Harshita Vishwa

UM4003-4

Housing For Economically Weaker Section (EWS)

The Urban Management Foundation Studio (Monsoon Semester 2024), focuses on affordable housing for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) assessment through Facility Management Framework in Ahmedabad. The study includes asset mapping, gap analysis, and proposals for housing clusters, addressing structural, safety, and governance issues. It highlights challenges such as inadequate maintenance, poor infrastructure, and security lapses. Recommendations include operational guidelines, enhancements to tender processes, and community based organizations like "Mahila Commando" for security. The project underscores the need for integrated policies, post occupancy management, and community engagement to ensure safe, durable, and inclusive housing.


Report Content

Overview of EWS Housing: A comprehensive introduction to affordable housing policies for economically weaker sections (EWS), emphasizing demand-supply gaps and critical factors influencing the housing landscape in Ahmedabad.

Mapping Affordable Housing Clusters: Detailed spatial analysis of EWS housing locations across Ahmedabad, focusing on affordability zones, demographic characteristics, and accessibility for various income groups.

Component Assessment Framework: A multidimensional evaluation of EWS housing, examining infrastructure components like drainage, power supply, and governance to assess quality and livability.

Condition of Housing Infrastructure: Insights into structural integrity, maintenance issues, and environmental challenges faced by EWS housing, with specific examples from key residential sites.

Resident Voices and Survey Insights: Highlighting the lived experiences of residents, including concerns about maintenance, governance, and dissatisfaction with existing infrastructure and facilities.

Security Asset Mapping: An in-depth review of current security measures in EWS housing, identifying gaps such as non-functional surveillance systems and the absence of access controls.

Root Causes of Security Gaps: Exploration of underlying issues affecting safety in EWS housing, including insufficient budgets, lack of emergency preparedness, and inadequate training for security personnel.

Guidelines for Post-Occupancy Maintenance: Proposing actionable steps for housing committees and residents to ensure the long-term durability, safety, and functionality of EWS housing facilities.

Enhanced Tender Documentation: Recommendations to strengthen construction quality and accountability through revised tender processes, incorporating modern technologies and periodic audits.

Mahila Commando Initiative: Introducing a community-led security model by empowering women residents to enhance safety, fight social issues, and build a sense of trust and collaboration.