Architect Pratima Joshi Transforms Lives with Innovative Solutions for Slum Dwellers

Shelter Associates, led by architect Pratima Joshi, revolutionizes slum settlements through mapping solutions, providing homes with toilets and addressing critical needs.

In the heart of Pune, architect Pratima Joshi is making a profound impact on the lives of slum dwellers through Shelter Associates, a non-profit organization she founded in 1993. The pioneering initiative focuses on transforming slum settlements across Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai, and Kolhapur by providing access to sanitation, housing, and water.

One success story is that of Lata Ratan Misal from Indira Vasahat in Pune. Prior to Shelter Associates' intervention, Misal faced challenges accessing community toilets, especially at night, raising concerns for her safety. In 2021, the NGO's project brought relief to Misal and many others by providing toilets inside their homes—a transformative change that Misal considers a "blessing."

Joshi, with an architectural background, consciously chose the path of social development over traditional commercial projects after completing her master's course at London’s Bachelor’s School of Architecture and Planning. Her vision, established three decades ago, remains unchanged: revolutionizing slum settlements in India through a community-centric approach.

Shelter Associates' remarkable achievements include providing toilets inside 27,000 slum homes, a feat once considered a dream. Joshi attributes their success to a crucial element: data. Recognizing the lack of well-formulated data in the late '90s, Joshi embraced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze census information, infrastructure, and access to facilities.

The advent of Google Earth in 2005 further enhanced Shelter Associates' mapping capabilities. The NGO utilized satellite-backed maps to assign plus codes and digital addresses to over 87,500 homes, facilitating deliveries and essential services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond mapping, Shelter Associates conducted surveys on the ground to understand the dynamics of slum clusters. Contrary to stereotypes, data revealed that 70 percent of families preferred having a toilet in their homes, dispelling myths about slum dwellers' preferences.

Joshi's commitment to improving housing services without uprooting lives is evident in projects like the 'Slum Rehabilitation' initiative in Sangli-Miraj. In this endeavor, more than 1,500 families actively participated in the design process, ensuring a sensitive and well-planned housing solution.

Looking ahead, Joshi's focus extends to a rehabilitation project in Kanpur, emphasizing a community-driven approach. Shelter Associates also conducts workshops on menstrual hygiene, promoting sustainable practices, and manages solid waste through spatial data to enhance waste collection efficiency.

As architect Pratima Joshi continues to dream of better standards of living for slum dwellers, she reflects on the journey, acknowledging the challenges faced in the early years. Despite the road ahead being long, Joshi remains resolute, drawing strength from the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Reference:

khemkafoundation.net

www.re-thinkingthefuture.com

www.thebetterindia.com