A joint NAGAR + UDRI study of Development Plan (DP) demarcated spaces in two of the city’s densest wards: P-North (Malad) and K-West (Andheri West) reveals a stark reality: only 30% of public open spaces are truly accessible.
Why?
- Over 50% of open space sites remain stuck in acquisition
- Many existing open spaces are locked behind gates, memberships, or fees
- Encroachments steadily eat away at the edges of public open spaces
- Several open space sites remain inaccessible due to lack of a DP demarcated public road
But there’s hope; the study doesn’t just highlight gaps – it offers strategies for safeguarding what exists and acquiring what’s promised. Above all, the study underscores the need for reliable, publicly accessible data – a critical tool for changemakers and stakeholders to deliberate effectively. Because ultimately, informed citizens are key to protecting Mumbai’s shrinking breathing spaces.
