LUCKNOW: Following the tragic Vikas Nagar fire incident, urban planners and architects are calling for a major reevaluation of how informal settlements and temporary housing areas are designed and rehabilitated in the city.
Experts highlight that shanty settlements often arise near significant construction sites and labor hubs, stressing the need for sustainable rehabilitation that does not displace residents from their existing socio-economic networks.
“Every time there is significant construction, informal housing clusters appear as workers seek proximity to their jobs. Ignoring this reality leads to repeated tragedies. Rather than evicting or relocating families, authorities should consider in-situ redevelopment as a long-term strategy,” stated Aditi Mitra Ghosh, PhD, from the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Kharagpur.
She explained that “in-situ” means “in the original place,” emphasizing that “in-situ rehabilitation” refers to aiding slum dwellers without moving them elsewhere.
Ghosh cautioned that relocating families to distant areas disrupts their livelihoods, particularly for those employed as domestic workers, street vendors, drivers, or daily wage laborers in proximity.
Suresh Nagpal, a certified urban planner from SPA Delhi, underscored the pressing need for affordable, fire-resistant housing designs. He proposed substituting highly combustible materials, such as plastic sheets and cloth, with safer options like insulated tin roofing or fiber cement boards, together with brick or concrete walls.
“Design is vital in averting fire disasters. Simple measures like maintaining 3-6 meter firebreak lanes between clusters can significantly reduce the rapid spread of flames and facilitate access for firefighting services,” he asserted.
Neha Kumari, an independent urban planner from IIT Roorkee, recommended the development of “small group housing” models—compact, planned clusters with essential services, safer materials, and regulated designs aimed at low-income and migrant populations in urban settings.
“If we rebuild without changing our approach, we are just waiting for the next fire,” warned an urban designer. “Integrating planning, safety, and livelihood needs can transform these vulnerable areas into resilient communities,” stated Piyali Dasgupta from the Centre for Urban Disaster Studies at SPA.
