adaptive public spaces

mumbai is infamous for having very few public spaces. a direct result of this is that people adapt to the existing architecture around them to claim a spot for themselves. this is predominantly seen in case of hawkers on footpaths, the homeless sleeping on dividers, railings being used to dry clothes etc.

this photo is from within a residential society in juhu scheme. the society constructed a metre high wall along its spare gate to prevent water gushing in from the road during the monsoons. this low wall now serves as a seating spot for hawkers, rickshaw drivers and urchins. the gate and the side walls form the perfect backrest, and an adjoining tree provides adequate shade...