The Sanjaynagar Slum Reconstruction Project is a community-driven initiative located in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. It is led by the Community Design Agency (CDA) based in Mumbai, in partnership with the Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the local non-profit organization Snehalaya.
Sanjaynagar covers a compact area of 2 acres (about 8,093 square meters) and is home to 298 families. This vibrant community is characterized by diversity and close-knit relationships among residents. However, the existing slum lacks basic infrastructure and essential public services. Construction began in November 2018, and the first building, housing 33 families, was completed in March 2022. The second phase, which will include 265 housing units, is scheduled to start later this year.
Before Renovation
This project is a public-private partnership with funding from multiple sources. The Indian government contributes through the Universal Housing Scheme (PMAY Urban), while AMC, the Curry Stone Foundation from the United States, and local residents provide additional support. Charitable donations also help fund the initiative.
Before Renovation
Currently, affordable housing designs for low-income groups often prioritize the number of units, resulting in many high-rise buildings that lack a human touch. This approach can lead to community decline rather than improvement. The CDA emphasizes that tackling housing inequality involves more than unit construction—it requires creating safe, healthy, and balanced community spaces that foster social connections and overall well-being.
The project embraces a highly replicable participatory planning and design process, where Sanjaynagar residents actively engage in decision-making throughout the development. They participate at various levels, from community-wide planning to personalizing their homes. The 298 housing units are organized into eight G+2 cluster buildings arranged around eight courtyards of different sizes to enhance social infrastructure.
Once complete, Sanjaynagar will transform into a fully functional community featuring plumbing, roads, recruitment services, childcare, community centers, healthy recreational courtyards, and rooftop gardens. This redevelopment will redefine the area, moving it beyond its former status as a slum.
Beyond design, the project emphasizes construction quality, carefully considering local soil conditions (black cotton soil) and climate. Buildings feature load-bearing walls made of reinforced brick and stone, supported by local formworks and beam systems. Bamboo screens and flower stands, reflecting local aesthetics, serve as shading devices. Wide corridors are designed as communal spaces to encourage interaction among residents while enhancing natural light and ventilation.
CDA is currently collaborating with residents of the completed buildings to establish a long-term maintenance and management plan. The agency is dedicated to supporting the transition from temporary to formal housing, providing residents with the necessary resources and information for sustainable community living. The Sanjaynagar redevelopment highlights the power of participatory design, illustrating how the built environment can positively influence health, well-being, social cohesion, and resilience in marginalized communities.
Project Drawings
△ Model Diagram
△ Model Diagram
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Unit Plan
Project Information
Architectural Design: Community Design Agency
Area: 1,431 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Rajesh Vora
Architectural Design and Supervision: Community Design Agency
Media Partner: Snehalaya
Founding Partner: Curry Stone Foundation
Housing Financing: Rang De
PMAY Support: Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation
Landscape Architecture Design: Integrated Design
Pipeline Consultant: Phoenix Consultants
Electricity Consultant: Vidyutshalagar Pvt. Ltd
Conceptual Design: Hunnarshala Foundation
Location: Ahmednagar, India
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