Wednesday 30 November 2011

Ethnographic Study in Three Slums of Mumbai

A pilot ethnographic research was conducted in three slums of Mumbai. The slums are located as shown in the map below.

Figure1: Location of the slums studied
















Following images give a glimpse of life in these slums.
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Figure 2: Maximization and not optimization is the mantra of the slum dwellers. Thus efficient use of 3D space is done so that the family does not lack in amenities like TV, refrigerator, music system. The next house has the most bare minimum washing area where only one person can crawl in and wash or bathe. The list of essential items vs. The desired items is strange. The slum dwellers interviewed claimed that open space, light and ventilation, water supply, wash area, cooking platform, burner/stove, cylinder, utensils storage, cupboard, mirror, bed, tv unit, music system, electricity and fan as essential amenities while tap, w.C., Sink, water storage tank, drainage facility, gas pipeline, refrigerator, mixer, drying area, washing machine and social interaction areas as desirable amenities.
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Figure 3: Kitchen is regarded as a private space and hence placed in the house layout so that someone passing by the house can’t peek into the lady cooking in the kitchen.

Stainless steel is widely used in all products from utensils, racks to cupboards due to the long maintenance free life.

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Figure 4: A large part of kitchen space is consumed in storing water in vessels.


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 Figure 5: No demarcation between spaces exist as every space is multi-purpose.



















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 Figure 6: Bathing and washing space is combined and usually each house has this space. Toilet blocks are usually not present in the house due to various reason, one of them being non-availability of sewage disposal system.

All the houses have very poor ventilation due to lack of any windows.







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Figure 7: Use of tiles and kadappa shelves is widespread due to its low cost and maintenance.

Richer neighborhoods are usually smaller in size, have higher rent and larger number of amenities at home since the dwellers serve a more premium market. The slum houses are also rented out to students.
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Key Insights
  • The slums present a very efficient volume space utilization
  • Maximization in the mantra rather than optimization
  • Modularity of space utilization is very high. The modularity is both in terms of 3D volume modularity and time - dependant modularity.
  • The private space is minimal and social space is maximum.
  • The essential and desirable needs and wants of the slum dwellers are very different. A TV, refrigerator and music system are essential whereas a toilet is desirable.
  • Identification of socio-economic-cultural triggers to community participation is very important to ensure community participation.
  • Spending capacity of slum dwellers is not very low. Hence backup of a strong micro-finance system can further boost their capacity.
  • Slum redevelopment is an option but it is not acceptable to the slum dwellers because of high maintenance cost of new buildings, political issues and skepticism towards the intent of builders.
  • Slum improvement appears as a more acceptable option