LIVING AND WORKING: THE FUNCTION AND DESIGN OF HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME HOMEBASED WORKERS

1. LIVING AND WORKING: THE FUNCTION AND DESIGN OF HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME HOMEBASED WORKERS Nandini Bhaskara Rao University of Michigan Contact: nbhaskar@umich.edu

2. Introduction Purpose To understand the spatial and social impacts of home-based work on the function and design of housing for low-income home-based workers.

3. Introduction Hussain Sagar Hyderabad River Musi Mir Alam Tank Old City

4. Introduction Methodology Qualitative Case Study Approach Data Sources Semi-structured Interviews with 38 Female Homeworkers Ethnographic Field notes Photographs House Plans

5. Characteristics of Homeworkers Distribution of Homeworkers by Income Generating Activity Entrepreneurial activities: 58% Wage-based activities: 40% Unpaid Worker: 2%

6. Characteristics of Homeworkers Distribution of Homeworkers by Religion Distribution of Homeworkers by Marital Status Distribution of Homeworkers by Education Level

7. Characteristics of Homeworkers Own: 47% Rent: 32% Other: 21% Distribution of Homeworkers by Homeownership Status

8. Implications of Using the House for Income Generation Availability of Space within the House Small houses – 5 to 20 sq.m One Room Units Most domestic and income generating activities occur within this space Work Area Transitional Space Kitchen Area Door P R I V A T E D O M A I N P U B L I C D O M A I N TV Bed Storage under the bed Window Typical Floor Plan on One-Room Unit

9. Implications of Using the House for Income Generation Private-Public Barrier: Utilization of Transitional Space Choice of location to work within the house based on Availability of light Ease of social interaction Social benefits to homeworkers Access to public space otherwise inaccessible Opportunity to build/strengthen social/ community networks Access to information

10. Implications of Using the House for Income Generation Temporal Segregation of Activities Domestic and Income Generation activities done mostly within the house Activities managed by creating a temporal separation Domestic activities: 5:00 AM – 10: 00 AM Productive activities: 10: AM – 5:30 PM Domestic activities: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM Need for segregation of activities Creates a psychological separation between paid and unpaid work Creates a separation between household (domestic) and individual (paid) work

11. Neighborhood Linkages and Impact on Home-Based Work Availability and Usage of Common Spaces Availability of Common Spaces in slum depends on Physical form of slum Building density in slum Nature of home-based work Acceptance of neighbors and community members Types of Common Spaces Courtyards and Front/Back yards Cul-de sacs Streets

12. Neighborhood Linkages and Impact on Home-Based Work Availability and Usage of Common Spaces Activities in Common Spaces Ancillary productive activities – drying and finishing products, packaging and storing, Domestic activities – washing clothes and utensils Benefits to homeworkers Reduces space constraints Access to common spaces allows homeworkers to be employed in activities they may otherwise opt out of Access to public domain and social networks

13. Neighborhood Linkages and Impact on Home-Based Work Impact of Location on Availability of Semi-Public and Public Spaces Availability of semi-public and public areas in slums depends on location of slum Location and surrounding areas have an impact on Physical size of slum Physical size and shape of open spaces Acceptance by neighbors and community members of usage Impact of Location on Homework Access to Consumers/Purchasers Access to Raw Materials

14. Hussain Sagar Slums in predominantly residential areas Hyderabad Slums in predominantly commercial areas River Musi Old City Mir Alam Tank

15. Urban Linkages and Implications on Home-Based Workers Impact of Location on Homeownership Availability of land Affordability Housing Options Opportunity to consolidate housing Opportunities to legalize housing Impact of Location on Availability of Employment Opportunities Availability of employment opportunities Choices of employment available Access to private/government job/skill training programs Linkages to consumers and raw materials

16. Conclusions Spatial Implications of Homework Severe space constraints Stress on space increased - For space intensive activities – food preparation, agarbatti and papad making, zardosi - In renter households - In slums in Old City - During monsoon and holiday season with more people in the house Space constraint issues resolved by temporal segregation of activities - Creates a psychological separation between paid and unpaid work - Creates a psychological separation between individual and household work Utilization of transitional space between private and public domains Empowers homeworkers by providing - Access to public spaces otherwise inaccessible – very important for Muslim households living in Old City - Access to some public information/knowledge - Access to social networks

17. Conclusions Neighborhood Linkages and Impact on Home-Based Work • Availability and Usage of Common Spaces Empowers homeworkers by - Decreasing the stress on space within the house, but exacerbates problems during monsoon reducing productivity and therefore income. - Increases employment options, otherwise hampered by space - Increases access to public domain and social network • Ability to use common space dependent on location and religion - Muslim women in the Old City did not benefit from common spaces -- slums in the Old City have few open space -- more men in the house/community during the day -- social custom of purdah prevalent - Hindu women living in slums in residential areas of Hyderabad benefit the most from the availability and usage of common spaces

18. Conclusions Urban Linkages and Impact on Home-Based Work • Impact of Geographic Location on Homeownership Rates Increased opportunities - To own a house in slums in residential areas in Hyderabad - To gain legal rights to illegally occupied land - Options for housing – more affordability to purchase Extremely low chance - To own a house in slums in commercial and residential areas in Hyderabad and the Old City - To illegally occupy land - Limited options for housing – expensive, poor quality housing

19. Conclusions Urban Linkages and Impact on Home-Based Work • Impact of Geographic Location on Employment Opportunities Increased wage-based homework opportunities - For women living in slums in commercial areas in Hyderabad and the Old City - For women with skills in zardosi, bangle and bidi making Increased self-employed homework opportunities - For women in Hyderabad with linkages to training institutions

20. Conclusions Planning and Policy Recommendations • When legalizing slums and consolidating housing through government programs retain and create common semi-public spaces for use of homeworkers and women • Make provisions in government programs to provide homeownership for low-income households living in slums in commercial areas • Provide more job/skill training facilities in the commercial areas of Hyderabad and the Old City

21. Introduction Conceptual Framework