Mumbai Architects Urge Govt To Protect Open Spaces

Mumbai's public and ecological assets are being treated as resources for development and infrastructure projects, warns the Mumbai Architects Collective (MAC). In a statement signed by 127 architects and planners, the collective has urged the State Government and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to adopt a long-term vision to protect the city's open spaces and natural ecosystems.

The MAC has expressed concern over development proposals that could harm the city's public realm, including plans to convert playgrounds into convention centres, construct underground parking beneath parks, and redevelop BEST depots with commercial components. The collective is not opposed to development, but believes it should strengthen the city without diminishing its public assets.

Mumbai has a severe shortage of public open space, with just 1.58 square metres per person, compared to 31.68 square metres in London and 26.4 square metres in New York. The MAC believes that parks, playgrounds, wetlands, and mangroves should be treated as essential public infrastructure, rather than vacant land awaiting construction. These spaces help absorb stormwater, recharge groundwater, reduce flooding, improve air quality, and support biodiversity.

Architect Vikas Dilawari, one of the signatories, said that open spaces require a holistic approach. He emphasized that it is the duty of professionals to flag issues and offer solutions. The architects have also called for integrated water management, warning that replacing permeable landscapes with buildings and paved surfaces is reducing the city's ability to absorb rainfall and increasing flood risks.

The MAC has demanded that higher redevelopment densities be accompanied by additional public open spaces, civic amenities, schools, healthcare, mobility infrastructure, tree cover, and water infrastructure. The collective has urged the government to act as a trustee of the city's common assets for present and future generations.

The issue of open spaces is crucial for Mumbai's climate resilience. The city's public assets, including its parks and playgrounds, are essential for making it liveable. The MAC's call for holistic planning and protection of open spaces is a timely reminder of the need to balance development with the preservation of public assets.

In conclusion, the Mumbai Architects Collective's appeal to the government to protect open spaces is a significant step towards ensuring that Mumbai's development is sustainable and equitable. The city's residents and future generations will benefit from the preservation of its public assets, and it is the responsibility of the government to act as a trustee of these assets.

The MAC's initiative has highlighted the importance of public open spaces in Mumbai and the need for a long-term vision to protect them. The government and the BMC must take heed of the collective's warnings and work towards creating a more sustainable and liveable city for all its residents.

The issue of open spaces is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also has significant implications for the city's environment and climate resilience. The MAC's call for action is a reminder that the preservation of public assets is essential for creating a better future for Mumbai and its residents.

The government must prioritize the protection of open spaces and ensure that development is carried out in a sustainable and equitable manner. This requires a holistic approach that takes into account the needs of all stakeholders, including residents, developers, and the environment.

In the end, the preservation of open spaces is crucial for creating a liveable and sustainable city. The Mumbai Architects Collective's initiative is a significant step towards achieving this goal, and it is hoped that the government and the BMC will take heed of their warnings and work towards creating a better future for Mumbai and its residents.