Olympic Urbanism: Creating Sustainable Olympic Legacy_CEPT_University

STUDIO BRIEF

UD4001: Master Plan Studio – Unit 3

Studio Mentor: Brijesh Bhatha

Studio Tutor: Purvi Chhadva

Teaching Associate: Parth Patel

The studio focuses on the design of large Greenfield or cleared brown-field developments with an emphasis on creating an urban form for livable neighborhoods.

Mega-events impact the development of host cities due to their scale and catalytic effects. The Olympic Games offer one such opportunity for the host cities to create new landmarks, improve and invest in its infrastructure and provide a backdrop for urban renewal.

India is set to bid for the Olympic games in the coming decade, and Ahmedabad has been chosen as the host city. The studio unit brief in this context is to create a Game plan and Legacy plan for the same on one of the sites proposed for the event along the Sabarmati Riverfront. The focus is to create a framework plan that can maximize the use of facilities built during the events and create a flexible, sustainable, and inclusive urban form.

01 02

Preface: Studio Brief

Site Contextualisation

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

03 04

5.2

5.3

6.1

6.2

6.3

6.3.1

6.3.2

6.3.3

Key Learnings

References

Site Contextualization

The proposed Olympic site is in the new grown area of Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority. In this chapter the proposed Olympic site in Ahmedabad is studied in a group of 12 to understand the potentials and challenges in and around the site to host Olympics and analyzing it under various parameters contribution to it. Learning further the surrounding context in city level, precinct level and site level in framing groundwork for design development and strategies.

City Level Context:

City level connectivity: The site is located in between the Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad city centers, along the periphery and also is in close proximity to the Narendra Modi stadium, Sabarmati riverfront phase 2, and job centers like GIFT city, Gandhinagar, Kalol. It is well connected to BRTS, MRTS and AMTS Road Networks and also close proximity of 6km to Sabarmati Railway station, upcoming Bullet train terminal, and 6km from the Ahmedabad airport. Overall Site is very well connected providing choices and options for accessibility.

Precinct Level Context

Connectivity and Walkability: Site is primarily connected by major roads like SP ring road, 2 state highways and the developed riverfront road on the southern part of the site. The location also provides multiple access points to important transit routes such as airport road, Motera road.

Sabarmati

Precinct Level Context:

Predominant built use :

On observing the built use around the site, it can be concluded that the precinct is a popular choice for residential developments due to the connectivity the area offers showing a great amount of varying residential built use around the site. The area along the Ahmedabad Gandhinagar highway, along the eastern part of the site also has industrial and institutional developments. Further consultation with the current developers in the area led to an understanding that the area has a high demand for 3BHK units with mixed use buildings being the predominant typology in the area.

TP scheme :

There are no TP schemes announced or implemented for the site extent, this being a special case . AUDA has also officially announced that 7 villages around the Motera sports enclave namely Chandkheda, Motera, Zundal,Bhat,

1.Gamtal – Row Houses

2.Bungalows

Houses

4.High Rise Apartments

5.Mixed Use Apartments

Legend

Precinct Level Context:

Open Spaces and Sports Facilities:

Predominant parcels of open spaces within the vicinity of the site extent are either under developed or not developed in general. Observing the various sports facilities within extent of the precinct, we can observe an adequate amount of varying sports facilities. But these being mainly private , make them unusable for people of all social classes hence not inclusive.

Watersheds:

Site Level Context

The majority of the site falls under a single watershed implying that it collects all the storm water falling in that area. The streams (major and minor) direct water to the nearest catchment area, with the water ultimately flowing into the river. The new riverfront development will signficantly alter these natural water flows, but there is an opportunity to avoid flooding by retaining the major streams and maintaining an outlet into the river.

Site Level Context:

Topography and Surrounding Features:

The topography of site is gradually sloping towards the river with a non perennial stream running across the site. Natural water bodies can act as an asset to the site for further redevelopment and rejuvenation. Currently river is not easily accessible from the surrounding which can cause it from being neglected. The riverfront phase II development could enhance the river edge and the visual connection to th Olympic site. Ash pond is used to dumb ash from nearby Amul factory which could be rejuvenated and enhanced as a landscape feature in new development.

Vegetation:

Some of the natural vegetation can be retained and some needs to be uprooted like Prosopis Juliflora which are commonly seen at the river edge and hugging the stream and ash pond areas. Lush green vegetation is clearly seen only covering the water body in the site. The northern portion of site along SP ring road are mostly agricultural land.

Sabarmati River

Ash Pond

Agricultural Land

River Edge Vegetation

Site Level Context:

Strength:

Well connected to major transit routes, proximity to NM stadium

High residential demand around the site

The upcoming Riverfront project will create a vital public asset for the Olympic Games and Legacy Plan.

Weakness:

Prosopis Juliflora within the site would require long process for ecological regeneration.

Overhead Metro Bridge Local Commercial Shops

Opportunity: Extension of transit connectivity and upcoming TOD Zone along the riverfront .

View points to and from the site

Increasing demand for community living and hence potential for development of other townships and amenities

Threat: Ash Pond within the site is restricting the land development which acts as a waste dumping site.

Mix-Use Development High Rise Apartments

02

Game Plan

This section is focused on the preparation of game plan or Olympic master plan to create a base for its legacy. In a group of 12 within two week duration a game plan was prepared by referring our individual case study learnings. Starting with a common vision set that align with IOC guidelines for green Olympics. That is followed by spatial design and planning strategy to achieve the set vision and to finalize the retaining Olympic structure a transition master plan was created.

Vision and Strategies:

Vision:

“To develop an Olympic park that is ecologically sensitive with an accessible public realm that interconnects the city to its communities.”

Objective and Strategies:

Connect:

Design multiple articulated entry points for better accessibility and connectivity to the site and also provide inviting entries through landscape design for the Olympic park.

Create: Create a central integrated spine that connects various elements on the site including various stadiums forming a ceremonial path which acts as an asset to the Olympic park.

Respond:

Responding to the existing natural system by developing a streamline to act as the foreground for the public realm and the activities along it, and also rejuvenate the wetland to develop an Olympic plaza for the park.

Proposed Game Plan:

Design Development:

The design of the event plan evolved as a way to connect to the existing surrounding and create articulated entryways into the olympic park that will be celebrated.

A single continuous spine is designed to connect the two extreme ends of the site connecting to the various larger stadiums and will also accommodate the public transit route that goes through the site and connects to the existing route forming a loop.

The various natural elements are rejuvenated to act as a foreground for the planned public realm. A singular ceremonial path is designed as a way to connect the stadiums around the redesigned stream.

Mobility Plan: Transition Plan

The central spine of the event plan accommodates the main transit pathway that comprises the AMTS route. This is considered in accordance with the existing routes that will be extended to cater to the Olympic park , forming a loop through Motera bhat road. There are also internal feeder systems provided to transport people in private vehicles that form a loop from and to the different parking zones provided in the event plan.

The entire Olympic event site is divided into 3 parts of areas 1.1 sq.km, 1.1 sq.km and 1.6 sq.km respectively with varying natural assets and permanent structures retained like the Olympic village, aquatics center, hockey stadium, iconic tower, football stadium, media village to cater to the neighborhood and their needs.

Legacy Master Plan

This chapter involve the application of all learning from the previous chapters in terms of strategies, design and planning aspects. An Olympic legacy master plan is developed individually with a vision to achieve sustainable Olympic legacy. First by forming strategies to align with the vision, then creating a framework for master plan.

Further to understand the design better the master plan is is delayered through various layers. Detailing of master plan is achieved by showcasing two different block developments one is residential core area and another facing city level public open space. The chapter is concluded by setting guidelines to achieve the envisioned built form and legacy.

To create an active and resilient community with diverse open space system which can adapt to host larger public events which can cater to local communities and accommodating venues which facilitate various sports events.

Objectives and Design Strategies

To manage large influx of visitors

To host larger public events and cater to local communities

Establishing Connections: Event and non-event

Hierarchy of Open Space: Three layer functions

To attain sports legacy and active community

01 02 03 04

Development need to be sensitive to the ecological features in the site.

Sports Anchors: Creating a network of sports facilities

Blue Green Network: and road network are proposed along the natural drain.

Master Plan Framework

Establishing Connections:

Primary road: The retained thoroughfares of Olympic master plan are connected facing the stadium which act as the main arterial road.

Stadium access: The Olympic stadium can be easily accessed from the major roads like SP ring road, metro, Koteshwar-Bhatt road without much disturbance to the residential neighborhood.

Secondary roads: They connect the traffic from immediate neighborhood towards the arterial facing stadium with transit stops at walkable intervals.

17.5%

9.6%

Establishing connections to manage the large influx of visitors and day-to-day movement.

22% Public Road

Tertiary roads: with slow moving traffic cater to the residential neighborhood.

Experiential connectors:

Public trail: 9m green trail along 15m road

Pedestrian prioritized green fingers extending from stadium and ceremonial path towards immediate neighborhood with sports facilities along.

Shared street: 12m

Serving day to day movement of neighborhood with slow moving traffic, tree shaded pedestrian movement facilitating on-street parking and street vending.

Pedestrian pathway: 3m

Facilitating movement within the residential cluster.

Public open space: A city level open space which can host larger public events, connected from all directions.

Neighborhood open space:

They are connected to the public open space through green public trails with pedestrian and cycle track.

Consist of accessible sports facilities activated by public plazas and retail for day to day essentials.

Private open space: Anchored by private sports amenities like play ground, clubhouse, swimming pool and garden.

Sports as activity generators for network

Built Strategy

Residential

Public Amenities /Mix use

Commercial

Commercial non-retail

Institutional

Built-Use:

Residential: 76%

Mix use: 4%

Commercial: 3%

Commercial non-retail: 12%

Institutional: 4%

Built Density: FSI achieved: 2.11

Max. height: G+11 (36m)

Min. height: G+2 (9m)

Figure and Ground:

Ground coverage: 23%

Developable land: 61%

Public greens: 17.5%

Public road: 22%

Low-rise (G+1 to G+2)

Mid-rise (G+5)

High-rise (G+9)

High-rise (G+11)

Public buildings including Olympic stadium, exhibition center, main club house, institutional buildings, hotels and office bildings are encouraged to practice vertical farming to ensure long term sustainability and resilient community.

Th built use along arterial road are mostly mix-use, commercial and institutional, ensuring an active edge.

Th built-form along the arterial are highrise with podium typology as they are the high value land facing the stadium.

Master Plan

Legend3

Affordable housing is proposed in close proximity to the nearby metro station.

School is located within the residential neighborhood with easy access from arterial road.

Olympic ceremonial path is retained which could be used for marathon and such events.

Shopping Mall along SP ring road can attract more public

Assets retained from Olympic master plan are media village converted to commercial use, Olympic stadium, thoroughfares, athlete accomodation converted to student housing, ceremonial path to be used for marthon and such events, waterways, practice ground and exhibition center shifted closer to stadium.

Retained Olympic Assets

Agriculture and research academy would help in maintaining proposed vertical farming

With greenhouses extending from the agriculture research academy, the retained water body edge is treated ecologically sensitive. For the stadium to be used to its fullest during non-event days, a sports academy is proposed nearby, which would also be responsible for its maintenance.

Character Areas

Stadium district

Waterfront district

Luxury residential

Affordable residential

Commercial district

Institutional district

City-level club house is proposed in proximity to the stadium, with easy access from arterial road.

Villas are proposed slighly away from the hustle even during event-days.

The structure of the master plan is developed by a hierarchy of open spaces which can adapt to host larger public events as well cater to the local communities. Sports anchors are provided in every residential cluster as well as open spaces connected by green public trails creating a network of sports facilities to encourage an active community.

Olympic Urbanism | Master Plan Studio | 2022

Public Open Space

Non-Event Days:

During non-event days public open space act as city level hangout place around the stadium experiencing the water stream, park and public sports facilities.

The water edge is designed to deal with dry climate and flexible for higher flood water level. Retail and cafes along the parks facing stadium activate the areas even in non event days.

The green public trail and pedestrian-cycle track along water edge ties together all the facilities connecting to the immediate neighborhood.

Park has diverse functions like flower gardens, children’s park, sports courts, fountains, food court extension, cycle and public green trails.

Park and other spaces are designed by keeping a buffer space from the stadium which can accommodate larger public during events.

Pedestrian prioritized streets (with paving and demarcated pedestrian crossings) ensure safe movement and flexible functions.

Food court

Cycle and pedestrian track

Children’s park

Basketball court Flower garden

Pavillion

Bicycle hiring point

Key Map

Olympic Stadium

Public Open Space

Event Days:

The open space can adapt to accommodate large public, temporary stalls, venues and host public events.

The larger public can access stadium area from all the major roads in the immediate neighborhood without much disturbance to the residential area.

The waterfront is designed to be flexible as per water level as its non perennial stream. Water sport events can take place when water level is high enough.

pedestrian prioritized streets with intermediate transit stops thus can encourage more visitors to utilized public transportation.

Key Map

Temporary stalls

Pavillion

Stage events

Signages

Basketball court

Flower garden

Bicycle hiring point

Built Character Facing Public Open space

Mixed use block by the waterfront: The block by the waterfront facing stadium are hotels, office space and service apartments with active ground floor commercial along the arterial road as podium typology.

Key Map

Vehicular movement is restricted to either edges towards the bridge to access ground floor parking.

Sports facilities activate the open space with pedestrian path extending to the water edge.

Transit Stop

Amphitheatre

Swimming Pool

Podium Floor

Public Green Trail

Mixed Use Block Guidelines

Goal: Development responding to diverse open space system.

Setbacks:

Built edge facing the arterial shall be built to line with retail and cafes on podium ground floor.

Vehicular Access and Parking:

Vehicular access is restricted to either edges to access groundfloor parking.

Pedestrian movement is encouraged continuously along the built edge abutting private open space.

Pedestrian and cycle path along the water edge shall be connected to the pedestrian boulevard along the street adjacent to ensure smooth pedestrian transition.

Open space Guideline

Minimum 30% of plot shall be left as private open space facing the water edge.

The built edge facing open space shall be physically accessible with some sports facilities extending to open space.

Built-form

The built form shall be of podium type up to 6m height.

A step back of 15m after every 4 floors after podium floors shall be kept on any one side facing stadium.

Residential Neighborhood

Built Character Around Neighborhood Open Space

Parcel boundary

Vehicular access to parking

Parcels are placed around Neighborhood open space with extended plazas accommodating daily essential amenities like super market clubhouse etc opening towards the open space, further activate the space.

Vehicular access to the parcels (ground floor stilt parking) are provided form the shared streets to avoid traffic congestion on secondary streets during events / public visiting Olympic park. Shared streets are paved with pedestrian priority and on street parking facilitate for ease of residents.

Basement parking is provided for public access in the building facing arterial road for visitors to commercial space, thus they do not disturb residents daily needs.

Pedestrian access to the parcels are facilitated form neighborhood opens space, plazas, public green trails and vehicular streets.

Transit stops are along the secondary roads in walkable distance.

School ground extend as neighborhood open space during non working hours.

Sports anchors in the open spaces, cycle and pedestrian tracks along poblic green trail enchorage the community to stay active.

Pedestrian access

PT stops

Residential neighbourhood with daily essential amenities

Residential Neighborhood

Parcels with peripheral built edge enable private open space

Public green trails are the easy pedestrian and cycle access towards the stadium from immediate neighborhoods.

Built-Form Guidlines

Amenities like supermarkets opens facing open spaces activate the area. During school hours these retail activities are at peek.

Residential apartments facing the arterial are podium typology with commercial or retail podium use.

Public green trail along the secondary road ensures shaded and segregated pedestrian movement even during event days.

Intermediate transit stops along secondary road and arterial facilitate to the residents as well as visitors during events.

Built form and setbacks: The buildings facing arterial road abutting public open space (stadium side) shall be of podium typology (6m steps back after 6m height) with a front setback of 6m minimum creating a linear plaza along the street.

To ensure visual connectivity to public open space for building away from arterial road, no building abutting the arterial road facing stadium shall be continuous beyond 40m length above 9m height. A step back of 15m from the arterial road shall be kept after 30m height.

Ground floor use along the front plaza shall be commercial retail to ensure active frontage.

Plaza facing the neighborhood open space and green public train enable retail and such activities.

Plaza along the arterial facilitate the spillage of activities and enable an active edge.

VISUALCONNECTIVITY

Public parking access to basement avoid disturbance to the residents

LINEARPLAZA

Parcel facing arterial road

Section through Residential Neighborhood Hierarchy of Open Space

Hierarchy of open space with three layer function: Private open space are in every parcel or cluster, Neighborhood open space act as a block level open space which are places at intermediate distance in the residential neighborhood.

Neighborhood Open space are placed in a way that they are accessible by public trails, shared streets and directly from residential clusters around.

Formal sports facilities as well as play grounds alows flexible usage for the community.

Hardscape plazas enable informal vending and seating space for community interaction.

Shared streets are paved streets with slow moving traffic, with on street parking, enabling tree

Clubhouse, swimming pool and such sports facilities activate private open space.

Linear plaza facing arterial road

Public open space

Neighborhood Open Space

Neighborhood open space facilitate people to perform both leisure and day to day activities. Going to school or work, walking reading cycling, relaxing, and socializing Proximity of public green trail and transit stops make them easily accessible. Neighborhood open space are placed along the secondary roads connecting to the stadium thus there is a visual connectivity to Olympic stadium.

Neighbourhood open space add to the Blue green network which are planned in response to natural contours to facilitate the storm water flow.

Rainwater Infiltration: Public green trails accommodate Hydroponics and rainwater infiltration towers along with avenue of trees along the natural drain.

Olympic stadium

Transit stop

Bicycle hiring point

Plaza

Clubhouse

Hydroponics and Infiltration tower

Hardscape community space enabling informal

Play ground

Basketball court

Children’s play area

Public greeen trail

Key Learnings

The Olympic Legacy Master Plan is designed to ensure long lasting sports legacy, with maximum utilization of retained venues.

Sustainable legacy is ensured with ecologically sensitive approach like considering the natural drain of the site for road network and green open spaces ensuring rainwater infiltration.

The structure of the master plan is developed by a hierarchy of open spaces which can adapt to host larger public events as well cater to the local communities.

Sports anchors are provided in every residential cluster as well as open spaces connected by green public trails creating a network of sports facilities to encourage an active community and thus adding to Sports legacy. They shall remain inclusive for a long lasting legacy.

The legacy plan will respond to the large residential demand in the vicinity.

REFERENCES

Current homes | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. (n.d.-b). London Legacy Development Corporation.

https://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/the-park/homes-and-living/current-homes

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE. (2015, May). OLYMPIC GAMES FRAMEWORK. stillmed.olympic.org.

Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://stillmed.olympic.org/Documents/Host_city_elections/IOC_Olympic_ Games_Framework_English_Interactive.pdf

Allies and Morrison - London’s Olympic Legacy. (2022, May 9). Allies and Morrison. https://www.alliesandmorrison.com/projects/londons-olympic-legacy

Chen. (2015, January). Legacy Creation Strategy in Olympic Cities. www.researchgate.net.

Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yawei-Chen-2/

publication/273298633_Legacy_Creation_Strategy_in_Olympic_Cities/links/560109cd08aec948c4fa9891/LegacyCreation-Strategy-in-Olympic-Cities.pdf

Learnings from the London case study helped in bringing out the legacy strategies for Olympic venues and environmental sensitive design strategies.

The site proposed has ideal features required for Olympics in terms of connectivity and proximity to multiple transit stations and economic centers. Transportation system may require to upgrade to accommodate the future demands adding to the proposed mobility plan.