Most South Asian cities have developed in an unstructured manner and informal settlements have proliferated as ever increasing numbers of people migrate to cities in search of jobs. In this urban scenario, the much-needed upgrading of essential infrastructure inevitably involves resettling slum populations and rehabilitating their livelihoods.  

 

On 4 September 2006 in New Delhi, the World Bank discussed the Challenges of Urban Development  with grassroots organizations that have experience in resettling and rehabilitating the urban poor affected by development projects. The need for consultations stemmed mainly from the Bank's experience under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).

 

The discussion was part of a series of planned consultations to work out approaches and methods that seek from the outset to build socially and economically sustainable outcomes wherever urban development projects impact informal settlements.

 

About 40 representatives from civil society organizations and grassroots NGOs participated.  A number of social scientists, town planners, and architects were also present, as were World Bank officials from the urban sector, and those dealing with social and environmental issues in infrastructure development.

 

The recommendations that emerged from the consultation were carried to a subsequent deliberation with government officials and policy makers.