Abstract:
As some of the most vulnerable communities in the world, urban informal settlements face the
fury of natural hazards as a result of precarious living conditions, which exacerbate their risk to
disasters. A large population of the worlds informal settlements exist in India, a country with an
exponentially growing population over the last few decades, along with rapid and unregulated
urbanisation. The presence of disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts in India exists through
various policies such as housing initiatives and poverty reduction, however, these policies often
adopt top-down approaches, leaving the risks of the urban poor unaddressed. This thesis explores
the effectiveness of DRR initiatives in urban informal settlements in India, focusing on the
communities of Krishna Nagar, Idgah, and Phagli in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Drawing on a
theoretical framework influenced by the concept of governmentality, this study examines the state
of existing DRR efforts, the unique vulnerabilities faced by residents, and the effectiveness of the
current initiatives. Through a combination of qualitative methods, including thematic analysis,
key findings emerge regarding the disconnect between top-down governance approaches and
community needs, the role of NGOs in filling gaps left by governmental interventions, and the
perpetuation of stereotypes and marginalisation faced by informal settlement residents. This
research also adopts a case study approach of the August 2023 landslide disaster in Himachal
Pradesh, to present the data findings in the context of a disaster presently experienced by the
participants. This study highlights the urgent need for nuanced and integrated approaches in
DRR initiatives, emphasising community empowerment, holistic interventions, and advocacy for
policy reform. The proposed interventions aim to address the identified gaps and challenges by
prioritising community participation, integrating local knowledge, and fostering inclusivity.
