DEVELOPMENT OF NAVI MUMBAI AND HOUSING SCHEMES POST COLONIALISM IN INDIA
CASE STUDY OF BELAPUR HOUSING, NAVI MUMBAI
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF URBANISM SINCE 1945
Prof. Bruno De Meulder
Tanvi Belhekar (r0916811) Master of Urbanism, Landscape and Planning 2022-2023
In the 1960s, India experienced a sudden influx of exposure to advanced architectural developments in the Western hemisphere following its independence. One notable example of this is the Belapur Incremental Housing project in Navi Mumbai, which was designed by the Indian architect Charles Correa. Correa, who had received Western training and philosophy, was able to develop his works to suit the regional context. This approach aligns with the concept of "Critical Regionalism," which seeks to balance modernization with local needs and capabilities.
The aim of this paper is not only to evaluate the regionalist character of the Belapur Incremental Housing project, but also to examine its role as a peripheral development initiative for the city of Navi Mumbai, with reference to the writings of Joan Busquets and Manuel de Solà-Morale. Through this analysis, it becomes clear that critical regionalism is capable of producing architecture that is not only relevant to the context of the site, but also sustainable, rather than simply mimicking the international modernist style. The Belapur Incremental Housing project serves as a prime example of how critical regionalism can be effectively implemented in post-colonial India. It demonstrates the potential for architecture to be both contextually relevant and sustainable, while also addressing the needs and capabilities of the local community. This approach is crucial for the development of peripheral areas in rapidly growing cities like Navi Mumbai.
Introduction
The architectural legacy left behind by the British in India did not adequately address the local climatic conditions and socio-cultural needs (Grover, 1995). As India gained independence in 1947, it was natural for the country to distance itself from the architectural influence of its former colonizers. Instead, Independent India sought to embrace a new architectural approach that would align with its goals of addressing social issues such as inequality. This led to the widespread adoption of modernism as the preferred architectural style in India, as it was believedthatthis approachwouldprovidepractical solutions forthesepressingsocial issues. This marked a significant shift away from the traditional British architectural styles that had been prevalent in India during the colonial era (Gupta and Kalamdani, 1998) However, by the 1960s, architects in India began realising the limitations of modernist architecture (Lang, 2002).
The end of World War 2 brought about significant changes in the global landscape, one of which was the process of decolonization. As colonies occupied by European nations gained their independence, new nations and urban cities emerged. India, which attained independence from British colonial rule in 1947, began the process of reshaping and adapting to the modern world. Despite being primarily a rural-based economy, the introduction of capitalism in India in the last 150 years has brought new pressures and demands, particularly from urbanized colonies. The pressure to modernize Indian society accelerated after 1947, and modernization has brought a number of changes to the nation-state. One of the most notable changes was the adoption of modern architecture as a symbol of political and cultural progressiveness. Architects from the Western world were invited to participate in major projects, and most notably, Le Corbusier was commissioned to design an entirely new capital city in the Punjab, Chandigarh. However, the influence of his theories led to a desire among youngprofessionalstoimitatetheWesternor“international”style,aphenomenonthatwas also evident in other South Asian countries.
The adoption of Western architectural styles in India led to the production of placeless environments that lacked cultural and regional identity. Architects began incorporating the ideas of critical regionalism in their works to counter the homogenization of architecture resulting from modernism. This movement aimed to give shape to a modern, "Indianized" built form for the cities, and the works of architects such as Correa, Rewal, and Doshi in the 1980s acted as models for regionalist architecture in India in the decades to follow. Neighbourhood areas are important in the Indian context as they serve as meeting places and community interactions. However, the rest of the building form, which constitute essential living spaces, are often disregarded and designated.
Urbansim in India and Development of Navi Mumbai
As India's independence movement gained momentum in the 1940s, many groups, such as migrants and laborers, were increasingly excluded from being considered part of the city. This was often accomplished by stigmatizing their dwelling types and emphasizing their perceived inadequacies. These practices served both economic and political purposes, with developers and city officials using the overcrowded conditions in these tenement districts as justification for building a new city, "New Bombay" or Navi Mumbai, on the mainland. While promises were made of providing housing for the urban poor, the majority of the new development went to civil servants and the middle class.
Figure 1: Location of Navi Mumbai (Sourse: www.harvard.edu)
In the 1970s, with the implementation of new policies of privatization, legal settlements in Bombay became known as "slums". Among the major metropolises in India, Mumbai remained a rapidly growing city in the post-independence era, and thus was in need of various urban projects, such as government buildings and lowcost housing, in order to provide open spaces, services, facilities, and infrastructures for its citizens. To this end, Mumbai started several urban regeneration projects that focused on rehabilitating central spaces and striving for a balance between the city and its periphery.
Shaw argues that colonial planning and the international style of architecture have had a negative impact on urban planning in India. The focus on building new cities, such as New Delhi, Chandigarh, Gandhinagar, and Bhubaneshwar, rather than renovating existing ones has led to the creation of a "city within the city" with vastly contrasting levels of infrastructure. The large-scale acquisition of land by public authorities for these new cities has also resulted in physical, socio-economic, and cultural displacement for many farmers, artisans, and fishermen. Additionally, these planned cities fail to provide space for the informal sector of the economy, which employs a significant portion of the population, forcing individuals to occupy public spaces for their livelihoods. Furthermore, these cities, intended to act as counter-magnets to surrounding areas, have actually contributed to the growth of adjacent older cities rather than diverting growth away from them. An example of this is Navi Mumbai.
The cityof Navi Mumbai, located in the state of Maharashtra, India, was developed in the post-colonial period as a planned satellite city to alleviate the population pressure on the neighboring city of Mumbai. The development of Navi Mumbai began in the 1970s and has continued to the present day. This report aims to critically evaluate the development of Navi Mumbai in the post-colonial period, focusing on the key developments, challenges, and successes of the city. One of the main challenges facing Navi Mumbai in the post-colonial period has been the lack of affordable housing. Despite the city being developed as a planned satellite city, the cost of housing has remained high, making it difficult for low-income families to access affordable housing. This has led to a shortage of affordable housing in the city, which has been a major
challenge for the city's residents. Another challenge facing Navi Mumbai in the post-colonial period has been thelackofpublictransportation.Despitethecitybeingdesignedwithacomprehensivetransportationnetwork, the lack of public transportation has made it difficult for residents to access the city's various areas. This has led to increased traffic congestion and a lack
Regionalism and Development of housing projects in India
The concept of "critical regionalism" was first introduced by architectural theorists Alexander Tzonis and Liane Lefaivre in their essay "The Grid and the Pathway." They used the term to describe the work of a group of architects from Germany who sought to create an alternative to the postmodernism that they saw as having failed to revitalize architecture and bring it out of a state of inactivity. According to Tzonis and Lefaivre, critical regionalism is distinct from simply "regional" architecture in that it incorporates local elements and cultural issues into design, while also being critical of architecture that claims universal application. This concept was further developed by architectural critic and historian Kenneth Frampton in his essays "Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six Points for an Architecture of Resistance" and "Ten Points on an Architecture of Regionalism: A Provisional Polemic". In summary, critical regionalism is an architectural approach that aims to counter the homogeneityof modernist architecture byincorporatingcontextual forces and imparting a sense of place and meaning to the built environment.
The planning of Navi Mumbai was based on the principles of regionalism, aiming to create a self-sufficient, livable, and sustainable community that would serve as a model for future urban development in India. Housing in India is a complex issue, shaped byvarious economic, social, environmental, and political factors, and the country's urban landscape is diverse, comprising of informal settlements, residential colonies, and gated communities. The design of housing plays a crucial role in shaping social interactions, and it's essential that housing structures adapt to the changing needs of each family. The relationship between culture, tradition, and architecture is manifested in the spatial syntax of Indian housing, and mass-housing architecture can be seen as a tool that helps to express cultural traditions and daily activities. The advancement of science and technology has led to a continuous evolution of architecture, but the basic needs of housing remain the same, with each house being unique and closely tied to the owner's individuality.
In the chapter "City of Sweet Equity," Hall discusses the concept of equitable cities, where all residents have equal access to resources and opportunities. He argues that in order for cities to thrive and be truly successful, they must prioritize the well-being of all their citizens, not just the wealthy elite. Hall suggests that city planners and policymakers must focus on creating a sense of community and shared responsibility, rather than justeconomicgrowth.Healsodiscussestheimportanceofdiversityandinclusivityinbuildingequitablecities, and the role that technology can play in helping to create a more level playing field for all residents. (Peter hall, 2014)
Post-Independence Indian Housing
India's contemporary housing model has undergone a significant evolution throughout the years. Initially, standalone bungalows were the norm for the wealthy, while commoners lived in single- or double-story settlements, owing to the lack of land and high population density. However, the advent of multi-floor apartments can be traced back to 1911, when British rulers established them as the housing of choice in their capital.
In the 1950s, the Central Public Works Agency, tasked with large-scale housing programs, allocated many multi-level housing units with minimal amenities to the massive migrant population following India's independence and partition. These dwellings units were not designed with any consideration for their neighbourhood history, as the focus was solely on their numbers. As diverse planning authorities were tasked with overseeing housing development in major cities in the early 1950s, there was an increased sensitivity
towards residential architecture. Architects partnered with industrialists to create neighbourhood-oriented housing schemes. In the 1960s and 1970s, GSFC Housing pioneered some insightful approaches in Vadodara and the French Embassy Quarters in Delhi, followed by ECIL Housing in Hyderabad and Cablenager Township in Kota Rajasthan. These townships set the stage for more welcoming and inclusive communities. Today, the Indian housing model continues to evolve and adapt to changing times and needs. The successful completion of Yamuna Apartments in Delhi in 1981 marked a significant milestone in the realm of urban housingprojects, as it differentiateditselfas anurban villagewith hierarchical structures. TheAranya Housing project in Indore, which incorporates a diverse mix of income groups, was an example of a development that effectively responded to human scale. Additionally, the Sheik Sarai Housing and Asian Games Town in New Delhi (1983) set new standards for residential communities. Furthermore, the Belapur Incremental Scheme (1985) further advanced the cause of low-rise high-density housing, with its implementation of hierarchical open courts based on equity, which played a crucial role in reinvigorating the importance of neighbourhoodresponsive ecosystems.
Housing schemes in India: Belapur Housing project
The theory of "The New Landscape" is an approach to urbanization proposed by architect Charles Correa in response to the rapid urbanization in India during the late 20th century. It emphasizes the importance of designing housing that is appropriate for India and other developing countries, taking into account the economic, political, and moral implications of urbanization. The theory also highlights the importance of incorporating elements of traditional Indian housing into new housing designs. It suggests that urban dwellers require more than just a room to live in and that housing should be viewed as part of a larger system. This perspective offers a new way of understanding urbanization and housing in developing countries.
Figure 2: View of a cluster (Source: architectopedia)
Ar.CharlesCorrea,arenownedarchitectandurban planner,madesignificantcontributionstothedevelopment of Mumbai, India's financial capital. Known for his quote "Bombay is a great city but a terrible place," Correa recognized the city's major issue of scarcity of space and sought to provide innovative solutions. One of his most notable projects was the incremental Belapur Housing project, located in the Thane district on the fringes of Navi Mumbai. This Project is an example of critical regionalism, a design philosophy that emphasizes the integration of a building or structure with its surrounding environment and culture. The project, located in the city of Navi Mumbai, India, is a mixed-use development that includes residential, commercial, and cultural spaces.
“The “correct “scale of the project has to be gouged in relation to the urban context and the type of development process. A study of the city will usually reveal a variety of morphologies. The designers of a
particular project. On the other hand, tend to adopt a single form for the whole brief. In fact, each city offers some level of morphological diversity, which is not merely formal but reflects the processes that are inherent to different situations and capacities.” (Joan Busquets, 2011)
The Belapur low-cost housing project, designed by architect Charles Correa, was built on a 5.4-hectare site in India with the goal of providing housing for around 100 families. The project began in 1983 and was completed in 1986, utilizing cost-efficient, natural and passive methods for heating and cooling buildings and drawing inspiration from local vernacular architecture. The project also followed Correa's seven "cardinal principles" for housing in the Third World, including the provision of individual plots for each dwelling and catering to a diverse range of income groups. The core concept behind the project was the idea of "Space as a Resource", utilizing open-to-sky spaces to improve the usability of the buildings. Drawing inspiration from the local vernacular architecture, Correa believed that architecture must be tailored to the unique climatic conditions of the region. In his essay, ‘The Blessings of the Sky’, he compares western European house forms with Indian house forms and finds that in the Indian context, given the climatic conditions, open-to-sky spaces play a far more important role in the everyday life of a community (Correa and Frampton 1996).
Figure 3: Master Plan: Phase 1 and 2 (Source: www.researchgate.net)
Each house has its own plot and is not attached to any common walls, allowing for the creation of small open spaces that provide a sense of individuality, even in a densely populated community. This feature has been praised as an example of good contemporary planning, as it allows residents to expand and adapt their homes to their own needs and preferences. Overall, the project is a unique and innovative approach to housing development that prioritizes the needs and aspirations of its residents. The Correa Housing project boasts a unique low-rise, high-density design that seamlessly blends in with the architect's other low-cost housing developments
Figure 4: Cluster of Type A units (sourse: Charles Correa Associates)
Thespatial layout in this housingenvironment emphasizes theuseofhierarchical open spaces to createasense of home and community. Each individual house has its own yard, while several houses are grouped around small courtyards and larger community spaces. These spaces open out to a seasonal stream that runs through the center of the site and serves as a source of stormwater management. The arrangement of the units is designed to maintain the privacy of the residents
Figure 5: Hierarchical open spaces (Source: Charles Correa Associates)
Correa's design for the event is trulyunique, drawinginspiration from traditional Indian architectural elements to create a site and climate-specific urban form. He incorporated the concept of "urban villages" within the city, creating a series of densely packed buildings that are connected by narrow streets and winding alleys. The buildings are designed to breathe through courtyards at different levels, creating a sense of community and neighborhood within the development. The morphology of the city is specifically tailored to the hot summer days, mild evenings, and sunny winters, with cool shadows from the buildings helping to keep the streets pleasant throughout the day. This design concept can be seen in other cities such as Venice, Toledo, and Shiraz, but Correa has added his own unique touch to create something truly in indian context.
As rural-urban disparity continues to widen in many countries, more and more people are leaving their rural homes in search of better opportunities in urban centers. These cities have become symbols of hope for those living in rural areas, as theyoffer a chance for improved livelihoods and the abilityto pursue one's aspirations. However, this mass migration has put a significant strain on the infrastructure and environment of urban areas. Cities are expanding their boundaries by annexing nearby rural areas, which can lead to the displacement and segregation of rural communities on the outskirts. The pressure on infrastructure and environment in limited city space, along with the demands of emerging lower and higher income groups for better living conditions, has led to a shift in urban planning towards the creation of new cities on untouched land rather than urban renewal.
As per Manuel de Solà-Morale, the periphery holds a lot of potential for the expansion of the city. Barcelona 1992 Olympic, where “urban Acupuncture” was used to construct public spaces on strategic locations around the city and the periphery. During the developmentof Navi Mumbai, a lot of infrastructure was created around the (strategic?) locations around the periphery. The development of Navi Mumbai's Belapur housing scheme after 1945 is a prime example of how regionalism played a significant role in shaping the urbanism of the city. The low-rise dense settlement was designed by Charles Correa to be a self-sufficient and livable community, with an emphasis on green spaces and open areas. However, as the city has grown and evolved over the past four decades, the Belapur housing scheme has undergone significant changes. Today, Belapur is a prominent business district and the trend of high-rise housing schemes has caught up with it. The low-rise dense settlement now seems to take up too much space and shelter too few people. The lack of space for car parking is a major issue, as even low-income families now have at least two two-wheelers. Additionally, being an incremental housing scheme, it is expected that the owners would make changes as needed, but the requirements have increased drastically, leading to many houses being remodeled or rebuilt.
In today's ageof 'compact'and 'space-saving homes', there are ampleopenand green spaces right in the middle of a bustling city Despite the trend of apartment living encouraging individuals to be isolated in their own units, the residents of Belapur incremental housing continue to maintain a strong sense of community. This is the success of Ar. Correa. No one could have visualized the growth spurt that hit Mumbai in the past four decades. The city continues to grow and change, and no one can really predict how a city is going to be just a decade later. The best architects and citizens can do is adapt and try to make their great city also a great place. The Belapur housing scheme is a prime example of how a well-planned and executed concept can stand the test of time and continue to serve the community, even as the city evolves.
To sum up, there are two facts, which are elaborated in the paper, the Belapur Housing Project as an individual township is indeed a successful design that has acted as promoter for further development in the region. Though the motive behind organizing a global event was good, the planning required for such an event was not enough. The infrastructure improvement was implemented on the timely needs of that phase rather than thinkingabout long-term consequenceand havemorenegativeresults thanpositive. Theproject canbeviewed as a beautiful amalgamation of the modernist theory of urbanism and old Indian settlements. Though as the project, which primarily serves economically lower section of society, one can argue if the project is viable for large-scale multiplication, which consist of different sections of society? Nevertheless, after the introduction of reforms in the Indian economy in 1991, the housing sector has become commercially driven and the commissions arising from public-sector initiatives have dwindled. This shift towards FAR/FSI-driven housing industry has diminished the regionalist design in housing sector.
Berry, B J L (1973). The Human Consequences of Urbanisation. Divergent Paths in the Urban Experience of the Twentieth Century, Macmillan, London.
Correa, Charles (2000). Housing and Urbanisation. Mumbai: Urban Design Research Institute.
Correa, Charles (2010). A Place in the Shade: The New Landscape & Other Essays. New Delhi: Penguin Books India.
Correa, Charles and Frampton, Kenneth (1996). Charles Correa. London: Thomas and Hudson.
Dr. Neelam Kushwah and Annie Badkul (2017). “Impact of critical regionalism in Indian Architecture”, International Journal of Current Research, 9, (06), 53324-53326.
Eggener, Keith L. (2007). “Placing Resistance: A Critique of Critical Regionalism” in Canizaro, Vincent B. (editor), Architectural Regionalism:t Collected Writings on Place, Identity, Modernity, and Tradition, Princeton Architectural Press, New York
Frampton, Kenneth (1998). “Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six Points for an Architecture of Resistance” in Foster, Hal (editor) The Anti- Aesthetic: Essays on Postmodern Culture, The New Press, New York
Grover, S.,1995. BuildingBeyond Borders.a StoryofContemporary IndianArchitecture.National BookTrust India, New Delhi
Gupta, S.,Kalamdani,K.,1998.Architecture. India 50Years of Independence1947-97. Status, Growth & Development. BR Publishing, NewDelhi,4.
Howard, E (1965). Garden Cities of Tomorrow, Faber, London.
Joan Busquets. (2011). The role of the urban project in the new urban culture. In de Architect (pp. 78–91).
Kassim, S. J., Norwina Mohd. Nawawi, & Mansor Ibrahim. (2018). Modernity, nation and urban-architectural form: the dynamics and dialectics of national identity vs regionalism in a tropical city.
Keith L. Eggener. (2002). Placing Resistance: A Critique of Critical Regionalism. Taylor & Francis, Ltd. on Behalf of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, Inc., 55(4), 228–237.
Lang, J (1997). Architecture and independence:theSearchFor Identity India 1880 to 1980 .Oxford University Press, New Delhi
Lang, J (2002). AConciseHistoryofModernArchitectureinIndia. Orient Blackswan,NewDelhi.
Manuel de Solà-Morale (1987) Another modern tradition. 200-214
Manuel de Solà-Morale (1992) Periphery as a project. 193-198
Peter Hall (1998). Cities in Civilization, London
Peter Hall (2014). Cities of Tomorrow: an intellectual history of urban planning and design since 1880
Shaban, Abdul and R N Sharma (2004). ‘Social Impact Assessment of Maha Mumbai Special Economic Zone – Draft Report’, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
Sumantra Sharma, Manjari Chakraborty2, & N. R. Mandal. (2018). Critical regionalism in the post- colonial architecture of the indian subcontinent
Tzonis, a., lefaivre, l., (1981). ‘’the grid and the pathway. An introduction to the work of dimitris and suzana antonakakis’’, architecture in greece
Weber, A F (1899). The Growth of Cities in Nineteenth Century, The Macmillan Co, New York.