In Dwarka’s DDA housing colony, a fence symbolizes class segregation, challenging promises of integrated community living among diverse income groups.

Residents describe how the physical divide between two parts of the complex reflects deeper social and economic tensions.

The 1,500-unit project was designed to provide ‘affordable’ housing to low- and middle-income families, with units ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore. However, as the years passed, a stark contrast emerged between the two sections of the complex: the more expensive apartments in one area, and the cheaper ones in another.

Residents say that the physical barrier between the two areas is more than just a fence – it’s a social divide that makes it difficult to interact with people from different backgrounds. ‘The walls are very high,’ said Rohan Sharma, who lives on the expensive side of the complex. ‘You can’t hear anything from your neighbor.’

Meanwhile, on the cheaper side, the fencing is lower and more porous. ‘People here are more open to talking to each other,’ said Kavita Kumar, a resident on that side. ‘We have a festival every year, where everyone comes together.’

Experts say that this phenomenon of class segregation in mixed-income housing is not unique to DDA’s complex. It reflects a broader trend in Indian cities – the growing divide between rich and poor.

‘Mixed-income housing is supposed to bring people together,’ said Gagan Deep, an urban planner at the National Institute of Urban Planning. ‘But if you’re creating a physical barrier between different income groups, it’s going to reinforce those social divisions.’

DDA officials say that they had envisioned the complex as a vibrant community where residents from all walks of life would interact and share experiences. However, according to Sharma, this vision never materialized.

‘We were told that it was going to be an integrated community, but now we realize that it’s just a pipe dream,’ said Sharma. ‘The fence is just the beginning. It’s a symbol of what we’ve been trying to achieve – integration.’

For Kavita Kumar, the reality is more complicated. While she appreciates the proximity and convenience of living on the cheaper side, she also acknowledges that it has its own set of problems.

‘We have our own problems here,’ said Kumar. ‘Like traffic and noise pollution.’

So why did DDA’s mixed-income housing project end up with such stark class divisions? One reason is the design itself – a mix of low- and high-density apartments, which has created a patchwork of different socioeconomic realities.

‘Mixed-income housing requires careful planning to ensure that it works for everyone,’ said Deep. ‘If you’re not paying attention to those nuances, you can end up with exactly what’s happening here – a physical barrier between different income groups.’

Another factor is the market forces at play. The high-end apartments in DDA’s complex were sold at an inflated price due to their proximity to good schools and public transport.

‘Those who can afford it will naturally gravitate towards those areas,’ said Sharma. ‘And those who can’t will be forced into cheaper options, which creates a bubble of poverty.’

The third reason is the lack of community engagement and participation from residents.

‘We were too busy with our own lives to care about what was happening next door or across the road,’ said Kavita Kumar. ‘It’s only when things go wrong that we start to notice.’

For DDA officials, the issue is a stark reminder of their failures as a developer.

‘We thought we were doing something good by bringing people together,’ said Gagan Deep. ‘But if it’s failed so spectacularly, then maybe we need to rethink our approach.’

The government has been trying to promote mixed-income housing through its Smart Cities Mission, which aims to create more affordable and sustainable urban living spaces.

‘Mixed-income housing is a key component of smart cities,’ said Deep. ‘It can help reduce poverty, inequality, and social segregation.’

However, the failure of DDA’s complex to deliver on its promise has left many wondering if this approach will succeed in the long run.