Low Carbon Urban Infrastructure Investment in Asian Cities

110 N. KONO ET AL.

6.6.1 Energy Uses in the Poorest Settings

As shown in the previous section, kerosene and biomass serve as the main
sources of cooking fuel in most households in Indian slums; although
kerosene is a standard cooking fuel, biomass serves as another source,
particularly when poor households do not have access to kerosene.
Kerosene is supplied at subsidized prices to ration card holders; however,
it is often diffi cult to obtain a ration card, particularly for new migrants.
Biomass access, however, does not require such documentation. However,
biomass burning frequently results in severe outdoor and indoor air qual-
ity problems when smoke is generated during cooking.

Table 6.8 Slum conditions in four sectors and three fi elds

Energy Waste Transportation Water

Regulation
standards

• There are
  serious energy
  security issues
  and limited
  electricity
  supply hours.


• Households
  are connected
  to a centralized
  grid system.
  
  
  • Common waste
    collection by the
    informal sector.
  
  
  • A degree of local
    government
    waste
    management
    exists.
    
    
    • Most slum
      dwellers are
      pedestrians.
      
      
      • No regular water
        supply (w/s).
      
      
      • Community-
        based w/s system
        available only for
        few hours a day
        (e.g., two to three
        hours daily).
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Economic
measures

• Stealing is
  rampant.


• Charge
  systems are not
  fi xed.
  
  
  • Most slum
    household
    livelihoods
    depend on waste
    recycling
    (informal).
  
  
  • Charges cannot
    be embedded in
    property taxes
    
    
    • Few individuals
      can afford bicycle
      and public
      transportation
      for mobility
      purposes.
      
      
      • Affordability is
        important.
      
      
      • Charge systems
        are not fi xed.
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Voluntary
actions

• Although LPGs
  are used for
  cooking energy,
  numerous
  households also
  use biomass and
  kerosene for
  cooking energy.
  
  
  • Poor liquid waste
    (storm, drain and
    sewerage)
    management
    systems require
    urgent attention.
    
    
    • Hawker carts are
      used in the
      informal sector
      
      
      • Although hand
        pumps are used
        for water
        extraction,
        water quality
        levels are
        unsatisfactory.
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

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