Community cool

The Dharavi Project invites proposals from participants from all fields with cash awards up to Rs 1.25 lakh

Can architecture help to bridge the gap that exists between Dharavi's residents with other Mumbaikars? "That's the question that gave birth to this idea. Dharavi is a huge landmass, and governments and organisations have been trying to solve many problems in the area for years. As architects, we felt we had the responsibility to contribute to that too," says Rushikesh Kothari. Kothari is the CEO of Archdais, a design platform that recently launched a competition titled The Dharavi Project, with the aim of creating a blueprint geared towards setting up a centre for change and community empowerment in the heart of the slum.

The initiative invites proposals from participants to set up a 24-hour running space that allows for co-working spaces and community centres, with cash awards up to Rs 1.25 lakh for the best ones. "Dharavi is an ecosystem in itself. We wanted to introduce an urban presence that helped them understand and realise their value, even economically, and point them in the right direction of how to scale up," explains Kothari. Keeping the land scarcity of the area in mind, the project wishes to keep the site running always, with the potential of convertibility in its uses, for example, as a recreational space during the day or a night school after dark.

Sameeta Shelke and Rushikesh Kothari

"In the afternoons, workshops can be conducted here where people can learn new skills, or where they can showcase their talents. It should basically be a space to enable many activities throughout the day. Particpants can include spaces even based on festivities that might happen in the neighbourhood," elaborates Shameeta Shelke, its COO. Within this template, proposals can be sent in for open or semi-open spaces. The site that has been selected for the excution is located at the Dharavi T-Juction, on the main road, a short walk away from the proposed Dharavi Metro Station. The idea is also to keep the area accesible for everyone, even for those visiting the centres.

Registrations are open till September 20 this year and participants will be judged on criteria like creativity, innovation and effectiveness of their proposals. "This is a start and if the project succeeds, we hope the government approaches us. It would be of great help to the community," says Kothari.

Log on to archdais.com/competition