Urban underground space (UUS) planning : a case of Mumbai

Abstract

Keywords: Urban underground space planning, qualitative analysis, economic viability, development control regulations Indian cities have been horizontally sprawling to accommodate the increased population, but numerous researches suggest that it possesses major environmental and economic threats. Based upon the concerns of urban sprawl and land contestations, there is a need to develop a novel idea. The presented research delves into exploring the potentials and challenges of developing the concept of ‘Urban Underground Space (UUS) planning’ in the context of India and exemplified through the case of Mumbai. The research aims at developing a methodological framework for UUS planning contextualised in any other city. The research is divided into four objectives. The first objective deals with the literature study which frames the background of the study, builds the rationale of the research and guides it. The second objective deals with the site identification through suitability analysis. Qualitative research analysis is also part of this objective. The third objective deals with quantitative aspect of the concept appraisal and the fourth objective concludes the research with proposals and recommendations. The methodology adopts triangulation method of data analysis. It addresses variety of domains ranging from spatial and non-spatial aspects as well as scales of interventions. The qualitative appraisal of the concept includes stakeholder interviews and analysis of the focus aspects. The quantitative appraisal includes assessing the concept through the perspective of the developer as well as the user on the basis of cost and benefit components. The proposal and recommendations includes physical planning as well as policy level interventions in the domain of Institutional framework, financial planning, DCR and other legislative aspects. The concept of urban underground space planning should be viewed as a prospective domain for planning the future of the cities. Although, the concept is not without its limitations, but if research is instigated in this domain, it can help in future-proofing the Indian cities and further build them to be robust and sustainable.