While I understand the intention to support myself for more flexible, more open rooms as well as MaidanS as a urban designer, whose work focuses on justice and climate-like in urban design, I respectfully agree with the idea that the replication of the oval Maidan model is the most integrative or air-conditioning solution for Mumbais, as used in the article. Let me explain the reasons for this:
While MaidanS like the oval Maidan are valued public spaces in Mumbai, their usage patterns show considerable gender differences.
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Dominance of male users: Studies have shown that these open reasons are mainly occupied by men, especially during peak times. The activities that this room cricket and football are often male are centered and lead to the marginalization of women and other groups.
Perception of security: A study by Pukar (partner for city knowledge, action and research) showed that 87 percent of women in Mumbai find public spaces as insecure and highlight the gender -specific differences in access to such areas. According to their mapping counts “in the places of Chembur, Pydhonie and Nariman Point, the maximum women were 28 percent at around 12 noon in Chembur and the minimum at 9:30 p.m. in Pydhonie.”
Cultural and social norms: Studies show that social norms and stereotypes often lead to the self -regulation of the behavior of women in public spaces. This self -regulation, which is driven by concerns regarding security and social expectations, limits the access of women and comfort in open public areas such as MaidanS.
Open terrain without shadows are not used
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Mumbai MaidanS, like Oval Maidan and Azad Maidan, are extensive open spaces that often offer adequate tree coverage during the provision of areas for recovery. This deficiency has several effects:
Urban Heat-Island effect: The lack of trees contributes to the EHI effect of Urban Heat Island (Uhi), where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their rural environment. Studies have shown that areas with dense vegetation up to 3 degrees Celsius can be cooler than that without.
Reduced daytime usability: Without shadows, these open terrain becomes extremely hot during the maximum time and make them less accessible and comfortable, especially for population groups in need of protection such as older people and children. Studies show MaidanS in Mumbai are mainly used during the morning and evenings, while in other cities such as Bengaluru parks with lush tree roofs are mostly sought in the afternoon to find a break from the heat and the hard sun.
Limited rainwater harvest: Tree roots and green spaces play a crucial role in the absorption of rainwater, to reduce the drain and when filling up the groundwater. The lack of vegetation in MaidanS limits its capacity for the rainwater harvest and exacerbates urban flood problems during monsoon.
Including green areas is not about neat gardens
The vision that was proposed in the petition of the coastal forest in Mumbai is not an exclusive or decorative design – it is a climate justice and social justice. A coastal forest or an ecological buffer not only offers shadows and cooling, but also the restoration of habitats and rooms in which all residents feel safe to gather, sit, go and think.
Cities like New York and Mumbai are increasingly turning to the green infrastructure as a climate -in -in -id -in -effect alternative to well -groomed lawns or not open open MaidanS. In New York, projects such as Hunter's Point South Park use wetlands and permeable surfaces to absorb and protect rainwater from flooding, while the city's environmental protection department has implemented thousands of rainergartens, green roofs and bioswales for the effects of the drain and the heat-island.
Mumbai has also recognized the need for ecologically functional landscapes – in his climate protection plan, strategies such as urban green and rainwater harvests are circled in order to tackle chronic floods, heat resources and the exhaustion of the groundwater.
First, these coastal parks and ecological buffers reduce the risk of flood by absorbing precipitation and preventing water strokes in low -lying areas. Second, they cool cities by counteracting urban heat islands more effectively than open lawns or paved MaidanThirdly, they offer a variety of programs – such as shaded paths, seating, wetlands and sensory gardens – that dominated all age groups and skills, especially women, supervisors and seniors who are often avoided by sport or lack of amenities.
A well -designed coastal park can still comprise more than much -used lawns for informal sport, but this has to compensate for all age groups with gender -specific amenities, accessible seats and sensory experiences.
Design with, not for
Finally, the claim that the BMC should lead the design “in consultation with the public”, exactly what the petition is committed to. Real consultation means listening to those who are often excluded from planning decisions – especially women, older people, disabled people and marginalized communities – and to design the rooms that first reflect their needs, not just the majority.
The author is an urban designer who works at the interface of design, justice and climate resistance for public spaces and urban strategies that are integrative, sustainable and group-centered