Lecture Notes: Exploring Dharavi, India's Largest Slum

Introduction to Dharavi

• Context: Transition from celebrating British homes to exploring India's largest slum, Dharavi
• Contrasting Views: Perceived as a "hellhole" due to poor sanitation, disease, and contaminated water, yet praised for community spirit, employment, and low crime
• Western Perspective: Suggestion that Western societies have much to learn from the community structures of Dharavi

Dharavi's Living Conditions

• First Impressions: Author initially overwhelmed by the sight and conditions
• Basic Amenities: Lack of proper sanitation, open sewers, and contaminated water are common
• Population Density: Nearly a million people living within a square mile
• Community Life: Despite harsh conditions, a strong sense of community and shared space

Journey into Dharavi

• Guided Exploration: Rajesh, a local guide, helps navigate the complex and uncharted slum
• Living Arrangements: Rajesh's family shares a 12x12 foot home with multiple family members
• Daily Routines: Water is rationed, and daily chores such as washing are communal activities

Economic Activity

• Informal Economy: Numerous unregistered factories producing a variety of goods
• Thrive Despite Chaos: High employment despite lack of regulations and taxes
• Entrepreneurship: Example of Mubeen Shaikh, a self-made millionaire in Dharavi's informal economy

Social and Cultural Observations

• Paradoxes: A mix of squalor and success, poverty and happiness
• Social Spaces: Flexible use of space, such as mosques doubling as streets
• Community Events: Communal living is enhanced by neighborhood gatherings and festivals
• Safety and Crime: Surprisingly low crime rates, contributing to a sense of safety

Challenges and Criticisms

• Health Risks: Exposure to diseases like diphtheria, TB, and typhoid due to poor sanitation
• Child Labor: Observations of children working in harsh conditions
• Living Conditions: Author reflects on the intense communal living and lack of privacy

Reflections and Conclusion

• Reconsidering Slums: Dharavi challenges traditional notions of slum as purely negative
• Lessons for the West: The community and economic resilience offer lessons for urban planning
• Future Concerns: Rising property prices and potential redevelopment threats to displace residents

These notes encapsulate the main themes, observations, and reflective insights from the exploration of Dharavi, offering a nuanced perspective on life in one of the world's largest slums.