Changing Practices of Water and Waste Management by the New Middle Classes Within Gated Communities in Bangalore

Abstract

The expansion of the new middle classes in Bangalore, particularly in conjunction with global labour flows in the services sector, has led to the development of gated communities, especially in the new areas in the south and south-eastern parts of the city. How are the responsibilities that citizens have towards the environment perceived by the residents of gated communities? This paper explores this issue on the basis of empirical data collected in five housing complexes. It suggests that changing practices of water and waste management are not limited to the institutions of Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) but go beyond them to encompass various forms of individual and community engagement. We explore how ‘communities’ of residents within gated enclaves are framing their responsibility towards environmental sustainability and how they are adopting more sustainable practices of water and waste management in their own daily lives.