An Assessment of Public Awareness Regarding E-Waste Hazards and Management Strategies

The fast pace of innovation both within India and abroad, along with the increasing affordability of electronic goods due to economic growth, has led to the rapid turnover of these consumer goods and thus enormous amounts of electronic waste (or e-waste). In addition to the sheer volume that must be managed, electronics contain highly toxic chemicals that complicate the waste handling process and can be detrimental to human health and the environment. However, India has only recently implemented regulations that directly address this issue through the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Public awareness of this government policy and e-waste hazards is key to both active participation in management systems and the ability to put pressure on producer compliance. Thus, the study here attempts to assess this aspect of the e-waste situation through personal interviews with Indian families in Ahmedabad, a large city in Gujarat. Insight from government officials, NGO representatives, and formal and informal e-waste processing workers were also sought in order to give the general public interviews a structural context. It was found that most respondents do not participate in formal e-waste recycling systems, do not know specific details about the health and environmental hazards of e-waste, and do not know about the 2011 e-waste legislation. Additionally, only about one quarter acknowledge the possibility of extracting raw materials or spare components from unused electronics. Thus, government bodies must invest more in creating a public with greater knowledge of and agency in India’s e-waste issue

Toilets and Trains

<div align=justify>Indian Railways (IR) is a large transport organization running 8700 trains, reaching 7000 stations and handling about 1.6 crore passengers per day. IR runs several long distant trains, some of which involve journeys upto three nights. The number of non suburban passengers traveling on IR is about 0.6 crore per day. There are three sources of fecal matter generation in IR (i) Toilets in trains, (ii) Railway stations; and (iii) Use of railway tracks for open defecation. The existing toilet system in the coaches discharges excreta directly to the ground and the railway tracks. The consequences include unacceptable hygienic conditions, particularly in the railway stations, and damage to rails. IR is making efforts to introduce environment friendly toilet discharge system, for which three options are being considered; modular, vacuum and chemical. Toilets at stations are a part of amenities being provided, linked to the category of the station. There is an attempt to modernize toilets at important stations. A related socio economic problem is that of people residing near the railway stations, without access to toilet facilities, using tracks for open defecation. The issue of dealing with fecal matter should be viewed in the larger context of waste management. With effective waste management, fecal matter can be recycled and used as liquid fertilizers and quality organic manures. This paper attempts to understand the issues related to fecal matter management on the IR, and provide a framework for solutions.</div>

Implementing a Public Private Partnership Model for Managing Urban Health in Ahmedabad

Governments in many developing countries acknowledge they are facing difficulties in their attempt to meet the basic health needs of their populations. They rely on contracting out to private (for-profit and not-for-profit) organizations as a strategy to meet the needs of underserved populations. For the most part, the public sector chooses to contract out primary healthcare services to the private sector to expand access, increase the availability of medicines and medical supplies, and improve the quality of care. In both urban and rural settings, private for-profit and non-profit health service providers serve both the rich and the poor. Communities often recognize private sector healthcare providers to be more responsive to their healthcare needs and preferences in terms of services available, suitable timings and geographical access etc. Private sector has always played a significant role in the delivery of health services in developing countries. Public-private-partnership (PPP) is an approach under which services are delivered by the private sector, while the responsibility for providing the resources rests with the government. Establishing a PPP requires a legal framework acceptable to all the partners, clarity on the commitment of resources, roles and responsibilities of each partner, as well as accountability to provide a given set of services at a desired level of quality and affordable user charges. Formalizing such an arrangement between partners requires conceptualising a framework for Public Private Partnership (PPP) to manage the delivery of health services. In this paper, we describe the design, development and implementation of a PPP for managing urban health services in Ahmedabad city, Gujarat. Our model has succeeded in bringing together compatible public and private partners to plan and deliver quality healthcare services to meet the community needs of Vasna ward, in Ahmedabad. The new Vasna Urban Health centre was inaugurated on July 23, by the Chief Minister of Guajarat. This new centre now serves about 120 outpatients everyday as against an average of 10 outpatients daily earlier.

Innovations for Reviving Small-Scale Industries

Given the economic distress worldwide, the micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSME) had been hit hard. Large numbers of workers have been laid off because of depressed demand, piled up inventory, pending retrievables and squeezed credit market. A sector which provides maximum employment cannot be left to fend for itself without a major transformation led by the entrepreneurs, policy makers and also other support organizations. There are several innovative options that one can try at four different levels such as (a) stimulating demand, (b) upgrading technology and skills, (c) promoting innovations for developing new products and services and (d) forging new partnerships among the entrepreneurs and also with the R&D institutions, grassroots innovation networks and the technology students. Some of the urgent steps required are: (a) technology audit of MSMEs by formal R&D institutions, (b) Creation of National Innovation and R&D Fund for MSMEs, dedicated for replacing age old materials, technologies and production processes, (c) awards for innovations by and for MSMEs, particularly, engaging youth as attempted by Karnataka Council of Science and Technology and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and (d) dedicated R&D centres for various industrial clusters. This is a painful time for the MSMEs and the workers being laid off. A bipartition approach is required among the major political parties to put forward a revitalization plan. Millions of workers and small entrepreneurs will anyway soon vote on the vision of the parties in taking country out of the current stressful situation.

Sustainability of water resource systems in India: role of value in urban lake governance in Ahmedabad

Abstract. One of the ongoing discussions in water resource governance in India is on the revival of the river and lake systems. The new water-system as infrastructures are proving to be the connectors in the current societal (urban) development as they did in the times of traditional water management and old settlement pattern. Rivers and lakes have different social, ecological and economical demands made on them at different periods of societal development and that made them vulnerable to change. One of the core challenges documented in the governance of rivers and lakes in India is addressing the rapid changes in these value systems. Effectively addressing the change (or priority) in the values of water systems and urban systems linked to the governance can be a major step towards sustainability of these systems. There is still limited understanding of how the values of water resource systems are progressively linked to changing urban systems and how upward and downward causation linkages occur within the systems as well as across diverse sectors and scales of governance. The PhD research on ‘Sustainability of urban lake systems in India’ is an attempt to look at the interactions and outcomes of the spatial and temporal dynamics of urban systems and lake systems especially the values that sustain the institutional and ecological memory. The paper highlights the relationship and the role of values between urban lakes systems (ecological systems) and governance (social systems) and identifies that sustainability of both the systems is the key towards sustainable cities. The multitier framework for analyzing the social-ecological systems is used as the foundation to elaborate the link of the values with urban lake systems and governance in the context of Ahmedabad city. Then Vastrapur lake development in Ahmedabad is studied to elaborate the role of value

Values Connecting Societies and Water Systems

__Introduction__ Water systems such as rivers and lakes have many important values for ecosystems and human societies. Both economical, social-ecological, cultural and political values are met by the water systems, connecting different activities in human society and ecosystems. Water systems with low water quality serve different values than healthy water systems and have huge impact on the society. For example, for drinking water, biodiversity or recreational open space, a healthy water system is crucial. The values of the water systems are interlinked. The interlinking and overlapping values of the water systems at the spatial and temporal scales have determined a connective capacity in the water governance, be it the coordination between the values or the competition between the values and its linked governance approach. The challenge is values of water systems change with the change in the societal development and consequently influence the water governance approach. A reverse process is also evident. Unfortunately, today water systems in many cities have slowly reduced in their total value for society. The revival of the water systems such as river and lakes is thus seem to be urgent in order to enhance the values generated by these systems for the society

Climate Change Mitigation Potential in South Africa: A National to Sectoral Analysis

This paper discusses some of the impacts attributed to climate change that are likely to hit Southern Africa as a result of increasing global greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. As South Africa is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and currently ranked first in Africa, the paper assesses the country.s greenhouse gas emissions profile and possible future projections of emissions and their implications. It then discusses the strategic interventions proposed by South Africa in reducing the gap in emissions between what is required by science and what would happen if development continues at current rates without abating greenhouse gas emissions. Given that the majority of emissions are a result of energy consumption, the paper provides practical solutions to themes such as energy efficiency mostly for the industrial and commercial sectors. With international treaties on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. Kyoto protocol), there are business opportunities in the area of climate change mitigation. Thus, the paper finally discusses the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) scenario in South Africa and how the country can benefit from other emission trading schemes being practiced in different regions of the world.

Urban risk communication in Ahmedabad - India: between slum dwellers and the municipal corporation.

Since rapid urban growth forces poor households to settle in highly congested urban areas, slum dwellers are increasingly vulnerable due to a multiplicity of hazards rooted in the environment, nature, health, society and the urban economy. Hitherto, the understanding of urban risks and the vulnerability of inhabitants has been an underrepresented subject in urban planning. The different reasoning and rationales of slum dwellers, municipal authorities and other actors provide each with different perceptions of risks. This study focuses on the communication of urban risks between two slum communities and the Municipal Corporation of Ahmedabad by examining endeavours in slum improvement and more responsive urban governance. In using a conceptual framework that synthesises socio-cultural approaches to risk, communication theories and collaborative planning theory, the thesis points out the deficiencies and potentials of risk communication in long-term urban development planning. Currently urban risk management is not recognised as an integrated, cross-sectoral topic by the Municipal Corporation. Due to the structural fabric of the administration and the lack of capacity and guidance, the notion of risk is based on conventional approaches to disaster risk management with responsibilities spread across various departments. By contrast, slum dwellers have a much more integrated understanding of the micro-level risk conditions in which they live and work. The findings of this study suggest that a meaningful two-way communication process can only take place if the interaction of stakeholders is understood in terms of human relationships that go beyond techno-bureaucratic co-ordination and the prevalent notion of mono-directional communication. This concept of communication is underpinned by values such as trust, fairness, credibility and justice in interaction in the context of urban governance. The research approach and the findings suggest areas for improved policy making and further research. The outcome of the research especially contributes to a better understanding of urban risk situations in the social and cultural contexts of poor communities in India. Hence this investigation may be viewed as a potential basis for generating practical guidelines for mitigation policies and their links to urban governance

Solid waste workers in India and the COVID-19 pandemic: A Review of Intersecting challenges

Introduction: Municipal garbage/refuse, sludge, industrial and commercial waste, etc. is termed Solid Waste (SW) and those who handle such waste are SW workers. But the COVID-19 pandemic has hit them hard. SW workers play a vital role in waste management to safeguard and promote public health. But they are often unappreciated and the various health risks and vulnerabilities associated with waste handling are overlooked. This study aimed to review the working conditions and morbidities of SW workers highlighting the longstanding challenges before and after the onset of COVID-19 in India. Methods: Databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar were used for the inclusion of articles. Drawing from the literature on the working conditions and morbidities of SW workers in India alongside grey literature and news reports by electronic media during the pandemic, this paper highlights the longstanding challenges of SW workers.  Results: The health morbidities and structural challenges due to caste, and class that were reported as being faced by SW workers across the studies have worsened at the onset of COVID-19. There is a multiplying effect of their vulnerability due to the disadvantages of caste and class. Due to power dynamics, they were forced to work without proper wages and appropriate healthcare resources. Many incidents across the country reported stigma and discrimination; poor access and utilization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among SW workers resulted in infections and deaths due to the pandemic. Lack of proper data on COVID-19 infected SW workers; lack of proper certification had halted their insurance claims. Conclusion: This paper noted the multiplying effect of long-standing vulnerabilities that were exposed during the pandemic. Proper maintenance of health records and a sustainable employee grievance redressal mechanism are essential. The need of the hour is to focus on strategies to improve their working conditions along with policies to protect their dignity and empower them. 

Identity and built environment : issues for urban poor

The aim of the research was to examine redevelopment strategies and policies attempting to elevate the identity of the urban poor by reinforcing their socio-cultural characteristics through their built environment. The study also attempted to create a dialogue between identity and built environment and questioned whether a re-designed and re-developed environment can socially empower the urban poor; and, if so, what redevelopment strategies and approaches can be adopted to re-create identity and remove stigma over urban poor? Identity is the crest in the development of both people and place and cannot be viewed as an abstract or as a subject exterior to a human. But often, questions of ‘who we are’ (self-identity) are intimately related to questions of ‘where we are’ (place-identity) (Dixon and Durrheim 2000), creating a gap between structure and agency. This thesis not only analysed this gap but also measured the impact of poverty on the urban poor prevailing over their stigmatized identity linked to their built environment.It was important to understand an individual’s meaning of self, wherein ‘self’ is not just characterised and outlined by one’s association to the community, but also by an individual’s linkage to the diverse physical-setting that describe and construct their everyday life (Proshansky 1978, cited in Hillier 2002). It was also seen that individuals mostly describe ‘who’ and ‘what’ they are in the context of an intense sentimental connection to ‘house and home’ and/or ‘neighbourhood and community’. Thus, in relation to this research, an individual’s description of the physical world is limited to home and built environment.Additionally, this study explored strategies to overcome the multifaceted issues faced by the poor specifically linked to their built environment which contributes to their stigmatised identity (Davis 2006). Thereby, this thesis compared urban poverty in developed and developing countries within the built environment framework. The purpose was to identify the common aspects of built environment in both the contexts influencing the socio-cultural characteristics as well as well-being of the urban poor. The research thus searched for some common ground, where synergies were visible for future improvement works, globally.The process of examining built environment and measuring well-being of the urban poor, involved an analysis of Phillips and Pittman’s (2003) “Triarchic Model of Poverty” and Sen’s theory on “Capability and Well-being”(1993, cited in Fukuda-Parr 2003). This analysis helped define the evaluative factors for built environment and the indicators of well-being. The usage of this analytical framework was an iterative process which further assisted in auditing the redevelopment strategies of the urban poor applied during the case studies and in identifying those methodological and rational elements of the case studies that may be responsible for significant variations in the findings.In addition to theoretical literature reviews, four literature and two field case studies were conducted for the research. The literature case studies were focused on urban renewal examples providing an initial understanding of the concepts whereas the field case studies involving observations, discussions and surveys provided crucial insights to the intensity of the issue. Additionally, participation in the project provided valuable knowledge and better understanding of life in marginalised communities, their everyday practices, and of their socio-cultural and physical boundaries. Thus contact and dialogue with the stakeholders and reflection were the key tools performed during field trips to Victoria (Australia) and Ahmedabad (India).These field works were conducted with the main objective of studying the influence of redevelopment strategies on the well-being of urban poor. These redevelopment strategies were assessed using the analytical framework to identify the key built environment aspects having the maximum impact on identity renewal. Consequently, the three key aspects of built environment intervention identified were – housing and environment, pride and participation and government responsiveness.Through the assessment of the redevelopment strategies, it was deduced that development of housing and environment can bring a sense of stability and security, but ownership and belonging could be achieved only when there were signs of people’s participation and smooth efforts of the stakeholders for a holistic development. Similarly, it was recognised that urban renewal practices are not mere efforts towards renewing the built environment of the urban poor, but are also efforts to equip the people psychologically, socially, culturally and economically for the future in their own re-developed environment. Thus, within the framework of key built environment aspects, this thesis has proposed an identity renewal model promoting participatory approaches that collaborates with and incorporates not only citizens, but also organised interests, profit and non-profit organisations, planners and local administrators in a common frame. Such an integrated approach would ensure community interests, active citizenship and public-service delivery, where communication, learning, action and community welfare would co-evolve. Therefore, a model as projected for this research adopting joint planning and participatory approaches would help liberate the urban poor, permitting them to define and develop their own values and lead to their empowerment and identity creation.This thesis has thus proposed a positive course of action for future interventions to assist professionals and practitioners in conjunction with the barriers in the process in addition to a new model looking at identity issues of urban poor linked to their built environment