Remaking Mumbai goes the Shanghai Way

Mumbai, July 9 (UNI) In a bid to attract International Investment and partnerships for ''remaking of Mumbai on the Shanghai pattern'', a body of associations, of various stakeholders and eminent personalities from the Metropolis, is participating in the 'Shanghai conference of global body Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats (CTBUH)'.

''Remaking of Mumbai Federation'' (RoMF), a body preparing the blueprint of the ambitious project and leading a delegation to the two-day conference, which got underway today, has outlined measures, paving the way for a planned redevelopment of the city and envisaged between Rs 18,000-50,000 crore fund to be set aside for the much required infrastructure work in the Metropolis.

RoMF has been involved in talks with various authorities of the State Government evolving joint strategies to rebuild Mumbai.

Interaction with leaders in the field of urban development from CTBUH, with its 300 delegate members from across the world, would lend RoMF a strong technical and design expertise.

''Post the deluge on July 26, 2005, it is clear that Mumbai's redevelopment needs a planned sectoral method. RoMF is looking at the joint venture route for faster and better planned growth, while releasing funds for the much-needed upgradation of infrastructure'' convener of RoMF, Lalit Gandhi, who is the CMD of Lok Housing and Constructions Limited, told UNI.

The plan proposes the creation of a single planning, regulatory and decision-making body, City Planning and Management Company (CPMC), on a Public Private Partnership basis. The CPMC will oversee the Sector-by-Sector Development of the city, which would focus on 'vertical development', leaving a scope for adequate open spaces for public use.

With around 20,000 dilapidated buildings identified here by RoMF and state government, the plan looks at increasing the permissible Floor Space Index (FSI), and channelising a larger part of the proceeds than currently allowed to landlords as an incentive for development, and also to the state government for upgrading infrastructure and mass-housing. As a 'pilot project' on the signing of the proposed MoU, the Federation targeted C-ward 2 and C-ward 3 areas of Mumbai, containing the highly congested Chira Bazar and Bhuleshwar areas.

''Cities like Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore have clearly followed the Sectoral Development Model, and once we also start with public-private partnership, Mumbai will firmly become a world-class city'', said Gandhi.

The RoMF was formed to tackle the issues of dilapidated buildings, tenants' safety and raise the standard of living.

To create an inclusive process, the Core Founder Committee has more than 50 members, who are representatives of various chambers of industry, NGOs, financial institutions, housing bodies, real estate developers, property owners, housing societies, and tenant associations.

''RoMF is at an advanced level of talks with the Government of Maharashtra to put into action its urban renewal plan for the city of Mumbai'', Mr Gandhi added.

UNI