The world’s first slum improvement programme: Calcutta’s bustees, 1876

The world’s first slum improvement programme: Calcutta’s bustees, 1876–1910

Harris, Richard

Many believe that the first slum (settlement) upgrading projects were launched in the 1960s. In fact, arguably the world’s first began in Calcutta in 1876 and ran until 1910. It was sui generis. Like recent programmes, Calcutta’s prioritized sanitary infrastructure over dwelling repairs; unlike them, it lacked resident participation. Inspired by sanitary initiatives in Britain, it was motivated by public health concerns, especially for Europeans; unusually, it had precise geographical foci. It involved the extension of sewers; of water lines to standpipes, wash stations, and public latrines; the filling in of tanks (ponds) used for washing and cooking; the closing of domestic wells; street cleaning and street widening. It was modestly effective but had the unanticipated effect of encouraging piecemeal redevelopment at higher densities. Locally and internationally, it was soon forgotten so that similar programmes had to be reinvented. In that respect, it exemplifies a common pattern of policy amnesia.

Abbreviations: AR: Administration Reports of the Commissioners of Calcutta; Calcutta: The Municipal Press; BC: Bustee Committee, Minutes; BMP: Bengal. Municipal Proceedings; IOR: India Office Records, British Museum; SC: Report of the Commission Appointed under Section 28 of Act IV (B.C.) of 1876 to Enquire into Certain Matters Connected with the Sanitation of the Town of Calcutta; Calcutta: Bengal Secretariat Press, 1885 [Sanitation Commission].