Urban Nagrik - City Systems Introduction

A system can possess an organic quality yet still adhere to certain patterns. Mumbai serves as a prime example, where it functions organically while maintaining identifiable patterns of functioning and development. However, effecting change in such an organic system poses significant challenges. Therefore, it's imperative to discuss the development and planning of policies at the grassroots level, employing a bottom-up approach to ensure holistic development.

Within Mumbai, parallel systems operate concurrently. For instance, while there exists a formal waste collection and deposition department governed by the authorities, there are also ragpickers who collect dry waste, to either sell it or recycle in places like Dharavi. Dharavi, home to one of the largest informal industrial units in the city, predominantly consists of migrants who sought a better quality of life in Mumbai.

Ironically, often the sectors perceived as unorganized are the most organized. It's merely an authoritarian perception that excludes them from being considered integral parts of the system. Promoting inclusivity can be both beneficial and harmful to these individuals. Integrating them into the formal system would subject them to adhere to regulatory rules, potentially reducing their autonomy and incurring additional financial burdens. Nonetheless, it would also afford them recognition, rights, and protection. This presents a dilemma with no easy solution, where many opt to retain option one.

In the "Urban Nagrik" series, we aim to talk about the lives of those indirectly involved in the crucial system of city-making. These individuals often find themselves relegated to the margins of society, receiving scant attention within the social justice framework. We will delve into key sectors such as waste management, labour, transport and others exploring both the formal and informal facets of urban life