Sem 05 / Culture Studies
South Asian Architecture and Urbanism

Richa Shah, Rupali Gupte 

The South Asian Architecture and Urbanism course aims to develop conceptualizations of architecture in the region. The course begins with discussing the problems with present historiographies of South Asian Architecture and Urbanism and goes on to developing conceptual categories through which a new critical understanding of architecture and urbanism in South Asia may be formulated.


The course explores spatial imaginations in different time periods - pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial eras - through various theoretical ideas of Modernity, Critical Regionalism, Affordances, Incrementality, Difference, Gendering, etc.

The exercise was to discuss one architectural project in South Asia through a conceptual term, looking at its spatial configuration, affordances, material assemblies, and contemporary relevance in terms of spatial justice. To achieve this understanding, the students had to look closely at multiple case studies through diagramming and writing exercises that helped them conceptualise space and form.


The course also involved a field walk in Mumbai's historic villages, mainly the Parel village, along with different chawls, such as Krishna Baug and BDD Chawls, culminating at the Bhau Daji Lad Museum. The objective of the walk was to make students understand and experience space, behaviour, and affordances that support life and living in these places. As the city is getting filled up with redevelopment projects at every corner, these older chawls become significant, sustaining reminders of the past that shaped the city of Bombay.