Transit Architecture Time for a Drastic Change

RESEARCH
Strategic planning was required before undertaking redevelopment
of an area like Bhendi Bazaar which is both culturally and
geographically rich. The genesis of the project was to uplift lives of
people without compromising with the area’s socio-cultural fabric.
Keeping this in mind, during the initial days of the project, social
surveys were undertaken to better understand the nature of the
area, current scenario and people’s requirements before chalking out
master-plan layout.
The outcome highlighted various difficulties faced by the residents,
like lack of sanitation facilities, open spaces, green cover, waste
management and fire safety measures, amenities like car parking,
footpaths, elevators etc. Businesses were relatively declining due to
narrow and congested lanes, traffic snarls and infrastructural hassles.
Mixed use development was kept at prime consideration and tenants
were involved in every-step of the planning process. As Bhendi
Bazaar houses multi-generation residing in one room, the residential
tenants were given three options to choose their future home design.
Cent percent tenants selected the design that would provide them
with privacy, which is being incorporated in the rehabilitation
towers. Suggestions on the commercial space design were also taken
from the tenants.
Since this is a first of its kind project in the country, a team of expert
architects, master planners and consultants from around the world
have been mobilised to give shape to this ambitious redevelopment
project.
PRESERVING THE CULTURAL ESSENCE
As Bhendi Bazaar is situated in the heart of South Mumbai, the
area is highly influenced with the existing architectural elements of
the city. Therefore, this project attempts at bringing in orderliness
to existing fabric of Bhendi Bazar without losing out on the essence
Abbas Master, CEO, SBUT
“The Project is developed and
planned holistically to encourage a
sustainable way of living. The master
plan is developed with nine clusters,
which will be self-sustaining, supported
by modern technology and environment
friendly practices. The basic concept
of the planning is to not only uplift
the socio-cultural habitat of the area but create a futuristic
development to meet the needs of growing population.”
and character of 20th century neighbourhood. This undertakes
responsibility to spiritually, socially, economically & psychologically
uplift the locality; providing the residents with new ownership
apartments, open spaces, well lit houses with parking facilities,
community spaces and shops; and in doing all this maintaining the
religious structures within the site.
The project layout is uniquely designed to blend elements of the
historic essence of Mumbai and Bhendi Bazaar. Each of the towers
will adorn traces of British architecture like the usage of ‘Malad
Stone’ on the façade at lower levels and podium, followed by a
matching shade of paint.
Further, the towers will blend in the contemporary design and
‘Fatemi Architecture’ weaving a distinct identity with Colonnade
Archways, Elegant Domes, and intricate jaalis and lattice work.
Maintaining cultural vitality - through bazaar shopping, pedestrian
plazas, wide tree-lined footpaths and amenity spaces at podium
and terrace levels - is the noteworthy architectural and planning
contribution towards the project.
Architecture Update February 2018 41