Learning from Mumbai

Opening with the reflections of Indian architects Rohan Varma, Charles Correa and Rahul Mehrotra on the past, present and future of architecture and planning in Mumbai, the book continues with interviews with a wide variety of local and foreign architects and planners who work in Mumbai.

The ins and outs of practising architecture and planning in this megacity are explored through their eyes. Small but exciting firms (such as Architecture Brio) find a place right beside massive commercial architecture firms (including Architect Hafeez Contractor) and activist-architects (such as PK Das & Associates and Somaya & Kalappa Consultants). Teaching architecture in Mumbai is also discussed extensively, as well as several micro-initiatives that have come up with creative solutions for making the city moreliveable and beautiful.
Lavishly illustrated, covering the many faces and facets of Mumbai, a special place is reserved for the images of photographer Bas Losekoot. With his photo essay he projects an intriguing new light on Mumbai and its inhabitants.
This book will be of interest to architects, planners, architecture and planningstudents,for those thinking of starting an architecture or planning firm in India, as well as for anyone interested in Mumbai and Mumbai's built environment.
Learning from India Series:
The Learning from India Series goes further than learning about cities. It attempts to learn from Indian cities by uncovering the principles of architecture and urban planning that shape them. Learning from India asks local and foreign architecture professionals what the prospects and problems are of practising architecture and planning in India's major cities. What have they learned from this experience? What can we learn from India that can be applied elsewhere? Learning from Mumbai is the first volume in the Learning from India Series. Forthcoming titles include Learning from Delhi (2014) and Learning from Ahmedabad (2015).