Urban planners, architects sceptical of 'iconic building' policy of Mumbai

Five days remain for feedback on Mumbai's new “iconic buildings” policy before the BMC proceeds to put the idea into action. An idea that was sown around three years ago—which HT first reported about on October 1, 2022—it aims to encourage structures of “architectural excellence” in the city, offering extra FSI as the carrot.

- Sabah Virani

Respecting its intent, the policy has nonetheless raised the eyebrows of a few eminent urban planners, architects and cultural doyens of the city. What if the attempt to draw interesting buildings on Mumbai's skyline distorts its already present iconic structures and neighbourhoods, they ask. “Mumbai urgently requires a skyline review process—a body that evaluates how proposed structures affect sightlines, scale and heritage precincts,” wrote Shireen Gandhy, director of the city's first gallery, Chemould, in a letter to the BMC, and then turned it into a petition that racked up over 1,000 signatures in a day. “Without this, the “iconic” label may become a licence for vertical excess, even in sensitive areas such as Marine Drive and Fort, where visual harmon