ILDC 2023 - Day 2 Agenda
The SDG, goal 1, target 1.4 aims for security of tenure for all, especially for the poor and the vulnerable (UNDP, 2015). Seventy percent of the world’s population has no access to the formal land administration systems and hence their rights are not formally secured. Organization of proper land rights records can help solve a number of related problems. Cadastres are one of the important building blocks for creating a successful land administration system. Often, however, traditional methods for cadastral surveying and mapping prove lengthy and labor intensive, making it difficult to get updated information. Remote Sensing based methods that could provide cheap, fast and effective solutions to speed up mapping boundaries can assist and thus, are actively being investigated. The main purpose of this Master Class is to showcase the use of feature extraction methods for extraction of visible cadastral boundaries using very high resolution (VHR) satellite imagery. The session will include presentations with examples and demonstration of different feature extraction methods applied to various country contexts.
In our commitment to addressing the pressing issue of women's land rights, we propose a session that brings together diverse perspectives and narratives. This session will showcase pivotal stakeholders, including Para Legal Workers (PLWs), a triumphant Women Farmer who has secured her land rights, and the dedicated team from the Working Group for Women and Land Ownership (WGWLO), known for their innovative strategies in advancing women's access and control over land and related resources. Entitled "Women and Getting Her Land Rights," the session aims to illuminate the multifaceted challenges women encounter on their journey to secure land rights. These obstacles encompass deeply entrenched societal norms, legal barriers stemming from restricted access to legal services, and the complexities of obtaining familial consent, which often hinder women's efforts to assert their land rights. Furthermore, technical hurdles, such as a lack of understanding and access to land records, compound these challenges. At its core, this session will share the inspiring narrative of a woman farmer who has surmounted these formidable obstacles to secure her land rights, symbolizing the resilience and determination of women in the face of adversity. Additionally, the session will delve into the remarkable strategies employed by WGWLO to assist women in navigating these issues successfully. With over two decades of experience advocating for Women Land Rights (WLR), WGWLO has a rich history of addressing persistent challenges and continues to work tirelessly towards securing these rights. This session offers an exploration of the intricate web of challenges women confront when asserting their land rights, celebrates their stories of triumph, and provides valuable insights into the strategies championed by WGWLO to facilitate and streamline this process. With a vision of creating model villages where every woman holds clear entitlements to land, WGWLO aspires to empower communities where 80% of women possess undisputed land titles, and 40% actively engage in sustainable agriculture on their own land. Through its unwavering efforts, WGWLO seeks to extend this transformation to more communities, one model village at a time.
Three decades have passed since the constitutional amendments in 1992 led to the establishment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards decentralised governance. The Panchayati Raj system, comprising Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads, aims to bring governance closer to the people, empowering local communities to make decisions that directly affect their lives.
PRIs play a pivotal role in land governance, addressing land disputes, facilitating land distribution, and ensuring equitable access to land resources at the grassroots level. They are instrumental in protecting common natural resources and fostering community ownership through gram sabhas. They have made significant strides in facilitating local democracy, however challenges such as resource constraints, political interference, and capacity-building gaps have hindered their full potential in land governance.
This panel discussion aims to explore the future of PRIs with a particular emphasis on land governance. It seeks to strengthen local democracy, propose reforms, and devise strategies for enhanced grassroots stewardship. Experts, practitioners, and scholars will collaboratively evaluate the performance of PRIs in land governance, emphasising their achievements and addressing the areas that require improvement.
Key Discussion Points:
What are the key challenges PRIs face in land governance, and how can the challenges be addressed? How can PRIs be further empowered to effectively manage land governance and strengthen local democracy?
How are provisions/schemes like MGNREGA and GPDP leveraged by the PRIs and CSOs for planning and implementation of restoration activities?
What reforms and strategies can be adopted to protect land rights and encourage sustainable land use at the grassroots level?
The nexus between women and land relations is a multifaceted and intricate domain that intersects with various socio-cultural, economic, and political factors. This abstract note delves into the complex landscape of women’s land rights, exploring the diverse dimensions and emphasizing the intricacies of these rights within the context of caste and class configurations, structural inequalities, and power dynamics.
Historically, women’s relationship with land has been marked by disparities and gender-based discrimination. The allocation and ownership of land have typically favored men, relegating women to subordinate positions. However, in contemporary times, there has been an increasing recognition of the importance of women’s land rights in fostering gender equality and socio-economic development.
Caste and class configurations significantly influence women’s land rights. In many societies, these dimensions often intersect, complicating women’s access to and control over land. Discriminatory practices based on caste can further marginalize women within their own communities, depriving them of land and property rights. Class-based disparities exacerbate these inequalities, as women from lower socio-economic backgrounds often face additional hurdles in asserting their land rights.
Structural inequalities play a pivotal role in perpetuating disparities in women’s land rights. Discriminatory laws and policies, cultural norms, and historical practices have entrenched these inequalities. Addressing structural inequalities is imperative to ensure equitable land access and ownership for women.
Power dynamics within the realm of land relations also play a significant role in shaping women’s land rights. These dynamics are shaped by patriarchal norms and power structures that disempower women in decision-making processes related to land. Empowering women in this context is not only about providing them with legal rights but also about challenging and transforming these entrenched power structures.
In conclusion, the landscape of women’s land rights is a complex and evolving terrain, where the intricate interplay of caste, class, structural inequalities, and power dynamics significantly influences women’s access to and control over land. Recognizing the importance of addressing these issues is crucial for achieving gender equality and promoting women’s socio-economic empowerment within the context of land relations. This abstract note underscores the need for comprehensive policies, legal reforms, and societal transformation to ensure that women have equal and meaningful participation in land ownership and management.
This session is a collaborative round table discussion featuring a diverse array of dynamic organizations dedicated to advancing women’s land rights. The primary objective of this session is to amplify the voices of those working at the grassroots level and shed light on the significance of women’s land rights. This session seeks to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and successes in the field of women’s land rights while promoting active engagement and knowledge-sharing among all participants. The session is structured into three parts, with active engagement of representatives from all participating organizations and the audience.
Duration: 90 Minutes
Languages: Hindi, English, regional languages (as per the field professionals’ comfort)
Part 1: Voices from Below
In this segment, representatives from each of the participating organizations (Please refer Annexure 2) who are field professionals will share insights from their experiences and their pivotal roles in driving change in women’s land rights at the grassroots level. In doing so, each of the member/representative shall briefly talk about their organization, their work profile including geographical location.
Immediately following these brief presentations by each member, they will present a concise video case story (2-3 minutes maximum) highlighting the transformative journeys of women while accessing, claiming, or owning land with the support/facilitation/guidance of the field professional. The narratives will underscore the direct and positive impacts on these women, their families, and their communities.
Each presenter through this video case story will showcase a unique theme on how secure land tenure for women can foster a sense of self-respect and dignity, enhance access to education for their children, improve livelihoods, reduce poverty, ensure food security, and contribute to environmental preservation.
Part 2: Thematic Discussion
This segment will revolve around theme-based questions posed to the field professionals. The questions will encompass various aspects of their work on Women’s Land Rights (WLR) initiatives. Topics to be discussed include:
● Challenges encountered while working on WLR initiatives
● Strategies to address social and cultural resistance in WLR efforts, particularly in handling the
intersectionality of gender, caste, and socioeconomic factors
● Approaches to tackle reluctance in enforcing existing laws concerning women’s land rights
● Strategies employed to overcome coordination challenges among stakeholders
● Handling security issues encountered while working on women’s land rights and addressing
resistance from powerful interests
● Real-world examples of innovative strategies and solutions implemented in the realm of
women’s land rights
Please refer Annexure 3 for the suggested questions based on the themes above. Part 3: Engaging with the Audience (Reflections, Questions and Answers)
This interactive section will encourage attendees to share their thoughts, experiences, and ask questions. A facilitated dialogue will revolve around practical actions that individuals and communities can undertake to further women’s land rights. Additionally, we will provide valuable resources and toolkits to empower participants beyond the session.
Annexures:
Annexure 1: Organization Profiles
A concise document with a summary of participating organizations and key highlights of their work pertaining to the theme they are going to present.
Annexure 2: Roundtable members list
List of the organizations and their representatives will be prepared and shared after the discussion with Womanity and CLG.
Annexure 3: Thematic questions
Theme 1: Challenges encountered while working on WLR initiatives:
Can you share the specific challenges your organization faced in its Women’s Land Rights (WLR) initiatives that required innovative problem-solving, and how did you address it?
Theme 2: Strategies to address social and cultural resistance:
Could you provide an example of a successful strategy or program that effectively addressed social and cultural resistance while considering the intersectionality of gender, caste, and socioeconomic factors in the context of WLR?
Theme 3: Reluctance in enforcing existing laws concerning women’s land rights:
What strategies have been instrumental in overcoming reluctance or challenges in enforcing existing laws related to women’s land rights in your work?
Theme 4: Challenges and strategies to coordinate with stakeholders:
Can you share a case where your organization successfully navigated coordination challenges among various stakeholders, especially government stakeholders, and what key strategies or approaches contributed to the success of the collaboration?
Theme 5: Handling security issues:
In a situation where security concerns or resistance from powerful interests arose, how did your organization manage the situation, and what strategies were effective in ensuring the safety of your team and advancing women’s land rights?
Theme 6: Real-World Examples of Innovative Strategies:
Please share an innovative strategy or solution your organization has implemented in the field of women’s land rights that resulted in a significant positive impact, and what lessons can others learn from this innovative approach?
The valuation of land and property is a complex field with multiple dimensions that have far-reaching implications within the realm of land relations. This abstract note explores the intricacies of formal lending, access to institutional credit, valuation, land value capture, and related aspects, shedding light on the diverse facets of this critical domain.
Formal lending and access to institutional credit are essential components of land and property transactions. The process of securing loans for land acquisition or property development involves navigating intricate financial landscapes. Understanding the formal lending systems and accessing institutional credit can be both an opportunity and a challenge, especially for marginalized communities. This note underscores the significance of creating equitable and accessible financial mechanisms that empower all individuals in land transactions.
Valuation is a pivotal aspect of land and property management. The accurate assessment of a property’s worth is critical for various purposes, including taxation, investment decisions, and disputes. Valuation methodologies and practices vary widely, and discrepancies can lead to significant economic and social implications. A nuanced understanding of valuation techniques and their impact on land relations is crucial for ensuring fair and transparent property transactions.
Land value capture is a concept that extends beyond mere valuation. It involves the mechanisms through which the increased value of land, often resulting from public investments and infrastructure development, can be captured for the benefit of the community. This entails intricate negotiations and policy frameworks, affecting the interests of various stakeholders. Ensuring that land value capture is equitable and benefits the broader community is a key consideration within the realm of land relations.
In conclusion, land and property valuation is a multifaceted domain, intricately intertwined with formal lending, access to institutional credit, valuation practices, and land value capture. These aspects hold significant importance in shaping land relations, property ownership, and economic development. Recognizing the complexities within this field is essential for policymakers, real estate professionals, and communities alike. It emphasizes the need for inclusive financial systems, fair and standardized valuation methods, and transparent land value capture mechanisms to foster equitable and sustainable land relations and property management.
In India, like in many countries, there are several major challenges related to land use governance, competition for limited land resources, and the lack of scientific data. These challenges can have significant social, economic, and environmental implications. Some of the major challenges include:
● Land Tenure and Ownership Issues: Ambiguities and disputes regarding land ownership and tenure can lead to conflicts and hinder effective land use governance. In many cases, unclear land titles make it difficult for individuals and communities to make sustainable investments in land. Inadequate and outdated land records and scientific data make it difficult to assess the status of land resources accurately. Without proper data, it is challenging to develop effective land use policies and strategies.
● Land Fragmentation: In India, land often gets fragmented into smaller parcels due to inheritance patterns. This fragmentation can make it challenging to implement efficient land-use practices and technologies, affecting agricultural productivity.
● Competing Land Uses: The competition for land resources is fierce, with various sectors such as agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and conservation vying for land. Balancing these competing interests while ensuring sustainability is a significant challenge.
● Land Degradation and Environmental Concerns: Land degradation, including soil erosion, salinization, and desertification, is a pressing issue in India. It affects agricultural productivity and contributes to rural poverty. Land-use decisions often neglect environmental considerations. This can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and ecological imbalances, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes land tenure reforms, improved land records, sustainable land-use planning, and better access to scientific data. It also necessitates collaboration among government agencies, communities, and stakeholders to develop and implement effective land use policies and practices that balance competing interests while promoting sustainability and equity.
In this session, we will present some evidence on competing uses of land for food security, livestock production and biodiversity conservation.
The complex interaction of coastal land tenure and governance systems presents a multifaceted landscape that profoundly impacts communities, access to resources, and livelihoods. This abstract note explores the intricate dynamics of coastal land tenure, emphasizing the management of protected areas, the concept of commoning, and governance structures within the context of land relations.
Coastal regions are vital ecosystems, hosting rich biodiversity and supporting countless livelihoods. The allocation and management of coastal land and resources directly influence the well-being of communities residing in these areas. The establishment of protected areas within coastal regions often poses challenges, as it involves reconciling conservation goals with the traditional land-use practices of coastal communities. Striking a balance between these interests is paramount for sustainable coastal land tenure and governance.
The concept of commoning in coastal land tenure signifies communal ownership and resource-sharing. Coastal communities often engage in collective arrangements for resource management, encompassing practices such as communal fishing, shared farming, and collaborative conservation efforts. Understanding the intricacies of commoning is essential for appreciating the resilience and adaptive capacity of coastal communities in the face of changing environmental conditions and economic pressures.
Effective governance structures are fundamental to the equitable and sustainable management of coastal land and resources. Coastal land relations often involve diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and non-governmental organizations. The governance frameworks governing these interactions can be complex, requiring transparency, inclusivity, and adaptive management approaches to address the multifaceted challenges of coastal land tenure.
In conclusion, the intricate dynamics of coastal land tenure and governance significantly impact communities, access to resources, and livelihoods in coastal regions. The management of protected areas, the concept of commoning, and governance structures play pivotal roles in shaping the land relations within these areas. Recognizing the interplay between conservation, communal resource management, and effective governance is vital for fostering sustainable coastal land tenure and promoting the well-being of coastal communities. This abstract note underscores the need for collaborative and adaptive approaches that respect the rights and traditions of coastal communities while safeguarding coastal ecosystems and resources.
In recent years, a growing number of organizations have actively engaged in addressing women's access to and control over diverse types of land, including forests, agriculture, homesteads, and communal areas. These organizations working across different States in India collaborate with a diverse range of women, such as single, married, elderly women, and those from scheduled castes and tribes. While each demographic context brings forth its fair share of obstacles and opportunities, the organisations also gain valuable insights along the way. This semi-structured session aims to bring together the organizations working on women and land, fostering connections, and exploring potential cooperation and support. By collectively navigating the complex and often adventurous terrain at the intersection of women and land, this collaboration can yield more effective solutions for ensuring equitable land access for women.
In recent years, a growing number of organizations have actively engaged in addressing women's access to and control over diverse types of land, including forests, agriculture, homesteads, and communal areas. These organizations working across different States in India collaborate with a diverse range of women, such as single, married, elderly women, and those from scheduled castes and tribes. While each demographic context brings forth its fair share of obstacles and opportunities, the organisations also gain valuable insights along the way. This semi-structured session aims to bring together the organizations working on women and land, fostering connections, and exploring potential cooperation and support. By collectively navigating the complex and often adventurous terrain at the intersection of women and land, this collaboration can yield more effective solutions for ensuring equitable land access for women.
The Forest Rights Act has, at the minimum, the potential to secure rights and livelihoods of at least 20 crore Adivasis and other traditional forest dwellers over 40 million ha (50% of India’s forest land) covering 177,000 villages. However, till now individual and community rights have been recognized in over 10-13% of the minimum potential area and the recognition of Community Forest Resource rights is merely 3 to 5 % of the actual potential. The implementation challenges include capacity building, institutional and budgetary support, procedural hurdles, conflicting laws, and others.
Scaling up the implementation of FRA, particularly the recognition of CFR rights has emerged as a key challenge. Civil society organisations, government, and support agencies have been exploring possible strategies to scale up FRA implementation and there are a few initiatives for scaling up FRA implementation which offer important learning and insights such as the initiatives in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
The session is proposed to have a discussion on the experiences and initiatives for Scaling up FRA implementation in the states, the learning and insights from ongoing initiatives, the strategies and actions that are required, and also on the challenges/gap areas in upscaling initiatives. This discussion will be with a panel sharing experiences and initiatives and a group of participants engaged in FRA-CFR implementation in the states.
Panel Overview: Engaging in a discussion that sheds light on the collaborative efforts of Cadasta and its partners to secure individual and community forests under the Indian Forest Rights Act (FRA). This panel will delve into the technical approaches, challenges, and successes in empowering local communities to map, document, and claim their forest rights, protect vital ecosystems, safeguard cultural and spiritual sites, and promote sustainable resource
management.
Key Discussion Points:
1. Understanding the FRA: What is the FRA, and how does it recognize the rights of individuals and communities over customary and community forests?
2. Technological Solutions to Documenting Forests: How does technology, such as mapping tools and land documentation, aid in demarcating and registering community forest lands? What are the specific benefits of technology in this context?
3. Partnerships for Impact: What critical role do partners, including local NGOs, government agencies, and grassroots organizations, play in supporting FRA provisions and community-led forest management? How does collaboration with Cadasta benefit these partners in their work?
4. Challenges and Solutions: Can you share real-world case studies illustrating how FRA implementation and technology tools have empowered communities to secure their forest rights, enhance livelihoods, and conserve biodiversity? How has technology been a catalyst for community empowerment?
5. Sustainable Forest Management: How does the recognition of customary and
community forests contribute to sustainable forest management, climate change
mitigation, and rural development? What are the long-term benefits of securing these vital ecosystems for both communities and the environment?
6. Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Preservation: How do partnerships with indigenous communities contribute to the preservation of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage within forest management? Can technology play in preserving and sharing this knowledge?
7. Gender Equity and Inclusivity: In what ways are gender equity and inclusivity promoted through FRA implementation, and how do partners address gender-related challenges in forest management?
8. Monitoring and Evaluation: How is technology used for monitoring and evaluating the impact of FRA implementation and community-led forest management initiatives? What specific tools or approaches are employed?
Manipur is divided into valley and hilly areas. Settlement and Land owning system differs from valley to hilly regions. In valley areas most of the lands are individually owned and they have Pata (govt. Issued land document) but in the hilly regions lands are owned by the land owners also differ from Naga to Kuki. Landownership in Naga society is governed by village head that authorise and give permission for settlement in the village in a particular plot. They practice customary land tenure system which differs from village to village also have lands owned by clan (clan land), community land. In Kuki society, the village Chief has complete authority over landownership and village affaires. He is the sole owner of the land, distributes the land to the villagers and has the power to expel any villagers from the village. Comparatively, density of the population is increasing thus, accessibility and availability of land in tribal villages have become limited. Access to land varies among the tribalcommunities under the prevailing customary tenure regimes. The land tenure systems vary across communities, clans and also many times among villages deciding access to land which is critical for livelihoods as well as resilience of hill ecosystems. Land issue in Manipur is not different from other parts of the country. As land itself is a vast subject, land issue is one of the crucial issues facing in the society between one community to another, between neighbouring villages and also within the village. Due to improper or no demarcation of the land and no documentation conflicts arises among the tribal communities residing in the hills of Manipur. To enhance the resilience of hill ecosystems, settled agriculture and farming is required to be encouraged along with forest conservation. Overlapping land tenure is the rule in the prevailing customary tenure regimes, with land relations spatially and temporally overlapping vis-à-vis uses. Customary tenure regimes also lack provisions for equal land rights for women. Therefore considering all the above issues RNBA over last years have brought in substantive changes around perceptions and practices of land tenure in many villages in Manipur. Entry points among customary authorities now have been carved around scope of improved tenure security around long-term land uses (viz. orchards, terraces etc.) through individual and group rights. Willingness to extend joint rights to spouses and exclusive rights to single
women have been also agreed to by many village authorities, so as the provision of group rights to women SHG. Following mapping of such land tenures along with homesteads, authorities and households are now willing to explore a system of village registry with provision of land tenure certificates as evidences of documented tenure to help access public services entitlements. The initiatives begun around documentation of customary tenure also need to continue particularly in an interdisciplinary and action research mode to bring out right and adaptive reforms around women land rights, overlapping tenure documentation and building village registry. The plots are mapped by seeking the consent (Free and Prior Consent) from the villagers, land owners and Village authorities. Village authorities, Youth, women, holder and neighbours participated during mapping of plots/parcels to ensure that no conflict arises due to the mapping. Trainings on mapping were provided for the Youths in the village for assisting the Field data collectors (FDC) while collecting information and maps. This ensures participation of community in mapping process. During the course of such engagements it is now learnt that interfacing with church leaders are also equally important as that with clan leaders, village authorities, as churches over years, have been playing critical role in mapping and recording land uses and tenures, particularly during periodic celebrations. Moreover, they are found to have strategic reformist influence over political power structure and with their receptivity to change, can play a catalytic role to reform land tenure. RNBA is also critically engage in strategic advocacy by building and strengthening state level networks, and also aiming activities around evidence building and engaging with state, financial institutions and connecting to national and international platforms.
Therefore, RNBA diligently working on putting more efforts to add values in terms of process in improving land rights of the community.
Urbanization has become a defining feature of the modern world, but its effects on inclusive development and governance are far from uniform. This abstract note examines the intricate dynamics of urbanization, with a focus on splintering urbanism, gentrification, urban planning, and urban governance, within the context of land relations.
Splintering urbanism represents a complex phenomenon where urban areas fragment into disconnected enclaves characterized by disparities in access to resources and opportunities. This process often has profound consequences for land relations, as marginalized communities are frequently displaced or excluded from development projects, leading to land tenure insecurity and inequality. Understanding splintering urbanism is vital for addressing the spatial disparities that define contemporary urban landscapes.
Gentrification, a byproduct of urban development, poses significant challenges to inclusive urbanization. It involves the transformation of neighborhoods through the influx of more affluent residents, often leading to the displacement of long-standing, low-income communities. Gentrification has direct implications for land relations as it alters property values, land use patterns, and the social fabric of urban areas. Examining the effects of gentrification is crucial for crafting policies that balance economic development with social equity.
Urban planning plays a central role in shaping the physical and social structure of cities. Effective planning can enhance the quality of life for urban residents while promoting sustainable and inclusive development. However, the practice of urban planning is riddled with complexities, including land use regulations, zoning, and infrastructure development. Recognizing the role of urban planning in land relations is fundamental to creating cities that are both vibrant and socially equitable.
Urban governance is the cornerstone of inclusive urbanization. It encompasses decision-making processes, regulatory frameworks, and the allocation of resources within cities. Effective urban governance can mitigate the negative consequences of splintering urbanism and gentrification, ensuring that land relations are just and secure for all residents. Analyzing the intricacies of urban governance provides insights into the mechanisms that drive or hinder inclusive development in urban areas.
In conclusion, inclusive urbanization, governance, and development are contingent upon understanding and addressing the intricate dynamics of splintering urbanism, gentrification, urban planning, and urban governance within the context of land relations. It is imperative to recognize that equitable and sustainable urban development requires a multi-pronged approach that integrates social, economic, and environmental considerations, all within a framework of inclusive land relations. This abstract note underscores the need for comprehensive urban policies that prioritize the rights and well-being of all urban residents while fostering the growth and resilience of cities.
‘Land-People Relations: Diversity and Transitions’
In independent India, the urban is a legacy project of colonisation and postcolonial experiments. To this end, land and water ecologies have undergone transformations under different planning regimes that have come to govern society and ecology. This panel discussion serves as an expansive forum to explore the tenure legacies of urban commons and the possibilities they hold to reimagine urban futures in India.
Today, urban commons emerge as a vital nexus for advocacy, practice, research, and policy. Such a layered mandate encourages us to focus on historical contexts and contemporary challenges together as they secure, shape and occupy our imagination and spatiality. At its essence, this conversation embodies a collective effort to unravel the complexities of urban commons, exploring their profound intersections with issues such as land tenure, rights paradigms, aesthetics, and relationship between human and non-human life. Through this panel, we can focus 1.) towards a legal-policy-practice framework of urban commons: global south perspectives, 2.) mitigation and adaptation in surface air temperature: implications for urban heat islands in global south, 3.) more-than-human urbanism and nature: urban transformations in global south 4.) the nexus of food, urbanisation, and open spaces, and 5.) the limits of urban commons. Crucial to our discussions is the assertion of diverse rights and imaginations within urban commons. Further, conversations on urban commons should transcend human life, delving into the coexistence of urban commons and non-human life in Indian cities. Urban commons present a possibility for such a future.
In cities, the focus should be on a conscious engagement with colonial and postcolonial legacies and being sensitive towards local trajectories of place and time in our approaches. Such engagement is possible by giving time to communities and ensuring the process is reflective of the cultural imaginations of people who see themselves in the projects as active and primary. While there is a call for setting the “core criteria of citizenship and civility” to address the cause of ecological justice in the city (Baviskar, 2021, p. 163), changes in caste form the central nature of this civility (Waghmore, 2019). Therefore, it is critical to discuss the commodification of commons in cities by engaging with notions of caste and civility and changes over time and space. In addition, citizenship has been a major area of interest in scholarship on democratic politics and public space. Therefore, claim-making, required for securing citizenship (Baviskar, 2021), is discussed by several authors across caste and class lines in India. The panel critically engages on the growing literature on the water-land ecologies in urban areas, open spaces and recreation-leisure activities in urban areas to understand commons and their urban underpinning. The growth of city centres has led to their integration into the global market economy, flow of capital and dependencies between cities and regions. This urban restructuring is a visible feature of the Global South and Global North, but these transformations make the cities in the Global South more vulnerable to exclusion and privatisation at different levels.
In summary, such an agenda would require engagement not just from an interdisciplinary perspective on urban commons but, at the same time, require practice and policy to work in congruence. This leaves a large amount of work that needs to be done, not just by academic institutes in India, but also by donor agencies and practitioners to work with governments to map tenurial practices related to urban commons. What does a future of urban commons look for India beyond the colonial and postcolonial legacies is an important intellectual project that requires understanding 1.) tipping points in urban commons, 2.) LULC data over time and long-term engagement with communities to document practices and relations, 3.) critically engage with planning and state formation and 4.) legal and cultural dimensions. Such as understanding will be a timely reflective exercise Indian cities shall engage to plan, keeping urban commons as primary to its future.
