Assessing Quality of Life in Slums: A Study in Municipal Areas of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal

Abstract

The proliferation of slums in urban areas poses a significant challenge for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), with nearly one billion people worldwide residing in informal settlements marked by overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and poor living conditions. This study assesses the Quality of Life (QOL) of slum dwellers in the municipalities of Purba Medinipur (Haldia, Egra, Contai, Panskura, and Tamluk), West Bengal, employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using statistical techniques, including composite indexing, standard deviation, component analysis, correlation matrix, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), alongside GIS for spatial representation. Five key domains were evaluated to determine QOL: Housing Condition Index (HCI), Infrastructure and Sanitation Index (ISI), Health and Healthcare Index (HHI), Education Index (EI), and Employment and Income Index (EII). The findings reveal significant disparities in living standards across municipalities. Poor hygienic conditions and inadequate access to basic amenities contribute to unsatisfactory living standards in most slums. Notably, Panskura Municipality ranked highest in QOL, while Egra and Haldia lagged behind, particularly in housing, sanitation, and healthcare. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted policy interventions to improve living conditions in slums. These insights can inform urban planning and slum rehabilitation strategies to enhance the well-being of marginalized communities.