Riverside restoration – city planner’s viewpoint: case of Mutha riverfront, Pune, India

Abstract

Rivers play a major role in shaping the development of cities, as many major ones across the world have originated by the banks of rivers. Such river systems have not only been used for irrigation, drainage and supply of potable water but they also possess a close relationship with the social fabric. The Mutha riverfront in Pune is multi functional with bulk of its premises being residential, commercial and institutional buildings along with some heritage structures. The rapid urbanization of the city has adversely affected the river with various forms of pollution, becoming a major issue for the city authority. This phenomenon has lead to the detachment of the city from the river. In view of this demographical change, it becomes essential for any city authority to restore such a valuable resource to its lost glory, thereby enhancing its appropriate role in transforming the vacant riverfront to a place of planned development. The study provides a set of planning and design principles that will allow communities to reclaim urban river edges in the most ecologically sound and economically viable manner. This study would also guide planners, mayors, public works departments, environmental officials, river advocates, and the general public in their search for effective riverfront restoration covering key topics related to human interaction with rivers and providing a set of essential strategies to help communities to achieve more with their riverfront revitalization efforts.