Integrating development needs of marginalized communities in sustainable cities : case of marginalized communities in the planned city of kharghar, Navi Mumbai

Abstract

Planned cities, like Navi Mumbai, have the potential to integrate elements of sustainability in their zoning and other components of city development plans. But sustainability cannot be restricted to environmental considerations only. Sustainability is a multi-dimensional concept that should incorporate social sustainability in form of equal opportunity and access for poor and marginalized communities. In a planned city this is possible because of the discretion and authority held by the planners. It is in this regard, that a study was conducted to understand how a planned city treats its poor and marginalized communities. The node of Kharghar, located in the planned city of Navi Mumbai, was selected for the study. A field survey was conducted to understand whether the poor and marginalized communities get equal opportunity and access to basic amenities in the city. The study found that there are highly vulnerable communities that are living without the basic amenities. The paper provides a comprehensive profile and analysis of the life of these communities. These communities engage in informal labour and thereby contribute to the economy of the city but they are not easily integrated and assimilated as formal citizens of the city. This shows a lack of integration of the development needs of these communities in the city planning and execution. The paper thereby challenges the sustainability of such a planned city and highlights the need for integration of social sustainability.