Conceptual Framework of Land Suitability Analysis for Slum Redevelopment Initiatives

Abstract

The fast pace of urbanization exerts considerable pressure on land, which indeed is a scarce natural resource pushing less privileged section of urban population in areas with inadequacy of infrastructure and amenities often termed as slums. In spite of continuous efforts of the government since its first Five Year Plan and even after more than six decades of independence almost one third of urban population in India is forced to reside in slums. Though the slum rehabilitation initiatives had been top on priority, it was only in 2005 when it was realized by the national commission on urbanization that the cities are the economic engines of growth and there by the focus was shifted on provision of urban infrastructure and basic services for urban poor. The land is a limited natural resource and when talking of sustainability it directly or indirectly remains the prime issue amongst the dimensions of sustainability physical, social, economical or environmental. The urban planning which directs the growth towards development has failed due to time lag and its limited human resource. The second important issue is scarcity of land, incompatible land use and sky rocketing land value. After the launching of most ambitious mission i.e. the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in 2005 and thereby subsequent Rajeev Awas Yojna (RAY) which is an indeed in attempt to achieve the Million Development Goal of slum free cities number of models are being developed for slum redevelopment, rehabilitation and renewal. The present paper attempts to identify the issues pertaining to land using the land suitability analysis for slum redevelopment. The focus of the paper is to identify the factors of land associated with physical redevelopment; however the socio-cultural, environmental and economical aspects shall also be taken care of. The outcome will be in the form of framework using land suitability analysis for slum redevelopment.