Mumbai’s iconic skyline, once recognised for its striking Art Deco architecture and distinctive urban character, is increasingly facing what legal expert and urban policy analyst Adv. Rakesh Kumar Singh describes as “redevelopment fatigue.” Speaking exclusively to Lokmat, the Senior Managing Partner of RKS Associate expressed concern over the city’s rapidly changing architectural landscape, warning that aggressive redevelopment is gradually erasing Mumbai’s visual and cultural identity.
According to Adv. Singh, Mumbai once stood out globally for its unique architectural personality, particularly in areas such as Marine Drive and South Mumbai, where Art Deco buildings gave the city an internationally admired skyline.
“There was a time when Mumbai’s skyline rivaled that of Miami because of its remarkable concentration of Art Deco buildings,” Adv. Singh said. “Marine Drive was not merely a stretch of real estate; it was an artistic statement. Buildings had personality, rhythm, and proportion. They reflected aspiration and culture.”
However, he believes the city’s current redevelopment model is prioritising commercial efficiency and maximum construction potential over thoughtful urban design and architectural individuality.
“Today, much of Mumbai’s redevelopment unfortunately appears driven by speed, efficiency, and maximum saleable area rather than aesthetics or inspiration,” Adv. Singh observed. “Modern redevelopment projects often look interchangeable. Glass façades, repetitive towers, and standardized layouts have replaced individuality.”
He further cautioned that the increasing similarity in redevelopment projects across the city is resulting in a loss of visual diversity and weakening Mumbai’s architectural character.
“One can stand in different parts of the city today and feel as though the same building has simply been replicated multiple times,” he remarked.
Adv. Singh stressed that while redevelopment and urban expansion remain necessary for a growing metropolitan city like Mumbai, preserving architectural identity and cultural context should also remain central to future planning decisions.
Apart from leading RKS Associate, Adv. Rakesh Kumar Singh also serves as Chairman of Bharat Utthan Sangh, Khana Chahiye Foundation and Maharana Pratap Foundation.
Source: Lokmat Times
