Abstract

This study explores adaptive reuse as a sustainable approach to urban development in Mumbai, India, focusing on the revitalization of a heritage textile mill site. It investigates how historical significance and evolving community needs can shape design decisions, while assessing sustainability through Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and energy efficiency metrics. Mumbai’s defunct textile mills, once central to its industrial growth, now pose challenges to urban vitality. Through a literature review, the paper examines their historical, social, and cultural relevance and the decline of the mill industry. Adaptive reuse emerges as a key strategy to reimagine these structures, offering an environmentally responsible alternative to demolition and new construction. Case studies are used to analyze factors influencing adaptive reuse—community engagement, environmental impact, and regulatory frameworks. In the context of Mumbai’s rapid urbanization and resource scarcity, adaptive reuse is positioned as a crucial solution for sustainable redevelopment. The paper evaluates one mill building through three reuse scenarios—residential, commercial, and mixed-use—assessing each for LCA and energy performance against the existing condition. The findings inform design and policy recommendations for integrating adaptive reuse into Mumbai’s broader urban planning framework.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Textile factories--Remodeling for other use--India--Mumbai; Urban renewal--Environmental aspects--India--Mumbai; Sustainable architecture--India--Mumbai

Publication Date

5-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Architecture (M.Arch.)

Department, Program, or Center

Architecture, Department of

College

Golisano Institute for Sustainability

Advisor

Seth H. Holmes

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ARCH-MARCH

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