Landscaping essentially refers to "any activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land", along with that it also encompasses living elements.
Mumbai is crying out for open spaces, it's time we paid heed
Landscaping essentially refers to "any activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land", along with that it also encompasses living elements, such as flora or fauna, the art and craft of growing plants with a goal of creating a beautiful environment within the landscape; natural elements such as landforms, terrain shape and elevation or bodies of water; human elements such as structures, buildings, fences or other material objects created and installed by humans; and abstract elements such as the weather and lighting conditions.
Landscaping combines science and art. But today we are so occupied with our own lives, our own homes that we don't pay much heed to other elements that are a part of the art and architecture.
"Landscaping is a big thing. In Mumbai there is less space, comparatively, for landscaping and gardening, but we are not totally ignorant. The Bandra promenade, for instance, was created…and so today there are architects, landscapers and government agencies that are paying attention to these things," says architect and designer Anirudh Singh.
It is important we realise that open spaces are required in our city. Mumbai is the country's commercial hub, and hence the land is being solely put to commercial use. The city is in dire need of spaces, gardens and parks. Picture the capital New Delhi, which has got some of the best gardens in the country - the Lodhi Garden or even Indrapratha Park. Even Bangalore, the Garden city, has some amazing gardens, like the Cubbon Park and Lalbaug garden, which has beautiful flower arrangements every week.
So why does Mumbai lag behind? Janaki Mehta, architect, SGC Design Group, speaks about the importance of gardening in the city: "Gardening is a part of landscaping. There aren't many open spaces in Mumbai like other cities. But we do have some good and well-maintained gardens. In such a polluted city we need to plant tress instead of chopping them down."
Singh suggests that new construction should reserve some space for gardens. It can either be a private terrace or space allotted for a common garden. "By creating promenades and landscaped areas, we will, in a way, be creating more recreational areas in a city that literally starves for open space and fresh air," says Singh.
m_brinda@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}