Ahmed A Bad

URBAN ENVIRONMENT AND INSTITUTION
Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

FOREWORD
In today’s context one can look at many
spaces which are designed and
developed to perform critical functions of
the city, but have not been addressed as
places of public interest.
One such place is Ahmedabad railway

station which is a major transportation
hub. It has an important city level
function, for movement of people, goods,
railway functionaries, industrial housing
and commerce. Though the area
performs the backbone functions of the
city, it fails to play a larger role in terms of
public function. And hence, this area is
selected for this study.
The aim is:

To understand the dynamic nature of a
given urban environment, to inform
landscape & institutional design in the
area.
To analyze the role of nature in cities in
general & open space system in
particular.

INDEX
1 Context
Political
Economical
2 Evolution of the region
Genesis and growth of city
Historical Evolution of the settlement pattern
Infrastructure Emergence of the textile industry
Influence of railways on textile mills
3 Site and Surrounding
Location
Site observations
4 Natural Resources
Regional level
City level
5 Traffic and Transportation Old city
Site level
Streets and hierarchy
Transportation lines
Transportation modes 6 Land use typologies
Sectional Study
7 Spatial analysis Model study
8 Case studies
Banaras Ghat
9 Site Definition
Haj Terminal

Context

SITE REGION AND CONTEXT
METHODOLOGY
1.Definition of the Region on the basis of
• Political boundaries
• Historical boundaries
• Geographical boundaries
• Economical – Cultural boundaries
• Infrastructure
• Land use
2.Evolution of Region
3.Contextual response with respect to site – Perceiving the transit hub in today's context
4.Procedure for site evaluation

• Definition of site – The broader context
• Evaluation of region with certain parameters
• Matrix compiling the evaluation criteria
• Identification of similar zones determined by above mentioned parameters
• Mapping of boundaries in order to derive patterns depicting varied urban environments
• Delineate site

AHMEDABAD : SITE STUDY AND ANALYSIS
• This study is based on an examination of the site, region and the city as a whole in
terms of context, evolution, climate, and site definition.
• The analysis was structured in a manner which considered the east and west part of
the railway as two separate entities and the resulting observations were evaluated.

AHMEDABAD : OVERVIEW
LEGEND
AMC boundary
Village settlements
Railway line
Ward boundary
`
National highway
Ring roads
State highway
Eastern trunk mains

Central trunk mains
Western trunk mains
Distribution wells
Main pumping station
Auxiliary pumping station

Main sewage lines
Existing sewage treatment plant
Sewage treatment plant under

implementation
Source: CEPT school Of Planning

ECONOMIC GROUPS
INFERENCES
The site region has a complex
economic pattern, with upper and
lower income groups interwoven in
the old city fabric, where as in the
eastern part of the railway station a
majority of low income groups can
be observed.
Source: Survey done in specific areas. Ref: Ahmedabad: sociophysical structure.

EVOLUTION OF THE CITY
RELATION TO SITE
• The evolution of the city has many factors behind it, and the development of the
railway station was one of the significant drivers for urban development.
• Understanding of the reasons behind a particular socio-physical change in urban
fabric is important at a larger level, so as to gain inferences of the why the present
conditions are as they are.
Source:
thesis: city: an expression of human domain
EVOLUTION OF SETTLEMENT PATTERN:
• Initially, the fortified city
developed within its limits, on
the basis of caste and religion;
with the muslims residing near
the Bhadra Fort and the Jami
Mosque, and the Jains and
Hindus near Doshiwada ni pol
and Manek chowk respectively.
• There were canals where there
are streets today, and
agricultural fields existed till the
early to mid 1900s.
• As the city expanded, and the
density of population increased,
the canals got gradually filled up
to form the road networks which
are seen today.
Muslim settlement
Hindu settlement
Jain settlement
Source:local public, Ahmedabad in time and space,

www.ahmedabad.com
INFLUENCE OF RAILWAY ON SURROUNDING MILLS
Ahmedabad city was established in 1411
A.D, with the Bhadra Fort and the Jumma
Mosque being the main two entities.
The British Rule was enforced on the city in

1818 A.D, and the city began expanding,
textile industries began to flourish.
The first mill was established in 1861 A.D.
Establishment of the railway station in 1863.

First railway connecting the city to Bombay
was laid in 1864.
This brought a significant influence on the
establishment and growth of industries such
as textiles.
Gandhi road, the first city road, was laid in

1872.
Bhadra fort and Jammi Calico mills are established in 1880.

TEXTILE MILLS
mosque
Mills
Railway station ATMA established in 1891 A.D.
Railway line Source:www.atmaahd.com,www.cityofahmedabad.com,

www.ahmedabad.com,www.wikipedia.org
AHMEDABAD : OVERVIEW
GROWTH PATTERN OF THE CITY
• The City started its growth based on natural and political factors – river and Muslim
invasion.
• Over a period of time the dependency of growth pattern shifted to cultural factors
mainly religion.
• Socio-economic factors like growth of industries played further role in development.
• The development of the new city on the other hand was almost in a concentric
manner on the other western side of river Sabarmati.
• Present age growth pattern is clearly in line with the infrastructure facilities especially
the transportation corridors.
INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES
• At a city or regional level the infrastructure facilities seem adequate, but a specific
localized study may yield a different conclusion.

Site and surroundings

SITE AND SURROUNDINDS
LOCATION
• Site region covers the stretch from Sabarmati river to industrial area behind railway
station with station as central hub
• Major infrastructure zone which holds the city together and connects it with the rest of the
country
• Stretch displays varied complex urban environments
• Site region demonstrates contrasting character which concerns
-Intensity of activity
-Cultural values
-Density of urban fabric
SITE
REGION Old City Industrial
Area
Railway
Station

OBSERVATIONS
Site as
• An entity or object
• A barrier
• Hub of activities
Marked influence zones on abstract level
Relief road
Lal darwaja
Railway station
Gandhi road M.H. mills
Manek
chawk
Victoria garden Sardar patel

road
OBSERVATIONS
OLD CITY: Urban fabric is tightly knit possessing an identity of its own
INDUSTRIAL AREA: Urban fabric which was once tight and organized in its own way is
loosened due to closing down of mills
Percentage of circulation space to built spaces is same in both the contexts. In old city,
narrow residential streets and industrial zone arterial roads contribute to the same.
OLD CITY: Absence of breathing spaces, Small informal interacting spaces present
INDUSTRIAL AREA: Huge open plots under utilized or not accessible to public. No
defined interaction spaces at community level
OLD CITY: Major multifunctional spaces catering to society at a city level is present.
INDUSTRIAL AREA: In new housing colonies there is an absence of semi public places,
public recreational facilities occur as absurd inserts along busy streets.
OLD CITY: Sense of security is more as they have a sense of belonging to the same
community, education level high, poverty low. Hence crime rates are low.
Spaces are much hygienic compared to the other side of site region
INDUSTRIAL AREA: Area basically covers slums which are unhygienic and most of the
people are illiterate.

Natural resources of Ahmedabad region

NATURAL RESOURCES
METHODOLOGY
STUDY PROCESS :
• The entire region was divided into 9 zones.
• Every zone was analyzed with respect to each natural resource.
• Based on this comparison, a matrix was prepared which would give a broad picture of
the quality and quantity of each natural resource in that region.

NATURAL RESOURCES
NATURAL RESOURCES OF AHMEDABAD REGION
Source: Composite
Ranking, M.L.Arch.
Thesis, CEPT
University,
Ahmedabad

NATURAL RESOURCES
NATURAL RESOURCES OF AHMEDABAD REGION
NOT TO SCALE

NATURAL RESOURCES
TOPOGRAPHY AND GROUND WATER POTENTIAL
VASTRAPUR WATER LOGGED SABARMATI WATER LOGGED KANKARIA

LAKE RIVER LAKE
SECTION THROUGH THE RIVER AFTER DEVELOPMENT
VASTRAPUR SABARMATI KANKARIA

LAKE RIVER LAKE
SECTION THROUGH THE RIVER BEFORE DEVELOPMENT
JODHPUR SABARMATI AERODROME NARAUDA

RIVER
The ground water table was 00
ACQUIFER
12-15m below GL in 1940
and it has gone down to 60
160m below GL in 2002-03. ACQUITARD
Infiltration rate is 15-20% 120
180
GROUND WATER POTENTIAL Source: Strategies to Revitalize Urban Water Bodies, Path Shah, 2006, IIC, Netherlands

TOPOGRAPHY
METHODOLOGY
Addressing and analyzing the city topography
And hence commenting on water bodies, vegetation and road network.
Study process:
• Collection of base maps.
• Tracing contours from satellite image (for city and for detail areas)
• Marking of contours at 1m interval on city map.
• Identifying drainage pattern and locating mounds and depressions.
• Superimposing the layers of water bodies, vegetation, road network on the contours.
• Studying the relationship between topography and settlement pattern ( case of old city).
• Deriving inferences.

TOPOGRAPHY
METHODOLOGY
Addressing and analyzing the city topography
And hence commenting on water bodies, vegetation and road network.
Study process:
• Collection of base maps.
• Tracing contours from satellite image (for city and for detail areas)
• Marking of contours at 1m interval on city map.
• Identifying drainage pattern and locating mounds and depressions.
• Superimposing the layers of water bodies, vegetation, road network on the contours.
• Studying the relationship between topography and settlement pattern ( case of old city).
• Deriving inferences.

TOPOGRAPHY
LEGEND
Contour line
(1 mt interval)
Natural drainage
pattern
Road network
Natural water
bodies
Vegetation

TOPOGRAPHY
CITY TOPOGRAPHY
• Area is flat with subtle undulating differences in the surface topography. Highest point is
at 62 m in extreme N-E which slopes down to 35 m at S-W corner.
• Few isolated grounds with higher elevation than the normal elevation of city, like
Jodhpur tekra and Gulbai tekra.
• Natural drainage pattern to the river Sabarmati is north to south.
• Numerous lakes scattered around the region as catchments for storm water run off
• Existing vegetation is in degraded stage and is reduced to small patches along the river
bank.

TOPOGRAPHY
EVOLUTION OF WALLED CITY BASED ON TOPOGRAPHY
52 51 50 49 53 52 51
55
Direction of flow DARIAPUR

of storm water
50
ELEVATED
BHADRA AREAS
55 56 57
50
All initial settlements,

RAIPUR like Jami Masjid, the
gate, Bhadra fort,
JAMALPUR were all planned
either on an elevated
50 51 50 49 plane, to avoid
49
flooding or in a
49
48 50
N
strategic location
47 49 48 such that they did not
block the natural flow
of water.
TOPOGRAPHY
WALLED CITY
• The walled city of Ahmedabad is located on the east bank of the river Sabarmati.
• These small water bodies were the main source of water for irrigation, also helped in
ground water recharge. The lakes were connected to each other by natural water
channels.
• The main elevated areas can be identified as areas of Bhadra, Dariyapur, Khadia,
Astodia, Raipur, Jamalpur.
• There is a drop of 20m in the topography from E-W.

TOPOGRAPHY
SITE TOPOGRAPHY
KALUPUR
RAILWAY
ELEVATED STATION
AREAS
DEPRESSIONS
SARANGPUR
GOMTIPUR
N

TOPOGRAPHY
SITE TOPOGRAPHY
Water flow direction Major road Depressions Elevated areas

Contour line (1mt interval) Major roads in walled city Intermediate roads in walled city
TOPOGRAPHY
SITE TOPOGRAPHY
• TOPOGRAPHY
• The site area is dominated by local contours that sometimes contradict with general
topography of city area. As we can see the city has slope towards south and south-west
direction but in specific areas it need not follow the same slope directions because of
local features like elevations and depressions.
• The study shows that the early settlements took place on elevated areas so that they
were protected from floods and the main streets were built along the natural drainage
pattern.
• However as seen in the drawing, with the development of the city, new settlements
started coming up in a haphazard manner. As a result the street pattern also doesn’t
follow the natural drainage pattern unlike the early settlements.
• As the need of space increased the natural vegetation depleted to single trees.

Traffic and transportation

STREET NETWORK AND HIERARCHY
STREET EVOLUTION
• The city has developed
radially around the
fortified city.
• Spider web pattern of
street network is
inevitable at the first
glance.
• Since radial roads are
with a specific
objective and
directional, the activity
pattern and spatial
quality are very
different form the
concentric road quality.

TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION
METHODOLOGY
Analyzing the traffic patterns and identifying zone of congestion:
Study process:
1. Identifying different modes of transport in the city
2. locating major transport hubs in site region.
3. Site study, photo documentation, mapping of transport routes, traffic flow and volume
at different time periods.
4. Deriving inferences.

TRANSPORT NETWORK
Road Network
Transport Hubs
Railway Line
One-way lanes

Pedestrian route network
Bus
Auto Rickshaw
Trucks
Pedestrian
7 am 12 pm 10 pm Traffic nodes
Line weight indicates density
Lack of proper time
management in city
buses.
During peak hours

traffic jams take place
Bus
Auto Rickshaw
Trucks
Pedestrian

OBSERVATIONS
Due to the activity of transport junctions Informal activities taking place on streets,
eateries near them run till late night. leads to shortening of road width at larger
scale which results into traffic congestion.
Kalupur
Bus Station
Kalupur
Railway Station
Sarangpur
Bus Station
Transport hubs
Eateries

Land use typologies

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
METHODOLOGY
Study process:
1. Identifying typologies by visual survey.
2. Street sections and elevations
3. Final inferences.

STREET NETWORK AND HIERARCHY
AREA OF STUDY AREA OF STUDY
DARIAPUR
GATE
PREM GATE KALUPUR FLY

OVER
KALUPUR POLICE
CHOWKI GURUDWARA
KALUPUR BUS STOP
AMBEDKAR
RELIEF ROAD MAJOR JUNCTION HALL
SHALOM
RAILWAY ST. CHURCH
GANDHI ROAD
RAILWAY ST.
SABARMATI FORTIFIED CITY TRANSPORT HUB INDUSTRIAL
Nodes
Connecting Nodes
Major Roads
Connecting Roads.

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
AREA OF STUDY
RESIDENTIAL MIXED TRANSPORTATION
COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL OPEN INDUSTRIAL

PLOTS
Looking at the street elevation along the route marked the following observations were
evident:

BLOCK ELEVATION
LAND USE TYPOLOGY

1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7
Typology :The evolution of the city is evident in this
part of the city, and the change is still evident, due
to the unstable fabric.
7
6 Vegetation distribution is mostly along the road
5
widening area, and the empty mill plots. Most of
4
1 2
3 the vegetation is within the private property, as
compared to the vegetation along the roads.

BLOCK ELEVATION
LAND USE TYPOLOGY

8 8
9 9
10 10
11 11
12 12
14 13
15
Skyline and the volumetric spatial character of the

12
11 Western and Eastern side of railway, indicates
14 13
9
10 8
towards, a change from a very congested high
15
dense space to open, less dense space. The
potential to develop the east is high, unless done
with sensibility could result in another congested,
high dense zone.

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
TYPOLOGIES
Based on the function and land-use we • The character imparted by the streets
classified our area of study into 5 typologies: in a locality are determined by these
few Criteria:
– The relative width of the streets,
• TRANSPORT HUB & MIXED
– The block lengths,
• OPEN SPACE & MIXED
– The building frontage,
• COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
– The relative length and the kind
• INDUSTRIAL & RESIDENTIAL
of the streets,
• MIXED
– Functional importance, all tend to
reinforce the utilization and
character of the street.

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
TRANSPORT HUB AND MIXED
institution 16 m wide road commercial

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
TRANSPORT HUB AND MIXED
residences shops 30 m wide road residential / commercial
Main streets Internal streets or courts

crowded and open spaces around
them
The main road is crowded with heavy

traffic and the adjacent lanes are very
different.

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
G – G-+7 structure
commercial 15 mm wide road pathway Commercial-

residences

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
OPEN SPACES AND MIXED
• Open spaces are either used
as dump yard for garbage,
haphazard parking, and
occupancy by slum dwellers.
• Location of the open space

determines the utilization,
open spaces 9 mm road pathway residences
which in turn gives the
character to the locality.
G structure
open spaces 9 mm road pathway residences / shops

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
industries 12 m wide industrial road residences
The variation in the housing pattern varies from chawl to slums. Based on the areas some
streets are entirely residential or residential with scattered commercial activity.

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
INDUSTRIAL AND MIXED
• The dead wall along
the mill, discourages
activity along, and
hence attracting
G structure
activity to the other
side of the road.
Internal road 12 m wide

industries shops
of industry Industrial road
• The elevation shows
the diversity in façade
style of commercial.

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
MIXED
3 - 9M
3 - 12M
residences chowk residential & commercial street
3 - 12M
residences chowk commercial street pol converted to godowns
The mixed area inside the fortified wall, is very

different form the eastern side of the railway.

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
MIXED
G – G+2 structure
G – G+2 structure
residence pathway pathway
10 m wide commercial road residences
and shops
• The nature of the activity in this zone, and the character The extent of informal
they impart in the location, is determined to some activity in a residential and
extent by the street width. commercial street, makes a
large impact on the street
• Commercial spaces cater to the need of the immediate
character.
locality, while others cater to users from far off location
also.

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
CHARACTER AROUND SPACES OF HISTORIC IMPORTANCE
shops Prem darwaza police station shops

The elevation shows how the building
volume changes depending on the
functions.

LAND USE TYPOLOGY
INFERENCES
• You walk down a street and it just feels right, the proportions of the sidewalks, the width
between the buildings, the height of the wall of buildings on either side. Why do some
work and others not?
• Streets help tie the city together but then certain streets leave the fabric loose. Paths
with clear and well known origins and destinations have stronger identity. And streets
with stronger identity, tie the city together…
• Minimizing street width and length, can prevent wastage and misuse of space.
• Cities are used by many groups of people, it is important to understand how the
different major groups image their surrounding.
• Drawing a parallel between the east and the west of the railway station, we conclude
that the east fails to impart an identity due to the absence of distinct activity pattern,
inclusive spatial character, and elements to create hierarchy.

MODEL STUDIES
PLAN VIEW OF THE MODEL
SARASPUR RLWY
COLONY 1
RAILWAY STATION
MINARATES TRANSPORT HUB
KALAPUR VEGETABLE
MARKET NEW CLOTH
MARKET
SOME IMPORTANT LANDMARKS

MODEL STUDIES
DIFFERENCE IN THE TYPOLOGY OF THE BUILT FORM
1. DENSE BUILT FORM OF OLD CITY 2. SCARTTERED ARRANGEMENT OF

INDUSTRIES
3. MODULAR ARRANGEMENTS OF KEY PLAN

RESIDENTIAL UNITS

MODEL STUDIES
ARRANGEMENTS OF CLUSTERS
1. IN THE OLD CITY AREA THE HOUSES IN THE 2. SPECIFIC GRID ARRANGEMENT OF
PERIPHERY ARE ARRANGED PARALLEL TO IT, STREETS AND HOUSES IS ALSO SEEN IN
WHILE THE INNER CLUSTERS ARE ARRANGED SOME VILLAGE CLUSTERS
UNSYSTEMATICALLY
2
3
3. REPETATION OF MODULES AND GRID KEY PLAN

ARRANGEMENT SEEN IN NEWLY DEVELOPED
BLOCKS
MODEL STUDIES
CHANGE OF DENSITY IN BUILT FORMS
MODERATELY SPACED
SETTLEMENTS
INDUSTRIAL LEFTOVER LANDS

(MORE OPEN SACES)
KALUPUR RAILWAY STATION
DENSELY PLACED NEW BUILT

FORMS
VERY DENSELY PLACED

HOUSEFORMS OF OLD CITY

MODEL STUDIES
MODEL VIEWS

Spatial analysis

SPATIAL ANALYSIS
METHODOLOGY
1. Mapping
One experiences transition at various points of activities, during a continuous journey
through an area .
These transition points can be characterised as follows:
1.PAUSE POINT: A point which does not interfere in the continuity of an activity but gives a
release feeling in between and thus has its own identity and essence.
2.BREAK POINT: A point which breaks a continuing activity; i.e. the termination of one
activity and start of a new activity.
3.VOID: A space having no direct relationship with the surroundings and is observed in
physical 2-dimensional grain.
All these points are related to activities, which are supported by landscape elements.
Elements of landscape
They grant character to the space and activities happening at that place. Various elements
involved are:
Pavement – Material, Colour, Levels
Edging – Curb – Material
Lighting – Type, Height, Intensity, Colour
Flora – Type, Density, Height, Shadow, Colour, Seasonal Variation
Benches – Location, Appearance, Height, Material
Dustbins – Location, Appearance, Height, Material
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
METHODOLOGY
2. Observations
Observations made at all transition points w.r.t. various parameters like sky content,
existing flora, volume containment of the space, activity density & congestion. These were
marked as high, medium & low; by preparing a matrix.
3. Analysis
Perceiving the spaces through ‘our feeling’ generated in those spaces. A sense that
changes constantly as we move about or are engaging with different activities. This sense
is ever present, but usually remains in background. It can be brought to foreground by
asking oneself; ‘How do I feel?’
So the area is analyzed for consistency of feelings in different areas. The sense of well-
being is thus derived on four scales:
• Feeling good.
• Feeling very good.
• Feeling bad
• Feeling very bad
4. Inferences
Overlapping the activity based mapping and feeling base analysis, we now are able to
comment on the existing pattern, its impact and quality of the urban fabric. And here we
come up with a graphic illustrating the same.

SPATIAL ANALYSIS
STUDY OF SPATIAL QUALITY AND RELATED FEELINGS
1
Variation: fabric, activities & vivacity Activity transition points: Void, Pause & Break
Quality of fabric: Overlapping all layers Feeling based analysis

SPATIAL ANALYSIS
STUDY OF SPATIAL QUALITY AND RELATED FEELINGS
Void
Pause
Break
Good
Bad
Poor

SPATIAL ANALYSIS
TYPE 1 : RELIEF ROAD JUNCTION Activity: Void Feeling: Bad
Relief rd
A destroyed building
Relief rd junction
space on a side of a
Rly st. road, but has no
relation with its
surrounding.
SKY CONTENT FLORA VOLUME ACTIVITY DENSITY CONGESTION

SPATIAL ANALYSIS
TYPE 2 : SARANGPUR DARWAJA Activity: Void Feeling: Good
Relief rd A green traffic circle which
is restricted and thus has
Rly st.
no relation with
surrounding which makes
Sarangpur circle it void.

SPATIAL ANALYSIS
TYPE 3 :SARANGPUR DARWAJA Activity: Pause Feeling: Bad
A small open plot with
Relief rd low or broken curbing is
often used as parking or
Rly st.
relaxing which creates
pause at the place
Sarangpur circle

SPATIAL ANALYSIS
TYPE 4 : SARANGPUR MOSQUE Activity: Pause Feeling: Good
Footpath elevation and
Relief rd canopy shade provides
opportunity for the
Rly st. pause to happen.
Sarangpur mosque

SPATIAL ANALYSIS
LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
PAVEMENT & EDGING
PAVEMENT
Material of pavement plays a role in defining or
segregating the activities. Factors considered are:
• Material
• Colour
• Levels
INFERENCES
Pavement has an impact over the entire region. It
grants a specific nature to the space & activities
involved.

SPATIAL ANALYSIS
LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
LIGHTING BENCHES
LIGHTING
Lighting at road sides & at
activity centres includes:
• Type
• Height
• Intensity
• Colour
BENCHES
Benches along the streets
& at nodes:
• Location
• Appearance
• Height
• Material
INFERENCE
Colour & Intensity Of Light
Attracts Various Activities
& Moods.
Appearance Of Benches
Gives A Character To
Space.
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
TREES
In a dense congested
fabric; a shading tree
crown acts a the shelter
& nucleus of activities.
Factors involved are:
• Tree canopy
• Shadow area
• Density
• Height
• Colour variation
INFERENCES
A single tree holds an
identity in itself.
It becomes a pause in
between an activity &
thus generates sub-
activities around it.

Case studies

CASE STUDY
BANARAS
Relation to site
• mass transition
• density, congestion
• multiple activities
• Like railway in Ahmedabad, in Banaras
river acts as an edge and all the
movements and activities are directed
by its presence.
Source: SA Thesis by Raje, Shubhra

CASE STUDY
LANDUSE
Streets have various types of uses and

multiplicity that allow occasional and
everyday mundane activities to overlap.
Residential
Mixed use
Commercial
Source: SA Thesis by Kapri, Shraddha

CASE STUDY
PILGRIMAGE ROUTE
The pilgrimage route towards the ghat

consists of commercial and religious
activities because of mass transition. This
commercial edge also works as a layer
between public and private areas.
Pilgrimage route
Route for cremation site
Commercial edge

CASE STUDY
OPEN SPACE SYSTEM
Built mass
Religious institutes
Ghats of various degree of privacy

are linked together to form the edge
and works as continuous open
space system.
Source: SA Thesis by Kapri, Shraddha and SA Thesis by Parikh, Rishma

CASE STUDY
VARIATION IN SCALE
Religious institutes
Buildings of different typology

and different scale exists
together. Institutional (religious)
buildings inserted within
residential area creates the
fabric of the city.
Source: SA Thesis by Kapri, Shraddha and SA Thesis by Parikh, Rishma

CASE STUDY
QUALITY AND NATURE OF SPACE
From the streets the public space
extends into the religious structures.
Complete overlap
Partial overlap

Religious structure on the street
CASE STUDY
OBSERVATIONS
• Banaras has a rigid yet multi functional fabric, which is concentrated more towards the
river. The narrow constricted space of the winding streets finds a sudden release, the
moment it reaches the Ghat.
• The city provides for many activities to happen simultaneously. The complexity of
activities gradually increases as one moves towards the river. Ghats are more active in
mornings and evenings. Activities on ghats include bathing, pooja, cremation, wedding
etc.
• The city of Banaras gets a different character on festival days because of crowding. To
accommodate the crowd many temporary structures are put up on the ghat during this
time.

CASE STUDY
HAJJ TERMINAL
Hajj Terminal is a temporary structure erected for 6 weeks to accommodate a large
no. of pilgrims.
It woks as a transition space between the airport and the local transport system.
One module of Hajj Terminal
Commercial
Services
Airport Terminal Transition space Local Transport

CASE STUDY
USE OF STRUCTURE
• Local transport system is integrated with the structure.
• Though being an airport terminal, the space becomes informal because of its
temporary structure.
• Designated areas are given to each community and thus makes the terminal, a place
for social gatherings.

CASE STUDY
ACTIVITIES
• Terminal has space for various activities because people spend up to 36 hours here.
• The transition area consists of restaurants, shops, toilets, place for food preparation,
washing, resting, sleeping and mosques.
• Various activities merge with each other (shops spill over circulation area, circulation
area is also used as waiting area).
Commercial Services
Circulation Seating

Site selection

SITE SELECTION
SELECTED SITE REGION
ZONE 1 ZONE 4 ZONE 7 ZONE 10 ZONE 13 ZONE 16 ZONE 19 ZONE 22
GRID SIZE 500M.X 500M.

SITE SELECTION
METHODOLOGY
CRITERION FOR DEFINING SITE BOUNDARIES
A. Manmade parameters
1. Occupation - Business, Service type, Labour

2. Per Capita Income
3. Infrastructure – Water Supply, Sanitation, Electricity, Hygiene
4. Density of population –Fixed / Floating
5. Community basis –Occupation, Class, Cast/ Religion
6. Age of region
7. Hierarchy of Spaces
8. Spatial Configuration – Sky content, Light quality, Sensorial quality, Built vs Open
9. Engaging spaces – Political, Social, Recreational
B. Natural parameters
1. Climate
2. Flora
3. Topography

SITE SELECTION
Study Procedure- I
Matrix for the process to evaluate the site region on basis of various parameters

SITE SELECTION
AGE OF COMMUNITY
OLD AND NEW

NEW
OLD

SITE SELECTION
BASIS OF COMMUNITY
OCCUPATION+CLASS+CASTE
OCCUPATION+CLASS/OCCUPATION+CASTE/CLASS+CASTE
OCCUPATION/CLASS/CASTE

SITE SELECTION
POPULATION DENSITY
HIGH
MEDIUM
LOW

SITE SELECTION
SPATIAL QUALITY
GOOD
FAIR
BAD

SITE SELECTION
OCCUPATION TYPE
BUSINESS
SERVICE
LABOUR

SITE SELECTION
MAPPING OF FLORA
HIGH
MEDIUM
LOW

SITE SELECTION
INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES
GOOD
FAIR
BAD

SITE SELECTION
PER CAPITA INCOME
MEDIUM
LOW

SITE SELECTION
STUDY PROCEDURE- II
• On the basis of zone study a matrix is prepaid which quantify the different parameters
in different zones, on basis of the matrix a layer of each parameter is prepaid which
shows relative value of that parameter on all the zones giving a broad idea of pattern
on urban fabric.
• The next step followed was interdependency of each parameter and its degree of
influence in determining the quality of life.
• When we read all the layers together there are three broad factors.
• We are giving the following instance.
-- Age of community
-- Population density
-- Occupation type

INFERENCE
Density as constant
These broad factors when evaluated with other defined
parameters studied will result in grading of quality of
life.
For eg.
Age of community is screened through basis of
community and spatial quality
Population density is screened through spatial Fig. 1.
quality and infrastructure which will act as variants.
Occupation type is screened through per capita
income, infrastructure and basis of community
Again population density will act as totally independent
factor as far as standard of living is concerned.
For eg. Fig. 2.
High dense, high rise buildings with good infrastructure
facilities- quality of life graded high
High dense, low rise building with weak infrastructure
facilities- quality of life graded low
Quality of life is comparatively good in fig. 1.
INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES SPATIAL QUALITY POPULATION DENSITY

SITE SELECTION
FACTORS INDEPENDENT OF VARIENT
No flora HIGH DENSE FLORA Area of influence

high
Low flora- area of influence low MEDIUM DENSE FLORA Area of influence
high
High dense flora-not accessible for public HIGH DENSE FLORA Area of influence
high
Area of influence nil

SOME QUESTIONS
How does a broad level city study help to define a boundary and hence help in giving a site
specific proposal…?
How would a typological proposal be more specific in nature…?
How does one determine the scale of the project, one is likely to zoom in to as a design
intent, as a part of such an exercise….?
While inserting a new program within existing dense living fabric how does one decide that
it becomes acceptable to the locality (people and environment)?
What kind of activities and space, do you think, can bring back interest to forgotten area
( east side of railway station)?
Are the existing markets around railway station overcrowded (running on full capacity) or do
they still have a flexibility to accommodate more ( people and environment)?
There is a wide contrast in the west and east in terms of building typology, social structure
etc. does a strong diving line remove the possibility of formation of mixed group?
Should one try and extend existing west fabric (activities) to east or one should give east its
own identity?

Ahmed A Bad

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URBAN ENVIRONMENT AND INSTITUTION

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

One such place is Ahmedabad railway

The aim is:

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

7 Spatial analysis Model study

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

4.Procedure for site evaluation

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

Eastern trunk mains

Main pumping station

Auxiliary pumping station

Existing sewage treatment plant

Sewage treatment plant under

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

Source: Survey done in specific areas. Ref: Ahmedabad: sociophysical structure.

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

Source:local public, Ahmedabad in time and space,

The British Rule was enforced on the city in

Establishment of the railway station in 1863.

Gandhi road, the first city road, was laid in

Bhadra fort and Jammi Calico mills are established in 1880.

Railway line Source:www.atmaahd.com,www.cityofahmedabad.com,

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

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Victoria garden Sardar patel

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Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

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VASTRAPUR WATER LOGGED SABARMATI WATER LOGGED KANKARIA

VASTRAPUR SABARMATI KANKARIA

SECTION THROUGH THE RIVER BEFORE DEVELOPMENT

JODHPUR SABARMATI AERODROME NARAUDA

Infiltration rate is 15-20% 120

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Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

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Direction of flow DARIAPUR

All initial settlements,

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

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Water flow direction Major road Depressions Elevated areas

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

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During peak hours

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment

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PREM GATE KALUPUR FLY

SABARMATI FORTIFIED CITY TRANSPORT HUB INDUSTRIAL

Reading and Interpreting Urban Environment