Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission Research Articles

Evaluation of health impacts of the improved housing conditions on under-five children in the socioeconomically underprivileged families in central India: A 1-year follow-up study protocol.

Unacceptable housing conditions prevalent in Indian urban slums adversely affect the health of residents. The Government of India initiated the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) as a sub-mission under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), to provide basic services to the urban poor. As per the available scientific literature, the health effects of such improved housing schemes for the poor have not been studied so far in India, especially in under-five children (0–5 years old) who spend most of their time indoors. The present paper describes the protocol for a follow-up research study proposed to fill this gap. This study, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (Sanction No. 5/8-4/9/Env/2020-NCD-II dated 21.09.2021), will be conducted in Bhopal in the central Indian province of Madhya Pradesh for over 2 years. We will recruit 320 under-five children each from Group 1 (Beneficiary families residing in the houses constructed under BSUP) and Group 2 (Slum dwelling families eligible for improved housing but who did not avail of benefit). Eligible children will be recruited in the first household visit. During the same visit, we will record clinical history, examination findings and take anthropometric measurements of participants. We will also collect data regarding socio-economic-environmental parameters of the house. During subsequent monthly follow-up visits, we will collect primary data on morbidity profile, anthropometric details and medical history over 1 year. Approval for the study was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of the National Institute for Research in Environmental Health (No: NIREH/BPL/IEC/2020-21/198, dated 22/06/2020). This study will evaluate the impact of different housing conditions on the health of under-five children. Finding of this research will be beneficial in guiding future housing-related policy decisions in low- and middle-income countries.

Evaluation of User experience for Physical infrastructure in Relocation Project Under BSUP Scheme in Lucknow City

Introduction of various schemes and programmes, over past two decades highlights the thrust of government for provision of affordable housing in India. These schemes were introduced to cater the housing demand and improve basic services, provide tenure security, upgrade existing infrastructure, and create new housing units with a vision of creating a ‘Slum Free India’. It was initiated by introducing the Indra Awas Yojana in 1990 which was applicable to rural India, later by introduction of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in the year 2005, the focus shifted to urban areas.JNNURM was carried out under two sub-heads Basic Service to Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) for provision of 1.5 million houses for urban poor in 63 selected cities during 2005-2012. Lucknow city, selected as one of the mission cities was benefitted under the programme through the execution of 7 projects in 23 different areas, providing 5570 housing units along with basic services. The projects include three types of development-in-situ, relocation, and in-situ redevelopment. The paper investigates the status of physical infrastructure – water supply, sanitation, solid waste management and electricity along with the satisfaction level of beneficiaries in relocation projects. The study is carried out using an observation tool and structured interview questionnaire with beneficiaries. The findings of the paper highlight the issues related to maintenance and operation of these services and focuses on need for inclusive development in these projects.

Exploring societal participation in making cities smart

The word ‘Future’ has been synonymous to ‘Development’ for most of the people. Architects of the Nation strive for a well-developed state, where it reaches towards enhanced living conditions than the present. In this regard of development, structure of Indian government is well defined. The policies designed at central level envision the total development. These policies make the local bodies function on the same lines. They make an impression in common people’s life that there are some positive changes in the cities. These policies also mark an identity, e.g., after implementation of city Development Plans under JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru, National Urban Renewal Mission), the buses bought for BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) had become identity of this policy. The meaning of Smart Cities in India also has been interpreted by people in many ways. For cities to become smarter it needs a holistic approach in developing a sustainable urban eco system and thus the roles of various stakeholders become very important in executing this mission. Not only the investors, financial organizations, planners, architects and people in construction industry but the citizens too have role in making cities smart. People of all age, gender, ability and disability are responsible in making a city smart. Education and awareness is the key for making them aware of their participation in the process of development. This paper also mentions the role of educational institutes to make people understand the essence of development.

Revitalization Strategy for Historic Core of Ahmedabad

In India, dense historic urban settlements were developed with the intention of provision of spaces for adequate engagement of the people. Public squares and streets became important places of interaction. ‘Historic core,’ especially had public spaces meant for various socioeconomic groups. city is a blend of a harmonious past and a vivacious present. Number of historical and architecturally important buildings were built during Muslim and Moghul rules. One of the first built structures within the walled city is the fort, a citadel founded by sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 with a huge public square in front, developed for purpose of procession and gathering. This precinct went through various layers of transformation in different eras and now have become vulnerabledue to congestion and encroachment. Though, a need for intervention was felt to bring back the lost vitality of the precinct, it was realized that a comprehensive approach would be the necessity. Conservation and sensitive development approach was taken to tackle this problem through pedestrianization of the precinct, re-routing of traffic and restoration of fort. Larger level traffic and parking issues were also considered beyond the site. Alternative use of fort as tourist information center was considered. Urban design guidelines were proposed for harmonious development in the surrounding area. This proposal was considered for funding under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) and was implemented. Many issues were faced during implementation of project due to contextualization of informal commercial, religious and other cultural activities. Political, social and administrative factors also played immense role in implementation of proposal. Now since Ahmedabad has achieved the status of World Heritage City through UNESCO certification further implementation of this project will be relatively easy due to envisaged strong political and administrative support.

Implementation of Information, Education andCommunication (IEC) activities of Integrated Housing AndSlum Development program (IHSDP) under JawaharlalNehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) toaddress social determinants of health for sustainabledevelopment of underprivileged in Karnataka, India.

Background Urbanization is an index of transformation from traditional rural to modern urban economies. Even though cities and towns have a vital role in socio-economic changes in any country most of them are severely stressed in terms of infrastructure and service availability. The Government of India GOI has launched JnNURM to encourage cities to initiate steps to bring financially sustainable improvement in the existing service. IHSDP a component of JnNURM aims for holistic under privileged area development with a healthy and enabling urban environment by providing adequate shelter and basic infrastructure facilities.Objective To improve the quality of life of slum residents to increase the standard of Health Education and Community life in the slums to provide sustainable improvements in standards of living social status health and education to provide skill up-gradation increase earning potential of people living in slums and to take up health promotional programmes such as maternal and child health MCH family welfare FW and nutritional programmes.Methodology The activities were implemented in 7 slum settlements comprising a total of 707 houses distributed over four areas with 2451 beneficiaries. The survey tool was a semi structured questionnaire prepared to get the general information of the household as well as the details of individuals in each household. In each house a responsible adult member was identified and briefed about the SE survey before taking their verbal consent for the interview.Results At the successful completion of this project our impression was that for the most part the beneficiaries were satisfied with the houses and basic amenities provided by the government. The problems identified were poverty open air defecation practices indiscriminate solid waste management and lack of male participation. We found that in 256 36.21 out of 707 households all the family members were in the habit of open defecation in spite of having sanitary latrines. We sensed a lack of community ownership among the individuals hindering the government efforts.Conclusion Hence the success of such novel projects depends on the implementing agency which is committed competent in community diagnosis creativity and innovation. There should be adequate time for the project to change the behavior of the community towards the social responsibility which helps in self reliant sustainable development.nbsp

Planning a ‘slum free' Trivandrum: Housing upgrade and the rescaling of urban governance in India

This paper examines how India’s national urban development agenda is reshaping relationships between national, State and city-level governments. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, the flagship programme that heralded a new era of urban investment in India, contained a range of key governance aspirations: linking the analysis of urban poverty to city-level planning, developing holistic housing solutions for the urban poor, and above all empowering Urban Local Bodies to re-balance relationships between State and city-level governments in favour of the latter. Here, we trace Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission’s implementation in Kerala’s capital city, Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), where the city’s decentralised urban governance structure and use of ‘pro-poor’ institutions to implement housing upgrade programmes could have made it an exemplar of success. In practice, Trivandrum’s ‘city visioning’ exercises and the housing projects it has undertaken have fallen short of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission’s lofty goals. The contradictions between empowering cities and retaining centralised control embedded within this national programme, and the unintended city-level consequences of striving for Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission funding success, have reshaped urban governance in ways not envisaged within policy. As a result, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission has been important in rescaling governance relationships through three interlinked dynamics of problem framing, technologies of governance and the scalar strategy of driving reform ‘from above’ that together have ensured the national state’s continued influence over the practices of urban governance in India.

Understanding the Contribution of the BSUP (JNNURM) to Inclusive Cities in India

The Basic Services for the Urban Poor (BSUP) sub-Mission of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) sought to address the needs of some of the lowest-income and most vulnerable urban dwellers in Indian cities. The promise was that these residents would receive ‘a garland of 7 entitlements’ – security of tenure, affordable housing, water, sanitation, health, education and social security in low-income settlements in the 63 Mission cities. We researched the outcomes of the BSUP in five Indian cities (Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Pune and Visakhapatnam), which were selected because of their diversity. They presented a wide range of socio-economic contexts and economic development and also differed in the nature and extent of civil society involvement in BSUP programming. The research findings analysed outcomes of the BSUP interventions and addressed the significance of State capacities, commitments and vision for urban development for these outcomes. The analysis then considered the ‘drivers of capacity, commitment and vision’. The vision (or idea) of urban development emerged as a significant indicator of outcomes. In practice, the BSUP became a housing programme. The extent to which informal settlement upgrading was preferred over resettlement and site redevelopment with the construction of medium-rise apartments made a significant difference to the satisfaction of residents. Also important, and particularly exemplified by experiences in Pune, was willingness to work with civil society organisations, incorporating their expertise and skills. However, these were not present in all cities. Residents in Bhopal and Visakhapatnam may face particular affordability challenges due to high levels of debt incurred through participation in the BSUP. In summary, BSUP experiences and outcomes provide evidence of the significance of vision capacity and commitment. While in part these are determined by levels of economic and institutional development, they are also influenced by government willingness to collaborate with civil society agencies with appropriate experiences and skills.

Impact Assessment of Access to Basic Services for Urban Poor in Chandigarh City, India

Evidence shows that accessibility and availability of basic services such as housing, water supply, sanitation, road network and transport are essential for leading a decent life. In addition, international guidelines illustrate that the provision of basic services to the poor can help eradicate poverty too. However, since these are not readily available and accessible around world, the issue received universal recognition through the Millennium Development Goals on eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. Against this backdrop, the Government of India launched the Basic Service to Urban Poor Program (BSUP) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission as a mandatory urban poverty reform. This research paper conducts an impact assessment of BSUP in Chandigarh, India. Further, to evaluate its impact on transforming quality of life of the urban poor, both before and after circumstances have been discussed. Research findings show that much has been accomplished through targeted efforts under this program in the city by the slum dwellers gaining access to improved water sources and sanitation facilities, and proper housing. However, the agenda for poverty reduction remains unfinished and the paper makes policy recommendations for better outcomes from the BSUP.

Urban Solid Waste Management in India: Present Challenges and Future Prospects

Among various environmental problems, issue of solid waste management (SWM) is important and burning issue especially in urban India. With the rapid growth of big cities, slums, the breeding grounds of urban squalor and environmental issues, swell primarily due to increased migration of the people from the villages in search of better employment opportunities and improved standard of living. Hence, environmental issues like solid waste management is one of the bottlenecks of inclusive urban development and at the same time sustainable urban development is recognized as the primary objective that a development process. Studies also reveal that, despite various policies and programmes since independence, including recent policies like decentralization and giving more powers to urban local government bodies (ULBs) and launching of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in 2005, and other urban development programmes the situation of urban solid waste management is still not improved up to a satisfactory level due to numerous reasons. Against this background the present paper prepared with following objectives 1.To explicate and discuss the problems of solid waste management of urban India; 2. To advocate suitable policy suggestions to the problems of solid waste management of urban India. The paper is non-doctrinal and descriptive in nature and based on the secondary sources of data. The secondary sources of data were gathered from publications of various government ministries and departments, journals, books etc.

Improving Urban Infrastructure

The investment needs in basic infrastructure that determine the pace of development of cities are considerably higher than the quantum of flow of funds. The key indicators of the major urban services reveal that there is a failure to achieve even moderate success in service delivery. The components of the traditional approach to financing urban services have been grants and loans from government-owned financial institutions on basis of guarantees. The urban local bodies (ULBs) in India are weak in terms of capacity to raise both resources and financial autonomy. Given the major risks involved, private sector has also largely stayed away from urban infrastructure projects, until very recently. These have resulted in huge gap between the demand and supply of urban basic services. The present government has launched several Missions to promote urban development in the country through strict adherence to reforms to strengthen financial and governance capacities of ULBs and participating in competition at state and city levels to qualify for accessing resources apart from other grants-based missions. In this context, the article discusses the investment requirements, progress of programmatic interventions for urban development in India and their financing mechanism. The article focuses on recently completed Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and the newly launched National Urban Mission programmes.

Spatial Distribution of Urban Infrastructure Development Project under UIG Sub-mission, JnNURM in India

For the first time in India, government of India had launched Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) on 3rd December, 2005 to improve urban infrastructure facilities and housing for urban poor in 65 cities. This scheme has divided into two missions namely; (1) UIG sub-mission and (2) Basic Service to Urban Poor (BSUP) sub-mission. The UIG sub-mission is covered 11 project sectors such as water supply, water supply, waste water management, storm water and drainage, preservation of water body in urban areas, solid waste management, urban renewal, development of historical areas, urban transport. Identified of 65 cities under JnNURM had implemented different numbers of projects in different sectors of urban infrastructure development. This paper is presenting distribution of UIG projects in 65 cities across country. The research methodology was adopted from secondary data which is available to public domain.

Who’s the cleanest of them all? Sanitation scores in Indian cities

Urban India is struggling to provide adequate water and sanitation services to its citizens. Open defecation, insufficient wastewater treatment, and mixing of untreated wastewater with stormwater and drinking water supplies are contributing to a severe health and economic crisis. Recent government measures such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP) are steps in the right direction. We draw on sanitation scores awarded to 421 cities under NUSP to identify factors that explain the heterogeneity in city-level scores. Our estimates suggest the higher scores are partly a result of city location. Population is non-linearly associated with sanitation score. Consistent with recent literature, we show that increased presence of household toilets does not impact city-level sanitation outcomes. Further, smaller cities perform differently than medium and large cities, pointing to a need for customized policy prescriptions for different classes of cities, preferably designed by municipal governments.

Intrusiveness of urban renewal in India: JNNURM as a development fix

Multilateral and other donor agencies have sought for some time to intervene within systems of governance in different developing countries, as is evident through procedures that critical scholarship has termed invasive. This paper investigates an effort to reform governance of infrastructures through the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in India. Gathering data about the mission using government reports, brochures and other secondary material, this paper examines the Mission's managerial orientation and architectural novelty to highlight the intrusive depth and scope of renewal of the country's urban landscape.

Urban Development Programmes in India: A Critique of JnNURM

This article analyses the present urban development policies with a focus on the extent of equity in the delivery of basic services especially in the context of effectiveness of the programme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM). The programme was designed as a reform-linked investment mission to ensure financially sustainable development of the cities through efficient governance, better infrastructure and improved service delivery. Further, the article analyses the infrastructural investment and geographical coverage of this programme and summarises the lessons learnt and attempts to delineate a policy perspective for inclusive urban development across the country. The big city bias of the mission is very evident from the analysis. Also, the developed states and big cities could take advantage of the mission and improve their infrastructural requirements of water supply, sewerage and transportation. The spending for the urban poor declined over the years and they became partners in this programme in a very cosmetic sense. The small towns and poorer states could take little advantage of this programme because of their limited capacity to understand and implement reforms and prepare city development plans and detailed project reports which were contingent for qualifying for funds.

Urban Development and the Poor

With economic growth and increasing diversification of economic activities away from primary sector, urbanisation has been constantly expanding all over the world. This process in India has been slow, and India today is one of the least urbanised countries of the world. Dependence on agriculture for work is still very high. A typical worker in India, by tradition and habit, is a reluctant migrant. He/she moves to the city only when city needs him/her. GDP growth in India has not contributed much to growth in job opportunities. India jumped from primary to tertiary sector bypassing the growth of manufacturing against the historical experience of developed countries and of China in recent years. This has to change. With reasonable assumption about economic growth with industrial development it would be reasonable to expect an urban population of nearly 50 per cent by 2031. Across the states, India has varied experience in urbanisation, ranging from 10 per cent to nearly 60 per cent and above. Levels of urbanisation and levels of economic development of states are highly correlated. More urbanised states also show better urban governance. Situation in small towns in less developed states in most cases is quite dehumanising. Urban planning has been almost non-existent. When asked to propose city development plans (CDPs) for assistance under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), most of bigger cities propose to move from secondary sector to tertiary sector without showing much concern for implications of such movement for the urban poor. Poverty is not comparable over time with a fixed measuring rod. The urban poor suffer from a large number of vulnerabilities: residential, occupational and social. Residential vulnerabilities are the most acute. Urban poor need to be identified on the basis of these vulnerabilities. If this is done, the magnitude of urban poverty may turn out to be much larger than what the official estimates indicate.

Pricing and financing of infrastructure projects; the challenge before the indian policymakers

Ever since the economic reforms started two decades ago, India has been trying to lead the developing nations in terms of building their infrastructure. The challenge of government‟s fund constraint has been tried to put behind by allowing flow of funds from private sources with regulatory control in government own hand. However, with the global economic crisis that had knocked heavily at the doors of Indian economy too during last couple of years, it was found that developmental bottlenecks for infrastructure sector has escalated in spite of the best efforts by the government.Arranging of Debt and equity capitals are major financial investment concerns for infrastructure developers today. While studies reveal that issues like land acquisition, utility shifting, discrepancies in DPR, state support agreements, dispute resolutions are still considered to be critical for an infrastructure development projects, more recently the loose ends at the financial structures of many projects are posing as more vulnerable threats. Especially in the period of economic recession, the financial organizations have tightened their hands and as a result project cash flows are affected at halfway round. As the investment retrieval periods are going to be prolonged, the investors are facing uncertainty on their assured return. The commercial banks which had already reached their sectarian limits; still tried to backed promoters with decent track records, with clearances in place and well defined business plans. However, very few projects could achieve financial closure during past two years. The participation rates in recent biddings of PPP projects are also not encouraging, especially in Highway sector. More recently, there have been reports of NHAI favoring for moving back to the old EPC mode. Salient features of few case studies of Indian projects have highlighted that there is no project specific debt equity ratio and it may differ from project to project. Study by the authors also reveals that availability of debt in India is Sector specific and projects are still being supported with generous government grant varying upto 70% in case of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) schemes. However, the principal concern remains for retrieval of at least 20% return on the investment by the private party. A fair bidding, a robust agreement and the well planned pre-constructional activities can be beneficial to all the stack holders of the infrastructure development project. But whatever be the planning, with the complexity of multiple issues involved for choice of funds,one has to keep in mind that investments in infrastructures are non-recourse in nature. At the same time the sharing of responsibilities in a pre-framed manner proves to be successful in many occasions for the participants concerned and reflect a win-win situation for all.

Financial Problems of Developing Urban Infrastructure In India – Review and Suggestions

Growing organization is national issue. It is continuous process which will bring benefits as well as problems. Urban areas are considered as major source of contribution to economic growth. There are various reasons of urbanization but the problems like financial, infrastructural, administrative, social services and shortages in civic services are same. These problems will grow by growing urbanization. The available infrastructure in urban areas is inadequate considering the size of population and pressure of urbanization. Central Government has already started various schemes for development in urban infrastructure. It includes Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) City Development Plan (CDP) Municipal Corporation Bonds (MCM) Pool Finance Scheme and encouragement to Public Private Partnership. The infrastructure like roads, flyovers sanitation management system, burials, parking lots, gardens, prayers halls and social overhead infrastructure is essential for civic services. The inadequate infrastructure is creating social and developmental problems. There is ample scope to develop the urban infrastructure. It can build and developed through public private partnership as well as raising the finance through capital market. The sources like issuing Municipal Bonds and schemes like JNNURM are having its own limitations. Various government and non government agencies estimated the huge requirement of finance for urban infrastructure. The funding gap can be filled by using the source of capital market. Since the issue is related to national level it must be dealt at national level. The urban local bodies must financially strong. The building of infrastructure is necessary to avoid health related problems as well as to protect the environment.

Determinants of Stamp Duty Revenue in Indian States

This article exploits a panel data set from 18 Indian states over the period between 1993–1994 and 2009–2010 and identifies a set of parameters significantly affecting stamp duty revenue collection in the states. It turns out that among all the parameters, the per capita income of the state has the most significant impact on stamp duty revenue collection. The administrative reforms at the states’ stamp duty and registration departments, like introduction of franking machines and e-governance, have a positive impact on stamp duty revenue collection as well. It is found that the central government’s choice of capital gains tax rate creates an externality on stamp duty revenue collection in the states. The results are used to critically assess the policy of lowering of stamp duty rates and introducing administrative reforms as part of the Urban Reform Incentive Fund implemented by the central government since 2003–2004 (later subsumed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)). JEL Classification: H21, H71, H77, C33

The Problems of Housing: The Case of the Marginalized in the City of Bangalore, India

Deficiency in access to housing is a major manifestation of poverty. In the city of Bangalore, the poor and the marginalized constitute nearly 30 percent of the 8.47 million population (2011 Census) and are living in the nearly 640 slums in addition to squatter settlements and pavements. The city sprawls over an area of 741 sq. kms (2007 estimates) and the poor have very little access to personal living space. According to the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Program guidelines, each household with four average members should have 25 sq. meters of living space. In the case of poor of Bangalore, the attainment of even this minimum is a far cry. In recognition of this acuteness with regard to the problem of housing, the government has introduced schemes like the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and the Rajiv Awas Yojana. And these schemes have witnessed only a limited success. Whenever the problem of housing for the urban poor is considered, the state and location of slums get into focus. The people living in slums are a crucial and inevitable support to the city economy. Relocation of slum people is fraught with loss of productivity and strain on the transport system and on the incomes of the poor. Their needs like housing, schooling, health centers, creches, hospices etc. have to be provided for. Financial support to the poor with regard to their housing needs will have to be imaginatively provided by banks and related institutions.

Making sense of India's spatial plan-making practice: Enduring approach or emergent variations?

India's Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) mandated “participation” while sponsoring the development plans for 63 select cities. Whom did the planners identify and engage as “stakeholders” in so many different places responding to the same national goals and requirements? We evaluate the reports and accounts of participation within the plan documents in order to compare variations in India's plan-making practice. We classify the plan-making efforts by interpreting the variation in relation to evidence about who the planners involved and using which methods, and to what extent. Grounding the investigation in the literature of post-independence spatial planning uncovers meaningful variations from the elite driven centralized planning model, including the emergent involvement of local actors. The paper concludes with an exploration of the future implications associated with this type of transformation for practice-oriented research in urban India and other developing contexts.