The future of urban planning and green design has been on our minds for while. The need for natural landscapes and eco-conscious living alternatives has become irrepressible. Some cities are making noticeable shifts towards sustainable urban development. We’ve recently reported on the seven (sorta) secret “Greening” cities and even seen hints of it in our own backyard.
We don’t just need green for the health of the planet, but for out own mental health. There’s a palpable difference in New York’s mood after holidays, once people have had a chance to escape the city’s cementscapes. We imagine that inhabitants of developing industrial cities–especially young ones– are increasingly noticing this need for recreation as well, which leads us to Mumbai’s Mindspace Garden. As Asia Scout Network describes, the large park is giving people a time-out from the feverish bustle of the city.
I recently discovered this place called ‘Mindspace Garden’ on the edge of Malad creek, the western suburb of Mumbai, and was surprised to see such a huge recreational place in the city. There are several parks mostly around residential areas in the city, but they are fairly smaller in size. Very few parks in Mumbai are as big as the Mindspace Garden.
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Different flowers are blooming on either side, which makes the atmosphere very peaceful, pleasant and importantly, gives your space.
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… [A] lot of young call centre employees are seen at this park. More places like Mindspace Garden are needed in Mumbai to maintain sanity and give young couples some breathing space.
Indeed, parks are a staple of a livable city, but are they enough? According to Monocle readers, the ideal living situation today is a hybrid urban and suburban environment–a city with open spaces and a community feel. Indeed, many city dwellers long for a weekend home in the country, though many can’t afford the luxury. So are cities adapting to this hybrid model? Can they? Or will the suburbs morph into more city-like spaces?
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