Transforming Urban Narratives: Website For Make Break Awarded India’s Best Design Project 2023

The project involved creating a website depicting the quiet violence of remaking Mumbai into a ‘world-class’ city. The exhibition presents hidden stories from Mumbai about the way in which redevelopment plans and projects of different state and private actors have broken the homes and lives of poor, marginalized communities. Animated maps as well as documentary evidence in the form of photographs were used in a ‘storytelling’ format of continuous-scroll pages.

Challenges: Adapting to a New Medium

The Centre for Urban Policy at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) faced an unprecedented challenge when the pandemic disrupted their plans for a physical exhibition. The institute reached out to Design Orb with a unique problem: to convert the planned physical exhibition into a digital format. This exhibition was designed to tell the complex story of urban transformation in Mumbai, highlighting the impact of redevelopment plans on marginalised communities.

Crafting a Digital Narrative

The design team approached this challenge by creating a website that effectively presents the hidden stories of Mumbai. These stories focus on how various redevelopment plans and projects by state and private actors have disrupted the lives and homes of poor, marginalised communities. To convey these stories compellingly, animated maps and documentary evidence, including photographs were used in a continuous-scroll format. This “story-telling” approach allows for an engaging and immersive experience, making complex information more accessible and impactful.

Enhancing Engagement Through Design

To enhance the engagement and impact of the website, several design elements have been incorporated. Animated maps and scrolls break down the story into manageable parts, making the information more engaging. Additionally, timelines and illustrations of buildings show their progressive degeneration, driving home the impact of urban redevelopment on the city’s landscape. By adapting the physical exhibition into a dynamic and informative digital format, it preserves and presents critical narratives of Mumbai’s urban transformation, ensuring they reach a broader audience even amidst the challenges of a global pandemic.

A Lasting Resource

The digital exhibition has ensured that the valuable research data and content collated for the project remain accessible. It serves as a ready reference for students of TISS, architects, and urban planners, preserving the insights and findings for future use.

Credit: Design Orb Private Limited