By: Ravi Sinha
Track2Realty Exclusive: Mumbai city is leading the redevelopment process though the volume is still a fraction of the overall potential. Of course, Mumbai’s problems are unique and need solutions which are also unique as socio-political fabric of the society and ethnicity is diverse.
Urban renewal has led to economic rejuvenation of various countries and Mumbai shall have to find its own unique solutions while learning from best global practices. While Singapore and Malaysia’s transformation was led by sagacious leadership, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chicago, Birmingham and New York effectively used their political process to drastically improve quality of life, economic output and employment opportunities.
What is needed in the redevelopment process of Mumbai is to experiment with innovation and value addition locally. Redevelopment in the city needs to be accorded a macro perspective rather than a micro outlook.
When Hong Kong initiated redevelopment projects, it had to ensure that the target locations and the priority project areas, upon completion of urban renewal, would be attractive places to reside and work. Accordingly, strategic planning guidelines were charted out to guide their developments.
As a redevelopment module, it shortlisted 200 priority project areas. Upon redevelopment of the 200 priority project areas; there were major improvements to the dilapidated urban areas, which were transformed and brought up to modern city living standards. The major urban decay problem of the city was, hence, largely resolved.
Similarly, the case of Japan is one of the most inspiring and creative as conviction of betterment leads the policy and practical solution formulations. Gate Tower Building is a 16-story office building in Fukushima-ku, Osaka, Japan. And what makes it notable is the highway that passes through the 5th-7th floors of this building.
The highway is part of the Hanshin Expressway, a network (239.3 km) of expressways surrounding Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, Japan. The Gate Tower Building is Japan’s first building to have a highway pass through it. And it had been nicknamed “beehive” referring to its appearance as a “bustling place”.
…..to be continued
