Unlocking the eastern waterfront of Mumbai –
Making is Public inclusive.
ABSTRACT -
This study investigates the socio-spatial dynamics of Mumbai's eastern waterfront, focusing
on the limited accessibility experienced by the city's residents, particularly marginalized
coastal communities. Historically dominated by industrial operations, shipping, and defence
establishments, the eastern ports have evolved into highly restricted urban enclaves, cut off
from the everyday life of the city. As global port cities move toward reclaiming waterfronts for
public use and mixed development, Mumbai’s eastern edge presents a unique case of urban
transformation shaped by complex land ownership, policy inertia, and competing interests.
Through spatial analysis, stakeholder mapping, and a review of urban waterfront
regeneration models, this research critically examines the barriers to access and identifies
opportunities for inclusive design interventions. The study aims to contribute to an emerging
discourse on democratizing urban waterfronts by advocating for integrated frameworks that
balance economic imperatives with environmental justice, cultural continuity, and public
access. Findings suggest that reactivating the eastern waterfront has the potential to not
only address spatial inequalities but also to catalyse socio-economic and ecological
resilience in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
CONTEXT -
Mumbai, a coastal metropolis with an extensive shoreline, paradoxically offers limited public
access to its waterfront. While nearly one-third of the city's coastline is accessible to its
residents—manifesting in promenades and recreational spaces such as Marine Drive and
Haji Ali—another significant one-third remains largely inaccessible, particularly along the
eastern waterfront. This eastern front is predominantly controlled by the Mumbai Port Trust
(MbPT), and its use is heavily restricted due to ongoing and legacy port operations. Over the
decades, large swathes of land along this edge have been occupied by dockyards,
warehouses, and other maritime infrastructure, many of which have outlived their functional
relevance and remain underutilized or derelict.
Unlike traditional parks or public open spaces, waterfronts offer unique experiential qualities
—visual openness, climatic comfort, and a direct engagement with the city’s natural edge—
that are increasingly scarce in a densely built urban environment like Mumbai. Marine Drive
and Haji Ali, for instance, provide expansive views, recreational value, and cultural
significance, fostering a strong sense of place for the public. In stark contrast, the eastern
waterfront remains fragmented and physically disconnected from the city’s daily life, despite
its latent potential to serve as a vital public asset.
The restricted nature of the eastern waterfront not only limits the city’s spatial equity but also
represents a missed opportunity for environmental regeneration, cultural reconnection, and
urban resilience. Re-envisioning this underutilized stretch with inclusive and sustainable
planning frameworks could help reintegrate it into the city's public realm, while also
preserving its historical and economic significance. Thus, unlocking the eastern waterfront is
not merely a question of urban design—it is a critical step toward a more just, accessible,
and holistic development of Mumbai’s coastal identity.
BACKGROUND -
Mumbai's Eastern Waterfront, stretching along the eastern edge of the city abutting the
Mumbai Harbour, has long remained an area of restricted access, predominantly functioning
as a zone for port-related activities, industrial use, and defense installations. Controlled
largely by the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), this region has historically played a pivotal role in
the city's maritime economy. However, as port operations have become increasingly
mechanized and decentralized, large portions of the land—once vital to shipping,
warehousing, and docking—have become underutilized, aging, and functionally obsolete.
From an urban design perspective, the Eastern Waterfront represents a rare and
transformative opportunity in a land-constrained city like Mumbai. Unlike the western
waterfront—where promenades like Marine Drive and Bandra Bandstand have become
iconic public spaces—the eastern edge has remained physically and socially disconnected
from the city’s daily life. The existing urban fabric here is fragmented, dominated by industrial
belts, dilapidated infrastructure, and low-income housing, with minimal civic amenities or
public open space.
In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the need to reimagine the Eastern
Waterfront through a people-centric and integrated urban design approach. Several planning
proposals—including the Mumbai Port Land Development Plan and recommendations from
organizations like the National Institute of Urban Affairs—have envisioned transforming this
region into a mix of public parks, housing, cultural zones, and transportation hubs. These
plans aim to unlock nearly 1,800 hectares of prime coastal land, reconnect the city to its
waterfront, and promote ecological regeneration along the coast.
However, the process has raised critical questions about public involvement and the
inclusivity of urban planning mechanisms. Historically, communities such as the Kolis
(indigenous fishing communities), dock workers, and informal settlers have lived and worked
along the eastern edge. Their socio-cultural ties to the waterfront are deep-rooted, yet their
voices have been largely absent from formal planning dialogues. Genuine public
participation has been limited, often confined to consultations after major decisions are
already underway.
For successful revitalization, there is an urgent need to embed participatory design practices
into the planning process—engaging local communities, civil society organizations, urban
researchers, and environmental advocates from the outset. The waterfront must not be
treated merely as a real estate opportunity, but as a civic and ecological commons that
balances economic growth with environmental stewardship and social equity.
In conclusion, the Eastern Waterfront presents a powerful lens through which to
explore the intersections of urban design, governance, and public engagement. As
global cities move toward waterfront regeneration as a tool for inclusive urbanism,
Mumbai's eastern edge stands at a critical juncture—one that could redefine the city’s
relationship with its coast, its communities, and its future .
Sources:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2023.103805
“A Study of the Eastern Waterfront of Mumbai” by UDRI & KRVIA (2001) — A foundational situation
analysis examining the 1,800 acres of port land and its urban potential from Wadala to Colaba
Instagram+10URBAN DESIGN RESEARCH INSTITUTE+10URBAN DESIGN RESEARCH
INSTITUTE+10
UDRI: Vision Plan for Mumbai’s Eastern Waterfront — Documents UDRI’s public workshops and
visioning since 2000, emphasizing open, connected, and green planning URBAN DESIGN
RESEARCH INSTITUTE
International Journal of Scientific Development & Research (IJSDR, 2020) — Reports that MBPT
owns ~1,800 acres (~966 ha), of which only ~900 acres were proposed to open for public use, and
only ~74 ha remained truly accessible; includes critique of the 2018 draft and 2020 revisions ijsdr.org
Hindustan Times coverage of the Eastern Waterfront redevelopment:
2014 Jadhav Committee allocation of 30% open space vs. 2018 MBPT draft shrinking access
to just ~74 ha (~7.6%) en.wikipedia.org+15Hindustan Times+15Hindustan Times+15
Recent coverage of Chief Minister Shinde proposing a 6-acre seafront plan within MbPT
uplands Hindustan Times
Urban Centre Mumbai (UCM) — Details institutional and governance constraints under the
Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, and concerns about coastal planning autonomy Urban
Centre Mumbai
