Delhi's new Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026, approved by Amit Shah, aims for large-scale redevelopment of informal settlements using PPP. It offers permanent housing to an estimated four lakh families and unlocks land value for financing, potentially reshaping urban development.
A flight into Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Kolkata often reveals sprawling informal settlements, hazy skies, or aging infrastructure, contrasting sharply with the orderly urban layouts, green surroundings, and cleaner skylines of cities like Singapore, Bangkok, or Colombo. This difference stems from a complex interplay of history, demographics, governance, economics, and the sheer scale of India's rapid urbanization and population density, posing unique challenges in delivering basic urban services and managing growth.
Thousands in Peru's informal settlements like Mollepata live in high-risk areas vulnerable to extreme weather. Despite a deadly 2009 flood, new settlements grow, straining resources and urban planning efforts.
A BBC World Service programme examining how drones and artificial intelligence are being used to map informal settlements in Alexandra, Johannesburg and Porto Alegre, Brazil. The project aims to help authorities prevent the worst impacts of flooding by answering crucial questions about population, building materials, and flood resilience in these vulnerable areas.
