When a wasted space transforms into a park
The Mumbai Green Mile revitalizes Mumbai’s Senapati Bapat Marg flyover, transforming the neglected
spaces below this overbearing concrete infrastructure into a space for public activities that appeal to the
entire local community. Space, programming, mobility, planting, and visual identity work together in an
approach focused on sustainable urban development, asserting a new benchmark for underused public
spaces in the intense Indian metropolis.
Location
Senapati Bapatmarg Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai.
Evaluating the Situation
The design increases the social utility and value of the flyover itself; in addition to transporting cars, it acquires a new purpose
as a sheltered, occupiable public space. It thus contributes greatly to the social sustainability and resilience of the area, providing
needed play areas for children, informal study spaces, and social amenities in which communities can strengthen their bonds.
Engineering features store and filter monsoon water to irrigate the Green Mile’s extensive network of plants.
Relationship between Urban Planning and Architecture
While architecture focuses on the buildings, urban design focuses on relationships between buildings and
on the spaces, they create in between each other, often called the “public realm.”
Urban design inspires, illustrates and defines how a place could be improved or protected to bring benefits
to investors, developers and wider society. Here the public realm is designed under the bridge redefining
the quality of life which is set in the busy neighbourhood of Parel.
Planning and Program
How are people using the space?
This picture taken today morning shows the power of creating Space for people , children & play.
Users and Timing
Strategy
• The Mumbai Green Mile design responds to the existing flyover’s limited accessibility, unused spaces, lack
of greenery and physical amenities, as well as significant ambient noise pollution.
• Visual accent colours in materials and graphics make all aspects of the intervention recognizable as a
whole. The space is divided into a series of public “rooms” with diverse functions: lounge, gym, shaded
seating area, performance space, and reading room.
Soft Edge
Soft Edge
Soft Edge
Hilly Landscape
A hilly landscape of stonecrete and recycled rubber paving transforms the 2-dimensional visual features
into a 3D spatial experience, accommodating a whole range of different programs and providing a
dynamic physical attraction that articulates and defines the intervention’s bold character and qualities.
Objectives
Planting extends throughout the 800m public
space. Greenery in the design, featured in
retaining walls, porous materials, planters
buffering mobility paths, and greenery
suspended from the flyover, promotes
biodiversity and healthy habitat for diverse
species, while cooling the surrounding spaces
and dampening noise pollution.
The design enhances connections for
pedestrians and cyclists to make the area more
comfortable and accessible. Paving, bicycle
paths, and bright blue, large-scale zebra
crossings promote access and safety. It
improves accessibility with the incorporation of
an uninterrupted mobility network and mobility
hub to stimulate cycling. The area’s lighting
concept works alongside programmatic
elements and urban furniture features to make
a recognizable place, and ensure safety around
the clock.
How are people using the space?
1. As a social and leisure space
2. Kids using the space – Play and study
3. Disabled Friendly
Sanjana Bhandiwad 04
