Airoots Archive

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.