Prelims 2021 · Q81
HardConsider 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 the 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?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) 2 and 3
‘Right to the City’ is a vision of cities for all, in which every inhabitant, including those in informal settlements, can use public spaces and take part in city life. It is not an agreed human right that UN-Habitat monitors country by country, so statement 1 fails while statements 2 and 3 fit the idea.
- ✗ 1. The UN's New Urban Agenda (2016) only notes that some national and local governments have written this vision, called ‘right to the city’, into their laws, declarations and charters. It is not an agreed international human right with country-wise commitments.
- ✓ 2. The idea stresses equal use and enjoyment of cities by all inhabitants, with participation in city life and safe, inclusive public spaces open to everyone.
- ✓ 3. The vision covers all inhabitants, whether they live in formal or informal settlements. UPSC's key therefore treats the State's duty not to deny services to unauthorised colonies as part of it.
Remember · Right to the City: a vision of equal use of cities by all inhabitants, informal settlements included. Some governments have legislated it; it is not an agreed international right.
Sources
- UN-Habitat / United Nations, New Urban Agenda (Habitat III, 2016), para 11 ↗ · reference work “We note the efforts of some national and local governments to enshrine this vision, referred to as “right to the city”, in their legislation, political declarations and charters. … Are participatory, promote civic engagement, engender a sense of belonging and ownership among all their inhabitants, prioritize safe, inclusive, accessible, green and quality public spaces … enable all inhabitants, whether living in formal or informal settlements, to lead decent, dignified and rewarding lives and to achieve their full human potential.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2021, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 1 Oct 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·