The informal sector has stepped in providing both coping strategies for the present and showing the possible way forward, in Bengaluru city - a city that is rapidly growing and grappling with issues created by this growth. Water, Sanitation and Solid-waste sectors are perhaps most representative of this phenomenon. Where governance is yet to catch up with rapidly changing reality, the informal entrepreneurs have filled in the gap creating livelihoods, economic value and providing fundamental services to the city. Rajanna is just one of the many friends of ours in this value chain.
While the city has to learn how to solve its problems by learning from what the informal sector has demonstrated, it is important that it does not hijack the informal sector. Risks need to be mitigated, and yes regulation should come in - but without disturbing the way the informal sector has innovated, and without killing the livelihoods it has generated for the poor. Further, the city should find a way to support these enterprising innovators, and use this supportive engagement to drive risk mitigation & regulation
The informal sector has stepped in providing both coping strategies for the present and showing the possible way forward, in Bengaluru city - a city that is rapidly growing and grappling with issues created by this growth. Water, Sanitation and Solid-waste sectors are perhaps most representative of this phenomenon. Where governance is yet to catch up with rapidly changing reality, the informal entrepreneurs have filled in the gap creating livelihoods, economic value and providing fundamental services to the city. Rajanna is just one of the many friends of ours in this value chain.
While the city has to learn how to solve its problems by learning from what the informal sector has demonstrated, it is important that it does not hijack the informal sector. Risks need to be mitigated, and yes regulation should come in - but without disturbing the way the informal sector has innovated, and without killing the livelihoods it has generated for the poor. Further, the city should find a way to support these enterprising innovators, and use this supportive engagement to drive risk mitigation & regulation
Avinash Krishnamurthy, S3IDF & Biome Environmental Trust