Ethnographic Research in Rural Pockets of Maharastra (Khandi & Nilshi)

About nilshi & khandi

Khandi and Nilshi are two villages located in Pune district. The villages are located in the Sahyadri Hills and are surrounded by the Andhra Lake. The villages are 80 kms from Pune. The vilages fall under the Mawal Tehsil. They share the same panchayat.

Collaborators 

IIT Team

The team consisted of 11 students from Humanities department with background in economics, sociology, architecture and management, 3 students from Industrial Design Centre with experience in architecture, product design and interaction design, Prof. A. Ramanathan and Prof. D. Parthasarathy from Humanities and Social Sciences Department, Prof. Uday Athavankar and Prof. B. K. Chakravarthy from Industrial Design Centre and Prof. Shishi Kumar Jha from School of Management and professionals from Industrial Design Department. Prof. A. Ramanathan is a professor of economics in the department of Humanities and Social Sciences. His current areas of interest are managerial economics, monetary economics, applied econometrics and cost benifit analysis. Prof.  D. Parthasarathy is a professor of sociology in the department of Humanities and Social Sciences and his current areas of research interest are sociology of agriculture, sustainable development and ethnic conflicts. Prof. Uday Athavankar is Emeritus Professor at IDC, IIT Bombay. With his strong architectural background and long experience in industrial design and ethnographic research is one of the key leaders of the research group and for the project. Prof. B. K. Chakravarthy is the chair professor for the Affordable and Sustainable Habitat Project  being undertaken at IDC with ACC Ltd. The field trip was organized under his championship. Prof. Shishir Kumar Jha from Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, IIT Bombay gave his valuable inputs on various manegerial aspects. His areas of research are theorizing and analyzing sustainable and democratic alternatives of globalization, digital economy, copyright & public domain in the digital economy, geo-political environment and international business, impact of globalization on Indian society, WTO and global political economy, Indian society and political economy of the Third World and international relations. 

ACC Team

A team from ACC consisting of Mr. Anuj Kumar Singh, (Manager, The Indian Concrete Journal), Mr. Shyam Narayan (Manager-Sustainable Development, ACC Ltd.) and Mr. Bipin Khale (Head-Commercial Training, ACC Ltd.) also visited the IIT team for a day and gave their valuable insights.

Thus a thorough study of the rural setup was conducted from a multi-disciplinary view point. The trip was sponsored from the joint project fund of ACC and IIT Bombay on Affordable and Sustainable Habitat.

Objective of the study

• Baseline Study of the villages and household
• Village demographics
• Census of every household
• Study of routine activities
• Daily
• Seasonal
• Lifetime(Eg: Child Birth, Marriage, Funeral rites, etc)

• Needs assessment
• Socio-cultural 
• Economic livelihoods/ Status 
• Resources 
• Affordability
• Migration
• Skills
• Unforeseen events
• Essential vs. desired needs

• Village mapping
• Spatial segregation
• Land holdings 
• Occupational pattern 
• Caste based
• Resource mapping 
• Mapping of services

• Design & planning
• Village maps 
• Weather
• Space requirement and arrangement
• Resources management
• Local materials
• Organic growth pattern of habitat

Study Method

Initially an overview of the two villages was made by visiting few households. The village sarpanch and gram sewak were also consulted to obtain deeper insight into the villages. The panchayat provided the team with census data, maps and information regarding various government schemes that are running in the villages. Thereafter a detailed census was obtained by visiting each house at Nilshi, the data was clustered and thereafter a detailed questionnaire was prepared for one-to-one interview as well as focussed group interviews. Observational research through videos and photographs was conducted to map the spatial arrangements of the living spaces and common spaces, both inside and outside the house.

Inspiration on parametric housing design

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EhjUli4cYEg

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Integrated Plan for Rural Habitats

Source : The Economic Times Mumbai; Date:2011 Oct 06; Section:Political Theatre; Govt may Converge Schemes to Improve Quality of Life  - URMI A GOSWAMI, NEW DELHI

After guaranteeing rural employment, the UPA government is now attempting address basic quality of life issues in the rural area. In an effort to ensure better use of resources to improve the lives of the rural poor, the government is working on converging schemes that impact basic quality of life. 

The rural development and drinking water and sanitation ministries have prepared an “integrated habitat development scheme,” which is a convergence of three existing schemes — rural housing, drinking water and total sanitation schemes. To cover as much ground as possible before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections , the scheme may be rolled out December 2012. The Centre is looking to bring in private partner HDFC for the scheme. 

The aim is to ensure integrated development of habitations. Drinking water and sanitation facilities are absolute essentials in any housing project, however, providing all three requirements seldom happens at the same in the rural areas. The ministry hopes that an intergrated programme will have a positive impact in improving the quality of life of villages as an entity. This in turn would have tangible health benefits. The integrated approach comes at a time when India accounts for 58% of all open defecations in the world. This has important and adverse health feedback. For the government, the proposal comes at a time when it is seeking to re-establish its credentials as the voice of the poor and marginalized. For maximum impact, it has been suggested that the village or habitation, a compact cluster of at least ten houses, be the unit for the scheme. In rolling out the programme, it is recommended that simultaneous sanctions be given to adjacent units, so as to ensure developing common infrastructure for sanitation and drinking water. The proposed houses would be permanent constructions of at least 300 square feet, with toilet facilities and a minimum of three taps from the common water supply source, which should have 24 hours supply. 

State governments will provide their fund requirement. Since this proposed integrated is a convergence scheme, it would draw on funds provisioned for the existing schemes and the gap will be funded under this scheme. To ensure that no one district corners the scheme benefits, it has been suggested that not more than five projects can be taken up in a district.
The ministry is understood to be consulting with HDFC for partnering the project. 

The ministry’s proposal suggests that the gram panchayat executes, supervises and runs the project. However, it is not clear how the scheme would ensure that gram panchayats are actively involved and have a stake in the successful implementation of the scheme. Another aspect that is currently under discussion is working out the role of the private sector and the households. 

Integrated Plan for Rural Habitats 
• Rural housing, drinking water and total sanitation schemes will be merged for integrated habitat development

• The scheme may be rolled out in December 2012, well ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls

• The Centre is looking to bring in private partner HDFC for the integrated scheme

• The proposed houses will be permanent constructions of at least 300 square feet, with toilet facilities and a minimum of three taps from the common water supply source

• For maximum impact, it has been suggested that a compact cluster of at least ten houses be the unit for the scheme

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Ethnographic Study in Three Slums of Mumbai

A pilot ethnographic research was conducted in three slums of Mumbai. The slums are located as shown in the map below.

Figure1: Location of the slums studied

Following images give a glimpse of life in these slums.

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Figure 2: Maximization and not optimization is the mantra of the slum dwellers. Thus efficient use of 3D space is done so that the family does not lack in amenities like TV, refrigerator, music system. The next house has the most bare minimum washing area where only one person can crawl in and wash or bathe. The list of essential items vs. The desired items is strange. The slum dwellers interviewed claimed that open space, light and ventilation, water supply, wash area, cooking platform, burner/stove, cylinder, utensils storage, cupboard, mirror, bed, tv unit, music system, electricity and fan as essential amenities while tap, w.C., Sink, water storage tank, drainage facility, gas pipeline, refrigerator, mixer, drying area, washing machine and social interaction areas as desirable amenities.

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Figure 3: Kitchen is regarded as a private space and hence placed in the house layout so that someone passing by the house can’t peek into the lady cooking in the kitchen.

Stainless steel is widely used in all products from utensils, racks to cupboards due to the long maintenance free life.

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Figure 4: A large part of kitchen space is consumed in storing water in vessels.

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 Figure 5: No demarcation between spaces exist as every space is multi-purpose.

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 Figure 6: Bathing and washing space is combined and usually each house has this space. Toilet blocks are usually not present in the house due to various reason, one of them being non-availability of sewage disposal system.

All the houses have very poor ventilation due to lack of any windows.

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Figure 7: Use of tiles and kadappa shelves is widespread due to its low cost and maintenance.

Richer neighborhoods are usually smaller in size, have higher rent and larger number of amenities at home since the dwellers serve a more premium market. The slum houses are also rented out to students.

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Key Insights

• The slums present a very efficient volume space utilization
• Maximization in the mantra rather than optimization
• Modularity of space utilization is very high. The modularity is both in terms of 3D volume modularity and time - dependant modularity.
• The private space is minimal and social space is maximum.
• The essential and desirable needs and wants of the slum dwellers are very different. A TV, refrigerator and music system are essential whereas a toilet is desirable.
• Identification of socio-economic-cultural triggers to community participation is very important to ensure community participation.
• Spending capacity of slum dwellers is not very low. Hence backup of a strong micro-finance system can further boost their capacity.
• Slum redevelopment is an option but it is not acceptable to the slum dwellers because of high maintenance cost of new buildings, political issues and skepticism towards the intent of builders.
• Slum improvement appears as a more acceptable option 

Ethnographic study of Habitat in Rural Areas of Pohegaon, Maharastra

A pilot ethnographic research was conducted in some rural pockets of Maharastra (Pohegaon) to understand the dynamics of the human life in rural India. Following images give a glimpse of the life observed:

Figure 1: A house built under Indira Awas Yojana. The central core was built with funds received from the scheme. The house was then expanded sideways and in the front - incremental construction. The incremental construction is made of mud, asbestos and other locally available building materials.

Figure 2: A cluster of four houses built under Indira Awas Yojana  that share the internal walls and the slanting roof. These houses were built for families who did not own land. The panchayat bought land for them and allocated funds. As they share the same roof, it is not possible for anyone to expand vertically. Also sideways expansion is limited in scope. The image shows that the house has encroached into the road to achieve expansion on one side.

Figure 3: Mostly cooking is done in wood stove as it is more economical for them. As a wood stove creates lot of black soot, the kitchen is located outside the house. The houses also had LPG stoves but these are used rarely and only in case of emergency.

           

Figure 4: Every house has a TV

Figure 5: Storage space is saved by mostly hanging items on the wall or ceiling. Photographs of gods and elders and calendars occupy a prominent wall space.

Furniture used is mostly plastic and mild steel and are usually foldable to ensure multiple utility and portability.

Figure 6: Steel storage containers are used to prevent rats from plundering contents.

Figure 7: All houses have a bathing and washing area. This area is mostly located next to the kitchen. The image shows one of the most frugal bathing space. They use open spaces to defecate.

Figure 8: Cattle is an integral part of rural household. People live in close harmony with their animals and their house is incomplete without a house for their cattle. Cattle is also an important source of livelihood for rural BoP.

Figure 9: Use of local materials like plants, agricultural waste, soil, etc. is very popular. These materials are combined with readily available components like concrete poles, mild steel pipes and asbestos sheets. The dimensions of the houses constructed are influenced by the sizes of these materials too. For example, asbestos sheets are available as 4’ X 6’, 4’ X 8’ and 4’ X 10’. Hence house dimensions are in accordance to these numbers.

Key Insights

Needs and requirements of this market are very local in nature

The market is skilled in use of local materials and hence do-it-yourself housing is very popular

Government subsidies and finances are available

The market is extremely cost sensitive

The business model in place in this market is no profit-oriented 

Advent of Tata nano may have a strong impact on the way the industry views this market

Report - Research on Current Affordable & Sustainable Habitat Scenario in India

Executive Summary

India is a nation of 1.21 billion people facing multiple challenges. One of the major challenges is providing every household with affordable homes. According to statistical findings, a household with less than Rs. 7,000 (110€) (in monthly income) cannot afford to build their house and government subsidies and interventions are required. Government of India is currently running many schemes in this domain to help this segment. On the other hand, households with a monthly income of Rs. 7,000 (110€) – Rs. 20,000 (312€) can afford houses at an expense of Rs. 300,000 (4700€)– Rs. 1,000,000 (15,600€). After the economic downturn of 2008, the booming real estate industry of the country shifted their attention to this segment, as it is immune to the market fluctuations in income and is deemed as a growing market.

The first group (<Rs 7,000) mostly form the rural BPL and the metropolitan/ urban BPL living in slums and shanties. The rural market is very big in India as 2/3rd of the population still lives in villages. But the market till date seamed very unattractive to the private sector due to its thin density. Hence in spite of government subsidies, there have hardly been many NGOs and no private players. But the situation seams to change very soon with TATA group announcing its “Nano House” for this market. The group is working on developing a flat pack of components including walls, windows and doors at Rs. 32,000 (500€). The flat pack can be assembled by the house owner. The house can be very well funded through the Indira Awas Yojana funds that are provided by the government to this segment.

The second group (Rs 7,000 – Rs 20,000) mostly resides in the urban sector and the metropolitan slums. There are many private players in this domain including experienced and big names like the Tata and new comers like Value and Budget Housing. To be able to make profit in this market, it is very important to realize that it is a low margin (profit approximately 20%) but a high volume market. Hence optimization and streamlining of supply chain, construction management, time and global sourcing are the strategies that are being used. Some companies like Projectwell are coming up which aim at bringing in affordability through supply chain management and supplying prefab components. The government has also initiated schemes like JNNURM and Rajiv Awas Yojana to build homes for the lower tiers of this group.

There is yet another third category of slum dwellers whose income lies anywhere in both groups. They usually live in metropolitans over encroached public/ private land. This market possesses the unique behavior of being able to maximize the utilization of their available resources. For example, the space that is used for sleeping at night turns into a workshop for a company in the morning and provides the owner with extra income. The inhabitants make very efficient use of their small 3D spaces and every cubic cm is used.

As mentioned all the three scenarios require and present good opportunity for creative and synergic design intervention. Hence the goal of our research project is to identify aspects and factors affecting this domain and thereafter HUMANIZE THE HABITAT THROUGH DESIGN INTERVENTION THAT SYNERGIES:

• Culture specific socioeconomic interactions

• Energy and waste management

• Innovations in construction materials & technology

• Finance

• Construction management

• Management

The rural and the urban sector seam to be the most opportune scenarios than the slums since it is a politically sensitive area. Also inhabitants don’t own land titles in most cases and hence don’t like to spend in building more permanent structures.

Possibilities of mass manufacturing components rather than houses need to be looked on to bring in affordability as the definition of home for an Indian lies in being able to represent personal needs, wants and desires. Hence a prospective direction of work can be identification of components that can be mass manufactured to build homes. Some examples can be locally adapted roofing system, walls, partitions, doors, windows, kitchen, WC, etc.

India being a very large country with huge diversities in climate, needs, wants, traditions and rituals, careful collection, management and dissemination of this information is required for the long-term success of any housing project.

Affordable and ready availability of adequate financing options is very important for success in this domain. Hence a creative design intervention in this domain is stressed.

Technical support, knowledge sharing, Industrial  and prototyping support and financial support from all collaborating partners will bring a break-through housing product range in the market.

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