42 result(s)
An interview with Liron Shalit, our filmmaker-in-residence. He is an award-winning documentary filmmaker focused on social issues, human rights, and ethical urbanism. Recently, the urbz office hosted a screening of his film Living Euljiro that traces the neglected losses of those living within a centuries-old district of maze-like alleys at the heart of Seoul (Synopsis). We speak to him about his
Living Euljiro is a film directed by Liron Shalit. Liron has been creating award-winning short documentaries since 2017, exploring themes such as social issues, human rights, disability, natural disasters, and urban life. Since relocating to Seoul in 2022, he has focused on documenting disappearing spaces and communities, capturing the distinctive culture of Euljiro and the stories of the people
For the uninitiated, Koliwada is a mystical labyrinth. I assumed I could take it on, find my way. How little I know...
As the title suggests, Life Got Better with Coconuts for Kausar Shaikh. He came to Mumbai 15 years ago, leaving his family farm in Jharkhand, because he was not keen on agriculture and was seeking a different path. Seeing other migrants from his region successfully start small businesses gave him the confidence to leave years of unstable work in Mumbai behind and become a thriving coconut vendor
Our project with the Koli community of Dharavi - Sacred Waters/ Águas Sagradas - made it all the way from Mumbai to São Paulo, for the @14th International Architecture Biennale at the Oca, Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo!
Samsuddin, a printmaker in Dharavi, Mumbai, whose small but efficient studio reflects the spirit of local enterprise. From printing school uniforms for suburban Mumbai to receiving an order from his hometown in Uttar Pradesh, Samsuddin's journey weaves personal strength with community-rooted entrepreneurship. He exemplifies how creativity and determination shape life in Dharavi. Amidst talks of
Satish Dalvi, a second-generation Dharavi resident whose journey from sanitation work to caregiving exposes the layered realities of caste, labor, and survival in Mumbai. As an outspoken activist and rationalist, his quiet rebellion against exploitation and superstition carves space for dignity and resistance in the city.
As part of the ABCD project, street lighting emerged as an urgent need for the residents of Dharavi Koliwada. A need that was addressed through a year-long collaboration between urbz, the Dharavi Koli Jamat, local electricians and residents. Read about how the process unfolded and what comes next.
