Impact of urban policy reform: A case study of the informal sector in solid waste management in Delhi

Abstract

Constant re-invention or reform is seen as a key to success by cities around the world. However, reforms did not always prove to be a smooth process in developing countries, as the race to bring them in often led to widespread exclusion of certain sections of society. Such a situation becomes complex when reforms that are not informed by the context in which they come about negatively impact groups belonging to the most marginalised sections of society. Such groups are neither able to retaliate nor garner support for their plight due to their social standing and the nature of work they undertake. A closer examination as to why certain interventions on the part of the state go awry suggests aloofness by reformers of public policy from the context as well as lack of inclusiveness and participation of all stakeholders. In order to empirically test this framework, this chapter investigates the experience of reforms in solid waste management (SWM) with the focus being on the city of Delhi, on the informal sector, more specifically ragpickers engaged in the management of waste.