he development of slum communities is mostly overlooked and not prioritized by the rest of the urban population. With the growing gap between the “haves” and “have nots” of society, the interventions by governments and social sector organizations tend to be ineffective in erasing the existing social inequalities. Dilapidated houses, unhygienic conditions, and lack of access to basic services are just a few of the concerns of the urban poor. Attaining a higher standard of living and being heard are far-fetched dreams for these communities.
The urban poor remain oppressed due to their lack of knowledge and awareness and inability to voice their concerns. The adverse effects of social inequalities are passed down to generations, trapping them in a vicious circle of poverty. Addressing these social inequalities is of utmost importance for the growth of sustainable cities. How are the existing policy interventions falling behind in achieving this? Are they sensitive to the needs of these underserved communities?
Adopting a Data-Driven Approach
In the era of rapid technological advancements and data-centric approaches, it is essential to leverage them for the betterment of the urban poor. Creating and maintaining granular-level data on slums will pave the way to building sustainable cities in this world. Unfortunately, not enough emphasis is given to spatial data on the slum communities, due to which most interventions are based on assumptions. This makes it difficult to gauge the required size of interventions and their level of impact. Data helps to design realistic, sustainable interventions that are also sensitive to the needs of the urban poor.
Prior to designing interventions, it is crucial to study the socio-economic conditions and background of the slum communities. In most cases, the municipal corporations, as well as the slum community themselves, lack accurate data. As a result of this data gap, policymakers fail to accurately evaluate the condition of the urban poor, leading to their exclusion from development interventions.
The aspirations of creating sustainable cities can be achieved through the institutionalization of data. Data should be the foundation for all interventions and must be co-created with the community. This ensures that the relevant aspects of their lives, necessities, and lived experiences are captured. Co-creation of data will also be an eye-opener for the slum communities about the effects of social inequalities on their lives and, in turn, nudge them to act on it.
For instance Shelter Associates, since its inception, has been leveraging and successfully demonstrating the impact of data-driven interventions on the slums in the cities of Maharashtra, India. Involving community volunteers in the data collection process has proved effective in understanding the needs of the community. These community volunteers are capacitated for door-to-door data collection using the latest technology. The survey data is then laid down to create granular spatial data of the slums.
It is time to move away from the traditional form of data—spreadsheets and drawings— and move on to laying down data spatially. Allocation of resources, ensuring maximum coverage of interventions, and accurate identification of gaps in amenities such as water, electricity, solid waste management and defecation practices are how spatial data can be leveraged. Spatial data is appealing and inferable to a larger audience, reducing the blindness towards the have-nots of society.
The Way Forward
Maintaining and tracking slum data provides clarity to the municipal corporations as well as the slum communities on the prevailing issues. Data should be gathered sensitively such that it resonates (captures) with the desires and aspirations of the communities. It ensures that interventions cater to the well-being of people. The clarity and transparency brought about by data instill confidence in municipal corporations and urban poor. Stakeholders can then collaborate on developing solutions while remaining committed to the cause. Constant engagement among stakeholders and the smooth implementation of interventions will provide reassurance about the effectiveness of the interventions as well as the stakeholders' relationship.
Massive financial investments by municipal corporations are required to create, maintain, and update data. Individuals ought to be informed about the power of data and the extent to which it can be leveraged. The availability of granular data will eliminate the unnecessary expenditures borne by institutions and improve resource allocation. As highlighted by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17.18, the availability of reliable, high-quality and timely data is significant for enhancing the capacity building of local and national governments. Moving forward, data should be readily available to the public free of cost, enabling a wider group of users who will be able to integrate this data as per their requirements.
a global affairs media network
Addressing Social Inequalities in Cities Through Data
A surveyor conducting a survey of a slum household in Maharashtra, India, January 15, 2022. (Photo credits: Shelter Associates team)
April 17, 2023
Rapid urbanization around the world has meant more slum communities and urban poor-but these communities are largely overlooked. Geospatially situated data-centric solutions can make slum communities more visible and easier to support, write Shelter Associates' Pratima Joshi and Gouri Panickar.
T
he development of slum communities is mostly overlooked and not prioritized by the rest of the urban population. With the growing gap between the “haves” and “have nots” of society, the interventions by governments and social sector organizations tend to be ineffective in erasing the existing social inequalities. Dilapidated houses, unhygienic conditions, and lack of access to basic services are just a few of the concerns of the urban poor. Attaining a higher standard of living and being heard are far-fetched dreams for these communities.
The urban poor remain oppressed due to their lack of knowledge and awareness and inability to voice their concerns. The adverse effects of social inequalities are passed down to generations, trapping them in a vicious circle of poverty. Addressing these social inequalities is of utmost importance for the growth of sustainable cities. How are the existing policy interventions falling behind in achieving this? Are they sensitive to the needs of these underserved communities?
Adopting a Data-Driven Approach
In the era of rapid technological advancements and data-centric approaches, it is essential to leverage them for the betterment of the urban poor. Creating and maintaining granular-level data on slums will pave the way to building sustainable cities in this world. Unfortunately, not enough emphasis is given to spatial data on the slum communities, due to which most interventions are based on assumptions. This makes it difficult to gauge the required size of interventions and their level of impact. Data helps to design realistic, sustainable interventions that are also sensitive to the needs of the urban poor.
Prior to designing interventions, it is crucial to study the socio-economic conditions and background of the slum communities. In most cases, the municipal corporations, as well as the slum community themselves, lack accurate data. As a result of this data gap, policymakers fail to accurately evaluate the condition of the urban poor, leading to their exclusion from development interventions.
The aspirations of creating sustainable cities can be achieved through the institutionalization of data. Data should be the foundation for all interventions and must be co-created with the community. This ensures that the relevant aspects of their lives, necessities, and lived experiences are captured. Co-creation of data will also be an eye-opener for the slum communities about the effects of social inequalities on their lives and, in turn, nudge them to act on it.
For instance Shelter Associates, since its inception, has been leveraging and successfully demonstrating the impact of data-driven interventions on the slums in the cities of Maharashtra, India. Involving community volunteers in the data collection process has proved effective in understanding the needs of the community. These community volunteers are capacitated for door-to-door data collection using the latest technology. The survey data is then laid down to create granular spatial data of the slums.
It is time to move away from the traditional form of data—spreadsheets and drawings— and move on to laying down data spatially. Allocation of resources, ensuring maximum coverage of interventions, and accurate identification of gaps in amenities such as water, electricity, solid waste management and defecation practices are how spatial data can be leveraged. Spatial data is appealing and inferable to a larger audience, reducing the blindness towards the have-nots of society.
The Way Forward
Maintaining and tracking slum data provides clarity to the municipal corporations as well as the slum communities on the prevailing issues. Data should be gathered sensitively such that it resonates (captures) with the desires and aspirations of the communities. It ensures that interventions cater to the well-being of people. The clarity and transparency brought about by data instill confidence in municipal corporations and urban poor. Stakeholders can then collaborate on developing solutions while remaining committed to the cause. Constant engagement among stakeholders and the smooth implementation of interventions will provide reassurance about the effectiveness of the interventions as well as the stakeholders' relationship.
Massive financial investments by municipal corporations are required to create, maintain, and update data. Individuals ought to be informed about the power of data and the extent to which it can be leveraged. The availability of granular data will eliminate the unnecessary expenditures borne by institutions and improve resource allocation. As highlighted by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17.18, the availability of reliable, high-quality and timely data is significant for enhancing the capacity building of local and national governments. Moving forward, data should be readily available to the public free of cost, enabling a wider group of users who will be able to integrate this data as per their requirements.
