‘Open space per man may shrink’

Academicians and experts feel that the BMC’s Development Plan 2034 which has put a thrust on redevelopment will reduce open space per individual, thus the 2 sq meter space stipulated in the DP will only remain on paper unless the BMC takes steps to acquire open spaces that have been encroached upon or taken over by private people. Professors Hussain Indorewala and Shweta Wagh pointed out the same in their presentation during the Mumbai Development Plan 2034 discussion held by the civics and politics department of the University of Mumbai at Kalina on Saturday.

Speaking about the situation, Indorewala said that based on the Human Development Index of the city it could be seen that the problem was most acute in densely populated areas in the city. “In the existing scenario the HDI in D Ward is .95 while in ME ward it is .05 which is way below the city’s average of .84. The HDI includes open spaces and amenities which as per the DP is being compromised by allowing developers to reduce open space from the 15 per cent to 10 per cent,” said Indorewala who along with Wagh teaches at the Kamala Raheja Institute of Architecture.

Meanwhile Wagh pointed out that as the city could not grow horizontally, the DP had allowed an increase in the floor space index which would only contribute to increasing the density of population as the city would see more highrises or vertical growth. “The DP stipulates use of open spaces for development purposes as a result of which the encroached land which is otherwise considered as open spaces will also be used for building accommodation for the displaced persons. Hence the open space stipulation of 2 sqm will not be achievable,” said Wagh adding that the city was already behind on that front in certain areas in the city which was evident from the HDI.

The duo further pointed out that the city was already suffering a shortage of open spaces due to certain open spaces being inaccessible to the common man as the same was either being used for private parking or have reserved for private use.