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Bandra's Green Gap: 9 Sq Ft Per Person Public Space
12 Feb
Summary
- Mumbai's H-West ward has less than 9 sq ft of public open space per person.
- This is significantly below WHO's recommended 9 sq m minimum.
- 30% of the ward's open space is private and inaccessible.
H-West ward in Mumbai, a bustling area of Bandra, Khar, and Santacruz (W), offers luxury living but suffers from a critical lack of public open space. A recent study reveals that residents have access to less than 9 square feet of open space per person. This figure starkly contrasts with the World Health Organization's recommendation of 9 square meters per person.
The study, conducted by the Bombay Greenway Foundation, highlights that even within this premium suburban market, a substantial 30% of open space is restricted or private. This limited access to public areas like parks and promenades is a significant concern for the ward's approximately 3.2 lakh residents.
Architect Alan Abraham, leading the foundation, points out that the rapid redevelopment of low-rise buildings into high-rise towers on narrow roads exacerbates the issue. He emphasizes that open space is essential urban infrastructure, not merely an amenity, and access and equity are major challenges in H-West ward.
This scarcity of public green space in H-West ward mirrors a decade-old survey of Greater Mumbai, which found only 10.5 sq km of freely accessible open spaces out of a total of 30 sq km. The findings underscore a persistent problem of inadequate and inequitable access to public open areas within the city.
