I. First section: on `Workshops and seminars’

Some of the important workshops and seminars are as follows:

II. Second section: STUDIES

Over the past two years of its existence, MTSU has conducted a series of studies in a variety of subjects. Broadly, the categories are: Housing, sustainable infrastructure, governance, education, health and economic growth.

List of Studies conducted by MTSU:

i) Increasing Housing Stock

1. Strategy for Housing and Land Reforms in MMR - Cessed buildings, Slum redevelopment, Transit Oriented development, MHADA colony.
2. Draft Housing Policy studies
3. Rent Control Act amendment
4. Communication Strategy
5. Core group on reviewing town planning and development control process in Maharashtra
6. Draft report on Pilot studies on Housing and Land Reforms
7. Rehabilitation of pavement dwellers.

ii) Sustainable Infrastructure

1. Comprehensive Transport Study for Mumbai
2. Pre-Feasibility Study on Bus Rapid Transit System for MMR
3. Draft Amendments to the BMC Act for Bestization of Water Supply and Roads

iii) Governance

1. Concept Paper on Governance in the MMR
2. Draft Report on Business Plan for MMR
3. Communication Strategy

iv) Economic Studies

1. Strategy for Economic Growth
2. Local Public Finance
3. Real Estate Markets in MMR
4. Incomes and Employment in the MMR
5. Dynamics of Growth

v) Education

1. Strategy for Upgrading Primary Education in MCGM schools
2. Cluster Resource Centers

vi) Health

1. Draft Report of Health Project in Kandivili
2. ‘Chakachak’ – Improving the Cleanliness
3. Strategy Paper on Health

III. Third section: Glimpses of MTSU’s interventions :

i) A pilot study on the redevelopment of cessed buildings in Mumbai was conducted by MTSU. It covered Girgaum, Null Bazar (C Ward), Bora Bazaar (A ward), and Parsi Colony (Dadar) and attempted to look at the problems of reconstruction of old and dilapidated buildings in these areas.
The study advocated cluster development as the best alternative to the present policy of individual buildings on small plots. As a follow-up action based on the conclusions of the study, an advertisement was issued in newspapers inviting ‘Expression of Interest for Urban Renewal Scheme’ in the island city.  The criteria for the eligibility of the proposal were as follows:

1. Minimum area of a cluster shall be 10 ha (25 acres).
2. The selected area shall have well-defined boundaries and mixed land use.
3. The selected area shall preferably have a population of around 10,000 people.
4. The selected areas shall preferably have a large number of old and dilapidated properties, which are in need of re-development.

In response to the advertisement, five proposals from different parts of the island city were received.  The respondents made presentations to the housing secretary and secretary (special projects).  These proposals will be placed before a technical committee being formed to select one project as a pilot.

ii) A study on the redevelopment of BDD Chawls at Worli is under way and will be part of Phase II.  A socio-economic study and a technical study are being conducted in order to comprehend the present scenario which could help devise a redevelopment policy for BDD chawls. The BDD chawls are located at four sites, namely N.M. Joshi Marg at Parel, Worli, Sewri and at Naigaon.

iii) Rehabilitation of pavement dwellers:
MTSU undertook a study and conducted a pilot choosing the pavements of the two major arteries of the city—P D’Mello Road and Senapati Bapat Marg. The rehabilitation of pavement dwellers on both these roads is substantially completed. MCGM is now in the process of carrying out the survey of P D’Mello road. Since P.D’Mello Road is an MUIP road, the cut-off date of January 1, 2000 for rehabilitating the pavement dwellers has been applied. As the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus abuts this road, this road has high commercial potential. A master plan of this area will be prepared taking into consideration all related issues of road beautification, parking facilities, etc.

iv) Review of Slum Rehabilitation Scheme (SRA): 
Several rounds of discussions have been held by MTSU with NGOs and stakeholders to assess the slum policy and rehabilitation schemes. Alternatives to the current model of free housing have been theorized at length including proposal to incentivise a slum rehabilitation scheme. MTSU has sought information from all corporators of Mumbai about their electoral ward based on the set of questions prepared by MTSU. To date, 12 corporators have responded. Their study is being analyzed by expert consultants so as to short-list a cluster to be developed with the consent of the local residents. 

v) Rental housing:
MTSU has been actively working with agencies like MMRDA and an NGO, SPARC, to build rental housing capacity. The construction of a few thousand such houses by SPARC is under way while MMRDA has agreed to construct a pilot project of rental housing.

vi) Repeal of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act:
The act was held responsible for the freeze on housing space in the city. With its repeal, one of the promises of MTSU has been fulfilled.

vii) A single authority for all transport-related issues of the city:
The United Mumbai Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMMTA) was formed on  February 12, 2008, through a Government Resolution.

viii) Creating jobs through modern–format retailing:
The MTSU has created 24 courses for the IT sector, three for the construction sector and one for the retail sector in consultation with experts from industries from each of these sectors. The courses have been approved by the Maharashtra government.

xi) Cleanliness campaign:
The Chakachak campaign met with great success. There is a perceptible difference in the city as a result of the campaign, that has been noticed by local citizens and outsiders alike.

x) Mumbai Development Fund:
The draft act for a Mumbai Development Fund has been prepared and discussed in the core group with the CAG. A number of meetings has been held by MTSU in this regard. The draft is likely to be finalized soon. There is some dilemma over whether the fund should vest with the government or the Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC). The matter is taking time because of divergence of views on this point.

1. The beautification of Marine Drive includes refurbishment of the area from Nariman Point Lands End to Tambe Chowk. Phase I of this project has been completed. This includes construction of sea wall parapet with granite cladding, paving the West promenade, improvement under the flyover, redesign of BEST bus stops, improvement of Central verge, paving the East footpath, eco-walk near Gymkhana, street furniture and signage; and landscaping.
2. Taraporevala Aquarium is being modernized and taken to sixth generation.
3. IMS Vikrant is being converted into a commercially viable museum ship on public-private partnership basis.