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Incipient Informality in Delhi’s “Formalized” Suburban Space

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Space, Planning and Everyday Contestations in Delhi

Part of the book series: Exploring Urban Change in South Asia ((EUCS))

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Abstract

In this chapter we use a case study of Savda Ghevra resettlement colony to illustrate how incipient informality and insurgent space making follow in the wake of a formal act of planning, filling the gaps of service provision and opening opportunities for entrepreneurship and downward raiding. We use empirical evidence from Savda to define incipient informality as emergent, spontaneous and necessary acts by citizens for survival, and adaptation of space to accommodate livelihoods when displaced as insurgent space making.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Interview conducted 11 June 2012.

  2. 2.

    Interview conducted 4 June 2012.

  3. 3.

    Interview conducted 8 June 2012.

  4. 4.

    This group of families has often been called the ‘P98’. They have been living under some trees in makeshift shelters for 8 years, waiting for justice to be served. For a detailed account of their struggle, see Rao (2013) and Srivastava (2012).

  5. 5.

    Interview conducted 19 June 2012.

  6. 6.

    Interview conducted 10 July 2012.

  7. 7.

    Interview conducted 20 June 2012.

  8. 8.

    Interview conducted 23 June 2012.

  9. 9.

    Minibus that runs on natural gas, which commutes to and from the nearest centres.

  10. 10.

    Interview conducted 5 June 2012.

  11. 11.

    Interview conducted 10 July 2012.

  12. 12.

    Interview conducted 9 July 2012.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Architecture and Fine Art, Department of Urban Design and Planning, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

    Rolee Aranya &  Vilde Ulset

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  1. Rolee Aranya
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  2. Vilde Ulset
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Correspondence to Rolee Aranya .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. ALHOSN University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Surajit Chakravarty

  2. Ambedkar University Delhi, New Delhi, India

    Rohit Negi

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Rolee Aranya, Vilde Ulset (2016). Incipient Informality in Delhi’s “Formalized” Suburban Space. In: Chakravarty, S., Negi, R. (eds) Space, Planning and Everyday Contestations in Delhi. Exploring Urban Change in South Asia. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2154-8_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2154-8_6

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