With rapid globalization, societies are facing stark advancements driven by development and modernization. At the very bottom of this trend lies the intricate notion of gentrification. Gentrification is an intricate phenomenon shaping urban landscapes globally. It represents a complex interconnected web of social, economic, and cultural dynamics. In developing cities, studying the aspects of gentrification is crucial. It helps in navigating its impacts on urban population, architecture and infrastructure. While gentrification is seldom glorified for reviving neighborhoods and developing infrastructure, it abodes darker frailty—displacement. Local families and communities that have resided in these native areas for ages are vigorously pushed out, unable to bear the escalating expenses of housing and access to the public spaces. Public spaces, which act as the cultural and social backbone of these communities, are now endangered, as the political decisions favor profit-driven development over unbiased access.
In India, gentrification has taken a unique ride by merging globalization with urban planning. Metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are experiencing rapid redevelopment of former neighborhoods and unorganized settlement areas, subsequently resulting in the elimination of local communities. Political decisions play a vital role here, as government policies, zoning laws, and urban development plans are usually proposed to entice the elite for their investments, overlooking the needs of the urban poor.
One of the most distressing examples of gentrification and its severe impact on public spaces and local communities is the redevelopment of Mumbai’s mill districts, the transformation of Girangaon known as the “village of mills”. Once the soul of Mumbai’s robust textile industry, Girangaon sheltered thousands of mill workers who resided in low-cost chawls and depended on neighboring public spaces for community gatherings, cultural events, and recreational activities. Nonetheless, political outcomes in the 20th century, such as shutting down the mills and redeveloping the locality for luxurious residential and commercial projects, have dramatically reshaped the precinct. Girangaon has now become a conspicuous example of how gentrification uproots vulnerable communities and reduces the accessibility of public spaces for those who crave them the most.
The Redevelopment of Girangaon: A Case of Gentrification
Girangaon was once the foundation of Mumbai’s economy. The area comprised more than 150 mills that provided employment and sheltered hundreds and thousands of mill workers in the industry during its pinnacle in the 20th century. The neighborhood was more than merely just an industrial centre; it also served as an ecosystem of social, cultural, and economical elements, with chawls, temples, playgrounds, parks, and local markets building an intertwined web of welcoming public spaces. These spaces were fair and equitable, promoting a sense of community and belongingness among the workers and their families.
However, in the early 1980s, political decisions started prioritizing the shutting down of mills as a response to declining profits and increased labor conflicts. The government and private mill owners grabbed the opportunity to retrofit the profitable land occupied by mills. Zoning laws were modified to grant permission to construct high-end residential towers, shopping malls, and corporate office complexes, marking the commencement of Girangaon’s case of gentrification.
The mill workers, who were the essence of Girangaon, were either uprooted or forced into congested, low-cost housing in the city’s periphery. The chawls that once sheltered their families became easy targets of redevelopment, and the open spaces they frequently visited were modified into gated parks, private parking lots, or exclusive amenities for luxurious residential complexes. Public spaces that were once full of life became unwelcoming to the very communities that had built and protected them.
Political Decisions, Gentrification and Displacement
Political decisions are the root cause of gentrification and displacement, often stirred by the pursuit of influential and powerful stakeholders such as builders and developers, corporate investors, real estate agents, and government authorities. In the case of Girangaon, the redevelopment laws and policies predominantly favored profit over people.
Changes in Policies and Zoning
Land regulations were amended to allow commercial and lavish residential construction on mill land. The governing authorities justified these changes as crucial for modernizing the city and uplifting its economy. But these new policies ignored the needs and aspirations of mill workers and their families, who were guaranteed low-cost housing and other affordable amenities but hardly received anything in return.
Restrictions on Public Spaces
As a part of the redevelopment initiatives, open spaces that once used to be public were transformed into gated parks and commercial institutions. These spaces, which used to be easily accessible, became exclusive for the rich, noticeably marginalizing the lower middle-class working population.
Evictions and Displacement
Several families who resided in Chawls were evicted as builders and developers seized the land for redevelopment. While some families were compensated with housing alternatives in the outskirts, the majority of them faced extreme economic as well as social hardships, not only losing their homes but also their access to jobs, education, and public facilities in their vicinity.
Unstable Enforcement of Promises
While the government had primarily mandated that a parcel of the mill land be reserved for public use such as low-cost housing and equitable public spaces, these promises were barely enforced. Developers are often swayed to reduce their accountability or manage to find loopholes to avoid compliance, leaving the victims with minimal resources.
The Consequences of Gentrification on Public Spaces
The redevelopment of Girangaon had extensive consequences, especially on public spaces and the communities that once flourished in the area.
Loss of Cultural Identity
Public spaces in Girangaon were not merely recreational hubs for the localites. They were intensely woven into the cultural fabric of the community. Temples, local markets, and gathering areas were essential for festivals, traditions, and regular interactions. The privatization of these spaces has corroded the area’s cultural identity, replacing it with futile, commercialized neighborhoods.
Social Segregation
Gentrification has given rise to sharp divisions in Girangaon, with high-rise residential towers and luxury shopping malls serving the prosperous residents. At the same time, former mill workers grind to access even basic amenities. Public spaces which used to act as equalizers, have now been converted into exclusive zones, introducing social and economic discrepancies.
Reduced Accessibility
For displaced families, the loss of public spaces in Girangaon had palpable impacts on their way of living. Playgrounds, parks, and open areas that once organized communal activities are now inaccessible, holding the young ones from the safe spaces to play and adults to socialize.
Economic Marginalization
The displacement of mill workers has displaced them to the city’s outskirts, where public spaces are usually incompetent or badly maintained. This has not only disturbed their social lives but also limited their economic opportunities, as traveling to the central city for jobs has become more time-consuming and challenging.
Balancing Redevelopment and Equity
While modernization and urbanization are extremely vital to meet the rising demands of the rapidly growing population, it is important to be stabilized with the apprehensive principles of equity, inclusivity, and integrity. Public spaces are necessary for fostering a dialogue within the community, cultural expression, and social cohesion, especially in contemporary cities as diversified as Mumbai. Political decisions should be made while prioritizing the preservation and equitable allocation of spaces, even as societies flourish and cities tend to grow.
In the case of Girangaon, appropriate efforts could have been made to ensure that redevelopment was more inclusive. For instance, Governments must hold developers responsible for providing affordable housing and open spaces as part of redevelopment projects. Perspectives of these residents should have been considered in the decision-making processes to ensure that their voices were heard, making them feel involved and valued.
The gentrification of Girangaon reveals the heart-wrenching consequences of political decisions on public spaces and vulnerable communities. While urbanization and redevelopment have reformed Mumbai’s skyline, it has been achieved at a terrible cost to the mill workers and their families who once defined the character and essence of Girangaon. As societies continue to urbanize, it is obligatory for policymakers to endorse a more inclusive approach to development. Public spaces must be protected and conserved as important elements of urban lives, making sure that cities remain accessible, equitable, and livable for everyone. Only then achieving a balance between progress and preservation is possible, while fostering cities that truly belong to all their citizens.
References:
Pandita, N. (2017). Girangaon: The lost charm of Mumbai. [online] The Asian Age. Available at: https://www.asianage.com/life/more-features/231117/girangaon-the-lost-charm-of-mumbai.html.
Thomas, M. (2017). Tracing Mumbai’s evolution from a city of mills to a metropolis. [online] Quartz. Available at: https://qz.com/india/1134734/mythologies-of-mumbai-tracing-the-citys-evolution-from-a-city-of-mills-to-a-metropolis [Accessed 25 Dec. 2024].
National Geographic Society (2022). Gentrification | National Geographic Society. [online] education.nationalgeographic.org. Available at: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/gentrification/.
Kaarwan, T. (n.d.). Kaarwan Blog | Gentrification and Its Impact on Urban Architecture: Balancing Progress with Preservation. [online] www.kaarwan.com. Available at: https://www.kaarwan.com/blog/architecture/gentrification-impact-on-urban-architecture?id=198.
