XXXXI. Mumbai, India
 

    
Mumbai, India


Mumbai, India

Mumbai, the financial and entertainment capital of India, located on the west coast. It is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is a melting pot of traditions and modernity. Governed by a complex administrative structure, the city plays a pivotal role in India’s economic and cultural landscape, attracting people from various backgrounds and contributing significantly to the nation’s growth and dynamism.



                              
                                                  
                               


  
Infrastructure-  Varying city skyline (Top) & Worli Sea-Link connecting the suburbs and the island city (Bottom)

Population: 

Urban: 21,673,000 people

Area:
Urban: 386.56 square km
Metro: 216.82 square km

Population Density:
Urban Average: 35919 people/km2

Politics:
Administered by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), was formerly the Bombay Municipal Corporation. Its responsibilities are carried out through organized departments that oversee the overall civic and infrastructural development of the city and include zoning and building regulations, public and green space, water bodies, education, water supply and sewage disposal. It is led by an indirectly elected mayor serving a two-and-a-half-year term. Executive powers rest with the municipal commissioner, an IAS officer appointed by the state government, responsible for policy execution.


          
Local Train Station (Left) & Dharavi Squatter Settlements (Right)


   Dadar - dense area (Left) & Marine drive water front (Right)


Mumbai - High Density Building Typologies


Mumbai - Urban Void Spaces


Mumbai, India - Chakala, Andheri

Area: 24.8 square km  
Population: 810002 people
Population Density: 32688 people/km2



Mumbai, India - Union Park, Bandra

Area: 11.6 square km
Population: 337391 people
Population Density: 29211 people/km2

 

Mumbai, India - Kalbadevi, Marline Lines

Area: 1.8 square km
Population: 202922 people
Population Density: 112734 people/km2





Collective Constructs, Kalbadevi (India)

Collective constructs seeks to transform the historic district of Kalbadevi into a dynamic vertical city that celebrates the essence of Mumbai’s urban fabric while addressing contemporary challenges of density, diversity, and community. Inspired by the layered gradients of spaces found in traditional chawls, the design prioritizes publicness and collectives, providing shared terraces and open spaces as opportunities for residents to shape their environment and foster a sense of belonging. Taking cues from the adaptability of chawl corridors, the approach ensures that spaces are flexible and responsive to the needs of residents, allowing them to create their own unique identities within the vertical community.

Drawing on William Whyte’s studies, the project leverages street corners to create shared collective spaces, promoting social interaction and community engagement. At the same time, smaller private courtyards at the back offer intimate retreats for residents to unwind and connect with nature. By strategically stacking smaller sections of floors separated by outdoor void spaces, the proposed building harmonizes with its surroundings and maintains a human scale. Commercial amenities are dispersed throughout the building, fostering a lively mix of uses and supporting local businesses. Housing is strategically placed adjacent to these amenities, promoting a vibrant and walkable community.


   

Collective Constructs - Statistics and Site Plan 

                     
Collective Constructs - Program and Section

           
Collective Constructs - Axonometric

 
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning 2025 — Ann Arbor, US