Rouse Settlement:

A Glimpse of Slum Conditions


Location: Near Connaught Place between railway lines and middle income housing

Legal Status: Illegal, no long term security or hope for ownership of land

Taxable: No. Occupants are not recognized as landowners by authorities therefore no money maybe collected for rent or services.

Services Provided by the Authorities: minimal services provided for Rouse Settelement. The action that is taken here by the authorities is to prevent their responisbility of moving occupants to more secure areas.

Economic Stability: Supported by the settlements proximity to the CBD so that residents can walk to places of employment. Women walk to areas of higher income and perform domestic labor.

Political Status: Politically, residents are represented by a block vote. Within the community, a council of elders acts administratively.

Schools or Health Centers: None.

Density: 1000 people per acre housed in single storey dwellings

Use of Public Space: social activities, tethering of animals, washing, bathing, collection of waste, cooking, sleeping, and small scale commercial activity

Daily Markets: Are cheap enough for local residents and occasionally attract middle class people from neighborhoods near the settlement. General and domestic goods such as food, clothing, cigarettes, and radios are sold.


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