One Green Mile (OGM) transforms a 1.8-km stretch in Lower Parel, Mumbai, into a ‘Complete Street’, exemplifying how urban design and architecture can prioritize community wellbeing over vehicular dominance.
Project Name: One Green Mile
Studio Name: StudioPOD
Location: Asia, India
Project length: One Mile
This project emerged from a rigorous two-year design process involving detailed analyses of the existing urban fabric and extensive stakeholder dialogues, culminating in a master plan that effectively recalibrates traffic flows and reclaims space for public use. The design strategically reduces roadway widths and implements traffic calming measures to diminish car dominance, reallocating space to enhance the pedestrian experience.
This transformation facilitates the creation of a right of-way along the road and the potential connection to underutilized areas beneath the flyover. These revitalized zones now feature vibrant community parks, equipped with amenities such as a ‘Vachanalaya’ (reading room) and a toddler-friendly play cave, providing safe and engaging environments for over 100 students and families annually.
Additionally, the project introduces a series of micro-destinations along the street, including new plazas and interactive pause points that foster community interaction and create a streetscape that is not only safe and dignified but rich in social opportunities. These interventions strive for functionality and inclusive social spaces that reflect and celebrate the historical and cultural tapestry of Lower Parel.
OGM enhances the daily experience of over 150,000 commuters, transforming the area into a lively, pedestrian-friendly environment. This project aspires to serve as a model for future initiatives, showcasing the transformative potential of reallocating urban spaces from cars to community-focused environments, ultimately creating sustainable, engaging and liveable urban spaces.
The project was awarded the Ammodo Architecture Social Scale Award in 2024, a new prize for the advancement of socially and environmentally responsible architecture.
The prize money will fund the design, construction and promotion of the ‘Parklets for Goa’ initiative in India. In Goa’s rapidly evolving landscape, known for its rich culture and tourism, the growing dominance of vehicles has overshadowed pedestrian-friendly spaces. Parklets for Goa will address this by transforming underutilized urban areas into vibrant, engaging space.
