In addition to the scarcity of land, another pressing issue is the condition of existing buildings. Many residential and commercial structures, built decades ago, are now reaching the end of their lifecycle. They have grown weak, outdated, and unsafe, lacking the modern infrastructure, technological facilities, and recreational spaces that are considered basic necessities in today’s lifestyle. The result is a decline in quality of life for millions of residents who continue to occupy these aging structures.
This situation raises an important question: what is the future of housing in such densely populated urban centers?
Take the example of Mumbai, the megacity often referred to as the Commercial Capital of India. Home to more than 20 million people, Mumbai is one of the most crowded cities in the world. Tens of thousands of buildings already exist across its landscape, leaving hardly any scope for traditional land-based development. Even in the suburbs, where once expansion was possible, the availability of open land has drastically reduced. The city’s unique geographical shape—stretched out as a narrow strip of land bounded by the sea—further restricts horizontal expansion.
As if that were not enough, a significant proportion of Mumbai’s buildings are aging rapidly. Structural deterioration, outdated designs, and the absence of modern amenities such as adequate parking, elevators, fire safety systems, and recreational areas have made life difficult for residents. The growing mismatch between population needs and available housing infrastructure threatens to worsen living conditions if not addressed urgently.
Faced with these challenges, Mumbai needed a practical and scalable solution to ensure growth while improving the lives of its citizens. Over the last decade, the city has discovered and embraced an effective model—Redevelopment.
Redevelopment has emerged as the most viable way forward for cities like Mumbai. It involves demolishing old and dilapidated buildings and replacing them with modern, well-planned structures equipped with advanced amenities, better infrastructure, and improved safety standards. This model not only rejuvenates urban housing but also unlocks additional living space through better utilization of the available Floor Space Index (FSI). Residents benefit by receiving larger, safer, and more comfortable homes, while the city as a whole benefits from a facelift that raises its global image and enhances the overall quality of life.
Thus, the future of housing in highly congested cities does not lie in searching for open land—which is nearly impossible to find—but in intelligently transforming the existing urban fabric. Redevelopment stands as the cornerstone of this transformation, offering hope for sustainable, modern, and inclusive growth in the world’s most crowded cities.
