Is community design the answer to India’s housing woes?

A democratic process that weaves in inclusivity in terms of conception and implementation is a key way in which, community design can make a difference

The history of community design in India can be traced back to the evolution of our housing system. While architects largely helm these projects, the communities for whom these are being built play an equally important role in the realisation of these projects. Most significantly, architect Charles Correa’s work with the Belapur Housing project in Navi Mumbai during the 1980s is still considered a benchmark in modern, affordable, community housing for a densely populated locality. Usually a result of collaborations between various stakeholders such as architects, the government and even non-profit organisations, community design comes in handy in the Indian context where projects such as slum rehabilitation, disaster relief or housing for backward communities are of utmost priority.

Take the example of the Sanjaynagar Slum Redevelopment Project in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, that saw Mumbai-based social design and architecture studio Community Design Agency (CDA) work in tandem with the Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation to build sustainable, climate-resilient housing for 298 families under the central government’s Housing for All scheme. The approach involved making the community a key part of the planning and execution of the projects, which in this case, saw CDA work with the families when they objected to the agency’s plans. “When the families were reluctant to accept G+2 (ground-plus-two storeyed) buildings and wanted everyone to get a home on the ground floor, the design team shared with the residents, model blocks and a map, asking them to try and fit all the houses without stacking the blocks. When after two hours the residents were unable to fit all the homes, they themselves understood why it was necessary to build two-storeyed buildings,” recounts Sandhya Naidu, founder and managing director of CDA, a team comprising professionals such as architects, engineers and community planners.

Working towards democratising access to safe but effective housing design, CDA mobilises its network within the segments of architecture, design, engineering, financing and social service to take up community housing projects for the marginal communities in order to create safe spaces, albeit with the help of community design. In a chat with The Established, Naidu tells us more about community design in India and navigating the challenges that come with it. 

What are the tenets of community designing in India and how does CDA navigate them? How can government policies be changed to make them more community-friendly?

It is important to understand that the value or the capacities of those living on the margins of society is not limited to their earning capabilities, financially, but also their social capital built over decades of co-existing–both facing challenges and celebrating during good times together. Social capital and social infrastructure are two of the most robust sources of comfort in informal settlements, critical to the residents' survival. As a result, slum neighbourhoods collectivise and develop a strong social fabric over a period of time, making for culturally and economically vibrant and resilient communities. 

We adopted the Housing For All policy by approaching slum redevelopment as community-building and developed a process to co-create alongside the residents as equal stakeholders and the ultimate end-users. 

We created processes and designed them in a way that deepens the social fabric, ensuring that these communities stay together while being given the opportunity to transform their neighbourhoods into robust and healthy places of living and thriving. 

The design and construction of a Sanjayngar slum in Ahmednagar was implemented through a participatory and community-led process. With our social partner Snehalaya, we worked alongside the residents to tap into the robust social capital and social infrastructure inherent in informal communities, using it to co-create safe, healthy spaces to live, work and play. 

In addition to tapping into the inherent social cohesion, it was equally critical to address the financial framework to redevelop slums into healthy, safe and even more vibrant communities. We brought in a blended finance model bringing in community contribution, government subsidy, philanthropic capital and CSR. For future projects, social impact investments will play a role in scaling this process across thousands of slum communities.  

What are some of the challenges of community design and how can they be overcome?

One of the major challenges is to help all stakeholders, including municipalities, developers and one’s holding power realise that in order to design and build inclusive cities, it is crucial to involve communities on the margins in all decision-making processes. This helps build ownership for future cities that are equitable and provide equal opportunities for all. We are 360-degree collaborators–from slum dwellers to financiers to municipal authorities to governments to local NGOs. We use participatory tools to foster understanding, alignment and mutual benefit between diverse constituents and stakeholders. For example, we facilitated visits to relevant housing projects for the officials from the Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation as well as the residents of Sanjaynagar to build consensus.

Can you give us examples of case studies to show the success of community design in India?

There are several organisations working over India with community-led design. SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association) is a well-known organisation that initiated women-led initiatives, especially to help rebuild their homes to be safe and healthy. Hunnarshala, based in Bhuj, has done some incredible work centered around participatory and inclusive design, be it engaging the city to address public spaces in the market areas to construction of homes after the earthquake in 2001. We collaborated with Hunnarshala on the concept design for the Sanjaynagar project as well. 

How can community design incorporate the ideas of inclusivity, sustainability, climate change and urban planning? 

Sustainability and climate resiliency can be incorporated in the design of the buildings itself. Focusing on natural lighting and ventilation to provide passive cooling reduces the household’s dependence on electricity consumption. Using local construction material and resources reduces the carbon footprint one incurs in the construction process. Rainwater harvesting and solar lighting are other elements that can easily be added to the reimagined neighbourhood, making the lives of the residents more sustainable. An integrated approach to architecture, landscape and sustainability is key to ensure that the redevelopment is not only environment-friendly but also one that caters to healthy and easily maintainable spaces.

Also Read: Can Jamavar be used to create a rug? The Obeetee X Valaya collab proves so

Also Read: 10 vibrant architecture and interior design powerhouses in India

Also Read: Mizoram-based design studio Lapâr Clothing is reviving the traditional puan