Urban Parks ofBhopal , M adhya Pradesh,I ndi a. -Karan Gupta and Spandan Das
Research on Interrelationships of Design and Use of Urban Parks in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Spandan Das, Karan Gupta. ABSTRACT The following paper on the research on interrelationships of urban parks design and their usage highlights the linkages between spatial articulations and how the landscape spaces are utilized by people in various ways. Urban parks are planned green open spaces in an urban setting such a city or town as stated by the Oxford Dictionary and Urban green guidelines. They are so designed or planned as to cater the general public in that zone. These parks can be either public or semipublic with a mixed-use function such as a theme park or a ‘haat’ for example, Bhopal haat. The landscape design of these parks can be either crafted from the natural landscape existing or it can even be redesigned from scratch. The initial design of the urban park is not as important to the architects and planners as is its usage through temporal variations like day and night, seasons, festivals, etc. The post design scenario of an urban park is governed by its utilities, functionality, recreational qualities, and most importantly how society connects to it through time and emotions. From this, an argument arises is that whether it is really required to plan green open spaces to form centers for spatial and social interaction and recreation or not? Intrigued by this question we as a team took up the initiative to research on the design and usages of two major urban parks in our city within a particular time span. The conclusion isn't certain because of limitations in time and resources but the data is sufficient to highlight the cultural aspects of design of an urban park. Furthermore we've proposed how this initiative can be taken to another level by studying and compiling the present day scenario of urban parks in India and how their spatial logic defines a spatial order which may or may not be necessary to transform into a set of guidelines which can be followed by modern day landscape architects and planners to develop or craft preferable landscape spaces which not only serve as recreational resort but also develop a sense of belonging in the surrounding context and society which shall prevent neglection of such spaces as observed at many modern day metropolitan urban parks. 1
The following paper on the research on interrelationships of urban parks design and their usage highlights the linkages between spatial articulations and how the landscape spaces are utilized by people in various ways.
KEYWORDS Urban park, landscape, design, City parks and Bhopal.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This paper aims toward an understanding of the characteristics of spaces of various zones in an urban park and the activities performed in them based on empirical data analysis techniques such as site live observations and physical mapping of activities. The final objective is to establish a link between spatial articulations and spatial occupancy in two major urban parks of different types and contexts. The tentative aim of this seminar is to provide for a base or reference on the basis of our findings in this research.
INTRODUCTION This research has its inception from live experiences throughout three years of architecture college in Bhopal. The frequent visits to major parks in Bhopal over the time initiated a discussion which started off with basic observations of numerous spaces in the landscape of an urban park. It was the awe of unbuilt spaces created just by articulations of land and greenery which amazed us and intrigued the exploration of such spaces and activities which happen amongst them. We as architecture students are taught about architectural elements such as walls, columns, etc. which create spatial enclosures and their functions but it is interesting to study how natural landscape design can induce similar spatial settings in an urban context park. So, from this inception, we take forward this quest to physical observations and data collection followed by inferences and some tentative guidelines as a small initiative towards future referencing of urban park landscape design.
SCOPE OF FURTHER RESEARCH This is topic of research can be taken further into other fields of studies for example:  The study of variations of activities in different typologies of urban parks in various contexts such as theme parks, war memorials, community parks, commercial parks, herbal gardens, etc.  The study of biodiversity of urban parks and its effect on various activities in the parks. 2
Contextual study of various effects of parks on its urban surrounding and vice versa Climatic analysis of urban parks with effects from context and vice versa such as microclimate and macro climate. The study of ease of accessibility and walkability of parks under universal design factors. The study of cultural landscape in urban contexts and its effect on landscape and utilities of parks and vice versa. The study on numerous social issues related to conditions of present day urban parks used as hubs of social evils and romantic hideouts.
Demographic study of urban parks to devise strategies for further development in a particular zone.
METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH The methodology of this kind of research is rather an intuitive one instead of a technical one. But still, for reference we followed the techniques followed by similar studies conducted in European countries. The most basic form of data collection is site observation. That's what we did. We prepared ourselves for a rigorous observation of people in a particular zone of an urban park which included their location, their user type and their activities at the moment of observation. This data has to be collected for over a year with a huge sample size covering majorly every urban park in the city to be studied for different time periods. Such a huge amount of data is required for a thorough study of such parks and the spaces in urban contexts. But unfortunately, due to lack of resources such as technical equipment such as GPS monitoring systems and GIS mapping, lack of labour and even time for which we compromised to a one week study under which we defined four time periods which are considered to be mostly occupied at any functionally active space. After the data collection through site observations we identified different patterns based on major activities zones or space syntax. Later the spaces were isolated and analyzed individually in detail as to what made it prone to a particular type of activity and how that space affects its surrounding activities. The identified patterns were layered in different temporal variations and observations were jotted down to further identify minimal articulations in landscape design of the parks.
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Site Observation Detailed Data Collection All 7 days of a week.
4 time periods every day: 10am-12pm, 12pm-2pm, 2pm-4pm, 4pm-7pm.
Key Finding GIS Mapping
Pattern identification
Empirical analysis
Discussions/ Inferences Interrelating spatial articulation with spatial occupancy.
Inferences on empirical findings.
Tentative design guidelines based on findings and comparison with existing guidelines.
SITE IDENTIFICATION
Vardhaman Park
Shaurya Smarak
Source: http://www.vasturaag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1parks.jpg (accessed on 9:00 PM, March 15, 2017). The following factors were considered while identification of urban parks for our study:  Location of study 4
Ease of access for study and frequent visits typologies of urban parks context in and around the park area of study. surrounding land use and landmarks.
SITE INTRODUCTION Vardhaman Park: Majorly visited by families, young romantic couples, joggers seeking exercise, college students etc. A rose garden and a well landscaped walkway with a fantastic view of the Upper lake. Surrounding Residential land use along with Bharat Bhavan, Kamla Nehru Park, Upper Lake and Lower Lake. Entry from morning 7am to 9pm free of cost. Daily maintenance through govt. employed staff. Boat rides for locals and tourists by unauthorized private Boat owners.
Source: https://www.google.co.in/maps/@23.2501391,77.3959999,284m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en (accessed on 9:00 PM, 15 March, 2017). Shaurya Smarak: War memorial inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 14 October 2016. In the heart area of Arera Hills near M.P. Nagar and Secretariat. 12 acres in area and designed by Architect Shona Jain. 5
Public park with dedicated galleries and landmark in the memory of war heroes. Timings: 12.00PM-7.00PM Wed closed. Surround land use: Commercial and Administrative. Entry fees starting from Rs.10. Mainly visited by Tourists, students, teachers, enthusiasts, etc. and less by localities. Washrooms, parking, cafeteria, drinking water, security facilities privately maintained.
Source: https://www.google.co.in/maps/@23.2339139,77.4287696,841m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en (accessed on 9:00 PM, 15 March, 2017).
SITE ACTIVITY OBSERVATION Activities in Vardhaman Park: 10:00-12:00
12:00-14:00
14:00-16:00
16:00-19:00
Laying and resting
Employees sitting and
Sitting and conversing
Playing active games
conversing 6
Sitting and playing
Students laying and
Laying down and
Sitting on ground and
cards
resting
sleeping
conversing
Sitting and conversing
Workers eating lunch
Laying down and
Laying on ground and
conversing
conversing
Sitting and conversing
Sitting on bench and
Selling eatables
Sitting and Playing cards Laying and resting
Laying and conversing
conversing Sitting and playing
Standing and
cards
conversing
Bathing
Activities in Shaurya Smarak: 12:00-14:00
14:00-16:00
16:00-19:00
Laying on ground and
Sitting on ground
Sitting on ground
Sitting on bench
Sitting on ground and
resting Sitting on ground and having lunch Sitting on bench
conversing Staff cleaning
Roaming around the amphitheatre
Staff sleeping in the
Staff gardening
Standing and talking
Standing and clicking
Standing and clicking
Standing and clicking
photographs
photographs
photographs
ground and having lunch while sitting on the ground
Sitting on chair and eating 7
Note: Shaurya Smarak open at 12:00 PM hence, no data for the time period of 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM has been recorded.
INTERPRETATION OF SITE OBSERVATION After thorough analysis of data, a few observations came into light which were repeating in a pattern form based on the following factors: Category
Vardhaman Park
Shaurya Smarak
Type of Urban Park
Public Local Park
War Memorial Park
Maintenance/Facilities Maintained by local
Well maintained with washrooms, cafeteria,
gardener, fountains out of drinking water, several employees, entry fee service, dustbins
required.
provided, no washroom or drinking water, prone to social evils. Majority users
Localities
Tourists and a few localites
Surroundings
Residential
Commercial
Majority Activity type
Tourist attraction,
Cultural hub, Recreation, Congregation,
museum visit, functions in Interaction. OAT. Landscape
•
Trees on boundaries
•
Sittings constructed under trees
•
Hedges provide enough shade while
Less shade to sit on ground
•
•
Very few trees
sitting •
Slope towards the lake
•
Central sculpture used by kids as
inside •
Tree shading to parking area
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playground •
Out of service fountain used for sitting and laying
•
Long walking trails
•
War sculptures in
•
Ample shading by trees and bushes
landscaping Factors affecting footfall
•
Type of weather
•
Time of day
•
Formal function
•
Season
•
Weekends/Holiday
•
Holidays
•
Govt. Guest visit
INTERPRETATION OF SITE OBSERVATION After thorough analysis of data, a few observations came into light which were repeating in a pattern form based on the following factors: Shade and shadow: It is a general inference in Indian subcontinent where people always prefer to stay under shade of a tree or any built structure because of the direct sun rays and extreme climates. In Vardhaman Park, during the day there were many spots under shades of large trees, hedges, shrubs, and sculpture. In this case, the height of the shade providing element should be sufficient enough to cover the body while sitting, standing or laying. Similar observations were made in Shaurya Smarak but here the number of shade providing elements was way too less, maybe because the intention behind this park was to be semipublic which doesn't seem to be successful looking at the huge patch of green space empty every day. Sculpture and symbolism: Any sort of sculpture in any urban park signifies a memory, a message or an important event. The Elephant sculpture in Vardhaman Park and the famous spiral sculpture in Shaurya Smarak signify different symbolism of strength and memories of war veterans. Often such sculptures transform into focal points of attention of public and often people are found clicking photographs or children playing around them.
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Isovists blocks: Isovists are a collection of points in any space which are visible from a single point of observation. In public spaces isovists need to be easily visible to prevent those spaces from developing social evils. In Vardhaman Park, many spots at the corners were hidden from the public eyes because of overgrown bushes and trees which were found to be spots for couples to embrace their privacy. Not only social evils such neglected spots also go out of maintenance because no one is there to point out the cleanliness issues. Type of plantation: The kind of trees, bushes, shrubs and herbs matter in the landscape design of any urban park because ultimately the general public will come in contact with them and they want it to be poisonous or uncomfortable or not providing enough shade. Temporal variations: The time of the day and night matters because users utilize the spaces in a park according to time and for how long they are going to stay there and even how the seasons will affect the user activities. Context Context is an important aspect of urban park design as concluded from our study. Context includes the surrounding urban fabric, climate, society and natural resources around. Cultural aspects: The cultural aspects of a context include the type of people in that zone and what all do they do. Their culture defines how strong will be the sense of belonging of people with its urban parks. Old and culturally rich site like that of Vardhaman Park made it more connected to localities even after being ill maintained. Public and semipublic demarcation: The demarcation of semipublic park as in Shaurya Smarak through an entry fee made it less public oriented. What would've been preferable was to make the war memorial museum paid and the rest of park free so as to transform it into a cultural landscape.
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Activity analysis: Vardhaman Park
Sitting and conversing
Laying and Resting
Standing and conversing
Miscellaneous
Activity analysis: Shaurya Smarak
Visit to museum War sculpture photography Sitting on ground or benches and conversing Miscellaneous
User Type and Occupancy: Vardhaman Park 15 10 5 0 1000-1200
1200-1400 Women
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1400-1600 Men
Children
1600-1900
User Type and Occupancy: Shaurya Smarak 10 5 0 1000-1200
1200-1400 Women
1400-1600 Men
Children
Preferred Spatial Articulation: Vardhaman Park
Under Cluster of Trees
Under Bushes/Along hedges
On Benches
Central Sculpture
Preferred Spatial Articulation: Shaurya Smarak
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Under Trees
Nearby Sculptures
In cafeteria/OAT
Walking trails
1600-1900
INFERENCES Comparing two different typologies of parks is not advised because of major differences in context and intent of that park. Vardhaman park even though not well maintained still has high public occupancy because of efficient shade from plantation and sufficient space for public recreation. Shaurya Smarak although lavishly designed with systematic landscaping and huge open green patches stays isolated due to context as well as less shading. Major factor is the entry fee which shouldn’t be required for the park but the museum. The major problem after analyzing both the urban parks is that parks like Vardhaman park, Kamla park, etc. which have been a part of everyday lives of many localities don’t receive much maintenance and facilities but recently constructed parks by government authorities to serve the public stand isolated in a corner as mere symbols with an entry fee and all sorts of facilities and maintenance. Such parks like Shaurya Smarak should be designed in a holistic way for the local public to become a part of its landscape.
CONCLUSION The mapping conducted in this research is called behavioral mapping which is mapping of activities of individuals on a location map. Such kind of behavioral mapping is useful for designers to understand spaces in a four-dimensional scenario, time being the fourth one. Such a research study may seem to be redundant but for us it's like speculating the tiniest of details to thrive for a better design that goes hand in hand with the culture in Indian context. After the study, analysis and inferences of two major urban parks in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh viz. Shaurya Smarak (war memorial) and Vardhaman Park (public park along upper lake), we've come to form some tentative guidelines based on general factors that govern any other architectural design. We believe that such guidelines may or may not be followed by any designer but they'll surely inspire people to think about the urban parks in their city and designers to check upon their design principles. The following are the tentative guidelines: i. Design for the public which has been living there and understand the contextual and cultural values of the site. ii. Efficient planning and maintenance of trees and plants to maximize public comfort. iii. Isovists to be clear of any kind of blockage to prevent development of social evils and negligence. iv. Efficient economic management of public and semipublic zones in case of mixed use parks. 13
v. Proportionate sitting spaces and green spaces planned according to shade and lighting. vi. Generation of sense of belonging in public through functions or sculptures or public oriented designs. vii. Finally, the public will have to develop all these sentiments and emotions towards their public facilities where the designer merely play the role of articulating spaces.
REFERENCES i. Visual observation and On-site mapping based on methodology provided by: Emerging relationships between design and use of urban park spaces, Golicnik, Barbara and Thompson, Catharine W., Landscape and Urban Planning, Volume 94, Issue 1, Dated: 15 January 2010, ISSN 0169-2046. ii. Case study of urban parks in Bhopal provided by: Spatial Distribution of Parks- A Case of Bhopal By Arnav Saikia, http://www.vasturaag.com/spatialdistribution-of-parks-a-case-of-bhopal/ (accessed on 9:00 PM, 15 March, 2017). iii. Base guidelines for comparison and formulation of new guidelines: Urban Greening Guidelines, 2014, Town and Country Planning Organization, Government of India, Ministry of Urban Development.
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