SPONGE COLLABORATIVE +
WEAVING WITH WATER Team
MULLASSERY CANAL FRAMEWORK AND CANAL EDGE MASTERPLAN
Stretch E - KMC Waste Collection Centre
Figure 65: Canal section near KMC waste management facility land (Image Credit: Weaving with Water team)
This stretch refers to the canal segment that takes a bend and passes through the KMC waste management facility land and the KMC workshop site. The average width of the canal increases here in the range of 5 - 10 m. As the canal adjoins public property on either sides it gives the opportunity to further widen the canal and naturalise the edges in order to improve the infiltration capacity and increase the carrying capacity. With the reclaimed land from KMC, anchoring the site with strong programs is critical. The western edge is allocated for various community activities including urban agriculture with the help of kudumbashree, which allow the canal to flood and overflow during peak monsoon events, while also enriching the soil. The urban farms and zero-waste strategies hope to empower the local community by helping them achieve self-sufficiency. The eastern edge will become part of the public domain. Opportunities - The land ownership being under KMC is the biggest opportunity for this to be reimagined as canal-responsive public space. The canal edge can be restored as natural riparian beds with indigenous species. This stretch also gives opportunity for transforming the dead space into a self-reliant canal community model with facilities for decentralised solid waste management unit, urban agriculture, nursery, public conveniences, and improved service delivery. Constraints - While this stretch spatially presents the opportunities to widen and naturaise the canal, the exact location and growth of existing vegetation may stand as a constraint to implement the same. Before implementation, a detailed topographical survey and flora survey should be done in order to articulate the design in a manner that least impacts the existing vegetation.
