STREETS as SOCIAL SPACES URBAN TRANSFORMATION STUDIO Ambawadi, Ahmedabad
PROJECT REPORT
CEPT University | Master’s in Urban Design - Sem IV
Mansi Sureka
Disclaimer
The information presented in this report has been generated by the author as a part of the Urban Transformtion Studio in Masters in Urban Design at Fcaulty of Planning, CEPT University. Any omissions and errors are deeply regretted.
Acknowledgment I am grateful to CEPT University, Ahmedabad and Faculty of Planning for conducting an online Urban Transformation studio under Masters in Urban Design program, providing indepth understanding of brownfield projects and complexities of Local Area Plan. I would further like to express my gratitude towards Prof. Purvi Chhadva who has constantly been active in imparting the best of their knowledge and skills. I am thankful to our Teaching Associate Nishi Dhairya for constantly supporting and guiding me towards the best. My heartiest gratitude to my family, friends and peer group for encouraging me to the best of my capabilities.
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Studio Brief This studio will focus on the design aspects of urban transformations within the existing urban areas. The underlying context is that Indian cities are growing rapidly in terms of population and therefore expanding physically. Increasing urban population and the growing urban incomes will fuel demand for more and more built-floor space in cities accompanied by a demand for infrastructure.Many urban areas within these cities are dealing with unstainable levels of stress on infrastructure, resources and public services and are becoming increasingly unliveable.
UD4002 Urban Transformation Studio Tutor: Prof. Purvi Chhadva
As an attempt to address these concerns, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoUHA) has initiated various schemes such as AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), SMART CITIES MISSION and HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation). These schemes enable planning for developing infrastructure in the brownfield areas through mechanisms such as Local Area Plans (LAP) and Town Planning schemes (TPS). These typically include those parts of the city that area already developed but are not able to sustain the pressure of existing infrastructure Students will work on the projects that are emerging out of these initiatives defined by their studio tutors.
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Studio Brief UD4002 Urban Transformation Studio Tutor: Prof. Purvi Chhadva
Through their design projects, students will explore the methods of integration of the physical design with the regulatory frameworks (TPS, LAP) in creating liveable, functional, memorable, safe and sustainable urban areas. The projects will have a strong design focus on the physical setting, however issues of private ownership and social equity, land economics, planning models, project finance, and implementation strategies will also be addressed. The learning outcome of the studio will be to: 1. Prepare strategic framework plan of delineated areas with identified design projects 2. Detail design of the identified urban design projects 3. Prepare building regulations for the intended urban form outcome for the project areas 4. Prepare a planning model for executing the proposed framework plan and carrying out various public place design project 5. Prepare Detailed Project Report to communicate effectively all the aspects of the project
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Studio Structure
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CONTENTS Disclaimer Acknowledgement Studio Brief Studio Structure Contents
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(07-22)
02
Introduction
Conceptual Framework
Transit Oriented Zone
Opportunities & Constraints
Local Area Plan
Vision
Site Context
Strategies LAP Framework
05
(23-34)
03
(35-53)
04
(53-80)
Design Framework
Transformation
Analysis
Tranformation projects
Potential
High Tension line Project
Intent
Nehrunagar Spine
05
(81-84)
Conclusion The end note
Strategies Masterplan
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07
01
INTRODUCTION Transit Oriented Zone Local Area PLan Site Context Access & connectivity Built form Public Realm Stakeholders Assessment LAP Proposal: AUDA
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TRANSIT ORIENTED ZONE Ahmedabad is transforming rapidly with huge influx of population leading to the expansion of city boundaries. Today the city is experiencing paralyzing traffic congestion, long travel times, lack of last mile connectivity, high cost of housing and real estate, increased demand for amenities, gardens, open spaces and much more.
NEED FOR TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT If the city is to grow as a livable and sustainable place, it must plan and organise its land resources. For which, there is a need for Transit Oriented development (TOD), a compact- mixed use development with thriving residential, commerical, entertainment activities within comfortable walking distance from transit stations, to maximise use of public transport.
Ahmedabad has identified Transit Oriented Zones (TOZ), along the public transit routes- BRTS and Metro, 200m wide zones on either sides of the corridor. TOZ zones will be eligible for an increase in FSI. From FSI of 1.8, the new permissible net FSI of 4.
09 Streets as Social spaces
LOCAL AREA PLAN The local government has initiated Local Area Planning (LAP) for TOZ zones to densify the area, based on the principles of TOD. LAP professes to redevelop and retrofit the existing brownfield area, by a bottom up approach, with involvement of locals, stakeholders and participatory processes.
BRTS Route MRT Route LAP Site LAP - TOZ Area AMC Boundary AUDA Boundary
Introduction 10
SITE CONTEXT The site is located in the western fringes of Ahmedabad, an old and central residential locality- Ambawadi. It extends along the BRTS Corridor from CEPT University to Shreyas Metroline , with 200m wide buffer area on either sides. Centrally located, with proximity to major institutions and access roads, Ambawadi has become a hotspot for residential & commercial developments.
Site Area: 520 Acres Distance from Airport: 14 km Distance from Railway: 8 km Nearby Arterial road: 120 ft Ring road
Transit Corridor
Satellite Imagery 05/19
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Streets as Social spaces
LAP Boundary
CN Vidhyalaya, institute established in 1912
Low rise residential fabric, with upcoming Metro line
Mid rise, mixed use developments along BRT Corridor
However, currently the development around this transit corridor of Ahmedabad is not transit oriented, with low density development, stand alone institutes, lack of transit infrastructure and public open spaces.
Introduction 12
ACCESS & CONNECTIVITY The site is a well connected part of the ring of Ahmedabad, provides inter-city connectivity towards the east side of the city. It has a planned transit infrastructure, which can be further strengthened with about 13.5% of area under streets, constituting of the BRT Corridor majorly. The city transit connectivity is efficient, with coverage of most the site within 400m from the transit station.
BRT Corridor
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Streets as Social spaces
BRT Stop
MRT Corridor
MRT Station
900m Average Block Perimeter
Highly walkable perimeter: 0-300m Walkable perimeter: 300-500m
The internal roads of the site are not interconnected, owing to institutes and housing societies creating multiple dead ends resulting in less permeability, poor connectivity and large block sizes. The situation is made worse by poor condition of street infrastructure, with vendors and parking encroachment, leading to poor environment for pedestrians.
Moderately walkable perimeter: 500-700m Large Block perimeter: >700m
Existing Block sizes
Disconnected institutional edges
Insufficient pedestrian walkway
Residential
Institute
36m wide ROW with mixed BRT lane
Disconnected Institutional edges, Insufficient pedestrian walkway.
Commercial
Frontages and footpath encroached with parking Religious
36m wide ROW with BRT corridor Improper delineation of public and private land.
Further, the character along the BRTS differs along the corridor. Starting with institutional edge, the street character is typically defined by high compound walls, blocking the physical and visual connectivity. The footpaths along commercial buildings are encroached by parking. Introduction 14
BUILTFORM The area falls under private ownership primarily, creating an easier pitch for redevelopment. The public institutional pockets are an asset to the site, infusing a socio-cultural environment. They are also the catalysts to the surrounding developments the job centres in the form of commercial developments concentrate near major junctions and public transit stations Overall, the land use of the precinct is heterogeneous
60%
Private Ownership
Land use Institutional, 30% Mixed use, 05%
Commercial, 05%
Private Public Institutions Ownership 15
Streets as Social spaces
AMC
Residential, 33% Open Space,
15%
The TOZ area is primarily characterized by residential use. It consists of detached housing, co-operative societies and a slum- the Hollywood Basti. Within these, detached housing is the most dominant housing typology, poorly consuming the benefit of the TOZ area. With an increase in population, a shift of typologies from independent housing to apartments will occur, establishing a need for redevelopment. Most of the housing stock is about 30 years old, indicating potential for redevelopment. However, some areas resist redevelopment - the slums, further impacting redevelopment in their surroundings.
Residential character Co-operative society Slums, Encroachments Slums, Enchroachment
Individual Housing Plots Housing Society Plots Co-operative Society Mixed use Mixed-Use Mixed-Use Housing Society Apartments Slums Individual Housing Plots Individual Housing
Semi Detached
Detached
Less than 10 years
21- 30 years
11-20 years
More than 30 years
Individual Housing Plots Mixed-Use
Housing typologies
Building age Introduction 16
BUILTFORM: Density Analysis The TOZ area underutilises FSI where the buildings are predominantly low rise when it can go upto 4 FSI, Further, a density analysis is explored which determines the achievable FSI for every plot according to the GDCR, to understand the impacts of proposed 4 FSI. Smaller plot sizes and narrow road widths (less than 12m), is the case for about 40 % of the site, which after keeping margins arent feasible for stand alone redevelopment causing due to inefficient utilization of FSI.
Maximum Achievable FSI as per GDCR
Building height 17
Streets as Social spaces
Upto G+ 1
1 - 1.8
G+2
1.81 - 2.7
G+3
2.71 - 3.5
G + 4 to G+ 7
3.51 - 4
G + 8 to G + 14
Assets
Density Matrix based on GDC Regulations,
Introduction 18
PUBLIC REALM The TOZ area has only 14% of total open space under public domain, indicating a lack of public spaces within the LAP boundary. The redevelopment process will intensify the gap as population increases.
79 % Total Open Space
64 %
14 %
Margins
Roads
01 % Public greens
However, green spaces are available in institutional areas, but lack public accessibility. Further, despite presence of publicly accessible buildings, the institutional edge is opaque and not integrated with larger public realm.
1 2 3
4 5
1. Ahmedabad ni gufa 2. Jain derasar 3. L D Museum 4. Premal jyoti church 5. St Xavier’s Parsh
Institutes 19
Streets as Social spaces
Public open spaces Institutional greens Existing greens Proposed greens
Public plaza
Frontages
Public plaza Public plaza
Green space Junction
Vendors Community park
Looking at public space character Public plaza along BRT corridor the available spaces are Green space underutilised or inaccessible Vendors dueCommunity to parking encroachment Green space park andVendorsunregulated vending, Community park the disrupting character of transit corridor. Green space Vendors Community park
Vending spaces under flyover
Space under Flyover
Vending spaces under flyover
Thus, it can be clearly seen Vending spaces under flyover that the site has potential to create vibrant and active public realm through integration of Vending spaces under flyover underutilised areas and efficient improvement of existing public spaces. Introduction 20
STAKEHOLDER’S ASSESSMENT PEOPLE A social survey was conducted to understand the needs and demands of the people of Ambawadi. The residents - Housewifes, elderly people, parents, professionals,and the visitors small scale vendors, dutymen etc were interviewed and talked about the kind of development they would like in their areas.
“I would love to cycle if the traffic was less and max people used cycle to commute
Space for children to play
Good Infrastructure for cycle/ walk / jog
Of them,
60% are ready to go for Redevelopment
Wider footpaths, more greenery
Parks / Benches for Sitting
with Apartment as their preferred typology.
They wish for more
greens, safe play areas, footpaths, cycling areas... Base area to go for Redevelopment is
1
along transit routes. feasible
2
redevelopment is
2500 sq. mt.
3
DEVELOPERS
Frontages for public
realm is left for easy
accessibility for retail uses.
Several developers were consulted to understand the market trends in Ambawadi. According to them, 1. Redevelopment is feasible
along transit routes.
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Streets as Social spaces
2. The base area feasible to go for redevlopment is
2500 sq.m.
3. Frontages for public realm are feasible as they recharge retail businesses.
LAP FRAMEWORK PROPOSAL: AUDA Assessment of LAP proposal by AUDA allowed us further insight into understanding current focus of authorities which primarily deals with improving Last mile connectivity, walkability, parking management, redesign of streets and junctions and improvement of social infrastructure
Accessibility
This analysis brings forth certain gaps in proposal, which are- less consideration on identity and character, less focus on tree cover and urban green spaces and underutilized potential of Institutional campuses and public plots .
Walkability
Garden | Open Spaces | Playground
Walkability
Traffic & Parking Management
Establishing DP roads on ground Integrating Private roads to larger street network Future ROW’s after plot redevelopment
Neighbourhood centres Parking Slum upgradation School
Traffic & Parking Mgt. • •
Physical Infrastructue
Integrating on street and off street parking along major commercial routes Redesigning Street and junctions for better pedestrian infrastructure
Physical Infrastructure • •
Estimated 70% area under Residential use after redevelopment Various ancillary/ supporting uses proposed on private and public plots to improve the
Introduction 22
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CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Opportunities & Constraints Vision Strategies Access & Connectivity Builtform Public realm LAP Framework
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OPPORTUNITIES
Institutional plots are an asset to the site, giving potential to improve social infrastructure and improve connectivity.
There is a potential to create robust public realm since 70% of the area falls under roads, setbacks and vacant plots.
There is a potential for mixed use development along the BRTS corridor to create more job opportunities and positively impact public transit ridership. 25 Streets as Social spaces
CONSTRAINTS Constraints
The large institutional campuses and gated communities which restrict accessibility and connectivity with lack of spaces under public domain.
There is also a lack of public green open spaces since it constitutes only 1% of the overall site area.
lack of integrated transport infrastructure on the site. Conceptual Framework 26
VISION To have a connected development of Ambawadi by Integration of Assets and improved livability for anticipated higher density development.
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Key words: Connected development:
Integration of Assets:
Improved livability:
Connecting the neighbourhoods to the transit corridors through walkable streets.
Levaraging institutional areas and other under utilized public spaces to improve the quality of public realm.
Vibrant public spaces infused within the high density development
GOALS 1. Strengthening Access & Connectivity
2. Reclaiming Public space
•
•
•
Improving street connectivity and walkability. Designing pedestrian friendly streets
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•
27 Streets as Social spaces
Integrating institutional assets. Increase recreational and green area under public realm. Create active and safe public space.
3. Inclusive & diverse Built form
•
•
Diverse built character and typology that responds to high density development. Incorporate affordable housing to maximize the potential of Public transit route.
STRATEGIES: ACCESS & CONNECTIVITY Improve street connectivity and walkability by identification of potential internal street corridors to enhance accessibility and providing missing links to complete the network Design pedestrian friendly streets by providing equitable space for all modes of transport with the help of street widening. The proposed street network allows to increase the area under streets by 6% Walkability is boosted through a significantly lower average block perimeter of 480m as compared to 900m.
Proposed connections Potential Corridors Missing links
Highly walkable perimeter: 0-300m Walkable perimeter: 300-500m Moderately walkable perimeter: 500-700m Large Block perimeter: >700m Proposed block perimeter Conceptual Framework 28
STRATEGIES: PUBLIC REALM Integrate institutional assets for leveraging their socio-cultural character into the urban environment. by proposing connections within the institutional land and activating the dead edges by making them porous, giving visual and physical accessibility.
Increase in
Increase the recreational green spaces and green cover, with efficient use of underutilised open spaces and street design. Create Active and safe public spaces along the BRT Corridor with connected edges
29 Streets as Social spaces
Frontages for active and safe Public realm
Integration of Institutional assets
n greens
Conceptual Framework 30
STRATEGIES: BUILTFORM Identification of zones which have potential to consume 4 FSI and form high density development on the basis of the street widths, further density, transit and assets establishing varying urban character. To maintain a coherent urban character through the major transit corridor built-to-line development is proposed. For the final density distribution, the plots not able to consume 4 fsi shall transfer the development rights to the plots abutting wider roads and can go upto 70 m in height. Amalgamation of smaller plots and increase of road width is suggested to utilize benefit of FSI.
Varied typologies are recommended as Affordable housing with commercial frontages around institutions, Around major nodes podium mixed-use typology and near the metro mixed-use with arcades in the front. The final street and built character along the transit corridor will be coherent in nature with human scale inclusive residential builtform along internal streets.
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Streets as Social spaces
Built-to-line Podium Mixed Use
Mixed Use with arcades for Continuous Frontage
High Rise Mixed Use + Mid Rise Affordable Housing
Conceptual Framework 32
LAP FRAMEWORK For the overall framework, the existing site had BRT, AMTS, High tension line and institutes as primary assets affecting the redevelopment. To improve the accessibility, the large institutional blocks are made more porous and walkable through pedestrian paths, which is integrated with the larger network created by adding missing links to improve connectivity to BRT and other activity points of site, also achieving shorter block sizes. The open spaces and green cover is improved by utilising plots in public domain as parks and street plantatio. Finally, the built form that responds to these connections, with high rise dense typology along transit and nodal zones which have multiple transit stations in proximity. Built to line, high rise, podium typology along BRT corridor to create a consistent character. integrated with residential zones which will primarily have mid rise typologies. Creating a connected development by integration of assets and higher density development with improved liveability.
33 Streets as Social spaces
Conceptual Framework 34
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DESIGN FRAMEWORK Delineated Site Area Urban Context Analysis Potential Intent Strategies Masterplan
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DELINEATED SITE AREA Ambawadi’s LAP Proposal was concluded with a goal to improve liveability for the anticipated higher density development. The chosen site provides an excellent opportunity to explore the impacts of projected built & population densities, and to further address liveability.
Nehrunagar circle
Manekbagh crossroads
37 Streets as Social spaces
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Shift in housing typologies, from independent bungalows to apartments, will cause an increase in population density and thus need for more open spaces.
The precinct has a low density development that is set to redevelop with availability of more FSI. Due to the development pressure around the area, imagination is that they will develop soon. This raises the concern for need of more open spaces in an already deficit area, meeting up the demands of future development.
Nehrunagar circle
Design Framework 38
URBAN CONTEXT Located at the crossroads of nehru circle, connecting Shivranjini and Shreyas Metro line, the precinct has a strong city level connectivity with major transit stations in the vicinity- the nehrunagar BRT, L colony BRT, Manekbagh BRT and the GSRTC,
Nehrunagar circle
It constitutes of housing societies- Tapovan and Manekbagh, with freehold plots, primarily low rise residential fabric. Most of the freehold plots come under the TOZ zone, eligible for an FSI of 4, while neighbouring plots an FSI of 2.7.
Housing societies TOD Zone High Tension line
Tapovan Society
Manekbagh Society
Manekbagh crossroads
Manekbagh crossroads
Manekbagh BRT
Nehrunagar circle
39 Streets as Social spaces
Nehru nagar BRT
Site area: 100 acres Major Connections: Nehru Circle – 120 feet ring road – Manek Bagh cross roads Public space: Sukan Park
LANDUSE
Nehrunagar circle
The precinct has primarily residential landuse consisting of bungalows, some residential & mixeduse apartments and few commercial set ups. The outer edge is active with certain mixed use developments, with residential inside creating a homogeneous character in contrast to a TOZ zone. Most of the plot sizes fall in the range of 300 - 500 sq.m, small enough for consumption of FSI 4, indicating a need for amalgamation for future redevelopments.
Residential Bungalow Manekbagh crossroads
Land use
Old housing stock
Residential Apartment Commercial Assemby
65%
Residential Landuse
Independent bungalow typology Design Framework 40
NETWORK The internal connectivity of streets is efficient with about 15% area under streets, mostly covered with internal society routes, which are not accessible 24 x 7.
Nehrunagar circle
The society routes are 7.5m & 9m wide respectively, restricting permissible heights upto 21m according to GDCR, insufficient for consumption of FSI of 4. A High Tension Line passes through, running parallel to the 120 feet ring road and in between neighbourhoods. The land under which is a no built zone (ranging from 12m - 15m) and remain so even if the line goes underground.
15% Streets
Manekbagh crossroads
High Tension line
Internal routes Network
Gated routes, inaccessible 24 X 7 41 Streets as Social spaces
Children playing on street under Hight tenion line
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE Nehrunagar Leftover space
Nehrunagar circle Shastri Park
The Site has a total of 77 % of toal open space, with only 1% area under public greens. The public open spaces include Sukaan Park in the vicinity- as the only active public realm. Public open spaces like Shastri Park and a leftover space near Nehru circle exist, but are underdeveloped.
77 % Total Open Space
Manekbagh crossroads
Public Open space
Sukaan Park as a tranquil place
61 %
15 %
Margins
Roads
01 % Public greens
With deficit of proposed land under open space, streets have the potential to become one.
Shastri Park, underdeveloped Design Framework 42
POTENTIAL
With availability of more FSI, development pressure and presence of old housing stoc, the area is ready for redevelopment.
43 Streets as Social spaces
The homogeneous district has a potential be developed as a mixed use district as per TOD principles.
Land available under High Tension Line has a potential be developed as an open space and mobility route
INTENT
To guide the physical framework, of Ambawadi as a compact, connected development and improved liveability.
CONNECTED
Strengthening connections
LIVEABLE
Increase in area under public realm Accomodate streets as
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COMPACT
Re - imagining inclusive & diverse urban form
public open spaces
Design Framework 44
NETWORK STRATEGY STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS Improve street connectivity and walkability by identification of potential internal street corridors to enhance accessibility and providing missing links to complete the network Widening of streets to accomodate non motorized transit and increase the permissible heights for built as per GDCR. The proposed street network allows to increase the area under streets by 4% The network is porous with boosted walkability around transit stations.
Network
Missing links, road widening
Large Block perimeter: >700m Moderately walkable perimeter: 500-700m Walkable perimeter: 300-500m Existing Block sizes 45 Streets as Social spaces
Proposed Block sizes
Redistributing right of way, to accomodate streets as public open spaces, with increased space for pedestrians Redefining role of streets as per density, access priority and built use.
Transit street (36m & 60m wide) : The streets that shall not only cater heavy influx of vehicles but also people moving in and around transit stations to their respective job centers and residences.
Street Typologies Transit Street Main Neighbourhood street Residential Street Pedestrian priority street
Main neighbourhood street (12m & 18m wide) Streets opening up to neighbourhoods, communities, a transition lane from public to private Residential Shared street (12m & 9m wide): Internal residential streets with calm character Pedestrian Priority street( 12-14m): Street with utmost priority to pedestrians, their movement, relaxation, recreation etc.
Design Framework 46
NETWORK STRATEGY TRANSIT STREET: 36m wide
47 Streets as Social spaces
MAIN NEIGHBOURHOO
OD STREET: 18m wide
RESIDENTIAL SHARED STREET: 12m wide
Design Framework 48
PUBLIC REALM STRATEGY INCREASE IN AREA UNDER PUBLIC REALM Utlilization of the underused and underdeveloped spaces to their maximum potential, could increase public realm in the increasing densities. Moreover, giving these spaces certain programmes could active the neighbourhood better.
Using the front margins as per GDCR, as public open spaces with built to line urban form for a interactive and humane experience 49 Streets as Social spaces
Reclaiming leftover space near nehrunagar circle, as a public open space for neighbourhoods and transit stations running parallel.
Conversion of an underdeveloped Shastri Park land to a childrens park, a pedestrian right of way and a transition space between transit station and neighbourhoods.
Conversion of land under High Tension line into a pedestrian priority street and a neighbourhood open space. Design Framework 50
MASTERPLAN The proposed master plan allows to increase the area under public realm by 5% with connected street network, ample public spaces, inclusive built form boosting liveability . The goal to manage the requirement of open spaces shall be cater with increase in population density of the area. The network is porous with boosted walkability around transit stations.
Nehru nagar island Reclaimed public realm, porous & active edge Shastri Park Conversion to Children’s park and pedestrian ROW
Land under High Tension line Pedestrian priority street, connecting Nehru circle & MRT
Front Setbacks Shared public spaces
5%
increase in public realm
Built to line Amalgamated redevelopments
Widened streets
Pocket Parks
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Streets as Social spaces
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URBAN TRANSFORMATION Transformation projects Hightension line project & Nehrunagar Spine Existing Scenario Implementation Strategies Proposal Guidelines
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TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS With the imagined redevelopment of the TOZ area, there are these two potential spaces present in the site which can be captured and designed to fufill the needs of public open spaces. The identified projects are namelyThe High Tension Line project and the Nehrunagar spine. Both of them are examples of streets being used as places, not merely vehicluar mobility. In India, streets have been the social spaces, backbone of public life. The projects draw immense poosibilities of a diverse liveable neighbourhoods.
55 Streets as Social spaces
The High T Pedestrian a neighbou
Tension line project: n priority street and urhood public space
Nehru nagar Spine: Activating underutilized island space with recreational programmes
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HIGH TENSION LINE PROJECT Utilising the disowned Land under High Tension lines as public open spaces, the city craves for.
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About hundreds of kilometers of overhead High Tension lines are distributed in the city of Ahmedabad. They pass in between neighbourhoods, as no built zones. The land under which is either a vehicular street, park or barren land. These no built zones are assets to the city, where there is a crunch in public open spaces already. They have potential to serve prurposes of mobility, public greens and recreation right in midst of the city.
Land under High tension line as :
Under developed Parks 57 Streets as Social spaces
Internal streets
Barren land
ABOUT SITE
Nehru nagar circle
Delineation High Tension line
Manekbagh Crossroads
Length: 750 m Major Connections: Nehru Circle – Manek Bagh cross roads Crossing: Shastri Park, Residestial neighbourhoods, AMC Pumping station
One such asset is found in Ambawadi, as a High Tension line runs from Shreyas Metro line towards Gujarat University.
Shreyas Metroline
The site has a 750m wide stretch running across residential neighbourhoods from Nehru nagar circle, opening up at the BRT station, towards Shreyas Metroline. The aim is to convert the land into a pedestrian priority street connecting Nehru nagar BRT and Shreyas MRT. Urban Transformation 58
EXISTING SCENARIO Vehicular Access road for private plots
Used for parking
Private plot boundaries obstruct right of way
Shastri Park, undeveloped, used for parking
Existing Scenario
Currently, the land under HTL is used as a vehicular mobility route, parking, obstructed with several private plot boundaries and an underdeveloped park. Several plots open up towards the land, using it as a primary vehicular route. There is a need to restructure mobility in the area and transform it into a pedestrian priority stretch.
59 Streets as Social spaces
Existing Scenario
12m wide street
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES 1. Restructuring of Vehicular mobility To make the street a pedestrian prioirity street, vehicular access must be restricted to emergency vehicles and thus it must be borrowed from adjacent or parallel roads to it. Stretch for structuring vehicular mobility
Movement map- existing
Movement map- proposed
for Non motorised transit only Vehicular mobility
Urban Transformation 60
EXISTING SCENARIO 2. Amalgamation of plots to achieve higher FSI and borrow Vehicular access As smaller plots won’t have much area to develop after leaving margins, amalgamation of plots is suggested. Further, in a manner that the plot borrows access from any other road abutting other than the high tension line street.
Existing Plot sizes
300-500 sq.m
500-750 sq.m
PLan of existing plots
300-500 sq.m More than 2000 sq.m. Demonstration : Existing Plot sizes
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Streets as Social spaces
Amalgamation scenario
More than 750 sq.m
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES 3. Borrowing access from private plots Taking away right of way from private plots, as land beneath High Tension line is a no built zone and remains so irrespective of private boundaries.
Private plots obstruction
4. Conversion of Shastri Park into a Children’s Park and Pedestrian right of way. Connecting the High tension line street and the Nehrunagar Spine
Shastri Park
Urban Transformation 62
INTERMEDIATE PHASE
Intermediate Phase With the devised strategies, the right of way is carved. Initially, it remains a vehicle access road, till the time all the plots borrow vehicular access from other roads.
63 Streets as Social spaces
PROPOSAL Tree plantation at the centre of the street for shading
Front margins used for public recreation Built to line structures ensuring safety on street
Proposed urban form
06 m Frontage
12 m Existing width
06 m Frontage
The proposed urban form responds to the function envisioned for the street. It is a pedestrian thoroughfare as well as play street or a pocket park.
24m wide street Proposed Scenario
Urban Transformation 64
HIGH TENSION LINE street in between private plots
Shaded walkway through private land, green buffer makes the journey pleasant
Front setbacks as public spaces get merged with the surroundings activating the neighbourhood Shastri Park as a play park and a transition area provides opportunities of contact between different user groups, diverse experience
65 Streets as Social spaces
THROUGH SHASTRI PARK Redeveloped Shastri Park with playing amenities for children, relaxation for elderly and pedestrian transit.
Play area for children safe guarded with eyes on street
Barrier free movement for people coming in and out of transit stations
Shaded seatings let people spend more time outdoors
Urban Transformation 66
HIGH TENSION LINE envisioned as a Play Street High tension line street can be converted into play streets in front of residential or mixed use development. The street provides safe play environment for kids without vehicles, just like old times. The ground floor of the buildings are kept vehicle free, with provisions in the basement to improve interactions between street and private plots. Although physically inaccessible, the ground floor of buildings give visual porosity, creating opportunities of passive contact.
67 Streets as Social spaces
Shaded seating spaces increases the average outdoor stay time
Shaded walkways for people commuting and staying
Private o open tow street, cr passive c opportun
open spaces wards the reating contact nities
Retail kiosks, as an incentive to build more
Retail or offices include visitors activating the space
street as a social corridor, filling up the need for open spaces
68
TRANSFORMED HIGH TENSION LINE Street Shaded walkways, people chatting, children playing, small food joints, places to sit combines for a pleasant walkthrough experience in climate of Ahmedabad.
69 Streets as Social spaces
Vendors around seating spaces, activate the street,
Food kiosks or essentials, beco stop by points fo travellers
ome or
Shaded seating spaces increase the average outdoor stay time
Pedestrian priority walkway space to walk, cycle and play
Retail shops/ eateries increasing the footfall of the space, activating the space
Urban Transformation 70
GUIDELINES
1. A minimum parcel size of 1500 sq.m is required to redevelop, with an edge abutting vehicular access roads.
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Streets as Social spaces
2. Front margins to be used as shared public spaces, with FSI incentives for buildings creating pocket parks, play amenities for children, vending platforms.
3. Edges abutting the front margins shall be visually porous, with no use of compound walls 4. The buildings shall be built to line to the front margins, with ground floor reserved for activities other than parking.
5. Basements allowed under building envelope, reserved for parking purposes.
Urban Transformation 72
NEHRUNAGAR SPINE PROJECT Utilising the underdeveloped leftover spaces near streets and junctions as public open spaces.
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These leftover spaces are found in bulk in Ahmedabad, especially near the transit corridors, where they have the potential to get captured as a community level open space.
These islands are either filled with vehicles or are barricated with fences high enough for humans. Now is the time to tap on such land resources to squeze out open spaces.
Barren, waste of land
73 Streets as Social spaces
Restrictive
ABOUT SITE
Nehru nagar Circle
Parking congests the service lane at present
Length: 800 m Major Connections: Nehru Circle – Shivranjini Transit Stations : Nehru nagar BRT, Jhansi ki rani BRT, GSRTC, AMTS Bus stop
Another asset to the site is the leftover space near Nehru circle which runs parallel to the BRT corridor connecting Nehrunagar and Shivranjini. This open space has the potential to be used as transition space for Public transit users as well a recreation space for the sub arterial. The aim is to convert the land into an inclusive open space, capacitating recreational needs for future., creating place for people
Urban Transformation 74
EXISTING SCENARIO Inaccessible edges hampering cross movement near transit station.
Parking congests the service lane at present
Existing Scenario
Currently, the space is inaccessible with fences, is non porous and obstructed with parking in the service lane. Not only it obstructs movement inside but restricts cross movement.
75 Streets as Social spaces
Exist ing ROW: 60 m wide
PROPOSAL Shared street removes parking, with slow vehicluar movement
Transition between Shastri Park and Nehru spine, facilitates movement
Revived Nehru spine is space to move around, sit and relax.
Proposed Scenario
The proposal responds to the TOD, by faciliating movement of people in and around the street safely, with various opportunties of contact.
Proposed Exist ing ROW: 72 m wide
09 m Frontage
7.5 m Shared street
15 m Linear Park
30 m
09 m Frontage
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NEHRUNAGAR SPINE as a Recreation & Transition space The space becomes a spine in rejuvenating the transit corridor along it and the neighbourhoods clinging to it. For the imagined Transit Oriented development, this place is going to get filled with hundereds of people coming in and out of transit stations between Nehru nagar and Shreyas Metroline, using the high tension street and reaching the spine. The space facilitates cross movement ensuring safety and becomes a potential public realm for future.
77 Streets as Social spaces
Shastri Park, as children’s Play area and pedestrian right of way.
Vending cr opportunit contact
reating tes of
Porous edges, improving cross connectivity between transit and transit corridor
Rickshaw stand
Shaded seating spaces to facilitate user experience
TRANSFORMED NEHRUNAGAR SPINE Shopping, food eateries, a play park, cycling, walking around safely and much more are few of the qualities this place will serve its users with.
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Wide footpaths, abutting retail shops and offices
Shastri Park, as children’s Play area and pedestrian right of way.
Shared street for people, cyclists and vehicles with raised table tops for cafer crossings
Cafes, chai tapris etc near crossings
Bicycling stand near crossing platforms
Nehrunagar BRT Station
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CONCLUSION Transformation
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TRANSFORMATION Indian cities have always had a deficit of quality open spaces for people. streets are where the social lives have evolved. With most of the open spaces belonging as streets in a city, now is the time to strengthen them. Our cities have these hidden assets which need to be explored and used. Ambawadi is ready to bring in higher densities of built as well as people, with the possibility of an increase in space for public realm with a change in planning strategies and incentive model With the reclaimed streets, greens,inclusive built this place is going to transform into a lively space with people, housing, job opportunities and reduced pollution with excessive use of public transit.
“I would love to cycle if the traffic was less and max people used cycle to commute
Parks / Benches for Sitting
Space for children to play
83 Streets as Social spaces
Wider footpaths, more greenery Good Infrastructure for cycle/ walk / jog
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