Thinking through Mobilities
Allied Design - Monsoon Semester 2023
Course Instructor: Natasha Maru
Mobility has become the most suitable trope of our time. Whether it is our own mobility as we take holidays across the country, or that of goods transported across the world, or the migrant workers in our factories, mobility is everywhere. Drawing examples from the mobile world, mobile peoples, and mobile nature, the course unpacks the practices and politics of mobilities. It shows the human - more-than-human entanglements that impinge on our daily experiences and understandings of space, place and landscape. it encourages to think critically about the implications of these movements - what do they mean and how are they given meaning? How is mobility experienced, and how are these experiences differentiated? And how do they link with critical questions of development, environment, and spatial justice? Exploring mobilities through this course will foster a nuanced understanding of our social world and inform design and planning practices.
EXERCISE-
Analyse the different forms and modes of movement they undertake, where, when, how – what is their spatiality, temporality, politics and the multiple human and more-than-human entanglements that are implicated in their production and experience. Having observed and understood these aspects, you will 1) write a 1000 – 1200 word analysis of these movements – including your thoughts and feelings about the context in which they take place and how they can be made more inclusionary and sustainable, 2) create a collage in a medium of your choice that showcase the mobilities you have found and juxtapose/overlay it with your own analysis – including ways in which the context or movement can be altered.
MOBILITY OF VISHAL BHAIYA
Vishal Bhaiya, a dedicated member of the cleaning staff at the School of Environment and Architecture in Borivali, follows a consistent and disciplined routine that reflects his strong work ethic and pride in his job. He wakes up at 4:45 am to start his prep for the day ahead. By 5:30 am, he leaves his ‘kholi’(home) in Virar and chooses to walk to the station, embracing physical activity as the start of his daily mobility, instead of the auto, which takes him approximately 10 to 15 minutes to reach the station.
At 5:45 am, Vishal catches a daily fixed Andheri fast train, which transports him to Borivali in around 30 minutes. While he occasionally secures a seat on the train, it is not always a guarantee. Upon arrival, he walks for about 15-20 minutes again from the station to the college. After reaching the college, he takes a quick 10-minute fresh-up time before beginning his cleaning duties.
Vishal's first tasks of the day involve cleaning the Blue Studio and Red Studio, along with the washrooms, corridors, and mopping the entire college. He cleans the studio tables first, followed by the floors, ensuring a thorough cleaning process that usually takes a maximum of one hour per studio. Following this, he thoroughly cleans the staff room and the staircase on a daily basis.
By 9 o'clock, Vishal starts the washroom cleaning, a task he performs four times a day at 10 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Each washroom cleaning session lasts around half an hour per washroom. After that, he engages in workshop cleaning, with the duration depending on the specific requirements of the day, usually it’s a 15 min job. After a short break between 10:30 and 11 am, he proceeds to clean the computer lab, followed by the server room and stationary room, which usually takes around an hour.
By noon at 12, Vishal completes most of his cleaning duties. He continues to ensure the cleanliness of the bathrooms again and even tends to the washroom on the ground floor near the canteen. Between 1 pm and 2 pm, he takes a lunch break before resuming his responsibilities. Post-lunch, he focuses on pantry cleaning, dedicating 15 to 20 minutes to this task.
The college has designated cleaning tasks for each Saturday of the month, as he said. On the first Saturday, Vishal is responsible for cleaning the fans, while on the second Saturday, he cleans the glasses. Chairs are cleaned on the third Saturday, and the fourth Saturday is dedicated to removing spider webs from various areas around the college.
At 4 pm, Vishal wraps up his work at the college. He walks back to the Borivali station and catches the Virar train, either the 4:17 or the 4:30 pm. On his walk back home from the station, he stops to purchase vegetables and groceries. Later in the evening, at 7 pm, he drops off his child for tuition and returns at 9 pm to pick her up. Afterward, Vishal enjoys his dinner by 9:30 pm, after which, he spends some time with his family before retiring for the night at 10:30 pm.
Vishal has been working at the School of Environment and Architecture in Borivali for the past five years, having joined in 2018. Before joining this college, he worked in Byculla. He has developed close relationships with several faculty members. Prior to his current position, Vishal worked as a security guard and also, in an office-space as a member of the cleaning staff.
Spatially speaking, Vishal Bhaiya is defined by his movements within different physical spaces. From his home in Virar to the college in Borivali, he traverses geographical distances daily. His choice to walk to the station instead of taking motorized transportation highlights his engagement with the immediate physical environment. Additionally, his cleaning tasks span various spaces within the college, such as studios, washrooms, corridors, the staff room, staircases, workshops, computer rooms, and the pantry. His role in maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of these spaces is crucial for the overall functioning of the institution. His mobility is inter-connected with ours also, if he doesn't come for a few days, our movements will considerably change and shift, thus, making him and his work a definitive part of our college’s functioning as a movement.
Vishal Bhaiya's daily routine is structured by a precise temporal schedule. From waking up early in the morning to catching specific train timings, adhering to cleaning routines, and even dedicating specific Saturdays to particular cleaning tasks, time plays a significant role in his life. It's dutiful, but still free in a way. After talking to him for quite some time, we found that he feels very mobile and always moving. For him, his mobility is being clean, punctual, and mindful. His punctuality and time management skills are essential for completing his tasks efficiently. Moreover, his schedule is intertwined with the temporal rhythms of the college, such as class schedules, breaks, and the overall academic calendar. His schedule works/merges with ours so smoothly that his contribution is sometimes not even seen. That’s how powerful his presence is. We, as a group, feel that we almost take him for granted.
Through the political lens, Vishal Bhaiya's experiences of movement are embedded within the power dynamics and social hierarchies of the college, obviously. As a member of the cleaning staff, he occupies a position lower in the institutional hierarchy compared to the faculty members and other staff. However, the supportive and understanding attitude of the faculty members toward his work demonstrates a more egalitarian approach that transcends traditional power dynamics. This highlights a more inclusive and respectful working environment where his value is recognized regardless of his position by the faculty and students.
One admirable aspect of Vishal's work environment is the understanding and support provided by the faculty members. If he happens to be late due to unforeseen circumstances, instead of reprimanding him, they demonstrate empathy and appreciation for his hard work. This supportive atmosphere motivates him, which Vishal values more than the hierarchical structure of his work. He doesn't feel out of place ever here. His movements in college are quite relaxed and work-oriented. Vishal Bhaiya embodies a strong sense of pride and professionalism in his work, never feeling hesitant about the nature of his job. He takes immense pride in contributing to the cleanliness and maintenance of the college, ensuring a conducive environment for students, faculty, and staff alike.
The context in which Vishal Bhaiya's movement and mobility take place is both intriguing and thought-provoking. As we delved into the details of his daily routine, we were struck by the significance of his physical movements within the urban landscape. Vishal's choice to walk from his home to the train station demonstrates a conscious engagement with his immediate surroundings. It symbolizes a connection to the environment, a deliberate act to navigate the city on foot rather than relying solely on mechanized modes of transportation. Vishal's movement within the college premises unveils a different facet of his mobility. His meticulous cleaning tasks entail traversing various spaces, each with its own ambiance and purpose. From the studios where creativity flourishes to the washrooms where privacy and hygiene are paramount, Vishal contributes to the creation of an environment conducive to learning and well-being.
In essence, Vishal Bhaiya's movement and mobility unfold within a context that encompasses agency, sustainability, inclusivity, and the interplay between humans and their environment. His deliberate choices, dedication to his tasks, and the recognition he receives showcase the transformative potential embedded within the mundane aspects of our daily lives.