Parul Shelar
Sustainability in architecture is often framed through high- tech solutions and institutional interventions, yet one of the most effective models exists in the unplanned spaces of Dharavi. This dense, self- organized settlement operates on a remarkable circular economy, where waste is repurposed, materials are reused, and architecture evolves in response to necessity. Despite its efficiency, formal urban systems often dismiss these practices as informal, failing to recognize their potential for scalable impact.
By analysing Dharavi’s reuse and recycling systems, we uncover lessons that challenge conventional architectural approaches and highlight bottom- up solutions that could inspire future urban policy. If formal sustainability frameworks absorbed Dharavi’s principles, urban environments could move beyond rigid planning toward more resilient, regenerative ecosystems.
Circular Practices in Dharavi: Sustainability Without Institutions
Unlike institutional sustainability efforts, Dharavi’s circular economy is necessity driven,
shaping its architectural and material flow systems through three key pillars:
- Material Flow and Adaptive Architecture: Dharavi’s structures are built from
salvaged materials rather than fresh resources. Corrugated metal sheets, reused
wood, and repurposed tiles form homes, workshops, and market spaces. The
cradle-to-cradle design, which was popularized by William McDonough, is an
inherent practice here, where every material finds a second life instead of
becoming waste. - Community Led Recycling Ecosystem: Dharavi operates as one of Asia’s largest
recycling hubs, with specialized cottage industries handling plastics, textiles,
metals, and organic waste. Material tracking systems though informal ensure
efficient reuse cycles. If formal urban planning integrated these models, cities
could radically reduce material waste and dependency on newly manufactured
goods. - Incremental Building: Architecture as an Evolving Organism: Structures in Dharavi
adapt dynamically and not based on master plans but through immediate
functional needs. Families modify layouts seasonally, expand spaces with
economic growth, and shape their homes based on social interactions. This
human centred flexibility contrasts with mainstream rigid architecture and offers
a model of adaptive urbanism. The community is a living example of adaptable,
multi- purpose spaces.
Critical Insight: Why Are These Practices Overlooked
While Dharavi’s resource cycles are highly efficient, they remain undervalued by formal
sustainability discourse. Architectural and policy frameworks often fail to recognize informality as a legitimate design system, dismissing incremental, local adaptations in favour of centralized control.
Ash Amin and Ananya Roy’s works on urban informality provide critical perspectives arguing that bottom-up resilience is systematically overlooked. If policymakers shifted from exclusion to integration, informal spaces like Dharavi could reshape how cities approach climate resilience.
Circular Economy Policy Implementation: Bridging Informality and Governance
Sustainable architecture thrives when urban planning incorporates resource efficiency and closed-loop material cycles. Dharavi’s informal recycling networks process nearly 80% of Mumbai’s dry waste, yet they remain disconnected from formal waste management policies. If integrated into government frameworks, these systems could enhance urban sustainability while providing economic stability for workers.
Policy interventions could include:
- Recognizing informal recyclers as essential urban service providers
- Providing financial incentives for waste recovery industries
- Developing infrastructure to support decentralized recycling hubs
Health & Environmental Impact: The Hidden Costs of Waste Processing
The environmental consequences of waste processing directly tie into sustainable architecture. Dharavi’s recyclers handle hazardous materials daily, often without protective equipment. Studies indicate that long-term exposure to toxic waste leads to respiratory diseases and skin disorders, highlighting the urgent need for safer working conditions.
Architects and urban planners could address these concerns by:
- Designing safer workspaces for recyclers
- Implementing protective gear regulations
- Exploring non- toxic building materials to reduce exposure risks
Scaling to Other Urban Slums: Can Dharavi’s Model Be Replicated
Sustainable architecture often focuses on scalable solutions that can be adapted to different urban contexts. Dharavi’s recycling systems demonstrate high efficiency, and can they be successfully implemented in similar slums worldwide.
Studies suggest that scaling informal circular economies requires localized adaptation. Factors such as government support, economic conditions, and community engagement play a crucial role in replication. If architects design spaces that support circular economies, informal settlements globally could transition toward sustainable urbanism.
Conclusion
Integrating Informal Wisdom into Mainstream Sustainability Dharavi challenges us to rethink what counts as sustainable architecture. Formal systems focus on innovation through institutional lenses, but perhaps the most scalable solutions are already thriving in informal urban spaces. By learning from Dharavi, architects and urban planners can design cities that reduce waste, embrace adaptability, and prioritize circular economies not as an afterthought, but as the foundation of sustainable urbanism.
About the Contributor: Parul Shelar is an architect based in Mumbai. Parul is also a Fellow of the Environment Policy and Action Youth Fellowship (EPAYF) Cohort 2.0.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
Key Role of Community Participation for a Sustainable Waste Management System
India’s Decarbonization Journey: Navigating the Path to a Just and Sustainable Future
Acknowledgment: This article was posted by Riya Rawat, researcher at IMPRI.
