Addressing Crime Through Landscape by Pranav Dhawan

ADDRESSING CRIME THROUGH LANDSCAPE A Case of Nihal Vihar Park, New Delhi

Pranav Dhawan Guided by Nikhil Dhar Divya Shah

Master of Architecture/Masters of Landscape Architecture/ Masters of Landscape Design Faculty of Architecture

May, 2018

Addressing Crime Through Landscape

DEDICATED TO

TO MY GRANDFATHER for his years in Delhi Police

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Acknowledgements I would like to express my deepest thanks to my guide Mr. Nikhil Dhar, Ms. Divya Shah and my head of department Ms. Deepa Maheshwari for their continuous support, guidance and reviews to enable me to commit to this project and complete this thesis project. They also helped me in my research in building up the topic itself and for their sheer knowledge and involvement in the project along with me. I would also like to thank my parents for their continuous support throughout this post-graduation. I would like to thank my friend Monica Chaudhary for her support and help throughout this project. I would like to thank CEPT University for providing me with resources to complete this project. Finally, I would like to thank Mr. Girish Mehta for encouraging and motivating me to take up this course.

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Contents Acknowledgements XI List of tables XVII List of figures XIX List of abbreviations XXV 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Premise / Prologue 1 1.2 Abstract 2 1.3 Hypothesis 3 1.4 Aim 3 1.5 Objectives 3 1.6 Methodology 3 1.6.1 Issue Analysis 3 1.6.2 Site Analysis 4 1.6.3 Synthesis of Studies 4 1.6.4 Framework 4 1.7 Intent 5 1.7 Scope and Limitations 5 1.9 Expected Outcome 5 2 The Site 7 2.1 Nihal Vihar Park 7 2.1.1 Location and Context 7 2.1.2 Site Conditions and Surrounding 8 2.1.2 Access 11 2.1.3 Demographics 11 2.1.4 Edge Conditions 12 3 Analysis 17 3.1 Physical Analysis 17 3.1.1 Land Use 17 3.1.2 Circulation 18 3.1.3 Land Cover and Vegetation 19 3.1.4 Tree Canopy Density 20 3.1.5 Understory Heights 21 3.1.6 Existing Building Heights 22 3.1.7 Lighting Infrastructure 23 3.1.8 Surface Hydrology 24 3.1.9 Topography 25 3.1.10 Activity Zones 26 3.2 Experiential Analysis 28 3.3 Crime Susceptible Areas 33 3.4 Issues on Site 34 3.5 Inferences 34

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34 4 Literature Synthesis 37 4.1 Urban Parks in Delhi 37 4.1.1 Establishin the trend of crime happening in urban parks in Delhi 37 4.2 Understanding the occurrence of crime 39 4.2.1 Article: The theory and practice of situational crime prevention, by Ronald V. Clarke 39 4.3 Dealing with the issue of crime 39 4.3.1 Article: Creating safe park environments to enhance community wellness 39 4.4 Inferences and Learnings 41 5 Synthesis 43 5.1 Relation between Crime and Activity zones 43 5.2 Critical Zone Analysis 45 5.3 Inferences and Learnings 46 6 Case Studies 49 49 6.1 Does Vegetation deter crime : A study of Ida b Wells Housing 6.2 Recalmation of Bryant Park 51 6.3 Morro da babilonia, Brazil : A commnity initiative 54 6.4 Revelatory Landscapes; By Walter J. Hood 56 7 Intervention 59 7.1 Expressions as a response to issues 59 7.2 Zoning and Conceptual framework 60 7.2.1 Framework 60 7.3 Design Moves 63 7.4 Proposal 65 7.5 Demonstration area 71 7.5.1 Edge type 1: The park and the settlement 71 7.5.2 Edge type 2: The park and the drain edge 73 7.6 Conclusion 75 References 77 Appendices 79

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List of figures List Of Figures

Fig. 1.1 - Methodology diagram Fig. 2.1 - Map of Delhi showing location of Nihal Vihar Fig. 2.2 - Access to site throug Ring Road Fig. 2.3 - Nihal Vihar Park and its surrounding Fig. 2.4 - Eucalyptus Cultivation in the Park Fig. 2.6 - Broken edge of park and cattle grazing areas Fig. 2.5 - Fallow land and prosopis as backdrop Fig. 2.7 - Empty maidan and play areas Fig. 2.8 - Dense Understory Fig. 2.10 - Sewage and waste diposal along the edge Fig. 2.12 - Urban fabric around the site Fig. 2.14 - Degraded state of pathways Fig. 2.9 - Najafgarh Drain Fig. 2.11 - Iaccessible understory due to sewage dump Fig. 2.13 - Waste disposal along east edge of park Fig. 2.15 - Dark and dingy character of site Fig. 2.16 - Site access and locality Fig. 2.17- Fig.2.24 Existing Edge Section Fig. 2.25 Existing Cross Section Fig. 3.1 Land Use Plan Fig. 3.2 Circulation Plan Fig. 3.5 Land Cover Fig. 3.6 Tree Canopy Density Fig. 3.7 Understory Heights Fig. 3.8 Building Heights Fig. 3.9 Availability of Lighting infrastructure Fig. 3.10 Potential areas for Water Catchment Fig. 3.11 Keymap for Hydrology Fig. 3.12 Site topography Fig. 3.13 Section at XX’ Fig. 3.14 Section at YY’ Fig. 3.15 Degree of Actvity zone Fig. 3.16 Street vendors near bridge Fig. 3.17 Cattle grazing along the western edge Fig. 3.18 Degraded western edge Fig. 3.19 Broken edge along the south side. Fig. 3.20 - DARK , DENSE , DISCONNECTED Fig. 3.21 - ENCLOSED Fig. 3.22 - ACCESS TO ACTIVE AREAS Fig. 3.23 - BROKEN , EXPOSED , LESS DENSE XIII

4 7 7 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 12 14

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 25 25 26 27 27 27 27 28 28 28 28 Pranav Dhawan | PA202416

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29 Fig. 3.25 - ALONE, EXPOSED, OPEN 29 Fig. 3.26 - AREAS WITH CLEAR VISIBILITY 29 Fig. 3.29 - ALONE, EXPOSED 29 Fig. 3.27 - CLEAR VISIBILITY 29 Fig. 3.28 - LOSS OF VISIBILITY , FEAR 29 Fig. 3.30 - BROKEN , EXPOSED , LESS DENSE 30 Fig. 3.31 - CORNERED 30 Fig. 3.32 - DENSE , FEAR, DARK AND DINGY 30 Fig. 3.33 - CONFUSED 30 Fig. 3.34 - FEAR, DENSE , NO VISIBILITY 30 Fig. 3.35 - LOOKING FOR ACTIVE AREAS 30 Fig. 3.36 Experience maps 31 Fig. 3.37 Consolidated experience map 32 Fig. 3.38 Crime infested areas 33 Fig. 4.1 Urban greens in Delhi 37 Fig. 4.2 - Crime zone of Delhi 38 Fig. 4.4 - Asola Wildlife Sanctuary, Delhi 38 Fig. 4.3 - Entry to Sanjay Van, Vasant Kunj, Delhi 38 Fig. 4.5 - Central Ridge Forest, Delhi 38 Fig. 4.6 - Approach diagram for park safety 40 Fig. 4.7 - Framework for design approach 41 Fig. 5.1 - Relation between crime and activity zones 43 Fig. 5.2 - Overlay Diagram for crime infested zones 44 Fig. 5.3 - Map for potential critical zones 45 Fig. 5.4 - Overlay Diagram for critical zones 46 Fig. 6.1 - Ida B Wells Housing, Chicago - Study area 49 Fig. 6.2 - Community play areas along the road 50 Fig. 6.3 - Replantation in area 50 Fig. 6.4 - Empty houses, people fled due to crime 50 Fig. 6.5 - Alleys in neighbourhood 50 Fig. 6.6 - Empty backyards in community 50 Fig. 6.7 - Deteriorating green areas 50 Fig. 6.8 - Bryant park , Manhattan, New York, USA 51 Fig. 6.9 - Abused areas in Bryant Park 51 Fig. 6.10 - Entrance to the park - before redesign 52 Fig. 6.11 - Redesign of bryant park - Contruction phase 52 Fig. 6.12 - Bryant Park - Lawn area under contruction 53 Fig. 6.14 - Aerial view of Library and Park 53 Fig. 6.13 - Bryant Park - Redesigned entrance 53 Fig. 6.15 - New Public area in the park, kiosks, commercial activity and seating area of people 53 Fig. 6.16 - Morro da babilonia, Brazil 54 Fig. 6.17 - Favela - plaza for children to play 55 Fig. 6.18 - Favela - Seating area in plaza 55 Fig. 6.16 - Stretch along 7th street , West Oakland, CA 56 XV

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54 Fig. 6.17 - Favela - plaza for children to play 55 Fig. 6.18 - Favela - Seating area in plaza 55 Fig. 6.16 - Stretch along 7th street , West Oakland, CA 56 Fig. 6.19 - Installation under the bridge, mirrors as reflection of community 57 Fig. 6.20 - Neighbourhood and demise 57 Fig. 6.21 - Bench as installtions along the road 57 Fig. 6.22 - Exibition area of bench 57 Fig. 7.1 - Mapping Expressions on site 59 Fig. 7.2 - Zoning plan for intervention 60 Fig. 7.3 - Conceptual Master Plan 63 Fig. 7.4 - Master Plan for intervention 65 Fig. 7.5 - Proposal Section at AAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 67 Fig. 7.6 - Proposal Section at BBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 69 Fig. 7.7 - Existing condition - Demonstration area 1 71 Fig. 7.8 - Proposal for demonstration area 1 71 Fig. 7.9 - Existing Section - Edge type 1 72 Fig. 7.10 - Proposed Section - Edge type 1 72 Fig. 7.10 a - Look and feel of entrance plaza 72 Fig. 7.11 - Existing condition - demonstration area 2 73 Fig. 7.12 - Proposal for demonstration area 2 73 Fig. 7.13 - Existing Section - Edge type 2 74 Fig. 7.14 - Proposed Section - Edge type 2 74 Fig. 7.15 - View for drain edge 74 Fig. 7.16 - Elevated walkway and its connectivity 75

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1â&#x20AC;&#x192; Introduction 1.1â&#x20AC;&#x192; Premise / Prologue Cities are made by people and for the people, they are a complex mix of layers of built and open spaces, which is then further over - layered with the social, cultural, economic, political and aesthetic values. For a city to be liveable the correct balance of built vs open areas is necessary and mostly the idea of open areas emerges as regional, urban, neighborhood or community parks in a city. In a city like Delhi, which has picked up an overwhelming pace of development, these open and breathable places are of key importance not only for the health benefits but also for the societal coexistence it facilitates. These breathable open spaces are found at every level in the city and are always surrounded by a complex mix of social, cultural and economic diversities but these diversities often lead to differences in this society which may give rise to certain social and infrastructural nuisances like disposal of waste, encroachment of public areas, abuse of natural resources, privatisation, vandalisation, gang wars, riots etc. The reason behind these nuisances is uncertain and difficult to be categorized but the kind of setting which gives space for such nuisances can be looked upon and a system can be derived specifically to context including social, cultural and physical factors that might be encouraging such nuisances. In Delhi, crime is one such nuisance that is happening in and around these urban parks, further hindering the use of these parks, generating the fear of crime or vice versa, both can be true. Although the spatial setting of a place is entirely not responsible for the crime to happen but it does facilitate it. Every day in the city we have news of women getting raped, murdered and the reports of missing children are never-ending. The NCIS data shows that areas like Shahbad Dairy, Nihal Vihar, Vasant Vihar, Vasant Kunj, and Mehrauli have large open areas as well as higher crime rates proving the general assumption wrong that crime only happens in underdeveloped areas. The city has seen a constant rise in crime rates from the previous years. The infamous case of Nirbhaya still gives chills whenever you would pass under the Munirka flyover. This scenario then generates the need to reclaim these urban open spaces which could be a stepping stone to counter these nuisances and as a landscape architect, we can address such issues.

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1.2 Abstract The paper states the importance of urban parks for human livelihood and the urban trend of under –utilization of such parks, specifically taking the case of Delhi, which is giving an opportunity for crime to happen, establishing this phenomenon as the core issue for the study. The study offers a framework to analyse areas with such social nuisances, taking Nihal Vihar Park as the area of study in Delhi. Taking learnings from the theory of “Rational Choice Perspective” by Ronald V Clarke keeping in mind the offender’s perspective, looking at the psyche of parties involved, the role of community and the setting. The study also considers the experiential observations for analysing the issue, then looking at expressions as a response to these experiences to identify key areas for intervention and come up with a system of conditions that may help reduce the opportunities for crime. The study further goes on to demonstrate the application of these learnings on a smaller patch of land and a complete master plan for further reclamation of the site to conclude the study.

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1.3 Hypothesis If design of open areas can help deal with social nuisances like crime, dealing with the physical infrastructure and security measure but also considering the behavioural psyche along with values pertained in the specific context by using landscape as a medium 1.4 Aim The aim of the study is to come up with a holistic approach to reclaim these urban / regional parks from social nuisances. 1.5 Objectives • To create the park more accessible to public. • Bringing people back to the park, making it an active and productive environment. • Maintaining the ecological value the park should hold, making it a place where people can come back to connect to nature. • To increase the vigilance inside and around the park, maintaining optimum visibility. • To retain the ephemeral nature of the park. • To address the problem of increasing crime in the park. 1.6 Methodology The whole process is categorized into a three-part system where we will first analyse the issues, followed by a site analysis then synthesizing the learnings from this analysis to come up with an analytical framework as a response to the issues. (Refer Fig. 1.1) 1.6.1 Issue Analysis

• Looking at the availability of urban parks in Delhi and establishing a relationship between the location of crime sites in and around these urban parks as well its frequency. • Understanding the reasons behind the occurrence of crime and the role of landscape as a setting to facilitate such nuisances, thereby establishing a relationship between physical environment, psyche and the user. • Looking for projects where crime / criminal activity has been dealt with respect to open areas by involving the community, psyche and physical infrastructure. • Selecting a site fitting to the specific context taking learnings from various literature

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1.6.2â&#x20AC;&#x192; Site Analysis

To come up with a proper framework and approach for intervention, a thorough analysis of all the relevant visual, physical and experiential layers like land use, circulation, vegetation, building heights and topography etc. would be done. 1.6.3â&#x20AC;&#x192; Synthesis of Studies

Combining analysis maps of key importance to get crime infested and critical zones for further intervention and using expressions derived from observations as a response to the issues on site. 1.6.4â&#x20AC;&#x192;Framework

Overlaying the maps generated from these synthesis layers and expressions on the site to derive an approach for formal zoning giving way for potential opportunities like Ecozones, connections and intermediate plan of action for the site along with certain guidelines to efficiently manage these opportunities available on site, thereby coming up with a proposal.

Fig. 1.1 - Methodology diagram Source : Author

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1.7â&#x20AC;&#x192;Intent The intent would be selection of a suitable site, preferably an urban park notorious for criminal activity and in close proximity to community, then studying various physical, experiential and social layers involved in creating the current setting of the park to come up with a wholesome framework and guideline to initiate the process of reclamation of park, making it a more active urban environment which may then lead to reduction of opportunities for criminal activities to happen. 1.7â&#x20AC;&#x192; Scope and Limitations The study looks at various under-utilised open area in the urban context, the study further limits down to looking at areas with higher criminal activity, specifically taking the case of Delhi. The study will then go on to identifying the issues pertaining at site, specifically looking at social nuisances. The study looks for ways and means of addressing these social problems using landscape and psyche as a tool. The study focuses on creating the site selected reusable and safer as well as an urban park. The study also looks at possible ways of involving the community to be an active part of the park The study will then derive a framework for possible intervention to reclaim the park, looking at a masterplan level. The study will further demonstrate the application of framework on a small area of intervention on the site itself. 1.9â&#x20AC;&#x192; Expected Outcome The expected outcome will be the framework of an approach to possibly deal with the increasing social nuisances in the urban parks in Delhi and also spread awareness while educating people by addressing such issues.

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2 The Site 2.1 Nihal Vihar Park Nihal Vihar is one of the urban park in the urban park system in Delhi. It is located in the western part of Delhi ( Refer Fig. 2.1 ) on the edge of Najafgarh drain opposite Syed Nangloi village and connected to Ring road passing through Punjabi Bagh ( Refer Fig. 2.2 ). The area is already notorious in character and is infamous for the amount of rape and murders that happen in the neighbourhood and most of them are in and around this particular park only. 2.1.1 Location and Context

Nihal Vihar is a densely packed neighbourhood with hardly any open space available to them, the only substantial open space is the Nihal Vihar Park ( Refer Fig. 2.3 ). It an 80 -Hectare Park with dense urban development on the north as well as west side and Najafgarh drain running on the east and south side of the park. Although being the only open space available to the nearby community the park is hardly used by the people. They are rather afraid to even access the park. The park should have provided leisure and relaxation to the community living by it but is rather leading to terrorizing the neighbourhood. The redevelopment of this park is long overdue and doing with proper landscape planning and analytical approach one can create possibilities for crime to be reduced and make it a habitable space again. Coordinates Latitude : 28°39’35.05”N Longitude : 77° 4’29.47”E

Fig. 2.1 - Map of Delhi showing location of Nihal Vihar

Fig. 2.2 - Access to site throug Ring Road

Source : Author, Base Image taken from Google Maps

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2.1.2â&#x20AC;&#x192; Site Conditions and Surrounding

9 10 5 Grazing by Cattle

Grazing by Cattle

1 7 12 8 3

Grazing by Cattle

Keshopur STP

Fig. 2.3 - Nihal Vihar Park and its surrounding Source : Author

The site is surrounded by a dense fabric of settlement along the North and West side of the Park. The two main access roads run along the North and the South side of the park connected by bridges over the Najafgarh drain on the East side ( Refer Fig. 2.3 ). Right opposite the road along the southern entry of the park is the Shamsham Bhoomi with another park on the right side and a degraded patch of land on the left. The degraded state this park is in facilitates such activities by giving opportunities for such nuisances. Pranav Dhawan | PA202416

The park is highly under maintained leading to a degraded state overgrowing with Prosopis. Most of the edges of the park are in a broken state encouraging unauthorized access, particularly on the Northern and Western edges of the park. There are large patches of fallow land and a jungle of Prosopis acting as its backdrop. Along the north, west and east edge, the park is being polluted by the dumping of waste and sewage into it. The sewage disposal has given rise to the problem of overgrowing inaccessible understory and foul smell along the western edge of the park. This consistent disposal of waste and many broken edges, giving unauthorized access to park has encouraged encroachment of land by the cattle farmers exposing the whole park to overgrazing by the cattle, in turn leading to degradation of most of the lawn areas in the central part of the park. On the west side is a service road running between the park and the drain edge screening them both by high boundary walls hindering any visual connection to both. The edge of the drain is also infested by Prosopis overgrowth. There is also high-intensity eucalyptus cultivation on large patches of land and further selling of wood for making paper ( Refer Fig. 2.4 ). The larger open areas like maidan and playgrounds are left empty, no children come to play in these grounds and the parents of these children do not even allow that. They are scared that something bad will happen to them and the location of such areas make sure they stay empty. The dense fabric along the edges itself acts as a visual barrier for the rest of the community. Heinous activities like drug abuse, rape, murder, theft, and molestation are a common thing in the park and the degraded state this park is in facilitates by giving opportunities for such nuisances. â&#x20AC;&#x192;

Fig. 2.4 - Eucalyptus Cultivation in the Park

Fig. 2.6 - Broken edge of park and cattle grazing areas

Fig. 2.5 - Fallow land and prosopis as backdrop

Fig. 2.7 - Empty maidan and play areas

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Fig. 2.8 - Dense Understory

Fig. 2.10 - Sewage and waste diposal along the edge

Fig. 2.12 - Urban fabric around the site

Fig. 2.14 - Degraded state of pathways

Fig. 2.9 - Najafgarh Drain

Fig. 2.11 - Iaccessible understory due to sewage dump

Fig. 2.13 - Waste disposal along east edge of park

Fig. 2.15 - Dark and dingy character of site

Image Source : Fig. 2.4 - Fig. 2.15 - Author

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2.1.2 Access Rohtak road

Fig. 2.16 - Site access and locality Source : Author

METRO STATION

OPEN AREAS

RAILWAY STATION

WATER CHANNEL

AREAS TO ACCESS PARK

ROAD NETWORK

Nihal Vihar Park falls under the Nangloi-Jat zone of Mundka district. It is the only usable open space available for public use in the area. The other open areas in the area are mostly privately owned and some are part of the sewage treatment plants in its vicinity. The site is well connected to outer ring road and ring road via Rohtak road on the north side it also has metro green line corridor running along with it. The south side is also in close proximity to the blue line metro corridor and can be accessed after passing through Vikaspuri. 2.1.3 Demographics

Area name – Nangloi-Jat Population – 205,596 Male population- 110,056 Female population – 95,540 Children (0-6 yrs.) – 28,698 Soure : (“Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General &amp; Census Commissioner, India,” 2011)

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Fig. 2.17- Fig.2.24 Existing Edge Section

2.1.4 Edge Conditions

The edge on all the sides of the park is in a degraded state and is being abused by the people living beside it. The study of these edge conditions is of key importance in this context as it will help us understand the response of community towards the park and also gives us an understanding of their requirements from the park. To clearly understand this relation part edge sections are made. Fig. 2.17 Section at AA’

PARK

HIGH UNDERSTORY

Fig. 2.18

ROAD

VISUAL DISCONNECT

DRAIN EDGE

PHYSICALY DISCONNECTED

NAJAFGARH DRAIN

DUMPING OF WASTE AND BODIES

Section at BB’

VISUAL DISCONNECT

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ROAD

0 1m 2m

SHAMSHAM BHOOMI

Fig. 2.19

Section at CC’

PARK

ROAD

LOST - DISCONNECTED

Fig. 2.20

ROAD

BROKEN EDGE

0 1m 2m

PARK

DUMPING OF WASTE

Section at EE’

SETTLEMENT

DISCONNECTED

Section at DD’

RETAIL SHOPS

Fig. 2.21

DENSE GREEN PATCH

ROAD

BROKEN EDGE

PARK

VISUAL BARRIER

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Fig. 2.22

Section at FF’

SETTLEMENT

Fig. 2.23

PARK

BUFFALO GRAZING AND DEGRADED CHARACTER

0 1m 2m

Section at HH’

OPEN AREA

Fig. 2.25-a

PARK

DEGRADED / BROKEN EDGE

Section at GG’

SETTLEMENT

Fig. 2.24

ROAD

BROKEN EDGE

PARK

SEWAGE DUMPING

Section at XX’ Existing Cross Section

Fig. 2.25 Existing Cross Section

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Fig. 2.25-b

Section at XX’

Fig. 2.25-c

Section at XX’

Fig. 2.25-d

Section at XX’

Fig. 2.25-e

Section at XX’

Fig. 2.25-f

Section at XX’

D F F’

A’

D’

E E’

X’ G’ G

H’

B’ H

X C

Fig. 2.26 Image Source : Fig. 2.17 - Fig. 2.26 - Author

Keymap

C’

NTS

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3 Analysis Nihal Vihar Park falls under the Nangloi-Jat zone of Mundka district. It is the only usable open space available for public use in the area. The other open areas in the area are mostly privately owned and some are part of the sewage treatment plants in its vicinity. The site is well connected to outer ring road and ring road via Rohtak road on the north side it also has metro green line corridor running along with it. The south side is also in close proximity to the blue line metro corridor and can be accessed after passing through Vikaspuri. 3.1 Physical Analysis The physical analysis consist of all the Natural and infrastructural layers and even some layers realated to land parcelling as per governemnt policy. 3.1.1 Land Use

Fig. 3.1 Land Use Plan Source : Author

Residential Mixed Use

Green / Open Areas Water Channel

Public Areas

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Being the only major open area available the park is densely surrounded by residential development. The major commercial activity happens along the north edge of the site in form of mixed-use development with commercial shops at ground level and residential above. There is a channel of Najafgarh drain going along the east edge of the site and across it is a public plaza again then again the residential development of Syed Nangloi Village starts. 3.1.2â&#x20AC;&#x192; Circulation

Fig. 3.2â&#x20AC;&#x192; Circulation Plan Source : Author

Main access road Vehicular access

Pedestrian acess Unauthorised / Informal access

The site has two main entry points on the north and the southern edge of the site. There are many more informal and unauthorized entrances to the site. There is also a vehicular access road connecting the two entrances of the site. The pedestrian access spreads along this axis but ends at points creating dead ends. Pranav Dhawan | PA202416

Fig. 3.3 Access road on the south side

Fig. 3.4 Access road on the North side

Source : Author

3.1.3 Land Cover and Vegetation

Fig. 3.5 Land Cover Source : Author

Cultivated Eucalyptus Fallow Land

Prosopis Overgrowth Sewage affected areas

Lawn area Cattle grazing land

Settlement

Most of the edge conditions on site are in a degraded state deeming it inaccessible and unsuitable for public use. A lot of land is in ruin because of the mismanaged cattle grazing, waste and sewage disposal by the community. There are also large patches of fallow land on site and areas overgrowing with Prosopis as one of the major concern of site. 19

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3.1.4â&#x20AC;&#x192; Tree Canopy Density

Fig. 3.6â&#x20AC;&#x192; Tree Canopy Density Source : Author

Tree Canopy Density

High canopy density can be seen in areas where prosopis is overgrowing and eucalyptus is being cultivated. It also shows areas where sunlight cannot penetrate much and have low visibility making the areas dark and unusable.

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3.1.5â&#x20AC;&#x192; Understory Heights

Fig. 3.7â&#x20AC;&#x192; Understory Heights Source : Author

Understory lvl upto 1.2m Understory lvl upto 0.3m

Looking at the height of understory growing in the park, we can identify the areas which are inaccessible due to uncontrolled and under maintained understory. Most of these inaccessible areas fall along the eastern and northern edge of the site and some patches on the west side too. The understory is found particularly high in the areas where prosopis is growing further giving us location where unwanted weeds are growing leading to a degraded state of the park.

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3.1.6â&#x20AC;&#x192; Existing Building Heights

Fig. 3.8â&#x20AC;&#x192; Building Heights

Upto 6m

Upto 9m

Upto 12m

Source : Author

Most of the building along the edge are above 6m in high, looking at the density and frequency of such buildings the inner parts of community have no visual connection to the park. There are some buildings above 12m in height across the drain and the on the SouthWest corner of the site.

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3.1.7â&#x20AC;&#x192; Lighting Infrastructure

Source : Author

Fig. 3.9â&#x20AC;&#x192; Availability of Lighting infrastructure

Lit Areas

Source : Author

Only a few spots along the bridge, some parts of the commercial edge and the southern side of the park have some lighting provisions. There are no light fixtures inside the park making the area prone for criminal activities to happen, specifically around late evenings and night time.

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3.1.8 Surface Hydrology

Fig. 3.10 Potential areas for Water Catchment Source : Author

Most probable water catchment area

Watershed lines

There are two major water catchment areas on site one in the north-east region of site and other on the south-west zone of site. These areas help us identify the potential zones for further intervention. Total surface water available on site is 648,722.72 cum. Site area - 821,168.02 sqm. Avg. rainfall -790 mm Fig. 3.11 Keymap for Hydrology Source : Author

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3.1.9 Topography

X Y’

Fig. 3.12 Site topography Source : Author

Fig. 3.13 Section at XX’ Source : Author Fig. 3.14 Section at YY’ Source : Author

The site has a very gentle slope. Moving from west to east the elevation gradually decreases towards the centre of site where it starts increasing again reaching the highest level of elevation on site. It then decreases from down here towards east but again starts increasing along the eastern edge of site. Moving from north to south the slope starts gently decreases to reach the lowest point on site and then increases reaching the southern edge. 25

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3.1.10 Activity Zones

DEGREE OF ACTIVE Z

LOW ACTIVITY ZO

MODERATE ACTI

HIGH ACTIVITY Z

SEWAGE INFLICTED AREA ON WEST SIDE

DAILY BAZAAR OVER THE DRAIN

GRAZING AREA OVER WEST SIDE OF PAR

DEGREE OF ACTIVE ZONES LOW ACTIVITY ZONES

Fig. 3.15 Degree of SITE Actvity zone ANALYSIS

REFERENCES :

CRIME THROUGH LANDSCAPE SourceADDRESSING : Author

DEGREE DEGREE OF OF ACTIVE ACTIVE ZONES ZONES

BROKEN EDGES ON SOUTH SIDE OF PAR

MODERATE ACTIVITY ZONES

LOWactivity ACTIVITY ZONES Low zone LOW ACTIVITY ZONES

HIGHactivity ACTIVITY ZONES High zone

0 10 20

MODERATE ACTIVITY ZONES MODERATEactivity ACTIVITY ZONES Moderate zone HIGH ACTIVITY ZONES HIGH ACTIVITY ZONES

This map shows that most of the areas along the edge of the park are low in activity, some areas on the north western edge have moderate activity and the lawn areas on site have the most activity. The bridge on the northern edge particularly remains active throughout the day because of the street vendors (Refer Fig. 3.16). The western edge particularly falls in low activity zone because of its degraded state (Refer Fig.3.18 ) except for the cattle grazing zone(Refer Fig. 3.18). SEWAGE INFLICTED AREA ON WEST SIDE OF SITE

SEWAGE INFLICTED AREA ON WEST SIDE OF SITE SEWAGE INFLICTED AREA ON WEST SIDE OF SITE

DAILY BAZAAR OVER THE DRAIN

DAILY BAZAAR OVER THE DRAIN DAILY BAZAAR OVER THE DRAIN

GRAZING AREA OVER WEST SIDE OF PARK

GRAZING AREA OVER WEST SIDE OF PARK GRAZING AREA OVER WEST SIDE OF PARK

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BROKEN EDGES ON SOUTH SIDE OF PARK

SITE ANALYSIS

REFERENCES :

ADDRESSING CRIME THROUGH LANDSCAPE SITE ANALYSIS SITE ANALYSIS

SSING CRIME THROUGH LANDSCAPE

REFERENCES : REFERENCES :

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BROKEN EDGES ON SOUTH SIDE OF PARK BROKEN EDGES ON SOUTH SIDE OF PARK

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100

0 10 20

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SEWAGE INFLICTED AREA ON WEST SIDE OF SITE

DEGREE OF ACTIVE ZONES LOW ACTIVITY ZONES MODERATE ACTIVITY ZONES SEWAGE INFLICTED AREA ON WEST SIDE OF SITE SEWAGE INFLICTED AREA ON WEST SIDE OF SITE

HIGH ACTIVITY ZONES DAILY BAZAAR OVER THE DRAIN

Fig. Street near bridge DAILY3.16 BAZAAR OVERvendors THE DRAIN Source : Author

SEWAGE INFLICTED AREA western ON WEST edge SIDE OF SITE Fig. 3.18 Degraded Source : Author

GRAZING AREA OVER WEST SIDE OF PARK

DAILY BAZAAR OVER THE DRAIN

GRAZING AREA OVER WEST SIDE OF PARK

BROKEN EDGES ON SOUTH OF the PARKsouth side. Fig. 3.19 Broken edgeSIDE along Source : Author

DAILY BAZAAR OVER THE DRAIN

Fig. 3.17 Cattle grazing along the western edge Source : Author

GRAZING AREA OVER WEST SIDE OF PARK

0 10 20

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BROKEN EDGES ON SOUTH SIDE OF PARK

GRAZING AREA OVER WEST SIDE OF PARK

BROKEN EDGES ON SOUTH SIDE OF PARK

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BROKEN EDGES ON SOUTH SIDE OF PARK

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3.2â&#x20AC;&#x192; Experiential Analysis This analysis has two key components, the first one are the site observations of different areas on site (the setting) and the second one is identifying the emotion of experience attached to these observations. Each of these will have at least one specific experience. Then we take these learnings and map them on site (Refer Fig. 3.36) to actually identify where all each of these experiences is happening on site. This way we can organize our interventions specific to each of these experiences. Observations

Fig. 3.20 - DARK , DENSE , DISCONNECTED

Fig. 3.22 - ACCESS TO ACTIVE AREAS

Fig. 3.21 - ENCLOSED

Fig. 3.23 - BROKEN , EXPOSED , LESS DENSE

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Fig. 3.24 - FEAR, DENSE , DARK AND DINGY

Fig. 3.27 - CLEAR VISIBILITY

Fig. 3.25 - ALONE, EXPOSED, OPEN

Fig. 3.28 - LOSS OF VISIBILITY , FEAR

Fig. 3.26 - AREAS WITH CLEAR VISIBILITY

Fig. 3.29 - ALONE, EXPOSED

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Fig. 3.30 - BROKEN , EXPOSED , LESS DENSE

Fig. 3.33 - CONFUSED

Fig. 3.31 - CORNERED

Fig. 3.34 - FEAR, DENSE , NO VISIBILITY

Fig. 3.32 - DENSE , FEAR, DARK AND DINGY

Fig. 3.35 - LOOKING FOR ACTIVE AREAS

Image Source : Fig. 3.20 - Fig. 3.34 - Author

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Fig. 3.36â&#x20AC;&#x192; Experience maps

Source : Author

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Fig. 3.37â&#x20AC;&#x192; Consolidated experience map Source : Author

Loss of visibility Clear visibility

Dense

Cornered

Open / Sparce

Fear / Terror

Enclosed

Broken / Degraded Dark, Dingy

Active

Exposed

Confused Alone

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3.3â&#x20AC;&#x192; Crime Susceptible Areas

Fig. 3.38â&#x20AC;&#x192; Crime infested areas Source : Author

Rape / Murder

Eve teasing, molestation and drugabse

Theft / Petty Crimes

The crimes mostly happens along the broken edges of the park, the degraded state of park facilitates these heinous acts. The areas infested with high understory, dark, dingy and prosopis infested areas creates visual barrier.

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3.4 Issues on Site The main cause of social nuisances and disturbances in and around the park is increasing crime and the specific reason for this is underutilization of the park and disconnection from the community beside it, the consequence of which is the increased fear of crime in the neighborhood. The major reasons behind this underutilization are as follow. • Low maintenance of the park leading to a degraded state, broken edges and deranged edge conditions, making it difficult and unsuitable for the community to access the park. • The circulation network inside and outside the park is inefficient, leading to the creation of dead zones and secluded areas on site. • There is also an issue of garbage and sewage disposal along the edges of park leading to visual pollution. • The park area is highly under lit, this provides dark and dingy corners motivating the offenders. • There are inadequate visual zones and visual connections throughout the site, these visual barriers are creating spaces with dead ends, cornered and disconnected areas. One of the biggest contributors to this are the areas infested with Prosopis on site. • Another issue of encroachment by cattle farmers is there, leading to overgrazing of public use areas, thereby degrading the visual character. Also, these animals in areas of dense understory create and environment instigating a sense of fear amongst users. 3.5 Inferences This analysis gives us a complete list of issues like encroachment, under maintenance, vegetative degradation, character degradation and crime in the park. Although the park is well connected in the Nangloi-Jat area, the internal and external connectivity of park and the community living beside it needs restructuring. People are afraid to even enter the park, they do not let their children go to the park. Guards are also afraid to be in it and absence of light fixtures, all these issues lead to a highly underutilized state of the park, making it a quiet and suitable place for more crime to happen

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4 Literature Synthesis 4.1 Urban Parks in Delhi

Fig. 4.1 Urban greens in Delhi

Open Areas

Water Channel

Source : Author

4.1.1 Establishin the trend of crime happening in urban parks in Delhi

Urban parks as the name suggests are parks which are in close proximity to the areas where people and community reside. The main purpose of these parks is to provide recreation and a healthy breathable environment to relax. These parks are a necessity in today’s urban world. Delhi has a number of urban parks spread all over the city. The type of setting these parks reside in is quite common, most of them are enveloped by a rich fabric of settlement, and be it government colonies or private properties. One particular trait of these parks is the amount of crime that happens in and 37

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around these areas. With the increasing crime rates in Delhi, many urban parks provide an opportunity for such dreadful acts to happen (Refer Fig. 4.2). Parks like Sanjay Van, which is considered a very important part of urban greens in the Southern parts of Delhi is very popular for the number of bird species that habitat it but is also well known for the number of rapes and murder that happen in and around it. The park has multiple entries (suitable for someone who does not want to be noticed or is fleeing away) and many of these entrances are in a dilapidated state (Refer Fig. 4.3) further degrading the overall character of the park. Even places like Asola Wildlife Sanctuary (Refer Fig. 4.4), which are well regulated by the authorities the frequency of crime stays constant. Another area in Delhi which is the oldest patch of urban green the central ridge forest (Refer Fig. 4.5) is infamous for the Ranga-Billa double murder case that happened in 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and is still a hotspot for criminal activities. These urban open spaces are supposed to be a get away from the daily busy life and a place of leisure for the people but instead they have become a place of fear and terror. By this, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that we ignore the ecological values these places hold but we need to come up with a system to make these parks safer.

Fig. 4.2 - Crime zone of Delhi

Source : National Crime Record Bureau

Fig. 4.4 - Asola Wildlife Sanctuary, Delhi Source : https://lbb.in/delhi/asola-bird-sanctuary

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Fig. 4.3 - Entry to Sanjay Van, Vasant Kunj, Delhi

Source : https://www.facebook.com/SanjayVanDelhiRidge/photos

Fig. 4.5 - Central Ridge Forest, Delhi

Source : https://www.facebook.com/SanjayVanDelhiRidge/photos /a.329935647061176.90041.159466657441410/329943093727098/?type=3&theater

4.2 Understanding the occurrence of crime 4.2.1 Article: The theory and practice of situational crime prevention, by Ronald V. Clarke

The author bases his argument on one of the laws of psychology i.e. “Behaviour is a product of the interaction between person and setting”(Clarke, 2014), inferring that for crime to happen motivation and opportunity both play an important role. He then talks about Routine Activity theory(Cohen & Felson, 1979) which says that the availability of “suitable targets” and unavailability of “capable guardians” in the social infrastructure can change the statistics related to crime. He then explains another theory of “Rational Choice Perspective”(Cornish & Clarke, 1986). This theory takes the offenders perspective and tries to understand What, Why and how they accomplish criminal activity to come up with mitigation measures. To explain the application of these theories as situational crime prevention, he chooses to give case examples of different scenarios of crime in different countries. He also talks about the limitation of this method, mentioning the displacement and diffusion of crime in certain cases. Inference: The theory of Rational Choice Perspective by Derek Cornish and Ronald V. Clarke is of key importance, it explains how the setting is also responsible in deciding the behaviour of offenders and provides them with an opportunity to commit crime, this can be used as a base for analysis study to determine the reasons behind the social nuisances at the site selected. 4.3 Dealing with the issue of crime 4.3.1 Article: Creating safe park environments to enhance community wellness by National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)

This paper aims to achieve community wellness by creating a safer environment for people in parks. The paper suggests a general guideline for creating a safer environment in community parks. The parks need a framework of programmatic human inclusive activities throughout. It also needs an aesthetic appeal with proper maintenance and involvement of the community. The author suggests that perceived safety is as important as actual safety and the factors mentioned above combined with recreation and ecological values can help us achieve this. The paper also suggests the involvement of the actual user in the design process. The author then talks about the role of social surveillance in creating these open areas much safer. He then demonstrates the application of such measures by taking a variety of case examples. One particular case study stood out. In Los Angeles, California a programmatic community intensive policy of “Summer Night Lights” that is keeping the lights on in public plazas and open areas at night time. This made people use these areas at night time too, making them an active environment and thereby reducing criminal activities like gang wars, drug abuse and vandalization in the neighborhood.(National Recreation and Park Association, 2014) 39

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Inference: The paper suggests that one of the major that leads to crime is lack of social vigilance and surveillance, by enabling people to use these areas we can re-activate these areas and create much safer environments. This also refers to the idea of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eyes on streetsâ&#x20AC;? by Jane Jacobs. Undesirable

(Nuisances in park)

Issue analysis

Design

Community

Maintainence

Programmes

Active spaces (Increased Vigilance)

safer evironment Fig. 4.6 - Approach diagram for park safety Source : Author

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4.4â&#x20AC;&#x192; Inferences and Learnings These studies helped me to understand the occurrence of crime and the possible ways to tackle such social nuisances. Based on the learnings from literature studies a framework for creating safer environments is prepared by the addressing the opportunities for crime. A diagram for this approach is given below (Refer Fig. 4.7). The studies also suggests a human oriented programmatic design approach and community involvement, thereby increasing the vigilance on site.

Fig. 4.7 - Framework for design approach Source : Author

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5â&#x20AC;&#x192;Synthesis 5.1â&#x20AC;&#x192; Relation between Crime and Activity zones

Fig. 5.1 - Relation between crime and activity zones Source : Author

Low activity zone Moderate activity zone High activity zone

Rape / Murder Molestation & Eve teasing Petty crimes / Theft Main access road Vehicular access road Pedestrian access Unauthorised / Informal access

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This map is an overlay of three analysis maps i.e. Degree of activity zones, Crime infested areas and circulation. It helps us understand the relation between crime and activity zones, establishing the scope of areas which provide an opportunity for crime to happen. It helps us identify the type of edge conflicts on site namely. • Park and the drain edge • Park and the Shamsham Bhoomi • Park and existing public court • Park and settlement • Park and sewage / waste disposal • Park and cattle grazing • Park and broken edge

Fig. 5.2 - Overlay Diagram for crime infested zones Source : Author

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5.2â&#x20AC;&#x192; Critical Zone Analysis

Fig. 5.3 - Map for potential critical zones Source : Author

POTENTIAL FOR EDGE DEVELOPMENT By incorporating areas like exisitng open areas and alley ways in site vicinity POTENTIAL FOR development of access and connections to existing pathways by using informal access existing on site POTENTIAL FOR development of ecozones by retreating densely planted areas making them more accessible by treating understory POTENTIAL FOR SEASONAL WATER CATCHMENT POTENTIAL FOR direct use public areas along the existing axis of park EXISTING AXIS

UNDERSTORY UPTO 1.2 M UNDERSTORY UPTO 0.3 M

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This map is derived by combining vegetation zones, understory heights and topography. It helps us identify zones for potential of intervention and provides us with preliminary zoning for the site.

Fig. 5.4 - Overlay Diagram for critical zones Source : Author

5.3 Inferences and Learnings The most prone zones after this analysis came out to be a number of edge typologies • The park and the drain edge which has high edge walls, these visual need to be removed and a connection to the drain edge can be established by opening up both edges, treating drain as part of the park. This will help in formalizing more entrances and will get more people in by improving the site connectivity. • The northern edge of the park can be converted into a commercial edge, due to its proximity to the existing marketplaces and being the main entrance road to Nihal Vihar. This will help in re-activating and edge making it more accessible to the people. • May informal and unauthorized entrances to the site give us a preferred routed derived by movement of the user through the park gives us a context and opportunity to formalize them and then connecting it to the existing network in the park. • Another edge on the west side is in close vicinity of the community and can be opened up and organized in a system of community parks, which would encourage people to use this park as their backyard garden. • This also gives us a preliminary zoning for the site, demarcation of areas with potential for edge development, Ecozones, seasonal water catchment area, development of access and direct public use zones.

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6 Case Studies 6.1 Does Vegetation deter crime : A study of Ida b Wells Housing

Fig. 6.1 - Ida B Wells Housing, Chicago - Study area Source : Google maps

Note: The study starts with challenging the general belief that vegetation facilitates crime. The study aims to prove that vegetation if planned and maintained can actually help deter crime by taking the example of ida b wells housing development neighbourhood in chicago. Methodology followed • The study starts with surveys conducted in the neighbourhood regarding crime and studying annual detailed crime reports recorded by the police department and then comparing them over the years. • They tries to establish relation between physical and factual factors that might influence crime in the neighbourhood and gives inferences that might help predict crimes. • The relations established in study are as follow: • Location of vegetation outside building is inversely proportional to crime rates • Building height is directly proportional to crime • Whether the building was vacant or occupied had no significant influence on crime rates. • Building height and vegetation were found inversely proportional , there by establishing vegetation increases crime rates decreases. 49

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• Also if vegetation was added existing affected areas the crime rates decreases around them. Limitations • The studies were based on police crime reports and does not account for crimes that were not reported. • The study does not account for impact of different levels of maintainence on the crime. • All the typology of crimes that are committed in society are not included in the study. • The solutions suggested were limited to only shifting the crime patterns in the neighbourhood in many cases , the policies and means opted to deter crime needed to be re structured to solve the problem permanently. (Kuo & Sullivan, 2001) Inferences • The study provides us with proof that vegetation has a connection to the crime rates. • Systematic and strategic planning of open or green areas around crime inflicted neighbourhoods can help reduce crime. • Also if we can involve community into the process of development of these green areas, they will have a sense of ownership over these parks and will be more interested in using the premise, thereby reducing the fear of crime and the opportunities that might lead to crime.

Fig. 6.2 - Community play along the road

Fig. 6.3 - Replantation in area

areas

Fig. 6.4 - Empty houses, people fled due to crime

Fig. 6.6 - Empty backyards in community

Fig. 6.5 - Alleys in neighbourhood

Fig. 6.7 - Deteriorating green areas

Image Source Fig. 6.2 - Fig. 6.7: https://chicagoganghistory.com/housing-project/ida-b-wells-homes/

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6.2â&#x20AC;&#x192; Recalmation of Bryant Park

Fig. 6.8 - Bryant park , Manhattan, New York, USA Source : Google maps

Fig. 6.9 - Abused areas in Bryant Park Source : https://www.asla.org/2010awards/403.html

Location - Manhattan, New York, Usa Landscape Architect - Laurie Olin, Fasla 51

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Methodology and design moves • After the previous failed attempt to revilatalise the park in 1930’s and 1940’s ,both the designers and government authorites felt that to reduce criminal activities , they need to bring people back to park, crete the space more active but people were too afraid to get into the park. • They thought redesigning the park and making it more beautifull is only half the solution and would not get them the desired outcome, they need to constantly involve people into the park by introducing policy cahnges and use for the park as well. • To do so commerial activities were encouraged by introducing kiosks, small restaurants and telephone booths along with suitable spaces for people to access these services. • The also made sure that the park should respond the building beside it. Scope and limitations For such an approach to work continous maintainance of the park is necessary . this is a limitation , which can be turned into a way to involve community and get more people there. (National Recreation and Park Association, 2014) Inferences • The study provides us with proof that getting more people to a place where criminal activities are common, we can actually reduce crime get getting more eyes to the premise. • By introducing commercial activity the people become dependent on the park and a sense of ownership is eventually developed for the park. • The access to such parks is of key importance, similar scope and oppurtunities are available on the site that i have selected for intervention, giving ways to look closely at park boundary keeping in mind both visual and physical access to the park.

Fig. 6.10 - Entrance to the park - before redesign

Fig. 6.11 - Redesign of bryant park - Contruction phase

Image Source Fig. 6.10 - Fig. 6.11: https://www.asla.org/2010awards/403.html

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Fig. 6.12 - Bryant Park - Lawn area under contruction

Fig. 6.14 - Aerial view of Library and Park

Fig. 6.13 - Bryant Park - Redesigned entrance

Fig. 6.15 - New Public area in the park, kiosks, commercial activity and seating area of people

Image Source Fig. 6.12 - Fig. 6.15: https://www.asla.org/2010awards/403.html

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6.3 Morro da babilonia, Brazil : A commnity initiative

Fig. 6.16 - Morro da babilonia, Brazil Source : Google maps

The local people of babilonia belong to a community which is in a state of neglect by the authorities.The area is a close knit community associated with issues like crime, drug mafia and is a hosting ground for local gang wars. The people of the community took it on themselves to change this degraded condition of neighbourhood, they took learnings from cpted ( crime prevention through environment design) but decided their interventions were not suited for their area, instead they built a public plaza in the favela, which allows people to have social interaction , it becomes an active area for children to play. Along with having the safety measures in place, the people have planted their native african trees in and around the plaza to give them a sense of belonging, the people now feel they own this place. This intervention changed the character of the place and gave the plaza a sense of sacredness which inturn impacted the “psyche” of people and since the crime rates have reduced in the neighbourhood. (Takeda, 2017) KEYWORDS MEMORY , HISTORY, EVOKING EMOTIONS/ RESPONSES, ACTIVE AREA, SENSE OF BELONGING Pranav Dhawan | PA202416

Fig. 6.17 - Favela - plaza for children to play Source : http://www.rioonwatch.org/?p=38335#prettyPhoto

Fig. 6.18 - Favela - Seating area in plaza Source : http://www.rioonwatch.org/?p=38335#prettyPhoto

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6.4â&#x20AC;&#x192; Revelatory Landscapes; By Walter J. Hood

Fig. 6.16 - Stretch along 7th street , West Oakland, CA Source : Google maps

Location - West Oakland, CA Landscape Architect - Walter J. Hood The project is a series of smaller interventions along the 7th street in west oakland , california. These interventions are public art installations that relate back to the physical and social history of the site. These installations are abstract yet crisp responses to the current scenario and degraded state of the community. It reflects the scars the society in this neighbourhood bears. The installations expands to about 3 blocks along the 7th street. The first installation includes a series of 3 reflective mirrors placed together facing the community reflecting the demise it has gone through (Refer Fig. 6.19). The next installation pops adjacent to the bart rail structure in the form of a series benches of different scales and sizes. Each bench is designed in a unique way, they are representations of the neighbourhood community it is housed in, along with a display of texts and images about the community. This area functions like an exhibition space but much more interactive and easily accessible to the public. Children come to play around these bench and in the process are made aware of their history and cultures (Refer Fig. 6.22)

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The next installation is designed as a remnant of the built form that once existed there. It is a set of 12 low height wooden walls painted blue bearing the address of its predecessor which was torn down to build a new parking structure. All these installations create an experiential journey along the 7th street to evoke people of the community to respond to the false development happening over there.(Hood Design Studio, n.d.)

Fig. 6.19 - Installation under the bridge, mirrors as reflection of community Source : http://www.hooddesignstudio.com/revelatory/

Fig. 6.21 - Bench as installtions along the road Source : http://www.hooddesignstudio.com/revelatory/

Fig. 6.20 - Neighbourhood and demise Source : http://www.hooddesignstudio.com/revelatory/

Fig. 6.22 - Exibition area of bench Source : http://www.hooddesignstudio.com/revelatory/

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7â&#x20AC;&#x192;Intervention 7.1â&#x20AC;&#x192; Expressions as a response to issues After studying the analysis adn synthesis layer produced in context to site, a number of expressions were derived. Each of these expresssions is a response to the issues pertaining in site. We then go on to map theseexpressions on site (Refer Fig. 7.1) and started looking for ways to manifest these expressions on site as physical intervention, programmses and guidelines.

Fig. 7.1 - Mapping Expressions on site Source : Author

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7.2 Zoning and Conceptual framework

Fig. 7.2 - Zoning plan for intervention Source : Author

7.2.1 Framework

Taking learnings from synthesis, analysis and looking at all the issues pertaining to the site along with the expressions mentioned in figure 7.1, a framework is derived specifically for the typology of site conditions and context. This framework is a combination of a certain system that can work together to create a safer environment. The systems which will be incorporated in this framework are as follows. A system of edge conditions – Edge conditions of the park are in severe need for redevelopment and the typology of edges conditions inferred in Chapter 5, Section 5.1 will consider and looked upon to maximize access to the park. Pranav Dhawan | PA202416

The system of Connections – This system aims to re-establish the physical and visual connections throughout the park and around it by removing visual barriers and establishing new connections. This would also include restructuring of internal pathways. The system of Ecozones – A regional park should have a significant ecological footprint, but in this park, due to its continuous abuse, these values have been lost. So a network of Ecozones will be established throughout the park to add ecological values and enhance aesthetic character. The system of Programmes – A system of programmatic human inclusive activities will be encouraged in the park to create and maintain an active environment inside the park. This can be done by encouraging local activities, incorporating schools, nurseries in the vicinity and community by giving them dedicated area generating a sense of ownership making people feel responsible for the park. The system of maintenance and management – A proper management committee needs to be established for maintaining the park, keeping it running as an active urban environment.

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7.3â&#x20AC;&#x192; Design Moves Fig. 7.3 - Conceptual Master Plan Source : Author

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B’

A’

Fig. 7.4 - Master Plan for intervention Source : Author

7.4 Proposal Pranav Dhawan | PA202416

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Fig. 7.5 - Proposal Section at AAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Source : Author

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Fig. 7.6 - Proposal Section at BBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Source : Author

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7.5 Demonstration area The demonstration area selected are two typologies, specific to Nihal Vihar Park. These areas show one way of application of the design moves on site and show community and park can respond to each other taking in consideration the recreation and safety of the user. 7.5.1 Edge type 1: The park and the settlement

This typology is at the North –West edge of the site in continuation to the existing commercial edge. The edge is disconnected by high boundary walls and abused by the disposal of waste. This edge was earlier inaccessible due to Prosopis overgrowth but restructuring it, we have lowered the boundary walls, making them amorphous by allowing visual connectivity to the earlier degraded patch of land right opposite this area. Opening this edge to allow movement of people and taking the opportunity of availability of open area right opposite it, a set of courts is proposed, allowing commercial activity on the outside court and entrance plaza inside the park. By changing the material of road to match these courts a physical connection is established, treating the external court as an extension of the court inside. The internal court has an installation acting as a visual marker for people of the community and other areas of the park as well. 71

Fig. 7.7 - Existing condition - Demonstration area 1 Source : Author

Fig. 7.8 - Proposal for demonstration area 1 Source : Author

Keymap

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Fig. 7.9 - Existing Section - Edge type 1 Source : Author

Fig. 7.10 - Proposed Section - Edge type 1 Source : Author Installation as visual marker

Amrphous wall

Connection to rest of park Fig. 7.10 a - Look and feel of entrance plaza Source : Author

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7.5.2â&#x20AC;&#x192; Edge type 2: The park and the drain edge

This edge is on the eastern side of the park and is a hotspot for criminal activities like rape and murder. The Prosopis overgrowth and high understory facilitate such acts, the drain across the roads acts as dumping ground for dead bodies and the high boundary walls hampers any visual connection possible. To reclaim this edge the Prosopis will be cleared, opening up the edges on both side by having courts to formalize entrance, the proposed drain court serves as a pause point, treating drain as part of the park. The other entrance has connections to proposed commercial edge on the north and at the same time connects to the Ecozones proposed. Punctuating green area are provided in the court to provide shade and relief from the harsh climate. This edge also has an elevated walkway connecting the active public plaza across the drain and the entrance court. This walkway further goes inside park through each of the areas physically connecting them. The installation in the park beside plaza is a visual marker connecting all the areas across the site. The plaza is on high terrain acting as a vantage point and understory being clear provided an unhindered line of sight inside the park.

Fig. 7.11 - Existing condition - demonstration area 2 Source : Author

Fig. 7.12 - Proposal for demonstration area 2 Source : Author

Keymap

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Fig. 7.13 - Existing Section - Edge type 2 Source : Author

Fig. 7.14 - Proposed Section - Edge type 2 Source : Author

Amrphous wall

Proposed court on drainedge

Proposed green areas

Fig. 7.15 - View for drain edge Source : Author

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Elevated walkway Coonection throughout park

Clear Understory Fig. 7.16 - Elevated walkway and its connectivity Source : Author

7.6â&#x20AC;&#x192; Conclusion Nuisances like crime have affected the livelihood of people, taking place in the open and public infrastructure of our society are in need to be looked upon. We as landscape architects can help guide in the redevelopment of such areas but design in itself is not equipped enough to address such issues. We need to look from the perspective of the offender and understand the occurrence of crime by analyzing the behavioral psyche of people involved, their experiences, the setting and the values pertained in the landscape which would help us identify the opportunities available to tackle such issues.

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