What is the Insitu Slum Rehabilitation Scheme?

In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation is a development model where existing slum residents are rehabilitated into new permanent housing built on the same land they currently occupy, funded partly through cross-subsidization from sale of free-market housing on the same plot.

How the Scheme Works

• Developer rehabilitates slum dwellers into free tenements on the same site
• Remaining free-sale component sold on the open market to fund the project
• Government transfers development rights to incentivize developer participation

Benefits of the Model

• Provides permanent housing without displacing communities from their location
• Utilizes existing urban land rather than developing greenfield sites
• Cross-subsidization reduces public funding requirements

Challenges in Practice

• Complex stakeholder management with slum residents and political interests
• Legal disputes over eligibility and cut-off dates for beneficiaries
• Project timelines often extended by consent and litigation challenges

In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation offers a pragmatic urban renewal model that balances housing provision with community continuity, though its successful implementation requires careful planning, transparent processes, and sustained political commitment.