Resettlement is a complex social process; at its best it should support and nourish the coping and adaptation processes that enable a population to regain the functionality and coherence of a viable community, resilient enough to deal with social and environmental stressors. Central to these tasks are the issues of rights, poverty, vulnerability and other forms of social marginality that are intrinsically linked to displacement. Resettlement and relocation (R&R) in the context of climatic and non-climatic disasters as well as that due to development projects has been followed the world over with varied experiences. Many international and regional frameworks exist, but despite that there is very little understanding of how resettlement is enacted on the ground (drivers, context, implementation process and short and long-term impacts). With climate change, the pressures for resettlement in urban areas are increasing thus requiring greater knowledge to improve outcomes including the option of non-movement and on-site upgrading of communities.

The aim of this diagnostic report is to learn more about the existing work on resettlements and relocations in India, both in literature as well as practice, and find gaps that can help improve the outcomes of such projects for people and cities at large. The aim is also to understand the context at the country and city-level in relation to the nature of climate induced risks and how societal structures manifest themselves in location choices and affect exposure. The report also aims to learn how land use planning and resettlement policies, and legal and normative frameworks work at the regional, national and local levels.