The Homegrown City book is (almost) out!
Authors
Written by urbz co-founders Matias Echanove and Rahul Srivastava, the book makes the case for a radically new path to urban development based on collective initiative, local knowledge and use value. It reframes the city as a place where people are creators of their habitats and agents of their own evolution. Rather than offering a list of wishes for how the city ought to be, Rahul and Matias base their vision on years of work in some of the most complex and diverse urban environments on the planet.
Their collaboration began in 2008 in Dharavi, a large settlement in the heart of Mumbai, India. This neighbourhood was developed by its inhabitants without architects, engineers or planners, against all odds. It was here that Matias, Rahul and their colleagues shaped urbz’s unique approach—one that places residents at the center of the process and actively supports local initiatives.
The 240-page book is published by Verso in London, a publishing house known for its engagement for social justice and progressive collection, which includes such classics as David Harvey’s Rebel Cities and Mike Davis’ City of Quartz. The Homegrown City has received endorsements from Amitav Ghosh, Susan Fainstein, Neil Brenner and Arjun Appadurai.
The book will be officially released in January 2026 and it is currently available for pre-order worldwide in paper and digital formats. A series of book launches and presentations will be held in Paris, Mumbai and London in the first semester 2026. Pre-order now on Verso!
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