UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 58
Consider the following statements:
- 'Right to the City' is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard.
- 'Right to the City' gives every occupant of the city the right to reclaim public spaces and public participation in the city.
- '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?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D (2 and 3)
Explanation: “Right to the City” is an inclusive urban-governance principle supporting participation, access to public space and essential services even for informal settlements. It is not a distinct globally agreed treaty right monitored as asserted.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Incorrect / does not qualify - No formal universally agreed standalone treaty right is monitored by UN-Habitat in the way stated.
2. Correct / qualifies - The principle supports public-space access, collective participation and reshaping city life.
3. Correct / qualifies - It calls for services to reach residents of unauthorized/informal settlements without discriminatory exclusion.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-includes item 1, which is not valid (No formal universally agreed standalone treaty right is monitored by UN-Habitat in the way stated); omits valid item 2 (The principle supports public-space access, collective participation and reshaping city life); omits valid item 3 (It calls for services to reach residents of unauthorized/informal settlements without discriminatory exclusion).
B. Incorrect-omits valid item 2 (The principle supports public-space access, collective participation and reshaping city life).
C. Incorrect-includes item 1, which is not valid (No formal universally agreed standalone treaty right is monitored by UN-Habitat in the way stated); omits valid item 3 (It calls for services to reach residents of unauthorized/informal settlements without discriminatory exclusion).
D. Correct-selects exactly the supported statements/items: 2, 3.
Review note: Statement 3 is a normative principle, not an absolute legal rule that every unauthorized colony can enforce for every conceivable facility.