New Delhi has also been seen as being on the move as barriers are being erected along parts of the city to prevent slum settlements from entering ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit. That has reignited debate about how the city is preparing for an international event which will bring the likes of senior politicians, diplomats and international delegates.
The installation of barriers has raised questions about the visibility of informal settlements and the way in which urban spaces are presented during major international gatherings. Such high-profile summits usually involve road improvements, security arrangements, beautification projects and traffic management measures, but the implementation of barriers around low-income communities has been much the focus.
Delhi prepares for BRICS Summit.
The national capital regularly undergoes extensive preparations ahead of major diplomatic and international events. That might be security, road maintenance, landscaping, better lighting, traffic diversions and temporary infrastructure to get visitors into the country.
Prior to the BRICS Summit, we expect to see in the area of Delhi to receive even more attention in the aftermath of the BRICS Summit, some parts of Delhi to be particularly well-traveled areas of Delhi are likely to be closely watched by international travelers as international visitors may also be taken into consideration since international visitors may travel along the main roads connecting airports, hotels, government buildings and event places and other major roads connecting airports, hotels, government buildings and other venues for events.
The barriers that have been supposedly put up in slum areas have become visible in those preparations. Photographs and videos of such installations are causing debate online whether efforts to improve the appearance of the city should also address the living conditions of those in informal settlements.
Debate over Screening Slum areas
The development has reopened a bigger discussion about urban inequality and the visibility of informal settlements in India's major cities. Delhi is home to communities living in a range of housing conditions— authorised colonies, unauthorised settlements and informal neighbourhoods.
Slum settlements are often located close to major roads, railway lines, drains, industrial areas and other parts of the city's infrastructure. They are located close to such important routes that commuters as well as visitors arriving for international events can see them.
Critics of the barrier approach say screening such areas tends to create an impression that poverty is something to be hidden when world dignitaries arrive. They say large international events could instead provide an opportunity to showcase efforts aimed at improving housing, sanitation, public services and living conditions.
Some of the temporary screening measures might be seen as part of larger city management and beautification efforts for a major summit initiative. But they also raise the issue of the difference between improving public spaces and hiding areas that reflect the city’s socioeconomic difficulties.
International events and Urban image
Hosting a major international summit is a prime opportunity for a city to show off its infrastructure, economic growth and cultural identity. Governments often make beautification and infrastructure projects before big diplomatic or sporting events.
At the same time, such preparations can put longstanding urban issues in greater focus. With international visitors, housing, displacement, sanitation, homelessness and access to public facilities often come to the fore of the public imagination.
For Delhi the BRICS Summit is a great opportunity to show the city's development and connectivity. But debates around the barriers have added another dimension to preparation as we now have people living along the city's most prominent corridors.
A larger conversation around Inclusive Development.
Ultimately, the issue is a part of what inclusive urban development is supposed to look like. Delhi’s rapid growth is generating big economic opportunities, but also has left many people relying on informal housing and work.
Urban planners and policymakers have the dilemma of balancing infrastructure development with public safety, beautification and the rights and needs of vulnerable communities.
Temporary measures can enhance the appearance of an area during an event but long-term solutions require investment in affordable housing, sanitation, healthcare, education, reliable public services and so on.
As preparations for the BRICS Summit go on, we will probably still be looking at how Delhi presents itself to the world. Not only is the city able to show modern infrastructure and economic growth but it must also show how it can work to bring together communities of all economic classes.
🚨 Delhi puts up barriers to cover slums ahead of the BRICS Summit. pic.twitter.com/EtcPCwUQKq
— India Live (@IndiaLiveIN) September 12, 2026
But the barriers placed around slum areas have turned out to be more than a temporary feature of the city’s preparations for the event. They have opened a debate about visibility, dignity and what we do for local governments when preparing cities for global events.
For Delhi the discussion comes at a time when the capital is trying to project a modern and globally connected city. The way authorities respond to questions about the treatment and visibility of informal settlements will shape the wider conversation about inclusive urban development long after the summit is over.
