Phase One
There is a tremendous energy at Lower Parel, one that has grown exponentially; starting with the advent of the mill lands in the 19th century. The linear energy of that time abruptly shut down towards the 1980s, and was replaced by a new force that has engulfed every inch of the locality. A burgeoning of office, retail, residential, and hospitality spaces brings in people from all over the city. It is this group of users that have come together to work towards making a positive change in the use conditions of Senapati Bapat marg under the banner of “Mumbai Mile Regeneration Association.”
The Fergusson flyover was built in 2001 to relieve congestion at the junction of Pandurang Budhkar Marg, and Senapati Bapat Marg. At the time, Phoenix mills had a bowling alley, a few offices, and restaurants. The other mills in the area were lying defunct. Today, with every kind of establishment on this road, the area is plagued with insufficient infrastructure, and is saturated. The most affected by this are pedestrians, who squeeze themselves into leftover pockets, stumble on uneven footpaths, if they even exist. We are on a path to change this, phase one of this project looks at efficiently adding public space to kick-start the process of positive urban change.
Work on design of the stretch started in March 2016 with a thorough study of the area. A sample count of vehicles, interviews, visual inspections, and measurements were taken at every junction, level change, crossing, and physical divisions. Observations were noted, and solutions brainstormed in conjunction with municipal officers, traffic police, and other stakeholders. With this information, and deep understanding Studio Pomegranate has worked towards a cohesive, inclusive design. Which calls for increasing pedestrian crossings, making existing crossings safe, accessible, adding public toilets, and dustbins. Further design strategies made in conjunction with the traffic police include changing some U-turns, tweaking traffic signal locations, and adding traffic-calming measures. Making the space easily walk able, and instilling a sense of safety.
In 2017, with most of the design resolved, the question was, where do we start from? The present stretch from Karmaveer Vithalrao Yadav Chowk to the end of the Fergusson Flyover was selected as it caused the least immediate disruption, consisted of all design elements from every phase, and would also be of immediate benefit once completed. The space itself can be divided into three parts- The Junction to a free U-turn, the U-turn to the end of clear walkable space, and an additional space inaccessible from the contiguous space under the flyover.
The Junction to U-turn space is constantly in the throng of cars, this space will have a designated spot for the police, and the rest will be landscape.
From the junction onwards is a space that enhances the walking space available for users walking to and from their offices in the north to the Lower Parel railway station. Addition of crossings enables one to walk in the shade at any time of the day. A shared taxi stand near the entrance of Empire mills, and another one outside Mathuradas mill compound has been moved, and has expanded, providing safe pick-up and drop off, space to wait; decongesting the earlier locations. This is mostly a wide open space with an assembly of benches, planters, and safety buffers which will allow users to take a break, wait for friends, or simply be. The benches are polished concrete, held in place by block planters, which also keep in place weathering steel crash barriers on the outside. The plantation – Sansevieria trifasciata, Rhapis excelsa, Cordyline, Lantana Camara; are robust plants that are helpful in mitigating pollution, insect repellent, and require moderate watering. They are the visual division between the road, and pedestrian space.
The final space is separated by a deep beam, and lends itself well to introducing a public toilet, and administration block. The toilets are utilitarian, well ventilated, and a separate block is built for handicapped persons.
Studio Pomegranate opened the conversation for public spaces with the Pedestrian Walkway at Prabhadevi; and has been involved in working towards improving use conditions for everyone in the city. In 2016 the Mumbai Mile Regeneration Association approached us in with a clear goal of improving the conditions for everyone along the length of the project. The local Municipal ward office is closely involved, and plays a vital role in the unraveling of this public space. As phase one opens up, and is used by the residents, and users of the space, we look forward to continuing this conversation, and working towards real changes, and improvement in the the quality of life for everyone who comes to Lower Parel.
Project Facts:
Client: Mumbai Mile Regeneration Association.
Phase 1 Location: Under North end of Fergusson Flyover, Lower Parel
Project location: Senapati Bapat Marg- Rakhangi Chowk to Bal Krushna Gawde Chowk
Phase 1 Area: 2700 Sq.m (29000 Sq.ft)
Phase 1 Length: 255 m
Total Length: 2000 m
Budget: INR. –
Time: 5 Months
Project Vision:
To make safe, foster community, and make efficient use of every publicly accessible space. To provide safe, and comfortable passage to every person who comes to Lower Parel. This is being done with the redesign and recalibration of footpaths, crossings, public transport outlets, public conveniences, and other amenities; with the support of local users- including, but not limited to Residents, Offices, Commercial establishments, Local governance, Law enforcement, and others in a Public-Private partnership with the common goal of improving the urban quality of life.
Architecture+Design 