slums, but they occupy only 10% of the land area.

• Lack of government services: The urban poor have limited access to services such as health, public transport and education. Government hospitals are overcrowded and their access to private health services is difficult.

• Informal sector jobs: About 80% of the urban poor work in the informal sector. Where there is a lack of social security or legal protection, which leads to exploitation and low wages.

• Insecurity of domestic workers: Mostly women from marginalized communities work as domestic workers. But there is no dedicated legal framework to protect them.

• Impacts of environmental change: The urban poor are more affected by the impacts of pollution and climate change (such as the heat island effect) because they live in low-lying or polluted areas and do not have access to facilities like RO plants or air purifiers.

• Political factors: The migrant population, which forms a large part of the urban poor, has almost no say in urban governance. Urban local bodies (ULBs) lack sufficient power and resources to address the problems of the poor.

Thus, urbanization in Indian metropolises has increased the geographical, social and economic segregation and marginalization of the poor. In the spirit of the New Urban Agenda, India should prioritize the “Right to the City” as a basis for inclusive urbanization. This requires investment in common spaces, affordable housing, quality education, healthcare and public transport, as well as strengthening ULBs. Programs like PMAY and Smart Cities Mission can promote equitable urbanization.