Chawls which once Shaped Mumbai’s ‘City of Dreams’, Now Making Way for Skyscrapers

For over a century, the chawls of Mumbai have played a crucial role in providing affordable housing to the city’s residents. These large tenement complexes, built during Mumbai’s industrial boom, were home to workers from the ports and textile mills in what was then known as Bombay. Despite their challenging living conditions, with entire families often residing in single-room units without private washing facilities, chawls offered a foothold in the “city of dreams.”

Today, many of these chawls are facing demolition to make way for high-rise residential towers, marking a significant shift in the city’s landscape. The disappearance of affordable housing from Mumbai’s downtown, where chawls are concentrated, and the end of the tradition of mingling the rich and poor in the same neighborhoods are evident in this transformation.

Also Read: ‘Mind Your Own Business’: Shahid Afridi Rebukes PCB Chief Over Criticizing Babar Azam

These changes are not surprising given the prime real estate on which chawls stand. While their units are currently rented at low state-fixed prices, the demand for land in these areas is exceptionally high, with purpose-built, low-cost housing averaging around $400 a month.

The history of Mumbai’s chawls is intertwined with the city’s growth during the British Raj, when new urban jobs drew people from the countryside to work in industries such as textiles and dockwork. The chawls provided an answer to the need for affordable housing during this period.

Also Read: Minister Piyush Goyal on hacking row: “I Think Someone Pranked Opposition Leaders”

These tenement buildings, usually organized around a central courtyard, encouraged a sense of community and camaraderie among residents. Families of various regional, linguistic, religious, and caste backgrounds preferred to live together, fostering regional ties within chawls.

The community bonds in chawls created a safety net for low-income families in an expensive city. They facilitated support for child care and opportunities for socializing among residents.

Architecturally, chawls were designed with thoughtfulness. They offered protection from monsoonal rains, ensured good ventilation, and utilized courtyards, balconies, and verandas for daily activities and even sleeping in the absence of substantial open spaces.

Also Read: Numerology Predictions Of 1 November, 2023: Discover Influence Of Numbers In Your Life

However, as industries declined and conditions deteriorated, the redevelopment of chawls has become inevitable. The government’s plan is to temporarily re-home residents while constructing low-cost housing and luxury apartments on the same land. Critics express concerns about the new buildings’ quality, potential maintenance costs, and the impact on long-time chawl residents.

This transformation marks a shift away from the coexistence of the rich and the poor in Mumbai’s neighborhoods and challenges the city’s unique social fabric. It’s worth reflecting on the lessons that chawls offer for Mumbai’s future development, especially in terms of affordability, semi-public social spaces, and community, as the city evolves.