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Unlock This CourseCities around the world are constantly changing, growing and evolving. In this session, we'll explore how and why urban areas change over time, with a detailed look at Mumbai, India as our case study example.
Key Definitions:
In 1950, only 30% of the world's population lived in urban areas. Today, that figure has risen to over 55% and by 2050, it's expected to reach 68%. This rapid urbanisation is particularly noticeable in developing countries, where cities are growing at unprecedented rates.
As cities grow, they face numerous challenges including housing shortages, traffic congestion, pollution, inadequate infrastructure and increasing inequality. How cities manage these challenges determines the quality of life for millions of residents.
Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is India's largest city and financial capital. With a population of over 20 million people in its metropolitan area, it's one of the world's megacities and provides an excellent case study of urban change in a rapidly developing country.
Mumbai has transformed from a fishing village to a colonial port city to today's sprawling metropolis. Its growth has been driven by several factors:
Mumbai generates 6% of India's GDP and houses the Bombay Stock Exchange. It's home to Bollywood (India's film industry) and attracts migrants seeking employment opportunities.
Originally seven islands that were joined through land reclamation, Mumbai's coastal location made it an important port. Its limited land area has led to high density development and vertical growth.
Rural-urban migration has fuelled Mumbai's growth, with approximately 300 people moving to the city every day in search of better opportunities and living standards.
Mumbai faces numerous challenges as it continues to grow rapidly. Understanding these issues helps us see how urban areas in developing countries struggle with the pace of change and limited resources.
One of Mumbai's most visible urban issues is housing. The city's limited space and growing population have created a severe housing crisis.
Mumbai has some of the most expensive real estate in the world. In central areas, property can cost up to £10,000 per square metre. This has led to the development of high-rise apartments for the wealthy, while middle-class families struggle to afford homes.
About 42% of Mumbai's population lives in slums, with Dharavi being one of Asia's largest. These informal settlements lack basic services like clean water, sanitation and electricity. However, they provide affordable housing and are often close to workplaces.
Mumbai's transport system struggles to keep pace with its growing population, leading to significant challenges:
Mumbai's suburban railway system carries over 7.5 million passengers daily, making it one of the busiest and most overcrowded in the world. During peak hours, trains designed to carry 1,700 passengers often carry over 4,500, leading to dangerous conditions and frequent accidents.
Road congestion is another major issue. Despite having one of the lowest car ownership rates among major cities, Mumbai's roads are heavily congested due to limited space, poor planning and inadequate public transport alternatives.
The average commuter in Mumbai spends over 90 minutes travelling each day, with some spending up to 4 hours daily on their commute.
Mumbai's rapid growth has put enormous pressure on the environment, creating several serious issues:
Vehicle emissions, industrial activity and construction have led to poor air quality. Mumbai's PM2.5 levels often exceed WHO guidelines by 5-10 times.
Water supply is unreliable, with many areas receiving water for only a few hours each day. Sewage treatment is inadequate, with much waste flowing untreated into the sea.
As a coastal city, Mumbai faces increasing threats from sea-level rise and more intense monsoons, which cause severe flooding (as seen in 2005 when 944mm of rain fell in 24 hours).
Perhaps the most striking feature of Mumbai is the extreme inequality visible throughout the city:
Mumbai is home to some of India's wealthiest individuals, with luxury high-rises overlooking vast slum areas. This spatial inequality is evident in Antilia, a 27-story private residence valued at over £1 billion, which stands near neighbourhoods where families live in 10m² homes.
Access to services also varies dramatically. While wealthy areas enjoy reliable utilities and private healthcare, residents in informal settlements often lack basic sanitation and depend on overburdened public services.
Despite these challenges, Mumbai has implemented several initiatives to create more sustainable urban development:
The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) works to improve living conditions by providing formal housing to slum dwellers. Under this scheme, developers can build commercial properties if they also construct free housing for slum residents. While controversial, this has provided formal housing for thousands of families.
Mumbai is expanding its transport infrastructure with projects like the Mumbai Metro (which will eventually have 14 lines), the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and coastal road projects. These aim to reduce congestion and improve connectivity across the city.
One of the most ambitious urban renewal projects is the plan to redevelop Dharavi, a 2.1 km² slum area home to approximately 1 million people. The project aims to provide proper housing and infrastructure while preserving the area's thriving informal economy, which generates an estimated £700 million annually.
Mumbai's experience offers important insights for understanding urban change:
Mumbai exemplifies the challenges and opportunities of rapid urban growth in developing countries. Its experience shows how cities evolve in response to economic, social and environmental pressures and highlights the importance of sustainable planning approaches that balance development needs with quality of life for all residents.
As you study urban change, remember that cities are complex systems shaped by many factors. The patterns seen in Mumbai reflect broader global trends but also unique local conditions that make each urban area's development story different.