Architectural Undergraduate Thesis by Ann Lia Mathew

REGENERATING THE BLINDSPOTS An exploration through urban fabric

Architectural undergraduate thesis by Ann Lia Mathew Thesis Guide: Prof. Nelson Joe Vijai Pais

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Abstract Mysuru is a constantly developing city. The urban sprawl has resulted in the formation of residential layouts along with underdeveloped parks and streets, which tend to be the only possible open space the people are accessible to. This fast growth has also, in the process, engulfed a number of heritage settlements which have existed for decades. These settlements are in constant struggle between their heritage values and fast growing urbanism, with almost no breathable space. The thesis proposes urban regenerative strategies to create better living conditions for these settlements by retaining their heritage value and generating more open spaces.

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Growth of the city Mysuru is a city in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. Mysuru is geographically located between 12° 18’ 26’’north latitude and 76° 38’ 59’’ east longitude, at an altitude of 770 m above mean sea level. Mysuru is located at the foothills of the Chamundi Hills about 145.2 km towards the south west of Bangalore and spread across an area of 286.05 km2. 1830

Mysuru City Corporation is responsible for the civic administration of the city, which is also the headquarters of the Mysuru district and the Mysuru division. The Kingdom was ruled by the Wadiyar dynasty, with a brief period of interregnum in the late 18th century when Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were in power. Mysuru is noted for its heritage structures and palaces, including the Mysuru Palace, and for the festivities that take place during Dasara when the city receives many tourists from around the world.

1870

1920

MYSORE CITY

1980

2012

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

The population of the city on an average has been increasing by 2% every year. This growth has led to unrestricted expansion of the boundaries of the city. The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) which was established in 1988 is incharge of city development. Previously it was called the City Improvement Trust Board (CITB). The various departments under the MUDA include the Land Acquisition Department, Town Planning Department, Engineering Department, Allotment & General Administration Department, Finance Department, Law Department and the Public Relations Department. The overall execution and implementation of plans is looked after by the commissioner. The residential growth is in the form of standard sized plots which are developed by MUDA approved private developers. They come with 3 or more standard plot sizes along with common parks and streets. Often the streets and parks are underdeveloped. Between this unrestricted growth and transformation are few parts of the city that are getting engulfed along the process.

URBAN SPRAWL

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

In the process of growth and expansion of the city, there are smaller village settlements which are believed to have existed for decades, that get surrounded, engulfed and transformed. The identified settlements fall into 3 categories. Category 01- These settlements were much closer to the core of the city, hence have already been completely transformed and densified with almost no trace of heritage left behind. In comparison to the newly formed layouts, these are much denser and lack minimum required space for living. Category 02- They are the resisting settlements which are in the process of transformation. The resistance is expressed through the heritage dwellings and common spaces that have allowed the newer structures to encroach on as a parasite. Category 03- These settlements are not much away from the expanding boundaries of the city and are assumed to be transformed similar to those in category 01 & 02.

A resistance to change

RESISTANCE

Resistance to let go og past

Resistance of new

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Category 01- Kannegoda koppalu

Category 03 - Dasanakoppalu

The site to demonstrate the idea was chosen from the settlements that are in verge of transformation. Site selection criteria • Percentage commercialised (in terms of land use) • Various types of land use • Accessibility- in terms of road networks, public transportation, etc. • Density- in terms of population, built/open ratio, etc. • Percentage transformed in the last two decades (old to new). • Percentage of old structures that still remains. • Percentage of residential structure. • Important landmarks and distances. • Percentage of unused open spaces. • Distance from major roads/highways. • Level of activeness of the spaces. • Sanitation levels. • Present conditions of the infrastructure. • Pedestrian accessibility. • Major problems/issues the places are facing. • Opportunities & Constraints. Category 02 - Kumabarkoppalu Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

SITE 01: Bogadi. Area: 10 acres

The area is located 500m away from the Outer Ring Road of mysore. It is located along Bogadi- gadigge road which leads directly towards city centre. The inner core areas are yet to be fully influenced by the city sprawl and retains it’s character. The area is mostly surrounded by MUDA/Privately developed layouts and appartments.

SITE SELECTION

SITE 02: Hinkal. Area: 10.5 acres

The area is located 500m inside the Outer Ring Road mysore. It is located along the Hunsur-Manglore highway, which directly takes you to the city centre. The dense fabric is surrounded by commercial, Institutional and residential structures. The major influence of the highway and flyover is evidently seen.

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

SITE 03: Hootagalli. Area: 11 acres

Selected Site- Bogadi Onsite visit showed the following observations. • • •

The area is located 1.5km away from Outer Ring Road mysore. It is located along the HunsurMangalore highway. The area ia surrounded by Muda/ Privately developed layouts. The structures along the highway and major roads are commercialised, whereas towards inner areas, the character seems to have retained.

SITE SELECTION

•

The settlement still have their houses retained to some extent towards the insides. The area seemed to be pretty active, with the presence of 2-3 temple’s in a 350m radius. The place seems to lack proper sanitation and drainage systems. More than 10% of the settlement consisted of unused open spaces and abandoned structures. The area seems to be lodged in-between the process of development, basic problems like road width not enough for vehicles to park, no proper place to keep construction materials, etc. The settlements towards the main road are completely commercialised and are much more vibrant.

Compared to the other two sites, this seemed to be a better option to demonstrate the idea.

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

WHAT ARE OPEN SPACES? ARE PARKS OUR OPEN SPACES? DO WE HAVE ENOUGH OPEN SPACES? IN INDIA ARE STREETS CONSIDERED OPEN SPACES? ARE STREETS THE BEST PLACE FOR ACTIVITIES?

In India the streets are multifunctional. Most of the day to day activities are spilled to the streets. The designated open spaces such as parks and recreational spaces have a defined boundary with a marked entrance. At the same time there are spaces which are underdeveloped and used as garbage dump yards, parking, or with built boundaries which says private property. These have immense opportunities that can hold public activities. Are streets the best open spaces we can have? The same streets have to accommodate parking, footpaths and vehicular access. When it comes to semi rural settlements, their livelihood is on the streets. The density of the settlements gives minimal or no space for any day to day activities to happen on the insides. The project proposes to generate opportunities for the settlements through existing and generated open spaces through regenerative interventions.

OPEN SPACES

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

ACTIVITIES ON STREETS OF BOGADI

Playing

Drying clothes

STREETS

Washing

Commerce

Parking

Studying

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

SITE ANALYSIS

EXISTING CONDITION

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Ground Plan

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Roof Plan

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Old Structure Old +New Str New Structure (undesirable)

New Structures

Existing Condition

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Serial Vision Street 00

Site views & sections

4CM17AT005 I ANN LIA MATHEW

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Aim

OPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS

The project aims to improve the conditions of the identified ‘ urban hamlets’ that are lodged in-between the process of urbanisation, by proposing possible ways to regenerate the spaces with the opportunities that are present in these settlements.

Objective Site

● To preserve the traditional way of life by improving the quality of common spaces. ● To regenerate unused open spaces in & around the identified ‘urban hamlets’. ● To propose innovative strategies for regenerating traditional public spaces and activities.

The site is located along a primary road which connect further to other secondary roads. The site slopes about 11m towards the North. The site majorly contains residential structures along with few institutional and commercial spaces. Very few vegetation in the site. The area contains an equal mixture of old and newly built structures. The residential areas are both rental and self owned. The older structures are all on ground level and the newer ones are g+1 or g+2.

Opportunities & Constraints The existing empty plots open up opportunities for community regeneration programmes. The site offers opportunity in creating better living conditions for people of the settlement who live in spaces that lack proper light, ventilation, emergency access,etc. The larger empty public spaces offer chances for programmes that can bind the entire community together. The site being located along major roads and half a kilometre away from ring road offers better accessibility to the site. The variety of spaces in terms of size/area make it challenging to create common workable intervention that can be repeatative. The increasing population and density of the spaces affects the workability of the proposed programmes over time. The linear character of the settlement makes it challenging to bring together the community as a whole.

Studies

Library & Art centre

The first two projects by Ar. Zhangh Ke in Beijing shows possibile ways of intervening existing structure which are heritage. It also stands as an example to show possible ways to design in a heritage context.

Rules & Standards

The second major project shows different innovative proposals for a settlement in Ahmedhabad. It shows possible examples of regenerative strategies for a community.

Micro Hutong

Strategies for urban regenration

Site Plan Scale 1:500

Minimum residential plot size should not be less than 50sqm with width not less than 6m. Every room abuted for human habitation shall abut on an interior/exterior open space. FAR of a habitable room shall not be less than 8 for plot size upto 120sqm. Minimum area required for a kitchen without dining is 5sqm. Minimum area for bathroom shall not be less than 1.8 sqm with one external wall with an opening. For a residential structure upto 12m depth shall have 1-1.5 m set back front and rear. For a residential structure upto 12 m width shall have min 1- 1.5m set back left and right. For residential structures above 9-12m in height shall have min 4.5 m set back on all sides. 4CM17AT005

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

The plan shows a detail layout of units that are squeezed to fit into boundaries of an exisiting older structure.

Rent

The ownership map infers that 80% of the settlement are rented units. Which proves that it is a transitioning settlement. The density of the settlement is also very high, which makes it undesirable to live. Our responsibility as architects is create better living conditions and better opportunities.

Analysis

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

STRATEGY 01- RETROFITTING the insides of existing heritage dwellings to improve efficiency & living conditions.

STRATEGY 02- RELOCATING the newer dwellings that are below the minimum livable space, lack light/ ventilation & at the same time generate more open spaces.

STRATEGY 03- REHABILITATION of the relocated units from strategy 01 & strategy 02.

STRATEGY 04- Community Regenrative Interventions for the existing and generated open spaces.

Proposed Strategies

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Inventory

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

R R’ SECTO

SEC

TOR

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Strategy 01- Retrofitting the insides of existing heritage dwellings to improve efficiency & living condition

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Common toilets Closed courtyards Shop unit

Leftover features of heritage dwellings

Parasitic newer dwellings

Existing Plan Existing Plan

House 01- 5 x 8 - 40sqm House 028 - 42sqm House 01- 5 x 87 -x40sqm House 038 - 42sqm House 02- 7 x 87 -x42sqm House 048 - 40sqm House 03- 7 x 85 -x42sqm House 056 - 30sqm House 04- 5 x 85 -x40sqm House 05- 5 x 6 - 30sqm

Existing plan ( representative)

Strategy 01- Retrofitting

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Proposed Plan

Existing Plan

House 1 & 3 - 54sqm House 2 & 4 - 56sqm

Roof Plan

Proposed Plan (representative)

Strategy 01- Retrofitting

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Strategy 02- Relocating the newer dwelling that are undesirable

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Opportunity 01

Opportunity 05

Opportunity 02

Opportunity 06

Opportunity 03

Opportunity 04

Opportunity 07

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Strategy 02- Relocating the newer dwelling that are undesirable

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Strategy 03- Rehabilitation of the relocated units from strategies 01&03

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Rehabilitation 20 units

Total no. of existing units = 284 units

Rehabilitation 20 units

Total no. of units Retained = 231 units

Rehabilitation Rehabilitation 20 units

20 units

Rehabilitation upto 3 units

Rehabilitation 20 units

Rehabilitation upto 3 units

Total no. of units Relocated = 53 units

Rehabilitatio upto 3 units

Rehabilitation upto 3 units

Rehabilitation upto 3 units Rehabilitation upto 3 units

Rehabilitation upto 3 units

Strategy 03- Rehabilitation

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Ground level plan

Strategy 03- Rehabilitation

First floor level plan

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Section

Second floor level plan

Strategy 03- Rehabilitation 0

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

ENTRY LEVEL PLAN

Strategy 03- Rehabilitation

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

SECOND FLOOR LEVEL PLAN

FIRST FLOOR LEVEL PLAN

Strategy 03- Rehabilitation

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Strategy 04- Proposed site for regenerative interventions

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Plan

View

They can hold funsctions like grocery stores, stiching centre, etc. They could be rented out separately or to any one of the residents. Section

Intervention 01- SHOP PODS

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Plan

View Section

Intervention 02 - Community Market

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Plan

Section

Intervention 03- Learning Pods

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Plan

View

Section

Intervention 04- Grow rooms

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Plan

View

Section

Intervention 05 - Community washing areas

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

Final Plan

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005

INTERVENTION 06- PLAY DEVICES for children. Smal scale sand pits with devices like see-saw, carousel, swings, etc. these devices also helps in making the pathways vibrant.

SHOP PODS

Community washing areas Learning Pods

Architectural Thesis Ann Lia Mathew | 4CM17AT005