Design-Thinking-Aloud Using Design To Solve Complex Problems.
Dinesh Korjan July 2013 Adjunct Faculty IIT Gandhinagar dkorjan@iitgn.ac.in Partner Studio Korjan Ahmedabad www.korjan.com dinesh@korjan.com
Thinking about cities is complex as we are seeking solutions that work for large numbers that are not necessarily homogeneous. Pre-planning of new cities haven't exactly worked out as planned. Naturally grown cities are more vibrant and have a character of their own even with all the issues and problems. Solutions to multi pronged complex problems need not always lie in the domain of management and governance. Design solutions created at the systemic level can bring about transformation usually at much lower costs and without unpleasant implications.
The problem with CG Road
?
The problem at CG road got severe much before the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation started closing down buildings that had converted basement parking spaces into commercial spaces. In fact, it is because the situation got severe that AMC starting clamping down.
Footpath
Entry / exit for parking Two lane road on each side Parking
Entry / exit for parking
Apologetic pedestrian space
2 lane road
What Is
An avenue that is meant for shopping is not bothered by its stark neglect of shopper needs. Shortage of visitor parking as space is occupied by building occupants. As basement parking space have been converted to commercial spaces. Pedestrian space is almost absent or occupied by vendors.
Barriers for traffic flow make it difficult to cross the street while on foot.
Very few eating joints or resting places.
Solutions offered. Pay an impact fee at market rates and regularise the illegal use of basement parking space. Create a multi storeyed parking structure in the only open plot (the municipal market that have the eating joints).
What problems would an impact fee solve?
Design has solved problems of CG road before. When it was an eight lane road and a traffic nightmare making it almost impossible to move beyond a snail's pace. Design reduced movement to four lanes and created parking in the rest. And it worked – for a few years, until the traffic density increased many folds.
Design can do it again
Create an elevated parking level along the road.
Entry for parking upstairs begin after ensuring there is no parking space below. Exit from upstairs parking ensures that one is in the same direction of movement.
Covered wider pedestrian space Double additional parking
Covered Parking
What Could Be
Covered parking is a bonus!
Extra lighting could be provided. The height of the covering is above the 2nd floor so visibility of signboards are as it exists.
Covered pedestrian walkways can encourage shoppers during sunny and rainy weather too.
Two more floors come into prominence increasing the value of the property!
The municipal corporation could encourage the buildings to connect to the upper level with additional parking space, open air restaurants etc.
Yes, we can have new answers to make our cities safe and enjoyable to walk in. There could be elegant solutions for traffic bottlenecks and driving safety. Garbage and filth need not fill up our streets. Urbanization needs Design - the systems kind.