This thesis draws on the overlap between spatial, economic and social informalities in Dharavi Mosque Chawl, Mumbai to assert that (urban) informality is a form of organised urbanisation and not a lack of development. A sustainist view of urban Asia Through the analysis of daily practices, spatial configurations and labour regimes, Dharavi is re-conceptualised as an adaptive urban system in which informal processes operate as organised reactions to structural vulnerability. The research fo lows a qualitative procedure of interviews, participant observation and second ary literature so as to create an empiricaly based account of Dharavi as lived space and theoretical approach.One thing is clear Dharavi's space is always being re-created through the smal-scale extension of houses; while each home packs not only living quarters but also places for work and leisure there is no clear line dividing private from public claim on resources such as streets or electricity except in name only with people using whatever they can find available.