On the sidelines of a symposium at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) last month, this writer met Robert Stephens, architect, urban planner, and Bombayphile. The Bengaluru resident was excited that the second edition of his book, Bombay Imagined: An Illustrated History of the Unbuilt City was almost ready. At that session, he reminded audiences how detailed, un-built plans meant for the development of Bombay/Mumbai included in the book, could be realistically adapted to today’s times, and even for residences. He cited examples that he had incorporated while building his own home in Bengaluru. Stephens offered more insight in this conversation with mid-day.

As Robert Stephens lovingly calls home, brings to life many utopian ideals that have fallen into the loam of Mumbai’s un-built past over the last 350 years