LEGAL CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING THE SMART CITIES MISSION IN INDIA: URBAN DISPLACEMENT, HOUSING RIGHTS AND THE RIGHT TO THE CITY

The article analyzes the legal issues surrounding the execution of Smart Cities Mission in India, specifically relating to urban displacement, rights to housing and rights to city. While the mission is being portrayed as modern and inclusive, in reality its implementation usually leads to displacement of informal settlements, and reduction in housing security, with cases of Delhi highlighted as example. The article argues that a legal-institutional setting which favors efficient urban management and infrastructure development over rights of urban citizens, is creating these situations, thus showing the disconnect between the rights to dignity and housing recognized in the constitution and its weak implementation in ground reality. This article thus defines the notion of smart city beyond infrastructure and technologies-it calls for inclusion, dignity and people's rights to stay in the city.