Slum Redevelopment in India: Social, Political and Economic Dimensions through the Lens of the Mumbai SRA Model
A Short Primer 1. Introduction Slum redevelopment in India occupies a contentious space at the intersection of urban planning, real estate economics, community rights, and political negotiation. With nearly 65 million people living in informal settlements across Indian cities, the question of how to rehabilitate slum communities is not merely one of constructing built structures—it is about reshaping lives, livelihoods, and identities. The Mumbai model, driven by the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971 and institutionalized through the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), has emerged as the most influential framework for redevelopment across Indian cities. While often hailed for its ability to mobilize private capital to provide “free housing” to slum dwellers, the model raises significant concerns regarding community consent, knowledge asymmetry, political patronage, and vulnerability of resettlers. 2. The Mumbai Model: A Bri...
