Under Mr Subodh Kumar, the municipal commissioner, the concept of Cluster Redevelopment appears to be slowly gaining momentum in Mumbai
Simply put Cluster Redevelopment implies that a builder is not just responsible for developing / redeveloping one building and going off... but rather redevelopment will happen based on the recommendations incorporated in the "Development Plan" for a particular cluster of buildings.
A clusters could be spread over two to three such redevelopment projects. So for instance, if a cycling track is planned for a cluster, all the developers whose projects are part of the cluster will have to provide space in their projects to incorporate the track and so also with other amenities.
Cluster redevelopment can only happen in phases, but with guidelines in place , developers will be able to incorporate the amenities as demanded by the Development Plan.
So Wide roads, pavements, cycling tracks, open spaces the size of Oval maidan, schools with playgrounds, theatres, art galleries, public swimming pools : all this and more could become a part of a neighbourhood, rather than just isolated buildings being redeveloped with no improvement in the external scenario.
Simply put, one of the aims of cluster development is to provide an environment which permits the residents of such areas to live fuller and richer lives while reducing disparities amongst different sections of population
In the past, town planning schemes have been successfully implemented in areas such as Matunga Hindu Colony, Bandra, Khar, Santa Cruz, Vile Parle, Juhu and Goregaon (West). These neighbourhoods have good infrastructure like schools and hospitals , a network of roads to increase inter-connectivity and so on.
Intenationally the Cluster Redevelopment Approach has successfully transformed the cities of Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. Will it bring about an Urban Renewal in Maharashtra State.
Incidentally, the state government has given its approval for five cluster redevelopment projects ,
One such project is to cover Mumbai's oldest 'gold street', Chira Bazaar, and parts of Kalbadevi.
A 29-acre cluster redevelopment project. Attached are some pictures of what it is now and what can be in the new future !!
Samoon Rassiwala, architect of the project said, "In this area, most of the buildings are old and in a dilapidated condition. Around 2,080 buildings will be restructured by constructing 20 buildings ranging from seven to 40 storeys".
Residents will get 350 sq ft of usable area in the new project, while commercial establishments will be given the same existing area. The buildings would cut air-conditioning costs, besides bringing in lawns on all terraces and water recycling, etc. and above all the new road will decongest the traffic.
"We want to make this project a world class one by bringing all amenities-solar, rainwater harvesting and energy generating plants using garbage waste. People will emulate it. There will be no water logging and flood in this area once the project is done".
Simply put Cluster Redevelopment implies that a builder is not just responsible for developing / redeveloping one building and going off... but rather redevelopment will happen based on the recommendations incorporated in the "Development Plan" for a particular cluster of buildings.
A clusters could be spread over two to three such redevelopment projects. So for instance, if a cycling track is planned for a cluster, all the developers whose projects are part of the cluster will have to provide space in their projects to incorporate the track and so also with other amenities.
Cluster redevelopment can only happen in phases, but with guidelines in place , developers will be able to incorporate the amenities as demanded by the Development Plan.
So Wide roads, pavements, cycling tracks, open spaces the size of Oval maidan, schools with playgrounds, theatres, art galleries, public swimming pools : all this and more could become a part of a neighbourhood, rather than just isolated buildings being redeveloped with no improvement in the external scenario.
Simply put, one of the aims of cluster development is to provide an environment which permits the residents of such areas to live fuller and richer lives while reducing disparities amongst different sections of population
In the past, town planning schemes have been successfully implemented in areas such as Matunga Hindu Colony, Bandra, Khar, Santa Cruz, Vile Parle, Juhu and Goregaon (West). These neighbourhoods have good infrastructure like schools and hospitals , a network of roads to increase inter-connectivity and so on.
Intenationally the Cluster Redevelopment Approach has successfully transformed the cities of Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. Will it bring about an Urban Renewal in Maharashtra State.
Incidentally, the state government has given its approval for five cluster redevelopment projects ,
One such project is to cover Mumbai's oldest 'gold street', Chira Bazaar, and parts of Kalbadevi.
A 29-acre cluster redevelopment project. Attached are some pictures of what it is now and what can be in the new future !!
Samoon Rassiwala, architect of the project said, "In this area, most of the buildings are old and in a dilapidated condition. Around 2,080 buildings will be restructured by constructing 20 buildings ranging from seven to 40 storeys".
Residents will get 350 sq ft of usable area in the new project, while commercial establishments will be given the same existing area. The buildings would cut air-conditioning costs, besides bringing in lawns on all terraces and water recycling, etc. and above all the new road will decongest the traffic.
"We want to make this project a world class one by bringing all amenities-solar, rainwater harvesting and energy generating plants using garbage waste. People will emulate it. There will be no water logging and flood in this area once the project is done".