The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has opened a month-long window, starting June 25, for objections and suggestions on a proposed policy that would allow the development of visually striking, architecturally ambitious structures across the city.
The policy, once finalised, would amend the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034, to include a new chapter for 'Iconic Buildings'—defined as projects with unique shape, style, structural design, and a mandatory public access component.
These buildings must reserve at least 40 per cent of their area for public amenities like plazas or ticketed attractions, and cannot be purely residential.
Only developers with a turnover of ₹5,000 crore or past experience of constructing over 1 million square metres will qualify. A six-member expert committee led by the municipal commissioner will approve a maximum of five proposals per year.
However, as Mumbai looks forward, many are urging it to look back, particularly at the legacy of Art Deco, which turns 100 this year.
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While Mumbai’s Gothic Revival landmarks like CST and the Bombay High Court have long held heritage status, its rich collection of Art Deco buildings is only recently being acknowledged. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, the Art Deco stretch from Oval Maidan to Marine Drive is the second-largest in the world, after Miami.
More than just an aesthetic, Art Deco in Mumbai was a statement of modernity.
“It reflected a city moving forward—cosmopolitan, confident, and culturally ambitious,” says Saroj Wadhwa, a partner in a travel and tours company in Mumbai. “People lived in these buildings, watched films in Deco cinemas, and worked in Deco offices. It was aspirational architecture.”
Indeed, Mumbai’s Deco style is uniquely local—with Egyptian motifs, Indian grills, and curved balconies. As the global movement marks a century, conservationists are reminding planners that many of Mumbai’s most iconic structures already exist—and need protection, not competition. They say there's a need for transparency and inclusivity, and strict eligibility conditions.
The policy also mandates that new projects must be located on roads at least 18 metres wide and must be fresh proposals, not ongoing redevelopments.
As the deadline approaches, some citizens are asking whether Mumbai needs more glass-and-steel trophies—or a renewed commitment to the buildings that already define its soul.
The BMC is accepting feedback on the 'Iconic Buildings' policy until July 24.