REVITALISATION OF THE EASTERN WATERFRONT

OF MUMBAI

ByKanika Patil
Guided By - Ar. Sanjay Kumbhare

REVITALISATION OF THE EASTERN WATERFRONT

OF MUMBAI
Kanika Patil
INTRODUCTION
Background and history
Mumbai emerged from 7 islands and has developed its existing geographic form over decades.
A narrow stretch of land entering the Arabian Sea gives almost 114km of coastline to Mumbai
Metropolitan Region (MMR). It has formed the eastern bay which is significant for its relation
with MMR

TO MUMBAI

FROM BOMBAY

Marine Drive, the waterfront boulevard along south Mumbais western coast, is often
referred to as Queens Necklace because at night its streetlights resemble a string of jewels.
Around a mile away, across the narrow peninsula, corrugated metal roofs, deserted
warehouses, and old shipyard cranes and overgrown mangrove forests pepper the landscape.
Historically, this is where the martial maritime and mercantile city of Bombay began. It
started off as a simple manor house and factory by the Portuguese which radically changed
when the ownership went to the British. British seized the potential of natural harbour on the
eastern edges to create a mercantile hub. They brought in trades people, then the service
industry to the dockland. His helped in the boom of cotton trade, hence attracting vast
migrants who settled along the eastern waterfront.

OPENING UP THE EASTERN WATERFRONT (REGENERATION AND

REDEVELOPMENT)
The port and docklands of Mumbai occupying the entire harbour side shore of the island city
contains docks, warehouses, ship breaking yards, formal and informal industries and economic
activities which have been a vital part of the citys economy and history. Across the harbour, in
Nhava Sheva, on the mainland, containerized shipping has eclipsed the functions of the old
Mumbai port trust, the sole custodian of the port and docklands, the largest land owner in
Mumbai containerization and regional competition by new ports has dramatically changed the
historic relationship between old port and the city, and the harbor and surrounding region.
The land use and the activities along the eastern coastline are becoming increasingly
redundant. Only 50% of the port land on the eastern waterfront is used for port activities and in
fact large, seemingly underused infrastructure and road characterize the present state of the
landscape. These transformations make it necessary for all those concerned with the citys
future to focus on public strategy and planning brief for the regeneration of the port and
docklands within Mumbai metropolitan region.
The eastern waterfront is therefore of great relevance for the future, in the way the city as well
as the region reinvents itself. In fact the very connection of the historic city centre to the region
would depend on how the citys eastern water edge is recycled for use by Mumbai.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

1. To make use of the underutilized waterfront spaces in the island city for public open
spaces and sports and recreational areas.
2. To revitalize defunct docks and make them relevant to Mumbai of today.
3. To encourage citizens to appreciate the sea as an asset of the city.
4. To assist in selecting an appropriate site and converting into a development node for
the overall development of Mumbais eastern waterfront
5. To create a visual connection to Navi Mumbai and the hinterland

THE POTENTIAL
The redevelopment of the eastern waterfront can play two vital roles:
1. Decongesting the city and improving its environment, and opening new spaces for the
mobility of goods and people.
2. Using the nodal location of the waterfront to connect the island city of Mumbai to its
twin city across the harbour, Navi Mumbai, through realignment of the regional axes of
economy, transport and communication.

Thus the areas stretch of 32kms of virtually inaccessible waterfront offers the potential pf
public access while re-orienting the perception of the region with regard to the citys
geographical and physical form. Similarly, the potential for connectivity using water transport
could offer the much needed transformation of mobility within the region.
The water edge contains infrastructural resources like the ferry wharfs, docks, bunders and
piers which are underused. The area is well connected by road and railway to the rest of the
region and is also equipped with internal roads and rails that underused.

EASTERN WATEFFRONT ISSUES & COMPLEXITIES

1. Waterfront sustainability in the context of the Mumbais estuary; reclamation in the
face of sea-level rise, flooding and monsoon
2. Pollution of the eastern waterfront and destruction of marine ecology.
3. Social equity, rights of the people who are currently living in the docklands and working
in Mumbais informal economy.
4. Potential of the waterfront as a new public space for Mumbai.
5. Provision of affordable housing.
6. Historic preservation of the dockland fabric and local histories
7. Transportation infrastructure to connect the eastern waterfront with the rest of the city
and new Mumbai across the harbour.
The eastern waterfronts approximately 7.3 sq.km. (1800 acres) are grappling with great
transformation as the economy of Mumbai moves into the post-industrial phase. Currently only
50% of the land, 3.4sq.km (836acres) is used for port activities. Large seemingly underused
infrastructure, roads and warehouses (often robustly beautiful building with great reuse
potential) create a sense of desolation that is offset by teeming populations, labour pools and
virtual sea of energy and resources creating new process most appropriate to trigger the
conversion of this incredible resource of land, people and infrastructure to improve the city
while safeguarding the interest of present users. Indeed the ecology of the region, defined by
the mangroves and flamingos that settle here during half the year, coupled with the heritage
buildings and treasures such as the Sewri fort and other fragments to comprise the rich fabric
of Mumbais eastern waterfront.
The eastern waterfront is a crucial zone that could transform Mumbai and compensate for the
cities many physical deficiencies. The challenge is how to rearrange the landscape to synergize
these different components. East coast development involves major ecological and social issues
such as the displacement of dockworker communities and their livelihood. It also has the

potential to provide much needed public space and amenities in the densest city in the world
(22,000 persons per sq.km).
Above all the Mumbai eastern waterfront redevelopment needs to balance the following
conflicting needs:
1. Environment concerns with the pressure for speculative real-estate development
2. Interest of owners and developer versus that of residents and workers
3. Interest of stakeholders and residents versus city wide and regional interests.

POSSIBLE CASE STUDIES

Book Case Studies Port Vell, Barcelona
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town South Africa
Singapore Marina Waterfront
Canary Wharf
Hong Kong Waterfront
Seattle Waterfront
History Of London Docklands
History of New York Docklands
Circular Quay, Sydney Australia
Pier 39, San Francisco
Harbour Park, Kenosha, USA
Live Case Studies Marine Drive, Carter Road, Bandstand - Mumbai
Banaras
Mills Land, Parel
Pondicherry
Sabarmati Riverfront , Ahmedabad

POSSIBLE SITES
INTERVENTIONS -

AND

Mumbais eastern bay has specific

geographical characteristics due to
the protected land formation
around it and is rich with diverse
ecological factors which vary at
every kilometer of its stretch.

This variety could be utilized as an

opportunity for developing the
eastern bay coastline as a public

space whilst maintaining its

balance with ecology and nature.
By selecting and analyzing one of

the significant nodes on eastern

bay there are several opportunities
of developing several different
These strategies need to be
verified further for their relevant
applicability to various nodes on
eastern bay by considering the
local contexts of each site. This
study needs to be taken forward
and is possible for various
locations on eastern bay edge, to
promote citys waterfronts as
usable public spaces. While making
the eastern bay coastline
accessible to public, the care has to
be taken for duly considering
sensitive environmental aspects
associated with the area. The
Eastern Waterfront Starts from
the Gateway of India in the south
up to Wadala in the north. It is
bounded by the harbour line on
the west which forms a major
barrier separating it from the city.

SITE 3 - Sassoon Docks and Koliwada

Community
Sassoon Dock was built in 1875 as a fishing
harbour and was the first enclosed dock
constructed by the Mumbai Port trust. There is
a thriving eco-system of Koli fishermen,
auctioneers, wholesalers, retail fisher women,
cleaning, peeling and fishing helpers and tiny
solo-entrepreneurs who work here Reportedly
fish in excess of Rs 3 crores is traded in Sassoon
Docks everyday.
POSSIBLE INTERVENTION - Revival of the
Docks for more profits for the fishing
economy.

SITE 3 - Darukhana Neighbourhood

Darukhana is supporting a local ship breaking
industry in the heart of a teeming city. The ship
breaking industry is known for hazards both to
the environment and the workers. It requires
close regulation to prevent pollution from toxic
wastes and oil sludge in ships which are taken
in hand for breaking as well as concerns of its
workers who work without helmets, safety
harnesses or eye protectors.
POSSIBLE INTERVENTION - The natural slope
and compacted seabed at Darukhana lends
itself to water sports at varying tide levels. The
development of the waterfront will create a
water sports centre which can encompass:
Sailing
Rowing
Kayaking
Wind surfing
Water scooters
Water skiing

SITE 3 - Sewri Fort

Sewri has attracted worldwide attention as
the nesting ground for flamingos. It is a unique
eco-system and also home to many heritage
architectural sites. However, access to these
unique destinations are through neglected and
derelict areas with oil depots, truck parking
zones and unorganized barge repair units.
POSSIBLE INTERVENTION - Restoration of the
Sewri Fort and ecological Park

SITE 4 - The Haji Bunder, Cotton Green and

Hay Bunder
areas are a legacy of the early 20th century
industrial era of central Mumbai.
The cotton depots supported 85 textile mills,
as the cotton trading centre of Mumbai rivalled
Manchester. The plots in Hay Bunder and
Fosbery Road were leased to major consumer
goods manufacturing industries of the time.
POSSIBLE INTERVENTION - Education Hub,
Promenade, Public Library