NY Premier "Dharavi, Slum for Sale" - School of Visual Arts/Center for Architecture

“.. Nothing is wasted in the slum, each button, piece of plastic, all is used but out of need, not choice. What we can learn from this and other ways of surviving density is part of the interest in Dharavi.”

Aroon Shivadasani, Exec Dir Indo-American Arts Council

"Dharavi has come to the attention of urbanists and architects worldwide for this dilemma” Lutz Konermann, Dharavi, Slum for Sale

As the world’s largest democracy, India’s process in addressing its urban design is being closely observed and the subject of the upcoming exhibition, Jugaad Urbanism, Feb 10-May 21. The documentary Dharvai, Slum for Sale, follows the redevelopment project that is still suspended due to opposition...

US trained architect, Mukesh Mehta returned to Mumbai after a 10 year career in New York to usher in public/private partnership model for slum rehabilitation in Mumbai’s Dharavi, one of the most densely populated areas in the world with over 800,000 residents. Mehta’s vision for the redevelopment of the slum and opposition to it is the subject of this documentary. By following the day-to-day lives of both slum dwellers and Mehta’s circle, the film presents a largely balanced view of the various stakeholders. Capably going forward themselves, in spite of government delays, active residents of Dharavi have already created their own businesses and schools. They understand what is driving current developer interest and are alert to whether the public/private redevelopment plan will indeed “take care of them”.
Having shot and edited the documentary over several years, Konermann’s view that the redevelopment does not benefit all the residents of Dharavi grew over time which he discussed with Aroon Shivadasani following the screening.

For further information about the film and upcoming exhibition:

Center for Architecture
http://cfa.aiany.org/index.php?section=calendar&evtid=2444
Dharavi, Slum for Sale on Facebook:
http://on.fb.me/dKqpSx
Lutz Konermann

Lutz Konermann: http://www.konermann.net/dharavi_en.html

Aroon Shivdasani, ED & Founding Member of Indo-American Arts Council,

http://www.iaac.us/Bios/AroonShivdasani.htm
School of the Visual Arts
http://www.schoolofvisualarts.edu/
Jugaad Urbanism Curator: Kanu Agrawal
k. agrawal@gmail.com