Shaping [Re]settlement Ecologies: From repressive and neglected to inclusive and responsive citizenship in Mumbai.

Human settlements have evolved and transformed exponentially to cope with the needs, desires and aspirations of human beings. Inversely, these settlements continue to influence the physical, social and psychological well being of human beings who dwell and interact with it. The selective linking of favourable spaces through visible and invisible infrastructures, is simultaneously plowing the fields of human settlements to distance and disconnect local spaces and people. The process of [re]settlement, caused due to involuntary displacement of communities, has been a means to geographical and psychologically segregate previously marginalized citizens in Mumbai. The concentration of the [re]settlement initiatives in Mumbai is a distortion, one that is built through a repetitive process of dispossession, that continually ruptures communities. While the built form of the settlements should ideally represent its content and function, all of which are much more important than the form itself, the container of the initiatives fails to capture and reflect the needs and desires of its inhabitants. This built form is thus a manifestation of the violent ecologies that is magnified through the process of [re]settlement, which in turn prolongs the initiation to co-produce an environment in solidarity. Hence, how can the process of resettlement be shaped in order to alleviate socio-economic, spatial and environmental segregation of marginalised communities?

To productively disrupt the nuances of the process, there are two distinct paths that can be explored within the dimensions of [re]settlement. One which radically resists the process of displacement and resettlement in far off locations, by realising alternatives to rehabilitate the communities within their existing contexts. While, the second path is to recognize the ongoing process of [re]settlement, along with its complexities, in order to shape it in a way that benefits both, the governing agencies and the communities at threat. Path two, not only opens up the possibilities to engage with past, present and future initiatives at the same time, but at the same time provides an opportunity to question its relevance in future. Given the scale and urgency at which [re]settlement initiatives are being employed, this thesis acknowledges the process by collaborating with local organizations in Mumbai. My practice, thereby aims to critically engages with this urban process to situate a scenario that alleviate socio-economical and spatial segregation of marginalised communities, rather than one that enforces an ecology of repression and neglect.

In a sincere attempt to humanize the existing mechanisms, my practice indulges in three different interventions: the Deep Map, the Listening Archive and the Youth Program. In order to holistically address the convoluted process of [re]settlement, the multidimensional interventions are built on both, the understanding of what it means to be resettled and the factors governing the socio-cultural, economical and environmental conditions of the human settlements.

The above figure illustrates the nuances of the process of [re]settlement on being productively disrupted through collaborative multi-dimensional interventions.

The aim of Deep Map is to visualize the macro factors of the [re]settlement initiatives, that influences the ecologies of the given locations. This online, interactive map will serve as a tool for governing agencies, local organisations, activists and the beneficiaries to make informed decisions and to set criterias for the selection of a location for [re]settlement.

The Listening Archive is diagrammatic compilation of observations, experiences and reflections of the inhabitants of the existing resettlement initiatives, which were documented through extensive conversations and interactions over a period of two month in 2015. On realising the depth and relevance of the Listening Archive, SPARC, India intends to use it as a tool not only to negotiate with the governing agencies to influence future initiatives, but also to engage with the existing initiatives to create meaningful spaces. The sudden transition from horizontal to vertical settlements, along with added responsibilities and concerns is an astonishing leap of faith, a rupture that needs care and time to heal.

Designed to assist the beneficiaries in the initial phase of transition, the temporary [6 to 8 months] post [re]settlement Youth Program has a threefold objective: i. Provide guidance to cope with changes in everyday activities within the settlements. ii. Instigate interaction and collaboration among the younger generation. iii. Provide a framework for horizontal transfer of knowledge across generations.

Operating at three dimentions of the scenario my practice attempts to engage with the complex ecologies of the process of resettlement which influence the everyday life of the everyday people.

Project Links:

The aim of deep mapping [re]settlement in Mumbai is to bring forth the macro contextual factors of existing and proposed resettlement locations that affects the everyday life of the inhabitants.[i.] This online, interactive map aims to be a tool for local organisations, activists and the beneficiaries to set criterias and to make informed decisions in relation to the selection of locations for [re]settlement. By visualizing the macro factors that influences the ecologies of the given locations, the map brings forth the urgency to address different aspects of vulnerability, that should be considered during such a life transforming process.

The identified vulnerability factors can be classified as: Environmental, Social and Economical. The Environmental factors such as the nature and composition of the geographical terrain, proximity to protected areas [Coastal regulation Zones: deltas, ,mangroves and so on. The Social factors can further be classified into two, one which includes proximity to hazardous locations such as dumping grounds, Nuclear reactor and industries, while the other is access to civic amenities and basic services, the impact of [re]settlem through oral histories. The Economical factors can be measured in relation to pre and post resettlement locations, the distance between the two, proximities to affordable transportation systems and the availability of economic opportunities near the resettled location. By illustrating the three factors the deep map intendants to highlight the formation of a restricted geography, one that leads to clustering of previously segregated and marginalized communities. The concentration of existing and proposed [re]settlement projects is clearly evident through the visualization. Further the concentration of theses settlements in far off locations is leading to geographical segregation of communities which primarily have been socially and culturally segregated.

[i.] “Deep maps are finely detailed, multimedia depictions of a place and the people, buildings, objects, flora, and fauna that exist within it and which are inseparable from the activities of everyday life. These depictions may encompass the beliefs, desires, hopes, and fears of residents and help show what ties one place to another. A deep map is a way to engage evidence within its spatio-temporal context and to provide a platform for a spatially-embedded argument.” - David Bodenhamer, John Corrigan, Trevor Harris, "Deep Maps and Spatial Narratives", (Indiana University Press, 2015)

The deepmap will be populated in two phases i) distance mapping by May 2016 and ii) on field mapping by January 2016. Both the phases have different lenses to examine the contextual factors and its consequences on the afterlife of the resettled population.

Phase one: maps the macro factors that influences the ecologies of the [re]settlement initiatives.

i) place of origin.

ii)[re]settlement locations

iii)The flows of inhabitants from pre to post [re]settlement. By mapping the flows on a macro dimension one can comprehend the movement of all the displaced inhabitants from different parts of the city to far off locations in the suburbs of the city.

iv)Salt Pans

v)Proximity of [re]settlement projects to hazardous locations like petrochemical industries, oil refineries, active dumping grounds and nuclear power plant and treacherous environmental locations like delta/marshy lands, mangroves, floodplains and Coastal Regulation Zones. The location of the [re]settlement projects puts the inhabitants and the future generations in a vulnerable condition.

Phase two [post December 2016] will focus on humanizing the occurances in phase one to holistically understand the particularities and its implications. Mapping done in phase one will be used as a tool to instigate further conversations and collaborations to bring forth the environmental and social justice lens.

i)Civic services such as public schools, hospitals, transportation hubs, community assets like open spaces and subsidised grocery stores. Disruption of access to the above amenities makes the inhabitants precarious and fragile to cope with the trauma of displacement will be mapped on further ground research. The sudden disruption uproots the inhabitants from a stable system into a highly undesirable human settlement, which sets the stage of stabilization at a much lower point than before.

ii)Interviews of inhabitants, community leaders, local doctors, environmentalists and activists.

Shibani Jadhav is a designer, researcher and an urban practitioner from India. She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Design and Urban Ecologies at Parsons The New School. Her practice engages with urban processes that shapes the ecologies of everyday lives, to create scenario that uphold inclusion within lived environments. Shibani enjoys travelling, web mapping and running.

For more information, suggestions or collaboration please get in touch via email: jadhavshibani@gmail.com