Publication

This paper argues for the tailoring of urban development policy in India to address the livelihood aspirations of the poor. It provides a rationale for the use of sustainable livelihoods (SL) approaches, which, among other things, acknowledge the multi-faceted nature of poverty; recognize that the poor develop diverse and changing livelihood portfolios; draw on (and replenish) capital assets; and have the success of their strategies facilitated or impeded by a range of policies, institutions and processes (PIPs). The author emphasizes the substantial differences between urban environments and rural development policies and therefore poverty reduction strategies.