Problems of Urban Planning in Mumbai

Some of the general problems associated especially with the old and dilapidated areas in island city are as below:

• Unplanned development
• 30000 bldgs in shadow of death
• Deaths and Disaster
• Infrastructure
• Environment
• Small houses
• Population and density
• Open spaces
• 33(7)
• Conflict between 33(7) and 33(9)

Unplanned development: Limited FSI, improper planning, outdated development plan and problem of providing infrastructure has led to unplanned development. The narrow roads and streets with a high density of population has contributed to these unplanned development. The density of population of C and D ward of Mumbai is highest in the World.

30000 buildings in shadow of death: There are thousands of cessed and non cessed buildings, old and dilapidated in the island cities which are not safe for living. Every year there is a building collapse and many casualties occur. Most of the buildings are century old and are irreparable. The only solution to save the lives of the people living in these buildings is comprehensive cluster development on sectorial basis.
Death and Disaster: After July 26th, 2005 heavy rains – 503 buildings have been marked “Dangerous”. In last 35 years there have been 2,717 minor & major instances of collapses. 674 people died during collapse and 1593 people have been injured.

Infrastructure: Infrastructure is the backbone of any development. However, the biggest challenge is the age-old infrastructure which is century old and has limitations to carry the burden of any further development. Many towers are erected without proper infrastructure. Most of the development that has taken place are single building redevelopments which has already strained the existing limited infrastructure. The sewage and garbage disposal systems in C and D wards have completely collapsed. There is a need for sustainable strategies for storm water drainage, potable water, solid waste management, energy conservation and so on

Environment: The existing environment in C and D ward is quite pathetic and there is a considerable amount of pressure due to hundreds of heavy vehicles contributing to the pollution level and noise level. There are no social infrastructures such as recreation ground or green spaces. The narrow roads and streets and hundreds of vehicles has created traffic jams and there is no free movement of the people in the streets and roads.

Small houses: There are thousands of families living in cessed and non cessed buildings occupying a small area of 125-180 square feet. People staying in these houses have been staying here since decades; their families have grown in these small houses. The average size of the people living is 6. Allain Bertaud in its report to the World Bank has mentioned that Mumbai has the lowest per head space in the world

Population and Density: The population in C ward of island city is 96,673 people. The daytime and nighttime ratio is 5:1. The density of the population in C ward is the highest in the World. The C ward has narrow layout.
Open Spaces: There is hardly any open space in C ward. There are no green spaces or any recreation left behind. The buildings are very close to each other. Hardly any space is left behind.