Interior Design Patterns and Sustainable Housing Solutions: Insights from a Slum Community in North-West Delhi, India
Authors: Karan Jain  , Ruchi Gaur  , Sunakshi Shokeen  
Published: April 2024

This scholarly investigation embarks on an in-depth analysis of the multifaceted and complex realm of urban informality, with a particular focus on the intricacies involved in the construction of residential spaces within informal settlements. At the heart of this study lies the transformative urban phenomenon predominantly witnessed in the developing world during the early 21st century. This era has marked a paradigm shift in urban informality, transcending its previous association exclusively with impoverished communities. Informality has now emerged as a predominant and influential model in the landscape of metropolitan urbanization. Significantly, informal settlements have burgeoned into pivotal residential areas, accommodating an ever-increasing portion of the urban populace. These settlements are primarily inhabited by individuals migrating from rural areas in pursuit of enhanced life prospects, thus contributing to a marked population shift. According to the United Nations, approximately one billion people, or nearly a quarter of the world's urban population, reside in informal settlements, highlighting the urgency and scale of this global issue. The ongoing trend of urbanization places immense strain on urban infrastructure and resources. One of the most pressing challenges is ensuring the availability of adequate space and affordable housing for these migrants. Many rural migrants, constrained by limited financial resources and often possessing insufficient savings, are unable to afford housing within formally planned and developed areas. Consequently, they resort to residing in informal settlements, which have become vital components of the urban economic fabric. This research project delves into the nuanced and formidable challenges encountered by these poor migrants as they endeavour to create homes in urban settings. The study aims to provide a thorough understanding of the process involved in acquiring and constructing a home within these informal environments. It also seeks to shed light on the myriad struggles and complexities that are intertwined with this endeavor. An essential element of this inquiry is the examination of the residents' remarkable ingenuity in managing and adapting their living spaces. This includes innovative approaches to space optimization, strategic arrangement of furnishings and furniture, and the adept use of everyday utility items to enhance their living conditions. To ground this research in tangible experiences, Ekta Camp has been chosen as a focal case study. This informal settlement, designated as a notified slum in the 2010 census, offers its residents access to basic services, though they lack formal land rights. By conducting a detailed exploration of the living conditions, experiences, and adaptive practices of the inhabitants of Ekta Camp, this study makes a significant contribution to our understanding of informal settlements. The insights gleaned from this research are poised to influence broader discussions on sustainable and inclusive housing strategies. Moreover, the findings hold the potential to inform future policies and planning in formal housing and urban development, offering innovative and practical solutions that can be applied to similar contexts globally. This research underscores the importance of re-evaluating and re-envisioning housing policies to better accommodate and integrate the growing population in informal settlements, thereby contributing to the creation of more equitable and sustainable urban landscapes.