The role of interim design in governing the quality of urban construction-site environments
DIVLEENA | DIVYA | LAKSHMI | PREEYAMBIKA | SUPRIMA Guided by: Ar. D. Vishwanathan
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We sincerely thank our coordinator Prof. Ranjana Mittal for her insights, encouragement and constant support of this challenging topic and our guide Ar. D. Vishwanathan for his unrelenting faith in us and valuable practical insights. We are indebted to Dr V.K. Paul, for chairing our seminar session and for helping us understand the significance of our research topic.
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We thank all our resource persons who helped us understand the complexity of construction sites: Harmeet Singh, Project Manger, IREO; Ar. Papiya Sarkar, Chief Architect DMRC for granting us permission to visit Lal Quila metro construction site; Ar. Sudhir Seem, Deputy Chief Architect DMRC foranswering our many questions and guiding us; Ar. Mayank Sharma, Managing architect DMRC for helping us and facilitating the visit to Lal Quila Metro station; Manish Kumar, Junior Site Engineer for guiding us through Lal Quila metro construction site; Ar. Vinod Gupta for his valuable insights on our topic; Ar. Raman Vig, Ar. Suditya Sinha and Ar. Amritha Ballal for their comments on the various stages of our seminar research; Ar. Udit Mittal for encourgament and help.
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ABSTRACT Across Delhi, construction activity today is extensive and the image has become synonymous with the urban realm. There are the ever growing suburbs and the burdened core – all building more to serve more. Urban-dwellers thus interact directly or indirectly with construction sites on a daily basis. The plenitude and the protracted periods of construction inspire the discussion in this research – viewing construction sites in themselves as being designed, or rather the argument formed here – construction sites as needing conscious design.
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This seminar explores the potential of a site during construction in affecting the conditions inside and outside its boundaries. In the process it questions the common practice of considering a construction site (especially large scale project) as transient given its deep and prolonged effects on the surroundings, the environment and the people in contact. Various practices around the world that result in better site conditions are looked at with the perspective of factors that make them work and considered in the context of Delhi. There is an attempt to understand where site environment falls in the priorities of the many stakeholders, and what kind of incentives and efforts work in the favour of maintaining better sites.
INTRODUCTION As it stands today, Delhi has become a site of frantic urbanisation. The city is under constant pressure to cater to this agglomeration. Moreover, the vision of Delhi as a world class city has led to the conception of projects of great ambition, providing an image of what needs to be achieved. Phase 3 of Delhi Metro, over 500km of tracks, is under construction currently and Phase 4 is in line. As many as 30 redevelopment projects have been planned to maximise carrying capacity, each having long construction periods. Delhi thus presents a complex urban scenario where infrastructural growth is escalating exponentially. A major part of the urban landscape, at any given point in time, is formed by buildings & infrastructure in production. Many of these sites, with their prolonged lifespans of several years, develop an interim system of spaces and communities in and around, with repercussions, ecological, sociological, on the surroundings as well as in the lives of those involved in the process. The ‘process of producing’ itself becomes a ‘product’ of architecture. The design and management of site environment alongside various other construction processes hence proves critical. This paper discusses the role of interim design in governing the quality of urban construction site environments. Here, Site Environment refers to the conditions within the site itself, the general surroundings and conditions that the site is located in, and further, the cityscape it affects. It is inclusive of but not restricted to the ecological connotation. Interim Design includes: •
The practices that aim to enhance site environments, their design and management.
•
Interventions made on site or structures that are constructed or installed temporarily on site during the phase of construction.
• Overall communication strategy of a construction site, whether the idea and concept of the final architectural project, as envisioned by the architect and builders, is reflected in the production phase.
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While it is apparent that the final product of construction affects its users and context physical, environmental, social, and political, the project in the stage of production is an equally important part of the cityscape. Lands are cleared, roads diverted, communities disrupted and created, as construction sites take their place within the existing urban fabric. The entities affected immediately include: • Labour/Workers (onsite) • Managers and Engineers (onsite)
Apart from these, others that are affected or affect the site during its construction phase by varying degrees in terms of influence (power) and relationship with site are: •
Client/Developer
•
Architect
•
Builders/Contractors
•
Consulting firms
•
Urban Governing authorities
Construction also affects the: •
Residents around site
•
Commerce around site
•
Tourists/ Visitors to neighbourhood
Lastly the city as a whole gets influenced too.
Source: Authors
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SET OF STAKEHOLDERS OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE
PRIMARY CASE STUDIES PHASE-3 METRO CONSTRUCTION We have limited our observations to large-scale construction sites because of their prolonged periods of construction and wider impact. Delhi metro sites form our key observational study given their prevalence in the current cityscape. Newspaper headlines echo the problems faced during construction at various sites, as well as the breakthroughs achieved, which is expected because of the sheer number and scale of these sites, as well as their public image. As much as 500 km of metro line is under construction, as compared to 316 km that is operational. (Source: TOI, Aug 3, 2016) The Lal Quila metro station is a part of the heritage line in phase 3 which connects various monuments in the city, and all the stations on this line are underground so as to minimise visual impact and displacement in these high density regions. While the faรงade of the final product will reflect the Lal Quila sandstone and jalis, the site remains for 4 years, a wound in the road edge; a dismal picture opposite the magnificent Lal Quila. The hawker market has been relocated, and the road reduced to a serpentine stretch.
ARCHI-CHAKKAR NEWSPAPER CLIPPING EXPLAINING THE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION TECHINIQUE OF THE LAL QILA METRO STATION Source: Internet
SATELLITE IMAGES SHOWING THE TRANSFORMATION BETWEEN 2012 & 2016 Source: Authors
EDGE CONDITIONS OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE Source: Authors
From 2012 to 2016, the site has devoured the bus bay and Lajpat Rai market parking, yet the market continues to thrive. The road edge is chaotic and unfavourable for pedestrians. There are temporary site offices, first aid room, material drop-offs, lunch area and toilets planned by the contracting company. The construction site has material stored at the ground level, and drop-offs need to keep changing according to the kind of material arriving and storage space designated.
In clockwise order: SITE MAP SITE CONDITION ON CONSOURSE LEVEL SITE CONDITION ON ROOF LEVEL
In ITO Metro station which was opened recently, small scale interim design decisions such as these are important to be communicated publicly, and should be made after deliberating with the affected parties. These small decisions impact the image of the project, as they impact the public directly in the construction phase. There is an attempt to retain circulation paths despite wide spread of the underground station such as the public unpaid subway in ITO, which was opened as the construction progressed, which encourages pedestrianisation, just like the F.O.B at South Ex. Such expensive technologies as TBMs (Tunnel Boring Machines) and Push box technology are being used that minimise surface disruptions, showing that public convenience overrides cost. Also, digging of metro tunnels has increased the mapping of sensitive heritage monuments, with Akbarabadi mosque unearthed near Jama Masjid site. Water channels were found near Delhi gate metro.
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Source: Authors
NEWSPAPER CLIPPING EXPLAINING THE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION TECHINIQUE OF THE LAL QILA METRO STATION Source: Internet
NEWSPAPER CLIPPING EXPLAINING THE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION TECHINIQUE OF THE LAL QILA METRO STATION Source: Internet
There are obvious negative impacts such as air pollution, soil erosion, ground water depletion, and traffic chaos also mentioned in the Environmental Impact Assessment of Phase 3 metro, and metro construction is classified as a category ‘A’ project in terms of social and environmental impact. The sheer number of such metro sites in the city as well as their presence in the cityscape for considerably long periods of time, calls into question the popular view of only imagining the final product against the backdrop of the city. It also raises various pertinent questions which are mostly disregarded when construction sites are looked at as transitory. What is the image that a construction site projects? Is the idea and concept of the final architectural project, as envisioned by the architect and builders reflected in the production phase? What are the aspirations that a site sets in the minds of various stakeholders? The metro construction site at South Ex. makes for an important study as the impact of on-going work on pedestrians is explicit, highlighting their stake in the project. The experience of South Ex. market has been characterised by the construction site in the past few years. City dwellers from near by areas have claimed to stop preferring the market recently due to myriad hindrances. A foot over bridge has been constructed by the DMRC in order to ease pedestrian crossing across the busy Ring Road. It overlooks the metro construction site, and allows a clear view to the ongoing construction activity and progress to the pedestrians. This evokes an image of an ongoing open surgery in the city. Even though DMRC provided this pedestrian movement to cross the ring road, no pedestrian walkway has been designated along the edge of the ring road. Navigating the market is a tedious task with hindered physical and visual access.
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NEWSPAPER CLIPPING EXPLAINING THE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION TECHINIQUE OF THE LAL QILA METRO STATION Source: Internet
EAST KIDWAI NAGAR REDEVELOPMENT Apart from infrastructural projects, redevelopment projects across NCR are set to change the face of the city. East Kidwai Nagar is one such site where construction is in full swing. This redevelopment is a 300,000 sq.m. government project undergoing redensification since 2013 and is expected to be completed in 2019 (i.e. lasting for 7 years). It is one of the thrity developments to change the face of Delhi. With the construction of Kidwai Nagar Redevelopment project and the South Ex. metro station happening simultaneously the ring road at this stretch has become clogged. Also, at the initial stage of construction, the public road connecting Aurobindomarg to darya khan tomb had been encroached. This served as a road for residents to access AurobindoMarg, INA market and metro.
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Hence, a petition was filed by a senior advocate, mentioning that the plan was made without considering environmental implications and social repercussions at such a central and densely populated residential area. Due to the clogging of the ring road and aurobindomarg, emergency access to AIIMS and Safdarjunj hospital is severely hampered.
The construction site is a complex spatial network of: 1.
buildings being constructed
2.
an existent jhuggi-jhopdi settlement
3.
Construction workers’ housing and
4.
Public roads
The following are the site conditions: •
6 m high barricades enclosed the site as a means to protect users of the public roads.
•
These are also stamped with safety posters for workers.
• Though the barricades mention the precautions to be taken, the construction site design does not cater for it. Trenches are being crossed over make-shift bridges that have been poorly fixed. • Children and residents of the jj clusters on the site live in close proximity to the dangers of the construction site. • Storage of materials is relatively ordered, but random scattering of debris and uneven pathways can be observed. • The worksite does not offer a safe environment for the construction workers in terms of site design even though safety precautions as mentioned by laws such as helmets and jackets are being followed. • It can also be noted that some of the workers reside on site, living in the half completed buildings or on the periphery of the site. • There is a small subzimandi(vegetable market) within all this cement dust, which catered to the residents and perhaps site workers too. Within the site, there is an ASI Protected monument, Darya Khan tomb, which is a respite from the threatening and disorienting nature of the site. It was used by children for playing, robbed of open play spaces, as well as the mullah for performing rituals. It will be eventually merged with the site landscaped area, and will retain the character of being a landmark, as it is in the construction phase. There is also a Hindu temple in the site.
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The site is very dusty: exposure to the fine particles of cement dust can impair the respiratory system; hence construction workers are particularly at risk. Shop-owners as well as the residents of the locality are exposed to this hazard as well. As a measure to control mud trails out of the site, trucks and their wheels in particular are washed. The trail of water left behind the trucks helps keep dust from rising up. Even though these measures are being taken, no provision has been observed in preventing dust from the spreading around the site.
Landscape developed by IREO, serving the whole neighbourhood Source: Author
GRAND HYATT RESIDENCES AND HOTEL - IREO (GURGAON) The projects discussed till now are all brown field developments located in the thick of the urban realm. Our next study is different from these in it being a private development located in the fringes of the city. Grand Hyatt residences and hotel, in Gurgaon is being developed by IREO. A well-managed site with internationally recognised clients and contractors, this is a good study of how better site environments were created as a marketing strategy. IREO landscaped the surroundings and developed the road adjacent to the site leading into the future Ireo City in collaboration with the local government; sewers and lamp posts were introduced in the area. Observations from construction site: 1. Relatively even pathways for workers to pave through the site. Site is designed to maintain safety of workers in addition to safety posters being put up at different location as an awareness method for workers. 2.
Barricading of excavation zones and pits by using green curtains.
3.
Dedicated drop off and storage of materials.
4.
Workers following safety rules and regulations (helmets and protective boots)
5.
Site offices giving a relatively qualitative work environment (Air conditioned)
6.
Cleaning of trucks before exiting construction site
7.
Protective hoardings at site boundary
In collaboration with architects, contractors a logistic plan of location of temporary structures of the site has been formulated. As a marketing strategy, a viewing deck has been placed in the middle of the construction site. The site has decent temporary offices where regular meetings are held. Since image of the project is of utmost importance to the clients, contractors and developers, we see that the site environment is well managed to reflect their priorities. Since IREO City is set out in phases along a main road, we find a possibility of planning construction activity so as to mitigate its adverse effects. For instance, when the discussed project is occupied, numerous other constructions sites will be active in the area. This activity will most likely lead to an array of disturbance in the occupant’s life unless appropriate measures are taken.
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8. Future consideration of putting scaled rendering of hoardings on building façade (marketing strategy)
ANALYSIS From the aforementioned studies, it is apparent that construction sites are challenging in many ways. They tend to: •
Cause spatial disruption
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Reorganize existent networks of communities
•
Create new complex networks,
•
Adversely affect the environment (especially air pollution and creation of waste)
•
Communicate the image of development
•
Set varied aspirations among the stakeholders
The cumulative result of all these affects is that sites tend to be viewed in negative light and are usually considered as interference in the urban experience. Conscious effort needs to be made in making construction sites easier on the city. Who then, is responsible for this? Having discussed the various ways in which construction sites act as problems, it becomes important to appreciate the complex nature of a site, and the many difficulties it poses with respect to planning and operation, especially in dense and active urban areas such as Chandni Chowk, South Ex and Kidwai Nagar. Sites are dynamic areas where machinery and equipment keep shifting almost on a daily basis leading to constantly changing layouts. The planning and operation of these sites involves expertise, and is usually undertaken by the contractor and the project manager with the prime objective being efficiency within the site. Most interventions on site are an attempt to follow the guidelines listed in the National Building Code (NBC), GRIHA, LEED or other such Green Building manuals. NBC lists down certain practices to be followed on the sites while GRIHA and LEED, with their recommendations and certification benchmarks, act as incentives to maintain these sites. With regards to construction sites, the rules and strategies listed in all these documents are minimal and inadequate. For instance, the recommendation of GRIHA regarding the covering of the superstructure during construction in order to control air pollution is redundant in the face of the fact that excavation activity along with storage and transportation of debris is the primary source of pollution.
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Effort to go beyond what is prescribed to achieve better site environments is also recognized by awards, like those distributed by CIDC, that are given away to construction firms for their work in this direction. However, these are not very well recognized, and good sites are hence only pursued by a select few. Conventionally, the main strategies along which sites are planned and operated include: •
SAFETY
•
HEALTH
•
ENVIRONMENT
Only recently has discourse on various forums begun regarding the •
SOCIAL ASPECT of construction sites.
Beyond this social aspect is the discussion of • IMAGE, which brings into scope the design and aesthetic of a site in the production phase.
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The consideration of social aspect and image allow us to view sites as opportunities instead of mere difficulties.
CONSTRUCTION SITES AS OPPORTUNITIES Around the world, experts have gathered to discuss how can construction sites be turned into for favourable practices:
Construction for a Liveable City Construction for a Liveable City is the New York Building Foundation’s initiative to improve worksite quality and be a better neighbor. Leaders in design, construction, and real estate investigated construction site management practices and their impact on the public and the urban environment. Their intention is to encourage participation and reward success within the scheme. They arrived at a checklist, implementation of which encourages well-managed, clean worksites that are responsive to the community. The program has enlisted participation of 7,000+ construction sites in NYC to improve as many of construction worksites as possible. By broadcasting a “Good Neighbour Policy” its acts as a vehicle to create best practices – an industry standard – for construction site maintenance for the building industry. While promoting these practices, it encourages contractors through various promotional activities through workshops, award events, and other marketing services.
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CLC, New York Source: Author
Some practices under the CLC foundation, in New York, are as follows : 1. RENOVATION OF GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL— F. J. Sciame Construction Company, Inc. During the renovation of Grand Central Terminal, Sciame Construction had to bring steel beams, a metal deck, and other materials into the building without damaging the iconic, landmarked façade, and without interfering with vehicular or pedestrian traffic in one of the City’s busiest corridors. The solution was to construct a custom bridge that rises from street level, spans the viaduct roadway encircling the terminal, and enters through one of the building’s historic large windows while working closely with the State Historic Preservation Office. Sciame also ensured the quality of its worksite structures, including sheds and fences visible to the public. All structures were constructed using undamaged, freshly painted panels and organized to minimize intrusions on public space while satisfying their intended safety functions.
2. AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY RENOVATION OF MAIN FAÇADE AND ROTUNDA - Bovis lend lease LMB, inc.
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During the renovation of the façade of the American Museum of Natural History, the design team worked closely with construction manager Lend Lease, and built a movable wooden fence that shielded active work areas from the public. The fencing included Museum information and directions, and could be quickly reconfigured as particular phases of work are completed. To further reduce the impact of ongoing work on the Museum experience, the Museum covered scaffold netting with a customized scrim that displays a full-size rendering of the actual façade.
The New York Building Congress called for a Construction of Shed Design Competition, keeping in mind that the design should : •
be more open and inviting streetscape
•
Improve quality of life for residents and visitors
•
Reduce latent health and safety risks
•
Tourism encouraging
•
Catalyze economic development
The competition served as an initiative to create innovative and attractive alternatives to the confining and often forbidding structures that cover sidewalks around building sites. The selected designs were practical, replicable, cost effective, and aesthetically improved. New York Building Congress then intended to work with owners, contractors, the City, and scaffold companies to implement.
considerate constructors scheme
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The considerate constructors scheme is a UK based non profit organisation working with the construction industry to improve its image. The Code of Considerate Practice commits those sites, companies and suppliers registered with the Scheme to care about appearance, respect the community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety and value their workforce. This is done through the monitoring of registered sites, companies and suppliers, and the displaying of posters around the construction site, promoting registration with the Scheme. The scheme allows for registration of specific sites as well as companies involved in construction. The code is as follows: 1.Caring about appearance -constructors should ensure sites appear professional and well managed •
Ensuring that the external appearance of sites enhances the image of the industry
•
Being organised, clean and tidy
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Enhancing the appearance of facilities, stored materials, vehicles and plant
•
Raising the image of the workforce by their appearance
2.Respect the community -Constructors should give utmost consideration to their impact on neighbours and the public •
Informing, respecting and showing courtesy to those affected by the work.
•
Minimising the impact of deliveries, parking and work on the public highway.
•
Contributing to and supporting the local community and economy.
•
Working to create a positive and enduring impression, and promoting the Code.
3.Value their workforce- constructors should provide a supportive and caring working environment
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Identifying personal development needs and promoting training.
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Caring for the health and wellbeing of the workforce.
•
Providing and maintaining high standards of welfare.
4.Protect the environment- constructors should protect and enhance the environment •
Identifying, managing and promoting environmental issues.
• Seeking sustainable solutions, and minimising waste, the carbon footprint and resources. •
Minimising the impact of vibration, and air, light and noise pollution.
•
Protecting the ecology, the landscape, wildlife, vegetation and water courses.
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• Providing a workplace where everyone is respected, treated fairly, encouraged and supported.
5. Everyone’s safety- constructors should attain the highest levels of safety performance •
Having systems that care for the safety of the public, visitors and the workforce.
•
Minimising security risks to neighbours.
•
Having initiatives for continuous safety improvement.
•
Embedding attitudes and behaviours that enhance safety performance.
Many initiatives have been taken to improve the image of construction in the minds of people. The Best Practice Hub is related to the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice, and includes best practice initiatives either already in place or currently being developed. Other on site related issues addressed by the Considerate Constructors Scheme include : •
drugs and alcohol
•
mental health
•
code of conduct and language
•
cycle safety
• MASCOTS to raise awareness about children’s safety around construction sites and increase awareness • They recently held a community participation event to paint site boundary fences where more than 2800 kids across England participated. There is a network of professional in the industry to gain from, alongside a collection of best practices, opportunities for certifications, awards of recognition and various promotional activities. The scheme connects a member to possible suppliers, consultants and provides links for acquiring products for interim design at the site as well. They conduct seminars, workshops, annual events and also produce films for awareness.
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UNSITELY! international Colloquium Another example of how opportunities of construction sites have been explored was during an international Colloquium held in Montreal in 2014 which gathered specialists and provided networking opportunities between creatives, industry and municipal stakeholders. Questions were raised and the discussions oriented about how can design (graphic, architectural, industrial, landscape, event-based, etc.) be called on in early phases of planning, conception and activation of construction sites and aim to provide creative solutions to this major universal challenge?Also, how can design improve our individual and collective experience, and the overall communication strategy of major worksites, or, at least, contribute to reducing their negative impact on the daily lives of merchants, residents, workers and tourists?
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The transformation of Les Halles in the center of Pariswas has been one of the discussed case studies.
The focusidea unfolds in four main directions: the design of the construction site itself, spread over 7 years, aims to share “live” the progressive transformation of the site with local residents and users. Windows onto the site allow passers-by to discover the activity that unfolds within it, while its surfaces present graphic information relating to the history of the place, and its projection into the future. The exhibit pavilion on site presents renderings of plans, perspectives, samples, models and films of the project. The site office and worker housing of the construction site is built of color-coded modules that expand according to the volume and needs of the teams of contractors and worker s involved in the site.
Times Square Transformation is part of the Alliance’s larger commitment to ensuring that the construction sites promote, rather than inhibit, the energy ofthe plazas and maintain their role as cultural hubs for surprising programming, innovative contemporary art and quality design. Tate’s Modern extension experimented with the ,Skirt of the Black Mouth began as a new approach to the traditional hoarding, using it as a sculptural element to redefine the space, while allowing glimpses of what lies behind. Characterised by a distinctively twisted arrangement of the wall, bench and path, it is a space stolen back from the construction site, dividing one world from another.
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IN CONTEXT In light of the examples from other parts of the world, noteworthy construction-site practices are considered in the complex context of Delhi. As discussed earlier, there are few advocates of interim design in this city. How then can good site practices be incentivized? We can begin by identifying the key concerns of various stakeholders: •
Cost of construction
•
Speed of construction
•
Ecological impacts Air Pollution Water Pollution Waste generation and disposal Soil Erosion, excavation, disposal Effects on flora and fauna in and around site
- - - - - •
Quality of environment on site - Safety - Noise levels - Aesthetics - Temporary provisions and utilities - Water supply and Sanitation - Efficiency of spaces - Comfort of workspace/site offices - Efficiency of access and movement around site
•
Image of the project
To understand where site environment as a concern falls in the priorities of the stakeholders, they are broadly into two categories:
Those who are most vulnerable due to their immediacy to the site
- Client/Developer
- Workers on site
- Contractor
- Managers/engineers on site
- Urban Governing authorities
- Commerce around site
- Managers/engineers on site
- Residents around site
- Architect
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Those who wield most power with respect to their influence on site
The above represent the basic priority diagrams of both categories, with the bottommost indicating the most important priority. Among those with more power, site environment becomes important with respect to image, marketing and increased efficiency of workers. Further impetus to better sites is given, to a certain extent, by building codes, green building certifications, and awards as discussed earlier. Better results can probably be achieved by clearly relating the major concerns of the influential stakeholders (cost, time, and quality) to site environment. Moreover, the Rupee value to doing good cannot be ignored. Another important factor in bettering sites is public participation. In all the secondary studies, the discussed areas are home to dynamic civilians, demanding quality urban environments. There is an active dialogue where the public voices their concerns and distress regarding construction sites that interfere with their daily activities. This drives the governing bodies and developers to push beyond necessities and provide for interactive and pleasing solutions.
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THE WAY FORWARD‌
The study of successful practices and initiatives with intentions similar to the area of investigation indicate that the main actors who can bring about the proposed change include: Ambitious clients When clients realise the persistence of the spaces under construction, and the impacts and potential these spaces have in that period of time, they would appreciate the need for holistic treatment and demand design and execution services. Contractors willing to cooperate If given the appropriate incentives and made to realise the business value of better sites, contractors would be willing to work in this direction as well. An envisioning design team Architectural Design also has immense opportunity to contribute in this area, allowing architects to be better involved with construction sites
The construction phase is a time where the roots of a project are established. The rapid changes in surrounding environments creates a feeling of disconnect in the urban community. Local residents seek a connection and sense of belonging with their city which is lost when enigmatic organisations cause monumental changes in their neighbourhood without proper communication. There is a need for tangible action during construction. The argument being made is a far cry from mere decoration of hoardings. The basic objective is to think about the people in an urban space undergoing change. A worksite is a specific moment in time when there is a risk of misunderstanding. For while the space is temporarily empty, it fills with everyone’s imaginations, desires and assumptions. One’s experience of a city as large and diverse as Delhi is incredibly dynamic. It is further complicated by the task of grasping a world as complex as the worksite. Better communication through design can prove valuable in such a situation.
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Design can help deal with the temporal and spatial challenges to help activate public spaces, involve communities, and make safer and healthier construction site environments.