The Right to the City

Vidyadhar K. Phatak

Presented at The 21st Century Indian City: Developing an Agenda for

Urbanization in India

March 23, 2011

1

Fundamental Rights

Indian Constitution bestowed fundamental rights to citizens.

– to move freely throughout the territory of India

– to reside and settle in any of the territory of India

– to practise any profession or to carry on any profession trade or business

2

Economic Outcome

3 30 60% of Area % of

Population% of Income

3

Living Outcome

4

Living Outcome

5

Living Outcome

6

Living Outcome

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Rights of CITYzens

Right to• Safe drinking water• Sanitation• Safe pedestrian movement• Education – schools – playgrounds• Primary health care• Safe environment• Minimum shelter

8

How to ensure Rights?

• Control urbanization, India lives in villages

• Control city size distribution – disperse manufacturing, promote small and medium cities

• Town planning regulations, building codes, enforcement

9

How to ensure Rights

• Impose rent control

• Acquire land by paying ‘amount’ instead of ‘compensation’

• Impose urban land ceiling

• Public housing

10

How to ensure Rights?

• Create financial intermediaries– HUDCO / NHB / IDFC / IIFCL

– TNUDF / MUINFRA

• Induce ULBs to access capital market through Municipal Bonds or Pooled Finance (USAID)

• Access World Bank / IDA / DIFID funds

• Induce reforms through funding infrastructure

11

Who should deliver?

74th Constitutional Amendment in 1992

– State Finance Commissions

– Metropolitan Planning Committees

– Municipalities

– Ward Committees

– Area sabhas

12

Who actually delivers?

• Fund led reforms driven by national government

• State governments act

• Local governments follow

13

Rights to the City?

14

Thank you

15