Legacy, limits and Future: A critique of the urban development process in Mumbai

Parkar, Adhish

Legacy, limits and Future: A critique of the urban development process in Mumbai

Abstract

Urbanization in Mumbai has resulted in significant alterations to the city's landscape, with numerous land reclamation and infrastructure projects transforming what was once an archipelago of seven islands. This study aims to examine the impacts of the development decisions on the city's landscape affecting the urban fabric and quality of life for the residents. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews with stakeholders and analyzing case studies, the research investigates the physical, social, and environmental consequences of these hyper modifications. The findings suggest that unconstrained land reclamation, limited knowledge of wholistic planning approaches, and imperious decision-making process from the governing bodies have led to the displacement of local communities and loss of ecology, exacerbating existing issues such as informal settlements, urban heritage, and ecology. Additionally, the study reveals that the current approach to urban planning and development lacks consideration for the long-term consequences of these changes and the basic needs of residents. The research concludes with an urban design manifesto suggesting a more sustainable and equitable approach to urban projects for development to ensure the preservation of the city's unique character and a pressing need to outline an intermediate platform between the residents and the government to ensure transparency and involvement of the public in the decision-making process.

Date Issued

2023-05-22

Keywords

Mumbai; Urban Design; Manifesto; Land Reclamation; Urban Development

Rights

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Rights URI

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Types

term paper

Accessibility Hazard

none