Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence
The Pitch
The Center for Urban and Regional Excellence improved the climate resilience of the Naya Bazar leprosy colony while simultaneously providing jobs to residents. The program expanded access to basic urban services and integrated residents into the local economy and community.
The Problem
Faced with unsanitary and inaccessible bathrooms, residents of Naya Bazar were unable to find dignified and consistent work, leaving many resorting to panhandling to support themselves and their families.
The Process
- Redesigned the community toilets to be accessible and sanitary
- Added bathing stalls to community toilets
- Designed the “Self-Help Group” program, which trained groups of community members for city employment in sustainable resource management
- Trained families in mushroom farming, providing a consistent source of income
- Established a rainwater harvesting system and aquifer repair program (maintained by the self-help groups)
- Created a decentralized, citywide composting system comprised of twelve pits: the compost created is used for farming and greening the colony
- Planted trees within the colony and landscaped the colony’s entrance
- Used landscaping scraps and natural debris to build a playground
The Impact
- Increased Naya Bazar’s monthly family income by 50%
- Expanded job opportunities for vulnerable populations like residents with leprosy, women and teenagers
- Built a rainwater harvesting system, capable of storing 4,000 liters of water, that makes the colony resilient to changing rainfall patterns; overflow is used for irrigation and groundwater recharge
- Supported three self-help groups to produce and sell their own mushroom-based products: vermicompost, phenyl and candles
- Coordinated a mutually beneficial relationship between self-help groups and Rourkela’s Department of Horticulture to buy and sell manure
