Infrastructure Provision, Gender and Poverty in Indian Slums

• Main Authors: PARIKH, Prithi, FU, Kun, PARIKH, Himanshu, McRobie, Allan, GEORGE, Gerard
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2015
• Subjects: India; slums; infrastructure; gender; poverty; health; Asian Studies; Business; Inequality and Stratification; Infrastructure
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/4697; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/5696/viewcontent/InfrastructureProvision_IndianSlums_2015.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

We examine the relationship between infrastructure provision and poverty alleviation by analyzing 500 interviews conducted in serviced and non-serviced slums in India. Using a mixed-method approach of qualitative analysis and regression modeling, we find that infrastructure was associated with a 66% increase in education among females. Service provision increased literacy by 62%, enhanced income by 36%, and reduced health costs by 26%. Evidence suggests that a gender-sensitive consideration of infrastructure is necessary and that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach will not suffice. We provide evidence that infrastructure investment is critical for well-being of slum dwellers and women in particular.