Mumbai is a complex city, and one of many contrasts. My recent post attempted to clarify the image of India’s biggest city, exploring statistics and placing Mumbai in a global complex. These photos present a different, more human view.

Mumbai’s rail system links the megalopolis with the rest of India, and is used by 6.5 million people per day. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – or Victoria Station as it was once known – has one of the most important flows of people in the country. In Mumbai, 19 people are killed each day in transport related accidents.

The housing contrast is clear. 48% of slums are built in private land. Mumbai’s most dense areas are the slums.

The most dense megalopolis in the world is made up of unstable structures like that shown in this picture. Narrow spaces in between rooms make it possible to cross the squatters.

Electricity towers are areas of risk. The recommendation is to leave a space of transition next to this infrastructure, but, as with other large cities in the world, housing demands make these spaces potential development areas.

The most expensive area of Mumbai is where Indian, Portuguese and English cultures mixed: the port. Mumbai means the “bay” of the goddess Moomba, or the good bay. The view of the Arabic Sea and the beach as an open space makes this area attractive to all cultures.

Barriers such as freeways and fast lanes make integration almost impossible. The lack of class mixture affects security, mostly because of the segregation it causes.

Investment in new infrastructure is being made in the city. In this picture, the construction of a railroad that will be part of the metro system of the city is shown. Traffic jams are a problem, even though only 2% of all trips are made in private cars. Motorbikes, bicycles and rickshaws (the yellow and black ones) seem to follow their own rhythm.

These buildings are built on some of the most expensive land in Mumbai. Some theorists argue that part of the problem in the development of alternative and affordable housing in Mumbai is due to excessive land speculation.

Despite difficulties with land speculation, new ways of financing construction means some slums are being replaced as part of the Business Plan of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. For many, this brings a significant change in their way of life, introducing housing as an investment to those previously unable to afford it.