Slums

Q&A to Slums and its Formation

1.      Mention the causes of slum formation. (Nov 2014 5m)

-          Write the various causes of slums in town. (May 2015 5m)

-          Mention the causes of growth of slum. (May 2013 5m)

-          What are the main causes of slum formation? (May 2011 5m)

Ans:     Following are the main causes for the formation of slums:

1)      Industrialization: The slums may be said to be direct evil result from industrialization. The labour class working in the factories generally make their living as near as possible to the place of work. Their income are low and cannot afford daily travelling from faraway places in the city. Hence they occupy the land available or the open spaces nearby build their house without proper planning. This gives rise to the formation of slums.

2)      Improper use of land: If the land allotted for residence are used for industries or vise-versa, the slums may be formed.

3)      Migrants: The labour class people migrating into cities from surrounding rural areas may occupy, usually illegally, the vacant or empty places. Such colonies or squatters may result in formation of slums.

4)      Lack of zoning: If the town is not divided into suitable zones and development is allowed to take place randomly, the slums may be created.

5)      Lack of education: If the poor people are lacking in education, they may not pay attention to improve the living conditions.

6)      Economic conditions: The main causes of slum formation are poverty, unemployment and growth of population. It will be difficult for them to afford a decent place on rent, thus they move to slum areas.

7)      Repair & Maintenance: If cheap houses, constructed by the land owner for the purpose of collection of rents, are not properly maintained, the condition will lead to formation of slums.

8)      Decentralization: The rich and middle class people move out to the extended portion of the town and thus, the poor people are left unattended in the overcrowded central area of the city.

9)      Inadequate powers: If the local authority concerned does not have adequate powers to control the development of town, the slums may be formed.  

2.      What are the effects of slums in towns? (Nov 2014, May 2009 5m)

-          Explain the effects of slums on town life. (Nov 2013 5m)

-          Explain briefly the effects of slums on town life. ( May 2013 5m)

-          Explain the effects of slums. (Nov 2011 5m)

Ans:     The some of the effects of slums are listed as follows:

1)      Unhealthy conditions are created due to absence of public facilities like water supply, drainage, sanitation and electricity, etc.

2)      The inhabitants of slums are easily attacked by various types of diseases.

3)      There is complete absence of social and cultural life.

4)      The slum dweller develops low moral character and he is easily attracted to petty crime and illegal activities such as drugs and smuggling, etc.

5)      The overcrowding area is full of noise, smoke and congestion.

6)      The slums disturbs the appearance of the town.

7)      There is always danger of accidents due to overcrowding.

8)      It is not possible to work peacefully in slums because of poor living standards.

9)      All the open areas are being occupied, there is no open space for recreation, pure air, etc.

10)  A slum dweller loses his ambition, civic interest as well as neighbourhood spirit.

3.      What are the characteristics of a slum in a town? (Nov 2013, Nov 2011, May 2010 5m)

Ans: Following are the characteristics of a slum in a town,

1)      Appearance: The slum area gives an ugly look and speaks of its bad conditions.

2)      Hazard: Environment of slum may be the cause of various hazards like fire, flood, health, etc.

3)      Health and sanitation: The people of slum have poor health for which poor sanitation, poor air-circulation, and poor penetration of sunlight due various obstructions are responsible.

4)      Low income: Generally, slum people belong to low-income group and they cannot afford living in better houses.

5)      Morals: Slum people have low morale, these people also get involved in immoral works which cannot give a healthy teaching to their children.

6)      Density of population: Slums have high density of population which gives mental and physical discomforts to man.

7)      Way of living: In slums, way of living is poor due to poor social interactions, poverty and evils.

8)      Improper use of land: Due to shortage of space, the open area is converted to living area and even some times encroachment of roads takes place.

9)      Industrialization: Due to industrialization number of migrants will increase.

10)  Economic conditions and education: Due to poverty slum dwellers are unable to educate their children.

11)  Imbalance of surrounding conditions: The various conditions of slum are responsible to destroy the landscape and imbalance of ecology of place.

12)  Power of local authorities: Local authorities escape from exercising their power to handle slum due to unnecessary interference of political people.

4.      Write the preventive measures taken for slum formation in a town. (May 2015 5m)

-          Explain briefly the measures to be taken to prevent slum formation. (May 2013 5m)

Ans: The following are the preventive measures adopted to prevent formation of slums:

1)      The authorities should make provision for healthy conditions of living and working.

2)      The subsidized cheap housing in sufficient number should be provided for labour class people.

3)      The authorities should enforce the law that the employers should provide better housing facilities for their workers.

4)      The authorities should have power to control the rents under “Rent Restriction Act”.

5)      The sub-standard and unauthorized construction should be avoided and strict action should be taken against the contractor.

6)      Proper wages should be provided to the labours to improve their standard of living.

7)      The labourers should be properly educated to take care of health, cleanliness and general welfare of their families.

8)      It is possible to check the growth of slums by carrying out effective social education of the slum dwellers.

5.      Briefly explain the slum clearance. What are the main objects of taking up slum clearance programme. (Nov 2010, Nov 2011 5m)

-          Briefly explain different methods of slum clearance. (Nov 2011 5m)

-          Explain the two methods of slum clearance. (May 2013, Nov 2009 5m)

-          Write a note on slum clearance & rehousing. (May 2010 5m)

Ans: The main objects of taking up slum clearance programme are as follows,

Ø  To bring down the disparity in the standard of living

Ø  To prevent the occurrence of epidemics in the town or city

Ø  To provide basic amenities for healthy living

Ø  To remove the ugly spots and slums from the map of the town.

The following are the two methods of slum clearance,

1)      Complete removal method: In this method congestion area may be completely cleared out of the existing locality.

Ø  The ill-constructed houses are demolished and only those which are really good are retained.

Ø  Transit camps in the form of temporary buildings near the slum areas should be constructed to accommodate those dishoused in the process of slum clearance.

Ø  The areas thus cleared up may be used for widening of roads, providing recreation grounds or building new houses of approved standards.

Ø  The population should be provided with amenities such as water supply, drainage, sanitary arrangements, electricity, gas, etc.

Ø  The slum clearance, by this method, proves to be costly. 

2)      Improvement method:

Ø  The slums are due to poor drainage system and unhealthy conditions. Hence the drainage arrangement is modified and improved.

Ø  Public utility services like water, electricity, drainage, gas may be provided in the affected area.

Ø  If the houses are fairly good, certain steps such as improvement of the street system, modifications of drainage arrangement, etc. may be taken up to implement slum clearance scheme.

Ø  Low portions of the old slums like ditches, or swamps may be filled up and then the existing roads may be widened.

Ø  With proper planning and improvement works it is possible to make the slums slightly more habitable at the minimum cost.

  

6.      What are the methods of slum improvements? (5m)

-          What is meant by works of improvement in slum area? (5m)

Ans: The important points to be carefully considered in slum clearance or improvement project are as follows,

1)      Transit camps: A form of semi-permanent or temporary building are constructed in some other parts of the town to accommodate such person’s temporary till their new houses are built.

2)      Legal aspects: The legal aspects include publication and circulation of the slum clearance project, acquisition of lands, compensation of acquired land, arrangements for the evicted population, etc.

3)      Amenities: The public utility services such as water, drainage and electricity should be made adequate for the affected area.

4)      Unauthorized persons: To arrest the unauthorized persons who take advantage during the transit period. And an identity   

Reference:

·         Town Planning by Rangwala. Published by Charotar, 24^th edition; 2011.

·         Town Planning text book by H.S. Vishwanath, Published by Sapna book house, 2^nd revised and enlarged edition; 2014.