The chawls of Mumbai, which have served as affordable housing for over a century, are set to be demolished and replaced by high-rise residential towers. These large tenement complexes were built during Mumbai’s industrial boom in the 19th and 20th centuries and provided housing for workers in the ports and textile mills. Despite their challenging conditions, with families living in single rooms without private washing facilities, the chawls offered low-income individuals a place to live close to their workplaces.
However, the demolition of the chawls represents the disappearance of affordable housing from downtown Mumbai and the end of the tradition of mixing the rich and poor in the same neighborhoods. Although the chawls are currently rented out at low prices fixed by the state, they occupy valuable real estate that could be used for more expensive housing units.
The development of the chawls reflects the growth of Mumbai as a city and the need for cheap housing during the British Raj. These buildings were constructed to meet the demand for housing as people migrated from rural areas to work in the city’s industries. The chawls were typically built around a central courtyard and divided into single or double room units. However, they were often overcrowded, with multiple generations living together in one unit.
Despite their cramped conditions, the chawls became important community spaces, providing a safety net for low-income families in an expensive city. They also contributed to the growth of Mumbai’s cinephile culture, with residents spending time outside of their small houses at cinemas and affordable food halls.
Architecturally, the chawls were designed with features to protect against the city’s monsoonal rains and provide ventilation during humid summers. However, later chawls lost many of these attributes and were built in configurations similar to British industrial housing.
The demolition of the chawls is part of an ambitious urban renewal plan to replace them with residential skyscrapers. The government aims to temporarily re-home residents while constructing low-cost housing and commissioning private builders to develop luxury apartments. Critics argue that the new buildings will be cramped, unattractive, and pose health risks for inhabitants.
The redevelopment of the chawls represents a shift away from the mixed-income neighborhoods that have characterized Mumbai, with the rich and poor living side by side. The departure of the chawls may not be mourned as their conditions have deteriorated and they no longer align with contemporary notions of housing. However, it is important to recognize the sense of community and support that the chawls provided for low-income families and the social mixing they facilitated.
