Dadabhai Naoroji Road, a 19th century streetscape characterized by arcaded bazaars and neo-classical buildings, is among the busiest commercial areas within Mumbai and presents perhaps the strongest image of a streetscape within the city. The road is a primary north-south artery within the fort area, anchored by Crawford Market (Mahatma Phule Market) in the north, and by Flora Fountain in the south. Other urban landmarks like Victoria Terminus (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) and Times of India building are also located here. The road caters to a phenomenal influx of pedestrians that flow out of the Terminus building every day.
With the demolition of the Bombay Fort walls in the 1860s, large commercial plots became available along the western edge of Dadabhai Naoroji Road (then called Homby Road). By the 1890s, fashionable new commercial buildings in Neo Classical and Gothic Revival designs had been constructed on these plots. Each building was required to have a ground floor pedestrian arcade, which acted as the unifying element tying together the various building facades.
Designated as a Grade Il heritage streetscape as per the Heritage Regulations of Greater Bombay 1995, the area has immense value as a historic urban streetscape
Encouraged by the success of the signage relocation scheme in its initial stages, the various occupants, owners, corporate establishments and shopkeepers on Dadabhai Naoroji Road came together to form a citizen’s association - The Heritage Mile Association. This is a non-profit group that aims to restore the heritage character of Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road through public participation and private sponsorship. unesco
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