Experts Voice Concerns Over Proposed Central Park-Style Development At Mahalaxmi Racecourse

Urban planners, architects and designers expressed concerns over the proposed redevelopment of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse during a discussion held in Bandra West on Thursday, March 5.

The open forum was organised by several civic and design organisations to review the master plan proposed for the racecourse land. The plan includes the creation of a large urban park inspired by Central Park and Hyde Park. In addition, an underground sports complex and a convention centre have also been proposed as part of the development.

During the discussion, participants raised concerns about the future accessibility and ecological value of the site despite assurances that it would remain a public space. Architect Harshad Bhatia pointed to the importance of preserving open spaces in the city and questioned the long-term approach towards such land parcels.

“They are on leased land, and once the lease expires, the land goes back to the civic authorities. We need an Open Space policy which designates that these spaces [like the racecourse] be left as they are. The Mahalaxmi space is like a sponge of the city, let us work with nature.”

Architect Alan Abraham presented details of the proposed plan through a slide presentation, outlining possible changes to the site. He suggested that the proposed design could result in restricted entry and may not function as a fully open public space.

According to the background shared during the forum, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken control of about 120 acres of the 211-acre racecourse property. The area is proposed to be developed as a Central Park-style open space featuring a botanical garden, topiary garden and a city forest, along with an indoor sports complex planned beneath the racecourse grounds.

Participants at the forum also highlighted examples of public grounds such as Shivaji Park and Azad Maidan, describing them as democratic urban spaces that provide unrestricted access to citizens. They suggested that the racecourse should continue to function as an open space in its current form rather than undergo major redevelopment.

Source: Mid-day