Re-Weaving Mumbai: Re-discovering Industrial Heritage in the Indian Sub-continent

Re-Weaving Mumbai: Re-discovering Industrial Heritage in the Indian Sub-continent Industrial heritage, with its unique narrative, often occupies a significant position in the discussion of cultural, economic, and historic aspects in the West, while its relevance is mostly overlooked in the Indian context. Often seen as a remnant of the industrial past, the country in general dismisses it, leading to the vandalism, demolition, and ruin of structures associated with it. Most of the industrial structures are viewed as an eyesore to the city without offering the bleak potential of revitalising it. Their constant neglect has led to various industrial sites being demolished, gentrified, and transformed without retaining even a part of their history and integrity. This research delves into one such scenario where a prior mill village, "Girangaon", in Mumbai has completely transformed over time with barely any remains or memory of it. The research takes the approach of decoding the onset and spread of industrialisation in India by analysing the various factors that catered to it, such as trade, socio-politics, economy, and culture. The timeline of establishment of industries, migration of workers, their living conditions, and the decline of the mills are understood in order to create an overview of the time period. Subsequently, the analysis of various mill districts within Girangaon, its present condition, and the possibility for revival in the present context are understood. The identification of the Lalbaugh precinct with the Indu mills in focus further takes the research into a niche so as to develop a prototype that can demonstrate the revitalisation of such abandoned structures within the urban sphere. The approach involves the mending of the detached mills to create a system of spaces that caters to the public in various ways in a city that generally lacks open areas and public infrastructure. The project incorporates the history, culture, cuisine, theater, and work life into its spaces with a view to provide the citizens with the need of the moment within the structures of the past. This approach creates a heritage trail depicting the city’s history through the establishment of a cultural hub in the old mill village, which can be explored in ways varied. The project details the approach taken, using the case of Indu Mills 2 & 3, which are proposed to be converted into a textile mill museum with open spaces, a restaurant, workshops, craft centers, and historic remains.