Vision Mumbai 2052: go vertical

Singapore-based consultant unveils concept plan for city to go global.

Surbana International, a Singapore-based consultancy, unveiled on Friday a concept plan to make Mumbai a global city by 2052.

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Surbana -- appointed by the Mumbai Transformation Sup-port Unit (MTSU), which advises the state government on infrastructure -- said it is imperative for Mumbai to grow vertically if it is to accommodate its estimated 44 million residents by 2052.

For this, Surbana suggested an average floor space index (FSI) of 5 -- built-up area can be five times the size of the plot -- in the inner city, 3 in the suburbs and 3 in the hinterland. The consultants also recommended FSI of 14 for the central business districts, starting with Nariman Point.

Surbana also called for redeveloping Nariman Point as a global financial centre and the setting up of integrated townships in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, decentralising employment options. The first three such townships were proposed at Rewas, Vasai-Virar and Bhiwandi.

“Many of these suggestions have been implemented in international cities such as Shanghai and Singapore,” said chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad.