Aarti Sharma

ReCentering Mumbai: Appropriation of Thane Creek


The thesis explores a strategic spatial proposal for a ‘Wetland Economic Zone’ in Mumbai’s salt-pan/ mangrove/ wetland area on Thane creek. The strategy questions the city’s blanket zoning attitude, and integrates primary sector economies like food production in sustainable practices but using the genius of the place, serving socio-economic classes which are excluded from the city’s economic sector development models. The project goal focuses on on flood resilience; East-West connectivity; small-scale economies with communities along the estuarine wetlands of Thane Creek (“spongy urbanism”) and concept corridors for water retention and public spaces creating a new network layer within the city.