Page 73 - CIJ May 2023 Digital Edition

Different StrokeS

Slum redevelopment…with a difference

How can residential facility planners go beyond basic housing?

The people participatory planning, design and • Literacy training for residents
construction, the redevelopment of to prepare them for the
The Community Design Agency Sanjaynagar slum aims to establish formal banking system, and
(CDA) is a Mumbai-based design a new benchmark for housing for the processes and payments
studio which focuses on addressing communities living on the margins. surrounding home ownership
global social issues through a • Financial banking: Making
community-focused collaborative Comprehensive affordable housing loans
design process within underserved available and creating an
communities and addresses approach opportunity to build a credit
inequalities in the built environment. • Importance of community history
Projects completed and underway participation to maintain • Nurturing women leaders at
to date are located in communities hygiene in the premises all stages of project planning
across India. The studio uses design throughout with mutual and execution, taking on
interventions to help create dignified understanding formal leadership roles in the
places to live, learn, play and work. • Access to toilets in homes community
thus curbing the health-
The project related problems that women Progress report
The Community Design previously faced The Community Design Agency
Agency began a full-scale, in-site • Designing buildings and homes has already handed over 33
rebuilding of a slum neighbourhood through participatory design homes, and is working with the
called Sanjayagar, a part of tools remaining 265 families to design
Ahmednagar. Sanjaynagar is a • Construction of new buildings, their buildings and homes through
tight-knit and resilient community courtyards and community participatory design tools. The
of 298 families, living in slum spaces to engage with the second phase of construction will
conditions spread over just two community see the creation of 7 more buildings,
acres of municipal land. This • Access to rooftop gardens will courtyards, community spaces,
slum rehabilitation pilot housing provide spaces for the residents childcare centers and sustainability
project started in early 2018. After to cultivate fresh fruits and features like rainwater harvesting
nearly four years of intensive vegetables and solar lighting.

Before Redevelopment

Completed shots of Swapnapurti Building
CIJ

Clean India Journal•MAY 2023 73
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