The disappearance of Balconies in Mumbai

Mumbai - the densest city in India is becoming more and more lonely. But how? While there are a multitude of factors, one reason falls in my area of study—the increasingly vertical nature of Mumbai’s residential apartments and the parallel decline of balconies. Studies have highlighted the ill-effects of living in high-rise apartments, and how balconies are one of the ways those ill-effects can be mitigated. The balcony—the thing that blurs the boundaries between private and public—is the most accessible way inhabitants can connect with their neighbourhood. But with shrinking apartment sizes, balconies have also started to fade away. Thus the way to connect with the neighbourhood is disappearing, making inhabitants more isolated. But why? And how can we protect balconies, and thus make living conditions better for the citizens of Mumbai? My M.Plan (Housing) thesis delves into these issues and I aim to highlight the features, causes and resulting issues due to it, and eventually give recommendations on how these issues can be combatted with.  If you’re based out of Mumbai, I would like to know your perspective, your thoughts, and any reading recommendations you might have. If you’re not from Mumbai, I urge you to share it with your Mumbai-based peers so that I can have a strong case to protect Mumbai’s balconies! P.S - Posting this for a friend who does not have a Reddit account. https://preview.redd.it/47vgypudhjde1.jpg?width=1500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8b090a6b921dc1214f1a5cd1509efca3ea31230b