Urban Placemaking: Search for Identity in the central business district of Mumbai (BKC)

Abstract

Placemaking is commonly referred to as an approach that is multi-layered and multi-faced in urban studies, with the objective of the public open spaces like parks, streets, town squares or quays. They represent essence of local community identification. Placemaking refers to research and practice as referring to specific open spaces and urban design thereof.

CBD is always congested, gets worn out and disguised in mean meantime. The city and public asset are worthwhile, must be recognized, recovered and maintained. The situation of each Indian city is that it possesses a distinct nature, therefore calls for distinct action. Similar to the rest of the city, the Business District is concerned with commercial pursuits with negligible to no concern for risks in the form of restricting traffic movement, parking, misused, land shortage of open space and other such concerns. BID that is Business Improvement District, while endeavour to learn about potential of every charter, and improve the situation by bringing emphasis to it.

This article primarily discusses the city of Mumbai, located in the state of Maharashtra, India. The city's business area is centred around commercial occupations, with some risk to traffic flow, parking availability, land misuse, limited open space, and similar concerns. The plan aims to revitalize the open spaces of the community by carefully analysing the current situation and identifying suitable opportunities for restoration. A comprehensive approach to intervention is based on evaluating internal and external factors and using a prioritization matrix to determine the most effective strategies. The presented work can serve as a guide for urban placemaking interventions that can be adapted as well as implemented in other urban business regions.