Rohan Shivkumar states that the 2008 crisis has rescued the Mumbai slum

 

The moment the crisis occured, all urban planning ideas concerning the Dharavi slum were dropped for a lack of financial resources. It seems that this was the time for thinkers who were listening to the actual inhabitants of these areas. Read on here:

 http://www.design.nl/item/rohan_shivkumar_on_what_design_can_do

Art project: Artefacting Mumbai

“At its core, this project is about using art to tell the story of a settlement, people, culture and economy, in danger of being displaced by contemporary urbanization.“

In 2010 and 2011 Artefacting exhibited art, painted walls of the slum dwellers and gave art workshops for kids in Dharavi. Among others, they also collaborated with Anish Kapoor. As a result, local initiatives and a Dharavi Art Center have been found. 

For more information: Artefacting Mumbai

Initiative: Dekha Undekha

Dekha Undekha is an initiative that fosters contact between local artists and slum dwellers in Mumbai. Their projects are not only about illustrating the problems of poor neighbourhoods, they actually make art for and with people from those neighbourhoods. Their latest project is called 'Ghar Pe' and is concerned with women's health concerns and consists of photographs, ceramics and installations.

I like the idea to use exhibitions to improve living conditions in slums, though I am not sure how effective this method is. 

http://dekhaundekha.wordpress.com/

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2012/WTVM054469.htm 

Urban Poverty in India

A vivid article about the slum situation in Mumbai issued by The Economist:
"The residents of Dharavi, allegedly Asia's biggest slum, are thriving in hardship."

Read here:  http://www.economist.com/node/10311293 

Shashikant Kawale, a courteous host

Venkatesh Dhobi, swamped with work

Business is piling up for the recyclers