OPEN SPACES - MUMBAI - CASE STUDY ON DESIGNING OF PARKS AND PLAY GROUNDS

1. Case Study
on designing of parks and play grounds
Hari Om Nagar, Mulund East

2. About Hari Om Nagar
Hari Om Nagar lies in the north east area of Mumbai,
The closest railway station is Mulund
Hari Om Nagar is one of the last few localities in Mumbai where still large
open reserved public spaces exist.

3. DP of Hari Om Nagar in 1991
The MCGM DP of 91 had reserved open spaces as shown in the Map
A total of 7 plots were allotted (marked in red boxes)

4. ELU of Hari Om Nagar 2015
The ELU of Hari Om Nagar 2015 shows out of the 7 open spaces two have been
complete been lost for the MCGM landfill and Octroi Check post
Leaving 5 only, out of these 5 open spaces , the MCGM over a period of five years
has developed or is developing 4 into a garden or a park
GARDEN Developed
GARDEN Developed
GARDEN Developed
but in a very bad
state
GARDEN getting
developed
Open Space Lost
Open Space Lost

5. Question How many Gardens does Hari
Om Nagar need ?
Every Society in Hari Om Nagar has a garden and Children's Play area
The MCGM has already developed 2 gardens within half a kilometre radius
One garden is completely in neglect and now the MCGM is developing more gardens
which is one of the last big open spaces where citizens can play sports like football ,
cricket and other field sports (Marked in yellow)
MCGM developed Garden
Society developed Garden
MCGM Neglected Garden
MCGM developing a Garden
Only One space to play sports

6. Open Space - 1 Developed in Hari om Nagar
CTS NO: - 98A/2,95/13C,99B,99C,&97/2B (Marked in Yellow)
Area of this plot was 8791.2 Sq .Mts
In possession of the MCGM from 2nd March 2003 Onwards

7. Before and After development
Before Development Adults, Youth and
Teenagers used to play field game and
keep them self active and stay out of
trouble
After Development youth and teenagers do
not have any source of activity physical
activity and stopped to play any kind of
sport

9. Alternative to this development
A smaller MCGM ground CTS no 95/13E of area 3163 sq.mt (In possession from
31/1/2006) sharing a common wall could have been developed and upgraded to a good
garden. This would not compromise the sporting activity of the active adults, youth and
teenagers as well as children, senor citizens and others who use the garden

10. The distance between the developed
garden and alternative space
The distance between the developed MCGM garden and alternative is just 150 M only

11. Open Space - 2 Developed in Hari om Nagar
CTS NO: - 1320/A/11
Area – 43663.7 Sq.Mt
In possession of the MCGM from 3rd March 2003 Onwards

12. Distance between the 1st and 2nd Open space
The distance between the 1st garden developed and 2nd garden developed is just 300 M only

13. Before and After development
Before Development Adults, Youth and
Teenagers used to play field game and
keep them self active and stay out of
trouble
After Development the open space will
become completely unfit for playing sport
of any kind

14. Alternative to this development
A smaller MCGM ground CTS no 87/4B of area 2976.8 sq.mt (In possession from
31/1/2006) sharing a common wall which now is a safe haven for substance
users, could have been developed and upgraded to a good garden. This would not
compromise the sporting activity of the active adults, youth and teenagers as well
as children, senior citizens and others who use the garden.

15. The distance between the developed
garden and alternative space
The distance between the developed MCGM garden and alternative is just 37 M only

16. The Concern
• Mumbai has a population where 70% is below the age of 35.
• Where will the Adults, Youths and teenagers play sports activities.
• Will participating in sport be only to the ones who can afford swanky
gymkhanas and Clubs.
• What about the Right To Play.
• What about the health of our Children, Youth and Adults

17. Examples from around the world
• In Argentina and round the world simple items like benches serve as place
for the young and old to keep them self engage and healthy.
Ex: Chess board carved on benches to encourage senior citizens to play chess and keep their mind young and
active. (Image)

18. The current requirement
• In a city like Mumbai where land is very prized and in short supply open
spaces only serving as green zones will not help.
• Open spaces which can be used for multiple sporting and recreational
activities and directly impact the environmental and social fabric of the
city is the need of the hour.
Examples attached in pictures from Morro da Mineira, Rio De Janeiro, Brasil

19. “Sport has the power to change the world, It has the power to inspire. It has
the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a
language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only
despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.
It Laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”
Nelson Mandela
compiled by Rohit Dsouza
thank you