OPEN SPACE As the city of Mumbai has grown in
could accommodate the diverse religious
terms of population, development, and
needs of the city but still allow the ground
overall density, the open space fabric
space to be used for recreation.13
Mumbai historical records indicate that
has been decreasing drastically. Open spaces typically include recreation uses,
The Importance of Mangroves
there were several islands around Mumbai
Site Area Open Space Network
during 1670. Since the developmental and
play grounds, parks, and gardens. It also
population pressure rapidly increased
includes invaluable natural assets like
Although few, there are some recreational,
and developed in the coastal area, it took
mangroves, wetlands, hills, forests, rivers,
gardens, and beaches adjacent to the
the toll of mangrove land. During the
creeks, beaches, ponds, lakes, and natural
Eastern
open
process of deforestation and reclamation,
coastline. In many ways, the state of open
spaces like the Marine Drive & Chowpatty
a few mangrove patches are still left in
spaces reflects the state and quality of
Beach, the Azad Maiden recreational
the heart of the city, seen along the Vasai
life within any city. Whether it is for the
park, and the Joseph Baptista Garden
Creek, Thane Creek, Manori, and Malad.
environment, economic vitality, or social
contribute to the quality of public life
By trapping silt, mangroves maintain
capital, the quality of public open spaces
within the city; where tourists, locals, and
the integrity of Mumbai’s shoreline.
in Mumbai reflects the performance of
recreational enthusiast can congregate.13
This is a vital service to the city as the
public life.
Marine Drive is a 4.3 km long boulevard in
shoreline is very prone to erosion. The
the southwest portion of our site. Major
recent monsoons rains in 2005 and the
events like the Republic Day of India,
following flooding disaster demonstrated
Indian Air Force airshow and Bombay
the consequence of tampering with
Tragically, the regional extent of Mumbai
Marathon are just a few examples of events
the ecology of fragile ecosystems like
depicts
isolated
that represent Mumbai both nationally
mangroves. Had Mumbai’s Mithi River
network of public open spaces. Open
and globally. Azad Maiden is a 25 acre
and Mahim creek mangroves not been
spaces compriseas 187.87 sq. km. of the
triangular shaped sports ground located
destroyed by builders, fewer people
overall 603 sq. km. of Mumbai.
near the Chhatrapati Shivazi Terminus
would have died and the property damage
Much of the contribution is comprised
station. It acts as a regular venue for
would have been dramatically less.
of the mangroves along the natural
school and recreational cricket matches,
coastlines and the national forests and
which has produced many international
parks in the northern portion of the city.
cricketers. Frequented by neighborhood
The gardens, playgrounds, and beaches
residents near our site area; the Joseph
Finally, the neighborhoods surrounding
all reflect less than 2% of the open space
Baptista Gardens is host to couples,
the Eastern Waterfront possess a number
network within the city. As a result, there
joggers, senior citizens, and those wishing
of cultural amenities that contribute to the
is little to no cohesive network of public
to find a peaceful atmosphere contrary to
areas character. There are a number of
spaces from a regional context. 13
the urban fabric.14
large gardens such as the Joseph Baptista
Community Assets
Marine Drive
northern and southern points of the study
One of the main assets to the urban form of
area respectively. The Jijamata Udyaan
In a city as large as Mumbai there is a huge
Mumbai is Marine Drive. This waterfront
Zoo is also present in the northern area
demand for cultural and social community
promenade is flanked by art-deco style
which attracts a number of visitors and
assets. Near the Eastern Waterfront, there
buildings. Primarily used as hotels and
neighbors a playground and garden.
are a number of parks and zoos, but none
residential buildings, commercial uses
Finally to the south is one of Mumbai’s
within the site itself. Land in Mumbai is at
are prominent at the street level. With
largest open spaces, Azad Maiden. This
such a premium, cemeteries are also used
an extreme shortage of green space,
array of parks, zoo, and open spaces
as park space out of necessity and plans
this drive helps mitigate the need for
provides amenities and enrichment for
have been proposed to convert existing
recreation space.
the community in eastern Mumbai.14
Greater Mumbai Open Space Network
a
fragmented
and
Waterfront.
Important
Cultural Assets
Garden and Sitaram Shinoy located in the
cemeteries into vertical structures which
16