The "Gen-Z-fication" of Mumbai: A Case of Ranwar Village, Bandra

In the latter half of the past decade, a new generation, colloquially called the Gen-Z (born between the years 1997-2010), has begun to imprint its mark on the dynamic fabric of Mumbai. The influence of the new generation can be seen through the establishment of distinct spaces that are meant to cater to this newborn public, which also marks the creation of a contemporary culture. By understanding the personalities of the Gen-Z, the translation of the generation’s culture into built space is derived. The birth of such spaces in the Urban village of Ranwar in Bandra bring out the contrast in its landscape. They have also brought about a series of transformations in the fabric of the gaothan. By studying the transformations that Ranwar Village has gone through, with the help of maps, drawings and photographs, this thesis intends to bring forward the balance between the old and the new. The thesis includes a critique on the fabric of the New Ranwar, and a semiotic analysis to decipher the elements that make up this new fabric. Additionally, by looking at methods of cultural regeneration of historic quarters in urban cities around the world, and identifying the issues and tensions that arise on site during this tussle, the aim of the thesis is to develop a framework to form a symbiotic cultural space between the old and the new village. The thesis analyses how historic built fabrics, gentrification and Gen-Z culture blend together and aims to define the process of “Gen-Z-fication” as a dynamic equillibrium between preserving the past without disturbing the future. While the process of gentrification of these historic Urban Villages is inevitable in this age, the thesis intends to find ways to harness and control this process in a manner where the inherent culture is preserved and promoted, while catering to the preferences of a newer generation.