Vertical Urbanism in urban redevelopments of Mumbai, India

BS(c) Architecture

Coventry University

394AAD: Cultural Context 3

Undergraduate Dissertation

Coventry University 2022

Student Name: Parth Dewoolkar

Student ID: 10774898

This research paper focuses on providing a detailed analysis on sustainable vertical urbanism as a methodology for future development of dense urban localities. Aspects which will be discussed shall examine how vertical urbanism could provide a transformation to urban spaces. The study shall also assess the advantages of vertical urbanism in development of metropolitan cities and providing sustainable for the advancements to occur. Due to severe threats of climate change affecting development of urban cities, vertical urbanism could have capabilities to ensure sustainable development in these regions. Providing an approach to densify the city and:

‘a new approach for densification of the city, coping with the pressures of urbanization, transport connectivity, environmental urban health’ (AEH, A.E.A., 2018). Public realm aspects such as vertical farming and vertical public spaces are discussed within this essay. Various elements of social interaction can be embedded in high rise buildings by looking at the architectural in a three-dimensional aspect. Furthermore, vertical urbanism has adverse effects not only to tackle climate change but also economical prosperity and development of a city.

Sustainability Vertical city concept should not only be characterized by factors of height and utility but also by elaborating ability to reciprocate with urban transformation of a region. In 2020 the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina further exemplified the flooding crisis in the city which has been an issue to public health for years, experiencing flooding crisis every monsoon season for the last two decades. Facilitated by the research regarding the methodology of vertical urbanism for the urban transformation and sprawl of a city, the main subject of study is to test this methodology in the urban settlements of Mumbai.

Acknowledgement

I would take the opportunity to thank my tutors Tulika Gadakari and Giovanna Piga for assisting and providing their help throughout this research project. Their support has provided me with extensive knowledge of academic writing in architecture and exploration in the dissertation.

Further I want to thank Ellora Project Consultancy, Mumbai for providing their assistance and time for helping to procure data of case studies for the research. Also, I thank my cousin for introducing new urbanism and its implications on my architectural studies.

List of Figures

Figure 1: Hassell Studios: Superdensity: a new model for vertical urbanism

Figure 2: Richard Rummell New York of the future 1910s

Figure 3: Vertical Density In Hong Kong

Figure 4: Ken Yeang An urban design theory of vertical architecture(K. Yeang, 2002)

Figure 5: Mumbai Metropolitan Region 2016 (MMR Regional Plan)

Figure 6: Urban Sprawl in Mumbai (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

Figure 7: Proposed Ground Floor Plan of Slum Redevelopment Case Study

Figure 8: Proposed Wing Typical Floor Plan and Flat Layouts of Slum Redevelopment Case Study

Figure 9: Proposed First Floor Plan and Communal Spaces of Slum Redevelopment Case Study

Figure 10: Wing A Full Height Section of Slum Redevelopment Case Study

List of Tables

Table 1: Population projections in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR Regional Plan)

Table 2: Population growth and Urban Density Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR Regional Plan)

Table 3: Population density projection 2041 in Mumbai Metropolitan region

Table 4: Graph showing projected population growth (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

Table 5: Basic figures considered for assessing housing needs (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

Table 6: Housing need Projections by 2036 (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

1.0 Introduction

Skyscrapers in metropolitan cities have emerged as a prevalent feature across the world. The major drivers for development of high-rise structures was the changing landscapes in urban cities. Models of the skyscrapers were a pragmatic response to increasing land requirements to suffice the densities of the city. However now with changing characters in hyper dense cities, the drivers of design methodologies are density, environment, energy and economy. This architectural dissertation provides a comprehensive analysis of vertical urbanism as a design methodology for sustainable urbanisation in hyper dense cities of Asia. Preceding research has suggested vertical urbanism implementation for addressing architecture issues of urban compact cities, by complex framework of vertical building facilitating the web of urban functions.( Z.Lin 2018).Potential developments in fields of high storey living, vertical farming, vertical parks, vertical public system have been discussed in this paper.

Researchers previously have suggested vertical urbanism for obtaining sustainable urban fabrics (AEH, A.E.A., 2018). However, very few studies have been focused on the prevalence of this methodology in the Indian subcontinent. In 2021 Mumbai city suffered from the catastrophe of Cyclone Tauktae, aggravating the flooding crisis of the city. The city has suffered major consequences to urban health, as a result of monsoon flooding since the last two decades. Mumbai has been experiencing climate change repercussions and extensive deteriorations from flooding. The study focuses on the city of Mumbai, India and the unique characteristic of slum developments for procuring localised design solutions of vertical urbanism in the region. Through a case analysis of slum rehabilitation, challenges during planning, legislation of floor space index and planning proposed by authorities, the research will procure solutions for sustainable urban growth of Mumbai.

Figure 1: Hassell Studios: Superdensity: a new model for vertical urbanism

2.0 Literature review

A suitable planning framework for development of cities has emerged as a phenomenon in coherence to increased predictions regarding aggravated causes due to climatic adversities. Many studies have suggested an approach of vertical urbanism suitable for tackling casualties to sustainability and development. It is suggested opinion a sustaining framework to improve urban health and environment with developmental changes of density occurring simultaneously (AEH, A.E.A., 2018). In metropolitan cities, like Mumbai undergoing constant and accelerated urbanisation, researchers state densification is a circumstantial resolution as a sustainable model in reprimand of ongoing and predicted climatic changes. Researchers have contended a ‘compact city’ with highly dense populations allows for decrementing carbon footprint of urban dwellers and other aspects of optimising quality dense cities. (Lehmann S,2016). Extensions of the city into exterior land and natural environments have proven to be detrimental as it leads to deterioration of critical habitats. The dense urban fabric of metropolitan cities have allowed for vertical urbanist models to occur and provide for means of future sustainability such as in Singapore and Sydney (Lehmann S,2016). Lehmann has suggested the aspects for a quality density with vertical urbanism could be replicated and adapted to find new models.

For almost a century concept of vertical urbanism have been thoroughly researched by architects. Illustrations of New York in futuristic era by Richard Rummell and different artists in 1910s conceptualizing the city with interlinking high storey structures and urban infrastructures constituted within skyscrapers (Tallack, 2007). However these early predictions of city operating as massive organism have lost favour, the design of urban architecture with densities is still important. In the 1960s several utopian schemes of such methodology were explored, for instance Arata Isozaki’s “City in Air”, metabolic movement in Tokyo and Paolo Soleri in USA (Eken, C. 2017) proposing megastructures in a ecological sensible manner, to promote the selfcontained vertical living habitat. Moreover, many of these utopian projects were not transformed to many built works, current techniques follow similar principles of vertical urban forms. Many researchers advocate the model of a sustained living in cities can be achieved by developing compact cities (Lehmann S,2013). Vertical urbanism is not similar to the conventional model of a ‘vertical city’ which has been practised since Le Corbusier's theories as discussed previously in the paper. Debates aiming to resolve the relationship of the skyscraper city and sustainability has resulted in revelations of limitations in the traditional European format of a ‘compact city’(Zhongjie . Lin,2018). Designing with vertical urbanism in Zhongjie Lin's opinion has resulted in tackling the shifting characteristics in many Asian cities

This approach has the potential of influencing the process in ways that balance between the necessity for growth and the desire of identity and urbanity. Ecological adaptability of such a form has had a positive result for asian cities of rapid urbanisation. Testing the capacity of vertical urbanism to attain design solutions by evaluating and experimenting has demonstrated ability in achieving goals for climate resilient design and urbanisation.In a city such as Mumbai which requires a similar sustainable path of development, vertical urbanism can be devised as it had been for Beijing, Singapore, Sydney in the researches discussed above (Zhongjie . Lin,2018) (Lehmann S,2016). However, vertical urbanism may provide a design strategy for the contemporary urban condition, it is however yet to be demonstrated as flexible with variations in geography and broadened contexts. A sole specific solution commanded at maintaining environmental health is not feasible to be applied across different cities. Urban planning in contexts of cities in developed countries and developing countries is differing (Trabucco, D., 2019. The framework for aspects to be considered very highly between them and thus adaptability to planning strategies is different. The planning for sustainability is unique in each case dependent on the socio-political, cultural and economics causes. In a developing country, the concerns to be considered for urban planning apart from the sustainability optimizations include economics, poverty, limited adaptation capacity, resources and numerous others (Trabuco, D., 2019).

With constant instant in people migrating to cities, metropolitan regions have become a key aspect for the future of human beings. Managing urbanisation is dependent on inter-city management, living standards, flexibility and densities. A compact city living is considered by built environment designers as a sustained method, where most commodities are accessed in the immediate neighbourhoods and urban districts of building six to eight storey tall. However as the footprint of a city expands over to agriculture land, environment zones, green spaces there are waterfall detrimental effects (Richardson, 2001). Managing and incorporating adverse effects of climate change in urban planning is more straightforward in developed countries. This is mainly due to the abundance of technology and improved socio-economic factors, however developing countries have to be dependent on other factors as discussed before. In many developing nations, urbanisation has been seen as a driver for change toward a better environment and as a means of addressing climate change (Shrestha, 2014). A study by the United Nations states that by 2050, India is meant to increase its urban population by 404 million. Mumbai existing as a major capital city would need severe amends and strategies to withhold the urban inhabitants and tackle climatic issues the city has been experiencing over past decades. This research aims at analysing how vertical urbanism could be beneficial as an optimization process and explore a vibrant, liveable and incorporate future sustenance for Mumbai.

3.0 Theoretical framework

3.1 Vertical Urbanism

Vertical urbanism is a design approach, strategizing towards changing a ‘skyscraper city; from the urban design perspective. Diverging from the conventional notions of urbanisation, through exploring the densities of a city, vertical urbanism has ability for generating dynamic urban forms, optimising technology and looking at the city in a vertical three dimensional form. Previously discussed in the study, the design approach has been addressed under stressing of environmental factors (Z.Lin,2018). Multiple metropolis cities around the world are constituted by skyscrapers captivating the central precincts. Skyscrapers of the 20th century are elaborated by similar typology of replications of floor plates across the structure with a central core for transportation and access. Stacking of floor plates vertically has led to the development process of creating vertical cities, following ideals similar to Le Corbusier concept of ‘towers in the park’ for urban development plans. The high storey building takes a static form, being detached from the urban context and overall fabric of a city(Cole, Raymond J 2009 ). These may have proven to be beneficial for business opportunities in the real estate industry, by increasing the net gross area or floor space index for a given plot of land. Nevertheless vertical urbanism diverges from such approaches, providing more optimal utilities in a building by extending the cities urbanisation to achieve efficiency.

3.2 Reconceptualization of Vertical City

With urban density reaching a certain level and gradually increasing over years, verticality becomes an important feature of the metropolis. The relationship between components of urban planning in a city, gradually mutate and disperse in a new pattern. Conceptualising a building providing multiple utilities of land uses, human interaction and circulation vertical urbanism provides a hyper dense city to expand with limited surface areas availability for construction. By creating a framework for functions to exist and interact together in a dynamic form building, vertical urbanism builds the different elements of a city in a three dimensional matrix. Exploiting the vertical spatial configuration through height, accords linking residential, commercial, green spaces, public functions and circulation. This hybrid form extends the city by height. A relevant example of this is the increasing development of vertical farms. Urban ecology and landscape can be delved into the skyscraper form. Strategies such as ‘vertical parks’ demonstrate an ability for ecology to transmit with urbanisation of a city (Ng, E 2009). A model of placing housing units, offices, commerce and food production within a tower or skyscraper creating interaction web to form in cities of hyper densities.

The dissertation aims at procuring sustainable solutions for growing urbanisation in cities through vertical urbanism. Mentioned earlier in this paper vertical compact urban forms have been theorised for climate resilient strategies for cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai etc (Z.Lin 2018). By compacting and integrating multiple facets of a city in a region allow for reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions. Among the layers of design framework are ecological and landscape spaces such as vertical parks and urban farms, mediating the pressure on urban green spaces in metropolitan cities. The constant shift in a cities paradigm has made it essential to build upwards and growing urbanisation has forced reduction in land area to be constructed on. The floor space index for plots of land needs to be increased to meet up with population and urbanisation needs (Ng, E 2009). Research by Zhongjie Lin has suggested; ‘design methodology of Vertical Urbanism addresses the changing characters of Chinese cities, as the country undergoes dynamic transformation, and its cities rely on urban infrastructure to stimulate development’. High storey structures with heights exceeding 160 metres, have been demolished only thrice according to reports. (Trabucco, 2019). This suggests skyscrapers have to maximise and maintain energy efficiencies.

Mumbai located on the west coast of the Indian subcontinent faces several environmental catastrophes and due to the intensive urbanisation. Requiring a climate resilient strategy for the forthcoming future and to allow for development plans to proliferate the economy, vertical urbanism as explained previously has potential in the context. Despites the several models of vertical urbanism, little progress has been made to investigate the methodology in metropolitan cities of the Indian subcontinent

Figure 4: Ken Yeang An urban design theory of vertical architecture(K. Yeang, 2002)

4.0 Methodology

Considering the challenges to urbanisation and development in Mumbai, the study will document the constructs and problems faced in urban planning and overall development of the city. Therefore, the research analyses of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Regional Plan 201636, with a focus on Mumbai city in order to evaluate the cities adaptations for making moderations to climate change. Further in this dissertation after analysing the regional plan, a case study of slum rehabilitation is researched in order to understand the extent to which vertical urbanism could be applicable. Depending on the data procured from above parameters, the study shall provide information regarding the solutions which can be procured to tackle issues related to urban development and climate change in Mumbai. Following section is an analysis of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Regional Plan 2016-36.

5.0 Analysis of Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan 2016-36

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region is a growing and one of the largest urban mass in the country and emergence of the city-region as a significant entity and a greater dispersal of job centres in the suburbs of Greater Mumbai. The area includes 9 Municipal Councils, 8 Municipal Corporations and approximately over 1000 villages. The region has recently undergone multiple modifications and presently is constituted by several districts which have been formed by combining villages or talukas (administrative divisions/townships in Indian context). Overall land mass of the region is 4312 sq km, and divided up into districts as follows:

1. Mumbai Suburban District

2. Mumbai City District

3. Thane District (includes Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi and Thane Tehsil)

4. Palghar (Vasai, Vihar Tehsil)

5. Raigad District (includes Pen, Panvel, Khalalpur, Alibaugh and Karjat Tehsil) (MMRDA, 2022)

Figure 5: Mumbai Metropolitan Region 2016 (MMR Regional Plan)

Greater Mumbai (often referred as Mumbai ) constituted by the Mumbai City District and Mumbai Suburban District has seen a great dispersal of jobs in this region. Greater Mumbai or Mumbai is one of the economic hubs of the country and it is important for planning strategies to take leverage; ‘addressing issues of growing urbanization, uneven distribution of jobs, increasing commutes, lack of affordable housing and basic infrastructure in the region, environmental degradation and inadequate governance’(MMRRP,2022).. However, there is not any paramount theory or strategies to tackle climate change which can be applied to universally all contexts. As discussed early in the study, developing countries have multiple considerations to be included in urban planning, for the case of Mumbai is handling economic developments along with the increasing challenges of climate change. Therefore, with the purpose of understanding these setbacks, the following is an analysis of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Regional Plan 2016-36 with a focus on the future of urbanisation in the city of Mumbai.

5.1 Population Growth Trends

The region has experienced vast urban population migration, accounting for one of the cities is the MMR region being Mumbai. The region's economic development has always been fueled by Mumbai which is an economic hub for the country. Table 1 below describes the population growth of and distribution in Greater Mumbai until 2011 and according to census provided in 2011 and previous regional plan 1996-2011. The projected population growth is stated in Table 2 and a steady increase in population can be observed for Greater Mumbai to continue for next 20 years at least. Population density projections as per square kilometre based on the predictions of population is shown in Table 3.

There has been a drop for the population growth of Greater Mumbai observed after 2000-2001, coinciding with an increase for the neighbouring districts Observing the data and research, Mumbai has been a major nerve centre for population growth , with increasing densities for people living in the city. The observation from the data above indicates a rise in migration and in exterior regions of the city and metropolitan region after 1998, followed by expansion of development in these areas. For the construction of built environment to facilitate these developments the urbanisation boundaries have been extended, causing salt plans, flood sheds, coastal zones and green zones conversion. (urbanisation trend graph map , URBAN SPRAWL PG 41-42) The urban sprawl over the last decades is described in Figure 1.

Table 1: Population projections in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR Regional Plan)

Table 2: Population growth and Urban Density Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR Regional Plan)

Table 3: Population density projection 2041 in Mumbai Metropolitan region

5.2 Housing Needs

Housing needs for the populous migrating and living in Mumbai has been a major issue causing irregular and unconventional constructions which have a direct effect on the deterioration of the built environment as well the overall environmental health of the city. Facilitating for the housing need in the region has to be considered with multiple aspects. Current houses in slums, dilapidated buildings and accountability for existing buildings need to be taken in account. 91 % share of the population in the metropolitan region reside in the urban areas located (municipal regions). Under a third of this population of urban areas reside in slums. Greater Mumbai constitutes nearly 80 % of the slum households in the region. However, the overall proportion of urban slum households has decreased from 39.29 per cent in 2001 to 28.64 per cent in 2011.

The regional plan assesses the condition of housing in the region and states constraints faced by the planning commission towards housing development. Scarcity of land for new construction in Greater Mumbai is a major contributor for increasing prices in the real estate market. Furthermore, the Coastal Zone Management Regulations (CRZ), 1991, as revised in January 2011, have further restricted land availability. It has had an impact on new buildings in CRZ regions. The assessment of the regional plan also states public sector housing provision has not provided a significant tract of property. The private sector mainly focuses on the higher income groups. With no other choice, they are forced to rely on informal solutions like slums or illegal housing or live in overcrowded circumstances. (almost a third 27% of all households in MMR live in slums). Table 5 states statistics which were considered by the metropolitan regional plan with prediction to devise solutions for the housing need. Presuming the projections in table 4, the regional plan theories a need of 5,018,585 housing units by 2036, however the supply does not reach this amount, required additional units to accommodate households as seen in table 6.

Table 4: Graph showing projected population growth (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

5.3 Environmental Status

MMR Regional Plan 2016-36 states several issues condoning to the deterioration of environmental habitats, especially those with Mumbai city. Areas of natural diversity and protected areas have been severely affected due to construction projects. Physical infrastructure has not kept pace with urbanisation leading to pollution of water bodies and in turn affects flora and fauna ( Sheth, 2009 ). The plan has addressed this issue of environmental resources being stressed due to increasing urbanisation in MMR. Table 7 shows the pressure of urbanisation on protected areas. Majority of Mumbai (Greater Mumbai) is concentrated by urbanised regions, wherein the patches of notified forests and protected territories being under threat of no forest coverage. The analysis of intervention needs has allowed for future proposals to be made

Table 5: Basic figures considered for assessing housing needs (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

Table 6: Housing need Projections by 2036 (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

addressing the issue. The strategies adopted include The Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai (Greater Mumbai) by interconnecting other large green landscapes in the region through greenways and waterways. This aims to ; ‘reduce environmental degradation, channelize the urbanisable areas and also serve as lungs to the developed areas’(MMR Regional Plan 201636). A hindrance to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park habitat is the construction of Mumbai Metro Rail metro car shed project, which is still underway, affecting a major protected zone in the city.

5.4 Urbanisation Challenges

Mumbai city has encountered numerous adversities due to the continuous process of urbanisation occurring. Consequently, the climatic calamities have been amplified, reckoning on land deficiency, informal expansion of industries, inadequate hygiene and many more. From the research into population statistics and housing issues above, there is inadequacy for the region to provide feasible land for construction and adapting the growing urbanisation occurring. This suggests that there is a serious scarcity of inexpensive housing options in urban MMR, leaving individuals with no choice but to live in slums. This is the single most serious problem confronting MMR, which has some of the highest real estate prices in the world. People are being compelled to relocate further and further afield from the inner metropolis of Greater Mumbai in pursuit of inexpensive accommodation. The urban sprawl over the years observed in Figure 1 postulating

Figure 5: Urbanisation Pressures on Protected Areas (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

the trend for urbanisation occurring in a horizontal form towards Kalyan, Thane,New Mumbai and Panvel ( not a part of Greater Mumbai)( Ramachandra, 2014). Urban sprawl in the region till 2011 is described in figure 6 The extensions in the region demonstrate attempts to transmit functions across the cities, However the operation of major activities in Mumbai suggests inefficient frameworks. A direct correlation of the city's large-scale urbanisation to the decreasing biodiversity is observed. Urbanisation pressuring the environmental resources of the city is the major reason for poor quality infrastructure in the city and ever going flooding occurring during the monsoon seasons every year. Moving forward to tackle populations and urbanisation, floor space index can be increased however this may not suffice the requirements if frameworks of urban infrastructure and sustainable land use become efficient for predicted needs in the future. An example of infrastructural networks to quantify the horizontal expansion is Mumbai Coastal Sea Road commenced in 2018, connecting Marine Drive to Kandivali through 8 lane expressways on the banks of the adjoining banks of Arabian Sea.

Figure 6: Urban Sprawl in Mumbai (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

6.0 Analysis of Vertical Urbanism in Slum Rehabilitation

6.1 Background

For conducting and comprehending case study of slum rehabilitation, it is necessary to understand the diversity of urban settlements in Mumbai and how rising urban population poses a challenge to the city's long-term growth. In order to understand the outlooks, the following is a brief overview of legislations and coastal ecology of Mumbai which affect the urban form. Located on the western coastline of the Indian subcontinent, Mumbai is one of the major contributors to the region's economy, with the major seaports dispensing growth. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has stated the annual budget for the year 2022 to be 45,949 Crore Rupees i.e. £ 45.77 Billion Great British Pounds. Through the analysis previously in this study consistent development of the city affirmed migration over the years. This resulted in the increasing population as stated by the MMR Regional Plan. Assessment states the current population of Mumbai city to be 20.96 million in 2022. (Bhagat, 2013) Urban housing crisis in the city is posed by the population growths and the physical typography causing scarcity of land area for construction. However, the legislations and strategies aimed to be adopted in forthcoming years suggest the horizontal growth targeted, by creation of growth centres and ecocities around Mumbai. This is reflected by the analysis of MMR Regional Plan 2016-36 conducted previously in this study.

Cities facing an issue halting development usually allow for increasing heights and building vertically. Floor Space Index (FSI) in central districts are changes to 10-15 for balancing scarcity of land. However, in Mumbai the FSI remained at 1.33 for the coast line regions and 0.5 in suburban areas. There were changes made to FSI pertained by free housing schemes, however there are limitations for positive effects. Over the past 20 years construction activities in Mumbai have increased by 115 %. Pertaining to the urbanisation occurring, local ecology of the city has been utilised for building new developments. Demonstrating these changes, mangroves located near Mahim and Mithi river are remodelled. Low lying regions of almost 100 acres have been reclaimed, which are prone to flooding. A recent example of such land use is the metro car shed project in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park where approximately 100 trees are cut down and the land is being utilised to provide for the extension of metro lines. The forested regions and wetlands which exist in the city have been reduced by 35% . Demolished ecological regions have been converted to major development sites with new constructions for housing and commerce needs.

6.2 Slum Rehabilitation

Architectural development of the suburban regions of Mumbai, due to extensive settlement patterns has led to an unusual framework. Slums which are informal and illegal settlements are usually located and surrounded by residential buildings in the city. The dense region of tightly packed housing units were created by people on empty plots of land. Slums have low levels of sanitation and infrastructure to support and have been a major cause of declining health levels. In light of the detrimental effects slum proliferation had on cities development and communities residing in slums, the government established the Slum Rehabilitation Association (SRA) in 1995 and provided schemes for redevelopment and jurisdictions to redevelop slums. SRA allowed for private developers to demolish and build rehabilitation residential buildings for the slum dwellers and also for extra housing to be put on sale by the developer. Within the jurisdiction every inhabitant is provided with a free housing dwelling with a minimum area of 25 sq m. The housing unit includes a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Rehabilitation is given incentive FSI in accord for interest of private investment. Introduction of free housing in the slum segment meant redevelopment at no cost to the owners or tenants. The scheme-based incursion of incentive FSI’s however may be detrimental and not broadly positioned on the city scale vision. Private investors tend to adhere to slum rehabilitations which would incur higher profit margins (SAHU, S. and I. SAIZEN, 2018). According to reports the number of slum dwellings in 2011 was 1.39 million and by 2031 redevelopment projections are aiming to facilitate 8.94 million slum households. Therefore by 2031 still 6% households shall continue to stay in slum households. The 100 % of dilapidated structures, cessed buildings and chawls (type of residential tenements in India) are projected to be redeveloped completely in Mumbai by 2031. (MMR Regional Plan 2016-36)

The slum rehabilitation schemes have effectively played a role in the urbanisation and optimization of the process. Redevelopment projects, according to studies, suggest that these are mostly repetitive and stagnant to provide refinement in urban regeneration and sustenance to the ecological climate. Following is a study of a case study from an ongoing slum redevelopment project undertaken in the suburbs of Mumbai. The research analyses aspects of sustainability and quality of life in the redevelopment, mainly focusing on testing of vertical urbanism for Mumbai and how it may have future advantages in slum redevelopments of the city. A summary of main findings with application of vertical urbanism is discussed in the following section.

6.2.1 Case Study: Ongoing Slum Redevelopment in Suburban Mumbai

The case study for the research is based on a slum redevelopment project in the area of suburban region in Mumbai. The project is undertaken by a private developer with the use of slum rehabilitation scheme, providing the existing inhabitants with formal housing units on the plot, under the proper legislations applicable. Following is an assessment for aspects of vertical

urbanism suited by the planning strategies used for the case of slum redevelopment in this project. Redevelopment undertaken is proposed on a plot of land wherein there are existing slum dwellings, constituting a combination of standalone housing units, dwellings with extended shops and workshops. The residents in slums usually have an extended space in the exterior of their houses, which may be in passageways of the site. The redevelopment proposes four conjoined towers of 20 floors, with 121 flats in total of different configurations. The design of the flats is similar to, as discussed before, units measuring between 25 square metres - 50 square metres. 1BHK and 2BHK flats consist of a living space, bedroom, kitchen and bathrooms, for an entire family and units linked by a common passageway with widths of 2.5 metres for access. The ground floor consists of shop units, parking spaces, and multiple utilities associated with the buildings. Alongside this there is 400 square metre space allocated for a communal garden, which has to be provided according to SRA legislation for the plot. The parking spaces are provided by a three stack parking system and a parking tower system, with a total of 28 parking spots provided. All four wings of the conjoined tower are provided with a lobby for access to the building staircases and lifts. Elements of the building such as spatial allocations, compactness of units, and functionality are important for analysis of strategic implementation of verticality.

The proposed rehabilitation through redevelopment on the site administered by slums is mainly aimed at providing housing units and shops to the respective inhabitants who reside in the slum dwellings. Most utilities such as pump rooms, water management systems, electric sub stations and other infrastructural systems are located on the ground floor. A central core of the building consisting of the lifts and staircases for transportation are surrounded by stacking of similar floor plan layers on top of each other, containing the form of the building. This strategy is utilised for land use efficiency, to optimise the incentive FSI provided. The residential towers follow the traditional approach of creating superblocks and gated communities, which may not directly respond to the surrounding context, but are designed to suit the economics of developers. Flats in the proposal are compactly designed and arranged densely with central space lobbies on each floor to access lifts and staircases. The building lacks multi functionality, even though the high storey form suggests ambition for going vertical. The shop spaces are generalised with similar dimensions for all shops and may not respond to the typology of the businesses and suitably accommodated in the design. There is not a clear rationale of linkage of existing spaces inhabitant utilised for their businesses to what's been proposed. Green spaces proposed have limited engagement with the overall design, since the allocated space is dependent on the street level to provide for the community. The recreation garden takes an odd shape, organised around the boundary of the set site.

Figure 7: Proposed Ground Floor Plan of Slum Redevelopment Case Study

Figure 8: Proposed Wing Typical Floor Plan and Flat Layouts of Slum Redevelopment Case Study

Building typology recognised for this development project is similar to modernist ideals of skyscraper construction, With the construction of the towers, urban heat island phenomenon is resonant (Kshetrimayum, 2020), since the building is high storey and densely designed on a site which is predominantly low rise with the slums. The redevelopment therefore reduces thermal comfort and ventilation within the flats as aggravating heat maps of the surrounding region. All flats are single aspect and rely on single sided ventilation, with window openings for every room and orientation based upon the spatial arrangement of each flat. Located on a majorly straight terrain, major flats are unable to avoid or restrict the southward monsoon winds. This reduces mitigation of thermal heat from the interiors, since ventilation is restricted to be conducted through windows of the flats causing a barrier. The arrangement of the flats also restricts the appropriate daylight factor which would be suitable for the compact design. Alongside these flats with southern and western orientation Further the slum dweller who may have utilised open spaces and passageways for different activities, do not have this aspect in the redeveloped proposals. Green space proposed has a southward orientation, however is located adjacent to the partition wall of the site from the surroundings plots. Proportions of the recreation garden proposed when compared with the high concentration of hard surfaces composed by the towers, may suggests on providing lower degree of positive effects that come with ecological aspects in a city. Mitigation of urban warming through ecological measures does not have a direct response to the issue of urban heat island effects. Planning for communal spaces and socio-public aspects are restricted by the stacking floor plates, since community halls, youth and welfare centres, are accommodated on the first floor in accordance with the spatial arrangements of the flats. For instance, the youth centre space is similarly stacked below a 1BHK flat on the first floor. Vertical placemaking of the slum rehabilitation project for the assessment suggests a contemporary approach of single or dual utility, mandated by typical forms found in skyscraper typologies of dense cities which may not be sustainable with rapid urbanisation.

Figure 9: Proposed First Floor Plan and Communal Spaces of Slum Redevelopment Case Study

Figure 10: Wing A Full Height Section of Slum Redevelopment Case Study

7.0 Discussion and Results

The outcomes of the research investigating determine the capability of vertical urbanism towards maintaining sustainability alongside rapid urbanisation processes occurring. Through analysis conducted in the research, it can be suggested vertical urbanism has potential in bringing change for the urbanisation of dense cities, by optimising for shortcomings of future sustenance. Defining a critical path for sustainability is significant for developing urban landscapes and growth, where vertical urbanism could promote a balanced system to urbanity and development needs. Developing the city by exploiting synergies between buildings and systems of infrastructure that constitute the built environment, by a multi dimensional spatial network which inter-connects urban systems to provide for the existing dense and compact city. However, megacities all over the world have large-scale urban systems, the influence these systems have on urban form must be examined in the context of the local economic and cultural environment to administer for the needs of a specific city.

In the context of Mumbai, challenges inhibiting a sustainable framework is the growing housing need and proposition by planning authorities to grow horizontally. Considering the social and economical aspects, development of eco-cities around Mumbai may result in further exaggerating environmental issues. Demonstrated by the research in this study, extensive development projects have extended the city limits and resulted in procuring lands in ecological zones. Maintaining and developing eco-cities results in excessive energies and pressurises environmental factors. Though the land efficiency can be increased by providing incentive FSI and building vertically for facilitating the needs of urbanisation, verticality is approached at a micro scale channelised not towards the overall urban fabric. This is true in the case of Mumbai, since the policy makers aim at diverging the urbanisation needs towards outer areas of Mumbai such as developments in Thane, Kalyan and other regions. However, densities in Mumbai remain higher than these regions and the majority of functions are still prevalent within the city.

The major problem urbanisation in Mumbai will cause and is already affected by is climate change, and continuation of prevalent typologies defining urban form of the city are detrimental. Dominance of skyscrapers in Mumbai is extensive, however this has resulted in formation of vertical cities in the conventional manner. Containing a high density of life, the approach only caters for the private realm and hinders development of the city as a whole organism. From the analysis of housing needs increasing and environmental status of the city it can be justified that the existing urban form is a major contributor to environmental deterioration. To facilitate for the needs of the city, urbanisation is planned by authorities to occur in a horizontal form, and housing needs focused to be tackled through redevelopment projects in Mumbai. Through the analysis of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Regional Plan 2016-36 the development authorities proposed land required for new developments excluding redevelopments are dependent on ecocities surrounding Mumbai. However, the available land and FSI available in these regions do not suffice the projected population growths in forthcoming years. Researchers have criticised such trends for urbanisation in compact and hyper dense cities and suggested this may result in overall

deterioration of the urban fabric and environment of the city. Further the urban density of Mumbai is projected to be highest in the region at least till 2031 (Figure 5), the current approaches to urbanisation may not be suitable for the process to support ecological factors and threats of climate change being aggravated. From Critical evaluation of the role vertical urbanism can play in sustaining growth, the city of Mumbai can tackle the challenges through redevelopments in the city to follow these aspects.

In consideration of the immense role slums have in the urbanisation in Mumbai, the study carried a case study analysis of a slum rehabilitation project in the city to test the methodology of vertical urbanism in redevelopment projects. From the research it can be supposed the building form follows conventional methods of skyscraper construction, different from the three dimensional framework of city building vertical urbanism provides. The architecture of the redevelopment proposals does not respond to a changing efficiency and character of the city. The buildings only provide residential housing alongside small scale retail units. It does not address the capabilities of skyscrapers to absorb increasing city functions, since urbanisation occurs and population increases. Studies have shown the living conditions in many of the Slum Rehabilitation Association (SRA) redevelopment schemes have low levels of living condition aspects (Kshetrimayum, 2020). The FSI incentives are not utilised to build vertically and promote a combination of city aspects, but rather may be aimed at increasing additional built area. The flats are very compact, without any open spaces in their dwelling to conduct various activities. The towers may cause social disengagement and isolated living for the residents of this project. Community spaces have not been designed with analysis of the functionality and architectural strategies which can be applied for better design. They have been allocated spaces which may not suffice requirements for activities these spaces conduct. The design response does not address the social and urban possibilities of building skyscrapers vertically nor the economic or environmental value that can be achieved. Thus far the dissertation has argued the positive growth provided by vertical urbanism and its applicability in Mumbai. A summary of main findings alongside how the research could be extended for practical adaptations in the city.

8.0 Conclusion

The research aimed to identify vertical urbanism as a design approach for sustainable urbanisation in Mumbai. After brief research and observations, the study considered slum redevelopment to assess the architecture of residential development and to determine the extent of vertical urbanism applicable in the context. From the projections and city design policies proposed by the regional authority, it can be determined population growth of Mumbai will be a challenge for urbanisation progress. Climate resilient design is necessary to combat climate change and deterioration of the environment caused by increasing efficiency of economy and infrastructure. However, in the Indian housing policies, slum redevelopments practices are scarcely designed with habitable strategies and deviceful techniques being considered. Through the case study considered above, space limitations and concentrated development of a large number of housing units, which limit innovation design strategies. The analysis included investigating the design layouts and strategies implemented for the rehabilitation. Reconceptualization of urbanisation is necessary to implement sustainable redevelopment in Mumbai. From the research into the past and present of vertical urbanism allowing hyper dense cities to efficiently urbanise, it can have caused positive impacts on the sustainability and economic prospects for development in Mumbai. These shall be conducted with an objective to use high rise structures to mediate city expansions and address social and urban considerations.

Further other urbanism frameworks such as inclusive urbanism could also have a positive impact for sustenance in slum rehabilitation. However, the study considered slum rehabilitation which is a major element of Mumbai's urbanism, other developments such as social housing, private housing developments could also be embodied to further assess design frameworks. Further feedback is required from hyper dense cities of Asia with similar characteristics of Mumbai, utilising sustainable high-rise structures to improve socio-economic and environmental efficiencies of cities. Extensive practical implementations of dynamic vertical forms can help to further assess future projections and capabilities. Understanding from the implications of climate change the city has suffered and status of slum redevelopments, this research supports vertical urbanism as a mechanism for Mumbai to adopt suitable climate resilient design. The cities shifting characters can be capitalised for sustenance in the coming future, by exploring the methodology vertical urbanism follows. A ‘sustainable city’ cannot be defined, however city design for continuously growing densities and scales of development in Mumbai, can expand opportunities for sustainable patterns of growth. Research into reconceptualising the standard real estate archetype of the skyscraper into functioning urbanity inside the skyscraper is important. Including the public realm and place making of the city vertically has many interpretations and include implementations of vertical farming, integration of connectivity and transport, vertical parks, public spaces, vertical neighbourhoods, biophilic design in the urban landscape. This research dissertation can further provide assistance in new urbanism planning proposals and provide knowledge regarding sustainable vertical urbanism and mediation of the city on a macro scale.

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10.0 Appendix: CU Ethics Approval

PROJECT P145155