Who moved my space?

For most of todayrsquos generation it might be extremely difficult to visualise that Mumbai in the 1800s actually boasted of a vast undivided space called the Esplanade in the heart of the city It stretched from Cooperage to the Cross and Azad Maidans if one were to define its size by todayrsquos landmarks When the cityrsquos Fort walls were intact before the then Governor Bartle Frerersquos 186267 ordered to bring it down this area offered a clear uninterrupted view for the garrison to keep watch on possible attacks by enemies from the Arabian Sea On the brink of extinction Esplanade Mansion at Fort File pic When Governor Frere realised that the Fort was a pointless construction he drew up a master plan to decongest the area and create a structured colonial city at par with its European counterparts Wider roads were constructed thoroughfares were built and the city bid adieu to its Fort The need to build public buildings was floated and according to Rekha Ranadersquos book Sir Bartle Frere and his Times plots in the area were put up for sale by public auction that ranged from Rs 70 to Rs 105 per square yard Soon construction began along the Esplanade and the fine assembly of Victorian Gothic structures started to emerge particularly facing the part of Esplanade that constitutes todayrsquos Oval Maidan The Esplanade was divided into Cooperage Oval Azad and Cross Maidans Yet it remained a favourite spot where citizens spent leisurely hours enjoying the sea breeze riding on horseback and savouring ganne ka ras sugarcane juice over a game of taash Over 150 years later this area is back in the spotlight as it takes centrestage for a different reason The Victorian Gothic ensemble along with the facing Art Deco buildings represents a stunning coexistence of two distinct architectural styles that influenced the city with the Oval Maidan reminiscent of the cityrsquos onetime love affair with open spaces As the area readies to represent Mumbai to be the cityrsquos official nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site status in a few weeksrsquo time one can only hope that it wins Indiarsquos vote to represent the country at the world stage One must add here that itrsquos heartening and sad too to note that this initiative to push for the nomination has been adopted and encouraged solely by Mumbairsquos citizens with private funding and awareness drives Making it to this prestigious list will be the ultimate safety net for the area and great news for Mumbairsquos urban heritage its residents and the small proactive resilient community thatrsquos been supporting it since day one Itrsquos unsettling to spot increasing crowds cramped into the few open spaces ndash at Girgaum and Juhu or Gorai Manori and Madh Island its maidans promenades and public gardens Mumbaikars are constantly jostling for elbowroom and it seems to be getting worse by the day Who knows in a few decades snapshots of these areas might be confined to frames in vintage sections of galleries As citizens of this great city itrsquos a daily fight as has come to be the norm to keep this beloved city sane and livable The powers that be have far more pressing concerns clearly To vote log on to wwwmiddaycomheritage_support mdash The writer is Features Editor MiD DAYu00a0