SHORT DESCRIPTION

One Green Mile is a benchmark streetscape upgradation project that demonstrates the development of an “Equal Street” in the heart of Mumbai’s dense urban fabric. It creates a street that is safe for everyone—regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation—within a sustainable and liveable urban environment. The design process involved navigating the complexities of urban planning in a densely populated city, managing heavy vehicular traffic, and engaging a diverse set of stakeholders. Solutions included innovative road space reallocation, extensive community engagement to ensure the design met local needs, and the use of resilient materials suited to the local climate and high footfall. The newly designed street presents an innovative approach to streamlining vehicular traffic while reclaiming road area for pedestrians, cyclists, and landscaped spaces. Multiple micro-destinations—plazas, shaded rest points, and interactive elements—now dot the length of the corridor. The project has reclaimed 2.3 acres of public space and introduced 2,000 sqm of new open areas beneath the flyover, positively impacting over 150,000 daily users. The previously derelict under-flyover space now features play zones, seating, an amphitheatre, and a community reading room (‘Vachanalaya’)—offering students a dignified alternative to studying under streetlights. Vertical surfaces have been animated with murals rooted in local stories, reinforcing the area's identity. One-third of the public realm is covered in landscape, richly planted with native trees and shrubs. This helps reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and increase porous surfaces for cost-effective stormwater management. Greenery throughout the corridor reduces pollution, provides audio-visual buffers from traffic, and cools the environment. One Green Mile exemplifies an inclusive, people-first street that promotes social cohesion, sustainability, and community well-being.