Ignored Framed by Aditya Mandlik

I G N O RED FRAMED Free,

Democratic

and

Inclusive

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

CE RT I FI CAT E

Academy of Architecture, Aided 278, Shankar Ghanekar Marg, Prabhadevi, Dadar West, Mumbai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 400014.

Name of student: Aditya Mandlik Roll no: 23 Design Dissertation Topic: IGNORED FRAMED - Free Democratic and Inclusive

This is to certify that Mr/Ms Aditya Mandlik is a bonafide student of Academy of Architecture. He has carried out Design Dissertation-1 (Semester 9) on the chosen topic under my guidance and supervision in the academic year 2016-2017 as a part of his final year project. The following study of the above mentioned subject is presented in a manner sufficiently satisfactory to warranty its acceptance as prerequisite towards the degree in Architecture for which it has been submitted.

Ar. Prof. Swati Chokshi

Prof. Suresh Singh

(Thesis Guide)

(Principal, Academy of Architecture)

External Examiner 1

External Examiner 2

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Declar ation

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Ac k no wle d g m e nt

I hereby declare that this written submission entitled “ IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive ” Represents my ideas in my own words and has not been taken from the work of others (as from books, articles, essays, dissertations, other media and online); and where others’ ideas or words have been included, I have adequately cited and referenced the original sources. Direct quotations from books, journal articles, internet sources, other texts, or any other source whatsoever are acknowledged and the source cited are identified in the dissertation references. No material other than that cited and listed has been used. I would like to thank everyone who provided insight and expertise that I have read and know the meaning of plagiarism* and I understand that plagiarism, collusion, and

greatly assisted the research helping me to articulate my thoughts.

copying are grave and serious offence in the university and accept the consequences should I engage in plagiarism, collusion or copying.

I would like to thank my thesis guide, Professor Swati Chokhsi for all the support and critical guidance.

I also declare that I have adhered to all principles of academic honesty and integrity and have not mis-

I would also like to thank Professor Rohit Shinkre for making me

represented or fabricated or falsified any idea/data/fact source in my submission.

aware of the socio-political aspects that are involved in my project. I’m grateful to the College Administration for all the facilities it provided

This work, or any part of it, has not been previously submitted by me or any other person for assess-

me, in terms of the library and the computer laboratory.

ment on this or any other course of study. I would like to thank my seniors Dhwani Vaghani, Omkar Nandlaskar, Pratik Daulat and Bina Bhatia for providing clarity in thought with prompt Signature of the Student:

advice and encouragement.

Name of the Student: Aditya Mandlik

Lastly, my mother for all of her love, care and patience.

Exam Roll No: 23 A final, sincere thanks to all those whom I have missed out above, withDate: Place:

out whose contribution the project would have been incomplete. A sincere Thank you!

*The following defines plagiarism: “Plagiarism” occurs when a student misrepresents, as his/her own work, the work, written or otherwise, of any other person (including another student) or of any institution. Examples of forms of plagiarism include: •

The verbatim (word for word) copying of another’s work without appropriate and correctly

presented acknowledgment; •

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of presentation, without appropriate and correctly presented acknowledgment; •

Unacknowledged quotation of phrases from another’s work;

•

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•

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charts, photographs, musical compositions and pictures, from all sources, including, for example, journals, books, dissertations and essays and online resources.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Contents

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Introduction- 3

Site- 43

7.1 Why “shakti mill”- 44 7.2 location- 44 7.3 climate- 45 7.4 time-line- 46 7.5 The context- 48 7.5.1 The yellow portion- 50 7.5.2 The blue portion- 52 7.5.3 The Red portion- 53 7.6 Edge conditions- 55 7.6.1 shakti mill lane- 56 7.6.2 shakti mill back lane- 64 7.6.3 Dr. Emoses road- 67 7.6.4 Division- 70

Framed- 5 2.1 Understanding ‘WHY’- 7

03 I m a g e - 10 3.1 formation of an image - 10 3.2 Image abstraction- 11 3.3 Current image- 12 3.4 direction of new image- 12

7.7 Activity mapping- 73 7.8 Tactical responses- 85 7.8.1 reaction- 94 7.9 Speculation- 95

Mill redevelopment- 14

4.1 Phoenix mall- 16 4.1.1. Reaction- 19 4.2 Swadeshi Mill- 20 4.3 Transforming Dhobi Ghat- 23 4.3.1 Reaction- 25

Conclusion based on surveys and interviews- 96

05 not over defined order- 26 5.1 banganga- 28

8.1 Surveys- 96 8.2 conclusions based on interview- 97 8.3 conclus ion- 98 8.4 the possible evolution of the context -demanding a solution- 99 8.5 Speculative demand of the program- 99

09 program- 100

case studies- 31

6.1 medellin Transformation- 32 6.2 tate Modern- 34 6.2.1 inference- 37 6.3 Oval maidan transformation- 38 6.3.1 inference- 41

Appendix- 110

11 Bibliography- 116

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

The spectacle is not a collection of images; It is a social relation between people that is mediated [1] by images.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

abstract This thesis aims to enhance and recreate the prior perceived image of Shakti Mills, which otherwise is a contradiction to the safe image of the city, which had evolved due to late working hours of these mills. The study begins by exploring the reasoning of the formation of an image due to spatial qualities and elements which strongly influence few human behavioral patterns, which are unhealthy for the society. “A space does not exist in itself it needs to be produced” [2], hence a space once created, simultaneously starts existing in two forms, physical and social, because of which a space defines an image for itself, it being based on how it is visually perceived and then how its spatial qualities interact with each other. The expected change does demand transformation in its physical aspects of the existing setup, which leads to understanding the manner of transformation in the city which is a capitalist oriented development where city’s needs are not the basis of development but money making is. Hence the newly intended image of Shakti Mills is that of a FREE, DEMOCRATIC and INCLUSIVE setup which is flexible enough to evolve with time.

[1] Debord, Guy. The society of the spectacle. Zone books 611 Broadway, Suite 608 New York, NY 10012, 2012. http://www. antiworld.se/project/references/texts/The_Society%20_Of%20_The%20_Spectacle.pdf. July 26,2016

[2] Schmid, Christian. Space,Difference,Everyday Life, Reading Henri Lefebvre. Routledge 270 Madison Ave, New York 10016, 2008. http://www.mom.arq.ufmg.br/mom/babel/textos/lefebvre_space_everyday.pdf.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Introduction were revealed, because of which it created negative aura for itself, which did reflect from the conversation with people aware about the rape case. The rape case was an unfortunate incident But these rapes were not the only two rapes which happened here, there have been many more crimes, it is just that these two rapes were fortunately reported. This is what people in the mill lane would tell me. I would keep hearing about some crime which had happened earlier. One day someone tells me about a murder that happened in the mill compound, which scared me a bit, honestly.

NEW MONO RAIL CONSTRUCTION

ARTHUR ROAD CENTRAL JAIL

LODHA EXCELUS

M I N E RVA THEE NEW OMKAR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

SHAKTI MILLS

T U R F E S TAT E

D H O B I G H AT

S U B S TAT I O N

PHONEIX MALL

PA L A I S R OYA L E FA M O U S S T U D I O

MAHALAXMI RACE COURSE

M A H A L A X M I S TAT I O N

which the city had to face.

All these stories would just question me how can no one on the outside could realize if someThe quest of how a space can define and modulate our responses and reactions based on how it has been structured originally and the conversation it has developed with its milieu over time, has developed based on knowing about Shakti mills. I first saw the beautiful wall of the dilapidated

KK ROAD

Mills when I was passing by it. And the true interest developed after I had conversations about how beautiful the mill looked from the outside about its recent past.

N E W S H I R I N T H E AT R E

This recent past was about the contradictory

that how such high profile serious crimes could happen right in the heart of the city, with a very busy Mahalaxmi railway station on one side, Race course on the other side. It is right in the middle of the city! When the context did not support such an activity what did ...? If it is not the space outside, is it the space inside..? How did the happening of events in the inside create a self-imposed image for the outside?

JACOB CIRCLE

situation which framed the mills and associated

S A AT R A S TA

ARTHUR ROAD

with a few people and their responses spoke

thing was happening inside ? It was surprising

it with a particular negative image. Shakti Mills

How does this image affect the outside now?

experienced two consecutive unfortunate infamous rapes in the year 2013, Getting the mills

These questions lead to the quest of under-

into lime light. In the process of investigation

standing how spatial quality of a space could be

about the rapes, a lot more about the other illic-

a reason for particular human response.

it activities which were housed within the mills

Img :1

1. Aerial View of the Derelict Shakti Mill with its immediate context Photograph: Author

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

F r a m e d

These are a series of unfortunate events which

3. Illicit drug activities have also been reported

took place within the mill compound, resulting

in the Shakti mills premises and accused have

in an imposed image of the mills.

been caught and punished in August 2013.

1. The 2013 Shakti Mills gang rape, refers to the

4. In September 2011, three men gang-raped a

incident in which a 22-year-old photojournalist,

boy in the mills’ compound, chopped his head

was gang-raped by five persons, including a ju-

and left his body parts in the compound.

venile, when she had gone to the deserted Shakti Mills compound, with a male colleague for an assignment on 22 August 2013. 2. On 3 September 2013, a 19-year-old telephone operator with a private firm reported to authorities that she had been gang raped at the Shakti Mills compound by five men on 31 July 2013. Three of the men involved were also accused in the photojournalist’s case.

Another Shakti Mills horror: ‘Sodomy’ gang assaulted, murdered youth in 2011 Thu, 1 Jan 2015-07:30am , dna No end to ordeal of Shakti Mills gangrape victim, her struggle for life continues July 24, 2014 10:26 am , Indian Express Shakti Mills: Abandoned, disputed and a crime den Fri Aug 23 2013, 22:28 hrs, Indian Express Mumbai gang-rape case: Horror in an abandoned mill August 23, 2013 18:10 IST, NDTV

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

2.1

U n d e r s t a n d i n g â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; W h y . . ? â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Unlike a lot of mill compounds this mill is completely porous because of gradual dilapidation over time. Resulting in completely open arches and easy

and uncontrolled accessibility. On the other walking down through Shakti Mills will save your

hand if you want to go to Mahalaxmi station, environment

time, since it is supposed to be a shortcut. Due

to no conscious care taken of the dilapidated

structure there is growth of random and dense foliage, making it almost look like a jungle, and this jungle is a cause of major problem. This haphazard growth of foliage is almost 2-3 meters in height. It acts like both a visual and a sound barrier. Hence making it a potential place to house all the activities what are either illegal to be carried out outside, in the city or there is

space

no place to accommodate or facilitate that particular activity. And that is exactly what could be observed, this place was a shelter for drug-

CURRENT SITUATION

EXPLODING THE EXISTING SETUP

RESULTANT OF THE EXISTING SETUP

gies, people would drink, smoke, do drugs and sleep within the premise. This was a safe place for thieves to steal valuables from the people in the train or the station and run inside the mill compound, with no one daring to follow them, especially in the night. Shakti Mills functions exactly like Venus Fly Trap, visually very at-

activities

tractive from the outside, but some scary surprises awaited inside. Being one of the reason for initiation of my curiosity to know about the mills.[3]

[3] Refer Interview of MEERA DEVIDAYAL on p.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Isolation attracts another community of fugitives : criminals, misfits, corrupt politicians, united by their common dislike of law and order. [4] - DELIRIOUS NEW YORK, REM KOOLHAAS [ 4 ] K o o l h a s , R e m . D e l i r i o u s N e w Y o r k . U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a : T h e M o n a c e l l i P r e s s , 1 9 9 4 .

Img : 2

2. Derelict Shakti Mill with its immediate context Photograph: Author

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Looks like an Amazon package

3.2

I M A G E

b C

“Imageability

looks

for

physical

qualities An Image is an open invitation to imagination. A

structure in the mental image.”

It is one of

few of these images might give a little less scope

the specific qualities of the given object which

as their character being a bit direct, whereas the

provokes the observer to capture the image and

others allow more interpretation based on the

save it. The attributes of identity and structure

level of its abstraction. These interpretations

can be defined mentally, based on collective un-

are subjective to the individuals hence results

derstanding of simultaneous gathering of all the

in formation of multiple meanings. These mean-

senses.

ings are nothing but multiple metaphors of the

Formation of an IMAGE Images are created by us through experiences Images are formed by multiple juxtapositions of The overlapping of various stories and myths, about a single element starts the formation of an image based on stories. Formation of stories can be based on various different methods of experiences. 1. A Picture 2. An Audio Visual method of expression 3. Story Narration.

A Juxtaposed output

4. Self Experience

A visual previously perceived is now related to.

various stories.

Complex structure

or by other means related to us.

5. Others Experience

ation. These associations in turn re-work on the first interpreted image to create a more elaborate explanation almost without its true experience, making it deviate from its reality.

A visualization based on prior observation now associated with a story.

Imagination based on others Description

pla

“These would be the successive phases of the image: 1. It is the reflection of a basic reality. 2. It masks and perverts a basic reality. There were 10 rapes which happened here. And people do all kind of bad things.

3. It masks the absence of a basic reality. 4. It bears no relation to any reality whatever: it is its own pure simulacrum. In the first case, the image is a good appearance: the representation is of the order of sacrament. In the second, it is an evil appearance: of the or-

fourth, it is no longer in the order of appearance

differential but simultaneous understanding

As Jean Baudrillard writes...

appearance: it is of the order of sorcery. In the

Hence it is a complex structure formed with

The Final output

direction of thought with a character of associ-

der of malefic. In the third, it plays at being an

6. Simultaneous Association, etc.

through various mediums.

Image Formed on the basis of experience, resulting in visual observation and relation

3.1

intended image. These imaginations are a simple

people play cards

which relates to the attributes of identity and [5]

An Image usually gets perverted of its real meaning as it is open for interpretation.

IMAGE Abstraction

at all, but of simulation”.

[6]

th ar os e e ba pe d. op

I might have seen those people eve tease a women on the streets.

Added Description [5] Loren, Stein. The Image Of The City: A place for the people. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1991 https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/70195.

is added Complexity

[6] Baudrillard, Jean. Simulacra and Simulations. Stanford; Stanford University Press, 1988. https://nbrokaw.files. wordpress.com/2010/05/baudrillardsimulacraandsimulations.pdf

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

3.3 C u r r e n t

I m a g e But when we talk about re-painting an image

will keep evolving till the city exists. So the can-

tivities.

vas is already painted, it is just a small portion

This became more prominent when the entire

which needs to be re-worked and keeping a bet-

city was made aware of the 2013 rapes by the

ter understanding of how the existing is being

media. Current Image of the Shakti mills is as-

painted, without erasing it.

sociated to these visuals either seen in the news

This means two things simultaneously, one is

paper or on the television hence making an im-

about its built character and secondly about the

pact on the masses resulting in feeling of fear

social character which has evolved with time.

and insecurity. During this time media not only

It is a mill compound with a beautiful quality of

caught attention of the general people but the

construction creating a beautiful built charac-

raising concern for the rape victim made the

ter. It after all holds an image of the industrial

ministers come out in public to meet the victim,

era of the city which is literally made the city

making the rape case more popular in the city,

transform from a port city to a city of produc-

which indirectly resulted in getting Shakti mills

tion. And hence is important to work on its

in to spotlight.

new image without erasing its old identity.

But as of today it is just a derelict ruin, with

This would not completely scrape out its past

complete static character in such a vibrant

and will constantly keep us associated with it.

context. Hence seemingly dead. It’s character

But simultaneously the new set of functions

affects its context in various manners.

and activities will have to eliminate the feeling

To Make it

People’s Place

the simp le ad the plac e lo dition o ok li vely f huma . ns in

rand

That is the IDEA fash

ion

mak

Government blocked all the possible access,completely isolating the mills from the city and its people.

paining has continuously evolved with time and

image from a mill to the image of negative ac-

here its not a completely a blank canvas. This

the mill premise were in a way re-defining its

The various illicit activities which housed within

S E N P A S

needs to be erased completely. But again while

Direction of new Image

envelope which will define the new image of the

inserting these new functions within its existing same place, they shouldn’t be out of the blue.

Talking about a mill being defunct which needs

They should be very specific to the site and be

a new image to itself, means this place needs to

defined out as a response to the existing social

be broken down and a new built form which at-

mesh which has developed over time. And hence

tracts people need to come and probably is the

these responses will also be in respect to time.

“ p Su la ch “I ce w t’s a al b k sc u t in ar th y “L t e o o la o ks n e H ” a u n te “ d m It n ” o e re e d li s v t e o ly b ” e

3.4

e a so ut d ifu e l a d ”

of insecurity and fear which is the image which

2.Activities which otherwise were not accepted or termed illegal by the society were housed here.

because of which

T 1.Did Not undergo any change for a very long time. And remained ignored by the city.

SAY

first idea that pops-up in the head, i.e. replace the existing with a new glamorous image and

PEOPLE around In the Vicinity

everything will be fine. 1. It needs a drastic change in its spatial character. 2. It needs to become more lively and more inviting for people. 3. The sense of fear needs to diminish.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Mill redevelopment an example

in . de ible a s s m os ule nd p r e la th in mum i s n ion mi lat ose u l p ni to Ma der r o

During the full fledged functioning of the

velopment, entire mill land (either open or

mills, there was no thought of any kind of

after demolition o existing structures) has to

reservation for public amenities. And when

be distributed as follows:

they were built, there was no reason to be-

lieve that the mills would ever shut down

bai Municipal Corporation) for open spaces.

and they were built with an insight of work-

ing for a 100 years!

rashtra State Area and Development Corpo-

And because of this, the mills come under

ration) for public housing.

the category of purely industrial zones.

But, despite the ambitious insight of the

developer for commercial development.

builders, because of technological and eco-

Confirming this rule, only two mills- Mat-

nomic restrictions, several mills were de-

ulya and Modern shared some land with

clared “sick’’ few years later. This also re-

the city. Most of the private mills found the

sulted in unemployment of thousands of

regulations of the DCR 58 (1991) difficult to

workers who were not paid.

follow and refused to go that way. Eventual-

As a result DCR 58 came into existence and

ly, because of the disagreement of so many

created opportunities for a brighter situa-

eligible participants, DCR 58 was modified

tion of Mumbai having all the public spaces

in 2001. This new amendment only that land

and public housing and the solution of all

will be distributed in the manner of the orig-

these mills would have been long answered.

inal DCR 58 (1991) over which there was no

But this was only if all the owners would

construction.

have accepted the rule earnestly.

With this change of policy, a number of de-

Gradually some sick mills started shutting

funct private mill owners worked their way

down and the mill owners were allowed to

through the civic authorities to have their

sell a part, or whole of the land This was

plans for redevelopment passed. BMC, even-

seen as a step towards redevelopment.

tually, officially approved the redevelop-

In 1991 the development Control Regulations

ments plans for more than 15 private mills.

(DCR’s) of the city passed a rule that tried to

This move resulted in a biased and unequal

state the future of these unused lands. The

development of valuable lands in Girangaon.

new rule was aimed at the benefit of the city,

For example, owners of Phoenix mills identi-

keeping in mind the profit of owners and as-

fied a loophole and refurbished the existing

sisting public housing. This rule permitted

mill structures. In this way, it reduced the

the sale of a portion of the mill land in order

area of ‘open space’ which they would have

to channel funds into the revival of the mills.

required to share with the city.

These funds were to be used for the clear-

Thus the real estate value of 600 acres of

ing off financial liabilities of mill owners like

land in the heart of the city was realized by

workers wages, VRS (Voluntary Retirement

mill owners and it was reason enough to ex-

Service), returning loans etc.

ploit the DCR rule for increased commercial

According to the DCR 58, in case of rede-

profit.

One third to the BMC (Brihanmum2. One third to the MHADA (Maha-

The rest to be used by the owner/

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

4.1

P h o e n i x

M a l l

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

M A N I P U L A T E D

D E V E L O P M E N T

One of the most obvious example for a mill being

Phoenix mall, which was ultimately promoted as

redeveloped into a mall is High street Phoenix

a luxury for those who could afford it.

Mall. One of the most famous malls of the city.

Even today, the scenario in the complex remains

Phoenix mall was one of the earliest mils to un-

somewhat the same. The mall is divided into

dergo redevelopment, and houses a high-end

three parts depending on the economic status

shopping mall, a five start hotel and a 28 floor

of the target audience. And the saddening part is

residential building today. But what lies behind

that even though it promises to serve as a ‘pub-

the ‘’success’’ of this money-making project is a

lic-space’ it still starts with catering to the mid-

history of injustice and capitalism implemented

dle class. The class of people below them are not

in convenient interest.

even considered. But of course there is no such

The present mall is built on the redeveloped

restriction for their entrance. Just the flamboy-

land of Bitia Mills, as it was then called. The sit-

ant, flashy, highly lit shops of the poshest part

uation was stable with the mill employers, most-

of the mall at the entrance. Attractive for some,

ly women, until 1977, when a fire destroyed the Blower Department of Phoenix Mills. The entire four-storey structure was razed to the ground. No cause was established and the Mill was closed for three years and 700 mill workers and 400 office staff were rendered jobless. What followed

setup X

solution X’

solution Y’

in the following years are lousy attempts and false hopes to these unemployed and helpless

(So in setup say ‘X’ we can provide two options which say X’

mill workers about the development of commer-

and Y’, we need to provide a solution, which is holistically a

cial complex for the revival of mills. And on 23rd April 1998 the MGMT applied to the BMC for adding recreational facilities such

better response to the setup X. And hence solution Y’ does not fit in to the character it holds to respond but is a solution for making more money and hence there is solution Y’ placed in setup X.)

as table tennis, health clubs and – of course bowling alleys. On the grounds that its workers

intimidating for most. The magnificent built of

are “continuously demanding these facilities,

the mall, in turn engages the higher economic

and went on agitation in Jan-98”. This was the

class of people, making it more intimidating for

beginning of the atrocity shown at that time.

the others,and thus making this an impenetrable

It is just cruel to see how the right strings of cap-

social barrier. In a way, this is a reflection of how

italisation have been pulled to make money in

even today we are suffering the consequences

this case at the cost of helpless mill workers, but

of the mistakes made in the past, in the name of

framing their investment for their good. Thus,

recreation for needed.

bowling alleys and night clubs were introduced

“Those who forget the past, are condemned to

for the recreation of these workers, without re-

repeat it”.

alising, or worse, even after realising that it was something they couldn’t afford or want. Eventually, in May 1999, the Bowling Company opens at

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

4.1.1

R e a c t i o n

urbs the only place we can call “Hangout” spaces (City Responding to their needs Themselves.)

are these malls which impose their brands on us, we land up sitting in some cafe or a some eatery where you have to buy when all you want to do As reported by Rajshri Mehta and Chitranga-

is socialize, which now does come with a cost.

The locality surrounding the mall comprises of

da Choudhury, ‘Phoenix did not give an inch

This is not freedom!

chawls, who seek employment here. This is how

of nearly 2,700 sq meter reserved for a public

These malls act to be public spaces, they are

the mall serves the people. It does do what it’s

school and playground’. Currently, with mills

public facilities but were bound to be in a par-

function promises - serve as a place for public

exempt from considering the built-up areas

ticular character of a consumer, a shopkeeper,

amenity, but simultaneously it creates an in-

in handing over land to the city, no more than

a janitor etc. This constraint hold us back from

tangible selectively porous membrane just giv-

43,908 sq meter will be shared for open spaces

the idea to express.

and housing. That’s an area merely 3% of the

Now talking about the public spaces in the city.

total mill area in Girangaon. [7]

These public spaces are socially inert in nature.

ing access to a certain society of people social-

Img : 3

ly , which as a resultant filters out the people in the vicinity to participate. Instead, what has

*“Our research on parks, maidans, and sea fronts

developed as a tactical response are small eater-

that many people felt uncomfortable in access-

ies which cater to the needs of these employees

ing these spaces. Theses spaces often tend to

and others living nearby. The tactical response

be badly maintained or policed stringently, both

to the site has been in the way of the nearby so-

With the way we have been growing our cities to

discouraging popular use.”

ciety to cater to their needs.

be like the way they are, is very disheartening. It

We are made to act in a particular way just for

The lack of access to all classes of society, es-

is a city which is developing totally in an iron-

a simple reason of lack of public spaces which

pecially those which surround it is what makes

ic fashion, where we are building our societies

would, on a larger scale unite people. a place

the space alien with respect to it responding to

to make more and more money and capital. And

which is not defined with these social barriers.

the site. What is also seen on the backside are

this is only a limited section of the society of

We are eventually creating gated societies. So

garages which have sprung up after the ‘Sai Mo-

about 10%, which dominates over the rest 90%,

we are designing our cities to be like prison cells

tors’ service centre, by Suzuki motors. They are

who define the built fashion in our city. We are

which are closed form all four sides.

a competition to the service centre. The stark

building our city in a way where we don’t cater

Freedom is when people would break free from

difference is itself seen in the way the space

to the 90% but only to those 10%. And it is not

these social or physical constraints to express

changes when inside the mall and a kilometer

that the top 10% needs this infrastructure, we

themselves. And when expression of every indi-

outside it. What is a tactical response are the

are building our city not to cater to the needs

vidual A situation when people build their cities

tiny shops on footpaths, the food stalls, or the

of the people, in particular we are building more

the way they find it to be necessary, where ne-

affordable restaurants, the little vegetable marts

and more property so that we can buy them not

cessity is not driven in individual interest but a

which are temporary or mobile. These are the

necessarily live in them. And the real user who

social practice.

things which are the needs and should be ca-

needs it is totally out of the picture, hence cre-

So when we consider Shakti mills a place and

tered to by the public amenity space in the vi-

ating massive dead infrastructure for no one to

considering its situation and try re-working on

cinity. As a result of this not happening, what we

occupy. This is an ironic direction of our growth

the current image, it obviously needs to under-

see today are these basic functions spread out

which has lead to absolute no public space.

go a physical change but simultaneously needs

on roads and in shops under buildings.

Which over a few decades have lead to defining

to create a social change and simultaneously an

our lifestyle.

adaptive solution for the immediate context.

Img : 4

Img : 5 3, 4, 5. Phot os ar e p l ac e s i m m e d i at e l y ar ound t he Phoe ni x Mal l Photograph: Author

We no more have a public spaces, in fact in sub-

[7] Mehta, Rajshri; Chitrangada Choudhury (March 1, 2005). “THE MILL MESS-II”. Indian Express. http://cities.expressindia. com/fullstory.php?newsid=119432. Retrieved 2009-04-14.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

4.2

Swadeshi Mill

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

E x p e c t e d

D E V E L O P M E N T

Swadeshi mills held quite a different contribu-

their infants for a walk. The open ground, with

In the same vicinity is the intervention of the

well of the vast redevelopment that the space

tion in the skyline a few years ago. The 115 year

no obstructions in the stretch, allows a variety

third part of land- a housing project by MHA-

has undergone since the defunct mills.

old Swadeshi mill is the first cotton textile mill

of outdoor games like cricket and football to

DA. These are densely populated high risers

The last part is devoted to the commercial use

set up in Mumbai. Then it flourished under the

be played. In fact, the ground houses so many

and promise full utilisation of the land. Though

which will benefit the owners. Thus were built 8

leadership of Mr.Homi Vazifdar and Mr. Jal S.

groups of kids playing diversity of games, simul-

cluttered together, they have a systematically

buildings, to be used as guest houses for differ-

Kanga in the 70’s and 80’s.

taneously. A walking track runs on the perimeter

functioning parking system and adequate open

ent investing companies. 2 of them are owned by

But like the fate of many other mills, it too, even-

and is shaded by a canopy of trees.

spaces around. These high risers speak quite

TATA, and Trident and the rest of the 4 buildings

tually shut down due to difficulty in it’s main-

All variety of users have identified their own

are bought by Reliance. These accommodate the

tenance under the economic conditions and its

space in the ground and have adapted to it.

staff working in respective companies.

technological insufficiency. This happened in

Couples can be seen huddled together on the

Such a distribution is an inspiring example of how

November 2000 and unemployed about 2,800

benches along with students who find peace in

the city would have fared if the distribution of

workers. After negotiations, the TATA group of

studying here, in the shade of trees. In a corner

land was done fairly, following the original DCR

companies finally took over for further rede-

are some covered huts for women to retire and

58.

velopment. This had been under the guidance

relax. Such a space allows complete freedom of

of Mr Khot, who had suggested an out-of-court

thought and activity and it is a common sight to

settlement of the issue, to avoid long legal bat-

see people lying down lazily on the grass, exer-

tles. The Swadeshi Mills is a fine example of the

cising or doing any kind of activities. This place

correct implementation of DCR58. The land was

is open to the city without any restrictions and

correctly divided into three parts to be used as 1.

it follows its character, it having no regulation

Public Recreational space, 2. Affordable housing

of time.

and 3. Component of commercial value. What became the public recreational ground was a large open ground, to be utilised by the residents of the residential complex in the neighbourhood, as well anyone other from the city. This ground is what became in it’s true name, a public space. The park is inhabited by groups of old grandparents coming together for playing cards or chatting, to mothers taking

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

4.3

Transforming Dhobi GHat

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

(Example of today’s redevelopment scenario)

OMkar’s vision “Omkar One Race Course is the brand new cre-

Sprawling over 7 acres of land, Omkar Dhobi

ation by the reputed real estate builder Omkar

Ghat is one of the carefully planned project that

Realtor. The accomplished architectonics in this

is adorned with all the accelerating features of

project is being done by using the latest tech-

ultra avant garde era, enabling you to sense the

nologies and hence, is considered to be the most

exclusivity as well as character at every end.

admirable address offering absolute amusement

Hence, Omkar Mahalaxmi allows you to lead

to each and every resident. The construction of

life more auspiciously in the most comfortable

Omkar One Race Course Mahalaxmi is widely

manner witnessing the most international level

spread beyond wide 7 acres of land having most

facilities allowing you to feel altered from the

charming greeneries that is entirely spread all

blissful living.”[8]

through till your eyes can reach. Omkar One

This is what Omkar builder proposes the fu-

Racecourse project is conveniently located in

ture of Dhobi Ghat to be.

Dhobi Ghat, Mahalaxmi , Mumbai and enjoys close proximity to all social facilities.

Past

future

[8] http://www.omkaroneracecoursemahalaxmidhobighat.ongoingproperty.com

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

4.3.1 R e a c t i o n (EXAMPLE OF TODAY’S REDEVELOPMENT SCENARIO) The 7 acre land on which Omkar proposes its new intervention is the image below. To make this dream a reality he has already started his work and has paid the people in the existing tenements with a cheque of 3 lac rupees and has asked them to vacate. The company also made the dwellers sign an agreement saying, if any-

“The urban substance is polarized into only two

approach with this bloating real estate bubble,

conditions, either a skyscraper or the hovel or

meaning every problem has the same solution.

hut, with nothing in between. Everyone knows

This is something exactly what is happening

Photoshop another word that we have intended

around in the city. When ever there is a slum

to copyright- is perhaps the near- est analogy

redevelopment, whether it is a slum in Malad or

to this method of production. Everyone knows

if it is a slum encroachment in Mahalaxmi, there

Photoshop, which allows us to make collages of

is a fixed model of redevelopment, there is a SRA

photographs and other digitized images, its ca-

building a monotonous built environment, and

pacity to combine anything with anything else in

then there is a high end commercial or residen-

one tries to stop the work the money wont be deposited, as Mamta (a dweller in these tene-

The idea of transformation is now a globalist

Img : 6

ments) talks about these situations. This 28,455 sq m plot is adjoining to Dhobi Ghat, which was once a vacant land used as drying area for the clothes, has with stealth encroachment over the last three decades turned into

a slum sprawl housing over 1500 families, in-

IMAGE SOLD

REALITY

cluding those of several washer-men and their workers. This is the plot that will now see the slum-dwellers being shifted to 20 storey plus Img : 9

towers. In return, the developer will get to com-

Img :10

mercially exploit the remaining cleared up land

tial setup.

a kind of accumulation of objects of desire. This

using a high floor space index (FSI) of three.

The resultant to such an approach is one solu-

is precisely the essence of architectural and ur-

“A spokesperson for the Omkar said the rassi

tion to various situation, which hence rules out

ban production of this country; instead of being

the idea of place, idea of time but is just an ex-

produced by an incredibly deep way of thinking,

owners would be included as part of the project without specifying whether they would be

Img : 7

ploitation of the existing urban setup, unique to

with an intellectual preparation and painful hes-

accommodated in the residential towers or giv-

each and every place.

itation between different solutions, design to-

en a land parcel as demanded by them. “The

The idea of imposing a new built in a closely de-

day becomes as easy as Photoshop,even at

slum-dwellers might have consented but we

veloped urban mesh which has evolved over a

the scale of the city.”[9]

will carefully examine what the developer has

large span of time results in drastic change of

to offer and only then decide whether to agree

environment and displacement of people. The

to it,” said Jata Shankar from the Dhobi Kalyan

newly proposed residential towers by the Om-

and Audhyogik Vikas Co op. Society Ltd, whose

kar builders has been the reason for people to

members own the clothesline and operate the

displace form their living setup, with about only

washing troughs. The group has been in oppo-

3lac of rupees or even lesser to start afresh with

sition to any redevelopment proposal, contend-

a new setup.

ing that the drying area rightfully belonged to

This is Gentrification.

them.”

[6]

9. Render of a New Residential development in the city. 10. Photo taken of the settlements on G Babu Sakpal Marg near Dhobi Ghat Photograph: Author

[9] Koolhaas, Rem. The Chineese City.

6, 7, 8. Photos taken of the settlements on G Babu Sakpal Marg near Dhobi Ghat Photograph: Author

Img : 8

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

We should be concerned not with activity alone, but at

Not over D e f i n e d ORDER

the same time with the framework in which it takes place.

In the city there are very few places which cre-

transforms itself, depending on the function it

ate spaces promoting events to take place. Dem-

is serving at that time. It has the flexibility in

ocratic space in a way holds the capability to

terms of itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architecture to work according to

let people define their infrastructure based on

the needs of a diversity of public, ranging from

events, which are indication of needs . I think

hosting a musical concert to being a quiet place

such a space is possible with no imposed func-

for an artist. The beauty lies in how it unknow-

tion to the place.

ingly and subtly also increases social interac-

The idea of association of a function is nothing

tion of the various different communities which

but creating an intangible barrier around the

overlook the tank. It is just water, and the steps

space, which just allows a particular activity to

which have proved to be a safe, and socially vi-

be performed, limiting the people to use this

brant a place. The idea of associated myth is one

space for other possible activities. For example

of the major reasons why the place remains safe.

This framework is urban space.

[10]

- Rob Krier

confining people in a particular role of performance.

when we call an open play ground a cricket play

intangible barrier

ground we are automatically limited to play any other sport there. This is what an over specifiA Shopping

cations for a space can limit peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freedom to

Mall

perform. We as a society keep evolving functions with time and requirements based on the needs. We as a society might evolve to discard a particular function over varied time periods. But once an architectural manifestation is brought into reality it is considered to at least remain in exis-

of which our spatial requirements for professions have changed. Hence creating a need for different architectural spaces all-together. Now this can be the reason to alienate the building

fi e D

th i th s e bu r i th ld an in g a ca S h n b o p e p in us g ed m al no th l

fessional fields in the way they perform. Because

computer has completely changed so many pro-

never had something like a computer, but today

years so much changes. Two decades before we

tence for almost 50-60 years minimum. In 50-60

because it started becoming uncomfortable for the new use. Hence the architecture should not be desig-

preventing multiple otherwise possible activities

nated with an overly specified function ... it is supposed to be a more responsive to future changes making it adaptable. Banganga is a fine example of how the site

[10] Krier, Rob. Urban Space. Great Britan:Academy Editions,1979. http://www.sze.hu/~nemethi/V%C1ROS%20szakirodalom/rob%20krier%20-%20urban%20space.pdf.November 8,2016

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

5.1

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Banganga

Img : 13 Img : 11

Img : 12

The ‘holy’ dip in Banganga speaks a lot about the purity and sanity the place still carries. The tank is said to have emerged thousands of years ago when Lord Ram had shot his arrow, or ban, in the ground for water. Whether true or not, becomes a feeble thought seeing the beauty of the place, and also the fact that it carries the same essence after so many years. At the time of Diwali, Chatt

Img : 14 11, 12, 13,14. Photos taken at the Banganga tank showcasing various uses. Photograph: Author

place portrays the same aura it must’ve when

the people connect so naturally to it, owing to

Lord Ram purified the place with his holy pres-

the myth they connect it to. The character has

ence. And that is the magic of belief. Some call

evolved over the years, adapting itself to the

it a myth, but the strength of something unseen

newer needs of people, without losing the ethnic

but believed in, has left the tank unaffected by

beauty of it. People come to this place to relax

the rapid residential and commercial develop-

and find peace in whatever activity. The steps

ments surrounding it. And what can be seen

allow a visual interaction and in a glimpse the

today are these buildings nestling the tank and

diversity of activities can be absorbed. Bathing,

keeping an eye from all directions. The vicinity

offering prayers, or just taking a dip to avoid the

clearly shows how the place must have evolved,

heat, the water body serves to age groups, and

with the European style houses, Art Deco and

moods. It is a delight to see young boys spend-

finally the towering sky scrapers. A visit to the

ing all their leisure time playing in the waters. A

lake talks of how people connect so deeply with

man in the corner would be oblivious to every-

the place. A proof of how it was not scraped for

thing and might be absorbed in his newspaper,

any other viable use and has naturally adapted

or someone who’d just be sitting and relaxing,

itself to various other uses by the public. This

their thoughts dispersed and free. It’s not an ar-

is evident in the way the mills in the city were

chitectural marvel but integrates itself beauti-

removed and put for renovation without any

fully in the urban mesh; Just humble series of

thought of keeping the city associated with its

steps welcoming one and all, held together with

past. While places like Banganga are what make

a promise of belief.

15. Photo of the Banganga tank with its gradual but distinctive transformation of its context Photograph: Author

puja, or it’s annual ‘Banganga Music Festival’, the

Img : 15

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

It did not, and still doesn’t cater to certain sections of the society, because of which people created adaptive responses.

Type- national R e d e v e l o p m e n t

Phoenix mall

Understanding the owner’s capitalist approach to the redevelopment of mills.

This is how the redevelopment should have happened in all the mills.

T y p e - n a t i o n a l R e d e v e l o p m e n t

SWadeshi Mills

T y p e -

1. Redevelopment of mill land 2. The DCR 58 has been correctly implemented.

n a t i o n a l

P e o p l e ’ s

P l a c e

One of the oldest physical manifestation still prevalent in the urban mesh, because of the myth associated with it.

Banganga The space still allows the city to express and gives flexibility of function.

Type- international n e w - i m a g e

Medellin Transformation

C A S E

S T U D I E S

The change has taken place in a city which was heavily infested with crimes. Major problems have been solved with connectivity, through its physical form and brought new businesses.

Type- international A d a p t i v e r e - u s e

T A T E

M O D E R N An example of a building put to adaptive reuse.

T y p e N e w -

n a t i o n a l

Collective approach by people to revitalize and transform a place.

I m a g e

OVAL MAIDAN Transformation

A new set-up in an old structure, keeping the city in relation with its past heritage, and simultaneously in association with the new city.

a place that needed a make-over.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

6.1

Medellin transformation

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

type- international New-Image

17. Medellin Escalators

Img : 16

16. Medellin Metro-Cable

PROBLEM : Over two decades ago, Medellín, Co-

a visible symbol and sense of security. Second,

lombia, was crippled by a cycle of drug-fueled

Medellín focused on public transportation infra-

violence, crime and corruption. The city faced

structure as a multifaceted means of address-

deep-rooted and widespread inequality and po-

ing crime, inequality, unemployment, and public

litical corruption. Drug traffickers and sub-state

and societal disengagement.

militias had, in some cases, supplanted civic authority over Medellín’s poorest, most over-

SOLUTION : 1. To tackle social inequality, vio-

crowded and marginalised communities. In 1991,

lence and crime, Fajardo’s administration devel-

the Inter-American Development Bank ranked

oped a series of multi-neighborhood projects

the city’s homicide rate as the world’s highest,

called Integral Urban Projects or PUIs, which

at 380 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants annually.

targeted the most affected slums. The PUIs en-

Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city, once

compassed local community leaders, the city’s

labeled by Time magazine as “the world’s most

public and private sectors, grassroots civil so-

dangerous city”, faced severe challenges to de-

ciety networks and academics. The policy they

liver safety, security and opportunities for its

formulated became known as “URBAN ACU-

people.

PUNCTURE” – small-scale but high-impact projects designed to decrease illegal activities,

APPROACH : The approach was aimed at gain-

strengthen government authority and rebuild

ing people’s trust and confidence through re-

social and economic institutions.

forms and policies which would show results to

2. Medellín is located in a valley surrounded by

achieve it. This approach was thus to tackle the

mountains. Many of its poorest communities are

widespread violence wracking Medellín’s com-

on these inaccessible mountainous slopes. Cut

munities, and was twofold. First, police presence

off from the safety, security, amenities and op-

was increased in the city’s most violent slums –

portunities of the city, these communities were

to both fight crime and provide inhabitants with

characterised by crime, drug use and unem-

Img : 17

ployment. To help tackle these issues, Medellín

ty associations to define development priori-

developed the world’s first cable car system

ties and allocate 5% of the municipal budget to

dedicated to mass transit, the METRO CABLE.

fund them.

The Metrocable played an important role in

6. Ensuring Medellín’s long-term growth is

encouraging social inclusion and integration,

critical to the city’s ability to continue to de-

connecting poor neighborhoods – literally and

liver infrastructural development. To facilitate

figuratively – to the lifeline of the city and all

this, Medellín has focused on making the pub-

of its opportunities: economic, educational and

lic sector self-supporting and securing private

cultural.

sector financing. Much of Medellín’s urban de-

3. Similarly, the construction of outdoor esca-

velopment is paid for with profits generated by

lators to lessen commute times in a hilly neigh-

the city’s public companies, while its transport

borhood had the knock-on effect of drastically

networks are financed in part by public-private

reducing violent crime there.

partnerships. This partnership between the

4. Another dual-role development was Medellín’s

public and private sectors plays a critical role

introduction of “library parks”. Built in the poor-

in fostering innovation.

est and most overcrowded slums, these plazas played the role of public library, park

and

community

center.

Alongside their educational and recreational purposes, the “library parks” also helped develop social cohesion in fractured communities. 5. To encourage public participation, Medellín has also implemented participatory budgeting. This process empowers local rural and urban communi-

18. Medellin Past and Present transformation

Img : 18

Eveland, Jennifer. Urban Space. MEDELLÍN TRANSFORMED: FROM MURDER CAPITAL TO MODEL CITY . https://www. leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/features_Medellin_transformed.htm. October 11,2016

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

6.2

T A T E

M O D E R N

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

type- international a d a p t i v e

r e - u s e

BEFORE : Bankside Power Station was a former

AFTER : Tate Modern has changed London since

tanks are at the heart of these plans and they

of public spaces dedicated to relaxation and re-

electricity generating station located on the

2000. The impact it has had on urban design and

are a point of departure for the new building.

flection, making and doing, group learning and

south bank of the River Thames, in the Bankside

the development of the South Bank and South-

The conversion of the power station, they dug

private study. These spaces are spread over the

area of the Borough of Southwark, London. It

wark, has been as substantial as its influence on

out the Turbine Hall in order to turn the vast

building and linked by a generous public circula-

generated electricity from 1891 to 1981. By the

the city’s artistic, cultural and social life.

physical dimensions of the existing structure

tion system rising through the building.

late 1930s Bankside was considered inefficient,

The new development adds another decisive di-

into a tangible reality. Here, the oil tanks form

It was felt important for the building to be visi-

old and polluting.

mension to the architecture and environment of

the foundation of the building as the new vol-

ble from the North. As one approaches the Tate

Following its closure there were several propos-

this quarter and beyond. With a new entrance

ume develops and rises out of the structure be-

Modern from the river, the new Switch House

als to redevelop the redundant power station or

to the South, and a direct North-South pas-

low. They are not merely the physical foundation

can be seen rising behind the power station

its site. These included an industrial museum,

sage,it takes people from the Thames through

of the new building, but also the starting point

without competing with its iconic chimney.

an entertainment hall, a hotel, an opera house,

the existing building and the Turbine Hall out

for intellectual and curatorial approaches which

Integrating the new building into the existing

and a conference and exhibition center, but

to a new city plaza to the South on Sumner

have changed to meet the needs of a contempo-

urban fabric has been fundamental to the proj-

none were financially viable. There were also

Street. And from there on to Southwark, which

rary museum at the beginning of the 21st centu-

ect, as well as integrating it into the skyline of

campaigns for the building to be saved. In April

connects Southwark with the Thames and pro-

ry. These approaches require a range of gallery

the city and ensuring that visitors both inside

1994 the Tate Gallery announced that Bankside

vide much improved open, public space.

spaces, both larger and smaller, along with ‘As

and outside could orient themselves.

would be the home for the new Tate Modern.

In close collaboration with the Tate,the archi-

Found’ spaces of less conventional shape, and

Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron of Her-

tects have carved a path through the jungle of

better facilities for the gallery’s popular learn-

zog & de Meuron were announced as the win-

unusually numerous parameters that must be

ing programs.

ning architects in January 1995. The most ob-

taken into account. The resulting paths and

As well as doubling the gallery space, The Tate

vious external change was the two-story glass

connecting lines, gradually acquired shape, con-

Modern Project will create a diverse collection

extension on one half of the roof. Much of the

densing into a pyramidal form generated from

original internal structure remained, includ-

the combined geometries of the site context and

ing the cavernous main turbine hall, which re-

existing building.

tained the overhead traveling crane.

The clover-shaped dramatic subterranean oil

19. Bankside Electricity Generating Station

Img : 19

20. The New Tate Modern

http://w w w.cityam.com/blog/1400495691/bankside-power-station-aka-tate-modern-suffers-powerfailure

http://w w w.archdaily.com/429700/ad-classics-the-tate-modern-herzog-and-de-meuron/522800a9e8e44e5fdf000052-ad-classics-the-tate-modern-herzog-and-de-meuron-photo

Img : 20

AD Classics: The Tate Modern / Herzog & de Meuron 01:00 - 17 September, 2013 by Rennie Jones, https://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index/focus/263-FOCUS/TEXT.html, October 10,2016.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

6.2.1 i n f e r e n c e 1. The way that the site has been dissected allows the circulation of public from the new entrance to the South, and a direct North-South passage,it takes people from the Thames through the existing building and the Turbine Hall out to a new city plaza to the South on Sumner Street. And from there on to Southwark, which connects Southwark with the Thames and provide much improved open, public space. A very important gesture on an urban level to create porosity through the structure. 2. The presence of already existing infrastructure has given a scope for the new developments to evolve, and in this case.,it has been done without standing out, or disrupting the language of the already existing structures. 3. What makes it site specific is also the way the added architectural features have evolved based on the site vantage point. 4. The glass block at the top, which is an salient addition made by the architect, is also following the same language, maintaining the horizontal spread of the built form. It lights up at night, enhancing the contrast the architect has tried to achieve between the past and present.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

6.3

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

OVAL MAIDAN Transformation

PROBLEM :

6. Every now and then, the state government

restoration and maintenance of the maidan) to

truckloads of debris and garbage was removed.

1. With the growing population and the increase

would come up with absurd ideas such as build-

do the same. There has been a lot of battling

The fact that the maidan was declared a Grade

of a number of offices in South Mumbai, the

ing shopping complexes, club houses and un-

against pressure regarding the inappropri-

I heritage site in 1995 by the state government

ground started deteriorating due to overuse and

derground parking at Oval Maidan. For the un-

ate use of this ground. At one time, before the

helped the public body organization to frame

lack of maintenance by the state government.

derground parking project, they had planned

ground was handed over to the Trust, a political

rules, which we have listed at the ground’s en-

2. During the monsoon, the grass would grow

to construct ramps on two sides of the maidan.

party wanted to put up tented accommodation

trance. The rules mention that no event can take

as high as five feet but the authorities weren’t

This was ridiculous, to just rip open an area that

on the maidan for its delegates on the occasion

place at the maidan and that it is a silent zone.

bothered about mowing it. Post monsoon, the

has been part of the century-old Esplanade.

of the party’s centenary celebrations. OCRA

And so, even when the organization held the

went to court and the High Court ruled in its fa-

ground’s inaugural event after the restoration

grass would dry out and the ground would turn dry and mucky.

SOLUTION :

vour, permitting only a part of the maidan to be

was completed, it was organized on the Mumbai

3. The authorities had installed wire mesh fenc-

This open space is meant for the public, espe-

used for parking. They had to collect enormous

University lawns. We believe a rule has to be fol-

ing, which was hacked by vagrants who would

cially senior citizens, to spend leisure time. The

funds for the ground’s restoration as the state

lowed by everyone including the Trust. The then

try to enter the maidan as well as sell the sliced

need to protect its functionality was a prime

government had put in a pre-condition that no

Governor of Maharashtra, late Dr. P.C. Alexan-

mesh. The ground had become a hub for an-

concern. Thus, in 1978, the residents of the area

funds would be available from them. However,

der was invited to inaugurate the newly restored

ti-social elements including prostitutes, va-

formed the Oval Cooperage Residents Associa-

residents of the area, corporates and citizens of

Oval Maidan and he was really happy that the

grants and drug peddlers.

tion (OCRA) to focus on civic issues and to keep

Mumbai contributed willingly, with the Tatas,

Trust had changed the face of the ground.

4. The dumping of garbage and debris made

the area clean.

Trusts and other companies being the largest

matters worse; people living around the area

The state government’s apathetic attitude to-

donors. Thus came an installation of a mile-long,

were equally responsible for this.

wards the maintenance of Oval Maidan forced

high-quality steel fence at the ground’s circum-

5. However, the biggest issue was that of dump-

OCRA to persuade them (for 15 years) so they

ference. To give this popular 22-acre ground

ing construction debris, which soon piled up

(OCRA) could restore and maintain the maidan.

a complete makeover in the year 1999, it cost

into heaps and once again, the BMC didn’t pay

In 1997, the state government finally agreed and

approximately Rs. 1.30 crores. And when the

any heed.

allowed the OVAL Trust (a body formed for the

cleaning and leveling of the ground started, 350

21. Panoramic View of Oval Maidan Photograph: Author

Img : 21

Patel, Pooja.Oval Maidan: the makeover story. Fri, 30 Jan 2015-07:04pm , Mumbai , DNA http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/ report-oval-maidan-the-makeover-story-2056853.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

6.3.1 I n f e r e n c e

1. The oval maiden is an example of how the site has acquired a new image because of collective efforts of the common public. 2. This idea of transformation of space has come about because of peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collective approach towards betterment of their neighborhood, and their belief in the suitable use of the land. 3. Thus, it has created a sense of ownership for the people, hence the place always remains under constant care and watch, and hence making the people pro-active towards any kind of development towards this land. 4. A perfect example of how a peoples place can be well taken care of by the people themselves. 5. It is hence a beautiful example of unity and collective response to a situation. This is how a public space has been reformed by the public, for the public.

Img : 22 22. Oval Trust Memorial Photograph: Author

7. S I T

NEW MONO RAIL CONSTRUCTION

LODHA EXCELUS

LODHA BELLISSIMO

M I N E RVA

THEE NEW OMKAR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

SHAKTI MILLS

PHOENIX MALL

D H O B I G H AT

M A H A L A X M I S TAT I O N

MAHALAXMI RACE COURSE

N E H R U P L A N E TA R I U M

NEHRU CENTRE ART GALLERY

S A R D A R VA L L A B H A I PAT E L S TA D I U M

HAJI ALI DARGAH

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

23. Aerial View of the Derelict Shakti Mill with its context Photograph: Author

Img : 23

4i6 3i

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7.1

Why.. “SHakti mill“

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7.2

L o c a t i o n

MUMBAI

7.3

C l i m a t e

29 C

26 C

70% HUMIDITY

Mumbai’s climate can be best described as

temperatures won’t fluctuate much throughout

moderately hot with high level of humidity.

the year. The mean average is 27.2 °C and aver-

Its coastal nature and tropical location ensures

age precipitation is 242.2 cm (95.35 inches).

1. The Shakti Mill has a first impression of a grandeur of scale and aesthetics, with it’s repetitive arches and abundant over growth. 2. This persists in the mind as one is recalled of the stigma the same place is associated with the rape cases.

ADDRESS: Shakti Mills Ln, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013. WARD:

CO-ORDINATES:

G-South

18.9861° N, 72.8251° E

3. The current context is comprising of offices and some residential quarters, with the busy main roads just some steps away.

The wind wheel diagram is produced by climate consultant

4. This is in contradiction with the image of desolation and intimidation of the Shakti mills. This is the image that it imposes on the others. 5. The enclosed nature, inaccessibility, and the creeping greenery which dominates the built are some things which would make a new passerby astound at it’s beauty and feel the sense of danger it might hold inside. 6. This becomes a favorable site is for it’s scope in transformation.

JU JU

6 AU

7. The area is located in one of the most central and prime locations in the city and demands a

Sun Path Analysis

R AP

08 3

4 SE

09 2

9 am

redevelopment, for the public good. FEB

OCT

8. The already existing structures give a scope in it’s redevelopment, keeping the past associated with the present and it’s future.

NOV DEC

JAN DEC

4 pm

March

Az 117

Al 44

Az 260

Al 32

April

273

May

282

June

286

46 coming soon....

completely seperating the city from the mill land.

Access inside the mill was shut from all sides

the land is under supreme court jurisdiction.

The owner of the land is not known and hence

juvenile.

was gang-raped by five persons, including a

with an English-language magazine in Mumbai,

22-year-old photojournalist, who was interning

22nd August 2013,

Kids find their play area.

Den of criminal activities.

People use the place for daily chores.

Catered to.

The plot has been completely empty, and has not been

01.11.1985 - Date of lease EXPIRY.

Plot goes in the custody of official liquidator.

0.It Is involved in Spinning, weaving and finishing of textiles.

share capital is Rs. 5,000,000 and its paid up capital is Rs.

registered at Registrar of Companies, Mumbai. Its authorized

25 June 1938. It is classified as Non-govt company and is

Shree Shakti Mills Limited is a Public incorporated on

of 50 years.

2017

2013

1985

1981

1938

1935

2006

2005

2003

2001

2000

1996

1991-96

1991

late 1980s

1982-83

1930s

land.

Supreme Court removes the stay and permits sale of Mill

court, which upholds the validity of the DC ammendment.

against the owners , hence the Owners appeal in the supream

the amendment. High cour concludes in their favour and not

2. BEAG, other NGO’s and workers’ groups file a petition against

writ petition against the revised DCR.

was then disbanded midway through its deliberation due to

1. Another committee was formed under Deepak Parekh, which

ished.

edfrom the one-third formula even after they were demol-

Government, saying that the built-up areas areas are exclud-

The 2001 Implicated modification was then clarified by the

demolition of existing structures

vacnat land and not the land which would be vacant post the

fications”, to permit owners to surrender only the existing

Maharashtra Government amends the DCR as “Minor Modi-

without reference to the BMC.

state government to carry out changes in development plan

Section 37 of the Town Planning Act amended to empower the

private mill owners let the study happen.

development of Mill land, headed by Charles Correa. And the

Maharashtra government appoints Study Group on Integrated

without pulling down the existing structure.

Some owners converted their sheds into shopping Malls..etc

Mill Owners start selling and redeveloping their lands.

belonging to cotton mills.

rules (DCR), specifically for the redevelopment of land

Maharashtra government amends its Development control

intervenes to help sick mills.

BIFR ( The Board for Industrial & Financial Reconstruction)

lead their strike. The strike which went on for 18 months.

Bombay’s Cotton Mill workers appeal Dr. Datta Samant to

shift out of central Bombay and the land put to alternate use.

Architect Claude Batley proposes that the cotton mills could

them: the Wadias and the Tatas.

his example, others too made industrial investments. Among

stage for the safety of industrial capital in India. Galvanized by

paid a 10 per cent dividend for six years straight. Davar set the

ized at Rs 5 lakh, the Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company

up India’s first steam-powered textile mill in Bombay. Capital-

7.4

1.11.1935 - Date of lease issue for a period

Shakti Mill land was issued on lease.

1854

Davar inaugurated India’s industrial revolution. In 1854, he set

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

T i m e - l i n e

D’Monte,Darryl. Mills for Sale The way ahead. Mumbai:Marg Publications, December 2006.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

t h e

c o n t e x t

ER OA D

7.5

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

M 1K

PIP RAILWAY SPORTS GROUND

WE TS ITEC CH

3.41 KM

NJA Y PU

RAKHANGI CHOWK

SA FF

ESTA TE

RF U

CHINCHPOKLI STATION 2.40 KM

TIO NS TRUC CO DER-

born- 1957, rebirth- 2004

L WA

2.97KM

lane slowly narrows down with encroachment

SARDAR VALLABHAI PATEL STADIUM

Born- 1939

PRIMERO

is now put to an adaptive re-use. The Shakti mill

G AR

then aligned to a to Laxmi mill compound which

SHAKTI MILLS LODHA

MAR

AN IB

TE RA

OO FAT SH,F MO IVE NKS

ICIC

. E. Dr

the plot acts like a dead spot. This, in turn, is

AR CH WO BISH O RK SH P OP

Born- 1972

here has been stopped for about 5 - 6 years and

NEHRU CENTRE ART GALLERY

3D ART GALLERY

FREEDOM TREE DESIGN MAHALAXMI GLASS WORKS

a place owned by DB reality. The construction

INDIA FM CORPORATE OFFICE WOODVILE

I HO TEL

S M T. G EM E O O R R G IA E L

estate and an under-construction site, which is

Born- 1977

L WA

3.50 KM

RPF-DOG SQUAD CRIME BRANCH

SE NA

NEHRU PLANETARIUM

other. The mill gate faces the Mahalaxmi turf

RAILTEL CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD.

PA TI

shares its edge with the railway printing press

CENTRAL RAILWAY

BA PA TM AR G

in to the Shakti Mill lane. The mill compound on one side and deserted railway sheds on the

AIL WA Y

IAN

born- 1985

IST

NEHRU SCIENCE CENTRE 1.30 KM

3.36 KM

BR KA

JIJA MATA NAGAR

It is aligned to Dr. Emoses road which breaks

CURREY ROAD RAILWAY

Born- 1996

1.13 KM

From Mahalaxmi station. It has racecourse on one side and High Street Phoenix on the other.

LS I

HIGH STREET PHOENIX MALL

thriving context. It is about a 5min walk

3.36 KM

STE R

Shakti Mills is in the heart of the city, with a

S DIU

LOWER PAREL STATION

structures jutting out on to the lane. Across the railway tracks there are tall residential high-

ILW AY P

RIN

TIN

ELE

RES

CTR

ICA

STA TIO

end towers by Lodha, known as Lodha Florenza and Elanza. These high-end towers are again surrounded by slums and low-cost affordable

DHOBI

housing. Sitaram mills also share the same road

2.70 KM

as that of these lodha buildings. These mills are

2.70KM

born- 1883

MAHALAXMI STATION 0.55 KM

HAJI ALI DARGAH

also defunct. Right next to the Mahalaxmi rail-

T HA

MAHALAXMI RACE COURSE

Born- 1431

way station, on the western side there is a Saat

7 RAASTA

rasta roundabout. In direction towards Saat

0.85 KM

are rows of open-air concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone. Called the world’s largest outdoor laundry, Dhobi ghat is a

ARG DYA M

KHA VRAO KESHA

BHAU DAJI LAD MUSEUM 2.22KM

2.67KM

very popular attraction among foreign tourists.

MAHALAXMI TEMPLE

rasta, there is a place called Dhobi Ghat. There

fig x: a mental map of the area of study

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7.5.1 The Yellow portion as demarcated in Fig X.

aligning these cemetry walls is highly under-utilised. It simultaneously doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t create a very pedestrian friendly behavior to walk because of its

The entire edge of Dr. Emoses Marg itself has a

shaded and isolated character. Nevertheless this

multiple variation of character. The length cov-

stretch ends with an entrance to the mosque

ered in the

called Badri Masjid whaich is right next to the

demarcated bit starts at Jijamata

Nagar to the end of Keshavrao Khadya Marg.

Bhori Cemetry on one side and a bus stop on

Jijamata Nagar is a massive slum right in the

the other. This where the Dr. Emoses road meets

middle of Worli, surrounded with a stark con-

with Senapati Bapat Marg, and the junction is

trasting built character. It is has five star Four

called as Rakhangi Chowk.

On the opposite side of the Dr. Emoses Road after Jijamata Nagar there is a continious monolithic compound wall enclosing the Mahalaxmi Race Course and various other ammenities associated with the same. This edge again is not very active but majorly becomes a potential parking spaces for the taxis and few other vehicals. This edge lies dead because of the heavy vehicular traffic on the Dr. Emoses road and hence is

Seasons Hotel, Nehru Science Centre. The

a heavy carriageway reducing the potential

southern and the western edge of Jijamata nagar

of interaction along its length. Towards the other side of the Racecourse it

has a wide gutter taking in all the

meets the edge of Lala Lajpatrai Marg.

waste from the surrounding ar-

On the Lala Lajpatrai Marg towards the

eas which meets the Love Grove

north of Racecourse lies Sardar Vallabhai

sewage pump station and finally

Patel Stadium. From here on Lala Lajpatrai

the Arabian sea.

Marg meets Dr. Annie Besant Road at Lotus

On the opposite of the Jijama-

Junction. This junction houses Art Galleries

ta entrance are a series of two

like Tao Art Gallery and Seargent art Gallery

storey interior, furniture, and

Img : 29

on one side and high end car showrooms on

various other showrooms. It also

the other. It then meets at the edge of The

has a public toilet due to which

Happy Home & School For The Blind and

there are a series of Taxis parked aligning to the Dr. Emoses Road.

Img : 28

Img : 24

Img : 25

Behind these parked taxis is a

Nehru Planetarium towards its east. To the south eastern corner of Nehru Planetarium lies Nehru Centre Art Gallery.

continuous dead and a boring

Nehru Centre Art Gallery shares the edge of

compound wall with a scarcely

the Worli Gutter on the opposite side of the

used footpath. This compound

Jijamata nagar.

wall encloses a three cemeter-

Img : 30

ies named the Jewish cemetery, the St. Peters Cemetery and the Bhori Cemetery. The footpath

Img : 26

Img : 31 Img : 27 24. Four seasons Hotel 25. Badri Masjid 26. St. Peters Cemetery 27. Panaromic view of Dr.Emoses Road at Nehru Centre Junction Photograph: Author

28. Happy Home and School For the Blind 29. Nehru Planetarium 26. Nehru Centre Art Gallery 27. Haji Ali Photograph: Author

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7.5.2

7.5.3 The Blue portion as demarcated in Fig X.

Rakhangi Chowk is a junction where Senapati Bapat Marg meets Dr. Emoses Rd. It is also called as Tulsi Pipe Road. Tulsi Pipe road has a lot of mill compounds at its edge. One of the most famous one which has undergone redevelopment is the Bitia Mill which is now known as Phoenix Mall. This mall has now one of the most popular high-end consumer hub of the city. The Mall opens out on the Tulsi pipe road

The Red portion as demarcated in Fig X.

area making it highly under-utilized. The same compound wall of the sports ground is shared with the St. George Memorial. One can

The Red demarcated portion is on the eastern

see a series of sheds of various colors opening

side of the railway tracks which has the very

up in a small kids play ground. St. George Me-

iconic Dhobi Ghat. Dhobi Ghat is a major attrac-

morial is a government sponsored institution

tion for the foreigners in the city. It is the worlds

which operates as a treatment, training and a

biggest open air laundry.

research center in the field of rehabilitation of

The road from the Mahalaxmi station continues

the physically handicapped. It houses various

to the Jacob Circle which is a common junc-

NGO’s like Bal Asha Trust, Cancer patient’s Aid

tion for seven roads simultaneously, hence its

Association, Vatsalya Foundation, Aured etc.

famously also know as Saat Rasta. The city on this side has a very contrasting character, in

making it congested at its edge with a lot

terms of economical divisions, built character

taxis waiting for their costumers. On the

and people. We see multiple towers coming up,

opposite side lies the Sun Mill compound

mostly residential, and all really high end hous-

next to which lies the entrance of Western

ing projects only for the elite. Simultaneously

Railway Sports Association. Next to which

we see a series of SRA like built forms for the

is the sports ground owned by the associ-

other set of people who are actually in majority

ation which is guarded by around 1.5 me-

even though the infrastructure supporting their

ter compound wall with again a redundant

living is lesser catered to.

footpath. This character of the footpath is because its edge transforms into a parking

Img : 35

Img group : 32

Adjacent to Dhobi Ghat is a large waste dumping yard aligning to which there is a pro-

Img : 36

posed Omkar’s new high end residential built. A perpendicular road to the market road of Dhobi ghat leads to Arthur Road Central Jail at its dead end, which has its access from the Arthur Road meating at the Jacob circle. Jacob circle has a Bhojpuri Theatre called the Img : 33

Img : 34 32. All the images are of various organizations working inside St. George Memorial. 33. Panoramic View of Senapati Bapat marg (looking at Phoenix on the right) 34. Panoramic View of Senapati Bapat marg (looking at Mahalaxmi sports stadium) Photograph: Author

New Shirin Theatre.

Img : 37

Img : 38 35. Arthur Road Jail 36. Affordable Housing and New Under-construction buildings. 37. Panoramic View of Dhobi Ghat and its context Photograph: Author

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

48 47

46 45

43 51

7.6

Edge conditions

50 41 52 42

57 40 39

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Img : 39

7.6.1

shakti mill lane

Img 39. A stagnant construction site lies on one

Img 40. shows the compound wall being a physi-

creating visual barrier.

side and conceals the inside with massive tins

cal barrier and creating a sense of disconnect as

The spaces on both the sides of the road make

sheets. This static site acts as a dead spot with no

one passes by it. The defunct building gives the

the look road connecting to Shakti mills narrow

construction work happening since 5-6 years.

space a dead look and the trees enhance it by

and intimidating.

Img : 40

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Img : 41

Img 41. Shakti mills compound wall owes the activity on one of itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side to the informal structures which have

Img 42. shows the Turf building which houses of-

hours. The compound to the building has become

sprung up and have aligned themselves to the wall. The

fices working till dusk, and enhance the footfall of

like a parking arena with vehicles belonging to the

trees growing in abundance and the over growth seen

the surroundings only in the morning, its closing

employees as well as other cabs and for people

on the structure give a tangible proof of the inactivity

time and sometimes during the afternoon for lunch

working in offices in vicinity.

inside.

Img : 42

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Img : 43

Img 43. shows the compound wall belongs to the

the street and what lies inside. The edge is covered

Img 44. shows a Railway owned office, with its right end

Laxmi Mills, and its built character makes it seem

with advertisements which run in a continuous

under renovation. The built form has a character very

very enclosed and gated. It has en earthy look to

fashion at eye level.

similar to the Shakti Mills, with its repetitive arches and

it, but still creates a strong disconnect between

the stone built.

Img : 44

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Img : 45

The image above shows hows how the wall has been used as a parking boundary for two wheelers belonging to the employees of offices and firms on the opposite side of the road, as shown in the picture below. The compound wall has a gated character and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give an insight on what

In the image below it is seen how the AC blocks entangle the entire facade giving it an infected look. These comfort the commercial offices till the evening.

lies on the other side.

Img : 46

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Img : 47

Img 47. A shed anticipated to have industrial usage lies

7.6.2

s h a k t i m i l l b a c k l a n e

shut on one end while a glimpse of a building is seen through the foliage. This is the residential building for the Railway officials and families, and is the only residential building in the immediate premise.

Img 48. shows a ground has been built, called the

the railway workers. There also lies an office of

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Railways Sports Groundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. But since the ground

Dog Squad Crime branch, which also has an en-

has a compound wall on all sides, it gives access

trance at the edge.

only through some selective entries, being only

Img : 48

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7.6.3 Dr. Emoses Road

Img 50. A barber has opened his shop on an encroached space on the street, finding opportunity on the two-way path it has around it. In the background is the edge of the petrol pump which is the only active space in the view. On the front is how the city landscape is not being catered to. Img 51. This shows how the wide footpath is provided but has not ventured into the scope of its capacity. The two men are seen having their lunch boxes on the support for tree, indicating the lack of a place to do the same.

Img : 50

Img : 49

The narrow lane in the image below shows the

seems narrower because of the two structures

connecting lane between Shakti Mills and Dr.

on its side and the place is observed to be less

Emosses road. The edge on the left side is of the

intervened by people, due to the shady nature.

mill compound and the railway shed. The lane

Img : 51

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Img 55. This footpath is the one that leads to the Mahalakshmi Station. With low maintainance, and the overgrowth encroaching the footpath, there are relatively lesser people seen walking on it. This walk also witnesses massive bill boards demanding the attention of passerbys.

Img 56. shows the Mahalakshmi Station and its surrounding. On the right se, the road goes to Saat Rasta and on the left, leads to Shakti Mills. This junction is a crowded one. A lot of food stalls and fruit juice centres have also come up as an encroachment on the footpaths, serving especially to the office going public, who pause to take a bite and continue to the station.

Img : 52

Img : 55

Img 52. These little temporary built serve just more than just their function, but also create a active space in its individual radius. Img 53. A stagnant construction site lies on one side and conceals the inside with massive tins sheets. This static site acts as a dead spot with no construction work happening since 5-6 years. Img : 53

Img : 56

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Img : 57

Img 57. The railway tracks act as a separation between

7.6.4

d i v i s i o n

the Shakti Mill compound wall and the residential buildings which serve the higher economic class of the society. There are also MHADA buildings in the vicinity.

Img 58. The essence of in-activity inside the compound is enhanced by the thick foliage of trees as seen from the outside. Also, the creepers and vegetation from outside merges into the inside showing how the place has been neglected and not been catered to.

Img : 58

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7.7

A c t i v i t y

m a p p i n g

D r. E m o s e s Ro a d

railway printing press

Under construction site

famoius studio

armstrong smitth limited

railway tracks

shakti mill compound

T U R F E S TAT E

minerva

O f f i c e o f t h e D Y. C H I E F M AT E R I A L S M A N A G E R

New thackers fine art press pvt. ltd

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

1. 4AM-6AM : As the dawn breaks, the ac-

tivity starts to initiate at a very low pace.

armstrong smitth limited T U R F E S TAT E famoius studio

shakti mill compound D r. E m o s e s Ro a d

Under construction site

railway printing press

T U R F E S TAT E

railway tracks

start leaving the city for the day.

shakti mill compound

during this time. This is also when they

minerva

nearby.

railway printing press

wall, and drivers start washing their taxis

office goers start pouring in to the offices

D r. E m o s e s Ro a d

There are numerous taxis placed along the

pedestrian movement increases as the

Under construction site

their daily chores before starting the day.

New thackers fine art press pvt. ltd

life, their owners waking up and doing

minerva

structures, or the tapris start to come to

3. 8AM-10AM : This is the time when the

railway tracks

2. 6AM-8AM : The dormant temporary

armstrong smitth limited

New thackers fine art press pvt. ltd famoius studio

O f f i c e o f t h e D Y. C H I E F M AT E R I A L S M A N A G E R

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

O f f i c e o f t h e D Y. C H I E F M AT E R I A L S M A N A G E R

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

78 armstrong smitth limited

railway tracks

shakti mill compound

T U R F E S TAT E

railway tracks

shakti mill compound

armstrong smitth limited

O f f i c e o f t h e D Y. C H I E F M AT E R I A L S M A N A G E R

New thackers fine art press pvt. ltd

minerva

O f f i c e o f t h e D Y. C H I E F M AT E R I A L S M A N A G E R

quency of cabs and passerbys increasing.

railway printing press

Under construction site

famoius studio

railway printing press

T U R F E S TAT E

New thackers fine art press pvt. ltd

4. 10AM-12AM : This phase witnesses fre-

D r. E m o s e s Ro a d

Under construction site

famoius studio

movement during lunch time and then falls

into a silent afternoon.

minerva

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

5. 12NOON-2PM : The place gets silent

again as the day progresses, with a slight

80 railway tracks

shakti mill compound

armstrong smitth limited

O f f i c e o f t h e D Y. C H I E F M AT E R I A L S M A N A G E R

New thackers fine art press pvt. ltd

minerva

shopkeepers may take a nap. But some

railway printing press

Under construction site

O f f i c e o f t h e D Y. C H I E F M AT E R I A L S M A N A G E R

along with occassional passerbys.

T U R F E S TAT E

railway tracks

shakti mill compound

armstrong smitth limited

shops are open, and taxis pass the road,

famoius studio

railway printing press

T U R F E S TAT E

New thackers fine art press pvt. ltd

6. 2PM-4PM : This is the time when the

D r. E m o s e s Ro a d

Under construction site

famoius studio

most vibrant time of the day. All the office

people rush out. Some halt at the tapris

to have a cup of tea before heading home.

minerva

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7. 4PM - 6PM : As the evening approaches,

around 5:30PM, it could be observed as the

The Footfall and the vehicular movement is

at itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peak at this time.

82 railway tracks

shakti mill compound

armstrong smitth limited

O f f i c e o f t h e D Y. C H I E F M AT E R I A L S M A N A G E R

New thackers fine art press pvt. ltd

minerva

goes back to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initial character and starts

railway printing press

Under construction site

T U R F E S TAT E

railway tracks

shakti mill compound

armstrong smitth limited

to desolate.

famoius studio

railway printing press

T U R F E S TAT E

New thackers fine art press pvt. ltd

8. 6PM-8PM : As the dusk sets in, the place

D r. E m o s e s Ro a d

Under construction site

famoius studio

which shuts around 10 PM, and thus all the

employees head out. An occasional taxi

passing by, and the shops shutting down is

minerva

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

9. 8PM-10PM : But there is a rush of

people coming out of a textile company

the last thing before Shakti Mills falls back

to its mysterious and silent character.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7.8

G AN

A CH

-n

d ee

t a c t i c a l R E S P O N S E

As a society we always cater to a problem or the

ignored condition in the existing setup in a way which is the most optimum solution, but not a Ne

completely aware one. ba

These ‘tactics’ by definition operate outside ch

the realm of the institutionalized behaviorde

fin

al city, and are used by constituents with less by

agency and resource. e

We as architects are not just designers we dele

fine and organize and improvise, use of the space. But often lack proper understanding of what the society needs. We don’t always cater to the exact needs of the user, and simultaneously the user themselves know better what they need. So the city does responds to these ignored problems with their solutions. These solutions are tactical ways of responding to the need. Hence identifying these tactical responses will define the need. Tactical responses leading to tactical urbanism in a way is a step by step and bit by bit transformation at a small scale almost completely excluding the giant Developers, land sharks, and

a pl

(Made by the author)

“ For Mumbai, Tactics are a Pragmatic way to “[Tactics] are clever tricks of the ‘weak’...[A tactic] takes advantage of ‘opportunities’ & depends on them...It must vigilantly make use of the cracks that particular conjunctions open in the surveillance of the proprietary powers...It creates surprises in them. It can be where it is

“Ecological democracies and sacred landscapes - spaces that grow out of a true understanding of the needs of a local community and the Potential of its resources”

just involving the locals to evolve their society.

least expected.” [11]

intervene in a city where institutional stasis has only led inaction.” [12] The need based solution will be the direction of defining the program of the built intervention, simultaneously results in conceiving a project which is not a globalist product but a very contextually responsive solution.

- Michel de Certeau The Practice of Everyday Life

Randolf T. Hester

[11][12]Biswas,Sourav Kumar.PLAY! (Tactics & strategies for public spaces in Mumbai’s Informal city). Observer Research Foundation Mumbai. http://www.orfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Tactics-strategies.pdf

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

w a s

g a r a g e

redundant wall

n e w

p r o j e c t

c o n s t r u c t i o n

s t a r t s

c o v e r e d

s i t e

c o v e r e d

f o r

5 - 6

a r c h e s

y e a r s

T R A N S F O R M A T I O N

p a r k i n g

t h e

s a m e

p e o p l e

c r e a t e d

t h e i r

s h e l t e r s

a l l e y

h e r e

There were a lot of garages on the opposite side

wall. They also opened a small garage through

of the mill compound where eventually the land

which they could earn their living, by repairing

The redundant wall, over the period of time

Post the rapes, Government of Maharashtra as

was bought by the builder (DB reality) and con-

cars around in the vicinity . A few of them opened

random cars and tempos started using it

an immediate measure to prevent people from

struction had initiated, and hence the entry was

up tapris selling tea, coffee, biscuits, cigarettes,

as a backrest for their parking . It was not

going inside the mill compound, the existing

restricted, resulting in placing a tangible parti-

and other eating items. Theses Tapris did cre-

just the vehicles which were parked but also

arches were covered with brick walls and ce-

tion. Simultaneously the people who were work-

ate a provision for the people around working

shelters in some cases. The activities at this

ment plastered, creating a tangible barrier, iso-

ing in the garage were suddenly homeless and

to have their morning tea and snacks before the

wall remain static. The no. of cars are still

lating the city from the place.

jobless. These people as a result started living

start of the day and the same towards the end of

lesser in the morning, they are just a lot

on the opposite edge leaning on the shakti mill

the day while leaving for home.

more in the night making it a parking alley.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Just like the other tempos a lot of taxis are always parked in the against the compound, because the primary reason that here

p a r k i n g

is sauchalay right outside the

a l l e y

lane, making it possible for the drivers to perform their morning chores and taxis themselves become shelter in the night and drive in the morning.

Just because of a lot of working people and offices around t r a n s f o r m s

i n t o

p l a y g r o u n d

in the vicinity the foot path was taken over by these eateries which created a vibrant edge. These eateries just did not transform the famous studio edge but simultaneously put dead compound walls to function with chopping areas and utensil washing areas. All these people coming together resulted in the necessary need to the formation of a miniature version of a temple. This in a way associated people to this space on a sentimental level of expression.

p a r k i n g

f o r

b i g

v e h i c a l s

s i t a r a m

m i l l s Over

the

weekends,

the

streets along, Dhobi Ghat are transformed into a marThe lack of open grounds and the lack of

cricket stadiums. These mutated stadiums

people inhabiting in the newly built Lodha

are temporary and are hence only trans-

giants, with defunct mills compound on the

formed into a cricket grounds on Saturdays

other side creates a favorable spaces on the

and Sundays. And otherwise these streets

for the kids from the neighboring residen-

remain vacant and deserted.

ket attracting a lot of people around from the vicinity to come down on streets for their weekly shopping.

tial clusters to transform these roads into

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

The image on the right shows how we associate inner beliefs into physical manifestation. How a certain space, and a certain stone, or a structure is closely associated with purity, and godliness. Such things are what give character to the place.

The image below shows how the compound wall showcases the display of various shops which are in the Laxmi Mill compound. These shops experience low footfall because of the mill lane being isolated due to the derelict Shakti Mill compound. As a result of which we see a lot of these advertisements along the Shakti Mill lane and Dr. Emoses road trying to invite as many people possible to their shops. This is a dry-line within Dhobi ghat premise.

A beautiful ganesh mandap enclosure post the

When there are no clothes to be dried the place

festival, is transformed into a two wheeler shad-

just transforms itself into a kids play area with

ed parking area. A beautiful example of how the

elders talking to each other around making it a

city finds new uses for a space.

socially active space.

New business come up with response to the other. Similarly have these barbers come up so that they could give people a beautiful haircut before they go to office. A perfect setup to get a haircut in not more that 30 rupees. Which is just perfectly affordable for the people

and

the

settlement

around.

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

The image below shows a newly constructed ‘Shauchalay’, or a public washroom. The need for it has been extensive because of taxi wallas who use it throughout the day. This new construction came about after the previous public washroom proved to be inadequate in terms of sufficing the needs of the so many people needing it. The image adjacent shows a tactical response to the construction of the new public washrooms. The workers, have created temporary arrangements for their accommodation while the construction work was in the process. The image shows how a bus stop was transformed to being a settlement because it has a public washroom in the vicinity. This is an example of temporary need based settlements, which evolve in the most adaptable ways.

The image above shows how tea tapris and small

come to visit and photograph. Thus, these bead

food stalls have come about in the near vicinity

and jewellery selling shops are aimed at catch-

of Mahalakshmi Station, in response to the pass-

ing their eye. The footpath thus gives a lot of

ersby, especially the office goers who stop by to

scope for opportunist shopping along the way.

take a bite after coming out of the station, and

The bus-stop is also there, very near to the sta-

before heading home.

tion, and at times, causes a traffic jam as the bus

Also, because of Dhobi Ghat next to the station,

halts at it’s stop.

there are a lot of foreigners and travellers who

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7.8.1

R e a c t i o n

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

7.9

Speculations

The idea of mapping these tactical responses is a way is actually to map the needs that the city makes provision for itself, since we as a society

Site and Context specific

Non- site specific

1. Famous Studio, which is an icon of the place

1. The capital making redevelopment will go

will be redeveloped into a Residential or a com-

over-board with their continuous built process,

mercial tower.

hence leaving absolute no room for community

happen to over look at them. Based on the mapping done above leads to following conclusions 1. A major lack of kids play area.

open public spaces. 2. A lack of Public Recreation area.

2. The Railway press would remain the same. 2. Kids will have no room to play soon and will

3. A solution for the increasing cars by providing

3. Turf estate might also undergo redevelop-

be associated to only virtual gaming (which any-

parking for the same.

ment and will be transformed into A business /

ways is the case now). But soon will transform

commercial center.

into dark room and bright screens as recreation.

4. Night stay provision for the TAXI drivers. 4. Shops in Laxmi Mill soon will go down in debt 5. How a space can transform with different

and will also get isolated simultaneously.

3. Pollution will just increase to an intolerable extent.

functions and create a need based solution. So a space need not be purely defined based on

5. Phoenix Mall will soon be an inspiration for

a function.

a lot of malls and various redevelopment pro-

4. Vehicular traffic will go on increasing abso-

posals.

lutely leaving no room for the streets to be remain Pedestrian friendly.

6. It helped the understanding of how a place evolves when the community is closely associat-

6. Dhobi Ghat will be completely redeveloped,

ed with the idea of the presence of God

hence scraping out the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s icon.

5. With rapid growth of redevelopment we will scraping out a lot of heritage in the process

7. Events are something that define architectur-

7. People of Dhobi Ghat will be soon relocated to

making us understand the importance of heri-

al built hence it is something that needs to be

the extended suburbs.

tage.

8. Dhobi Ghat will only be a memory.

6. Just the way companies like Ola and Uber did

left flexible, by creating a Event based architectural intervention

change the idea of cars as commodity to ser-

8. Flexibility of the space allowing various events

9. Sitaram Mill will redevelop with a money

vice. Soon the Idea of apartment will also be-

and functions will evolve various new functions

making built-form and potentially residential

come a service.

and jobs by themselves

tower (since everything around is Residential).

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

8. 8.1

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

C O N C L U S I O N S B A S E D O N S U R V E Y S A N D I N T E R V I E W S

8.2

conclusion

b a s e d o n t h e i n t e r v i e w w i t h m e e r a D e v i d a y a L

SURVEYS

1. What do people first think of about

2. Where do people working in this re-

Shakti Mills ?

gion come from ?

2013 rapes, Crime, Unsafe, Danger

Other reasons

Northern Mumbai South Mumbai

Near work place

The Shakti mills have, since long, attracted au-

Through the large openings on the terrace, one

thors, artists and comments men to fall in the

can look out and see the contrast between the

trap of its rustic beauty and dilapidated magnif-

old dilapidated ruins and the soaring sky scrap-

icence. It has the catchy nature of the built and

ers painting the new Mumbai skyline. What if,

the redundant arches which go well above the

these openings could instead, give ways to be-

human height, to mesmerize and persist in the

come busy market places or posh showrooms,

mind for long. As she rightly also points out how

and leave behind the old, imposed image that it

the character is so distinctive that she was able

had. The vegetation in the monsoon grows so

to relate to similar built in the other part of the

much that one has to pave their way out and it

world. The overgrowth which is presently 2-3m

becomes almost inhabitable or navigable. The

in height creates a substantial visual and audi-

overall aura of the place is scary and dangerous.

al disconnect inside, and like a coin having two

Gandhi Nagar, Shanti Nagar, Jijamata

sides, the beauty of the site is its pride as well

nagar & Other near by places

as sin. The same ruins with creepers and roots of banyan trees make a photographers paradise

3. Need of open public spaces

4. How do people travel here ?

but house some of the most notorious activities in the town. The negligence shown by the government and concerned authorities have given way to some of the crimes which have scarred and shamed the city forever. Meera devidayalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Yes Necessary

experience is an example of how the place is unsafe and unfortunately unusable for any kind

No, Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Know

of common public. As a response to the illegal activities, the arches which were open and ac-

5. What do people expect Shakti Mill to

cessible to the public then are closed now. The

be like ?

area is also protected and common public is not allowed. The interest shown in Shakti mills, by her, had primarily been because of itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aesthetic train

appearance. And after going there several times,

taxi

they made a compilation of paintings, pictures

walking

and videos which showed how the place pro-

bus personal cars

vides a wide spectrum of opportunities of development. Like, seeing the way the children were

Concerts, festivals

playing cricket on the terrace, she cold imagine

Shopping arena

a cricket stadium being there. The whole space

Offices, Co-Working Spaces, Entrepreneurial Spaces

could be transformed and enhance the expe-

Eateries, Restaurants, Cafe

rience of the essence of what already exists.

Gardens, open public space, recreational area

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

8.3

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

C O N C L U S I O N S

Transformation Expected by the People

8.5

The Possible Evolution Of Context

Speculative demand of the Program

Co ts,

fes

- Demanding a solution.

tiv

Re an

pa cs

bli

sta

als

ts,

fes

e,r

es ac Sp ing s rk ce pa Wo olS ,C ria eu en pr

rie

r ga

tre

fic

8.4

ea tio na r la ea

1. As mentioned earlier that Dhobi ghat is tried

Speculations demand for a program in a varied

to be taken over by Giant Buildings soon, as it

manner. Speculations in a way a tell us the fu-

has already started with Omkar builders.

ture evolution of the community in a holistic

But Dhobi Ghat is one of the functional icons of

manner.

the city. Even though it not having a very flashy

Transformation based on Mapping

attractive image to it-self still attracts a lot of

1. Need of Community gathering spaces since

foreigners making it one of the “top 5 hottest

interaction between people will transform com-

tourist spots of the city” as rated by Times Of

pletely virtual.

India in 2015.

[13]

2. Increase in Vehicular traffic will result in in-

Sp ac

crement in pollution hence a step taken

for

very important built in the history of Bollywood

promoting pedestrian and cycle based transit

film industry.

around in the locality.

redeveloped into a residential complex but now

3. Preservation of the heritage to keep the

since the deal is dropped it is back in the market

newer city in association with its past

for sale.

eu To rk

riv iD

ax eT

ion

h rT

isi

o sC

nt rE

iou

ec cR

re gA

bli

rie

lig

But once Famous studio did had the risk of being

o eF

elt

u AP

e AR

2. Famous Studio, another 66 year old icon and a

Giving us an opportunity to hold back any-

4. Motivating kids in the future to play in the

developer from completely scraping out the

open.

studio and transforming it in a inclusive of its past. [14]

Redevelopment based on the DCR

1/3 RECREATION GROUND/GARDEN/PLAYGROUND OR

TO BE DEVELOPED FOR RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL

ANY OTHER OPEN USER AS SPECIFIED BY THE COM-

USER (INCLUDING USERS PERMISSIBLE IN RESIDEN-

MISSIONER

TIAL OR COMMERCIAL ZONES AS PER THESE REGULATIONS) OR DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIAL USERS AS PER INDUSTRIAL LOCATION POLICY, TO BE DEVELOPED BY

DEVELOPMENT BY MAHADA for PUBLIC HOUSING, for

THE OWNER

MILL WORKERS HOUSING as APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT, TO BE SHARED EQUALLY

[13] 5 Mumbai international tourist hot spots,Srishti Ghosh Shinde | TNN | Oct 15, 2015, 06.53 PM IST http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/5-Mumbai-international-tourist-hot-spots/articleshow/49385927.cms [14] 1.5-acre Famous Studios development deal falls through, Rajshri Mehta | TNN | Jun 26, 2013, 03.08 AM IST http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/1-5-acre-Famous-Studios-development-deal-falls-through/articleshow/20770202.cms

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

P r o g r a m

Transformation Expected by the People

er ts,

ts,

tre

fic

sti va ls

sti

en pu bl

Transformation

a en ar ng pi , es op ac Sh p gS in s rk ce pa Wo olS ,C ria eu en pr

re la

tio

-cr

ts,

sta

rie

Need Based

ea on

r la

Private

Semi-Public

ve an

ri D xi Ta

re Co us io A

lig

Public

A Space of expression.

. ND OU GR AY PL N/ DE AR /G OU GR N TIO EA CR RE

HO IC BL PU

P LO VE DE

N TIO EA CR RE

Total Plot Area :- 24,700 SQM ~ 2.47 Ha Hence, 33% [ percentage to be earmarked for recreation ground/Garden/Playground or any other open user as specified by the comissioner ] That is, 33% of 24,700 SQM = 8151 SQM Note, 8151 SQM is the area of the plot alloted for the RECREATION GROUND/GARDEN/

Redevelopment based on the DCR

100

PLAYGROUND. ( based on the DCR )

101

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Total Plot Area :- 24,700 SQM ~ 2.47 Ha Hence, 27% [ percentage to be earmarked and handed over for development by MHADA for public housing/ for mill workerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s housing as per guidelines approved by Government, to be shared equally. ] That is, 27% of 24,700 SQM = 6669 SQM Note, 6669 SQM is the area of the plot alloted for the the housing to build. FSI for redevelopment being 4 ri

Therefore,

6669 x 4 = 26,676 SQM.

Pr r

STAY FOR THE UNSETTLED

103

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

Sh pi ar

sta

Re an ts, Ca fe

s ce pa gS in s rk ce pa Wo olS ,C ria eu en pr

tre

rie

fic

Total Plot Area :- 24,700 SQM ~ 2.47 Ha [ percentage to be earmarked

A PLACE OF GENERATION

40%

Hence,

and to be developed for residential or commercial user (including users permissible in residential or commercial as per these regulations) or diversified industrial users as per industrial location policy, to be developed by the owner.]

That is, ur

40% of 24,700 SQM = 9880 SQM rp

Note, En

9880 SQM is the area of the plot allotac

ed for the the owner to build.

FSI for redevelopment being 3 P

Therefore,

9880 x 3 = 29,640 SQM.

105

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

“A SHORTCUT” - the connection

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

An Element of realization

A Place of Generation

A Space of expression.

A space of expression is just a platform for the people to act, respond, or express in any possible manner. This is a space which simultaneously becomes a platform for the professionals and the general public. A place of celebration and the place of mourn-

ing... Hence a place with a multi faceted character to it. It will allow the flexibility to evolve multiple ac-

At an Urban level it is very important for a space which is boxed from all sides, it is important for it to be fragmented down and broken down in its inert interaction with the city.

A place of generation is nothing but model which

tivities to giving it various dimensions making it

supports increment in social and economic as-

immortal with respect to time.

pects of the city.

This space will promote activities like:1. Social Gathering spaces.

Shakti Mills is exactly such a place with a very defined membrane around itself majorly physi-

The element of realization is nothing but just a

It is a culmination of functions like

2. Music Concerts

cal with the act of government to shut it making

giant reflection of the entire city, making peo-

1. Co-working Spaces

3. Theatre plays

it completely in-accessible from all possible di-

ple re-associate with the city with the entire

2. Working spaces for the entrepreneurs

4. Display Of various arts

rections.

city on one single canvas.

3.Shopping arenas and markets

5. Public addressing speeches.

The idea of making it inviting for the city will be

Making people realize how their actions are re-

4. Film Studios and production spaces

6. Kids’ play area

making it porous from its accessible edges.

sponsible for the city they are creating.

5. Music studios and production spaces

7. A common platform to celebrate festivals and

In this case the idea of porosity can be taken

It is a large reflective chrome surface placed like

to the next level in the case of Shakti Mills by

an Installation of the city which changes with

Hence these functions are in a way promoting

etc...And a lot more that they define with time.

creating access for the people across from the

time and evolution of the city.

the sense of generation in their own aspects si-

8. Just like Banganga festival, Kala ghoda festival

multaneously having a linked association with

there could be an annual Shakti mill festival.

Railway tracks and also including the floating population from the Railway station.

Let’s share the house

events like Ganesh Utsav, Diwali, Moharum, Eid

each other differing from the idea of boring mundane working spaces.

As in the past accessing the station through Shakti mills was considered a SHORTCUT for the people working in the lane. Hence the idea of creating access through the mill compound is just concreting and bringing it in to physicality to something what people did in the past.

Stay for the Unsettled The idea was to create a place of habitation for really short period of time. So the idea of habitation wasn’t for a long term settlement but for the people like the Taxi Drivers around. Inhabitation which is solely an asset for the people around living with no accommodation but simultaneously keeping it flexible for the period of time.

106

107

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109

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10. 10.1

110

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a P p e n d i x S I T E

S U R V E Y S - 1

111

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10.2

112

S I T E

S U R V E Y S - 1 A

IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

10.3

S I T E

S U R V E Y S - 1 B

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10.4 Meera

meera devidayal Devidayal

is one of the leading artists of the country,

show-

casing her works inspired

and

close association with the city. One of her recent exhibition “A Terrible Beauty” was showcased at Chemould contemporary art gallery in April 2014. After knowing her work, which is related to mills and also Shakti mill, it was spontaneous to interview her to know the incidents and the scenario prevalent around 10 years before. This interview was a discussion which took place on 22nd July 2016. Q] Amongst all the derelict mills in the city, why were you so fascinated specifically by Shakti Mills? A] ‘’Visual stigma majorly. See in 2000, I was working on an ‘image’ for a particular exhibition, and when I thought of using this mill, it seemed just right as I had taken some pictures of it before. So that time I had visited many mills for my work, and I happened to go to Tranceform and saw this mill compound with much more over grown with foliage everywhere. It was a treat to the eyes and was open, so you could just walk in from the arches to the insides. That I thought was quiet interesting. And a few years back when I had gone to London, to the abbeys, I visited some industrial ruins again. I could almost relate to it with Shakti Mills because of the high arched windows and

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IGNORED FRAMED - free, democratic and inclusive

the derelict character of the same. So this im-

cially used tulips to portray the trend going on

age itself attracted me.’’

at that time. Tulips are considered to be fanta-

Q] What was your experience inside the mill

sy flowers. We see roses and other flowers, but

compound ?

tulips are rare. After all the post card pictures

A] So the visual stigma made me go inside and

with tulips, very few would have actually seen

click pictures of the place. The man who’d be

the flowers in real! These flowers for me are a

showing me around was himself a mill worker

depiction of the fantasy that is of the transfor-

once, like his father. He was seeming like a job-

mation of mills, if there would be. It is a symbol

less person but agreed to show me around. Fol-

of aspirations. The way the children I had seen,

lowing him inside, we came across the baoris, or

were playing on the terrace, I could imagine it

the well that would be used at that time. It was

to have an aura of a cricket stadium. The large

near the tracks. Also, another day, when I was

openings of the terrace would look out to a

going down a few steps, where the sheds used

world of cinema, and modern life. This change

to be, I saw a few young boys going up on the

would house all the new facilities.. Shopping

terrace to play cricket. On Bal Thackrey’s funer-

malls, public gathering places and showrooms.

al day I had gone to the mill compound to take

The pictures of the dense growth also shows the

a few pictures of that Baori, the time being just

sad irony of the scarcity of greens in the city

before the notorious rapes. Due to the monsoon

versus the unwanted abundance in the inside.

the vegetation had over grown, so I had to like claw my way out, and I couldn’t find the baori for

Q] What, according to you should be the use of

around 1/2 hour. Being disappointed I started

the space in Shakti mills, if redeveloped?

going out and I saw a man, the only man around

A] I think, primarily, it should house what Mum-

so i asked him to show her way to the baori. And

bai needs the most, that is public spaces. Some

at a place it was too difficult to go ahead be-

kind of a recreational space. Or an area of dis-

cause of the vegetation so I asked him to help

play of art, say a state level museum. Basically,

me to get across the foliage and that is when he

something that is built for the city. Some part of

acted funny. I was shocked and were like “what

it could be housing. There could also be restau-

is wrong with you? I am like your grand mother!”

rants or eateries.. Or maybe a market. It doesn’t

And somehow, luckily for me, the man got a bit

need to be a concrete playground. But whatever

aware of the situation. And then I ran out from

be the renovation, it should not be disconnected

there. It was scary and too dangerous.

from its past, or should not lose the essence of it’s heritage. Let the old connect to the new!

Q] There is an inclusion of a lot of landscape elements in your paintings and also some work related to Shakti mills. What is the message to be conveyed? A] Several of my paintings show Shakti Mills’ greenery and overgrowth replaced by colourful flowers of roses and tulips. Here, I have espe-

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11.

Bibliography

books and Articles Sourav Kumar Biswas - Play! Tactics & Strategies For Mumbai’s Informal City Rob Krier - Urban Space Jean Baudrillard - Simulacra And Simulations Guy Debord - The Society Of The Spectacle. Rem Koolhaas - Delirious New York Darryl D’monte - Mills For Sale The Way Ahead Edited By Kanishka Goonewardena, Stefan Kipfer, Richard Milgrom, Christian Schmid - Space, Difference, Everyday Life Reading Henri Lefebvre Rem Koolhaas - The Chinese City Loren Wolstein Stein - The Image Of a City: A Place for the People (B.Arch Thesis, MIT) Quentin Stevens - The Ludic City Exploring the Potential of Public Spaces Rem Koolhaas, Madelon Vreisendorp, Elia Zenghelis, Zoe Zenghelis (1972) - Exodus, or the Voluntary Prisoners of Architecture (1972) Anuj Daga – Cinema for the Blind (B.Arch Thesis) Simula on Factory for Amused Death - Rishi vora, B.Arch thesis, Academy of Architecture

Videos and Movies Architecture For the People by the People - Alastair Parvin ( Ted Talk ) My Architectural Philosophy ? Bring the community in the process - Alejandro Aravena ( Ted Talk ) My wish: A call for open-source architecture - Cameron Sinclair ( Ted Talk ) A memorial at Ground and Zero - David Rockwell ( Ted Talk ) Building a park in the sky - Robert Hammond ( Ted Talk ) City of Gold - A film by Mahesh Manjrekar, 2010

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