Mumbai 3.0: The Future of Urban Planning | Shankar Deshpande | TEDxKESShroffCollege

Summary

The video explores the rapid urbanization of the world, particularly focusing on Mumbai's transformation. It discusses how cities, driven by aspirations for better quality of life, are growing at an unprecedented pace. Mumbai, a city of opportunities, faces challenges like overcrowded transport, poor infrastructure, and climate change. The speaker highlights the need for improved urban planning, including the development of sustainable and efficient transport systems like metros and transit-oriented development. With a focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving quality of life, Mumbai's urban mobility overhaul offers a blueprint for future urban development across India and the world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Urbanization is a global trend, with 50% of the world already urbanized and an expected 66% by 2050.
• 😀 In India, urbanization is rapidly increasing, with the percentage of urbanized population expected to rise from 34% to 50% by 2050.
• 😀 Major cities, including 6 in India, are growing rapidly, with 38 cities worldwide having populations of over 10 million.
• 😀 People migrate to cities like Mumbai to pursue better career opportunities, personal aspirations, and a higher quality of life.
• 😀 Mumbai’s role as a magnet for jobs, financial opportunities, and the entertainment industry drives migration to the city.
• 😀 Mumbai faces critical urban challenges, including overcrowded trains, insufficient transport options, housing issues, and climate change risks.
• 😀 The city’s transport infrastructure struggles with severe overcrowding, with trains carrying five times their capacity, causing unsafe and inhuman travel conditions.
• 😀 Mumbai’s urban planning historically focused on centralizing growth in the city center, but this approach has led to longer commutes and increased congestion.
• 😀 A comprehensive transport plan and the creation of new urban centers in the region, like Bandra-Kurla Complex, were developed to alleviate pressure on Mumbai.
• 😀 The introduction of metro systems and transit-oriented development (TOD) are transforming the city, improving mobility and creating sustainable urban spaces.
• 😀 Mumbai’s metro network, set to expand to 337 kilometers, will significantly improve urban mobility, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance quality of life.
• 😀 TOD integrates land use and mobility planning, creating spaces that encourage walking, cycling, and efficient use of public transportation.
• 😀 The metro system and TOD are part of Mumbai’s broader effort to mitigate climate change effects, reduce congestion, and provide accessible, green transport options.
• 😀 A projected reduction of one million metric tons of carbon emissions annually demonstrates the impact of sustainable urban mobility initiatives in Mumbai.
• 😀 Future development will create a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable city, contributing to better quality of life, economic growth, and environmental protection.

Q & A

What is the current global trend in urbanization?

Currently, 50% of the world’s population is urbanized, and by 2050, this figure is expected to rise to 66%. Urbanization is a global trend impacting cities across the world.

How is urbanization affecting India, and what is expected for 2050?

India is currently at 34% urbanization but is expected to cross 50% by 2050, with more people moving to cities in search of better opportunities and quality of life.

What draws people to Mumbai, and why is it considered a 'magnet' for migrants?

Mumbai is known as a city of opportunities, attracting people due to its financial hubs, the Bollywood industry, high-quality universities like IIT, and a place for career and personal growth. Its 'magnet' effect draws people in search of success and a better life.

What major problem does the speaker describe regarding commuting in Mumbai?

The speaker describes overcrowded trains and dangerous road conditions in Mumbai, with daily commuters enduring extreme travel conditions. Overcrowded trains, roads, and delays in ambulance services contribute to a poor quality of life.

What personal experience prompted the speaker to reflect on urban planning and its impact on lives?

The speaker recounts a conversation with a doctor who shared an incident where ambulances failed to reach in time, resulting in deaths. This led the speaker to wonder whether urban planning could save lives and prompted a deeper dive into the issues within Mumbai’s infrastructure.

What was the initial approach to urban planning in Mumbai during the 1960s?

In the 1960s, Mumbai’s urban planning focused on restricting growth in South Mumbai, expecting people to move northward. However, this approach didn’t work, and people continued to travel long distances from the northern suburbs to the city center.

What key development interventions were made in Mumbai over the last 60 years?

Interventions included creating a regional plan for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), improving transport systems with new roads and metro lines, and focusing on land use management, including residential, commercial, and industrial zones.

What role does urban mobility play in improving Mumbai’s quality of life?

Urban mobility is seen as a key solution to Mumbai’s congestion and transport issues. The development of metro systems and efficient transport networks is expected to improve commuting, reduce travel time, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for citizens.

What is Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), and how is it being applied in Mumbai?

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) involves designing neighborhoods around transit hubs like metro stations to encourage walking, cycling, and multimodal transport. In Mumbai, TOD is being applied by creating green spaces, pedestrian areas, and integrating cycling paths around metro stations.

How is climate change influencing urban planning in Mumbai, and what is being done to address it?

Climate change is having a direct impact on Mumbai with increased extreme weather events such as coastal storms, heat islands, and unpredictable rainfall. To address this, urban planning focuses on sustainable transport systems, reducing carbon emissions, and mitigating environmental impacts through green infrastructure.

What is the vision for the future of Mumbai’s urban mobility and how will it affect citizens?

The vision for Mumbai’s urban mobility is to build a 337 km metro network with 14 lines, improving connectivity and reducing dependence on cars. This will lead to better, more sustainable transport options, improving the quality of life, reducing carbon emissions, and allowing people more time for family and leisure.