A Sustainability Evaluation of Slum Rehabilitation Authority Housing Development at Nanapeth, Pune, India

Abstract

This article presents a sustainability evaluation of the in-situ rehabilitation of Nanapeth’s slum-dwellers in Pune, India. The first Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project in the city has been visited five years after initial occupation to assess the impact of the new housing upon the residents and development planning policy. The influence and design of the private developer’s delivery model upon the upgrading sustainability has been investigated via stakeholder perception. The top down approach delivered at Nanapeth has resulted in a financially sustainable scheme which has also enabled urban regeneration in a previous slum area. The project could benefit from a more socially conscious design and implementation. Appropriate building design and building services supply & management have been highlighted by stakeholders as areas for improvement. Residents have expressed disappointment with the impact the housing has had on community cohesion and lifestyle despite benefitting from being re-housed in-situ with no separation from livelihoods and amenities. The residents’ sense of ownership and pride has been limited due to a lack of participation, financial contribution and communication between the development team and residents. This early SRA project has resulted in positive lessons learned which have beneficially impacted newer housing projects in the city. The long term impact of Transfer Development Rights brought about by SRA private development schemes further enforces the need for coordinated infrastructure and master planning for Pune. [Formula: see text]