The process of transformation of Mumbai into a “world-class city” has been underway for over 5 years. In this article, we discuss the “world-class city” concept which is being used to support and justify major processes of socioeconomic restructuring that are taking place in Mumbai. Our argument is that these transformations are leading, both directly and indirectly, to dire consequences for the city’s poorer inhabitants: the transformation of Mumbai into a “world-class city” is – we argue – directly responsible for a wave of displacement of the disadvantaged and the marginal.
Our perspective and analysis is guided by an understanding of the “right to the city”. We find this to be a useful ethical and political idea, reflecting the contribution of ordinary people to their cities and their right to participate equally in the “production of space” (Lefebvre, 1974). The “right to the city”, in the sense we will be using it here, although recently picked up (and diluted) by several international organizations, was coined by Lefebvre (1968) and more recently popularized by Harvey (e.g. 2003). The concept is used by urban movements around the world in framing their struggles, in particular Abahlali baseMjondolo in South Africa, Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Teto in Brazil, The Right to the City coalition in the US, and the National Alliance of People’s Movements in India (NAPM) of which Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan (Save Houses, Build Houses Movement) is an affiliate.