Dharavi Redevelopment Proposal

Urban Housing Strategy | Circular Design Concept

The Dharavi Redevelopment Proposal explores architecture as a catalyst for sustainable urban transformation, focusing on circular design methodologies within high-density housing environments. Developed as part of a larger redevelopment framework, the project investigates material reuse, modular housing systems, and community-centric planning as tools to create dignified living spaces while reducing construction waste. The proposal introduces adaptable residential typologies such as The Hive and The Lego House, using prefabricated units and climate-responsive façades to address density, daylight, and neighborhood character.

A key component of the project is the Material Passport strategy, which enables systematic auditing, cataloguing, and reintegration of salvaged materials from demolished structures back into new construction. The approach supports design-for-disassembly, local workforce engagement, and pilot demonstration clusters using second-hand components. Rather than treating redevelopment as a tabula rasa exercise, the proposal positions architecture as a regenerative process — transforming existing resources into future housing while preserving social continuity and promoting environmental responsibility.