Final answer:
Drain upgrades caused displacement and other issues for residents, reflecting the challenges of urban development projects that often led to the displacement of less affluent residents in a manner similar to gentrification.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Desai, the upgrading of some drains posed problems for residents because drain upgrades caused displacement and other issues. This perspective likely resonates with historical instances where cities underwent sanitation improvements. While such upgrades were intended to improve living conditions, they sometimes had unintended consequences, including the displacement of residents to make way for the new infrastructure. This occurred in various urban renewal projects where the goal of eradicating urban blight led to the destruction of existing communities and the displacement of their inhabitants. Rather than creating access to better facilities for all, these programs often benefited only certain parts of the city or led to gentrification, wherein less affluent residents were pushed into less desirable areas.
In some cases, urban development projects have caused tensions and challenges, mirroring the negative impacts of gentrification, where the less wealthy are displaced by improvements meant to revitalize an area. The challenges of rapid urbanization, including inadequate housing, sanitation, and transportation, frequently contributed to environmental degradation and social issues, as experienced in historical urban centers during the industrial era. Moreover, such upgrades sometimes exacerbated the divide between the affluent and the poor, with better services and infrastructure often being accessible primarily to wealthier residents, leaving others behind.