مؤسسة Addressing the Unaddressed

The Challenge

For decades, families living in Kolkata’s informal settlements faced "geographic invisibility," which effectively barred them from the formal economy. Without an official address, residents could not open bank accounts, register for government IDs, or secure utility connections. Furthermore, emergency services struggled to navigate the complex maze of alleys, leading to critical delays during life-threatening situations.

The Solution

The NGO Addressing the Unaddressed (ATU) partnered with local municipal authorities and Google to implement a ground-up mapping initiative.

• Community Engagement: Field workers conducted door-to-door outreach to ensure residents understood the value of a digital address.

• Precision Mapping: Using a specialized smartphone app, workers walked every alley to assign highly accurate Plus Codes to every doorway.

• Physical Integration: To bridge the digital-physical divide, ATU installed permanent blue address plaques at every entrance.

The Impact

• Financial & Civic Rights: Over half a million people gained a formal identity, allowing them to open bank accounts and register to vote for the first time.

• Logistical Connectivity: Mail and e-commerce delivery services were trained on the system, enabling reliable home delivery.

• Infrastructure & Dignity: Municipal bodies now use this data to plan better sanitation and waste management, while residents report a significantly boosted sense of security and social standing.

Resources