Regenerating Riparian Corridors

The project is proposed along the coastal road, with the site expanding from Haji Ali Bay to Siddharth Nagar.

The site exhibited a diverse urban fabric which encompassed of commercial buildings, residential apartments, and informal settlement by slum dwellers. There was a nalla that went through the settlement, the love groove nalla which connected to the storm water pumping station. During high tides, the water from the nallah used to sweep into informal settlement.

Design process

Intent of the project

The intent of the project was to revitalize the creek ecology and to mitigate socio-economic disparities present on the site and implement strategies that promote inclusivity and equitable access for individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

Programs

Riparian planting - Plant native trees, shrubs, and grasses along the creek banks. These plants stabilize the soil, prevent erosion, provide shade, and offer habitat for wildlife.
Soft open spaces that can afford temporal structures for cultural events for people of the informal settlement
Walking / Jogging tracks
Cycling routes
Parking
Public toilets
Play spaces
Spaces to loiter / Leisure space
Sitting spaces
Pause points
Meditation pods
Artisanal fishing

User group

Residents from the informal settlement
Children
People working in commercial buildings nearby
Residents
People visiting the temple and dargah
Senior citizens

Zoning

To achieve the objectives of revitalizing the creek ecology and preventing rainwater from entering the informal settlement during high tides, the project idea evolved into creating riparian zones along the creek. The expanded concept involves taking water from the nallah to form a stream that flows through the site, creating riparian corridors with the following key features:

i. Implementing a soft approach to protect the water's edge from floodwaters, using natural elements to enhance resilience and reduce erosion.

ii. Designing sponge spaces on either side of the stream to act as natural reservoirs, allowing them to soak in excess water and prevent flooding in the settlement area.

iii. Employing natural root zone filtration techniques to positively impact the ecology of the drainage area, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for water purification.