Revitalization of Chowkris Urban Transformation Studio
Asmita Ganar
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MUD - Sem lV
Revitalization of Chowkris
Studio Brief As Indian cities are growing rapidly in terms of population and therefore expanding physically. Increasing urban population and the growing urban incomes will fuel demand for more and more built floor space in cities accompanied by a demand for infrastructure. Urban areas within these cities are dealing with unsustainable levels of stress on infrastructure, resources and public services and are becoming unlivable. To address these concerns, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoUHA) has initiated various schemes such as AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), SMART CITIES MISSION and Hriday (Heritage City Development and Augmentation). These schemes enable planning for developing infrastructure in the brownfield areas through mechanisms such as Local Area Plans (LAP) and Town Planning schemes (TPS). The project emerges out of SMART CITIES MISSION initiative. The projects have a strong design focus on the physical setting, however issues of private ownership and social equity, land economics, planning models, project finance, and implementation strategies have also been addressed.
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Revitalization of Chowkris
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 Contextualizing the city
02 Page 04
03 Vision of Smart City Mission
Page 10
04 Page 04
05 Design Strategies
Current Condition
Project Vision & Objective
Page 10
06 Page 04
Design Analysis
Page 10
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Revitalization of Chowkris
01
Contextualizing the city • Introduction • Aim and Objective • Literature Review
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Introduction Jaipur, a city with a rich architectural and urban design heritage planned in 1727, is an important case of a living heritage city. The city is located amidst the Aravalli hill ranges at an altitude of approximately 430 meters above mean sea level. It lies on 26054’N latitude and 75049’E longitude. The city is part of Jaipur district situated in north eastern part of Rajasthan. Jaipur district is surrounded by Alwar district in North, Sikar in north-west and Bharatpur and Dausa in East. Jaipur is regarded as one of the fast-growing metropolitans in our country and has recorded exponential growth of population in last four decades. It is commercial and administrative capital of the state Old city of Jaipur is in its transition phase. The threat the city faces is due to the rapid conversion of land use, congestion due to increased vehicular traffic, parking requirements and the basic qualitative needs of the residential areas. This imbalance will result in environmental deterioration and possible collapse of the heritage fabric if not for urgent intervention. Considering the growing population and its relative demand, there is an urgent need to focus on conserving its overall character, protecting important monuments and providing basic facilities to its residents. These problems may affect the unique characteristics, architectural value and heritage of the old city. So, there is a need to work towards an action so as to restructure and revitalize the old city. The intense use and the character of the old city strengthens the necessity to prepare a Revitalization Plan. This plan will arrest the issues and allow improving the situation qualitatively and at the same time conserve the heritage of the walled city, which is one of the rare examples in world history.
Fig 01 : Location Map (From left - India , Rajasthan Boundary, Jaipur Boundary)
Fig 02 : Jaipur old city in context to its surrounding and location of palace complex
Source : Author
Source : CSAAR 2008
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Aim Revitalize the residential block (Chowkris) for better livability and imageability. • •
Transformation of Chowkris Built form guidelines for the walled city
Objective
6
•
To investigate the existing situations of the walled city of Jaipur; tracing of its morphological development, analyzing its problems and identifying the urban components.
•
To identify the characteristics of the walled city and its transformation process.
•
To evolve a systematic approach to revitalize the city’s basic elements.
•
To come up with strategies to guide the improvement in quality of urban life and living environment.
Revitalization of Chowkris
Literature Review Jaipur Planning History The Old City of Jaipur is planned based on the Vastu Purusha Mandala of the ancient Hindu Planning treatise. The Mandala is the simplest form with a 3 x 3 square grid called pitha, as well as the commonly used 9 x 9 square grid form called the paramashayika.
The distance between the ridge line and the Agra-Ajmer road evolved the size of the quadrants. The ninth square towards the north-west end did not fit due the base of the hills; hence it is added to the south-east end of the plan as adjustment.
The city plan also reflects the use of the grid as the ordering principle, which has been one of the significant principles used from ancient time in the history of settlement planning right from Mohenjo-Daro and Olynthus in Greece to the medieval cities.
The primary roads divide the city into nine chowkries (quadrants), the central two are occupied by the palace complex and tank. The intersection of the main street forms the public squares called ‘chaupars’. The city is enclosed by a city wall with seven gates. The gates are also forming public space for transition into the city. The rest of the chowkries are occupied by the various communities for residence and subdivided into Mohallas with smaller streets.
The nine square grid is laid with the ridge identified at the site as the baseline for one of the main streets with its 15-degree tilt from the cardinal axis with smaller streets.
Source : CSAAR 2008
Fig 03 : Elements of Jaipur walled city
Source : CSAAR 2008
Fig 04 : Mandala grid formed as per the site conditions 7
Revitalization of Chowkris
Urban Character The adjusted nine square plan of Old City Jaipur was a grid defined by the main streets running north-south and eastwest. The character was and remains to be mixed use with arched shops on the ground floor. The streets formed three intersections in the center creating the important public squares called the `Chaupars’, namely Badi Chaupar, Choti Chaupar and the Ramganj Chaupar. The Chaupars had tanks in the center of the space bringing water for the people through the underground canal system from outside the city. People came to this square every day to collect water. The main temples, academic institutions like colleges and libraries etc. Constructed by the King are located along the main streets and chaupars. Massive city wall was constructed around the old city. This wall was punctured by seven gates. The longest axis i.e. the East-West axis traversed through 4 chowkries and 3 chaupars.
Fig 07 : Street Elevation 8
Legend Bazaar Location Residential Blocks
Fig 05 : Diagram showing Bazaar location
Source : Author
Revitalization of Chowkris
Community Living The living quarters are wrapped and capped with retails. So, the idea was that people would go to work and would live very close to work. The urban block in Jaipur, was derived by the grid iron street structure. A typical block consisted of number of Mohallas according to castes, economic status and the trade of its occupants. The blocks were named after the communities residing in that area e.g. Modi Khana chowkri, Vishveshvarji chowkri, Purani Basti, Ghat Darwaza chowkri, Ramchandraji chowkri and Gangapol chowkri. Inside the neighborhood, clusters were formed in two ways: a. Street clusters where the houses are organized along a small street and the grouping is linear.
Legend Muslims
Shudras
Jains
Vaishyas
Kshatriyas
Brahmins
Fig 06 : Diagram showing community location
b. Space cluster where the houses are organized around a common space. Source : Author
Source : CSAAR 2008
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Chowkri A residential block in Jaipur is known as a Chowri. A very precise format of road hierarchy was adopted to design the road network within the old city. The main streets forming the chowkries were 111 feet wide. Each of these chowkri was further divided into Mohallas by secondary streets, which were half the size of the main streets. The tertiary streets were narrower than the secondary street and measured around a quarter in width.
Fig 08 : Typical Haveli courtyard 10
The division of chowkries was also based on certain principles. The secondary streets divided the chowkries in grid iron pattern, while the tertiary streets divided the area a. Cluster-form creating informal spaces. The houses within the chowkries/mohallas were tightly placed one after another and had courtyards. Havelis forms the basic urban fabric of the towns in the Jaipur region. They range from a single courtyard house to an assembly of multiple courts, depending on
the status of the owner and number of family members. Group of Havelis formed Mohalla’s – a number of Mohalla’s formed a Chowkri well defined as a geographical entity in the city. A chowkri in Jaipur may comprise up to 400 Mohalla’s. In order to maintain cleanliness and level of hygiene, narrow lanes were placed between these houses on the back side. These lanes were called ‘Gandi Gali’ and were used to collect nightsoil manually.
Source : jaipurtravels
Revitalization of Chowkris
Housing Typology Single Courtyard
Double Courtyard
Linear Building
No of Families : 1
No of Families : 1
No of Families : 1
Average area under each DU : 500sqm
Average area under each DU : 600sqm
Average area under each DU : 100sqm
Ownership Pattern : Single Owner
Ownership Pattern : Single Owner
Ownership Pattern : Single Owner
Fig 09 : Diagram showing Haveli Plan and Isometric A typical residential unit area ranges from 500sqm to 600sqm, with a minimum size of 100sqm. All the residential units are owned by a single family. Some units have commercial use on the ground floor.
Source : Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research
The walled city despite the lowest area has the largest density of population. The walled city accounts for 54 % of the total commercial area of the city and employs 32 % of the total workforce of the city.
It has a dense mixed land use pattern, with the coexistence of commercial, industrial units; home based economic activity and activities with rural characteristics.
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Revitalization of Chowkris
02
Current Condition
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Current Condition The Walled City was planned with 4% commercial land use, which reached 18% in 2011. The commercial areas have been encroaching upon the residential and the open areas. It has been seen that the commercial and institutional activities have been proliferating in the walled city since independence and there has been no significant move to put a check on it. These non-confirming land uses in the walled city have been transforming and encroaching the heritage areas, which are worth preserving. The transformation of land use has an adverse impact on the physical development of the walled city.
Fig 10 : Site pictures highlighting current issues
Many havelis have been subdivided. Two or three properties are being merged and reconstructed as residential and commercial complexes. In residences, the front rooms on secondary roads are being converted into retail shops, private offices and space for jewelers. Proliferation of commercial activity inside chowkri is a phenomenon that started in the last 30 years. Buildings have reached even 5 storey. Excessive, uncontrolled and unchecked commercialization of the inner streets in the walled city has led to problems such as traffic congestion during the peak hours.
Haphazard construction of shops has spoiled the cultural fabric of the city. Due to lack of infrastructure facilities people from the walled city are moving out to the outskirts resulting in conversion of vacant houses into commercial areas. Majority of havelis have disputed ownership. The ownership of one haveli can be divided between two, three or four owners, sometimes six. Less than 50% of haveli seem to be occupied by tenants, up to six families in each one.
Photo courtesy : Author
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Revitalization of Chowkris Abusive Retrofitting
As families grew larger, they extended the house by adding new floors which were in reinforced cement concrete. Along with the extension of facades, the original building was also altered. This irreversible process is so imposing that the architecture of the original building is sometimes barely visible. The alterations reflected in either the plan or elevations have been made either to fulfill the needs of a growing family or to upgrade the infrastructure. These alterations do not have aesthetics, continuity and materials In line with the original fabric. There is a massive distortion of architectural characters. As the land values are quite high in the walled city, it makes it more vulnerable for commercial activities to come in. Thus, people have constructed a greater number of floors, spoiling the scale of the street facade. Also, the vending activities take place on the footpaths, leaving no space for pedestrian movement. Sometimes these kinds of informal shops completely hide the view of the formal shops and of good buildings behind them.
Fig 11 : Site pictures highlighting current issues
Photo courtesy : Author
Encroached Footpaths
Commercial areas have come up even on secondary and tertiary streets because of unabated commercial development. At several places it is also observed that the commercial establishments which were previously limited only to the ground floor of buildings have also occupied the first floor thereby pushing the residential areas further to the second floor and above floors. This leads to increase in number floors in buildings and consequently leads to the change in density and volume & pattern of traffic coming into the area. Fig 12 : Site pictures highlighting current issues 14
Photo courtesy : Author
Revitalization of Chowkris Poor Infrastructure
Some old styled buildings have been brought down to accommodate modern buildings. The architects and designers have not taken care of vernacular architectural context, while dealing with the elevation and this spoils the urban fabric of the area. Certain new buildings have painted pink to match with the environment, but the attempt is very poor. Open spaces in the residential streets where people used to interact and children used to play, being converted into space for parking and garbage collection.
Fig 13 : Site pictures highlighting current issues
Photo courtesy : Author
Double side Parking
Traffic is one of the major problems in the walled city. Commercial activities are closely related to paths and come up along them. In certain streets, the formal sector has occupied almost the whole of the footpath. Thus, pedestrians also tend to move on streets. All this led to traffic congestion and accidents. As per the original concept the secondary streets end the Mohalla streets were planned for pedestrian movement, but now due to an influx of commercial activities in the residential areas, traffic moves through the Mohalla’s too.
Fig 14 : Site pictures highlighting current issues
Photo courtesy : Author
Commercial areas and busy intersections get adversely affected by haphazard placement of sign boards, boarding, posters, billboards etc. Commercial activities, institutional activities, tourism result in high floating population in daytime in the walled city. Now this results in traffic congestion and parking problems. Through the government has tried to develop some parking lots outside the walled city, but they are also not able to cope up the demand. 15
Revitalization of Chowkris
Haphazard on street parking is a major problem. All the major roads in the old city area are approximately 30m wide. Considering the present traffic plying on these roads, the traffic carrying capacity is manageable. However, the effective carriageway width is reduced due to parking on the roadsides, pedestrians and slow-moving vehicles like cycle rickshaws. Thus, improper utilization of the carriageway reduces the carrying capacity of the road. This ultimately creates
congestion and other related issues. The old city lacks parking areas and facilities.
public transport system within the old city area.
The State Transport buses, and City transport buses pass through the old city. The use of buses as public transport is limited because of inefficient route planning, poor maintenance of buses, overcrowding, frequency of availability and high travel time. Tourists visiting the old city hardly use the public transport. Also, there is no dedicated
They are the major intersection points and hence govern the capacity of the intersecting roads. Chaupars have become points of conflicts due to enormous informal activities, parking, pedestrian movement, movement of slow moving vehicles like cycle rickshaws / autos, stoppage of state and city buses etc.
Dead Open Space
Fig 15 : Site pictures highlighting current issues 16
Photo courtesy : Author
Revitalization of Chowkris
Transformation in Housing Typology Single Courtyard
Fig 16 : Diagram showing Housing Transformation
Double Courtyard
Linear Building
Source : Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research
Old city is unable to offer an attractive lifestyle and comfort to its residents. Over a period of time, the needs of the residents have changed drastically demanding more luxuries in life. The density within the old city is high. Lack of open spaces and other public spaces like parks or gardens is creating dissatisfaction among people. Amenities and facilities are also not adequate. The existing built form is deteriorating at an alarming rate and the transformation is taking place haphazardly without any guidelines being followed. Thus, one can conclude that the city is undergoing a situation of an “URBAN DECAY�.
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Revitalization of Chowkris
03
Smart City Mission Vision
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Revitalization of Chowkris
SMART CITY MISSION Proposal
Legend Walled City Profile SMART CITY Delineation
Fig 17 : SMART CITY MISSION Delineation
Source : SMART CITY MISSION Proposal 2015
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Revitalization of Chowkris
SMART CITY VISION ’’Jaipur Smart City aspires to leverage its Heritage and Tourism, and through Innovative and Inclusive solutions, enhance the Quality of Life for its Citizens’’. Aspiration: the vision articulates the aspiration of the citizens towards developing a model urban ecosystem. Heritage and tourism: the vision highlights pink city’s uniqueness in terms of its heritage value and tourism. Jaipur to be transformed into a blend of heritage and modernity, adapting the global changing face of sustainable urban Eco-system and improved tourism experience. Innovation solutions: the innovative approaches adopted as sustainable solutions are a reflection of citizen’s aspirations to embrace technology and new measures and create fresh opportunities for skill development. Inclusive solutions: inclusiveness is an integral part of the engagement as well as the solutions suggested in order to empower all sections of society to participate in decision making and consider community based impact of decisions. Inclusive solutions: inclusiveness is an integral part of the engagement as well as the solutions suggested in order to empower all sections of society to participate in decision making and consider community based impact of decisions.
Fig 18 : SMART CITY Goals 20
Source : SMART CITY MISSION Proposal 2015
Revitalization of Chowkris
Goals for Area Based Development solutions Smart heritage and tourism precinct: Adaptive reuse of old heritage buildings in project area with aim to conserve heritage and promote tourism with increase of average tourist time spent in Jaipur from 2.8 days to 3.5 days by 2025. Smart mobility: To improve pedestrian mobility in the area by increased NMT share from 15% to 25% and 100% barrier free access in the area by 2019. Smart and sustainable civic infrastructure: To enable coverage and monitoring of 100% smart meters for water connections and 100% coverage of door to door collection adopting technology to dispose waste in environment friendly manner by 2019.
Legend Walled City Profile SMART CITY Delineation
Fig 19 : Key plan
Source : Author
The chowkri included in Smart City Mission is Modikhanna and Visheshraji which is about 800m x 800m. ModiKhana was traditionally occupied by prosperous Jain merchants and jewelers, who built large havelis with a courtyard with well-articulated interiors. Maximum heritage buildings are in this chowkri. In this area of Modi Khana chowkri (consisting of 280 buildings, 680 households and about 4000 inhabitants, with an average of 18 persons per building), the majority of havelis have disputed ownership. The ownership of one haveli can be divided between two, three or four owners, sometimes six.
Fig 20 : Chowkri under SMART CITY MISSION
Source : Author
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Heritage Conservation and Protection Regulation -2020 Building parameters – Following building parameters shall be followed while granting construction/reconstruction/renovation/ addition/alteration etc. within walled city:
The architectural control guidelines are an extension of the Municipal Council, Jaipur (Building) Bye-Laws, 1970 (Part V, No. 26). The aim of these facade control guidelines is helping to counteract the loss of architectural style and to contribute to the revitalization of the precinct through heritage conservation and protection. The most prominent features of historic facades in the precinct include: grand arched entrances, multi-foliated arches, colonial columns, decorative parapet bands, stone carving, brackets, stone jalis, stained glass windows, bangaldar roofs on jharokas, chajjas, ornamentation, frescos and painted motifs. Fig 21 : Facade Control Guidelines 22
The door openings of any new structure or any addition within the heritage structure of that period should respect the traditional styles and designs of the period of construction. New buildings should also have openings that replicate the size, shape and uniformity in opening spaces in the adjacent buildings. These need not necessarily follow any particular arch style but shall either be arched form or rectangular ones and shall conform to the proportions of the existing buildings in the historic structures. The ratio of width to height of doors in a new building shall be in similar to the surrounding heritage building to maintain the uniformity of the facade.
The window openings of any new structure or any addition within the heritage structure should follow the architectural pattern and rhythm of the openings in the facade. They are generally placed at regular intervals on the facade and are of similar sizes. The ratio of width to height of windows in a new building and the rhythm of solid to void ratio should be compatible with the surrounding heritage building. All windows should be restored to the original architectural vocabulary. Wherever possible, balconies which have been enclosed should be opened up to create cohesive facade
Source : Jaipur Nagar Nigam
Revitalization of Chowkris
The parapet and railings are damaged in many areas which need to be redone so that the facade is complete in all aspects. The reconstruction of the details shall be done replicating the architectural features but these shall be differentiable from the existing elements. Later additions like grills, railings etc. to the windows should be removed. Any railings which are blocked or filled up shall be restored or replaced if possible with a new railing similar to the original.
Fig 22 : Facade Control Guidelines
The signage of individual shops needs to coincide with the existing historic facades and not pose damage to the original architectural character of the precinct. The signage should be in harmony with, be sensitive towards and not encroach upon the existing fabric. Any new signage needs prior authorization of the heritage cell and should be developed in close consultation with it. (i) Signage should be minimized and customized for all commercial ventures. Signs should not obscure the character defining features of historic buildings. They should never cover more than 1/5 of a building’s primary facade.
(ii) Directional signage and interpretation panels for tourists should be introduced in the controlled zone. (iii) When possible, signage should be used to identify multiple occupants of a single building. (iv) Signs should be constructed of natural materials utilizing the talents of local craftsmen to carve/paint and illustrate the signs. Signs should not be internally illuminated nor should they have blinking or glaring lights. (v) Tourism related directional signs and street signs should be consistent in appearance, well maintained and easy to read. Source : Jaipur Nagar Nigam
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Existing Land Use
Fig 23 : Delineated area Land use
Source : JNN
Fig 23 is the land use map of the entire Smart City Mission delineated area. The area is majorly covered by Residential and Heritage zones. Public open space only includes Chogan stadium and Albert Hall premises. There is no dedicated open space inside the chowkri.
Legend Residential Mixed Use Heritage
Fig 24 : Modikhanna and Visheshraji Chowkri Landuse
Source : Jaipur Nagar Nigam
Fig 24 is the enlarger landuse map of Modikhanna and Visheshraji chowkri. As mentioned above, the chowkri is 80% under residential zone with some mixed use and heritage zone marked. The DP do not mark any open space or commercial zone.
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Existing Ground floor building use
Fig 26 : Site Pictures Legend
Retail Commercial Open Space Schools Hospitals Heritage
Fig 25 : Ground floor building use
Source : Jaipur Nagar Nigam
Photo courtesy : Author
Every buildings in the internal lane has also converted the ground floor into retails (fig 26.a). Fig 26 (b) is from the courtyard of a haveli. The ground floor use is convert to office with ACP sheets and black glass used as external walls.
However, the on site documentation and observation revealed that majorly all the buildings have ground floor convert as commercial due to market force. All the commercial buildings are along the periphery. Some commercials have also started coming up in the inner part, which infer that the demand of commercial is increasing.
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Activity Mapping There are number of religious structures such as temples/ mosques inside the chowkris. These religious structures were built in the period from 18th and 20th century. But most of these are not in good condition because of ignorance and poor maintenance. Some illegal buildings have encroached the temple premises. They lack defined boundaries. Few famous temples organize big gathering during festivals. Due to shortage of spaces, these gatherings take place on the road, obstructing the traffic.
Legend Religious Structures
Fig 28 : Religious structures
Source : Jaipur Nagar Nigam
With increasing demand of vehicular parking and in absence of definite parking spaces, old city is facing severe crisis. Due to lack of adequate facilities, parking generally happens along road sides. There is no proper demarcation of space for roadside parking; hence people park haphazardly on road sides. This narrows the clear lane width and hence reduces the carriageway width available for traffic movement. This not only causes congestion, but also decreases travel speed and increases travel time.
Legend Parking Location
Fig 27 : Site Pictures 26
Photo courtesy : Author
Fig 29 : On site Parking
Source : Author
Revitalization of Chowkris
Jaipur also has a major concentration of informal shops. There is no demarcated hawking space and hence the informal sector is spread through the city. However major locations were the informal shops are present are near gates, arcades along the major roads, on roads, Chaupars and major road intersections. Presence of the informal sector at such critical locations invites several problems. It causes traffic congestion, reduces the carriage way width, takes away the parking space and pedestrian walkways etc.
Legend Vending Location
Fig 30 : Vending Location
Fig 32 : Site Pictures
Source : Author
Hawa Mahal Choti Chaupar Badi Chaupar Jama Masjid
Photo courtesy : Author
All the major landmarks are observed to be outside the chowkri. There is no landmark inside the chowkri. Thus, the chowkri lacks an identity. As all the lane seem similar, it is very easy for a person to get lost inside the chowkri. This can also be considered as one of the opportunity to create a landmark inside the chowkri and give the chowkri an identity of itself.
Golcha
Fig 31 : Landmarks
Source : Jaipur Nagar Nigam
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Revitalization of Chowkris
04
Project Vision & Objective
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Revitalization of Chowkris
During the site documentation and interviews, a lot of people mentioned that they have a connection with the city and would like to continue living here if there was improved physical and social infrastructure. Therefore, the transformation needs to have much more than just built form transformation, it needs urban form transformation which is to be addressed in a cohesive manner. Hence, the proposal is an attempt to revitalize the residential block, so that the area can again become livable.
Aim Revitalize the residential block (Chowkris) for better livability and imageability. • •
Transformation of Chowkris Built form guidelines for the walled city
Objective •
To investigate the existing situations of the walled city of Jaipur; tracing of its morphological development, analyzing its problems and identifying the urban components.
•
To identify the characteristics of walled city and its transformation process.
•
To evolve a systematic approach to revitalize the city’s basic elements.
•
To come up with strategies to guide the improvement in quality of urban life and living environment.
29
Revitalization of Chowkris
05
Design Strategy
30
Revitalization of Chowkris
A
B
Conserving & enhancing the heritage & key institutions
Principles for transformation of residential area.
C
D
Facilitate connectivity & walk-ability to public transportation.
Urban design of public realm (public spaces, streets)
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Revitalization of Chowkris
A Conserving & enhancing the heritage & key institutions
All the heritage buildings, temples and key institutions are to be retrofitted and adaptively reused to serve people’s memory, and strengthen their cultural association with the place. This will also connect the transformed city to the old one, thus acting as a bridge. The presence of these heritage buildings needs to be celebrated in this area.
Legend Religious Structures Institutes Heritage Buildings
Fig 33 : Retained Buildings 32
Source : Author
Revitalization of Chowkris
B Principles for transformation of residential area.
The principles for transformation are as mentioned below. 1. Built to Line 2. Accessibility 3. Secondary access buildings 4. Open Space 5. Amalgamation
to
commercial
In order to demonstrate the principles of transformation, a small block of 250 x 150m is considered (fig 34).
Fig 34 : Key Plan
Source : Author
Legend Retained Buildings
Fig 35 : Existing condition with retained buildings highlighted
Source : Author
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Step 1: Existing site condition: The block is adjacent to the 24m wide Chaura Rasta
Step 2: As per strategy A, all the heritage, temples and institutions are retained.
Step 3: Principle 1: Built to line is applied to form a continuous envelope in order to maintain the existing character of Jaipur.
Step 4: Principle 2: To improve the accessibility and porosity of the block, minimum two internal streets from each side of the block is required.
Step 5: Principle 3: Commercials along the 24m road to have a service access of 4.5m on the rare side for loading and unloading.
Step 6: Principle 4: For public access, 10% area shall be deducted from all buildings. New transformed institutions and public buildings to have 30% open to sky area.
Step 7: Principle 5: For Amalgamation, the buildings are categorized based on their footprints
Step 7.1: Buildings highlighted above are between 30-100sqm and shall amalgamate with the adjacent buildings to form new clusters. Fig 36 : Principle demonstration 34
Step 7.2: Buildings highlighted above are above 100sqm and shall undergo transformation without amalgamation.
Step 7.3: Buildings highlighted are below 30sqm in ground coverage and shall be sold to private institutes for open space. Source : Author
Revitalization of Chowkris
Block Simulation
On categorizing the buildings on the bases of their footprints for amalgamation, the process of block stimulation is carried with various alterations explored. This can be done in various combinations to achieve the best result. One such combination ‘A’ is explained in detail in the next segment.
Fig 38 : Case 1- Residential Cluster
A
Fig 37 : Block Simulation (Case 1- Residential Cluster)
Source : Author
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Fig 39 : Existing Cluster
Fig 40 : Amalgamated Cluster
Fig 41 : Deduction for Public access
In the case of residential clusters, the above buildings ground coverage is less than 100sqm, and cannot transform on their own. Thus, they need to be amalgamated with the adjacent buildings. The total BUA and existing street proximity are also mentioned in the table 1.
Learning from the earlier housing typologies, where the minimum footprint area was equal to 100sqm, for the transformed footprint 150sqm is assumed as an ideal footprint area. Therefore, a minimum size of resultant footprint must be 150sqm for an ideal transformed cluster. Thus, the above 6 buildings can amalgamate into two clusters with 3 units each. (Table 2)
On 10% deduction of the building for public access, external roads of 6m and internal roads of 3m are formed.
Table 1 : Existing buildings data
Table 2 : Cluster formation
With 10% deduction for public access, revised footprint is shown in the above table.
Thus, the new cluster is formed by amalgamating building 1,2 and 3, and the second cluster is formed by amalgamation building 4,5 and 6.
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Fig 42 : Ground floor setback
Fig 43 : Existing Open space
Fig 44 : Transformed Cluster
As per principle 1, all the buildings shall be built to line, a setback of 1.5m is proposed only on the ground floor. Learning from some archived drawings of Jaipur, it was found where a setback on the ground floor is observed. This principle is inspired from the same.
The new transformation also needs to retain the existing open to sky area which may not be in the same form but shall be in the same quantity. The yellow marked in the above figure (43) highlights the existing open to sky area.
Learning from the original housing typology, a module of 8m x 20m is formed. This module is flexible to form 3 x 1bhk, 2 x 2 bhk or a single 3bhk. The module can be modified with alterations to fit the requirement. 20% of the total area to be considered in core and circulation.
Table 3 : Set back and Existing Open space Fig 45 : Archived drawing of Jaipur
Fig 46 : Conceptual Section
Also, as per the regulations by JNN, the maximum height of a building is restricted to 13m.
Source : Author
Fig 47 : Module 8m x 20m The new transformed blocks have an opportunity to open shops on the ground floor. The ground floor is divided, and shops are allotted to all the existing owners along the same road proximity. Each upper floor is then re allocated to the owners with the same open to sky area on the ground. 37
Revitalization of Chowkris
Analyzing the transformation Existing Comparing the two it can be noted that: •
Table 4 : Existing buildings data
The ground coverage of all the buildings have reduced, thus increasing public area on ground.
•
Number of floors and the built-up area has increased.
•
The road proximity is improved.
•
Open space is retained in the same amount.
Transformed
Table 5 :Transformed buildings data
Fig 48 : Existing Residential cluster
Fig 49: Transformed cluster
Similarly the other building cluster simulation shall also be worked out.
Fig 50 : Case 2 - Residential cluster 38
Fig 51 : Case 3 - Commercial cluster
Fig 52 : Case 4 - Commercial cluster
Source : Author
Revitalization of Chowkris
Using similar module formation, transformed blocked using the 5 principles can be formed. The illustrative transformation plan in fig 53 signifies the changed built form achieved if all the buildings in this chowki undergo transformation.
Step 8: Similar module are used for formation of new footprints
Step 9: Transformed Block
Practically this process will be happening in a course of time, where few buildings with dilapidated conditions go under transformation first and rest follows in course of time.
Legend Retained Buildings
Fig 53 : Transformed Chowkri
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Revitalization of Chowkris
C Facilitate connectivity & walk ability to public transportation.
Figure 54 displaces the existing road network: • The primary roads are 24m wide with discontinuous 2m wide footpaths. •
Secondary streets vary from 4.5m to 5.5m.
•
As the metro line passes under Choti Chaupar and Badi Chaupar, the public transport on the primary street will be strengthened by Smart City Mission.
•
Thus, a high increase in the pedestrian footfall is expected in this area.
Legend
Fig 54 : Existing Road Network 40
Bus Stops Metro Stations
Source : Author
Fig 55
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Fig 56
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Fig 57
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Therefore, strengthening the primary road network by reducing the carriage way and increasing the pedestrian way is necessary. The carriage way is reduced from 20m to 12m and the pedestrian way is increased from 2m to 6m on both sides. (Fig 55) All the internal secondary streets are widened to 6m. (Fig 56) The 4.5m wide service road for commercial buildings is created as per the site condition and existing buildings location to facilitate the loading and unloading activities which is currently congesting the main road. (Fig 56)
Legend
Fig 58
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Fig 59
Source : Author
Bus Stops Tuk tuk stand Metro Stations
Strengthening the internal access with 3m wide pedestrian street. (Fig 57) Fig 58 highlights existing and proposed bus stops/metro stations. Fig 59 highlights new proposed tuk - tuk stands. In order to analyze the movement network, a scenario is considered. Scenario 1: Traveling from location A to the nearest bus stop. If a person travels from location A to the nearest bus stop as highlighted in fig 60, the person must travel a maximum distance of 400m, and this will take a maximum time of 10mins by walk. Scenario 2: Traveling from location A to the nearest tuk tuk stop. If a person travels from location A to the nearest tuk tuk stop as highlighted in fig 60, the person must travel a maximum distance of 50m, and this will take a maximum time of 2mins by walk. Also, the wider roads will make the movement faster and hassle free.
Fig 60 : Proposed Road Network
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Revitalization of Chowkris
D Urban design of public realm (public spaces, streets)
Dilapidated Structure
Illegal Structure
Narrow Streets
Dead Open Space Haphazard Parking
Open Space around a Heritage Building Fig 61 illustrates the existing condition of an open space around a Heritage building.
Fig 61 : Existing open space
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Fig 62 : Transformed open space
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The open space is encroached with illegal and dilapidated structures. The access to the heritage building is very narrow and overlapping with the haphazard parking which is taking place in and around the building. Other than parking, the space is left dead with no activity taking place. The same place is transformed as shown in fig 62 on removing all the illegal and dilapidated structures. The streets are also widened for better connectivity and providing visual access. The space now has an opportunity to introduce activities for public engagement. Section 1 and 2 (fig 63 and fig 64), compares the existing and transformed situation by quantifying the increase in public space and streets. Existing open space also lacks shading, which has been provided after transformation.
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Section 1
Fig 63 : Existing Section through open space
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Section 2
Fig 64 : Transformed Section through open space
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Character Sketch 1
Shaded Walkways
The character sketch illustrates the new transformed open space around a heritage building. The built form principle has helped in creating shaded walkways and opportunities of having retails on the ground floor. The wide-open space formed after removal of illegal and dilapidated structures is large enough to conduct gatherings, functions and celebrations. The space also has a quality to conduct temporary activities such as vending to take place. Widening of streets around the buildings have improved the movement network. It has improved the demarcation and visibility of the space and buildings. This makes the space more publicly active, safer and retains its heritage character.
Fig 65 : Character Sketch 1 44
Shaded Sitting Areas
Revitalization of Chowkris
Temporary Vending Space
Large Open Space to Conduct Wider streets for better connectivity gathering, celebrations, etc. and visibility
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Internal Street
Section 3
Section 3 illustrates the existing condition of the internal street. The existing internal road width varies from 4.5m to 5.5m. Retails on the ground floors have encroached the road reducing the road width furthermore. The building facades are non-continuous and aligned. Building height regulations are also not followed by some buildings. The transformed section illustrated in section 4, has wider road with buildings aligned to the road. The setback of 1.5m on ground floor takes care of the spillover created by retails and provides shading for the buyers/people. Character sketch 2 and 3 highlights the change in built form character in case of existing and proposed. All the regulations of doors, windows, buildings color, etc. by JNN, as mentioned in chapter 3, have been applied in this transformation process.
Fig 66 : Existing Internal Street Section
Section 4
Fig 67 : Transformed Internal Street Section 46
Source : Author
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Fig 68 : Existing Internal Street Site Photo Otla for informal sittings
Fig 69 : Character Sketch 2
Picture Courtesy : Author
Shaded walkways
Wider Roads
Opportunity for retails/ commercial
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Revitalization of Chowkris
24m wide street
Activating first floor
As per strategy 3, the primary width of 24m has been reduced to 12m in order to increase the pedestrian walkway from 2m to 6m. As the upcoming metro will increase the footfall of visitors and tourists, wider pedestrian movement is necessary. Activities such as cafes, viewing galleries, etc. have been introduced on the first floor to activate the space. This place is currently not in use and activities like goods storage is taking place. Few sitting spaces are created around the trees. The overall landscaping of the space is increased to reduce temperature and make the experience of the market beautiful. Provision of on road parking has been given in some areas. Pedestrians and vehicles now have a demarcated zone of movement and thus do not overlap with each other.
Fig 70 : Character Sketch 3 48
Wider Footpath
Revitalization of Chowkris
Sittings around trees
Landscape for shading
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Section 5 The existing 24m wide street had parking and activities such as loading and unloading overlapping with the pedestrian movement. Thus, a wider pedestrian walkway for people and for loading unloading activities for the market can be shifted to the new 4.5m service road. Excavation of the basement is already taking place in the city; thus, this can be used for storage. Fig 71 : Existing 24m wide street
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Section 6
Fig 72 : Transformed 24m wide street 50
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Comparison Fig 73 and 74 compared the open space in 4 different cases:
1
Case 1: Open Space around Heritage Buildings
4
Case 2: Open Space around Heritage Buildings Case 3: Typical Residential Block
2 3
Case 4: Open Space around Institutional Buildings
Legend Retained Buildings
Fig 73 : Existing isometric of chowkri
Source : Author
The new built form principles have helped to create open spaces and organized built form in a strategic manner.
1
It has helped in creating opportunities for celebrating the heritage value to the space. A typical residential block now has its own private open space for kids to play around freely as the traffic is restricted to the secondary 6m road.
4
2 3
Institutes stand distinct in their original location, creating defined envelopes for their respective activities.
Legend Retained Buildings
Fig 74 : Transformed isometric of chowkri
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06 Revitalization of Chowkris
Design Analysis
Existing Block
Area under Public Realm Road Open Space 30%
Transformed Block
Area under Public Realm Road Open Space 20%
Fig 75 : Comparing Existing and Transformed Block 52
0%
30%
Surface Parking 0%
Surface Parking 10%
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If the existing and proposed blocks are compared, the following observations can be made. • • • • •
The existing area dedicated to roads was 30% and existing open space was zero. The proposed transformation can achieve 20% road area and 30% open space. Existing blocks had not designated surface parking available. Whereas now about 10% dedicated parking pits can be formed. These can be used as open spaces during day and as parking pits during the night. The existing block has no development scope left due to haphazard planning, which now has been increase to 80% developable land. Program mix has been kept as it is. That is all buildings existing in the block will be relocated and transformed in the same location. Lastly the built vs open ration of existing was 10% which now has changed to 40%.
Developable Area
Program Mix
0%
Developable Area 80%
Built Fabric 10%
Program Mix
Built Fabric 40% Source : Author
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Revitalization of Chowkris
Conclusion Therefore, along with Smart City Mission which aspires to leverage its Heritage and Tourism, and through Innovative and Inclusive solutions, enhance the Quality of Life for its Citizens, the “Revitalization of residential blocks� will help in changing the imageability and livability of these chowkris. With smart & sustainable civic infrastructure, waste water & rain water harvesting for public buildings, monuments and parks, smart collection of solid waste, underground electrical wiring system in place along with the new principles of transformation will help in forming new public open spaces, improving public transport connectivity, organizing residential blocks, creating climate friendly streets, and providing opportunities for small scale businesses and space for gathering, celebrating the heritage value.
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Revitaliz
Revitalization of Chowkris
zation of Chowkris
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Revitalization of Chowkris
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