Consider the following statements: 1. 'Right to the City' is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard. 2. 'Right to the City' gives every occupant of the city right to reclaim public spaces and public participation in the city. 3. 'Right to the City' means that the State cannot deny any public service or facility to the unauthorized colonies in the city. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents12
- A1 only
- B3 only
- C1 and 2
- D2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 2
Statement 1 is correct:
'Right to the City' is an agreed human right — the right of all inhabitants to occupy, use, and produce just, inclusive, and sustainable cities.
UN-Habitat monitors countries' commitments.
Statement 2 is correct:
It encompasses the right to reclaim public spaces, participate in city planning, and access housing and basic amenities.
Statement 3 is wrong:
The framework does not support denying services to unauthorized colonies — it aims for inclusion, even for informal settlement residents.
Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Answer: (c).
'Right to the City' is a UN-recognized human right that guarantees all city inhabitants access to public spaces, participation in urban planning, and basic amenities regardless of their legal status.
The New Urban Agenda was adopted at UN-Habitat III in 2016, making 'Right to the City' a key framework for sustainable urban development that countries must implement.
The question tests whether students understand that this right protects informal settlement dwellers rather than allowing states to deny them services.
Right to the City
Indian Polity Right to the City
Right to the City: UN Framework & Core Principles
Right to the City is an agreed human right monitored by UN-Habitat
Covers reclaiming public spaces and public participation in city planning
Aims for inclusive cities — does NOT support denying services to unauthorized colonies
Focuses on just, inclusive, and sustainable cities for all inhabitants
What It Means
Right to the City is the right of all inhabitants to occupy, use, and produce just, inclusive, and sustainable cities. It goes beyond individual access to urban resources — it includes collective rights to shape the city itself.
Core Components
Reclaim public spaces — parks, streets, squares should be accessible to all citizens
Public participation in city planning and decision-making processes
Access to housing and basic urban amenities regardless of legal status
Right to produce the city — participate in shaping urban development
Non-discrimination in access to urban services and opportunities
Question Connection
This 2021 UPSC question tested understanding that Right to the City is a UN-recognized framework focused on inclusion, not exclusion. The trap was Statement 3, which contradicts the inclusive philosophy by suggesting services can be denied to unauthorized colonies.
Trap: Statement 3 sounds reasonable (unauthorized = no services) but contradicts the inclusive nature of Right to the City
Confusion: Right to the City is NOT about legal property rights — it's about universal access to urban life
Remember: UN-Habitat monitors commitments — this makes it an internationally agreed framework, not just a concept
UN-Habitat & Urban Rights
World Affairs (International Relations) UN-Habitat
UN-Habitat: Monitoring Urban Rights & Sustainable Cities
UN-Habitat monitors countries' commitments on Right to the City
UN programme for human settlements and sustainable urban development
Works on inclusive cities, slum upgrading, and urban planning
What UN-Habitat Does
UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme working on human settlements and sustainable urban development. It monitors commitments made by countries on urban rights frameworks like Right to the City.
Key Functions
Monitoring country commitments on urban rights and sustainable development goals
Policy guidance on inclusive urban planning and governance
Supporting slum upgrading and informal settlement improvement
Promoting participatory urban planning and community involvement
Global Urban Focus
Source: Engineering & Technology magazine - WordPress.com — UN World Urbanization Prospects report – half the world lives in ... · engtechmag.wordpress.com
Key fact: UN-Habitat monitors commitments — this monitoring role makes Right to the City an internationally agreed framework
Don't confuse: UN-Habitat with other UN agencies — it specifically focuses on human settlements and cities
Unauthorized Colonies & Public Services
Indian Polity unauthorized colonies
Unauthorized Colonies: Rights vs Legal Status in Cities
Right to the City does NOT support denying services to unauthorized colonies
Framework aims for inclusion regardless of legal settlement status
Universal access to basic services is a core principle
The Rights Approach
Right to the City framework emphasizes universal access to urban services and opportunities. It does not distinguish between authorized and unauthorized settlements — the goal is inclusive cities for all inhabitants.
Legal Status vs Rights
Settlement Type | Legal Status | Right to City Approach | Access to Services |
|---|---|---|---|
Authorized Colonies | Legal recognition | Full participation rights | Guaranteed access |
Unauthorized Colonies | No legal recognition | Same participation rights | Should not be denied |
Slums/Informal Settlements | Often illegal | Inclusion-focused approach | Upgrade, don't exclude |
Question Context
Statement 3 in the question was wrong because it suggested the State can deny services to unauthorized colonies. This contradicts the inclusive philosophy of Right to the City, which seeks to include all urban inhabitants regardless of legal status.
Major trap: Assuming unauthorized = no rights — Right to the City is status-blind and inclusive
Common confusion: Legal property rights vs human rights to urban services — these are different concepts
Remember: The framework supports upgrading informal settlements, not denying them services