VIKRAM MEHTA, Promoter, Mesacon Group & President-Elect, BDA, highlights the social impact of the redevelopment process across Mumbai
Whenever the topic of redevelopment comes up for discussion, the conversation invariably focusses on the commercial aspects or the norms applicable. Vikram Mehta, Promoter, Mesacon Group and President-Elect, Brihanmumbai Developers Association (BDA), points out that all of these, along with the numbers involved and statistics are undoubtedly, quite relevant. However, it is equally if not more important that one does not miss out on the human element. According to him, there is an overall social impact of the redevelopment process, which effectively takes place side by-side, along with the transformation of dilapidated old structures into spacious new edifices.
He draws attention to the fact that redevelopment is actually changing the entire dynamics of each family that undergoes the process. For instance, a school going child who makes the transition to a spacious house in a modern apartment building with lifestyle amenities will open his eyes to a different world view entirely as compared to the severely limited or to use a better word, ‘cramped’ dreams that would have been envisioned by him in the cramped living space of the chawl that existed in its place earlier. So, when a developer agrees to take on a redevelopment project, it is a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly.
The plight of families that are facing delays in redevelopment or have stuck midway through the process, staying in temporary accommodation is evident. For developers, the number one priority should be that no project remains incomplete and no society is left mid-way and for that at times even if they have to bear losses, then so be it. Trust, Mehta affirms, is the greatest requirement for redevelopment and earning it is mandatory for those who undertake such assignments.
Terming the successful completion of a redevelopment project as a life changing experience for the original residents, Mehta recalls a senior citizen, 88-years of age, bursting into tears on being handed over the key to his new apartment. Apparently, he had come across too many negative stories of redevelopment projects not being completed and left instructions that in the event of his demise, his funeral procession should commence from the old residential plot and not the temporary accommodation. The tears he shed on receiving the home keys were of joy and jubilation on the developer having fulfilled his promise.
However, residents in redeveloped projects are not always grateful. Dis regarding such instances, Mehta emphasises that interacting with just a few residents whose lives have been truly transformed by timely redevelopment is enough to make one realise just how much the process influences their mindset and infuses optimism into entire families and that by itself is a great reward for any Developer.
The need of the hour, he feels, is to position redevelopment as a collective effort with participation from all the stakeholders involved at different stages, including the policy makers, so that it benefits everyone.