A Mumbaikar has little over one square metre of open space; London gives its citizen's a little over 30 square metres. How, then, can communities thrive? That's why, three years ago, Abraham John Architects (AJA) and their urban design arm Bombay Greenway decided to work towards some good news. Opposite St Stephen's Church in the Mount Mary Basilica neighbourhood was a dump yard in a space spanning 18,000 sq ft — a hub for drug dealers. A pro-bono endeavour led by architect Alan Abraham, the team decided to send a proposal to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to turn it into a multi-use public space. Municipal corporator Asif Zakaria helped initiate the project and it also received support from the MCGM H/West Ward, particularly by the Maintenance and Garden department. And now, in light of its completion with an amphitheatre being built, the revamped location will play host to a cultural spectacle called Festival@The Steps for the next five weeks.

A model put together by Abraham John Architects