The document proposes a design to revitalize the riverfront areas of Blocks E and G in the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai. The underlying concept is to rediscover and bring the Mithi River back into the public realm. It involves developing the neglected riverfront area with esplanades, promenades and green spaces to make it people-friendly. The proposal also aims to strengthen connectivity between the blocks and improve pedestrian movement by introducing pedestrian bridges and ramps. Case studies of successful riverfront developments elsewhere provide inspiration for the concept. The project is planned to be implemented in phases and could seek funding from various government and private sources.

1. 15TH
FEBRUARY 2011
PRESENTED TO: EVALUATION COMMITTEE, MMRDA
PRESENTED BY: VITASTA RAINA (Architect-Urban Planner), DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT, MUMBAI
URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION
FOR
BEAUTIFICATION OF BANDRA-KURLA COMPLEX
(BLOCK E, G, GN & GT)

2. REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
PRESENTATION
STRUCTURE
1. URBAN DESIGN: THEORY AND CONCEPT AND FOCUS OF THE DESIGN:
To establish a strong identity, ideology and vocabulary behind the Design
2. LOCATION AND NEIGHBOURHOOD CONTEXT:
To study and analyze the precinct, build fabric, current users and existing and
proposed networks for translation and integration of concepts into plans
3. DESIGN CONCENTRATION:
Proposed Thematic Layouts and concept sketches of the Block E and G
4. DESIGN TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION
Case studies of Riverfront Development and Finance & Business Centers
5. PROPOSAL LOGISTICS
Project phasing and costing, materials uses and technologies
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*

3. PART ONE
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
identity, ideology and vocabulary
behind theDesign
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*

4. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
IDENTITY, IDEOLOGY & VOCABULARY
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
NEO-URBANISM AND WALKABILITY
1-1/4
New Urbanism is an urban design
movement, which promotes walkable
neighbourhood.
Instead of creating more alienated streets
where we are fearful of walking designs should
cater to pedestrian needs.
To establish identity of space
• Signages, tree plantings , and fence
styles , street furniture
• Interspersed Park and green spaces
• Focus on public transit including Bus
Stops
• limited parking spaces to deter the amount
of car use
• Sidewalks, footpaths

5. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
IDENTITY, IDEOLOGY & VOCABULARY
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
PLACE-MAKING 1-
2/4
By focusing on PLACE-MAKING rather than construction of
vague design statements we can create an incubation area of
ideas, people and capital .
The public face of an urban
corridor affects how people
perceive its vitality and
consequently, their decisions
about investing in the area.
WE MOVE INWE MOVE IN TIMETIME THROUGH ATHROUGH A SEQUENCESEQUENCE OFOF SPACESSPACES

6. • The underlying concept for the URBAN DESIGN
OF BKC is to REDISCOVER THE RIVER,
revitalize it and bring it into the mainstream public
realm.
• Because of the built fabric of BKC, the Mithi
River, which runs along the length of Block E and
G, has been neglected and the river front is
disused.
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
IDENTITY, IDEOLOGY & VOCABULARY
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
FOCUS: REVITALISING THE RIVERFRONT 1-
3/4

7. • MMRDA has already undertaken Development of Mithi
River Project, it is pragmatic to link beautification of BKC
With RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT.
• Strong Built Canvas of BKC leaves little scope for value-
design elements
• Riverfront development, MINIMALIST IN APPROACH
will become symbol of modernism and city beautification.
• By focusing on River Front, ESSENCE OF THE RIVER
within built networks can be introduced
---
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
IDENTITY, IDEOLOGY & VOCABULARY
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
FOCUS: REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
1-4/4

8. PART TWO
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
BUILT FABRIC, LAND USERSand
EXISTING & PROPOSED NETWORKS
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*

9. BKC
S.G.
NAT.
PK.
AIRPORT
GORAI
ARABIAN
SEA
COLABA
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
BUILT FABRIC, LAND USERS & EXISTING AND PROPOSED NETWORKS
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
Location: 2-1/4
With the MMRDA as its SPA, Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC)Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC)
established in 1977, is a planned commercial complex in the
heart of Mumbai city. BKC has been envisaged as a growth
center and harbours new areas of planned commercial real
estate within the city limits.
MAP OF BKC HIGHLIGHTING
BLOCKS E AND G

10. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
BUILT FABRIC, LAND USERS & EXISTING AND PROPOSED NETWORKS
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
Land Users: 2-2/4
Currently, BKC houses a
number of commercial
buildings including
NABARD, IL&FS, ICICI
Bank etc. While several
office buildings have been
constructed in Block E
which also houses the City
Park,
GOOGLE IMAGE OF BKCGOOGLE IMAGE OF BKC
The complex has been built on marshy land on the north side of Mahim Creek. It is bound by the
suburbs of Kurla in the east and Bandra in the west. Santacruz lies to its North.
construction is ongoing in Block G which has been envisioned as ‘International Finance and
Business Center’ (IFBC).

11. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
BUILT FABRIC, LAND USERS & EXISTING AND PROPOSED NETWORKS
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
BUILT FABRIC:
2-3/4
Looking
towards block E
Looking
towards block G
Construction at
Riverfront Block G
behind IFBC

12. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
BUILT FABRIC, LAND USERS & EXISTING AND PROPOSED NETWORKS
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
NETWORK ANALYSIS: 2-4/4
1
2
3
4
N
(NOT TO SCALE)
The G and E Blocks are accessed by road through the Western Express Highway via the Kalanagar
Junction. In addition to the road networks, proposed Line II Mumbai Metro will pass through Block G
with railway station proposed along riverfront. The 45 M wide BKC Road is the main URBAN
CORRIDOR traversing the blocks. The corridor has 4 focal points as shown.

13. PART THREE
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
THEMATIC LAYOUTSand
CONCEPT SKETCHS
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*

14. It is proposed that Drive-in Theatre which promotes “automobiles” be replaced by “Multi-story
Parking Block” with Garden on ground floor merging with landscape. This may enable BKC to
become CAR-FREE Zone.
The Garden leading in from the Entry will open into the river front. The riverfront Promenade will lead
directly to the City Park of Block E. Pedestrian bridges (butterfly bridges) will connect the riverfront to
Block G. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
THEMATIC LAYOUT AND CONCEPT SKETCHES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
CONCEPTUAL PLANNING:
3-1/5
CONCEPTUAL PLAN

15. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
THEMATIC LAYOUT AND CONCEPT SKETCHES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
SCHEMATIC BLOCK PLANNING:
3-2/5
A pedestrian ramp is
proposed from Promenade
over the 15 m road leading
directly to City Park Garden.
In Block G a low
maintenance esplanade has
been proposed.
Water features and pergolas
proposed in existing Food Court and
Trellises along existing footpath on
main corridor proposed at the
Pedestrian Plaza
Focus on underutilized
properties to fill in gaps along
the corridor with objective of
stabilizing land uses.

16. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
THEMATIC LAYOUT AND CONCEPT SKETCHES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT:
3-3/5
esplanades & promenades
along the riverfront with
focus on people-friendly
development.
Current River edge conditions and proposed transformations
1. MEMORIAL
2. VIEWING PLATFORMS
3. SEATING
4. CYCLE TRACKS

17. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
THEMATIC LAYOUT AND CONCEPT SKETCHES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
TRAFFIC ISLANDS AND NODAL POINTS
3-4/5
The NODAL POINTS of the
public corridor can be
strengthened through
simple, cost-effective design
up-gradations. By
introducing elements of
vertical lines such as
‘butterfly-bridge’ that maybe
NON-STRUCTURAL but
visually pleasing, the sense
of travelling through a linear
corridor is enhanced with
less emphasis on
surrounding buildings.
TRAFFIC ISLANDS:
Cost-effective “Sail” shaped
stabiles focusing on river
proposed at bridges.

18. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
THEMATIC LAYOUT AND CONCEPT SKETCHES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
STREET FURNITURE 3-5/5
.
Incorporation of public art and artistic
treatment of functional elements such as
pavement to strengthen identity of the
complex.
promotion of pedestrian friendly environment
along the main corridor by trellises and
pergolas along building facades with simple
stone seating

19. PART FOUR
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
CASE STUDIES
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*

20. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
CASE STUDIES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
DUBLIN 4-1/6
“ A flexible public space that encourages people to spend
time in it, by creating a vibrant, energetic space that flows
naturally into the River Liffey.”
FEATURES
• Multi-functional plaza
• Paved in red resin-glass
material
• Hidden venting in
planters & benches
using perforated metal.
• Steel-clad pavilions
• Cascading marble
fountain
Angular lights both
functional & aesthetic.

21. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
CASE STUDIES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
SABARMATI 4-2/6
• In 2 phases along 10 km of river with total
investment approx. Rs 700 crore.
• It involves dredging, constructing retaining walls,
providing storm water outfalls, ghats and jetties,
reclaiming 162 hectares, providing interceptor
sewers, creating parks gardens, designing new
streets and promenades, constructing 'diaphragm’
separations between promenade and retaining
wall along river bank.

22. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
CASE STUDIES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
TAC River, HO-CHI MIN CITY 4-3/6
• to leverage on the presence of the
adjacent river, the extensive network of
weaving waterways and the lush
greenery as design generators.
• Environmentally, serves as a cooling
agent with its evaporative effect during
summers.
• A 3km long riverfront boardwalk act as a
connecting device
• Pockets of intimate green courtyards form
the interstitial space
• Integration of indigenous materials such
as bamboo

23. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
CASE STUDIES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
Peoriariverfront development 4-4/6
• The Riverfront Museum is a relocation and expansion of the Lakeview
Museum and planetarium in a park-like setting overlooking the majestic
Illinois River, including the Caterpillar Experience (multimedia walk).
• The Block is seven acres on Peoria’s riverfront
• Poised as “an eco-friendly campus offering learning, arts,
entertainment and recreation for people of all ages.”

24. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
CASE STUDIES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
KLCC City Park, KUALA LUMPUr 4-5/6
• Rarer trees were saved and transplanted. 1900 indigenous
trees and 66 species of palms were planted in the park to
promote bio-diversity. The trees were deliberately selected
to attract local and migratory birds.
• A man made lake was built in the middle of the park. A 43
meter elevated bridge that cut across the lake provides a
vantage view of the park and the twin towers.

25. DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
CASE STUDIES
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
BARCELONA: CITY SYMBOLISM
4-6/6
PUBLIC ARTPUBLIC ART

26. PART FIVE
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
PROJECT LOGISTICS,
PHASING AND COSTING
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*

27. • Suitable design guidance in selection of building materials, equipment
and systems including ‘dredging feasibility reports’ preconstruction.
• Environmentally conscious site development and attention to storm
water management.
• Planting materials to be local, or hardy. Vegetable farming in steps may
be considered.
• Littoral rock gardens (granite) may be used in places where planting
obstructs views.
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
LOGISTICS, PHASING & COSTING
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
MATERIALSAND TECHNOLOGY
5-1/3

28. • It is envisaged that the project shall be
carried out simultaneously in two distinct
parts:
a) Development along Riverbed
b) Urban Corridor/City Park Strengthening
• Development along the riverbed shall be
conducted in two phases. In the first
phase, the riverfront extending along
Block E shall be reclaimed and
developed. Riverbed along Block G shall
be developed as phase-II.
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
LOGISTICS, PHASING & COSTING
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
PROJECT COSTING 5-
2/3

29. SCOPE OF CENTRAL FUNDING UNDER
JNNURM: As Riverfront Development is part of
the JNNURM, the project maybe eligible for
80% Central Funding and 10% State Funding.
The recently completed Sabarmanti Riverfront
Development (20 Km stretch) was estimated at
a project cost of Rs 1,100 Cr.
Proposed Riverfront Development stretches to
approx 4 Km and estimated cost is up to RsRs
250 Cr.250 Cr.
Funding for project may also come in the
form of ‘urban corporate responsibility’
wherein offices within BKC may sponsor
certain riverfront stretches as part of the
Beautification Project under MUTP.
DESIGN STUDIO URBAN VARIANT*
LOGISTICS, PHASING & COSTING
REVITALIZING THE RIVERFRONT
PROJECT COSTING 5-
3/3

30. URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION FOR BEAUTIFICATION OF BANDRA-KURLA COMPLEX
VITASTA RAINA
Architect- Urban Planner