Chapter 4: Comparative analysis

Introduction

This study is about the phenomenon of urban planning processes. The methodological approach is qualitative research. The data collection relies on live case studies, interviews and a time graph analysis of different places at different peak time. The time graph along with age graph are based on their experience of age or participation in type of activities, involvement in different urban spaces, footfall of different spaces, with the analysis of interest and opposition against the urban project. The theoretical literature and the planning typology are analysed through the theoretical framework of past, present and future scope.

This process resulted in identifying the Opportunities, Threats, Strengths and Weaknesses of each case study conducted. Which in turn resulted in the conclusion that, based on the study’s main findings and recommendations.

Table showing footfall of public at different spaces, different times, and as per age.

As per the live case studies and analysing interests of local as well as tourist public in Udaipur City, I was able to conclude that the tourists especially like to be in the Walled City area and are fonder of exploring the traditional, heritage architecture & culture if the city. Instead, there is a bunch of local residents of Udaipur City who consider accessibility as a priority and then the “View”.

Also, there is another graph to show that annually in the city of Lakes more than 2 lacs people come and go, and all have their own preferences, likings, and comfortability through which they explore the Udaipur City.

Table showing annual tourist graph in Udaipur as per their population and preference list. Here, the population is the annual tourist count from respective countries and preferences mean that where they choose to accommodate (i.e., choice of hotels) themselves for a stay in city.

This particular table here exhibits that how being at the maximum population i.e., London and Italy tourists arrive in city, and prefer the Walled City for their accommodation and exploration. Tourist from Australia and Germany will prioritize access first and then view. Here, of course they will be in vicinity to Old city but will not choose a hotel where accessibility is an issue. Moving on to Indian Tourists, which is majorly from Gujarat & Kolkata, they have a different taste from foreign tourists. India, the whole country itself celebrates this traditional architecture and inherits the old ‘Gali’ or let’s say narrow passage concept in almost all Indian States, so for them the Walled City is not that something really WOWS!

So, they find resorts or a hotel at outskirts from Walled city because they don’t want to get into the hustle bustle and crowded streets with jams, animals and shops on both hands. Rather they try to focus on serenity while booking their accommodations.

Opportunities & Strengths

Fateh Sagar Lake

Accessibility

Convenient

Parking 25- 30 four wheelers/ 80-100 two wheelers

Peak Timings

5-9 PM

Footfall 4000 per day/ 10,000 on weekends

Amenities (Eatery Stalls) 15-20 Stalls

Gulab Bagh Park

Accessibility Convenient

Parking 45-50 four wheelers/ 320-350 two wheelers

Peak Timings

6-10 AM/ 5-8 PM

Footfall 3000 per day/ 8,000 on weekends

Amenities (Eatery Stalls) No

The above two tables represent an Opportunity and Strength based Analysis of two most prominent and most visited Urban Spaces in Udaipur. Both of them cater a major footfall on a per day base and both have different reasons to accommodate a huge crowd on daily basis. The footfall is totally based on Age Groups and Interest of public.

One being the Park and another being a Waterfront have been the most liked and visited public spot for local as well as foreign public.

Gulab Bagh in the heart of Udaipur city, is a lush green 100-acre space, generating a green layer and pollution free environment.

Fateh Sagar, a beautiful lake approximately 8.2 km in circumference, is the beautiful urban space in city with a space for recreation. Both of them are visited for different purposes and are under Recreational Land Use of master plan of Udaipur City.

Weaknesses & Threats

The weakness and threats are somewhere intertwined and similar to one another. While focussing on Demographics of Udaipur city, I analysed that the land use decided at the foremost, don’t old enough capability for now with current population. If we notice the urban sprawl, one can clearly understand city’s growth pattern.

As the circle, here denotes the demarcation of the distribution of urban space in the demographics of land use map.

Urban open space - both magnitude and spatial arrangement - is critical to urban living. As the availability of open space, distribution and accessibility are a major concern for cities. Open space is a necessity and not a luxury.

Due to ongoing urbanisation trend worldwide, the distance between city inhabitants and nature is increasing. Urban greenery is one of the ways to bridge this gap between people and nature. With the growth of urban sprawl or the migration the increase in density is one of the reasons for underdevelopment of urban greenery sector. Without careful planning, cities will be stressed with environmental challenges. As we have found out in the case studies that the geography of all these urban spaces is more towards western side of Udaipur city, as compared to it as a whole. Open space is a basic type of land use along with residential, commercial, industrial, transportation etc. Other than open space, the rest are given due importance for progress and it is neglected because it caters to natural, recreational and cultural needs that are intangible.