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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
BMC to introduce new policy for development of ‘iconic buildings' in city
Eyeing to promote world-class architecture in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has charted plans to introduce a new policy which will pave the way for the development of 'iconic buildings' in Mumbai. On Tuesday, the civic body invited suggestions and objections from citizens to its proposal to modify the prevailing Development Control and Promotion Regulation (DCPR) 2034 to introduce a new regulation – 33(27). While the public can send in their suggestions and objections over a period of one month, the proposal has drawn flak from a section of activists. Earlier in March, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had announced plans for iconic buildings in Mumbai, following which the urban development department had proposed a new chapter in the DCPR in 2034. In a bid to make the provision, the BMC on Tuesday floated the proposal to introduce a new regulation — 33 (27) — which pertains to the development of 'iconic buildings'. According to the proposal, a building or a premises will be eligible to be deemed 'iconic' if they have 'unique and distinctive characteristics' owing to their shape, size, aesthetics, look, concept, theme, architectural or structural design among others. As per the clauses, no residential building will be eligible for the category with at least 40 per cent of the building remaining open to the public through some fee-based system. The proposals for a building's iconic status will be approved by a six-member scrutiny committee, which will be lead by the civic municipal commissioner, and comprise famed members from the global architectural field, visual art, a leading personality from the business industry as well as the director of the Town Planning in Maharashtra and the Chief Engineer of the Development Plan BMC's development plan department. Once enforced, the scrutiny committee will inspect the proposal and then submit the proposal to the government body for principal approval. According to officials, the project proponent of a private property who submits their bid for the iconic status will be mandated to have a minimum of 1 million sqm of BUA completed or have a minimum turnover of Rs 5,000 crore per year in the last three financial years. Speaking to The Indian Express, senior officials said that the objective of the proposal is to elevate Mumbai's existing skyline by creating new points of attraction. 'The proposal has been initiated by the government of Maharashtra while the BMC issued the notification for modification. Across the globe, we see many iconic buildings with towers that have viewing points and public spaces like malls,' said a BMC official. However, activists including Godfrey Pimenta have alleged that the definition of 'iconic buildings' remains very vague. Writing to the chief engineer of the Development Plan department in BMC, Pimenta wrote, 'The state government has retained power to grant additional FSI on payment of premium at a rate of 50% of land rate. Mischievously there is no cap as to how much FSI can be granted by state government. We have strong reasons to believe that the new Regulation is tailor-made to suit the requirements of few pre-determined developers.'
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BMC issues public notice on special provision for ‘iconic buildings'
MUMBAI: The state government's move to create 'iconic buildings' in space-starved Mumbai is beginning to take shape. Amid concerns that these structures could lead to an FSI windfall for developers, the civic administration has issued a notice inviting objections and suggestions from the public on a special provision introduced by the state in the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. BMC headquarters (Hindustan Times) The special provision, under Regulation 33(27), allows for the creation of structures of 'architectural excellence'. It defines what an iconic building is and the eligibility criteria for developers to construct such a structure. The objections and suggestions have been invited by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as it will be the primary planning authority for such proposals in Mumbai. Under the proposed new regulation, iconic buildings are those that display exceptional uniqueness in shape, size, aesthetic appeal, architectural or structural design, urban integration, or conceptual and thematic innovation. HT was the first to report on iconic buildings on October 1, 2022. To qualify to submit a proposal under this regulation, the builder should have developed at least 1 million square metres of built-up area in previously completed projects, or should have recorded an annual turnover of not less than ₹ 5,000 crore in any one of the last three financial years. In exceptional cases, if a proposal is submitted by a renowned architect who has previously designed and delivered a globally recognised iconic building, the selection committee may consider relaxing these eligibility norms. The notice states that the permissible Floor Space Index (FSI) will be in accordance with the provisions of DCPR 2034. However, subject to committee recommendation, the state may grant additional FSI upon payment of a premium that will be divided between the BMC and the state government in a two-thirds to one-third ratio, respectively. Moreover, architectural or elevational elements that contribute to the building's iconic nature but are non-habitable in nature may be considered for exemption from FSI calculation, with no premium levied, subject to government approval following committee scrutiny. Each proposal will be evaluated by a specially constituted committee led by the municipal commissioner. 'The committee will comprise distinguished individuals from various fields, including global architecture, visual arts, business and urban planning. The municipal commissioner will also appoint two more experts from the academic or professional domains of architecture and urban design. Only five proposals can be recommended each year, and these will be announced officially on significant national days such as January 26, May 1, or August 15,' the notice states. The project must be located on an independent plot and at least 40% of its space must be accessible to the public, either for free or through tickets or bookings. The developer will be responsible for the lifelong upkeep and maintenance of the building or premises. All statutory regulations concerning environmental clearance, heritage conservation, coastal zone regulation, aviation, and archaeology must be complied with by the developer. The concept of iconic buildings is already raising eyebrows. 'The definition of 'iconic building' in the regulation is vague and open-ended. Contrary to the commonly understood meaning of iconic structures as culturally or historically significant landmarks, the regulation appears designed to benefit a select few developers,' said advocate Godfrey Pimenta from Watchdog Foundation. Pimenta told HT, 'The eligibility conditions requiring a minimum of 1 million sq m built-up area or ₹ 5,000 crore turnover effectively restricts access to a handful of large developers. Furthermore, the state government would be an unchecked authority to grant additional FSI at 50% of ASR land rates, with no upper cap, raising concerns of arbitrary and preferential treatment,' he said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
BMC invites suggestions on new policy for ‘iconic bldgs'
Mumbai: The BMC on Tuesday invited objections and suggestions from the public regarding a proposed modification in the Development Control and Promotion Regulation (DCPR) 2034. This modification aims to introduce a new policy—Regulation 33(27) — for the development of "Iconic Buildings" in the city. The proposed policy defines "Iconic Buildings or Spaces" as structures that possess unique or distinctive characteristics such as size, shape, aesthetics, look, concept, theme, urban design, architectural design, or structural elements. In cases where FSI is granted on special features for iconic buildings, up to 50% of the land rate as per the Annual Statement of Rates (ASR) will be charged, to be shared between the BMC and state govt in a 2:3 and 1:3 ratio, respectively. A special scrutiny committee will be constituted to review and approve such proposals. It will be chaired by the Municipal Commissioner and include the Chief Engineer (DP), a renowned global architect, a visual arts personality, a member from Indian Business History, the Director of Town Planning (Govt of Maharashtra), and the BMC Municipal Secretary. Additionally, two experts from the fields of architecture or urban planning—one academic and one practitioner—may be appointed. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Harshad Bhatia, an urban designer, said, "Every design that the selection committee decides to award FSI for 'Iconic' status must be open to public scrutiny." tnn
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Colaba residents challenge legality of heritage clearance for jetty plan near Gateway
MUMBAI: The Citizens for Heritage Conservation and Residents' Association (CHCRA) has challenged the heritage clearance granted by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) and the BMC to the proposed construction of a large passenger jetty and terminal along the seafront between Radio Club and the Gateway of India. Residents of Colaba held a silent protest march on May 3 against the proposed jetty between Radio Club and Gateway Of India, at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Statue, Churchgate in Mumbai, India, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times) In an affidavit-in-rejoinder filed on June 20, CHRCA president Subhash Motwani alleged that the heritage NOC issued by the deputy municipal architect on February 7, 2025, was illegal and ex facie ultra vires. He argued that under the Development Control and Promotion Regulation (DCPR) 2034, specifically Regulation 52(9), the authority to grant such permission rests solely with the municipal commissioner, and only after due consultation with the MHCC. The project in question proposes a terminal facility measuring approximately 84,000 square feet with a frontage of 250 feet and a height of 15 feet above road level. It includes a massive passenger jetty, extending 650 metres into the sea, with a width of 203 meters and a height of five feet above the road level. The jetty will envelop a sea area of approximately 4,85,000 square feet or 20 times the area occupied by the Gateway of India. The petitioners argue that allowing such an enormous structure in close proximity to iconic Grade I heritage monuments like the Gateway of India and the old wing of the Taj Mahal Hotel is entirely incompatible with their historic and architectural character and will overwhelm the visual prominence of these heritage sites, obstruct important views, and permanently alter the cultural landscape of the Apollo Bunder waterfront. The affidavit points out that MHCC has ignored regulations which mandate that new development in heritage precincts must not mar the grandeur, scale, or setting of Grade I structures. It also highlights that the jetty design lacks functional justification, pointing out that the outer rim will host the boarding platforms, but the entire 12-acre sea area enclosed by the structure will have no practical use, effectively wasting public maritime space and contravening principles of sustainable development. Traffic congestion along P J Ramchandani Marg is another major concern raised in the rejoinder. The road, already under constant strain from regular traffic, has little to no scope for expansion due to its location between the sea and residential buildings. Contrary to MHCC's claim that congestion has been addressed through the provision of an additional lay-by or drop-off lane, the petitioners argue that no viable road widening is possible, and the additional traffic from a terminal of this size would only worsen an already precarious situation. CHCRA submitted that the BMC's heritage clearance was bad in law, illegal and required to be quashed and set aside.
India Today
20-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Judiciary shouldn't override public policy: Court backs slum rehab on open land
The Bombay High Court has refused to strike down a provision under the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034, which allows the use of public open spaces for slum redevelopment projects. The court said that decisions related to urban planning should be left to the authorities and not the judiciary unless there is a clear violation of legal or constitutional bench of Justices Amit Borkar and Somasekhar Sunderasan delivered the verdict while hearing a petition filed by an alliance of NGOs in 2002. The petition challenged the use of open spaces, meant for parks, gardens, and playgrounds, for slum rehabilitation schemes. The petitioners argued that the policy went against the principles of sustainable development and the public trust doctrine, which protects public assets from private court examined regulation 17(3)(D)(2) of the DCPR 2034, which permits reserved open spaces above 500 square metres to be used for slum redevelopment. The policy requires that at least 35 per cent of the ground area be left vacant and continue to serve public purposes. The bench said, "The regulation shows a sincere attempt to balance two competing rights, exactly as the Constitution requires. It supports a vision of environmental well-being that also respects human dignity, and promotes a model of urban growth that includes the poor, rather than pushing them to the city's margins."advertisementIt also said that courts must respect the limits of judicial review. "This does not mean that courts have no role. As constitutional protectors, courts must step in where a policy violates the law, infringes fundamental rights, or is arbitrary and unfair," the bench added."But, even while doing so, the court must remain within the boundaries of judicial review and avoid functioning as a policymaking authority, particularly when the government has followed due process and attempted to balance competing interests in an open and fair manner," the court further the High Court had passed an ad-interim order restraining the government from approving any new slum rehabilitation schemes on such lands without court permission. The interim order remained in effect for nearly two decades, during which time several developers and housing societies had to approach the court to seek Watch IN THIS STORY#Mumbai
