The design for Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP) serves as a green lung in the heart of Mumbai city providing a space for the residents of Dharavi and neighboring areas while connecting seamlessly o the Business district. The importance of creating forests with their distinct ecological identity, representative of the flora and fauna of the region and a creation of spaces for all communities is the module to be replicated within urban jungles to ensure a sustainable quality of life for all citizens.

There are two major components of this makeover. The first is the comprehensive makeover of the Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP) and the second is a pedestrian-and cyclist-only bridge over the Mithi River. The context of this competition is further shaped by plans to clean the Mithi River, to develop the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and by the future urban renewal of Dharavi - India’s most prominent informal settlement. Next to creating high quality and inspiring designs for Maharashtra Nature Park and the pedestrian-and-bicycle bridge, competition entries need to show how plans will positively impact these developments. The winning entry will have to inspire and impress twenty million Mumbaikars who are steadfastly determined to restore the Mithi River to its rightful place in the city’s ecosystem and are equally resolute in making their city more inclusive, nature-loving, liveable and better connected. This holistic development is streamlined with the smart cities vision of Shri. Narendra Modi, Honourable Prime Minister of India, and promotes the adoption of smart solutions for efficient use of available assets and enhances the quality of urban life for all. It encourages citizen participation in the formulation of their city’s future.

• Cecil Balmond, London , UK - Lead International Bridge Designer

• ADF Consultores, Portugal - Structural Engineers

• Mathur/ da Cunha (Anuradha Mathur & Dilip da Cunha), Philadelphia - Ecological Designers

• URBZ (Matias Echanove and Rahul Srivastava) Mumbai, Goa, India - Architect Urban Planner

• Sunjoy Monga, Mumbai, India - Naturalist

• Prashanta Bhat, Bengaluru, India - Landscape Architect