title:
Restructuring India's Informality: A Cultural Approach to the Future of Settlement
creator:
Vrajesh Patel
subject:
Architecture and culture; Poverty, India; Squatter settlements; Human settlements, India, Ahmedabad, Designs and plans
description:
Informality, who is to say there is a correct definition for this word. Arewe living in informality? Architecturally speaking, we as humankind all livein partial informality whether we know it or not. So why do we representpeople who live in underdeveloped areas in third world countries to becategorized as informal settlements. Are we assuming that because theyare not living luxurious, that there is no formality to their life style? Wellthat is the incorrect way of thinking. I’m sorry.In developed nations there are all sorts of informality in design while inunderdeveloped nation there are partial formalities in design. To put thisis perspective, 70 percent of todays architecture in the world is formal.The formal is the bare bones of the building the structure and the beauty.While the other 30% is not which is the self-developed and personalizationof design. Whereas, in countries such as India, it is looked at in the totalopposite. Design in informal settlements is 70 percent informal, which isthe lack of proper bare bones, plumbing and aesthetics. While the other30 percent is formal, the culture, the personalization, the individuality, andthe community identity. So, moving forward humankind should not identifythese areas as “informal settlements” rather should just be “settlements.”India, being the second largest populated country soon to be the first within fourth to fifty years surpassing China, is well known for these segregatedareas of settlements. What people don’t know is why these areas are lacking the improvement of that 70 percent. Well, to address this, its partiallybecause the Indian government and their lack of support. The absenceof proper amenity space, such as educational institutions, hospitals, andcommunity centers, is hindering the potential of development and growth.Twenty two percent of the current population live under distressed conditions. Imagine if you will, all of these settlements having the proper foundation to grow, the amenity spaces. They are already capable of advancing,it is seen through their own architecture. We would not have as manydense location, population might begin to be under control, and just theidea of self pride would become a huge factor for further advancement.So, what is stopping the world for help each other out. Yes, in some casesit’s hard to solve such a huge problem. But who is saying there must bea solution to end settlements. Its all about the notion of giving a hand,helping and making a difference. No matter what anyone does, there willalways be settlements, in India, and around the world. But if there is achance for a small change to make a bigger difference than that’s a risk that must be taken.
publisher:
The Douglas D. Schumann Library and Learning Commons, Wentworth Institute of Technology
contributor:
date:
2019
type:
Thesis
format:
.pdf
identifier:
source:
language:
eng
relation:
coverage:
rights:
https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
