Evaluating alternatives for housing India's urban poor : design studies, model and application in Ahmedabad

Abstract

The study evaluates the three alternatives identified by the (National) Planning Commission for housing the Urban Poor in India: Upgrading, site and services, and housing. The basis for evaluation is the relationship of the cost of development to the cost of each of the components in development and the number of beneficiaries. The framework for evaluation is proposed as a model to assist: 1 ) Project designers to identify the relative importance of the various design parameters in development and to indicate quickly to the concerned agencies the impact of standards and regulations, 2) State and local agencies to determine the affordable standards, and 3) Allocation of available National resources by choosing affordable alternatives for housing the urban poor. The application of the model is illustrated for Ahmedabad. Conclusions are drawn from the application and for a specific set of assumptions. The assumptions governing the values assigned to the parameters of the model are based on case studies and design studies for three low-income settlements in Ahmedabad.