Mumbai Architects Express Concerns over Appropriation of Parks and Open Spaces for Infrastructure Projects
In a letter addressed to the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC) commissioner on September 24, the Mumbai Architects Collective highlighted their growing apprehension over the consistent encroachment upon public parks and open spaces within the city. Signed by 92 architects, planners, and designers, the collective raised alarms regarding the conversion of these areas into infrastructure projects, commercial use, and parking lots, thereby undermining their ecological, social, and public value.
Drawing particular attention to significant public spaces like the Hanging Gardens, the Racecourse, Aarey Forest, salt pans, and unfulfilled promises of open spaces along the Coastal Road, the letter emphasized the urgent need for action. The collective urged the BMC commissioner to capitalize on the solidarity witnessed at Patwardhan Park and make a lasting commitment to ensure that all open spaces in Mumbai remain accessible to the public indefinitely and under public control. According to the signatories, the preservation of these areas is pivotal for the city’s environmental, social, and economic development.
Concerns Raised on Mumbai Coastal Road Development
The letter also highlighted the yet undeveloped open spaces along the Mumbai Coastal Road. It revealed that work on these spaces is slated to commence only after the completion of the road’s construction. This raises significant questions about the prioritization of open spaces and their post-construction impact on the general public. Members of the collective stressed the importance of affirming definite plans for these areas, given the ongoing threats to open spaces in Mumbai.
Celebration of Victories in Patwardhan Park and Pushpa Narsee Park
Over the past weekend, the collective shared its elation over the decision to scrap plans for an underground parking lot beneath the playground area of Bandra’s Raosaheb Patwardhan Park. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani was seen joining residents to celebrate this vital victory. The gesture illustrated the collaborative efforts of the citizens, political representatives, and the BMC in safeguarding this public resource. The architects collective commended the exemplar solidarity demonstrated by the various stakeholders involved.
These successes echo similar victories in preserving open spaces, most notably at Pushpa Narsee Park in Juhu. This further strengthens the case for protecting Mumbai’s open spaces and utilizing them for public use instead of yielding to commercial or infrastructural interests. The achievements reflect the significance of citizen involvement and highlight the critical importance of preserving and upholding open spaces in the city.
Moving Forward to Protect Public Spaces
In conclusion, the Mumbai Architects Collective’s letter stands as a plea to the BMC commissioner to recognize the essentiality of retaining open spaces accessible to the public. Platforms like parks and open areas play an integral role in fostering a sense of community, providing spaces for recreation, leisure, and overall public well-being. Their preservation and strategic development should be prioritized to maintain the ecological balance, ensure a sustainable environment, enhance the quality of life, and contribute to the city’s continued progress.
