The book “Learning From Mumbai – Practicing Architecture in Urban India” will be launched today, the 14th of May in the Hague. The book attempts to protrait the nature of the architectural practice in Urban India from diverse points of view. A chapter called “Socially and environmentally Conscious Architecture” has been dedicated about how Architecture BRIO deals with the challenges of the profession.

The launch concides with the occasion of the signing of a new Memorandum in the presence of Indian Union Minister of Urban Development Kamal Nath, and Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment Schultz.

Reflections on Mumbai

Opening with the reflections of Indian architects Rohan Varma, Charles Correa and Rahul Mehrotra on the past, present and future of architecture and planning in Mumbai, the book continues with interviews with a wide variety of local and foreign architects and planners who work in Mumbai. The ins-and-outs of practising architecture and planning in this megacity are explored through their eyes. Small but exciting firms (such as Architecture BRIO) find a place right beside massive commercial architecture firms (including Hafeez Contractor) and activist–architects (such as PK Das and Somaya & Kalappa). Teaching architecture in Mumbai is also discussed extensively, as well as several micro-initiatives that have come up with creative solutions for making the city more liveable and beautiful.

Lavishly illustrated, covering the many faces and facets of Mumbai, a special place is reserved for the images of photographer Bas Losekoot. With his photo essay, he projects an intriguing new light on Mumbai and its inhabitants. This book will be of interest to architects, planners, architecture and planning students, for those thinking of starting an architecture, or planning, firm in India, as well as for anyone interested in Mumbai and Mumbai’s built environment.