Redefining Tomorrow

Urban life across the world has been influenced by economic specialization and guild-based systems. In Europe, medieval guilds impacted political and social trajectories, maintaining control, monopolies, and conflicts. Despite industrial capitalism and globalization, European cities still bear traces of guild influences. In contrast, India's caste-based exclusion led to extensive mobility and diverse professions but perpetuated hierarchical spatial configurations. Guilds had their problems but also contributed to the development of cities, artisanal practices, and economic control. Indian cities reflect divided social lines and co-dependence due to specialized roles. Historical factors continue to shape livelihood and shared living in cities.

The essay challenges the modern notion of the future, rooted in a linear timeline, and advocates for a present-focused approach in architecture and urban design. Linear time obscures the complex and dynamic nature of the present, where recognition of ongoing processes is crucial. The essay proposes a practice that engages with present realities, rather than projecting idealized futures, exemplified by fictional but pragmatic "dream tool-houses" in Dharavi.

The article explores the interconnection between textile design and architecture, particularly in Europe, and discusses the challenges of integrating India's rich artisanal traditions, especially textiles, into contemporary architectural practices. It emphasizes the importance of valuing the collective construction and aesthetics of homegrown settlements and suggests reimagining the urban fabric as a metaphor for understanding and appreciating these spaces.

The article discusses global anxieties about population growth and the housing crisis, arguing that the fear of slums and the inability to provide affordable housing stem from faulty policies and a lack of imagination rather than the actual capacity to house people. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the factors contributing to the urban crisis, such as land arrangements and speculation, in order to address the issue effectively.

The article discusses "Tracking the Indian Rail Trail," a project by Urbanology that explores the significance of the Konkan railway along India's west coast. It emphasizes mobility as a lens to understand India's evolving urban reality. The study reveals the railway's role in connecting diverse habitats and its impact on migration, family bonds, and community history. The project highlights the dynamic and interconnected nature of urban systems, challenging traditional rural-urban definitions and emphasizing the importance of movement in understanding urban life.

The essay explores the complex classification of habitats as rural or urban, focusing on Mumbai's historical context. It delves into the blurred boundaries between rural and urban areas in the past, where people moved between habitats without fixed identities. It highlights how colonial acts and changing urban attitudes led to the suspicion and criminalization of nomadic communities. The city's workforce and diverse urban forms, sometimes resembling rural settings, are discussed. The essay concludes by addressing the impacts of such historical processes on the present-day urban landscape.