Rejuvenation of space under flyovers in the city of Mumbai

Kapil Kabra

Abstract:
In todays growing cities, without being acknowledged dwell many patches of
small open spaces which are distributed through the urban fabric. These are
spaces generated as inevitable by-products of urban spatial developments.
Changes in both societal values and the inflexible processes of urban spatial
development had led to transformation of these marginal spaces into undesirable
areas. These spaces occupy a substantial proportion of urban land and deserve
serious consideration. Existences of public spaces in cities are essentials for social
interactions to take place, fostering creation of sustainable, safe and liveable cities.
Although public spaces are often designed for certain activities, existence of
unplanned spaces seemed interwoven in the cityscape flyovers and bridges. Such
incidental open spaces possess great transformative powers to add a wide
spectrum of values and meaning to urban living. In fast growing cities like
Mumbai, where the need of the hour is rapid growth, designers and customers
often foresee the creation of Negative Spaces. Spaces beneath Flyovers is an
example of Negative Space which has minimal utility.
In Mumbai, traffic congestion being the major problem, results in flyover and
hence the spaces beneath it. This space is often disrespected in the name of
shady and non-used space. While it has got a tremendous scope in developing
spaces of various gestures. In this essay, I will be focusing on the issues of the
space under the flyovers and the opportunities of making it a live and usable
space.
I will be suggesting the use of the left over spaces under the flyovers by designing
a space for the youngsters struggling with property prices by stacking shipping
containers. These containers will be the dwelling units designed especially taking
care of the surroundings and issues related to it. While being used as dwelling
units, these containers will also be used as the local office space for the municipal
activities. Other useful design functions will also be identified such as use of the
negative space for food stalls, cafes, sports and recreational activities, business and
services, evening market and space for cultural activities.
(The whole idea came from a personal experience of staying in Mumbai opposite
to the flyover, where the space under the flyover was in the worst of conditions.
The beggars and the people with meagre income used it for sleeping making it a
shady and a negative space.)

(Image source: Mumbai Corporation)