Du l a l M ukherjee
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The lively and bustling city of Kolkata has many tourist attractions. But visitors seem to overlook its natural attractions in the numerous parks and water bodies in the city. One such water body is Rabindra Sarovar (Dhakuria Lake) , Kolkata. It’s a large artificial lake covering an area of 76 hectares lined with parks of huge trees and pristine greenery. Kolkata’s development body the Calcutta Improvement Trust (CIT) in the early 1920’s obtained an area of 192 acres of marshy jungles. They build up the area for residential use by creating lakes, parks, raising land and constructing roads. So they undertook a plan to create a huge lake and Rabindra Sarovar (Dhakuria Lake) , Kolkata was born, which was earlier known as Dhakuria Lake. Recreation facilities, gardens, children parks were developed around Rabindra Sarovar (Dhakuria Lake) , Kolkata later including an auditorium. At present, the Rabindra Sarovar is facing abject neglect with large tracts adjacent to the waterbodies kept unkempt with occasional dense bushes and undergrowth. Pathways have been broken and the area adjacent to the rail track in the southern fringe subject to pollution by rampant use by the bustee settlements on the other side of the rail track. The northern banks have some degree of discipline and beautification scheme at pockets have been carried out. But the entire southern stretch lies unattended and is often the den of antisocial activities after dark. Pollution of the lakes by slum inhabitants through washing and bathing activities is another major issue.
The Design Issue A written design concept along with a design scheme is invited from participants showing the usage pattern and the facilities to be provided for the entire southern fringe of the lakes for its meaningful utilisation. A sustainable model for development with revenue generation scopes to be addressed for regular maintenance and usage of this zone. The southern banks to be developed in a manner that the ecological balance of the entire neighbourhood is maintained and there should be a visual unity with the northern banks.
Dulal Mukherjee SUBMISSION FORMAT: Design Concept / description: MS Word / PDF Design Proposal / graphic: High resolution PDF ( 24”x 36”) Walkthrough: AVI / FLV format (Screen size: Maximum 720 x 540 pixels, upto 60 MB) JUDGING CRITERIA : The winner will be selected solely at the discretion of the invited Master. The decision of the Master will be final. PRIZE MONEY RS. 25,000/Send your entries to: iabedt@jasubhai.com Last date of submission of entries: 31 st Dec’ 2010 To participate online, log on to www.aecworldxp.com