Bachelor's- Architectural Thesis

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” -Author Anita Desai

Sanjeevani

Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey A Design Dissertation compilation, submitted and presented to Faculty of Academy of Architecture, Mumbai & University of Mumbai in the session 2014-15 Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey

Dhara Rakesh Panchal

TROPIC OF CANCER: 23.5 N

INDIA

The fact file: Introduction

ARAVALLI RANGES SABARKANTHA

GUJARAT

IDAR, CORE SETTLEMENT

IDAR, GUJARAT: 23.839 N

The Aravalli mountain ranging from Delhi, terminates into these rocky granite mountains In the north of Gujarat.

Originally known as : Ilva Durga Founded in: 1200ad by raja anand singh Location: Western india, Southern Aravalli, Sabarkantha, Gujarat. Idar is the largest city of aravalli.

Strong linkages: Located about 30 km north of himmatnagar and 60 km from gujarat’s border with rajasthan.

Places to see: Old palace, Rani talav Souvenirs: Toys and all items of wood from the kharadi bazaar.

IDAR, NEW SETTLEMENTS

Geography: Rock mountains Religious aspect: Temples, Mosques, Dharmashalas

Idar, Sabarkantha, Gujarat, India 23.839 N 73.002 E Elevation: 195 m (640 ft)

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey

The water sources: hand pumps, step wells ,wells, tube wells,kunds, lakes

A part of Aravalli Ranges The Aravalli mountain ranging from Delhi, terminates into these rocky granite mountains n the north of Gujarat.

A Historical Manifest The city being brushed throeugh different reigns, you can find amalgamation of different styles of Architecture. Also, the influence in terms of lanuages and different communities can be observed.

A Pilgrim Place Idar castles beautiful ancient Jain temples, shiva temples, Swami narayan temples and others. Hence, the place now has turned into a renowned tourist and pilgrim centre.

Idar- A City Idar being a taluka, wraps a number of villages under it and due to its pacing growth, it offers a lot of job opportunities to these under priviledged villages. Hence, there is a lot of floating population into the city core.

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s� Journey

The Dying Wisdom Stepwells are known to be one of the greatest engineering marvel designed to abstract water. Idar, being a aprt of Gujarat, also has a boon of number of stepwells, known as vav or bawdi. Due to modernization and alck of awarenss amongst people, this rich heritage is deteriorated.

Nature’s trail and Natural Retreat The tourists/ young troops are fanatized by the huge stone piled rock mountain and hence are seen trekking around in large numbers.

Also, the Kund and the Rani talao at the foot hills serve as cool natural retreats for all during the harsh summers.

The Kharadi Once upon a time the most flourishing markets in North Gujarat, the Kharadi, saw a great decline due to unavailibility of wood. There are barely four to five handful shops prevailing still holding back the glory of thre market.

Traditional Architecture North -South aligned alleys, lined with ground plus floor structures, shading the streets respond to the hot and dry climate of the place. Also, the Jharokhas adding the ornamentational value to the Architecture.

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey

Analysing the Problems in the City: After stating the different aspects of idar, it is this stage where i started analysing the life style of the people.

Idar is a taluka with number of villages under it. It serves as a economic as well as educational backbone for the people of neighbouring villages.

Decoding solutions for the same: But still the standard of living of the people is poor.

So now, trying to find out the reasons that are hindering the growth of this city.

And hence, accordingly, planning objectives, that help the city blossom in all the aspects stated previously.

The Theme: “ Weaknesses Become My Area Of Work, And Threats Become My Concerns, Strengths Gives Me Power, And Opportunities Show Me The Way.,,”

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey

Aim: To make people aware of the water disaster that they are about to face, if the traditional water supply system is not being retained.

The context to the hillock Population of city, as per 2011, 2001,1991,1981& current population -

1981 1991 2001 2011

Total area of city Total wards

: 19656 : 24910 : 29542 : 31176 : 15.79 K.M. :9

Ward wise population -Ward No.1 -Ward No.2 -Ward No.3 -Ward No.4 -Ward No.5 -Ward No.6 -Ward No.7 -Ward No.8 -Ward No.9

Objectives:

The core setllement

: 3250 : 3181 : 3609 : 3490 : 3396 : 3444 : 3045 : 3270 : 2867

The basic demographic statistics of idar is no different than any other developing city.

The population is rising and so are the demands for water and other amenities.

SR. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

YEAR 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

RAINFALL (MM) 1084.00 952.00 325.00 382.00 593.00 315.00 929.00 719.00 1159.00 1774.00 2080.00

To converse water and promote water harvesting structures.

To increase the ground water tables by means of catchment areas. To revive the traditional water system of idar and hence raise the standard of living of the people.

Hypothesis: This project will not only harvest water for today, but will prove as a strong fixed deposit in the womb of mother earth for the future generations.

The Existing Water System:

Study Methodlogy: Studying the entire site in terms of •Climate •Topography •Geography •Socio-political and economic life of the people •Demographic study •Present infrastructure •Water crisis and step wells •The kharadi bazaar and its decline •The rock mountains After studying the entire site, limiting the thesis to water crises, as it is in a crucial aspect, but still keeping the scope to affect as many aspects of the city.

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey

Analysing the existing water system: Geology & geohydrological conditions of idar:-

Earth Ground water Table, then, Decreaing gornd water table, now.

The Scenario of Seepage into the earth, thus serving as a rich source oof ground water recharge.

The reduction in the seepage due to the upcoming settlemets, thus reducing the ground water table.

Geologically the area is typical & comprises various types of rocks from pre cambrian to quaternary era covers igneous, sedimentary & metamorphic formation such as granite, quartzite phyllite, slate, limestone, calc-gneiss, calc-schist, himatnagar sandstone, basalt & alluvium etc. The rocky area covers 2/3 portion of the district includes idar, eastern part of himatnagar, khedbrahma, vadali, modasa, malpur, meghraj, dhansura & bayad. Hard rock areas do not indicate occurrence of well-defined aquifer system. Hard rocks having secondary porosity in which availability of ground water is from weathered zone, cracks, fractures & joint planes in limited quantity. In such area water in exploited through wells, hand pumps & single phase bore wells.

Due to complex geology & geohydrological conditions static water levels are also varies. In hard rock areas water level fluctuation is more than 5 mts while in soft rock water level fluctuation is around 3 mts. In the district recharge takes place only through rainfall.

Possible Solutions to revive the system: Recharge structures such as ugt, check dam, nala plugging, recharge tube well, deepening of tanks as per site condition are the remedial measures for revival of sources.

“Dharti ke pet se Suraj paani nahi chura sakta” -- Dr. Rajendra Singh ( Waterman of India)

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey

Firstly, the pit is dug. It is dug uneven and also hammering is done to create fractures for seepage of waterso that the filteration layers can be set up.

Then, a casing pipe is fitted at the centre of the pit, into a concrete bed.

Sand, 2 ft ht Hdpe net Wooden charcoal 20 mm, 1 ft ht 40 mm, 1 ft ht 4 to 5, 1 ft ht Bigger stones, 5 ft ht

Rethinking about the non perennial river Debhol, that meets Sabarmati after passing a number of villages.

Program- Macro Level Designing a system of water that allows more seepage into the ground and prevents evaporation.

Hence, reviving the river in parts, so that the water can flow throughout the year, without any loss to the sun or in the form of run off.

Designing a step well at a temple, which again allows man to develop a bonding with water. Ultimately, the ideology and water culture of the place will change.

Then, the casing pipe is wrapped up with filtering mateials.

Lastly, the pit is filled up with stones of different sizes and filtertion layers.

Hence, this pit recharges water into the ground by a priocess of filteration.

In the urge of collecting water, the surface area is increased, but, evaporation also increases, so as to minimize the evaporation, the step well and a few parts of the river, where the surface area is increased, a semi-open roof, i.E., A pargola is used.

So, when in monsoons, the river starts flowing, the water passes through thest series of filteration beds, and poses at this node. Hence, allowing more seepage. Moreover, this node becomes an important recreational part for the society.

These nodes are particularly selected as they are the main access points from where one an cross the river.

Future scope of expansion for plantation( Government land ) Site plan with the debhol river and enhanced its journey Rethinking the river debhol’s journey

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey

The step well has four retaining walls, with increase in the heights. The water fills up till the first retaining wall, and passes into the next with the rise in level of water. The next two compartments of retaining walls are filtration beds.

These nodes are particularly selected as they are the main access points from where one an cross the river.

Key section at the node

The main street of the planned area directly meets the temple .

This street has many nodes that makes this street busy and interactive.

Also as along with the temple, it ends at the step well area.

The streets are aligned based on the sun path.

Also, creating a visual connection between the open spaces.

The water edge and the people, this offers mankind to develop the bond between water and himself.

Concept- planning the water bonding neighbourhood

Program- Micro Level Criteria for selection of site: The origin of the river Maximum surface area for the step well Proximity of the step well with respect to The temple User group- backward class ( works on the basis of daily wages ) Following the topography of the contours Availability of open plot with the ownership of government- used for the plantation of the nilgiri trees for kharadi bazaar Sparse number of houses, that too in a dilapidated manner, hence, there is scope for redevelopment.

The contours provide natural gradient for laying out the grey water and the rain water system lines

This pond is designed right in the slope of the contour coming from the step well. The aquifer, here being strong enough to hold water.

As the famous hindi saying goes “ bund bund se ghat bharta hai ”, similarly, smaller steps to save water can make great changes.

Rain water harvesting, hence, is an important method to conserve water.

But, the program doesn’t end just by harvesting rain water and using it, rather begins here.

We just waste a gallons of water which actually can be reused for other purposes. Hence, grey water reuse becomes equally important as rain water harvesting.

Program Designing a sustainable housing typology that harvests rain water, reuses grey water, climatically suitable for comfort, promotes economic growth of the habitat and hence, raises the standard of living of the people and their status as well.

Valleys from where the water flows during monsoons, these paths should be lined by plants, shrubs and trees, so that whatever little soil is there on the mountains does not erode off.

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey

The core program: 1. Harvest water 2. Conserve water 3. Efficient supply, use and distribution 4. Reusing grey water

The House Modules:

Cavity walls are used to increase the time lag for the heat to transform into the room.

Stone plinths are created under trees near the kiosks.

As this people here belong to the low income group, these kiosks offer them an opportunity to become self employed and support their family, rather than finding work on daily based wages.

Also, this space becomes a node, where people meet and interact.

The idea of wind catchers:

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s” Journey

The grey water that is not reused by the household is collected by a separate grey water drain, which is further filtered and used to grow nilgiri plantations.

The major wood used to make wooden toys and articles is the nilgiri trees.

The Harvesting techniques: The concept of housing revolves around, the problem solving for water crisis.

Hence, conserving rain water, using grey water and a comfortable thermal conditions within the house are the prime mottos.

Rainwater harvesting is done from the roof. The first shower is allowed to flow out to the municipal sewer and the rest collects in a tank via a filteration bed.

Grey. Blue. Green.

Grey water cycle Studied and practised by the earth code, this method is widely adopted in individual house. That is because this system requires low maintenance.

As the people of this backward community have knowledge about vegetation, they can develop a vegetation garden in the backyard, which generates a mean to self employment.

The grey water from the bath area and wah basin is taken out in the first tank. The water flows into the second pit, which allows the growth of plants. Due to the rise in the level of water from the previous tank, the clear water is collected in the last tank. This water is later used to grow vegetable plants or can be used for other domestic purposes and flowering beds.

The wood is cut and taken to the mill workshop where it is cut into required size by the artisan

The process of wood cutting and uses of its residue to the fullest can generate employment.

The kharadi bazaar, deteriorated because of the nonavailability of wood.

This decline had a great impact on the artisans.

Once all the impurities are removed from the residue, it is sent to the pre-steaming bin. The steam injected into the material causes it to soften into a malleable form.

Steaming A resin is added to the fibre material to control the formaldehyde tolerances in the mixture

Scalping rolls

Sanjeevani Revivng “Debhol’s� Journey

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