Mumbai's Commercial Real Estate Adaptation: Green Designs to Combat Air Pollution

Mumbai's Commercial Real Estate Adaptation: Green Designs to Combat Air Pollution

Commercial office buildings in Mumbai are adapting to the city's rising air pollution levels by incorporating greener and more sustainable design practices. Developers and occupiers are increasingly focusing on health, sustainability, and building performance to create environments that are not only efficient but also conducive to well-being.

Greener Construction Practices

Industry experts highlight a growing trend towards greener construction and development practices. These practices include the use of low-emission construction equipment, on-site dust suppression measures, covered transport of construction materials, and stricter waste management protocols to curb air and noise pollution. Additionally, many new developments are integrating energy-efficient designs, rainwater harvesting, native landscaping, and green building norms to improve sustainability outcomes.

Smart Building Technologies

“There is a growing shift towards smart building technologies that monitor indoor air quality, optimize energy consumption, and enhance overall environmental performance,” said Prashant Sharma, President of NAREDCO Maharashtra. He further noted, “With indoor air quality emerging as a boardroom-level concern amid rising outdoor pollution, the building enables real-time tracking of air parameters, automated alerts, and system-led optimization to help maintain healthier indoor environments.”

Current Air Quality Scenario

On February 10, at 7 pm, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai was in the unhealthy-to-moderate range, with forecasts placing it around 156–161. This is generally considered poor or unhealthy for sensitive groups. Specific areas like Chakala-Andheri East are experiencing higher pollution levels, with PM2.5 levels indicating a need for precautions.

Changing Occupier Expectations

The impact of poor air quality is also influencing occupier expectations in the office market. Companies are increasingly assessing how buildings protect employee health, manage indoor air quality, and optimize resource use, in addition to traditional parameters such as location and amenities. Developers are responding by integrating intelligent building systems that dynamically manage ventilation, temperature, lighting, and energy consumption to balance occupant comfort with efficiency.

Developer Perspective

Shilpin Tater, Managing Director of Superb Realty, commented on this shift, “Poor air quality is no longer a seasonal issue; it is a structural reality for urban India. For new-age developers, the role is no longer limited to delivering floor plates and façades. At one of our projects in Chembur, we have focused on how a building thinks, responds, and performs over time. That is what future-ready commercial real estate looks like.”

This developer’s Chembur project features large and efficient floor plates, substantial daylight penetration, and a three-side open frontage. It also includes terrace lounges, breakout zones, and select balcony offices. Mixed-use planning with curated retail and food and beverage offerings is aimed at enhancing the daily user experience while supporting long-term commercial viability.

Future of Commercial Real Estate

Experts say such features reflect a broader trend in commercial real estate, where buildings are expected to actively safeguard occupant health, optimize energy use, and remain adaptable to evolving sustainability norms and regulatory frameworks. As pollution challenges intensify across Indian cities, performance-driven and health-focused building design is likely to play a more central role in shaping future office supply.

Boilerplate

Superb Realty is a leading real estate developer in Mumbai, known for its commitment to sustainable and health-focused building practices. The company has been at the forefront of integrating smart technologies and green building norms to create future-ready commercial spaces that prioritize the well-being of occupants.