Toward a design methodology : a case of chawls in Bombay

Abstract

My research stems from a dilemma. The dilemma lies in the type of housing I intend dealing with. While the types is being increasingly disregarded for being in appropriate and obsolete in the present day context generally all over the world, it still is the most popular form of housing in Bombay. Current trends in the city reflect even the housing cooperatives adopting this type. The general type referred to is the high density low income housing for the industrial labor force with back to back dwelling units as seen in Britain and elsewhere in the western world. The particular type of housing in Bombay is known as the 'chawl'. Although believed to be a direct derivative of the western model, the chawl still has essential differences both as a physical as well as a social unit, an understanding of which is essential in comprehending the apparent preference of the chawl as a house type. Within the basic type, several subtypes could be detected, a comparison of which would help accentuate the differences mentioned above, since some of them are exact replicas of the western model while certain others seem to be a product of local conditions and typical Indian life-styles. I am interested in looking at the chawl morphologically, with an ultimate objective of developing it further as a viable form of housing in the present context. The research is concentrated on developing a design methodology, and not on formulating planning strategies. Also, since the chawls comprise of minimum dwelling units, I am also interested in introducing the concept of an evolutionary housing principle as it applies in the context, and incorporating it as a part of my design methodology.