Housing Justice: A View from Indian Cities from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course

This course introduces learners to different approaches to thinking about housing justice, bringing together material, ecological, social and spatial approaches to thinking about housing. Rooting itself in Indian cities, but speaking more broadly to struggles for housing justice more globally, it will offer a diagnosis of what housing justice looks like as well as the modes and practices that can move us towards it ranging from activism and direct action to public policy and participatory governance. Listen to the introductory video to get a sense of how its organised and our three key learning elements: lecture videos, interactive dashboards with additional resources materials, and then exercises to aid understanding. Then, take a second to introduce yourself in the Discussion Forum labelled 'Introductions'. In case you have any questions for us, use the Discussion Prompt on Course Admin FAQs! And finally, we have a Pre-course Survey for you through which we would like understand more about your motivations and objectives. Do spend a few minutes on this survey questionnaire to help us improve the course as we go along!

Framing Module on Housing and Housing Justice

This module starts us off by unpacking our two key terms: housing, and housing justice. This course makes a fundamental move to say that housing is more than just houses. Housing is fundamentally economic, material, social, spatial and political at the same time. So start with the first video on the Introduction to Housing, spend time with the Interactive Dashboard and take Quiz 1 that will help you consolidate your understanding of this frame. Then move to the second video for the week - What is Housing Justice? Finish Quiz 2 after you hear the lecture. Then, spend some time on the discussion forum to debate these approaches to thinking about housing justice. Think about your own approach to these issues, as well as the frameworks we have offered you. There can be no one understanding of housing justice, so this is the week to debate and discuss!

Adequate Housing

This module offers a framework to think about just, or good, housing. Such housing must be affordable, adequate, and viable. We describe what these words mean, and then offer case studies from across the world on attempts to make housing affordable, adequate and viable. The Module is structured a bit differently this week. Hear the video (What makes housing inadequate?) first. It will describe the logics of the case studies we have presented in our Interactive Dashboard. Then head over to the dashboard, and click on the highlighted countries to download case studies of housing programmes, practices, and policies from all over the world. Finally, take the quick Quiz 3 to consolidate your learnings.

Rental Housing

Ownership is not necessarily the only path to resolving housing inequity. This module will introduce you to rental housing and other tenure systems, while elaborating on the well-known and lesser-known aspects of the rental housing market and how it is supposed to aid in the delivery of housing justice. Watch the videos on Rental Housing with respect to its three core stakeholders: the tenants, landlords and the city. Then spend some time crystallising your understanding of these systems and relating them with your own experiences and environments through the discussion thread. Finally, take the graded quiz 4 to consolidate your learning from this module.

Collective Action

There can be no talk of housing justice without organising and struggle. This module reminds us that modes of change towards housing justice are never just technical solutions or changes in policy but as much the coming together of people and movements to fight inequalities. We have a video heavy week this time to hear from activists and organisers themselves as part of our faculty. Start from the Introduction video that introduces the activists. Then move on to each of the four. Reflect on these first-person accounts from organisers who have collectivised and organised to address the question of housing justice for themselves and others in the absence of support from other stakeholders in the housing ecosystem. What can we learn from their practices about ways to organise for housing justice in our own cities?

Modes of Action

In the first four modules, we have discussed housing justice and various ways to address it from different lenses. This module, with an emphasis on the public sector and other stakeholders, will provide an overview on the modes of action across laws, policies, programmes and projects to understand where we can intervene and start working on housing justice. Watch the videos to gain an overview of the scale of action required to solving the housing justice question and how the approach can be broken down in terms of law, policies, programmes and projects. Watch the three lectures on the different scales and modes of action and build on the themes through participation in the discussion forum. The final graded quiz rounds off your course.

Bringing It All Together

This is the final module of the course. This module comprises of a final assignment through which you can demonstrate your understanding of the various frameworks, concepts and constructs on housing, your analyses of housing justice relative to your own experiences and the broad landscape encompassing different stakeholders. Through this assignment, you will integrate your composite learning from the course and try to form a cogent narrative that outlines your views and ideas on housing justice and possibly access a gateway to further build on your learning from the course. The assignment will be peer-graded, which means you will get to review and grade your fellow learners and vice versa. This will also provide an opportunity for you to explore different themes and perspectives emanating from the global learner audience and to exchange and collaborate with each other.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Strong fit for individuals interested in the challenges and advancements in housing justice, particularly in the context of Indian cities

Develops a comprehensive understanding of housing justice, encompassing material, ecological, social, and spatial perspectives

Examines housing justice through a global lens, while grounding the discussion in the Indian context

Led by instructors with expertise in housing and urban planning

Offers a mix of lecture videos, interactive dashboards, and exercises for a varied learning experience

Includes case studies and examples from around the world, providing a comparative perspective on housing justice

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Housing Justice: A View from Indian Cities with these activities:

Review probability and statistics concepts

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Refreshing your memory on probability and statistics is going to fast-track your understanding since these concepts are essential for understanding the foundations of housing justice.

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Review your notes or a textbook on probability
Solve practice problems on probability and statistics
Take a practice quiz on probability and statistics

Volunteer with a housing justice organization

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Volunteering will help you to gain hands-on experience with housing justice issues and to make a difference in your community.

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Identify a housing justice organization that you would like to work with.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend a volunteer orientation.
Participate in volunteer activities.

Participate in group discussions on housing justice forums

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Joining group discussions will provide opportunities to engage with peers, exchange perspectives, and enhance your understanding of housing justice issues.

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Identify relevant forums or online groups
Review ongoing discussions and identify topics of interest
Prepare your thoughts and perspectives
Actively participate in discussions, sharing insights and asking questions

Eight other activities

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Attend workshops on housing justice advocacy

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Participating in workshops will allow you to learn from experts and gain practical skills in housing justice advocacy.

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Identify relevant workshops and conferences
Register for and attend the workshops
Actively participate in discussions and activities
Network with other professionals and activists
Follow up on any action items or resources shared during the workshops

Read 'The Right to Housing' by Leilani Farha

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Leilani Farha's 'The Right to Housing' offers a comprehensive perspective on the global struggle for housing justice, helping you strengthen your conceptual understanding gained in this course.

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Read through the book, taking notes on key concepts
Summarize the main arguments and perspectives presented in the book
Identify areas where Farha's insights align with what you've learned in the course

Write a blog post about housing justice

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Writing a blog post will help you to solidify your understanding of housing justice and to share your knowledge with others.

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Choose a topic that you are interested in and that is related to housing justice.
Research your topic and gather information from a variety of sources.
Write a draft of your blog post.
Get feedback from others on your draft.
Publish your blog post.

Organize a community meeting to discuss housing justice issues

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Organizing a community meeting will help you to connect with others who are interested in housing justice and to take action on this issue.

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Identify a community that you would like to work with.
Reach out to community leaders and organizations to get their support.
Plan the meeting and promote it to the community.
Facilitate the meeting and ensure that all voices are heard.
Follow up with the community after the meeting to discuss next steps.

Develop a policy brief on housing justice

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Developing a policy brief will help you to synthesize your knowledge of housing justice and to make recommendations for policy change.

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Identify the policy issue that you want to address.
Research the issue and gather evidence to support your recommendations.
Write a draft of the policy brief.
Get feedback from others on your draft.
Publish the policy brief.

Volunteer with a local housing justice organization

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Volunteering will provide practical experience and insights into the challenges and opportunities surrounding housing justice.

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Research and identify local housing justice organizations
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend training and orientation sessions
Participate in volunteer activities, such as community outreach, advocacy campaigns, or providing direct assistance to individuals

Develop a social media campaign for housing justice

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Creating a social media campaign will enable you to use your creativity and strategic thinking to raise awareness about housing justice issues.

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Research and identify target audience
Develop a campaign message and slogan
Create engaging content (graphics, videos, etc.)
Identify and collaborate with influencers
Launch and track the campaign's progress

Research and analyze housing justice policies in your local community

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Conducting research and analyzing housing justice policies will help you gain a deeper understanding of the local context and identify areas for improvement.

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Identify relevant housing justice policies and regulations
Collect data and conduct interviews with stakeholders
Analyze the data and identify patterns and trends
Develop recommendations for policy changes
Present your findings to local decision-makers

Career center

Learners who complete Housing Justice: A View from Indian Cities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Housing Justice Activist

Housing Justice Activists can work for charities or non-profits, or they may organize independently. They work for the rights of the people in their communities, sometimes through protests and demonstrations. This course goes into depth on how activists organize and the struggle for housing justice. The course also provides insight from first-person accounts of organizers who have collectivized and organized to address the question of housing justice. Knowledge gained from this course may be very useful to those interested in becoming Housing Justice Activists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Housing Justice Activist

Community Organizer

Community Organizers identify and address the needs of a community, which includes housing issues. This course teaches about organizing and struggling for housing justice, which can help Community Organizers in their work. The course provides first-person accounts from organizers who have collectivized and organized to address the question of housing justice and may be very useful for Community Organizers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Fair Housing Advocate

Fair Housing Advocates work to ensure that everyone has equal access to housing regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. This course provides knowledge about housing justice, collective action, and more, which are all useful for Fair Housing Advocates.

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Public Housing Manager

Public Housing Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of public housing developments. They work to ensure that low-income families and individuals have access to safe and affordable housing. This course provides knowledge about housing justice, collective action, modes of action, and more, all of which can help those who are Public Housing Managers.

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Non-Profit Housing Program Director

Non-Profit Housing Program Directors oversee the day-to-day operations of non-profit housing programs. They work to ensure that low-income families and individuals have access to safe and affordable housing. Knowledge of housing justice, inadequate housing, collective action, modes of action, and more that this course teaches can help these Directors in their work.

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Housing Researcher

Housing Researchers study the housing market and the factors that affect it. They use their findings to inform policy decisions and to develop new housing programs. The course goes into the framing of housing and housing justice, which can help Housing Researchers in their work.

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Housing Counselor

Housing Counselors advise clients on housing and community development options. They help people with issues such as credit counseling, fair housing rights, budgeting, mortgage delinquency, and foreclosure prevention. This course helps provide a background in housing and housing justice, which Housing Counselors can use to help their clients. The course also goes into how rental housing works, which can be particularly useful for clients who are renters.

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Tenant Advocate

Tenant Advocates represent tenants in disputes with landlords. They help tenants to understand their rights and to negotiate fair settlements. This course can provide knowledge about rental housing and collective action, which is useful for Tenant Advocates when helping tenants.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners are responsible for planning the development of land in cities, towns, and other urban areas. They take into account factors such as housing, transportation, and the environment. This course can help Urban Planners to think about the issue of housing, particularly around rental housing and how it is supposed to aid in the delivery of housing justice.

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Property Manager

Property Managers manage the day-to-day operations of rental properties. They are responsible for collecting rent, maintaining the property, and dealing with tenants. This course can help Property Managers to learn about housing justice, collective action, and more, which may be useful in their work.

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Housing Finance Analyst

Housing Finance Analysts provide financial analysis and advice to clients in the housing industry. They help clients to make informed decisions about their housing investments. This course provides knowledge about housing, financing, rental housing, and other subjects which can help Housing Finance Analysts in their work.

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Land Use Planner

Land Use Planners develop plans for the use of land in a particular area. They take into account factors such as housing, transportation, and the environment. The course discusses thinking about housing justice, housing, and collective action, which are all concepts that Land Use Planners should know.

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Housing Policy Analyst

Housing Policy Analysts determine the best course of action for government policy regarding housing. The course Housing Justice: A View from Indian Cities delves into exactly this type of subject. It teaches how to think about housing, housing justice, adequacy, and other important related terms. This course may help you build a foundation for a career in housing policy.

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Real Estate Developer

Real Estate Developers are responsible for the development of new real estate properties. They work with architects, engineers, and contractors to bring their projects to life. This course may be useful to those who wish to become Real Estate Developers, as they will learn about different housing options, including affordable housing and rental housing.

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Real Estate Lawyer

Real Estate Lawyers represent clients in real estate transactions, including the sale of homes, the purchase of land, and the drafting of lease agreements. This course can help provide a foundation in housing, which Real Estate Lawyers can use to assist their clients with making decisions about their housing options.

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