A FACTITIOUS CITY
The essay talks about numerous ways of how Bombay city has evolved since years. As the title says, “Factitious city”- is the city which is formed or reshaped by human forces along with a special effort or vision.
There were different proposals made up to improvise condition of the city, which played major role in levitating the areas which now exists either aptly or abruptly. Schemes such as Princess street scheme, rampart removal, Ballard estate, Apollo reclamation, Backbay reclamation, Marine Drive, Elphinstone circle, are widely looked upon. Reclamation of land of Bombay’s habitat was at its peak. The act that breaks an agreement towards sea overflowed, by visitors since 1760. Construction of Hornby Vellard held its significance due to position of central island i.e. land of west Parel and south of Worli. Creation of Colaba resulted to constitute the seven islands into singular island of Bombay. Hence, thereby giving rise to population or wealth that boosted advancements of Bombay. The higher class Indian and British inhabitants were mostly accommodated in large bungalow-style homes under this design, which was distinguished by a diverse range of buildings constructed in several eclectic styles. The addition of an elevated promenade with seats made of cast iron was a highly appreciated feature. The west side provided a continual sea breeze and breathtaking sunsets, making it a perfect leisure area by nature. This plan, which was clearly successful, served as the impetus for further intensive residential construction on Bombay's western edge. Docks could never be erected in these shallow seas along the island's western side, therefore housing was unquestionably the most apparent use for this location. The formation of city through industrial development; north-east by naval installations and yard; while southwest through residentials and recreational uses. This got reversed with respect to water fronts situation. After the removal of fortification there caused an obstacle to city expansion. Where gothic buildings were the first commercial perspective towards urban approach, done consciously, investing to sky and western edges of Bombay. Thereafter comes the splendid renovation of Elphinstone circle, enclosed by unified commercial buildings, which consisted of colonial architecture ways by Britain. This structure has covered arcade at the ground level
having perfect responses to both, scorching heat of sun and rainy monsoons. Visual enhancements of city started when the city improvement trust acquired private lands, redeveloped old and congested areas along with the help of Bombay Municipal Corporation. Princess Street scheme was targeted to restructure of congested areas, opening up avenues, vistas with a view not only to sea breezes to dense inner city, but also the dramatic movement impacts to city. Another approach which inculcated unique and spatial elements was Hornby Road development, which saw onto factors such as arcade, representing the change of architectural style and connecting two parts i) Public buildings ii) Grand Victoria Terminus. This was important to interlink the gap between city core and new development. Other than that, there were few buildings made in European renaissance spirit, characterized by uniformity of building design, heights and architecture that was suitable enough for public services giving road layouts creating vistas, as in European design. Moving docks tender the Ballard estate. Cuffe Parade was the scheme established for upper class Indians and British population with different character identity, like the places had cast iron benches, which further looked upon west side of Bombay’s development. The scheme consistently followed spacious typology of bungalows along with ideal recreational zones for upper class and residential zones on west. Scheme Marine drive, the new move for betterment of western foreshore’s new sea wall. Projects like Ballard Estate, Queen's Road, and Marine Drive may have been viewed at the time as radical changes that would harm the city's physical relationships and preexisting viewpoints. But these broad, decisive strokes now define the visual character of the city outside the Fort. This plan was designed to give this newly formed land from the sea a unique identity. Regretfully, the government was determined to maximize the scheme's profit, so it simplified the land's layout and subdivisions in order to achieve the highest possible densities. Thus, the logical form was long, thin blocks with small gulleys between them and little exposure to the gorgeous seashore. Claude Batley, a Bombay architect, called this plan a rather ill-fitting set of false teeth to the city. These developments not only added to the city's already-existing physical environment in a readable way, but they also established a new one. A setting that was responsive to the current pulse and created new opportunities. The preceding reclamation programs' lessons on urban architecture are relevant here. There were proposals
made to provide wide open spaces, recreational ground, gardens, dignified civic centres and interrelated residential and commercial areas adjacent to government centres. The scheme got rejected by Bombay’s architects calling it a bad fit. Now, there comes a phase of growing the land truly and commercially due to this scheme- housing with combination of Art deco style was flourished for middle class and upper class of city’s population. Since, marine drive had some drawbacks and lacks it got later renamed as Nariman point after Mr. F P Nariman who was mayor of the city back then. Although it did not really had purpose rather than humane environment concerns, but commercial arrogance. Also, it had parking islands with buildings towers set in row sidewise. These broad, well-thought-out gestures are what contribute to a city's overall intelligibility. The examples' importance, however, comes from their attention to detail as well as their concerns for urban design on a larger scale. As a matter of fact, the experience components of city form are connected to grand design through the crucial link of detail design. Carefully considered details provide a human touch. For instance, the success of Bombay's Victorian parks, boulevards, promenades, and other public areas is largely due to their meticulous attention to detail, which includes the size and articulation of arcades, railings, statue placement, pavement curb stones, seats, and other elements that are deliberately placed to punctuate the urban composition.
Afterall, Bombay’s development process is an accumulation of many reclamations that are guided in different directions and expressions. It is a subtle art of creating scenario to the city with respect to city’s edge. The sequence that has been followed of these developments has largely impacted linkages to urban design in city. Also, these linkages resulted in non interdependencies to the earlier one, hence by becoming critical for future opportunities to further develop attributes of city.