‘Let the people of Dharavi decide’

Maria Kantz and other artistes, who have travelled cities across the world — Sao Paulo, Manila and Rio de Janeiro to name a few — to understand the concept of informal settlements like Dharavi, are in Mumbai with an exhibition called Informal Cities. Additionally, Kantz has co-edited a book, which gives an insight into the lives of the people in Dharavi and asks the government to “engage with them.” In a meeting with DNA, Kantz says that what happens in Dharavi makes an impact on the rest of the world.

What’s your take on the redevelopment plan the government has drawn up for Dharavi?
It's sad that it's felt that high rises will help solve the space issue in Dharavi, whereas it will make the place even more cramped. I don't think it's a good plan at all. Usually, you would assume that if you make a high-rise, you gain space. But every high rise needs a lot of surface space around the building. Then there's parking area and you need elevators, which again take up space. Instead of making newer, taller buildings, the government should focus on making the existing space more organic and organised; more livable for the people.

Take Sao Paulo for example. The informal places of living there were replaced with high-rises. And now, that part of the city has almost been abandoned. No one wants to live there because the place is just not the same anymore. I’m not saying Dharavi should never change because all places evolve over time, but the government should make sure that the changes that take place make life easier for the people than the other way round.

How can the government do that?
Firstly, you need to involve the people in Dharavi in the redevelopment plans. Believe me, they have some really great ideas on how to redevelop the place. The government should, on the other hand, make sure that the people are provided with basic infrastructure and amenities like water supply, sanitation etc. Let's not forget that the place, as it exists now, has been planned by the residents themselves. And every resident of Dharavi has access to a school, hospital, worship place and market within walking distance. Additionally, they have commercial spaces where they get to earn a livelihood. Now how much better planning and development can you get than that?

Does the Swedish government have to deal with such informal clusters?
Oh yes. Years back, there were a lot of slums in Sweden. Around the Second World War, there was money coming into the country and suddenly there was scope for development. But the Swedish government realised that by taking away what was already existent, they would affect the heart of the city. They instead ensured that people living in these areas got toilets, water and other amenities.

Additionally, people were given a choice between staying and relocating. So people could rent alternate spaces, or the government gave them loans at a subsidised rate with which they could buy alternate housing. What happened is that the people felt  felt important because they were given a choice and didn't have to just follow a diktat. I think it's important that the government here asks the people — 'what do you want?'

There seems to be romanticism among foreigners concerning Dharavi.
Yes, Slumdog Millionaire is hugely responsible for that. But then again, Dharavi has that quality about it. I remember when I first came to Dharavi, I stood over the place and was astounded by what I saw. In fact, people in every city of the world are connected to the place in some way or the other. Every part of the world has something that has been made by workers in Dharavi. So everything that happens here impacts the rest of the world, in whatever small way, but it does.

 (The exhibition, Informal Cities, is on at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralay till Nov 8, from 11 to 6.30)