Delhi’s Bhalswa Landfill caters to over half of the city’s generated waste, in turn choking its surrounding ecosystem. The area is prone to the worst living conditions in the city, with water pollution levels over thirty times the acceptable values, and hazardous AQI levels throughout the year. Yet, the place isn’t uninhabited. Instead, it is home to over 200,000 people who bear the brunt of the urban situation while receiving bare minimum support from authorities. 


One such community abutting the landfill is Kalandar Colony, a settlement of 2264 households with densities as high as 2630 people a hectare. Of the 13% of the area that is open space, the community is unable to maintain its interstitial open spaces which end up prone to vandalism and antisocial activity. The generated ill-kempt and unsafe environment also bar certain members of the community from accessing peripheral public amenities such as toilets and healthcare centers with caretakers reporting a very low turnout especially with women, children, and the elderly. 


In the wake of the pandemic when access to public amenities is critical in upkeeping a community’s vitality, the need for thoughtful interventions at these liminal spaces is of essence and urgency. Incorporating key stakeholders within the core team, and further engaging in a participatory process with the community, the initiative aspires to create inclusive and dignified public spaces for all while aspiring to accelerate access to public amenities.

Living by the toxicity of the Bhalswa landfill in a hyperdense settlement, the community faces an acute challenge of fostering healthy spaces. Through frugal means and self-organization, the community is able to make use of smaller pockets of this available open space. Larger pockets, such as spaces around public amenities are ill-maintained and thus underutilized. Herein, the team finds it essential to preserve, and invigorate these public spaces as a means to fostering a dignified life for the community. 


Revamping open spaces also has a direct impact on accelerating access to healthcare and sanitation facilities. Rani, Shankar, and Mohit, all individually claim that the community isn’t able to access the public amenities owing to the existing condition of the interstitial space. By dignified access to these amenities is the intent of catalyzing their use and adoption by the community. 


Neglect regarding waste management is a governing factor to the existing condition of the open spaces. Through sensitization and tactical urbanism, the proposal aspires to tackle the root cause and motivate the community towards waste segregation and disposal. The value is also endowed through the construction process where through the adoption of techniques such as earthbags and using salvaged material, waste is utilized to create value for the community. 


The adopted techniques are examples of lo-fab demanding little material investment but an increased workforce. The team thinks of construction also as an opportunity for skill development and community reform.

Gunraagh

The community and team-first interacted through Gunraagh’s research project - Landfills and the City carried during his time at architecture school in 2018. Sensitized by the people’s plight, Gunraagh has been essential in creating a liaison with the community and authorities.


Ipsita & Eish 

Teaming up with Ipsita and Eish, two young designers based in the city, the initiative led to extensive community engagement and urban study. Curious individuals with a knack for detail and visualization, the duo is responsible for bringing the team’s ideas to life. 


Peeyush & Pradeep

The team found a standing with the community through the efforts of Peeyush Yadav and Pradeep Sharma, founders of an on-ground organization - Ek Nayi Duniya Yuvaon ki Foundation (ENDKYF). The duo are especially vital in community mobilisation and solidifying the initiative’s interaction with the youth. 


Rani & Prince

The team’s effort in visualizing and implementing the project were acknowledged by increased participation of the community in hosted meetings. One such meeting introduced the team to Rani and Prince, responsible for maintaining the public toilet. Interactions with Rani since then have revealed an array of problems the community faces including safety and security, drug-abuse, and health and hygiene. 


Dr. Neeraj, Mohit, & Vijendra

Working at the public healthcare centre established for the community, the doctor and his medical staff are perturbed by the plight of the people. Understanding waste management to be the root cause, the trio has worked to sensitize the people and upkeep the area.

OAN Grants Program
Observe Scranton Exhibition
Mediums to Change
Bringing out Stories from Bhalswa
Initiative towards a better Bhalswa