Tahir Bhai takes us through his journey of self-exploration, bitter-sweet memories of his Kismat (fate) and being a spect-actor in Dharavi’s emergence as a socio-economic powerhouse.
We must recognize our collective strength and resources: every locality has human capital (skills), existing constructions (assets) and a rich natural ecosystem. This article is based on a keynote presentation at PlaceMaking Switzerland on the impact of participation on urban form.
Koliwada's are fishing hamlets in Mumbai city and unlike most settlements, they extend beyond terrestrial boundaries. The waters of rivers, creeks and seas, all form part of an amphibious habitat that is integral and deeply familiar to the Kolis.
urbz Paris a lancé une enquête participative et créative, visant à découvrir et raconter les espaces spontanés de sociabilité dans nos quartiers à travers le regard de leurs habitués.
urbz Paris has started a creative participatory inquiry, aimed at discovering and narrating spontaneous spaces of sociability in neighborhoods through the eyes of their users.
Dharavi is a homegrown neighborhood, its development occurred without a master plan or construction law, emerging from the inhabitants' needs. Built structures and open spaces come in many shapes in forms – with a recurring and flexible work-home typology known as the tool-house. Yet, the profound significance of acknowledgement and recognition in the context of the tool-house prompts us to delve deeper into its implications and societal value: What constitutes the heritage of the tool-house?
Bringing knowledge and skills from their villages, generations of Dharavi residents have pushed the slum outside of their homes, streets and neighbourhoods. Isn't it time we recognize and support their efforts? We compile and republish two texts originally published by New Village Press in New York and Strelka University Press in Moscow.
urbz has started initiatives in Europe, that combine ethnographic participation with visual storytelling to accompany, facilitate, or initiate urban planning, heritage, and transformation projects.