30 Apr Reimagining Urban Commons in Vathuruthy for Community Well-being and Adaptation
Written by Shilpa Shirish
Edited by Sofia Juliet Rajan
On a hot, sultry July afternoon last year, I visited Vathuruthy, a Tamil-majority migrant settlement in Kochi. Situated in a low-lying area near a nala (a drainage canal), Vathuruthy is a mix of densely packed, low-rise concrete buildings and makeshift cement-sheet structures.Â
In Vathuruthy, like many dense urban settlements, heat-absorbing materials such as concrete and asphalt, reduced vegetation, and human activities, cause temperatures to rise. This intensifies thermal discomfort, increases energy consumption, and reduces overall air quality, forcing residents to endure extreme conditions. It was evident that residents were unable to invest in heat-resilient materials, building orientation, placement and sizes of windows, and roof design.Â
A few scattered pockets of shared spaces within the settlement offered occasional relief, with plants, trees, and overhanging roofs providing shade. These multifunctional spaces serve as areas for drying clothes, spaces for children to play, and spots for women and men to gather and chat in the evenings. Sometimes the residents sleep outside at night during summer. However, most open surfaces are paved with concrete, worsening drainage and heat challenges.
One encounter in my visit stood out—a woman in her late 50s has lived with her husband in Vathuruthy for 19 years. Their rented home, like many others in the settlement, was a makeshift structure made of cement sheets, rented for ₹2,000 a month. The only ventilation came from gaps between the walls and the roof. “The heat in the evenings is unbearable. We try to cope by pouring water on the floor to cool the space, or sometimes we just sleep outside in the common area.” she said.
When I asked why the couple did not invest in improving their home, she explained that they were saving money to build a house in their village, a sentiment echoed by many in Vathuruthy.Â
On one hand, there is a deep aspiration for a better house in their village—a symbol of ownership, stability, and social belonging. But to realise this long-term goal, migrants endure poor living conditions in the city and prioritise their savings. On the other hand, this very pursuit highlights the difficult trade-offs they must make between present hardship and future hope.
When Urban Design Fails the Most Vulnerable
Poor quality of the built environment, lack of basic services like water and sanitation, and neglected shared open spaces undermine health and dignity, as evidenced in studies on informal settlements. These are not just oversights; they reveal deeper systemic issues—how lack of affordable housing and urban planning can exclude marginalised communities. These planning failures also make migrant communities more vulnerable to climate shocks. With little protection against extreme heat, poor drainage that worsens flooding, and a lack of green spaces to regulate temperatures, residents are left with few options to manage risks and adapt to ever increasing heat and floods.
In Vathuruthy, the affordability of housing, despite its discomfort, becomes the driving factor in residents’ choices. The close-knit migrant community, with many relatives living nearby, adds a layer of social support that makes these conditions somewhat manageable.
Traditional housing in Kerala is celebrated for their ability to adapt to the local climate, use of local materials, and designs that prioritise ventilation, shade, and thermal comfort.Â
The images above show Kerala’s vernacular architecture that responds to heavy monsoons and humidity through sloped tiled roofs, deep verandahs, and central courtyards. Use of locally sourced laterite, brick, timber, and clay tiles reflects sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural continuity. These principles, born out of a deep understanding of the region’s climate and culture, offer valuable insights for reimagining viable solutions that could serve the needs of vulnerable communities like those in Vathuruthy. Without interventions that incorporate climate-responsive planning, these communities will remain disproportionately vulnerable to rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and worsening urban floods.
Making the Most of Shared Spaces
Walking through the settlement, I couldn’t help but notice stretches of shared spaces—narrow alleyways, vacant plots, and unused corners. These areas made me reflect on their potential to be ‘micro-urban commons’. Urban commons in the city refer to shared spaces that are collectively managed and used by residents for the common good. Utilising these areas effectively could create spaces that are functional, adaptable, and socially engaging that respond to the needs of the residents.Â
For example, a corner could serve as a seating area during the day and transform into a space for cultural activities or community meetings in the evening. Modular infrastructure, such as movable seating, temporary shade structures, and outdoor exercise equipment, can create functional spaces for the community while also encouraging interaction.
While house owners and migrants staying on rent may not want to make investments to improve living conditions as this might conflict with their plans to eventually relocate, the shared spaces are accessible to all. A participatory process involving residents to arrive at a community driven design for the micro-commons could turn these areas into hubs for skill-sharing workshops or health camps. Small green pockets within the settlement could be turned into community gardens where residents grow food and share resources. These spaces would encourage social interaction and community cohesion.
Given the settlement’s proximity to a nala, flooding and poor drainage are persistent challenges. Integrating permeable surfaces in walking paths and gathering spaces can significantly improve drainage and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Additionally, vegetated swales, and ecologically and culturally relevant tree planting can be integrated into the commons to manage stormwater. These measures would create a natural system to absorb and filter rainwater, helping reduce the impact of heavy rains.
Planning Commons that Benefit Everyone
Funding for these improvements can come from government programmes like AMRUT(Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), as well as partnerships with NGOs, CSR initiatives, crowdfunding, and public-private collaborations. To gain support from both landlords and tenants, it is important to highlight clear benefits—landlords may see increased property value, while tenants enjoy better living conditions without additional financial strain. Community-led design workshops can foster a sense of ownership, encouraging residents to actively shape and maintain shared spaces.
To make Vathuruthy’s shared spaces more inclusive and functional, we must see them as flexible, multi-purpose areas that bring people together and support shared resources. By prioritising residents’ needs, embracing participatory design, and allowing spaces to evolve organically, we can create a more liveable and sustainable environment.
Further Reading:
Weimann, A., & Oni, T. (2019). A systematised review of the health impact of urban informal settlements and implications for upgrading interventions in South Africa, a rapidly urbanising middle-income country.
Arakali, A., et al. (2014). Urban Housing & Exclusion. India Exclusion Report 2013-14, Centre for Equity Studies.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2021). Regional fact sheet – Urban areas.