Slums and that

In the General Public Agency Book there is a project in India which talks about slum networking. It’s a concept which uses natural drainage paths in cities to transport water and waste and recognizing that many slums are built in lower parts of the city near water courses. The system uses gravity rather than pumps and does not require deep excavation, therefore being cheap. The main part of this project, as I see it however, is that the city recognizes the residents and their homes as places to be networked and thus treats them with the same respect as richer citizens. Every home is given a toilet and running water.

“gaining working infrastructure of a standard equivalent gives slum dwellers the incentive to improve their own homes”

“after only five years, the former slum area… is indistinguishable from the ‘normal’ neighbourhood.”

Another infrastructure led scheme is being created by a UK based charity called ‘Hope Through Action’. It has recently started a project in Mbekwini, a poor township in South Africa, which is hoping to help all sorts of social problems. It’s aims are:

• An increase in awareness of HIV/AIDs and its prevention
• A growing self belief in individuals and the community
• A significant increase in individuals’ health and self esteem
• An increase in community pride and participation
• An opportunity for different communities and racial groups to work and play together in harmony
• A reduction in crime and unacceptable behaviours

It hopes to do this through the seemingly irrelevant act of building a football stadium in the township. It has been the product of a lengthy collaboration between the UK charity and the South African locals and throughout, decisions about the design, building and running of the stadium have all had input from the South African side of the relationship.

The interesting similarities of the projects are that they are both use simplistic forms of intervention to create a massive change. The India Networking project uses the lands natural topographic waterways to create a cheap and lasting infrastructure and the Football Stadium uses creating a shared space as a way of creating civic pride whilst the recreational activity gets young men (the key ‘problem’ demographic) ‘off the streets’ and is also a good platform for educating about health issues (the educating would be undertaken by local authorities). Both projects also utilize the local knowledge and listen to their needs and wants- this creates a lasting system which wont fade when the battery runs out, or the designer goes home- it becomes self sufficient and relevant.

I think that systems are more effective and appropriate in these slum areas- their aims are not to impose but to give people the tools to help themselves. Clever planning and good communications and collaborations will always work better than a quick fix.

India images and quotes: Clare Cumberlidge & Lucy Musgrave, Design and Landscape for People: New Approaches to Renewal, Thames & Hudson, 2007

Bullet Points: http://www.unitedutilities.com/?OBH=5674

HTA logo: mine under development