Bhendi Bazaar makeover set to be global precedent
A Draft Special Report | Mumbai
Bhendi Bazaar’s transformation will create a modern urban area that will not just set a precedent to urban renewal projects in Mumbai but provide a fillip for other urban renewal projects in India, and across the world.
“The project is meticulously planned to meet the present and future socio-economic needs of the people. The new transformed Bhendi Bazaar will not only have better homes, sustainable infrastructure and thriving marketplace, but also create an environment that supports human development to its fullest potential,” offers Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust CEO Abbas Master.
The Bhendi Bazaar cluster development project recently received the Intimation of Disapproval (IOD) from the BMC bringing it one step closer to begin construction. The Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) officials will now fulfil all conditions put forth in the document, before applying for the Commencement Certificate (CC). And, once the CC is in place, actual construction can begin. The Rs 3,000 crore-project has several 40-storey buildings and is expected to rehabilitate 3,200 families and 1,250 shops.
Parsis, Kutchchis and Jains came into Bhendi Bazar from western India.
In the 18th century, Dawoodi Bohras and Memons came to Mumbai primarily as traders of hardware. The British developed the zone before families were moved into matchbox size units sometimes as small as 50 sq.ft., which popularly came to be known as chawls.
After Independence, the zone received no attention from the government and the standard of living & infrastructure drastically failed to keep pace with the growing population. Today, as a result, more than 80 per cent of the buildings left are old, dilapidated and ‘unfit for living’ as laid down by the Maharashtra state housing body, MHADA.
More than 70 per cent of the present occupants lived as tenants and a majority lived in less than 300 sq. ft., areas in chawls and tenements which could house just 2-3 people.
Present-Day Status
The project has received the IOD (Intimation of Disapproval) approval and is awaiting the Commencement Certificate (CC), to begin construction soon. More than 60 dilapidated buildings have been demolished so far with a few identified for the same. More than 1,600 families have been shifted to the residential transit homes and 80 per cent of the buildings have been MHADA certified already.
The Trust has acquired more than 85 per cent of the buildings. And more importantly, it has received the environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) department.
Of The Revamp Scheme Spread across 16.5 acres, the Bhendi Bazaar project plans to rehabilitate 3,200 families and 1,250 commercial establishments in the area. All residents will be given flats with a minimum area of 350 square feet. Commercial premises would be accommodated in modern commercial complexes. Till date, 60 old buildings have been demolished as part of the project, and 1,600 residents have been moved into transit accommodations.
The scheme has been subdivided into a total of nine clusters, of which six are for rehabilitated residents, two for construction of premises that will be sold. The remaining one cluster is for MHADA buildings.
Plans On The Anvil
The project is slated to realize the dreams of its residents, both commercial & residential, to live life to its fullest potential with better standard of living and holistic growth.
This ambitious redevelopment project comprising 16.5 acres of landform has approximately 250 existing buildings, 1,250 shops and 3,200 families. All of these will be incorporated into a state-of-the-art sustainable development with new buildings, wide roads, modern infrastructure, more open spaces and highly visible commercial areas. Mosques and religious structures will be retained and enhanced to boost the culture of the place.
Designed To Meet Local Needs
The prized project is being planned to successfully meet present and future socio-economic needs of the people. The neighbourhood has been divided into nine sub-clusters for better management and functionality. Almost 80 per cent of the land mass will be used for rehabilitating existing tenants. Arches, jallis and lattice work will weave a distinct identity for the neighbourhood.
A Model Of Sustainable Development
The Bhendi Bazaar Project has already been pre-certified ‘Gold’ by the Indian Green Buildings Council (IGBC) equivalent to LEED certification.
Planned holistically, the model is aimed to promote a sustainable way of living. The entire zone will be divided into functionally appropriate spaces and the buildings rise in height from south to north to minimise the ingress of heat while maximising air circulation and natural lighting around the buildings.
While more space will be made available through open areas, green spaces, play and recreational facilities, wide roads will replace the narrow and congested lanes to accommodate tree-lined footpaths that will allow for smooth flow of vehicular traffic. Where traffic management is concerned, the design incorporates the best principles.
The area will have its own environment-friendly and efficient sewage treatment plant, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and garbage disposal units. Each of the nine planned sub-clusters will be independent with provisions for their own solid waste and sewage management, power provision and open spaces. The project aims to be resource neutral.
“It is wonderful to see how this project has captured the imagination of people not just from India, but around the world. I am confident the project would set precedent and pave the path for other inner city redevelopment projects in the country,” feels Quality Council of India Chairman and McKinsey Senior Adviser Adil Zainulbhai.
Tenants Remain At Core of Development
The Bhendi Bazaar project will ensure both residential and commercial tenants become owners to their properties. Residents will be provided with a minimum of 350 square feet carpet area giving each home a self-contained one-bedroom unit with a kitchen and a bathroom: This being well above the mandatory requirement of 300 square feet.
The area will be made livelier with Mumbai’s longest High Street Shopping experience. New premises with well-planned infrastructure and modern amenities. All shops will face the main road while living working conditions will be safe and secure. There will be plenty of open spaces with recreational and community areas. More than 700 trees and shrubs will be planted in contrast to just a single tree standing in the area currently.
To ease the transition and avoid any inconvenience to tenants during the redevelopment process, SBUT has built the finest commercial and residential transit facilities for tenants to move in while their new premises get ready.
Providing Commercial Relief
A vibrant Mufaddal Shopping Arcade, which is slotted to serve as a model for change from the presently un-organised chaotic market place into a well-planned modern shopping destination, will provide the perfect commercial relief to the zone’s residents.
With close proximity to Bhendi Bazaar, Mufaddal Shopping Arcade has been designed keeping the flavour and spirit of the lively Bhendi Bazaar in mind.
Temporary Shift Made Easy
At Anjirwadi (Mazgaon), a residential complex of 750 units has been built and additional transit housing of 1,100 units has been availed from MHADA at Ghodapdeo (Sewri) to provide temporary accommodation to the residential tenants while the redevelopment is in process.
The Ghodapdeo buildings have been refurnished to match the standards at Anjirwadi. Each room has been furnished with a kitchen, attached toilet, carpet, cupboard, curtains, hot water geysers and a washing machine. All that is needed is for the families to simply move in. These transit homes are built to promote a sense of community living in “a preview of what is to come in the larger context of the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project.”
The Trust provides Logistics Support such as services from movers and packers, etc. to ease the transition.
Support The Draft by sharing this story.
Bhendi Bazaar’s transformation will create a modern urban area that will not just set a precedent to urban renewal projects in Mumbai but provide a fillip for other urban renewal projects in India, and across the world.
“The project is meticulously planned to meet the present and future socio-economic needs of the people. The new transformed Bhendi Bazaar will not only have better homes, sustainable infrastructure and thriving marketplace, but also create an environment that supports human development to its fullest potential,” offers Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust CEO Abbas Master.
The Bhendi Bazaar cluster development project recently received the Intimation of Disapproval (IOD) from the BMC bringing it one step closer to begin construction. The Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) officials will now fulfil all conditions put forth in the document, before applying for the Commencement Certificate (CC). And, once the CC is in place, actual construction can begin. The Rs 3,000 crore-project has several 40-storey buildings and is expected to rehabilitate 3,200 families and 1,250 shops.
Historically Speaking: Bhendi Bazaar’s tryst with history is synonymous with Mumbai’s own. The local communities that settled here during the early 1,800 century provided the British with a link to trade in the hinterland. The zone also aided the labour classes to fuel the cotton trade and shipping that developed in Mumbai.
Parsis, Kutchchis and Jains came into Bhendi Bazar from western India.
In the 18th century, Dawoodi Bohras and Memons came to Mumbai primarily as traders of hardware. The British developed the zone before families were moved into matchbox size units sometimes as small as 50 sq.ft., which popularly came to be known as chawls.
After Independence, the zone received no attention from the government and the standard of living & infrastructure drastically failed to keep pace with the growing population. Today, as a result, more than 80 per cent of the buildings left are old, dilapidated and ‘unfit for living’ as laid down by the Maharashtra state housing body, MHADA.
More than 70 per cent of the present occupants lived as tenants and a majority lived in less than 300 sq. ft., areas in chawls and tenements which could house just 2-3 people.
Present-Day Status
The project has received the IOD (Intimation of Disapproval) approval and is awaiting the Commencement Certificate (CC), to begin construction soon. More than 60 dilapidated buildings have been demolished so far with a few identified for the same. More than 1,600 families have been shifted to the residential transit homes and 80 per cent of the buildings have been MHADA certified already.
The Trust has acquired more than 85 per cent of the buildings. And more importantly, it has received the environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) department.
Of The Revamp Scheme Spread across 16.5 acres, the Bhendi Bazaar project plans to rehabilitate 3,200 families and 1,250 commercial establishments in the area. All residents will be given flats with a minimum area of 350 square feet. Commercial premises would be accommodated in modern commercial complexes. Till date, 60 old buildings have been demolished as part of the project, and 1,600 residents have been moved into transit accommodations.
The scheme has been subdivided into a total of nine clusters, of which six are for rehabilitated residents, two for construction of premises that will be sold. The remaining one cluster is for MHADA buildings.
Owing to a high density of population, green spaces will be created on podiums. It is against the canvas of a vibrant yet congested Bhendi Bazaar, will come alive the grand vision of Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project (SBUP).
Plans On The Anvil
The project is slated to realize the dreams of its residents, both commercial & residential, to live life to its fullest potential with better standard of living and holistic growth.
This ambitious redevelopment project comprising 16.5 acres of landform has approximately 250 existing buildings, 1,250 shops and 3,200 families. All of these will be incorporated into a state-of-the-art sustainable development with new buildings, wide roads, modern infrastructure, more open spaces and highly visible commercial areas. Mosques and religious structures will be retained and enhanced to boost the culture of the place.
Designed To Meet Local Needs
The prized project is being planned to successfully meet present and future socio-economic needs of the people. The neighbourhood has been divided into nine sub-clusters for better management and functionality. Almost 80 per cent of the land mass will be used for rehabilitating existing tenants. Arches, jallis and lattice work will weave a distinct identity for the neighbourhood.
A Model Of Sustainable Development
The Bhendi Bazaar Project has already been pre-certified ‘Gold’ by the Indian Green Buildings Council (IGBC) equivalent to LEED certification.
Planned holistically, the model is aimed to promote a sustainable way of living. The entire zone will be divided into functionally appropriate spaces and the buildings rise in height from south to north to minimise the ingress of heat while maximising air circulation and natural lighting around the buildings.
While more space will be made available through open areas, green spaces, play and recreational facilities, wide roads will replace the narrow and congested lanes to accommodate tree-lined footpaths that will allow for smooth flow of vehicular traffic. Where traffic management is concerned, the design incorporates the best principles.
The area will have its own environment-friendly and efficient sewage treatment plant, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and garbage disposal units. Each of the nine planned sub-clusters will be independent with provisions for their own solid waste and sewage management, power provision and open spaces. The project aims to be resource neutral.
“It is wonderful to see how this project has captured the imagination of people not just from India, but around the world. I am confident the project would set precedent and pave the path for other inner city redevelopment projects in the country,” feels Quality Council of India Chairman and McKinsey Senior Adviser Adil Zainulbhai.
Tenants Remain At Core of Development
The Bhendi Bazaar project will ensure both residential and commercial tenants become owners to their properties. Residents will be provided with a minimum of 350 square feet carpet area giving each home a self-contained one-bedroom unit with a kitchen and a bathroom: This being well above the mandatory requirement of 300 square feet.
The area will be made livelier with Mumbai’s longest High Street Shopping experience. New premises with well-planned infrastructure and modern amenities. All shops will face the main road while living working conditions will be safe and secure. There will be plenty of open spaces with recreational and community areas. More than 700 trees and shrubs will be planted in contrast to just a single tree standing in the area currently.
Wider roads, footpaths and sufficient parking will ensure a high standard of living for residential and commercial tenants. The area will have its own environment-friendly and efficient sewage treatment plant, solar panels, rain-water harvesting and garbage disposal units. The sustainable construction will result in power and resource savings.
To ease the transition and avoid any inconvenience to tenants during the redevelopment process, SBUT has built the finest commercial and residential transit facilities for tenants to move in while their new premises get ready.
Providing Commercial Relief
A vibrant Mufaddal Shopping Arcade, which is slotted to serve as a model for change from the presently un-organised chaotic market place into a well-planned modern shopping destination, will provide the perfect commercial relief to the zone’s residents.
With close proximity to Bhendi Bazaar, Mufaddal Shopping Arcade has been designed keeping the flavour and spirit of the lively Bhendi Bazaar in mind.
Temporary Shift Made Easy
At Anjirwadi (Mazgaon), a residential complex of 750 units has been built and additional transit housing of 1,100 units has been availed from MHADA at Ghodapdeo (Sewri) to provide temporary accommodation to the residential tenants while the redevelopment is in process.
The Ghodapdeo buildings have been refurnished to match the standards at Anjirwadi. Each room has been furnished with a kitchen, attached toilet, carpet, cupboard, curtains, hot water geysers and a washing machine. All that is needed is for the families to simply move in. These transit homes are built to promote a sense of community living in “a preview of what is to come in the larger context of the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project.”
The Trust provides Logistics Support such as services from movers and packers, etc. to ease the transition.
Support The Draft by sharing this story.
