Better Your Neighbourhood Project@88 - Vol 2

Better your Neighbourhood Project Deonar Village Road, Mumbai

An Initiative by Edifice Consultants Pvt Ltd and the BYN@88 ALM

Research Report-Vol 2| August 2019 [Existing Situation Analysis and Vision]

Edifice Consultants Pvt Ltd Team

Surveying and Mapping Team

Board Members

5th Year Students Lokmanya Tilak Institute of Architecture and Design Studies , Mumbai

Ravi Sarangan, Founder-Director Manoj Choudhury, Executive Director Design and Research Team Mishkat Ahmed, Head -Urban Design Akhila Suri, Senior Urban Designer Gauri Gore, Architect Vaibhav Abhang, Urban Designer

Collaborators BYN@88 ALM Preeti Takle S. Dharne S. Ganesan Raji Ganesan Savita Gore Ramaa Raghunathan

Jui Ambani Sonika Kumta Ruta Bhatt Simran Haygunde Ankit Patil Shubham Patil Shalaka Wani Sayali Chaudhari Zill Savla Rupali Pinjan Heenal Ramaiya Hitesh Nanda Gaurav Kotak Dhvani Shah Srishti Aggarwal Sahil Karlekar Rahul Bagde Savani Burse Saurabh Mundhra Prachi Mehta Faculty incharge

The document is for generating public participation in area development and hence is being widely distributed. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Edifice Consultants Pvt Ltd. The data collected is as per 2018. Any update will be posted in the next volume.

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Asso.Prof. Shilpa Vivekanand Asst. Prof. Reshmy Kurian Asst. Prof. Nishant Biswas Asst. Prof. Viji Nair

2

Contents List of Figures

4

Deonar Gaonthan Area

44

Recap

6

Potter Settlement

45

Intent

7

Keni Chowk

46

Methodology

7

Community Mind Mapping

47

Session 1 - Identity of the Neighbourhood

8

Simple ideas that made it big!

49

Session 2 – Concerns And Issues In The Present Neighbourhood

9

Conclusion

54

Session 3 – Aspirations, Likes And Dislikes

10

Summary

55

Session 4 – General Questionnaire

11

Goals for Deonar and BYN@88

56

Streets and Building Frontages

12

Introduction

13

Summary from Volume 1

14

Mapping and Documentation

15

Summary of Streetscape within each zone

21

Mapping along the Road

22

Building Frontage

23

SWOT Analysis

25

Community Mind Mapping

27

Best Practices & Innovation: Great Streets!

32

Vision

35

Open Spaces

36

Introduction

37

Summary from Volume 1

38

Documentation and Mapping

39

Dattaram Patil Udyan

42

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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List of Figures Figure 1…Stakeholders vision - Illustrative 7 Figure 2…Community Workshop held at Edifice Office Premise 7 Figure 3…Sample of a ‘General Questionnaire’ given to all participants 8 Figure 4…Sample of mind mapping exercise to document neighbourhood issues 9 Figure 5… Community Workshop held at Edifice Office Premise 10 Figure 6…Students interacting with the Community 10 Figure 7… Illustrative Ideal Street 13 Figure 8… Traffic situation at Govandi Station Road and Deonar Road junction 14 Figure 9… Huge influx of pedestrians coming from Govandi Station 14 Figure 10…Site Plan showing Zones of study 15 Figure 12…Frontage at Raikar Chambers 16 Figure 13…Frontage at Neelkanth Chambers 16 Figure 11…Detail of Zone 1- Neelkanth Gardens 16 Figure 14…Section at A-A’ 16 Figure 15…Plan at A 16 Figure 17…Existing situation of the Nala 17 Figure 18…Parking along Zone 2 17 Figure 16…Detail of Zone 2- Vikrant Estate 17 Figure 19…Section at B-B’ 17 Figure 20…Plan at B 17 Figure 22…Auto Rickshaw stand along Zone 3 18 Figure 23…Shops opening on to footpath 18 Figure 21…Detail of Zone 3 - Deonar Gaonthan 18 Figure 24…Section at C-C’ 18 Figure 25…Plan at C 18 Figure 26…Traffic congestion due to bottle neck at Zone 3 18 Figure 28…Shops opening on to footpath 19 Figure 27…Detail of Zone 4 - Dattaguru Society 19 Figure 29…Road along Dattaguru Society 19 Figure 30…Section at D-D’ 19 Figure 31…Plan at D 19 Figure 33…Opaque compound wall along Telecom Factory 20 Figure 32…Detail of Zone 5 - Telecom Factory 20

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure

34…Open drain along the road 35…Section at E-E’ 36…Plan at E 37…Different road material used 38…Areas of Activity 39…Building frontage collage from Deonar Gaonthan to Dattaguru CHS 40…Street frontage collage from Deonar House to Gadkari Building 41…Tree cover along the street 42…High compound walls along Telecom Factory 43…Open space at the entry to Deonar Gaonthan 44…Vacant plot next to Godrej Serenity 45…Nicestest part of Street 46…Route preferred by pedestrians.

47…Actual distance vs time taken, Case 1 48…Actual distance vs time taken, Case 2 49…Hindrance on footpath 50…Garbage dumped along the street 51…Vehicular Congestion 52…Hindrances on street 53…Identifying positive physical characteristics of a street in general 54…Interactive street edge 55…Kids sitting along the street 56…Art stall ( Activity) along street 57…Informal seating along the sidewalk 58…Community members painting the crossing 59…Community members painting the crossing 60…Illustration of open space network in urban fabric 61…Aerial view of Dattaram Patil Udyan 62…Dattaram Patil Udyan 63…Dattaguru Society Garden 64…Potter’s area 65…Open spaces in the neighbourhood 66…Types of Open Spaces

20 20 20 22 22 23 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 28 28 29 29 29 29 30 32 32 33 33 34 34 37 38 39 39 39 39 40

4

Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure

67…Ownership of Open Spaces 68…Detailed study of Keni Chowk 69…Detailed study of Vacant Lands 70…General images of the park 71…Activities for all age groups 72…Activity Mapping 73…User Type Mapping 74…Detailed study of Dattaram Patil Udyan wrt activities 75…Aerial view of the area around the Gaonthan 76…Space for festivals also used as parking 77…Informal Parking along the street 78…Activity mapping 79…User type mapping 80…View from the street 81…Spaces used to display pots 82…Access to the Potter settlement 83…Activity Mapping 84…User type Mapping 85…Informal public seating 86…Tea stall ( activity) at the junction 87…Restaurant ( activity) at the junction 88…Activity Mapping 89…User type Mapping 90…Mapped by Community 91…Mapped by Community 92…Mapped by Community 93…Mapped by Community 94…The installation turns into venue for special events 95…Bright colours add whimsy to the street 96…Container turned into a place to sit and chat 97…The container becomes a canvas for local artists 98…Casual seating along street 99…Increased Sociability

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

40 41 41 42 42 42 42 43 44 44 44 44 44 45 45 45 45 45 46 46 46 46 46 47 47 48 48 49 49 50 50 51 51

Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure

100…Seating incorporated along the Plaza 101…Landscape area acts as an extension of the Plaza 102…Nala after treatment 103…Space around nala turned into a recreational space 104…Existing garbage menace in the neighbourhood 107…Construction of a boundary to define a well 105…Status of the garbage dump when cleaning began 108…Finished product 106…Presence of water on cleaning the debris 109…Space sround the well taken up by a nursery

52 52 53 53 57 57 57 57 57 57

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Recap The ‘Volume 2’ Existing Situation Analysis and Vision’ is a continuation of the ‘Volume 1’ Data Collection, Mapping and Analysis that covers the study of the Deonar neighbourhood identified now as BYN@88. The project titled ‘Better Your Neighbourhood’ began in 2015 and the response since then to the project and from the community at Deonar has been deeply encouraging, making it clear that the ‘Bottom-up approach’ is a workable solution.

On April 8, 2016, the first community showcase of Volume 1 took place with around 30-35 attendees from the neighbourhood. People were delighted to see that their neighbourhood had been studied and certain issues highlighted through interesting drawings and data collection rather than just on assumption or emotional response.

Over several meetings, a name was voted for the community group where BYN@88 won! The name itself hoped to be a prototype eg BYN@78, BYN@53 etc for different pin codes in different parts of the city allowing a common tag with individuality. A logo was also designed for the same.

One of the first tasks that BYN@88 members took up was implementing solid waste management in the neighbourhood. To this end, funds under Corporate Social Responsibility were obtained, and through an open bid, a waste management consultant was selected by the community members. RUR Greenlife based in Mumbai was awarded the contract for five years under which they would create awareness and sensitize the community regarding benefits of waste management, set up and provide equipment for composting of wet waste, set up a sustainable eco-system for recycling to minimize waste to landfill, train the involved labour and monitor all until the contractual term. More than 400 families have benefitted under this initiative, a “simple, yet unique approach” as acknowledged by Mr Khilaje, the Asst Ward Commissioner (M-E ward). Deonar House society in BYN@88 area has been identified as a model society in the ward, with many visitors arriving to witness the success of the project. With the help of the ward officers, the composting shed for the Deonar Gaonthan was successfully inaugurated and the segregation process though slow has been improving steadily.

Some of the points below would help illustrate: • Community Building through survey, mapping and documentation - preparing and presenting a holistic understanding of the neighbourhood and its issues rather than picking up various smaller problems, which at times may become too personal or passion driven.

• Aligning with CSR Goals - helping the community with technical expertise on issues ranging from floating an RFP, approaching CSR clients, mediating between varied opinions, and also getting people from different backgrounds to work together.

• Design and Construction expertise - providng this where needed to create temporary or permanent structures to further community activities eg construction supervision of sheds in the various societies for waste management • Creating a Vision map for the community - encouraging new ideas or helping to execute certain common goals by preparing an (urban) vision plan eg street improvements, revitalisation of certain pockets, improving open spaces, controlling unchecked growth etc.

With this in mind, we embarked upon Volume 2.

Needless to say, the success of any project in BYN@88 is purely an outcome of the perseverance of the residents involved. Then what would you say is the role of us Urban

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Intent While Volume 1 focused on collecting data, understanding the demography of the neighbourhood, and documenting the facts and figures, Volume 2 will analyse the existing situation to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that exist in the neighbourhood and how they can be mitigated, if not reasonably solved.

However, before finding solutions, it is prudent to set up an overall vision – short term and long term for the holistic development of the neighbourhood. This vision would help streamline the overall development and define goals.

Another important aspect towards implementing a vision is to have clear stakeholders and possible funding sources to turn the aspiration to reality.

Methodology

Figure 1…Stakeholders vision - Illustrative Source: http://www.bbk.go.id/uploads/album/clout_illustration_2-01.jpg

The project is based on the principle of public participation; hence the methodology involved collaborative seminars and workshops between the community members, hosted by 5th year B.Arch students from Lokmanya Tilak Institute of Architecture and Design Studies, Navi Mumbai, and the team at Edifice.

Few concern areas were already established in Volume 1. An intense community workshop was held using the following as instruments to gather the participants thoughts and emotional connect with the neighbourhood. Instead of a multiple choice questionnaire, a methodology involving more subjective approach is adapted using mental mapping to form a vision of the neighbourhood. Posing same questions to varied audience also allows making a comparison of how different people, age groups, gender etc perceive the same space that they inhabit.

Figure 2…Community Workshop held at Edifice Office Premise

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Session 1 - Identity of the Neighbourhood The purpose of this exercise is to elicit an understanding of the elements and qualities that build the image of the existing neighbourhood. This would help to enhance these qualities in the subsequent visioning. Printed maps of the BYN@88 area were given to the participants with different colour pens. Questions were asked and participants are required to draw out their responses. Sample questions are as below: 1. What do you define as your neighbourhood? (mark out the extent which could also extend beyond BYN@88 area).

2. Where do you stay and where do your friends stay? (mark out connections to buildings in the neighbourhood where you know people) 3. Where do your children go to play in the neighbourhood? Or, where do you see many children play? (mark out zones) 4. Any specific area that you visit during festivals in the neighbourhood? (mark out places or zones) 5. What areas do you consider safe, and what are unsafe? (mark out places or zones) 6. Which is your favourite spot in the neighbourhood and why? (mark out places or zones) 7. Which is the most visited spot by you in the neighbourhood? (mark out places or zones) 8. Where do you see most people congregate in the neighbourhood during the weekend? (mark out places or zones)

Figure 3…Sample of a ‘General Questionnaire’ given to all participants

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Session 2 – Concerns And Issues In The Present Neighbourhood This exercise aims to determine what are the problem areas in the neighbourhood wrt the urban fabric, without getting in to a lengthy debate on the larger issues of the city.

Printed maps of the BYN@88 area are given to participants to mark out the following; sub-consciously demonstrating the problem areas: 1. Route 1-Govandi Station to Govandi PO and Route 2-Gaonthan to Raheja/Telecom Factory • What is the route taken?

• What is the time taken as per you? (the above will be measured wrt the actual time taken to walk these stretches which is approximately 5 minutes) 2. Home to a destination most visited in the vicinity (at least 5min or 400 m walk) • What is the route taken?

• Route taken during day time?

• Route taken during nigh time? If not travelled at night before, mark out the preferred route you would take.

• What are the obstacles/hindrances along the route?

• What is the nicest part of the route?

3. Discussion about generic issues such as infrastructure, mobility, trash, maintenance etc

Figure 4…Sample of mind mapping exercise to document neighbourhood issues

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Session 3 – Aspirations, Likes And Dislikes These qualities are difficult to capture through discussion. A series of relevant reference images were shown in comparison to the existing situation to determine what the participants like or dislike as also what they imagine an ideal street/public space/ frontage to be.

1. Panoramic images of 5 selected stretches in the neighbourhood were shown– participants to express what they like and dislike in these followed by a small discussion on certain points such as waste dumping etc.

2. Images of ideal planned areas under the following categories were shown so that participants can identify visually and express what they feel is best suited to their neighbourhood: • Streets • Open space – water channels, parks and plazas • Building frontages – spill out areas such as cafes, shop fronts, landscaped pocket parks in front of buildings, façade design etc • Density – to understand scale of high rise versus low rise, building clusters etc

Figure 5… Community Workshop held at Edifice Office Premise

Figure 6…Students interacting with the Community

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Session 4 – General Questionnaire To gain a basic understanding of the profile of the participants, the following questions were made into a form: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Name Age Gender Married/unmarried/other Profession Building name What do you do in your free time?

How long have you lived in the neighbourhood?

Place of work?

Do you own a car? Do you own more than one car? If yes, how many?

Do you own a bicycle?

Home ownership – rental / owned / PG etc What is the major concern in the neighbourhood?

Which is an ideal neighbourhood in the city of Mumbai according to you

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Streets and Building Frontages

Introduction “First and foremost, a great street should help make community… A great street should be a most desirable place to be, to spend time, to live, to play, to work… Streets are settings for activities that bring people together.” – Allan Jacobs, ‘Great Streets’ (1995) Importance of streets in a neighbourhood ‘The Street’ is the first reference or an identity of the neighbourhood that one associates to. For someone new in the neighbourhood, street is what creates an impression and defines the character, lifestyle and culture in the neighbourhood. It is a reflection of the community. Traditionally in Indian cities, streets, lanes, were recognised by the activity it used to host or by the unique identity it had. For instance streets with eateries were called “khau gali” or some of the streets are known by their night markets. Unfortunately due to the rate at which the cities are growing today, these elements which make the street as a place have been ignored.

If not at home, people spend most of their time on a street. This makes the street an important element of any urban fabric. Unfortunately in a city like Mumbai, people spend time on the street may be while stuck in traffic or to buy grocery etc. Streets in large metropolises in India are now dominated by motor vehicles. Even where there are sidewalks, they are not appropriately designed to cater to all the users. Streets are not designed as ‘complete streets’, providing a balance between the pedestrian and the vehicle.

Figure 7… Illustrative Ideal Street [Source: https://www.transportxtra.com/files/10694-l.jpg]

Traffic is an inevitable result of growth. But, creating an identity of the street, creating a street for all, accessible to all is need of the hour. In recent times, fortunately awareness has grown in communities and people are talking about safe streets, slow streets and so on. Along with this it is also very important to understand that the street is not only a part of infrastructure used to commute but also has different roles to play in a neighbourhood.

A street can be developed as a destination for people to visit from all parts of the city or it can have very specific purpose pertinent to a neighbourhood. It can be developed as an amenity space for the neighbourhood. It can be a shared space for all modes of transport and also a place for pedestrians to walk on. Streets edges could be a display of life pertinent to the place and not just act as walls to keep out vehicles.

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Summary from Volume 1 BYN@88 neighbourhood is located along the approximately 1km long Deonar Village Road. The Volume 1 report included a basic analysis of the street, the salient points of which have been summarised below.

Two major road junctions were studied in 2015 i.e. Govandi Station junction and Dattaguru Colony junction. The following points emerged from this study: • During the peak hour period of 10am to 11am, the major traffic direction is towards Chembur. In the evenings, the traffic is equally distributed across both directions i.e. towards and away from Chembur.

• Approximately 9% of land area in the neighbourhood is occupied by public roads.

• The overall width of the Deonar Village Road was found to vary from 15m to 10m in width. Footpaths were not continuous and there were many obstructions in terms of utility boxes, hawking activities and trees.

• At both of these junctions, the auto-rickshaw occupied at least a third of the modal split emerging as a predominant mode of transport in the neighbourhood.

Through a demographic survey of group of residents and employees in the neighbourhood, the following findings emerged: • 46% of residents walk to reach the nearest transport node, in this case, Govandi Station, while 26% use their personal vehicles to reach the same destination.

• 37% of employees working here travel by local train to reach the BYN@88 neighbourhood while 22% walk to work. 20% use their private vehicles to reach their workplace.

• Overall, over 50% of the respondents said that better bus frequency is required in this area.

• In terms of the street elements required in the area, garbage bins, public toilets and shading elements emerged as most desired.

• Approximately half of the respondents rated the ease of walking in the neighbourhood to be ‘average’, and also inaccessible for the elderly and physically challenged.

• 45% of employees feel ‘moderately unsafe’ in this neighbourhood. Increased policing and the provision of streetlights were suggested as solutions to improve overall safety.

Figure 8… Traffic situation at Govandi Station Road and Deonar Road junction

Figure 9… Huge influx of pedestrians coming from Govandi Station

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Mapping and Documentation The streetscape at Deonar Village Road has been studied at the following five zones: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Neelkanth Gardens & Raikar Chambers Vikrant Industrial Estate & Nala Deonar Gaonthan Dattaguru Society Telecom Factory

Neelkanth Gardens

Uses in Zone 1 :

Uses in Zone 2 :

Vikrant Estate

Deonar Gaonthan

Uses in Zone 3 :

Dattaguru Society

Uses in Zone 4 : Telecom Factory

Uses in Zone 5 :

Figure 10‌Site Plan showing Zones of study

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

N

15

Zone 1: Neelkanth Gardens & Raikar Chambers Main observations: 1. Unregulated on-street parking.

2. Wide public realm (between 4 to 8m) within Neelkanth Gardens and Raikar Chambers plots is used by employees and locals.

3. ‘Active’ building frontage due to existing shop fronts 4. Adequate tree cover observed 5. This zone experiences high levels of pedestrian activity during afternoon and evenings.

Parking along High Traffic Zone the street

Mixed Use Stretch 1.9 Sriram Arcade

A’ A

3.0 Foothpath

0.9 Drain

Figure 14…Section at A-A’

A Ne

elk

Ch

am

2.4 Drain

Post Office

ard

ens

A

ber

s

Figure 11…Detail of Zone 1- Neelkanth Gardens

A Post Office

ar

hG

0.9 Drain

Sriram Arcade

Ra ik

ant

2.4 Carriageway 15.45 ROW

1.9 3.0 Foothpath

Figure 12…Frontage at Raikar Chambers Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 13…Frontage at Neelkanth Chambers

0.9 Drain

2.4 Carriageway 15.45 ROW

0.9 Drain

2.4 Drain

Figure 15…Plan at A 16

Zone 2: Vikrant Industrial Estate & Nala Main observations: 1. Foul smell from Nala 2. Abundant tree cover making it one of the ‘greenest’ stretches on the road 3. Unregulated parking observed along the street 4. Footpath here is relatively wider than the rest of the street but does not offer pedestrians an unobstructed pathway for movement due to haphazard location of utility boxes, open manholes etc.

5. Relatively ‘dead’ frontage due to presence of industrial units and vacant plots on either side of the road.

Parking along the Street

Unhygenic conditions due to foul smell Green Stretch B’

B

Vik

ran B t Es Indus tat e trial

1.5 Foothpath

4.5 Parking

13.25 Carriageway 19.0 ROW

1.5 2.1 Parking Footpath

Adjacent Plot 1.6 1.5 Foothpath

Figure 17…Existing situation of the Nala

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 18…Parking along Zone 2

Adjacent Plot

Figure 19…Section at B-B’

Vikrant Estate

Figure 16…Detail of Zone 2- Vikrant Estate

1.6 Vikrant Estate

4.5

13.25

Parking

Carriageway 19.0 ROW

1.5

2.1

Parking Footpath

Figure 20…Plan at B

17

Zone 3: Deonar Gaonthan

Garbage Bin Open Defacation

dlk

ari

Bu

c

ild

ing

c

Figure 24…Section at C-C’

c’ 5.4m

Deonar Gaonthan

Encroachment on Footpath

Bottle Neck creats a blind spot at runing

Figure 21…Detail of Zone 3 - Deonar Gaonthan

Figure 22…Auto Rickshaw stand along Zone 3

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

2.2 Foothpath

Figure 23…Shops opening on to footpath

8.0 Carriageway 11.4 ROW

1.5 Parking

Deonar Gaonthan

Deonar Gaonthan

Ga

Gadkari Building

Gadkari Building

m

Rickshaw Stand 14

Main observations: 1. The road widens at the turn along the Gaonthan, creating an undefined ‘chowk’ in front of the Dattaram Patil Udyan 2. Open garbage bin and unregulated parking of vehicles in front of the BMC garden obstructs the access 3. The road narrows just after the Gadkari building creating a blind spot for vehicles at the corner 4. Presence of an auto-rickshaw stand at the corner makes this junction even more narrow 5. Encroachment on the footpath by the adjoining shops 6. This stretch of road is often used by the Gaonthan residents to celebrate festivals, weddings etc. During such events, a temporary pavilion is erected by the side of the road, in front of the BMC garden 7. Several informal activities also observed such as a newspaper stand, nursery in front of the newly rejuvenated well etc

2.2 Foothpath

Figure 25…Plan at C

8.0 Carriageway 11.4 ROW

1.5 Parking

Figure 26…Traffic congestion due to bottle neck at Zone 3

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Zone 4: Dattaguru Society Main observations: 1. Hawking activity observed on footpath such as fish vendor, cobbler etc.

2. Street lights in this zone are irregularly spaced making certain sections of the street dark 3. Open drains observed

D

D’

Hawker Encroachment

Congeston zone during festivals Open Drain

Green stretch D

1.6 4.5

1

Foothpath Drain

13.25

1

Carriageway 19.0 ROW

Drain

13.25

1

Carriageway 19.0 ROW

Drain

2.1

Figure 30…Section at D-D’

4.5

1

Foothpath Drain

Figure 28…Shops opening on to footpath

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 29…Road along Dattaguru Society

C h e t a n Apartments

Footpath

G o d r e j Serenirt

Figure 27…Detail of Zone 4 - Dattaguru Society

G o d r e j Serenity

Chetan Apartments

Insufficient Lighting

Figure 31…Plan at D

1.6 2.1 Footpath

19

Zone 5: Telecom Factory Main observations: 1. Street lights in this zone are irregularly spaced making certain sections of the street dark.

2. Open drains observed along of footpaths 3. ‘Dead’ frontage - high compound walls on either side of the road create a monotonous street experience 4. Change in material of street from concrete to paver blocks Telecom Factory

Way to MTNL Garden (Prominently used by Residents)

Adjacent Plot

E

0.45

8

2

Drain

Carriageway 10.45 ROW

Drain

Te l e c o m Factory

Figure 35…Section at E-E’

Insufficient lighting E

Open drain

E’

ADJACENT PLOT

TELECOM FACTORY

Figure 32…Detail of Zone 5 - Telecom Factory

0.45 Drain

Figure 33…Opaque compound wall along Telecom Factory

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 34…Open drain along the road

Figure 36…Plan at E

8 Carriageway 10.45 ROW

2 Drain

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Summary of Streetscape within each zone

Location ROW

Footpath

On-street Parking

Tree cover Street lighting

Edge condition

Zone 1

Zone 2

Between Neelkanth Gardens and Raikar chambers 17m wide ROW. Effective carriageway width for traffic is around 9m or approximately 3 lanes.

2.5m wide footpath on both sides. Maximum clear pedestrian walkway of 1.6m available due to location of trees and streetlights on footpath.

Four-wheeler and twowheeler parallel parking observed on both sides of road Observed on both sides providing adequate shade.

Provided. Appears adequate

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Vikrant Industrial Estate and At Deonar Gaonthan Nala 18m wide ROW 11.4m wide ROW. Effective carriageway width for traffic is around 5m or approximately 2 lanes.

2m wide footpath only on xtensions of shops onto the one side. Clear pedestrian footpath observed on both walkway of 1.6m width sides. Footpath width is 1.2 & 2.2m.

At Dattaguru Society

At Telecom factory

15m wide ROW. Effective carriageway width for traffic is around 6m or approximately 2 lanes.

Approximately 2.5m wide footpaths on either side are encroached by hawkers

11m wide ROW. Effective carriageway width for traffic is around 8m or approximately 2.5 lanes.

No footpath. Open drains observed by the side of the road. Trees and street lights located directly on the road.

Four-wheeler and two- Mostly two-wheeler parking wheeler parallel parking observed on both sides. observed on both sides of road Observed on only side Observed on both sides providing adequate shade.

Provided @ 6m C/C Provided @ 6m C/C

Approximately 3.5m lost in No street parking observed on-street parking here

Semi-porous in nature. Low Semi-porous in nature on Shop fronts on both side. walls or fences seen on both one side while opaque wall sides. Presence of shops/ on other side of the road. retail observed at ground level.

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Observed on both sides providing adequate shade.

Observed on one side of road only. Streetlights placed 8 to 10m apart.

1.5m high walls on either side.

Observed on only side Observed on one side of road only. Streetlights placed 8 m apart.

2.25m high walls on either side

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Mapping along the Road Road Material

Footfall Mapping

N Figure 37…Different road material used

Figure 38…Areas of Activity

This study is purely conjectural and based on site observation

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Building Frontage

Deonar Gaonthan Gadkari Building

Dattaguru CHS Godrej Serenity

Figure 39‌Building frontage collage from Deonar Gaonthan to Dattaguru CHS

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Vacant Land Deonar House

Dattaram Patil Udyan Potter’s Area and Nursery

Deonar Gaonthan

Garage Gadkari Building

Figure 40…Street frontage collage from Deonar House to Gadkari Building

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SWOT Analysis Strengths • Existing good mix of users varying from school-going children to elderly citizens make Deonar Village Road an ideal demonstration project • Most of the street is located within walkable distance from Govandi Station • Good tree cover along the street (except for the 100m stretch beyond Neelkanth Gardens) makes walking along the road comfortable • 22% of employees walk to work and 46% of the residents walk to public transit, as per findings from Volume 1, which is a good number to support design programs for pedestrians • Active commercial edge along Raikar chamber, Neelkanth Apartments, Deonar Gaonthan and Metro Cafe • Activities at certain nodes create an element of interest. E.g. Shops along Deonar Gaonthan Weaknesses • High / impermeable compound walls like at Telecom Factory • Obstructed pedestrian movement due to irregular and uneven footpath, encroachments and improper location of street furniture such as street lights, utility boxes, etc • Unsafe street: Pedestrian crossing is difficult at Govandi Station junction and near Deonar Gaonthan • Streets not uniformly lit during night hours especially in the stretch after Neelkanth Apartments and at Telecom Factory • Unregulated vehicular parking along the street at Neelkanth Apartments and Rickshaw stand at the entry to BMC Garden • Inconsistent width of carriage way • Despite use of higher percentage of auto rickshaws during peak hours there are no dedicated auto rickshaw stands which leads to traffic congestion

Figure 41…Tree cover along the street

Figure 42…High compound walls along Telecom Factory

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Opportunities • Given the high reliance on walking as a mode of transport within this neighbourhood (as per findings stated in the Volume 1 report), there is an opportunity to develop this road with a pedestrian-friendly approach.

• Most of the building uses abutting this road are either residential or minor commercial enterprises. The traffic on this road itself is mostly directed to these buildings with minimal through traffic. Hence, there is potential to develop this street as a ‘community’ street with an emphasis on serving the needs of the neighbourhood surrounding it.

• Node at Deonar gaonthan could be developed as Community space for festivals and events at the community level.

• Potential to redesign Govandi station junction and Gaonthan node for improved vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

Threats • Redevelopment of the Telecom Factory, existing vacant plots and other industrial lands in the future may lead to increase in traffic and pedestrian movement along this road and may thus increase the traffic issues along the road if not planned for in advance.

• The lack of the right policies related to the edge conditions of plots may lead to a ‘walled’ effect along the street especially in the case of gated communities.

• Vending and Hawking Zones planned by BMC near Deonar Gaonthan may lead to traffic management issue and throwing of litter if not planned properly

Figure 43…Open space at the entry to Deonar Gaonthan

Figure 44…Vacant plot next to Godrej Serenity

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Community Mind Mapping

The mind-mapping exercises were conducted to understand the community’s issues, concerns and aspirations with respect to the street where they live. The findings from the exercises have been compiled in the following pages.

“What is the nicest part of the street?”

“ What is the daily route to walk in daytime?”

Figure 45…Nicestest part of Street

Figure 46…Route preferred by pedestrians.

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“What is the route and time taken to reach Govandi station from Post Office?”

“What is the route and time taken to reach Telecom factory from Gaonthan?”

Figure 47…Actual distance vs time taken, Case 1

Figure 48…Actual distance vs time taken, Case 2

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“What are the obstacles and hindrances that you face on street?”

IMPROPER PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY INADEQUATE STREET LIGHING Figure 49…Hindrance on footpath

ENCROACHMENT ON FOOTPATH

Figure 50…Garbage dumped along the street

Figure 51…Vehicular Congestion

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 52…Hindrances on street

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“Which, if any of the following physical characteristics do you feel contribute to a sense of community on your street?”

Other Suggestions from Community

Figure 53…Identifying positive physical characteristics of a street in general

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‘What are the first things that come to mind if you were to describe your street?’

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

‘When you spend time outside, where do you like to be?’

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Best Practices & Innovation: Great Streets!

St. Mark’s Place, Brooklyn, New York What makes it Great?

• St. Mark’s Place is vibrant at all times of day. The prime block of St. Mark’s, between Second Avenue and Cooper Square, is full of people at all hours.

• There are simply too many interesting things on display in store windows, and too many people with interesting body art, not to stop and take notice.

Access and Linkage • St. Mark’s has the ideal design for an urban street, it runs from one public square to another. At the west end is Cooper Square, where numerous streets converge, and teenagers can be found skateboarding and hanging out on any sunny day.

• There is also a subway station there. On the other end is Tompkins Square Park.

• Once blighted, it is now a well used and popular greenspace in the center of Alphabet City, New York’s trendiest neighbourhood.

Comfort and Image • St. Mark’s is without question dominated by pedestrians rather than vehicles.

• It definitely makes a good first impression on anyone interested in streets with diverse urban life on display.

• Considering that it once had a very seedy reputation, it is reasonably clean, and the crowdedness and heavy police presence keep it safe.

• People sit at outdoor restaurant tables, on stoops and doorsteps or anywhere else that they can.

Figure 54…Interactive street edge

Uses and Activities • The range of activities on St. Mark’s includes but is not limited to: shopping for any kind of item, eating and drinking, people watching, on the quieter eastern blocks possibly reading, and hanging out and talking.

• It would be hard to find a nook or cranny on St. Mark’s that has not been used at one point or another.

Sociability • Most of the people on St. Mark’s at any given time are probably “visitors” in that they live elsewhere in the NY metro area, but many are probably regulars there.

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 55…Kids sitting along the street [Source: https://www.pps.org/places/st-marks-place]

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Sainte-Catherine Street, Montreal, Canada What makes it Great?

• It is constantly thronged with a diverse crowd of pedestrians from around Montreal.

This is a twenty-four hour street that is constantly active.

Access and Linkage • Ste-Catherine is a one-way street with two lanes of moving traffic and two parking lanes.

• A metro (subway) line runs parallel to it and six major stations are located on the street, including the two busiest stations in Montreal. One bus route runs the length of Ste-Catherine, but dozens of routes connect to it via the cross streets.

• Also located near the street are Montreal’s main intercity train and bus stations, as well as its two main commuter train terminals.

• Ste-Catherine draws from a large pool of people. Nearly 100,000 downtown residents live within several minutes’ walk of it, along with hundreds of thousands of additional office workers.

Comfort and Image • Ste-Catherine’s sidewalks are relatively wide, but they often suffer from the crush of pedestrians, especially during summer months.

• There are few benches along the sidewalks but many public squares and plazas line the street, creating nodes of activity where people gather and congregate.

Figure 56…Art stall ( Activity) along street

Uses and Activities • Ste-Catherine is a successful street due simply to its enormous range of activities.

• Prominent department stores and other retail outlets draw people to the central portion of the street.

• An abundance of public squares and plazas exist on Ste-Catherine, most of which are very well-used.

• Vendors selling flowers and trinkets are common along Ste-Catherine.

Sociability • Ste-Catherine attracts a very wide range of people and the mood is usually jovial.

• Families come downtown to spend an afternoon.

[Source: https://www.pps.org/places/sainte-catherine-street]

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 57…Informal seating along the sidewalk

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Crosswalks for Life Bagota, Columbia.

What makes it Great?

• In Bogotá, Colombia, a group of community members and activists have taken charge of enhancing pedestrian safety.

• Their DIY initiative, called Cebras por la Vida or Crosswalks for Life, works to paint brightly-colored, patterned crosswalks at sites where pedestrians have been injured or killed by motorists.

• The campaign responds to the devastating problem of pedestrian safety in Bogotá, where around 300 people are killed in accidents each year.

• This issue is the result of the car-prioritized culture in the city, in which drivers commonly ignore speed limits and stop-signs and park on sidewalks.

• At the same time, there is a lack of adequate pedestrian-friendly infrastructure such as crosswalks and pedestrian lights.

• The need for a safer walking and cycling environment has long been a problem in the city.

Figure 58…Community members painting the crossing

[Source:https://www.pps.org/places/crosswalks-for-life]

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 59…Community members painting the crossing

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Vision

Creating a Residential Street as a Shared, Social Resource and a Community Space The Deonar Village Road is a street that connects from Govandi railway station to Sion - Panvel highway passing through Deonar Gaonthan. There is an distinct change in character that one experiences at various segments along the street due to presence of Deonar Gaonthan and high end apartments on the other end. There are also a few social amenities like temples, open spaces and educational amenities like schools and colleges that fall along the street. There are many employees coming to work, school and college going students and permanently residing people who use the street on daily basis. Such varied use implies diverse users.

The vision for streets at BYN@88 is to create a residential street as a shared social resource and a safe community space. Thought is to prioritize pedestrian movement on less important vehicular street and to create a space that responds to its diverse users and enhances its identity as a residential street. This could be done by making a comfortable environment for all the users and considering the street as an interactive edge by providing necessary, shaded and designed infrastructure for the pedestrians and inducing more activities, uses, seating spaces, green areas, pause points, active nodes, etc. along the street. Safety is a an important concern when it comes to crossing the street, universal accessibility, appropriate level of illumination during night time. Blank high walls along private properties reduce visual permeability. Creating a connection between the ground level of the buildings, the sidewalk and the street contributes to safety and the attractiveness.

visiting a daily needs shop or to Govandi station for that matter. Ultimately it would activate the street and the public life on the whole as there would be increased number of activities and users, thus making it a safe street during all times of the day.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS A vibrant street benefits everyone staying and working along that street and is known to improve the overall real estate value of the neighbourhood as also improve the sales of the shops along that street. This has been demonstrated across the world.

CONCERNS OF STAKEHOLDERS While taking this vision ahead, the concerns of stakeholders will be taken into account wrt improving their street. Many mentioned during the community meetings that though they want a good street, they want to ensure that the street furniture, shading etc provided is usable and low maintenance. They did not want to ape examples from abroad, but create a unique street for their neighbourhood.

WHY? In a metropolitan city like Mumbai communities are heterogeneous. They belong to different cultures and backgrounds. 64% of the people in this neighbourhood have been residing here for more than 10 years. When these people come on to a common place it results in increase in the social quotient of the street and strengthens the neighbourhood interaction. Accessible streets, squares, parks, sidewalks, bike paths and urban furniture stimulate interaction between people and the environment, generate a positive use of space and increase urban vitality.

It would also strengthen ast mile connectivity as users will opt to walk on a pedestrian friendly street or cycle rather than taking motor vehicles to short distance trips like Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Open Spaces

Introduction “First life, then spaces, then buildings -the other way around never works.” – Jan Gehl Importance of Open Spaces in a neighbourhood ‘Open spaces” in the cityare often referred as “lungs of the city” and have a significant importance in our lives. They are in true sense the breathing spaces in the city. Cities which have been engulfed by all sorts of pollution caused by the ever increasing number of motor vehicles, increasing carbon emission, increasing decibel levels, urban heat island effect etc benefit greatly by planned open spaces. These are also escape spaces for people of the city.

Open spaces not only have ecological and environmental importance but also contribute in controlling the micro climate of the city. Other important aspects of any city is the health and sociability aspect. People from all sections of the society, who belong to different cultures and ethnic backgrounds come to the same place for recreation. Usually, large part of the society start their day at these spaces for better heath. Presence of such interactive and active open spaces in the city increases the sociability factor in the city. Neighbourhoods with good open spaces are generally preferred by people to live in. New residential and commercial developers sell these as ‘assets’ which adds huge value to the development.

Along with these designated open spaces, the “incidental open spaces” along any street or at any ‘left over’ part of the city, plays a different role altogether. These spaces act as pause points for pedestrian on the street, or over looking space into some interesting activity on the street or at times may also be used as a spill over place for an adjacent activity. This makes the streets for more interactive and interesting to pass by. This also adds in the security factor along the street when they are formalised and programmed.

Due to the contemporary trends and fast pace of growth of Indian cities, there is an ever increasing need of such open spaces in the city. It by all means, enhances the city, neighbourhood and residents alike.

Figure 60…Illustration of open space network in urban fabric [Source: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/864620828433039842/

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Summary from Volume 1 The primary open space available in the neighbourhood is the BMC garden known as Shri Dattaram G. Patil Udyan. Besides this, there are two other public open spaces. The first one is located next to the Sai Simran building and is currently not used or accessed by the locals. The other public open space is located within the MTNL plot. However, access to it is controlled. There is an open space located within the Dattaguru CHS which is solely for the residents’ use.

During the demographic survey, the following main points emerged: • • • •

64% residents have never visited the BMC garden 73% residents are dissatisfied with the recreation spaces available in the area 62% residents travel beyond the municipal ward limits for fun and recreation 33% residents celebrate festivals within the neighbourhood itself

Figure 61…Aerial view of Dattaram Patil Udyan

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Documentation and Mapping

Reserved Open Spaces as per Development Plan Dattaram Patil Udyan Playground behind demolished school premises SJV Udyan

2.

• • •

Informal Open Spaces Space along road at Deonar Gaonthan Potter Settlement Keni Chowk

Figure 62…Dattaram Patil Udyan

Nal

1.

• • •

a

The open spaces in the neighbourhood are categorised as:

3. Vacant Lands 4. Nala

Figure 63…Dattaguru Society Garden

Figure 64…Potter’s area

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Figure 65…Open spaces in the neighbourhood

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Nal

Nal

a

Ownership

a

Types of Open Spaces

N Figure 66…Types of Open Spaces

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Figure 67…Ownership of Open Spaces

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Node

Vacant Lands

Figure 68…Detailed study of Keni Chowk

Figure 69…Detailed study of Vacant Lands

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Dattaram Patil Udyan • This garden is located by the side of the Gaonthan and measures approximately 150m in length and 60m in width.

• It comprises of a walking track, an indoor and outdoor gym, play equipment for children and a few gazebos.

• Towards the rear end of the garden lies a compost pit installed by the BYN@88 A.L.M. Strengths: • The garden is well-maintained and caters to a wide range of users – from children to elderly citizens.

• Good tree cover ensures that the garden is well-shaded even in the afternoon

Figure 70…General images of the park

Weaknesses: • Entry to the garden is not clear and is blocked by onstreet parking, a few food stalls and an open garbage dumpster.

• The compound wall of the garden is partly broken, allowing uncontrolled access to the garden by antisocial elements.

• Open drains in a few locations within the park are dangerous.

• Lighting within the garden is inadequate.

• No public toilets have been provided in the garden

Figure 72…Activity Mapping

Figure 71…Activities for all age groups

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 73…User Type Mapping

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Activity Mapping in Dattaram Patil Udyan

Figure 74‌Detailed study of Dattaram Patil Udyan wrt activities

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Deonar Gaonthan Area This space is an extension of the road itself and is located in front of the Dattaram Patil Udyan.

Strengths: • Located at an important junction and entry to Deonar Gaonthan • Existing green cover is quite good • Space is used to celebrate festivals and community events by constructing a stage etc

Figure 75…Aerial view of the area around the Gaonthan

Weaknesses: • Access to the open space is from a narrow road that branches off the Deonar Village Road.

• A DP Road is planned connecting from here the status of which is yet unknown. Therefore there is a large junction created.

Figure 78…Activity mapping

Figure 76…Space for festivals also used as parking

Figure 77…Informal Parking along the street

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 79…User type mapping

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Potter Settlement This space falls along the road near Gadkari building.

Strengths: • Unique activity in the neighbourhood • Many people go to buy pots • Location facing the main road • Recently, the community took up rejuvenation of a well in this plot, which has enhanced the entire zone Weakness: • Unorganised space; if organised will be a great pocket park for the community!

• Not properly maintained as land ownership is contentious

Figure 80…View from the street

Figure 83…Activity Mapping

Figure 81…Spaces used to display pots

Figure 82…Access to the Potter settlement

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 84…User type Mapping

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Keni Chowk This space is an active node with various activities on either side of the road.

Strengths: • Surrounded by various informal activities • An Inviting space for people to sit, read and interact Weakness: • Quality of the space is reduced due to adjacent cement mixture factory

Figure 85…Informal public seating

Figure 88…Activity Mapping

Figure 86…Tea stall ( activity) at the junction

Figure 87…Restaurant ( activity) at the junction

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 89…User type Mapping

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Community Mind Mapping

The mind-mapping exercises were conducted to understand the community’s issues, concerns and aspirations with respect to open spaces and recreation better. The findings from the exercises have been compiled in the following pages.

“Where do your children or other children play in the neighbourhood?”

“Any specific area you visit in the neighbourhood during festivals?”

Figure 90…Mapped by Community

Figure 91…Mapped by Community

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“Which is the most visited spot by you in the neighbourhood?”

“Where do you see people congregate in the neighbourhood during the weekend?”

Figure 92…Mapped by Community

Figure 93…Mapped by Community

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Simple ideas that made it big!

Umbrella Sky Project, Aguega, Portugal What makes it Great?

The Umbrella Sky Project began in 2011 as a part of the city of Águeda’s famous annual Ágitagueda Art Festival in Portugal. Each year, during the hot summer months of July, August, and September, a handful of the city’s narrow streets gain colourful umbrella canopies that provide shade for the pedestrians passing through. Rooftop cables are strung with numerous parasols that help cool the roadways in a creative and costeffective way, and the sea of umbrellas forms a unique geometric pattern overhead as well as changing shadows on the roadway below. Programming like outdoor workout classes give this shaded area an added layer of functionality, enabling high-energy and fitness activities despite high summer temperatures.

Since the project began, these pop-up shade structures have become an annual summertime installation and they have developed a cult following around the world.

Creators of the Umbrella Sky Project, Sextafeira, have also launched offshoots of this work in other cities such as Lisbon, where they have added to the streetscape by stringing multicoloured balloons over urban alleyways. As with all of their projects, the polka-dot shadows that shine down onto the street below add more colour to people’s lives in everyday settings.

[Source:https://www.pps.org/places/umbrella-sky-project]

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 94…The installation turns into venue for special events

Figure 95…Bright colours add whimsy to the street

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Placottoir (A Place To Chat) Montreal, Quebec What makes it Great?

Most cities have a limited supply of open spaces, which gives incredible value to those places that do invite relaxation and socialization. In light of this fact, one neighbourhood in Montreal has worked to create mini-parks, or “parklets,” in the parking lanes of its streets, an idea that gained global traction since San Francisco’s Parklet Program. The project was named Placottoir, meaning “a place to chat.” With the help of the borough government, shipping containers have been recycled into new public spaces that have been colourfully painted by local artists, and include cut-out windows, abundant seating, and pleasant greenery. The containers occupy three parking spaces and serve pedestrians looking to eat, socialize, and people-watch.

These shipping container structures can be made relatively inexpensively, and the borough further reduces financial risk by splitting costs with local businesses interested in extra curb side seating. Few Montreal restaurateurs consider patio seating because of the city’s cold winters, but the LQC nature of the container parklet seems to be a worthy investment.

Figure 96…Container turned into a place to sit and chat

The parklets accomplish several place making goals: they create places for social engagement, add art and amenities to the neighbourhood, and represent a political will to prioritize public space over private cars. So far, the borough has implemented two parklets, both on major commercial streets, with hopes of expanding the project to other areas in the city.

[Source: https://www.pps.org/places/placottoir-a-place-to-chat]

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 97…The container becomes a canvas for local artists

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Benches Collective, Amsterdam, Netherlands What makes it Great?

Boasted as the largest outdoor café in the world, BenchesCollective (or BankjesCollectief) takes over the benches across the world every first Sunday of the month and invites people to host cafés and activities. As part of the project, participants can visit the BenchesCollective website, pin their location, advertise their hours of operation, and include a description of the menu or activities to be hosted at their bench.

The idea behind the BenchesCollective initiative is to spark public interactions that might not otherwise take place. It provides space for strangers to sit down together and share in a conversation. It also encourages the hosts and guests of the benches to rethink the use of streets and urban furniture while giving them a degree of ownership over their own public spaces. These monthly events elevate the importance of streets and benches from pure utility to places of experimentation, community engagement, and Place making.

Figure 98…Casual seating along street

[Source:https://www.pps.org/places/benches-collective]

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 99…Increased Sociability

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Plaza De La Constitución De Oaxaca (Zócalo) Oaxaca City, Mexico What makes it Great?

In Alonso Garcia Bravo’s master plan for the city, the city of Oaxaca was designed around the Plaza de la Constitución--which is centrally located and easily accessible from the rest of the city. The connection of the plaza to the rest of the city is apparent in the five portals that are located along its edges, which each offer access to and from another part of the city. Because of its connection to the city’s different neighbourhoods, the Plaza de la Constitutución serves as a natural meeting space for locals. Its design also incorporates ample seating and landscaping, providing shaded areas on the square and making it popular for those looking for a break from the heat.

Figure 100…Seating incorporated along the Plaza

[Source: https://www.pps.org/places/plaza-de-la-constitucion-de-oaxaca-zocalo

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

Figure 101…Landscape area acts as an extension of the Plaza

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Decentralised Sewage Treatment At Osho Garden, Pune.

What makes it Great?

The Nala Bagh, 900m long and 60-70m wide, which lies downstream of a slum of 5000 persons, is designed to handle a normal flow of 21,000-24,000 gallons per hour, as well as peak monsoon flows of 100 times that volume without damage to the biological community of flora and fauna that naturally feed on stream pollutants along the length of the park. Below a chain-link fence that screens out plastic bags etc, the system consists of four ponds in series and a backup expanse of wetland running parallel to the last two ponds. The two upstream ponds, which remove 80% of suspended solids, are desilted continuously (and the material used to form landscaping hillocks in the park).

They are also stocked with gambusia to control mosquitoes. The third and fourth ponds are constructed off-stream in serpentine fashion for optimum use of valuable space and to eliminate stagnant pockets. They are stocked with a wide variety of flora and fauna to feed on the remaining pollutants. Aeration is done through in-pond fountains and tiny waterfalls with a level drop of just 20-30 cm, sufficient to aerate the flowing water, which rejoins the stream bed odour-free and relatively clear. A sand filter at this re-entry point allows use of the stream-water for sprinkler irrigation of the beautifully landscaped banks where every inch of ground is covered with greenery.

Figure 102…Nala after treatment [Source: https://evestigio.aminus3.com/image/2008-08-27.html]

Minimal flow is retained in the original stream-bed to preserve a wetland alongside ponds 3 and 4, which acts as a flood-plain during high monsoon flows and as a “backup” natural cleansing system in case ponds 3 and 4 need to be cleaned or repaired.

[Source: http://www.almitrapatel.com/docs/118.doc]

Figure 103…Space around nala turned into a recreational space [Source: https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/08/ba/4e/ef/osho-garden.jpg]

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Conclusion

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Summary From its former image of an industrial precinct to a residential neighbourhood BYN@88 has come a long way in transformation and is growing even further due to its proximity to Govandi Railway Station and Sion-Panvel highway. Fortunately it has also had a good palette of urban elements ranging from public-private spaces, social-institutional amenities, residential-commercial sector, etc that has been fostering this growth till now. On the other hand it has also got a very diverse and enthusiastic community which has been working on the frontline with respect to community building and making this neighbourhood a better place to live in.

With the end of study of BYN@88 Vol.1 and Vol.2, the way forward is clear for this neighbourhood. There is potential to upgrade the infrastructure, the street and moreover there is presence of vacant space to create additional interesting community nodes in an ever growing suburb of Mumbai. The challenge is also to improve the image of the place; but firstly a sense of place is to be created over time.

As the neighbourhood has developed it has not been able respond to ever increasing population and need of infrastructure that is required to sustain it. With its proximity to railway station and this being a major work centre of the Ward, use of IPT is on the rise.

Most employees prefer to walk from station to their work places but the infrastructure provided for the same is not adequate and fails to maintain smooth transit. Due to presence of social and institutional amenities there is good number of pedestrians walking down the street daily but the commute is not as swift or pleasant as one would expect in a residential area. Edge conditions and uses along the street are equally important to make it an environment suitable for pedestrians. Fortunately BYN@88 is blessed with good tree cover which needs to be capitalized on. Safety and security on the streets is what would make it a successful public space.

On interaction with the community it was found out that despite of all these shortfalls the corridor as a public space is used to a large extent. For example, due to the presence of the Mahalakshmi Temple along the street, many religious activities also take place.

Though the aspirations and needs of the community is a larger milestone to be achieved, organising and enhancing this corridor is a priority.

As cities grow and urbanise, the quality of public life tends to diminish over time. Gated communities and individual homes become centers for activities rather than the public realm, which is perceived as chaotic, dirty and unsafe. It is largely the onus of the municipal authorities to take care of these issues and provide a high quality of life for the general public. However, this is seen to happen only sparingly in India. Therefore, we hope that the community participates in improving its public areas, just as they would like to keep their home clean and secure.

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Goals for Deonar and BYN@88 With the intent of making BYN@88 area an ideal neigbourhood of the city, and keeping the overall vision in mind, certain goals and strategies are framed that primarily focus on the street and open spaces which in turn will enhance the quality of life of the residents and the experience of the visitors. There is no denying that this will improve the real estate value of the neighbourhood in general.

Following are a few goals and strategies which will be eventually formulated into short term and long term projects depending on the priorities of the stakeholders.

04. PROMOTING & STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION • Focused community projects to promote interests of like minded citizens • Creating a community center cum library or a central community space in general for BYN@88 area where people can meet and discuss thier ideas • Setting up pop-up events!

01. CREATING A ‘COMPLETE’ STREET • Providing continuous footpaths, lighting and tree cover to ensure pedestrian mobility • Curating the walks between origin and destination identified through the surveys with pocket open spaces • Integrating the street edge / compound walls in the experience of walking • Integrating sustainable strategies like rain water harvesting, urban farming etc within the street to promote the aspirations of the community • Providing disabled and elderly friendly infrastructure • Organising the informal on-street parking and the encroachment by vendors 02. CREATING COMMUNITY NODES • Developing identified spaces of informal congregation into focused community activity centers • Developing the under utilised open spaces (like the Dattaram Patil Udyan), street corners and chowks into usable spaces for congregation and other recreational activities • Creating macro level connections between communities, places of interest and places of recreation • Creating a sense of place 03. CREATING AN ACTIVE & SOCIABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD • Promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of all age groups • Focusing on activities for school children in the neighbourhood • Emphasizing the role of the Temple, Park and other community places by design

Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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We conclude this Volume by showing the images of the rejuvenation of a dumping ground in the neighbourhood by the residents and with the support of MLA Tukaram Kate and the M-E Ward engineers. The so called dumping ground was historically a water body! It has now been constructed back and maintained as a well. We look forward to many such improvements in the near future!

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Figure 104…Existing garbage menace in the neighbourhood

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Figure 107…Construction of a boundary to define a well Better your Neighbourhood Project at Deonar, Mumbai Research Report- VOL 2| August 2019

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Figure 105…Status of the garbage dump when cleaning began

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Figure 108…Finished product

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Figure 106…Presence of water on cleaning the debris

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Figure 109…Space sround the well taken up by a nursery

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