The Kinetic City

Mumbai architect and MIT Professor of Architecture Rahul Mehrotra says that Mumbai is misunderstood as two distinct areas, the "formal" and "informal" city, instead of as a "kinetic" model.

1 minute read

May 25, 2010, 5:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Mehrotra defines the kinetic city as "a city where events and changes in time are more important than monuments and places in space."

Kerwin Datu writes, "It is unhelpful that Mumbai's leaders hope to replicate the condition of city-states such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong, where the city is represented by architectural 'objects'. Rather, leaders should appreciate how streets and spaces are used from hour to hour, day to day and throughout the year, and understand how both the rich and poor of Mumbai adapt their living patterns to the density of the city."

FULL STORY: Rahul Mehrotra and the "kinetic city": designing for informality in Mumbai

Monday, May 24, 2010 in The Global Urbanist

Community / Economic Development India Mumbai

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.