Measuring Hazard-Free Improved Shelter across the Regions of India

Abstract

Abstract Global climate change poses an increasingly dire threat to habitats, livelihoods, and communities worldwide. In this study, we have tried to examine the state of improved shelter facilities in India, utilizing the methodology outlined by UN-Habitat. The findings of our research alarm that over one-third of India's population lacks access to adequate shelter. Moreover, a significant disparity in the availability of improved shelter facilities is observed across various states in India. In regions prone to hazards such as floods and earthquakes, there is a considerable lag in terms of improved shelter provisions. On the other hand, non-hazardous areas demonstrate relatively higher rates of access to improved shelter. Our study reveals a marked distinction between improved shelter and hazard-free improved shelter estimates. Merely two out of every five households in India can be considered safe from the perils of floods, landslides, and earthquakes. However, the situation is considerably worse in rural areas, where both improved shelter and hazard-free improved shelter are scarce. This highlights the urgent need to adopt hazard-free improved shelter as a more refined metric for housing, as it can prove instrumental in guiding effective planning and policymaking initiatives. To ensure a risk-free living environment for future generations, it is imperative to undertake micro-level vulnerability mapping and conduct comprehensive risk assessments for various hazards. Furthermore, the government must take proactive measures to promote resilient housing infrastructure as a crucial component of sustainable development.