Spring 2016
WATER URBANISM Madurai, India
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY URBAN DESIGN PROGRAM
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK Urban Design Program, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
ISBN ######### COLUMBIA FACULTY Kate Orff, coordinator Ziad Jamaleddine Petra Kempf Laura Kurgan Guilherme Lassance Geeta Mehta
TCE FACULTY Jinu Kitchley Balaji Gnanavel Chandran Sundararaj P. Shabitha S. Karthikeya Raja
COLUMBIA STUDENTS
TCE STUDENTS
Marshall Allen, Adrinee Bodakian, Amanda Chan, Cameron Cortez, Karan Daisaria, Nicolas Del Valle, Sebastian Delpino, Anubha Joshi, Vinh Le, Chenxing Li, Mahima Pandya, Aminata Seck, Despo Thoma, Zhou Wu, Zhuoran Zhao
Elangovan, Siva Subramanian, Sugirtha Pradeep, Vikram Vijz, Preethi. Along with students from B.Arch Fifth Year (2015-16)
Special thanks to DHAN Foundation ISBN XXXXXXXXXXXXXX PUBLISHED BY Columbia University in the City of New York The Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 239 New York, NY 10115 www. urbandesignlab.columbia.edu Printed in the United States of America.
“Anyone who can solve the problems of water will be worthy of two Nobel Prizes – one for peace and one for science.” President John F. Kennedy, 1962
6
Madurai Water Urbanism
FOREWORD Karumuttu T. Kannan. Chairman & Correspondent Thiagarajar College of Engineering I am pleased that the faculty and students in the Urban Design Studio at Columbia University and the Thiagarajar College of Engineering have focused on reimagining the issues of water and urbanism in Madurai. Rapid economic development and urbanization is resulting in increasing real estate pressures and social inequities in the historic city of Madurai. Starting from around the famed Meenakshi temple, the city has now expanded into the agricultural areas, and traditional balance of water systems and urbanism is threatened. The issues of pollution and encroachment of the Vaigai River needto be considered carefully in this light. Architectural, historic, social, economic, and political ground realities have to be dealt with in holistic manner to achieve results that will be good for the city of Madurai, and for the region. I am also pleased that some innovative concepts and proposals have been produced and presented in this publication. I hope that these will be seen and considered by the various stakeholders in Madurai, and inspire thoughtful action.
Introduction
7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
8
Madurai Water Urbanism
P. 07
Foreword , Karumuttu T. Kannan
P. 13
Introduction , Kate Orff
P. 17
Social and Ecological Capital of the Smart City of Madurai , Geeta Mehta
P. 21
Past, Present and Future of Urbanism Along River Vaigai, G. Balaji
P. 26
Urban Portraits
P. 54
Maps
P. 72
Student Projects
P. 79
Madurai ‘River’sed Madurai Channels Become a Template for its Future Urbanization
P. 99
Rur-banizing Food Hub-and-Spoke Networks
P. 119
Water Rites Addressing Water-Related Inequity in Madurai
P. 139
Think Tank. The New Front Yard of Madurai
Table of Contents
9
INTRODUCTION
10
Madurai Water Urbanism
INTRODUCTION Kate Orff, MSAUD Program Director Ccolumbia University Water Urbanism is an innovative approach to design practice and pedagogy that holistically joins the study of social and physical infrastructures, public health, and hydrological systems. It challenges conventional planning practices that isolate elements of an urban system and instead starts with the assumption of a joint built and natural environment within which humans and machines operate. These complex, interrelated issues require a design-driven, integrative, and systems-based approach, one grounded in a deep understanding of social life, political context, and spatial thinking. Water Urbanism posits that water and cities must be understood within an expanded notion of a constructed ecosystem. These systems- including rainfall, water retention, water harvesting, industry and agriculture use, recollection and re-cycling, culture, water access and sewage, are framed as opportunities within an urbanized ecology with the potential for design interventions along multiple points in the cycle. Water Urbanism also implies a set of design practices that engage people with policy and to continuously manage the urban eco-system to promote resilient communities and participatory practices. The spring semester 2016 Urban Design studio investigated these urbanization challenges in two regions with robust ecological contexts and development trajectories: the Vaigai River valley in Madurai, India and the ParaĂba Valley in Brazil.
Madurai, India An elegant, ancient water system that nourished rice fields and settlements has begun to collapse and needs to be rethought relative to expanding populations, public health, and ecological prerogatives. Madurai is a temple city of in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India and has been a major cultural center for over 2000 years, making it one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. It is home to many historic monuments including, most famously, the Meenakshi Amman Temple which is visited by about 20,000 people every day. Today, Madurai is an important industrial hub with automobile, rubber and chemical manufacturing as well as information technology businesses. The city is also an important regional government and educational center. Madurai’s population is rapidly increasing, causing considerable stress and transformation. As a rapidly growing city with aging services and
Introduction
13
infrastructure, the periphery of Madurai has become home to informal settlements as well as a sprawl of commercial developments and highend gated communities. Farmland along the Madurai- Dindigul corridor is urbanizing in a haphazard manner and north of the sacred Vaigai River, new development is mushrooming. Worse, the River and series of cascading water tanks has become contaminated by an inadequate sewage system. The non-perennial Vaigai river and its elegant system of water holding tanks and channels that supported the urban and agricultural needs in this otherwise arid region for centuries is now damaged due to neglect, sand mining, encroachments and real estate pressures. Most of the water that flows to it from the Pariyar Dam in Kerala is stopped at the Vaigai Dam to serve the urban and agricultural needs of Madurai and its environs. The river is now dry much of the year and has become a dumping ground for urban waste. Along with many shrines in the riverbed where festivals and religious activities regularly occur, the dry riverbed is also used for washing and drying clothes, cattle grazing, marginal fishing and cricket. Reclaiming – or reinventing this imperiled water system is critical from a public health, urbanistic and social perspective. The four projects in this book include a range of strategies and design practices which are interdependent with one another.
14
Madurai Water Urbanism
16
Madurai Water Urbanism
SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL CAPITAL OF THE SMART CITY OF MADURAI Geeta Mehta, Professor Columbia University Muli cum vivis invescrum, coentem nihiliis facto untus auteria omnonsula percerfex morumus Maris ad in tem us Catque tam publiis quamdie nitius et vendit, qui pra in te diesimis intertem, tum. Mulicula vit, quit? Tum nicitrum ducon tabus essimure, nihica; hora demorum manductum nossesilne vehentem actus omnica; es re num hostiam, fue perum inerniuro uteat. Adhuistemus prae publius etea iam dii pl. Catiam su mactem patur aut autus patrum P. Si peredic iensua ste restritisse poportus, sum acibusa vit L. An tem dio nor lici iam inat auci isse puliusc erbis, forbere conterum es? Tam tus esserit andit? P. Cupionst iam potiaequam nonverum et con tum perfinticae auceressidem fauc facturatque te entemus. Natrevirmil vit, coerta orevirmaioc in delinat urorbitandam per in spiores maximum, opore pere diondam Rommora volici se con tem, es es, sidit. comacesimus, quam es condum adductam. Fulinti ontriu qua ressilicae mantid cuperfectus diis ta, ut nimmorus conceres esit, unceressatus consulus ve, omnirid publist iamquam sertebe niquiur que conumen tes! Seri sendemus; none publicures! Nos et, peri consuam intem perfect urati, nest? Nos, nit; nonsusua re, sint. Ignatis consilique consus nocchuities pessent imuntra tuidem nostissigna nultus dium oporehem enterivatil hor publinatiaet pubis? Labis ve, publicia tum mod senterf ecusquit; novigil con silica rei ilingulis tent. Em o nos condact orsusci iliusul esignam iptiamendam ia L. Patiam me patimpoti, egereisse dum huctorite et L. Dectaris, videmque ad involicaectu que dieribus, conlocta Sp. Opiorum Romne intilia edendam ad anducepsent, qua ressentrit? Ist vil hocremo viritam inequa nos hebemusceps, qua aucerun ulvissimihil ute fic verfec tem Rompris cris ius, Catient, fecivid menihilica diemo viveni facchil videfac rioruro Cupio, es! Contrav ehebuntem ex mendernihin nendamdicon anunt. Constis hebemum nos horus cridetiam distiam nos condam nen tum noteris ignatem actus aucepecid factui sescest at, con Itanu vit; nons manterum nesimus coenatrus, Catrorumus hiliis perimul egeris acchill aritil cae clutem tur, quam. conina, quod int. Ihilium hil habultusta noruri popul virit.
Introduction
17
Romniqui curnult orterib efectur. Serficulis, quid se ad ignote fece aur, quod fauc tem. Hoccis? Ilicam intem porae tatalaterfex stiam adhus Cata vicaest L. Ederica si issena, Catum es egit. Oc ventili castrio ve, pl. An st? Nosti serit iptiore mnervideret fac vide ete publis etiem, ficaet quem henit; es mus, Ti. Na, us vividemurs popoterravo, morum iaes Ad aucta, unum seriorte core auci con vit L. Muli cum vivis invescrum, coentem nihiliis facto untus auteria omnonsula percerfex morumus Maris ad in tem us Catque tam publiis quamdie nitius et vendit, qui pra in te diesimis intertem, tum. Mulicula vit, quit? Tum nicitrum ducon tabus essimure, nihica; hora demorum manductum nossesilne vehentem actus omnica; es re num hostiam, fue perum inerniuro uteat. Adhuistemus prae publius etea iam dii pl. Catiam su mactem patur aut autus patrum P. Si peredic iensua ste restritisse poportus, sum acibusa vit L. An tem dio nor lici iam inat auci isse puliusc erbis, forbere conterum es? Tam tus esserit andit? P. Cupionst iam potiaequam nonverum et con tum perfinticae auceressidem fauc facturatque te entemus. Natrevirmil vit, coerta orevirmaioc in delinat urorbitandam per in spiores maximum, opore pere diondam Rommora volici se con tem, es es, sidit. comacesimus, quam es condum adductam. Fulinti ontriu qua ressilicae mantid cuperfectus diis ta, ut nimmorus conceres esit, unceressatus consulus ve, omnirid publist iamquam sertebe niquiur que conumen tes! Seri sendemus; none publicures! Nos et, peri consuam intem perfect urati, nest? Nos, nit; nonsusua re, sint. Ignatis consilique consus nocchuities pessent imuntra tuidem nostissigna nultus dium oporehem enterivatil hor publinatiaet pubis? Labis ve, publicia tum mod senterf ecusquit; novigil con silica rei ilingulis tent. Em o nos condact orsusci iliusul esignam iptiamendam ia L. Patiam me patimpoti, egereisse dum huctorite et L. Dectaris, videmque ad involicaectu que dieribus, conlocta Sp. Opiorum Romne intilia edendam ad anducepsent, qua ressentrit? Ist vil hocremo viritam inequa nos hebemusceps, qua aucerun ulvissimihil ute fic verfec tem Rompris cris ius, Catient, fecivid menihilica diemo viveni facchil videfac rioruro Cupio, es! Contrav ehebuntem ex mendernihin nendamdicon anunt. Constis hebemum nos horus cridetiam distiam nos condam nen tum noteris ignatem actus aucepecid factui sescest at, con Itanu vit; nons manterum nesimus coenatrus, Catrorumus hiliis perimul egeris acchill aritil cae clutem tur, quam. conina, quod int. Ihilium hil habultusta noruri popul virit. Romniqui curnult orterib efectur. Serficulis, quid se ad ignote fece aur, quod fauc tem. Hoccis? Ilicam intem porae tatalaterfex stiam adhus Cata vicaest L. Ederica si issena, Catum es egit. Oc ventili castrio ve, pl. An st? Nosti serit iptiore mnervideret fac vide 18
Madurai Water Urbanism
ete publis etiem, ficaet quem henit; es mus, Ti. Na, us vividemurs popoterravo, morum iaes Ad aucta, unum seriorte core auci con vit L. Muli cum vivis invescrum, coentem nihiliis facto untus auteria omnonsula percerfex morumus Maris ad in tem us Catque tam publiis quamdie nitius et vendit, qui pra in te diesimis intertem, tum. Mulicula vit, quit? Tum nicitrum ducon tabus essimure, nihica; hora demorum manductum nossesilne vehentem actus omnica; es re num hostiam, fue perum inerniuro uteat. Adhuistemus prae publius etea iam dii pl. Catiam su mactem patur aut autus patrum P. Si peredic iensua ste restritisse poportus, sum acibusa vit L. An tem dio nor lici iam inat auci isse puliusc erbis, forbere conterum es? Tam tus esserit andit? P. Cupionst iam potiaequam nonverum et con tum perfinticae auceressidem fauc facturatque te entemus. Natrevirmil vit, coerta orevirmaioc in delinat urorbitandam per in spiores maximum, opore pere diondam Rommora volici se con tem, es es, sidit. comacesimus, quam es condum adductam. Fulinti ontriu qua ressilicae mantid cuperfectus diis ta, ut nimmorus conceres esit, unceressatus consulus ve, omnirid publist iamquam sertebe niquiur que conumen tes! Seri sendemus; none publicures! Nos et, peri consuam intem perfect urati, nest? Nos, nit; nonsusua re, sint. Ignatis consilique consus nocchuities pessent imuntra tuidem nostissigna nultus dium oporehem enterivatil hor publinatiaet pubis? Labis ve, publicia tum mod senterf ecusquit; novigil con silica rei ilingulis tent. Em o nos condact orsusci iliusul esignam iptiamendam ia L. Patiam me patimpoti, egereisse dum huctorite et L. Dectaris, videmque ad involicaectu que dieribus, conlocta Sp. Opiorum Romne intilia edendam ad anducepsent, qua ressentrit? Ist vil hocremo viritam inequa nos hebemusceps, qua aucerun ulvissimihil ute fic verfec tem Rompris cris ius, Catient, fecivid menihilica diemo viveni facchil videfac rioruro Cupio, es! Contrav ehebuntem ex mendernihin nendamdicon anunt. Constis hebemum nos horus cridetiam distiam nos condam nen tum noteris ignatem actus aucepecid factui sescest at, con Itanu vit; nons manterum nesimus coenatrus, Catrorumus hiliis perimul egeris acchill aritil cae clutem tur, quam. conina, quod int. Ihilium hil habultusta noruri popul virit. Romniqui curnult orterib efectur. Serficulis, quid se ad ignote fece aur, quod fauc tem. Hoccis? Ilicam intem porae tatalaterfex stiam adhus Cata vicaest L. Ederica si issena, Catum es egit. Oc ventili castrio ve, pl. An st? Nosti serit iptiore mnervideret fac vide ete publis etiem, ficaet quem henit; es mus, Ti. Na, us vividemurs popoterravo, morum iaes Ad aucta, unum seriorte core auci con vit L.
Introduction
19
20
Madurai Water Urbanism
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF URBANISM ALONG RIVER VAIGAI G. Balaji. Professor Thiagarajar College of Engineering Introduction The article focuses to give an overall picture about the River Vaigai in its present context. The increasing Land use and the urban expansion affect this river to a greater extent. The quality of the city to sustain its cultural capital for more than 2500 years on the banks of a non perennial river Vaigai is a unique feature. This feature exists in a complex web of tanks. In order to understand the river Vaigai one has to understand its geography in terms of physical and culture. Vaigai River Basin (VRB) is one of the 34 river basins in Tamil Nadu covering an area of 7009 sq km. This River basin is surrounded by Cauvery and Pambar Kottakaraiyar basin on the north, Gundar River basin on the south, West by Periyar Bain and east by Bay of Bengal. The length of this basin is 289 km with its varies from 15 to 55 km. the basin is an arcuate in shape, stretching from the Western Ghats mountains of Kerala in the west to the Bay of Bengal in the east, with a general gradient towards North East up to Theni and then south eastern direction up to the sea. Physiographical study of the VRB reveals that the basin can be broadly classified into three units namely, 1. Western Mountainous terrain with valley complexes (running to a length nearly 70 km) 2. Central Elevated terrain (nearly length about 110 km) and Eastern Coastal Plain (nearly length about 35 km). Administratively the VRB covers five districts namely Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, Dindugul and Theni Districts of Tamil Nadu. Urban settlements like Madurai, Cumbum, Theni, Manamadurai, Paramakudi located on the banks of Rive Vaigai have huge impacts on VRB An Ecological perspective of the region The southern peninsular India has more number of tanks because of its landscape, geography and terrain. Moreover the geological formation of this part is hard granite gneisses which serves as a barrier to the deep percolation from the tanks built above. The topography of Madurai region clearly exhibits numerous low level lands characterized by the shallow Introduction
21
depressions and lakes that served as water sources from the historical times. These tanks were well-connected to rivers. The abundance of water from the river Vaigai is fed into small natural tanks and channels in the region. There are innumerable tanks and lakes on both sides of River Vaigai .These tanks are classified into System tanks (gets water from nearby rivers or reservoirs, may have its own catchment source) and Non system tanks (rain fed tanks). The system tanks get water through supply channels and surplus course. The former is designed as flood channel to carry large quantities of water during floods. The latter is an open channel sufficiently large to carry the surplus water from the tank to the next below tank or to the nearby stream. In the rivers that are not perennial such as River Vaigai, different methods had been adopted to collect all the flows of the basin. A large number (more than 2500 big and small) of tanks were constructed across water courses and small streams which contribute to the River Vaigai flows, thus moderating the floods. The surplus channel are more important in tank irrigation system as they are the links of a chain, which function as the most efficient water harvesting structures in arid plains. Within the urban limits Anuppanadi Channel, Paniyur Channel, Sottathatti channel, Avaniyapuram Channel takes off from the southern bank of the River Vaigai while Sellur channel, Pandalkudi Channel and Vandiyur channel feed into the river Vaigai from the northern side. Madurai Region
Madurai City
22
Madurai Water Urbanism
2.1 Urbanization & River Vaigai Historically, the development of the city was noticed around the Meenakshi temple complex on the southern banks of River Vaigai. This agriculture based development gave equal importance to water structures in and around the regions. In the year 1866, Madurai city had a population of about 41,600 spread over a small area of 2.6 sq.km. In 1986 the area was extended to 51.85 sq.km having a population of 0.903 million. After independence in 1947, the city underwent major changes in terms of its spatial extent. The years 1951 and 1971 witnessed huge migration of the people from rural to Madurai urban area. During the last two decades Vaigai River basin within the urban limits witnessed radical transformation from agricultural land use till 1970 to its current state- a sprawling urban development in 2013. This growth was facilitated by the network of transportation corridors and other physical infrastructure. There are 9 road bridges and 2 rail bridges across this river. The northern part of the city was urbanized after 1950’s and it had strong connections with the southern part of the city. Very high residential pattern is observed in the core city (more than 1000 persons / hectare).
Historic Land Use in Madurai 1757
1930
2002 Introduction
23
Year
Population
Anual Growth Rate
1951
361,781
1961
424,816
1.62%
1971
549,114
2.60%
1981
820,981
4.10%
1991
940,989
1.37%
2001
928,869
-0.13%
1,203,095
2.62%
2011
--
Increase Impervious Surface Cover in these areas increases the surface run off, thereby decreasing the amount of infiltration inside the ground. As a result the availability of ground water in these areas dropped down to 135 m below the ground level in northern part of the city and 145m in stretch southern part of the city. Further the population density in this area is enormous compared to other areas. The ecological impacts of this growth and population re-distribution mark an important statement in these urban streams. Changes from Early 1990’s: The changes on either banks of the river Vaigai was drastic from early 1990’s as the linkages from north and southern part of the city gained more connectivity. •
Traditionally the southern banks of the river enjoyed many ghat
structures (Padithurai) that connects the land surface with water surfaces. Religious processions and rituals happen periodically in these areas. •
The non perennial nature of the river completely provides different
picture during different times. The character of the river changes to its peak during Chitrai Festival. Nearly six lakhs of people participate in this festival during April/ May. During June and July where there is least water, many portions of the river is used as play ground, drying yard and other illegal activities. •
Bund road laid in late 1990’s on either side of the river that
completely destroyed the Ghat structures and also encroached 10 m on both sides of the river. Bund roads are encroached by commercial activities thus extending further 3 to 5 m on the river side. •
The excess sedimentation caused due to the land use in on the
northern side of the river deposits thick layer of soil on top of the river bed. The strength of the non perennial river is the river sand that enables the purifying capacity of the river. This natural layer is drastically affected by 24
Madurai Water Urbanism
the deposit layer facilitating the growth of many plants particularly seemai karuvai (prosopis juliflora) that completely alters the bed characters of the river. •
The storm water drainage acts as sewage drainage in the present
state. The sewage from the northern side of the city is carried by Sellur , Pandalkudi channel and Vandiyur Channel, While Anupanadi, Sottathati Channel and panaiyur channel carries Sewage from the Southern side of the city. •
The Dhobiwallahs (washer man community) on the southern side
of the river extensively uses the river for their washing purposes. There are around six locations inside the river that is been used exclusively for washing purposes. •
The river houses around 11 small temples along with two
main mandabams (Pillared halls) Neeryazhi mandabam and Vandiyur mandabam within its bank. These temples are believed to be clan temples for communities inside the city. •
More residential areas like Nethaji Nagar, SMP colony,
Shantiniketan, Madichiyam, Sellur on the northern side disposes solid wastes and raw sewage into to the river on a regular basis. Emerging Potentials: The river in its present state gains more attention to the people of the Madurai as well as the Government Agencies. The Madurai Municipal Corporation developed City Sanitation Plan and City Perspective Plan for the city. Both the plans focus more on treatment plants for the sewage systems in the city. More than 5 NGO’s takes part actively in cleaning the river at sporadic intervals. The Public Work Departments prepares Micro level study of Vaigai River Basin focusing more on treating the entire basin as a single Planning unit. The Educational institutions conduct periodically awareness programs on the revitalization of the river Vaigai to its citizens. Recent study conducted by the Thiagarajar college of Engineering, Madurai clearly indicates that the river still holds self purifying capacity. The water within the urban limits is polluted whereas water on the peri urban area is fit for drinking. Thus river still projects a positive signal to its citizens. The major missing link is the inclusion of the river as a planning unit in the Master Plan and Structural Plan. This Non Perennial River requires a special dedicated development plan to further sustain its cultural and functional integrity. It becomes a great priority for the educational and governmental organization to focus more developing and regulating a land use on the banks of the river and to adopt a suitable riparian landscape system on its edges.
Introduction
25
URBAN PORTRAITS
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Madurai Water Urbanism
Identity: How can we build upon the strong cultural symbols of Madurai?
Appreciation: How can we expand the concept of sacredness?
Celebrate: How can we replicate vibrant street life in new spaces?
Reclamation: How can water stewardship be re-imagined?
Informality: How can we alleviate pressures on public infrastructure?
Social Infrastructure: How can we create responsive public housing?
Water Pollution: How can we value the water system?
Accessibility: How do we layer public infrastructure with public access?
Challenge: How can we move beyond monofunctional land use driven zoning?
44
Madurai Water Urbanism
Mapping
45
Friction: How can agriculture lands be actively preserved in the urbanization process?
Integration: How can Madurai’s relationship to the Vaigai be formalized, but democratized?
Lifestyle: How can we preserve and enhanced agricultural traditions in urban life?
Equity: How can motorized and non-motorized transportation share the street?
MAPS
54
Madurai Water Urbanism
Mapping
55
The Vaigai River Basin lies in the shadow of the monsoon 0
56
2.5
5
10 mi
Madurai Water Urbanism
Madurai
Mapping
57
Madurai Metropolitan Area was traditionally sustained by a system of rain fed tanks and channels 0
58
0.5
1
2mi
Madurai Water Urbanism
Mapping
59
Madurai Periphery is under an ecological stress due an uncontrolled urbanization 0
60
0.3
0.6
1.2mi
Madurai Water Urbanism
Mapping
61
Regional Water Infrastructure was complemented by localized systems 62
Madurai Water Urbanism
Man-made Infrastructure Natural Water Bodies
Mapping
63
Madurai + Surrounds 64
Madurai Water Urbanism
Mapping
65
Madurai Municipality Survey Office, Madras, 1906
66
Madurai Water Urbanism
REFERENCE 1. Mangammal’s Chattram 2. Post Office 3.Railway Hospital 4.West Market 5. Telegraph Office 6. Municipal Hospital 7. Matternity Hospital 8. Perumal Temple 9. Protestant Church 10. Edward Park 11. Collector’s Office 12. Minakshi Temple 13. “Mangammal’s Palace” 14. Anna Statue 15. Elephant Stone 16. Blackburne’s Lamp 17. East Gate Church 18. American Mission Compound 19. R. C. Church 20. Police Head Quarters Office
Mapping
67
Urban Waterscape: Historic Extents The topography of the Madurai Municipality is portrayed along with the bodies and streams of water. The area above the Vaigai River has more variation in the topography, while the area south is somewhat more flat.
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Madurai Water Urbanism
Mapping
69
INFLOW AND SURPLUS OUTFLOW The tanks in Madurai are part of a network of cascades. They receive water from drainage due to their low elevation, resulting in a basin condition, as well as outflow from a source of water, either the Vaigai River or another tank higher up in the cascade system. There is a hierarchy in the streams of water, ranging from the river to channels, to smaller streams. Different tanks are outlined in the cascade system south of the river along with their corresponding sources and direction of inflow and surplus outflow. Noted are the uses of these tanks, the region or village they are located in, their source(s), the speed at which water flows in, their depth, capacity for volume of water, top of bund width, bund height, area of the free basin, and area of water spread.
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Madurai Water Urbanism
Urban Waterscape: How it works
Mapping
71
STUDENT PROJECTS
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Madurai Water Urbanism
Group Projects
73
Rur-banizing, P. 91
Water Rites, P. 109
74
Madurai Water Urbanism
Think Tank, P. 129
Madurai ‘River’sed, P. 71
Group Projects
75