Making Over Mumbai's Maharashtra Nature Park

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) recently announced the results of the two-stage competition that launched in December 2015. Thirty teams submitted entries, which were narrowed down to a "longlist" of eight. In addition to the winning team, the recent announcement named one finalist (Tiarstudio and Atria Arquitetos) and two shortlist entries (Virmueller Architects; Studio for Habitat Futures).

A statement from Cith Collaborative's Schlaich Bergermann Partner describes the winning project:

The demands on the design and delivery of the project are technically challenging and highly representative of the need for revitalisation and “makeover” of an environmentally sensitive area in the heart of Mumbai, India’s Financial Capital. The project sets new environmental precedents to educate, connect, engage, and mobilise the local population. 
 
Creating a secure zone for pedestrians is a response to the future urban development plans of Bandra-Kurla Complex, and the renewal of the Dharavi area, which includes plans for cleaning the Mithi River and providing residents and the local community with high quality and inspiring environments that will positively impact the Mumbaikars and the city’s ecosystem. 
 
The winning design includes a 300-metre-long pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the Mithi River that allow circulation across the park and the adjacent mud flat areas. The bridge design is curved in plan and varies from 9 m to 15 m in width, with shading canopies and seating areas, providing thus a new urban space to the city and the park.

The winning team will work with MMRDA to, in their words, "further develop their Master Plan in line with the statutory environmental guidelines, and other building and construction regulations up to a point that it could be executed by a contractor after approval from competent authorities."

Visit Let's Make Mumbai to see more of the winning team's design and to see the runners-up entries.