Mumbai: Mumbaikars now have the opportunity to share their views on a new policy that aims to shape the city’s skyline with ‘Iconic Buildings’. Starting Tuesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invited suggestions and objections from citizens for a month, before finalising the guidelines under the proposed Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034 amendment.
The policy, once implemented, will regulate and encourage the development of structures with distinctive architectural styles, aimed at reinforcing Mumbai’s global image as a city with unique and diverse architecture. It will include buildings with exceptional features, whether in shape, theme, design or urban aesthetics, inspired by the city’s rich heritage, including Victorian Gothic, Art Deco, Indo-Saracenic and modern structures.
Stricter Criteria For Construction Of 'Iconic Buildings'
According to a Mid-day report citing the proposed regulations, any new construction falling under the category of ‘Iconic Building’ must meet stringent qualifications. Developers must have experience handling projects spanning at least 1 million square metres and a turnover of over Rs 5,000 crore annually.
Importantly, such buildings must not be solely residential; at least 40 per cent of the space must be open to the public for recreational or tourism purposes, such as public plazas, galleries or observatories. These buildings must also have access via a minimum 18-metre-wide road.
The policy defines ‘Iconic Buildings’ as structures with a unique aesthetic, architectural or structural identity. Only new or redevelopment projects will qualify, existing buildings are excluded.
A six-member expert committee will be formed to review and approve proposals. This panel, led by the BMC Commissioner, will include prominent figures from global architecture, visual arts and related industries. The committee will meet every four months and approve no more than five projects annually. Selected projects will be officially announced on key national and state occasions like Republic Day (January 26), Maharashtra Day (May 1), and Independence Day (August 15).
The Urban Development Department had issued a notification in March, followed by necessary approvals from the BMC's Improvement Committee and administrative body in May. As Mumbai awaits its next elected civic body, the administrator-led BMC is currently steering the policy process forward.
The draft has been made public and residents have until late July to provide input before the plan is finalised under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act.
