The editors of this special issue of 'Built Environment' proved to be one of the most creative and engaged collaborators we ever worked with, mainly because they brought us together on a topic that we are all passionate about - live-work spaces. We were in touch with them at different points of time over the last decade, comparing notes with their own stellar research on the theme. It was an honour for us to be invited to contribute to their issue and present the Dharavi focussed story of the Tool-house as part of a much larger discussion on the spatial re-configuration that is slowly but surely happening, all around us - especially in the post-covid era. A configuration that is changing the way we live and work and envisage urban life as a whole. The issue covers massive ground - comparing historical and contemporary debates, with examples and incidents from around the world. It will surely be a game changer in the way the topic is going to be understood. We are proud to weave in tales from Dharavi, Mumbai into this fabric of arguments that will make a difference to the way all cities are understood in the future.