The Mumbai Architects Collective (MAC), a group of 127 architects, urban designers, planners, landscape architects and allied professionals, has urged the Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to adopt a long-term vision for Mumbai and protect its remaining public and ecological assets. In an appeal addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Friday, the collective raised concerns over what it described as a growing pattern of commercialisation and construction on public and environmentally sensitive land.
Several recent proposals were highlighted, including those affecting playgrounds, parks, open spaces along the Coastal Road, former dairies, mangroves, salt pans and the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. The proposals cited included converting playgrounds into convention centres, constructing underground parking beneath parks, redeveloping BEST depots with significant commercial components, monetising portions of Coastal Road open spaces and undertaking construction or redevelopment within long-standing ecological assets.
The collective said that while each proposal may have its own justification, “their cumulative impact on Mumbai’s public realm needs to be examined.” It called for a wider public debate before changes to public assets become irreversible. MAC said it had previously raised concerns over projects involving Patwardhan Park, the Hanging Gardens, the Coastal Road, the Mahalaxmi Racecourse and proposals for underground parking beneath parks. The collective also highlighted Mumbai’s shortage of public open spaces. According to MAC, the city has 1.58 square metres of public open space per person, compared with 31.68 square metres in London and 26.4 square metres in New York.
Parks, playgrounds, wetlands, mangroves and other natural ecosystems were described as essential public infrastructure rather than vacant land available for development. The collective said these spaces perform functions including stormwater absorption, flood mitigation and temperature regulation. It added that the loss of such ecosystems could impose significant long-term environmental and economic costs on the city.
The architects also referred to observations of the Bombay High Court regarding the economic value of ecosystem services, including those provided by the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. MAC clarified that its appeal was not against development, housing or improvements to Mumbai’s transport infrastructure. Instead, it called for development to be guided by two principles. Public land, it said, should be treated as a public trust and should not become the primary resource for addressing the city’s financial, infrastructure or development requirements.
The collective further said that increased density must be matched by increased public infrastructure. Any redevelopment that adds population or built-up area should simultaneously provide for additional open spaces, environmental capacity and civic amenities. MAC has also sought an annual, ward-wise report from the BMC detailing the creation of public infrastructure, including footpaths, parks and civic amenities. Such reporting, it said, would allow citizens to assess whether public infrastructure is keeping pace with the city’s growth.
The letter has been signed by 127 architects and urban planners, including Alan Abraham, Brinda Somaya, Rahul Kadri, Neera Adarkar and PK Das.
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