Maximum city Mumbai takes maximum effort

Encourage spaces across neighbourhoods for cultural exchangeKhushroo N Suntook chairman National Centre for the Performing ArtsThe city is home to some of the countryrsquos most wonderful and wellpreserved museums But we need more open and indoor art and culture spaces that can showcase art forms from across India and the world Each neighbourhood should support the nurturing of spaces that encourage cultural engagement especially for the younger generationAnupam Sah points out the London Underground roundel in pic Baker StreetWhile the city continues to produce worldclass entertainment and sports events there is still scope for better infrastructure to ensure a safe and seamless experience for the audience These changes will allow us the opportunity to inviting artistes and intellectuals of international caliberLetrsquos not be copycatsAnupam Sah art conservationrestoration specialistMumbai has its history with its tangible and intangible heritage elements One of the most visible iconic and essential elements is the railway network Sure we are proud of the Mumbai locals But how and when did we plagiarise the London Underground roundel designed over 100 years ago by Edward Johnston a typeface designer and which has become one of Londonrsquos symbols The symbol represents the frontal view of a train coming out of the tube the train tunnelThe striking resemblance with the Mumbai local railway station signage in pic Matunga railway station signboard PICSWIKIMEDIA COMMONSWe are neither bereft of sensitivity creativity nor of design acumen While it is wonderful to appreciate and get inspired by othersrsquo efforts letrsquos not mindlessly appropriate as it is selfdefeating Even if the logo was copied we should have realised that this signage font is so small that commuters can barely read it from the trains Letrsquos pay attention to the need for consultative and thoughtful decisions design and processes and prevent local heritage from getting coloured erased or placed out of contextWe should protect our precinctsMustansir Dalvi professor of architecture writer on urban mattersI would like to see heritage regulations that propose conserving precincts rather than individual buildings Conservation architects in Mumbai have been reasonably successful in preserving some of our cityrsquos most iconic historical structures but when it comes to neighbourhoods they have fallen short or been stymied by various vested interests or even weak regulationsPrecincts in Mumbai are necessary elements of the urban fabric and provide context and synchronies to places within the city Mumbai has multiple precincts that display its historical styles from the Konkan vernacular to the neoClassical and neoGothic to the IndoSaracenic and Art Deco and beyond They need to be preserved as a whole and with buffer zones around themPrecincts are fragile as a single misstep can damage its appreciation and open the doors for wholesale change Want to see what can go wrong Look at the skyline around Flora Fountain Make a 360degree turn around the Wellington Fountain near Regal to see the wealth of Mumbairsquos architecture that needs preservingConserving whole precincts also moderates the influence of rampant gentrification and provides a more wholesome civic realm to its inhabitants Case in point the Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project Imagine the idea of preserving Murzban Colony at Lal Chimney preserved as a wholeRestore arts venuesShernaz Patel theatre maker artistic directorAadyamAuditoriums require urgent upgrades The government should release funds to improve seating backstage facilities green rooms and restrooms Artistes and the audience must feel comfortable Light and sound systems require modernisation Why not adopt one auditorium in every neighbourhood for a revamp Some older Marathi theatres come to mind In Bandra the interiors of Manik Sabhagruh and Rangsharada need upgradesMumbai requires more spaces for indoor and outdoor events across the performing arts Where will hundreds of cultural groups perform Parks and gardens and schoolcollege auditoriums can be adapted to accommodate weekend shows Seek professional expertise for such upgrades because often venues look glitzy on the outside but lack quality facilities to stage shows Our performing arts calendar should have allyear programming and not just during festivals Psychologically people are turning to the arts and we need the spaces to showcase it to themReview heritage guidelinesAtul Kumar foundertrustee Art Deco MumbaiAs a progressive city and ahead of its time Mumbai was the first to adopt heritage guidelines in 1995 It is time to reaffirm that commitment and review the list of Grade 1 2 and 3 buildings and add all the priceless ones that got overlooked The list is long and it is never too lateBoth Khushroo Suntook and Shernaz Patel believe that Mumbai needs more neighbourhood spaces in pic Prithvi Theatre for the arts to flourishWe need FSI controls and letrsquos relook at redevelopmentVikas Dilawari conservation architect founder of Vikas Dilawari ArchitectsThe state and central government should encourage conservation as an assetndashfrom a sustainability point of view because it will help ready housing stock and not burden the fragile centuryold infrastructure Secondly the MHADA Repair Board should be revamped or a new board be set up to sensitise them to the heritage conservation philosophy of using liketolike material and opting for minimum intervention There should be an increase in the Cess Repair fund from existing per square foot We also need quick permissions for repairs and restoration to be givenFSI controls are essential in heritage areas However in newer areasthe developing suburbs etcmdashthat may have better infrastructure and less or no heritage the FSI can be raised With redevelopment cases cess should be introduced for demolishing and its funds should be used for conserving other heritage structures in that area its salvage should be given to the new repair board to encourage the use of liketolike material for other buildings to repair their stock The impact of redevelopment on the immediate neighbourhood should be well deliberated Finally letrsquos reintroduce Rental Housing and Rent revision keeping in mind the maintenance and the residentsrsquo economic status It cannot be frozen as is the case todayLetrsquos identify green guardians when we voteBittu Sahgal editor Sanctuary AsiaVoting is a complicated process Despite different outlooks and priorities we must agree that one issue trumps all othersour selfcreated climate crisis that caused the Mithi flood of 2005 More such catastrophes threaten the future of young Mumbaikars In the polls we should support candidates who care for Mumbairsquos future Our flyovers bridges and tunnels are important but the youth must know that Mumbairsquos finest infrastructure is the natural green garland of mangroves that skirt our coast protecting us from sea surgesThe Thane Flamingo Sanctuary sequesters carbon while preventing over siltation of the Mumbai Harbour FILE PICWe should also fiercely protect our open spaces including the 104 sq km Sanjay Gandhi National Park which helps secure our climate and water security the rich seascape that rivals the best in the world including the Thane Flamingo Sanctuary that sequesters carbon while preventing over siltation of the Mumbai harbour The treestudded wild pockets within private and public campuses that help moderate our climate and keep us healthy need our protection Mumbaikars should vote for those candidates who value the urban natural heritage of the city on which our lives dependPreserve Mumbairsquos tree coverNandini Somaya Sampat principal architect SNK AssociatesAs the density of our cities increases we must think beyond built spaces and also protect open and recreational spaces With a collective of professionals offering their services as citizens I hope their thoughts are considered to brainstorm on how these can be sensitively and effectively designed and implemented We are losing our oldest trees our mother earth our ability to walk in a contiguous space and on our promenades Public open spaces should not just be concretised with open plazas which results in higher heat island effectWe need to work around our trees connect maidans and reroute the roads to accommodate connectivity create parks with green cover seating and amenities for all In 2016 I initiated a campaign to protect a neem tree my family and I had grown up around It was grand tall and supported its own ecosystem It would shade us in the rain and heat surprise us with animal and bird visitors and stood beautifully to greet us every day It was the landmark of our neighbourhood And one day it was gone No thought was offered to build the design around the tree Trees are our city markers When a citizen raises their voice to protect a tree she must be heard To quote Nelson Mandela It always seems impossible until it is done This too can be done together

Maximum city Mumbai takes maximum effort

Encourage spaces across neighbourhoods for cultural exchange
Khushroo N Suntook, chairman, National Centre for the Performing Arts

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Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Article / Maximum city Mumbai takes maximum effort

Maximum city Mumbai takes maximum effort

Encourage spaces across neighbourhoods for cultural exchangeKhushroo N Suntook, chairman, National Centre for the Performing Arts

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Mid-Day Fast

Encourage spaces across neighbourhoods for cultural exchange
Khushroo N Suntook, chairman, National Centre for the Performing Arts