Research

CCDS’s research is focused on urban poverty and governance and on social exclusion and digital inequality in urban India.

In 2013-14 we undertook a study of urban poverty in India, with special focus on two cities – Pune and Thiruvananthapuram. We focused on access of the poor to public services and the extent of their participation in urban governance. The study was supported by Action Aid. A volume of research, published in Infochange Agenda #28 provides a national perspective on urban poverty.

In 2013 we also began a major 2-year research on digital exclusion of the urban poor. We are studying the economic, infrastructural, social and cultural barriers to internet access for residents of 6 low-income settlements in Pune and twin city Pimpri-Chinchwad, as well as patterns of use/quality of access in resource-poor, digitally unstable and diversely-literate urban environments. Our study will recommend changes in public policy for internet inclusion at the local, state and national levels. (http://netpehchaan.in)

The study is supported by the Ford Foundation.

CCDS is a consortium partner for a pilot project providing free wifi for an 18-month period to a settlement in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Supported by Ford Foundation, this is the first public wifi project for an urban slum in India. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation is also a consortium partner. CCDS’s research helped in selection of the pilot location. CCDS will document the impact of the internet access project on the settlement over the project period.

As part of the internet access project we are creating campaign and learning material promoting internet literacy as well as knowledge resources on digital inequality. Print and audio-visual material has been created by CCDS and made available in the public domain at netpehchaan.in. We also conduct workshops in internet basics for residents of slums. These workshops are attended mostly by women who have never had the opportunity to go online.