Team ID: 16-1111

‘VERSOVA KOLIWADA’

INTRODUCTION

Urban villages are a result of rapid urbanization where the natives of the cities get engulfed into the urban fabric. One
such earliest settlements of the archipelago now known as Mumbai, India dating back to 400 years, members of the Kul
(Koli) tribe, which migrated from the mainland of Aparanta at beginning of Christian era, have survived this segregation.
Mumbai is made up of 7 islands and the Kolis (Fisherfolk) were the first inhabitants that lived on these coastlines. These
fisher folk, known for their spirited fun-loving way of life, live in small settlements spread across Mumbai’s coastline. The
‘Versova Village’ is one such Koliwada out of the 27 existing villages.

Our study includes analysis in the urban context, the governmental development programs and the historical and cultural
facts of the place. These study elements reveal that Mumbai’s urban villages, vaguely acknowledged under the
Gaothan Act ensures cheaper cost of living, land prices and livelihood opportunities. Due to this a surge in migrants is
experienced thus, making this hamlet grow denser. This lively and high spirited area with 5000 inhabitants is now
recognized as slum by the government.

The hamlet, inspite of diverse caste system has thrived in harmony with the help of various existing activity centers and
ancillary industries. The open - air gathering spaces that cater to vibrant cultural festivities has helped this bonding to
sustain. However, the deteriorating conditions are liable for the suppressed aspirations of these natives compelling them
to look for opportunities outside.

This hamlet is situated along the creek. However, the industrial effluents and solid waste especially plastic debris from the
neighborhood pollute the 19 km long Oshiwara River before it concludes into the creek. Due to the nature of the water
flow currents the solid waste eventually settles on the coasts of the Koliwada. During monsoons, the coast witnesses
heaps of plastic debris as high as 15ft.
The small mangrove forest near the sea is thus; extremely polluted resulting into loss of breeding in the mangroves. All of
this is hazardous to humans as well as marine life.

The consequence of this extreme pollution has brought about an increase in the fish mortality especially at the
intersection of the creek with the Arabian Sea which was once a breeding space. All these actions have impacted the
livelihood sustenance of this settlement. Depleting fish catch lies at the root of the predicament which further affects the
economy, affecting various allied skilled occupations existing in this hamlet, at the same time fuels ecological concerns.

THE CONCEPT

The proposed four phased intervention encompasses a number of critical issues relevant to the design of the Koliwada
community addressing specially the two major overarching issues that of integration and sustainable development. It also
intends to disperse the existing social boundary among the natives and the city dwellers.
It further aims at building a connect between the ideas of integrated governance, spatial integration and environmental
sustainability to those of the very local community – based needs; since these fishing communities see an “unseen
future”
as far as livelihood is concerned.

The first phase aims to commence a ‘Knowledge Center’ with support of the established Versova Co- operative society
which is the primary reason for this hamlet to thrive the most among the subsisting 27 other villages. This
„Knowledge Center‟ aims at inserting new activities and services based on the logic of micro- intervention. This
would cater to the needs of the infrastructure facility and enhancing the skills of the natives. (i.e boat builders, net
weavers and fishermen).It would blend low- tech sustainability and provide newer applications of the unused waste,
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 Team ID: 16-1111

enhancing the allied ‘skills’ of

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the inhabitants that were previously not envisaged. While the implementation of these interventions starts at the micro
level it envisions its impacts globally as well.

The first step of the phase creates designated focal points for waste collection and segregation.One of the major
pollutants responsible for the ecological degradation at various layers including the coastal and mangrove degradation are
‘plastic debris.’ These find their ultimate sink in the costal and marine environment causing habitat destruction and bio-
invasion.

This particular fishermen community has adapted to newer modern techniques inspite of only seven types off three
hundred nets remaining in operation. This center would bring forth the skills of the net wavers to build a duplicable water
filter system. The net weaving skills would be used to make filter screens, suspended 2 meters deep in the creek
anchored along the edge ensuring smooth movement of the fishes with utter focus on the waste collection. The
plastic debris obtained from the comprehensive sorting of the waste is then used for newer creative applications and part
of it is then transported to Dharavi for recycling and reuse.

The technology of ‘Plastic Boats’ is used to make ‘Poor man’s boat.’ It is a float made of plastic gunny bag with three
compartments, which are then filled with empty used plastic bottles stitched to make a homogenous mass. Its design and
the air in the empty bottles allow it to float, much like any inflatable swim tube or ring. This can be further modified as per
the purpose of its usability.

The proposed Floating island would positively impact the thriving of mangroves and corals. The base of a floating island
of diameter 18 meters can be created by tying the bottles into plastic nets to a wooden board. Among the various ancillary
industries the boat repair industry ensures the supply of worn out wooden members for this intervention.

This technology is also used to build inflatable tube/ rings used for building the closed system
aquaculture.

The above interventions would bring about the participation of the inhabitants with their existing skill sets encouraging
team work and lead to the socio- economic and cultural permanence of the community. The evolution of the design would
eventually stimulate employment and entrepreneurial opportunities expanding the existing ancillary industries and
encouraging the germination of more small scale industries.

The second phase aims at introducing closed system aquaculture in the creek as it is one of the most environmentally
conscious methods of rearing aquatic species. This would assure more fish catch strengthening the central element of
sustenance at socio- cultural and economic level.

Intensive and indiscriminate trawling in the coastal waters to meet the rising demand for shrimps has resulted into over
exploitation of the resources.
Therefore, the phase three aims at uplifting the economy to the next level to strengthen the fish market further by
introducing ‘Inland Fish Culture’ where fresh water and ornamental fish breeding is carried out. With India ranking
second in the Inland Fish production in the world, these wide range of interventions would uplift such hamlets empowering
all sects and classes that the village accommodates.

The final phase aims at setting up Fish Processing Industry. This expansion would enhance its reach to city level
establishing social engagement without the social- economic bigotry and preserving the cultural vibrancy of the
inhabitants.
This intervention includes setting up a restaurant, an aquarium and an information center. This would also reintroduce
spaces designated for organizing city level workshops and even encouraging the exhibits of local fish product (ex: dry fish
pickle) especially during the Versova Sea Food Festival hosted every year. This would also boost the exports of these
products to the city level eventually reinforcing network of services expanding at regional level.
Increased income, better purchasing power, education and awareness are some of the reasons that would result in the
increased demand of value added products.Setting up a fish processing industry will also bring attention of the investors
and potential developers that will further foster occupational mobility.
These interventions also assure of a sense of belonging to the inhabitants at the settlement scale. To further enhance
this, it also includes reviving of the 11 wells spotted on site, promoting Inland Fish Culture at the cluster level. Our
proposal also explores possible solutions for low cost building construction implementing the technique of earth bags with
local materials. This building technique would be demonstrated at social engagement points across the neighborhood.
This could then be used by residents for housing construction.

CONCLUSION
The proposed interventions can be envisioned as the ripples in the sea. The central element spreading further with other
punctual components can be viewed as a duplicable system for various hamlets with similar issues. This system is not
just an answer at the community level empowering others sects and classes of people residing within the hamlet but
extending itself to form a regional socio- economic network.The merger of the social boundary between the city and the
slum dwellers not only complements each other on their respective strengths and their nature of existence but also helps
them in thriving together. By curbing the wastes in the neighborhood acts as a stepping stone that would ensure less
addition of ‘gyres’ of the ocean.
The roots of these strengths when entrenched into environmental consciousness surely end up contributing at the global
level.