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Cultural Resource Management Plan for Narmada Naabhi Parikrama Path
No full textThe Narmada Naabhi Parikrama Path, an ancient pilgrimage route encircling the
revered River Narmada, stands as a testament to India's rich cultural and spiritual
heritage. This thesis presents a comprehensive Cultural Resource Management
Plan (CRMP) aimed at preserving and enhancing the historical, religious, and
architectural significance of the Narmada Naabhi Parikrama Path.
The study begins with an exploration of the significance of the River Narmada and
the tradition of Narmada Parikrama, drawing insights from ancient texts, including
the Skanda Puran and Matsya Puran, as well as Indian epics such as the
Mahabharat and Ramayan. Understanding the cultural context and spiritual
importance of the Narmada Parikrama provides a foundation for the subsequent
focus on the Narmada Naabhi Parikrama Path and its starting point, Nemawar.
Through a combination of secondary research and on-site observations, the thesis
delves into the history, architecture, and pilgrimage significance of Nemawar and the
Narmada Naabhi Parikrama Path. The data collection process involves qualitative
assessments of architectural markers, mapping of activities at ghats, and interviews
with local communities and parikramawasis. Photographic documentation and
inventories of structures along the Parikrama path further enrich the study.
The culmination of these efforts is the formulation of a comprehensive Cultural
Resource Management Plan tailored to the unique needs and challenges of the
Narmada Naabhi Parikrama Path. The plan outlines strategies for conservation,
interpretation, and sustainable development, with a focus on preserving the spiritual
values and historical integrity of the Parikrama Path. Recommendations include
heritage conservation measures, community engagement initiatives, and educational
programs to promote awareness and appreciation of the Narmada Naabhi Parikrama
Path.
By integrating research findings with practical conservation strategies, this thesis
contributes to the ongoing efforts to safeguard and promote India's cultural heritage,
ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the spiritual journey of
the Narmada Naabhi Parikrama with reverence and respect.
Keywords:, Parikramawasi
Transformation for a Livable Sustainable Urban Future: a case of Kumbalam Island
No full textUrbanization and ecological degradation present critical challenges in the global context, impacting environmental sustainability and human well-being. This study investigates the intricate relationship between these phenomena, focusing on the rapidly urbanizing city of Kochi and its adjacent Kumbalam Island in Kerala, India.
Kumbalam Island holds immense potential for economic generation and tourism development. The proposed new bridge connecting Thevara & water metro promises to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth, while the presence of the, NH corridor, and railway further catalyze development. The influx of new infrastructure projects, including 5-star hotels and residential apartments, signals a shift towards upscale tourism and real estate development, posing both opportunities and challenges for the island's sustainable future.
The aim of this research is to comprehensively investigate and propose a strategic framework for the transformation of Kumbalam Island into a livable and sustainable urban environment. The study seeks to identify key challenges, assess the current state of the island, and develop actionable recommendations for sustainable urban development that integrates environmental conservation, community well-being, cultural preservation, and economic vitality. Through an inclusive approach.
The transformation of Kumbalam Island into a livable and sustainable urban environment requires a holistic and collaborative effort. By addressing the interconnected challenges of urbanization, ecological degradation, and socio-economic development, this research aims to provide valuable insights and actionable recommendations for guiding the island's future trajectory. Through inclusive engagement and strategic planning, Kumbalam Island can emerge as a model of sustainable urban development, showcasing the potential for harmonious coexistence between nature and urban life
Immersive Heritage Experience: Elevating Cultural Identity and Sense of Place in the case of Kanchipuram
No full textThis research thesis delves into the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Kanchipuram, often revered as the "city of thousand temples" in South India. It emphasizes active engagement with Kanchipuram's diverse heritage, advocating for hands-on activities, storytelling, and interactive encounters with its historical sites, crafts, and communities. By immersing tourists in these experiences, the thesis aims to deepen appreciation for the city's cultural identity, fostering lasting connections and contributing to heritage preservation and promotion. Kanchipuram boasts a wealth of tangible and intangible heritage, including its iconic cluster of temples and the renowned artistry of silk sarees, reflecting the city's unique character and sense of place. By exploring concepts such as imageability, enclosure, and artistic and architectural value, this study seeks to understand the intricate relationship between the city and its inhabitants. Furthermore, the research endeavors to connect Kanchipuram’s heritage to its narrative identity, symbolically representing the city's sense of space. By highlighting emotional connections and memories associated with its places, the study aims to recommend guidelines for maintaining and revitalizing the sense and character of these spaces for the benefit of the people. Ultimately, this research seeks to deepen understanding of the relationship between place and people in Kanchipuram, identifying its identity and passing it on to future generations to enrich the city's cultural legacy
Influencing the Morphological Framework of Peri Urban Expansion in the Indian Scenario
No full textThe influx of people into urban areas for economic reasons leads to the expansion of
cities onto their peripheries, creating peri-urban areas. However, this expansion often
occurs haphazardly, resulting in the transformation of agrarian land into a patchwork
of built structures and other non-agricultural uses. This unplanned growth, driven by
economic factors, undermines ecological, social, and economic sustainability,
reducing the efficiency of land use. While historically Indian cities were meticulously
planned, contemporary urban expansion lacks a cohesive legal framework to guide
spatial development. Consequently, peri-urban areas are shaping the spatial structure
of Indian cities without proper oversight.
Cities in India have taken up a varied range of planning methods to urbanize their land,
ranging from sector model in Gurgaon and Chandigarh, to planning the city from its
inception like Amaravathi. Tier I cities due to its enormous population size, make it
unfeasible to accommodate all the inhabitants into one large urbanized area, have
adopted the concept of satellite towns, distributing and sharing its responsibilities at
the same time. Tier II cities however do not have the necessity to adopt to the method
of satellite towns. The sector model creates a certain sense of place which may
become ubiquitous in practice. Newer extensions of cities like the peripheries of Pune,
the urban environment that exists caters to a lifestyle that is car oriented while
enforcing a lifestyle different to that of the Indian Cities. The gated residential
communities have popped up in large numbers due to the easy consolidation of land,
while providing housing to a certain class of society, creating a society that resides in
a segregated manner from the rest of the world. Public realm should be accessible to
all irrespective of their economic, religious or social status. Our laws and policies have
yet failed to provide equitable access of resources to all.
The process of urbanization in the peri-urban areas start from the conversion of
agricultural land to other uses. Once the land use is changed, the land undergoes
transformation and smaller plots are created. These layouts are drawn referring the
local development norms for land development. These norms are implicit and
ambiguous in nature that result in a range of building forms, which may or may not be
appropriate for the communities. Such development does not respect the social
structure of the place and are not ecologically sensitive causing irreversible damage
to environment.
The built environment, resultant of the form is also dependent on the efficiency of
construction materials and the prevalent mechanisms in place. What should the ideal
morphology of these economically driven peripheral areas should be? How do we
envisage the spatial growth of our cities? The underlying goal is to improve the quality of life, which under the purview of Urban
Design can be achieved by enhancing the spatial quality of the built environment. This
entails investigating the morphological characteristics of settlements, examining the
evolution of land parcels and plots, and subsequently, the resulting built environment.
The thesis will explore strategies for ensuring desired morphological development
through proposed guidelines and legal norms that can be integrated and enforced
within our legal framework. Specifically, it aims to tackle challenges presented by periurban
development, offering sustainable growth solutions for Indian cities and outlining
mechanisms for their integration and enforcement within our legal systems
Harmonizing Urban Growth: an Ecological Approach to Counteract Spatial Ad Hocism on Bhopal’s Fringes
No full textUrban expansion on the fringes of cities often leads to unplanned development, environmental degradation, and social inequities. Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh in India, is no exception to this phenomenon. The rapid and unregulated growth on the outskirts of Bhopal has resulted in fragmented landscapes, loss of biodiversity, and strained infrastructure. In response to these challenges, the research proposes an ecological approach to harmonize urban growth and mitigate the adverse effects of spatial Ad Hocism. Spatial Adhocism refers to the idea of improvisation and making do with whatever is available, often in response to immediate needs or constraints. It is characterized by sporadic and unplanned growth which disrupt ecological connectivity and create barriers to wildlife movement, impacting the integrity of natural ecosystems and reducing their resilience to environmental stressors. To avoid such issues and manage urbanization effectively, development plans play a crucial role as statutory instruments guiding land use, expansion, and zoning for the next two to three decades. Bhopal's spatial growth reflects the consequences of lacking a robust development plan resulting in unsustainable growth, necessitating a focused examination of the vulnerable fringes of the city. Therefore, this study aims to tabulate the character and susceptibility of one such ecological fringe located in the north-eastern region of Bhopal, Ayodhya Nagar situated next to Hathaikheda Dam. The study focuses on the consequences of inadequate planning and infrastructure provision due to ad hoc urbanization, identifies causes of unsustainable development, and analyses the fragmented and disjointed nature of the urban fabric as a result of Adhocism-driven expansion. By integrating principles of ecological urbanism, landscape planning, and sustainable development, this approach seeks to create resilient urban ecosystems that balance the needs of both humans and nature. By adopting an ecological lens, urban designers and policymakers can steer Bhopal's growth towards a more sustainable and inclusive future, where the city's fringes serve as vibrant and resilient ecological buffers rather than areas of haphazard development. To address the challenges posed by spatial Adhocism and harness its potential benefits, it would be essential to adopt a comprehensive approach to urban design
Reimagining Urban Mobility: Proposing Innovative Strategies for Transit-Oriented Development in Indore
No full textThe thesis explores the concept of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in
the city of Indore, India, with a specific focus on the role of urban design. TOD
refers to a planning approach that emphasizes the development of compact,
mixed-use communities centered around high-quality public transit systems.
The thesis aims to assess the current transit infrastructure and urban
development in Indore, identify opportunities and challenges for implementing
TOD strategies, and explore how urban design can play a pivotal role in
achieving these goals. The thesis begins by providing an overview of the TOD
concept, emphasizing its potential to create sustainable and livable
communities by integrating land use and transportation planning. It also
examines the existing national and state-level TOD policies in India, analyzing
their key features and discussing general guidelines for TOD implementation.
Moving on to the specific case of Indore, the thesis analyzes the city's current
transit infrastructure and urban development patterns. This analysis reveals
that Indore has significant potential for TOD, particularly with the upcoming
metro system in the Vijay Nagar Area. However, the implementation of TOD
strategies faces challenges due to the competing interests of development
pressures and the presence of informal settlements. To address these
challenges and unlock the potential of TOD in Indore, the thesis proposes a
series of urban design interventions. These interventions aim to transform the
city into a more compact, coordinated, and connected urban environment that
prioritizes sustainable and equitable development. By incorporating principles
of urban design, such as walkability, mixed land uses, and quality public
spaces, the thesis seeks to enhance the feasibility and desirability of TOD in
Indore. The findings and recommendations from this study can be valuable
not only for Indore but also for other Tier-2 Indian cities and beyond. The
thesis emphasizes the critical role of urban design in realizing the potential of
TOD, highlighting the need for coordinated planning efforts that integrate
transportation, land use, and urban design principles to create vibrant and
sustainable communities
Reinterpreting the Identity of Royal City : the Case of Mysuru
No full textBefore Indian independence, the Princely states where the historic centers which are socially and culturally vibrant, and contain tangible and intangible heritage, socio-cultural values and knowledge network. And now Cities are democratic which is leading to its dynamic in nature, grows and expands over the years. In this process of urban transformation, the value and image of the cities are being diminishing.
The historic urban fabric is considered as the materialized form of an urban system through its architectural elements that combine to create functional, significant, and tangible manifestation of an urban system and recognizable spaces in relation to society, the period in history, and the location. A city's urban fabric is established from the start and constantly changes in response to new developments. It is necessary to examine the intricate underlying structure and fabric of our cities. Any area's urban form reveals the physical complexity at different scales, including those of individual buildings, plots, street-blocks, and the street patterns that form towns. The ability to plan for the future effectively requires a knowledge of the past. Therefore, it is important for an urban designer, planner, and authorities to understand how cities have changed over time and the characteristics of urban dynamics. The aim of the thesis is to conserve and activate the urban identity which adds up to the Urban Character in the case of Mysuru. Mysuru is one of the cultural and heritage city which has kept alive the Royal traditions and splendor. But due to rapid and unplanned development the identity of the place is reduced. The thesis mainly focuses on balancing the older historic values with the newer developments
Pathways to Pilgrimage: Revitalizing Urban Environments for Sacred Journeys – a case of Pandharpur, Maharashtra
No full textPathways to Pilgrimage: Revitalizing Urban Environments for Sacred Journeys – A Case of Pandharpur, Maharashtra
This thesis explores the intersection of urban design and pilgrimage, focusing on the case study of Pandharpur, Maharashtra, a sacred site renowned for its devotion to Lord Vitthal and the annual pilgrimage, the Wari. As urban centers worldwide grapple with the challenges of modernization, Pandharpur stands as a poignant example of a city deeply rooted in religious traditions yet confronting contemporary urbanization pressures.
The research delves into the historical, cultural, and socio-economic dimensions of Pandharpur, tracing the evolution of its urban fabric alongside the development of pilgrimage traditions. Through a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from urban design theory, anthropology, religious studies, and architecture, this study investigates how the urban environment shapes and is shaped by the pilgrim experience.
Central to the thesis is the concept of revitalizing urban environments to accommodate and enhance sacred journeys. By analyzing existing infrastructures, public spaces, and pilgrimage routes, the research identifies key challenges and opportunities for urban intervention. These include issues such as crowd management, infrastructure development, preservation of cultural heritage, and the integration of pilgrimage routes with the broader urban fabric.
Drawing insights from case studies of pilgrimage sites around the world, as well as best practices in urban design and planning, the thesis proposes a set of design principles and strategies tailored to the context of Pandharpur. These include adaptive reuse of heritage structures, pedestrianization of pilgrimage routes, creation of interpretive centers, and fostering community engagement in the revitalization process.
The thesis advocates for a holistic and inclusive approach to urban revitalization, one that respects the sacred significance of Pandharpur while addressing the needs of its residents and visitors alike.
Ultimately, this research seeks to contribute to the discourse on the role of urban design in fostering cultural heritage, community well-being, and sustainable tourism in pilgrimage cities like Pandharpur. By envisioning pathways to pilgrimage that integrate tradition with modernity, the thesis aims to inspire transformative interventions that enrich the urban experience for pilgrims and residents alike, ensuring that Pandharpur remains a vibrant center of spirituality and cultural heritage for generations to come
Creating Healthy Communities through Built Environment
No full textBuilding healthy urban communities is one of the most important challenges countries face today. With rapid urbanization of human settlements, the urban centres are deteriorating with an increase in related urban health issues particularly in the low-and middle-income countries of the global south. It is expected that by 2050, nearly three-quarters of the world’s population will reside in an urban environment. While it is recognized that factors influencing urban health include population characteristics, natural and built environments, and social and economic development, it is also imperative to acknowledge that urban life has both advantages and disadvantages. With urbanization and population growth, city life has become a reality for most of the global population, in addition to the increased health risks that accompany urban spaces and settings specially in Indian cities. We examine how the urban environment, society, and related institutions have an impact on urban health in the setting of India. Understanding that health is influenced by both social and environmental elements as well as being a factor in its own right in a complicated and interconnected urban system increases its importance as a subject for research. Thus, the thesis aims to improve the physical, mental, social, and environmental well-being of urban dwellers. Studying the attributes that contribute to creating a conducive healthy environment and how they can be demonstrated would be the focus of the study. The thesis explores how urban design can improve health for all and reduce health inequalities
Resuscitating Identity of the Traditional Servitors: Community of Ekamra Kshetra Bhubaneshwar
No full textNumerous towns have emerged around sacred edifices and the associated events tied to them. Ekamra Kshetra, a special heritage zone in Bhubaneswar, embodies the essence of a temple town, with sacred buildings and associated events forming the core of its existence. The traditional servitors' community, known as the Sevayat community, resides near the revered Lingaraj temple, and their lives are intricately interwoven with the religious activities and practices conducted at the temple. This community shares not only common experiential, ideological, and sociological backgrounds but also exhibits synchronized patterns in their everyday routines, forming a distinctive chorus in their communal life. The traditional servitors' community plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region. The study examines the challenges faced by the servitors' community in the wake of urbanization and explores the strategies employed to revive and sustain their traditional practices and living condition.
Due to changing family structures and occupational shifts driven by economic sustainability, these hierarchically divided Sevayat communities are gradually losing their distinct identity. Furthermore, the housing conditions within these communities have experienced a decline over the years. The communities are persistently pressurized by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) to relocate from their ancestral homes, to facilitate tourism development, which leads to the commodification of this sacred precinct. A contestation arises between the interests of tourists and the well-being of the local community. Thus, it becomes imperative to rethink the spatial structure of the area and adopt an approach that effectively negotiates the needs and interests of both tourists and the community.
This thesis explores the everyday life within a "cultural territory" to assess, design, and establish socio-culturally implicit spaces. Interventions aim to sensitively address current trends of development and practices that perpetuate urbanization and monotonous standardization. They seek to honor the requirements of tourists and local communities, fostering a sustainable relationship between different users, spaces, and networks. This holistic approach ensures a more sustainable outcome