Author: Chiara Karnik
Site Location: Navi Mumbai
Institute:Pillai University, School of Architecture & Design
Advisor: Prof. Neha Sayed
Diwale Village and Beyond reimagines the waterfront of Diwale, a historic Koli fishing settlement along Panvel Creek, Belapur, Navi Mumbai. The project responds to the village’s dense organic fabric, changing fishing livelihoods, fragmented waterfront access, cultural needs, and vulnerability to monsoon flooding.
Instead of replacing the existing settlement, the proposal introduces a flexible public layer along the creek that strengthens the relationship between the village, its community, and the water. The masterplan is organised into four interconnected precincts as the Entrance Courtyard, Temple Courtyard, Maidan, and Ganesh Ghat, each supporting different social, cultural, recreational, and livelihood activities.
At the heart of the project is the idea of temporality in architecture. Modular and movable structures allow spaces to transform according to changing needs, functioning as fish markets, community spaces, festival pavilions, workshops, libraries, and emergency refuge areas.
Through livelihood, culture, waterfront, modularity, and participation, the project proposes architecture as an adaptive system rather than a fixed object. It aims to strengthen Diwale’s existing identity while creating a resilient and replicable framework for vulnerable coastal urban villages.
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Drawings
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