Activating Open Space: Strategies for Collective Placemaking in Dhanas

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ActivAting Open SpAce a

UBC SALA | Chandigarh Research Studio, 2017

StrategieS for ColleCtive PlaCemaking in DhanaS


This document was prepared by the following authors: Patrick Birch Mitchell Gray Tori Hamatani Pera Hardy Gabriel Lacombe Felix Lavergne Joshua Potvin Blaire Schille Anna Thomas Caleb Westerby Trevor Whitten Under the supervision of: Roy Cloutier Nicole Sylvia As par t of course work for UBC SALA under taken during a semester abroad in Chandigarh, India in Fall 2017, as par t of the course ARCH 538B: Infrastructures of Incrementality: The Housing Question in ‘India’s First Slum-Free City.’


Young girls in Dhanas Photo: Tori Hamatani

tAble Of cOntentS Introduction

3

Context

5

Proposal

7

Design Strategies

9

Porous Pavement

9

Shade + Seating

11

Covered Flexible Market

13

Courtyard Theatre

15

Play

17

Multi-Spor ts Field

19

Gathering Space

21

Communal Habitat

23

Waste Cycles

25

Tool Bar

27

Application

29

Support

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Typical courtyard in Dhanas

Introduction This policy document proposes a series of design interventions for the underused cour tyards of Dhanas. Dhanas is a rehabilitation housing complex located in the periphery outside of Chandigarh, India. It is one of several projects that the city government of Chandigarh has implemented as par t of its program of becoming ‘India’s First Slum-Free City.’ The complex houses families that have been relocated from various slums surrounding Chandigarh, and are meant as a way to improve their housing conditions and quality of life.

Designed to house people in 8,448 uni composed of a grid concrete apar tment four storeys tall.

Rehabilitation housi have consisted of va of government inve design, but have typ solely focused on th blocks themselves. T investigates the pot between these hou cour tyards—and ho serve their commun


roughly 40,000 its, Dhanas is d of identical t blocks that are

ing developments arying levels estment and pically remained he housing This document tential of the spaces using blocks—the ow they can better nities.

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Context The design of Dhanas focuses almost exclusively on the housing units themselves, and relatively little on the social or communal spaces created between the buildings themselves. Few if any community buildings, commercial spaces or public amenities were included in the complex. As a result, residents have already begun to appropriate space, but this occurs in ways that is unplanned and is occasionally problematic. Cour tyards between the buildings appear to be a missed opportunity: as open grass enclaves with no obvious form of circulation, they are muddy and inaccessible during the monsoon and scorching hot in the summer.

As a class, we under with the residents o apar tments and fou of community tende much beyond one’s neighours. We also cour tyards were no primarily due to the elements and, in tur suppor t various act

As designers, we sa life back to the cou providing oppor tun community membe these spaces—by m comfor table and sa make Dhanas feel l many of its displace


rtook interviews of these und that the sense ed not to extend s immediate learned that the ot frequently used, eir lack of designed rn, inability to tivities.

aw that bringing ur tyards and nities for different ers to gather in making them fun, afe—would help ike ‘home’ to so ed residents.

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Proposal Our approach with this document was to create several design strategies, or interventions, that could be easily understood, implemented and built by the residents in the communities themselves according to their needs, abilities and interests. The design interventions proposed in this document vary in complexity and cost-intensity, providing different types of communal spaces for the different user groups in the neighbourhoods. Each intervention has been designed and described to allow for the occupants of Dhanas to be inspired by and potentially implement these solutions, deciding what aspects of the projects would be appropriate, feasible and desirable for the community.

These design ideas considerate of the l workforce knowled using affordable or and simple construc The goal of this doc inspire creativity in see oppor tunity for in their own commu this document as a

These design strateg to be considered as Although presented can easily be conceiv interventions which m scales, sizes, and over are not intended to b limiting. Rather, they a providing a lens thro existing spaces in a n


are meant to be local materials and dge of Chandigarh, recycled materials ction strategies. cument is to the residents; to r self improvement unities and to use star ting point.

gies are also meant pieces of a puzzle. individually, they ved of as many may occur at many rlap in space. They be overly specific or are idea-generating, ough which to see new way.

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Porous Pavement

Step + gra

A porous pavement structure is proposed to mitigate current issues with storm water runoff and muddy, unusable surfaces. Placing bricks in a woven pattern creates voids that can be filled with fertilized soils to improve drainage.

Step + san

The parking arrangement is organized based on the user ; a zone for twowheeled vehicles, pedestrians and large vehicles.

Step +bric brick Detail

4x4 lumber


Seating and Planters

Porous Pavement

1 avel

Step 1

Step 2

2 nd

Step 3

3 ck Step 4

Step 5 Brick Grass

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Flexible Flexible Flexible Seating, Seating, Seating, Flexible Flexible Flexible Shade Shade Shade Flexible Seating, Flexible Shade

Shade + Seating

Seating Seating Seating ininthe the in theshade the shade shade shade can can can be beused used be used used for forfor Seating in can be for multiple multiple multiple activities. activities. activities. Things Things Things like like like gathergathergathermultiple activities. Things like gathering ingtogether ing together together together totoeat eat to eat ameant ameal, meal, a meal, tutoring tutoring tutoring ing to meal, tutoring This intervention isaeat to create sessions, sessions, sessions, orthe oreven even or even even wedding wedding wedding parties. parties. parties. The The The sessions, wedding parties. The seating inor shade that can be used seating seating seating can can can be bemade made be made made from from from objects objects objects that that that seating can be from objects for multiple activities—things like that are arefound are found found found around around around the the the neighborhood. neighborhood. neighborhood. are around the gathering together toneighborhood. eat a meal, Things Things Things such such such asastree tree as tree stumps, stumps, stumps, wood wood wood Things such as stumps, wood tutorial sessions, ortree even wedding palettes, palettes, palettes, rocks, rocks, rocks, sidewalk sidewalk sidewalk pavers, pavers, pavers, cinder cinder cinder palettes, rocks, sidewalk cinder par ties. The seating can pavers, be made from Stumps or Rocks Stumps Stumps Stumps oror Rocks Rocks or Rocks Stumps or Rocks blocks blocks blocks and and and bamboo. bamboo. bamboo. blocks and bamboo. common objects found around the neighborhood, such as tree stumps, Trees Trees Trees planted planted planted on on a3m 3m a sidewalk x3m x3m 3m x grid 3m grid grid grid can can can Trees planted on aaon 3m x3m can wood palettes, rocks, pavers, act actas act asasaaas astructure structure a structure tobamboo. tohold hold to hold hold up uptarps up tarps tarps tarps for forfor act structure up for cinder blocks andto shade. shade. shade. By Byplanting planting By planting planting them them them on onaaon agrid, grid, a grid, the thethe shade. By them on grid, the possible possible possible arrangements arrangements arrangements of of the of the the tarps tarps tarps can can possible arrangements of the tarps can Trees planted on a 3m x 3m grid cancan suit suit suit any any any event. event. event. The The The spacing spacing spacing is is adjusted adjusted is adjusted suit any event. The spacing is adjusted act as a structure to hold up tarps for to toeasily easily to easily easily fitfitplanting astandard standard a standard tarp tarp tarp size. size. size. the to fit aafit standard tarp size. shade. By them on a grid,

possible arrangements of the tarps can suit any event. The spacing is adjusted to easily fit a standard tarp size.

Trees Planted on a 3m x Trees Trees Trees Planted Planted Planted on on a3m 3m axx3 Trees Planted on aaon 3m


Cinder Blocks and Bamboo Cinder Cinder Cinder Blocks Blocks Blocks and and and Bamboo Bamboo Bamboo Cinder Blocks and Bamboo

Wood Palettes Wood Wood Wood Palettes Palettes Palettes Wood Palettes

3m Grid to Easily Hang Tarps Between Them m x3m 3m xGrid Grid 3m Grid Grid toto Easily Easily to Easily Hang Hang Hang Tarps Tarps Tarps Between Between Between Them Them Them xx3m 3m to Easily Hang Tarps Between Them

3m 3m3m 3m

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Covered Flexible Market Responding to the need for shading and flexible community space, this intervention utilizes easily fabricated ver tical members arranged to accommodate their connection by a small tarp with the use of rope or cord. Vertical members of three sizes (6.5’, 7.0’, 7.5’) can be arranged to facilitate shading and drainage. Fixed to the ground by several large spikes, the members can easily be removed to clear space after use.

Market Grid

Cord


Tarp (6’x9’)

Vertical Element 13


Courtyard Theatre Cour tyard Theatre seeks to animate the cour tyard space through a series of low budget interventions. Using basic materials such as bamboo, rope, tarp, cinder blocks, and plywood sheets, components can be incrementally assembled to fit the needs and desires of the residents. Benches are built with six cinder blocks and bamboo sticks for seating. The stage uses cinder blocks as foundation points for plywood sheets to be elevated off the ground. The last component, the screen, is assembled with bamboo scaffolding fastened with rope joints. A tarp is then used as a screen material strung between the scaffolds. The intervention can be used as just a stage with setting or with the acquisition of a projector a perfect spot for residents to enjoy a movie in the cour tyard.

Screen

Materials


Bench

Stage

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Play Stimulating forms of play help develop the brain, teaching children creative thinking, problem solving, and social skills. Children who play are more likely to stay in school. Using easily accessible repurposed materials like tires makes this project easily feasible. It also allows the playground to be constructed over time as resources become available.

1.


2.

3.

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Multi-Sports Field The multi-spor ts playing field can provide children with a place to play and practice when school is out and parents are still working. It can be constructed using just bricks and crushed gravel which, as a perimeter track, can also help with drainage. The brick knee-wall provides informal seating and prevents cars from parking on the field. Using a gravel cricket pitch and a few bricks flush with the grass, the midfield, ends, and quarters are all delineated to mark out playing fields.

F

R

H


FOOTBALL

CRICKET

RUNNING

KABADDI

HOCKEY 19


Gathering Space Gathering spaces are areas open to anything to happen within them — large, mostly empty spaces where people can come to meet, hang out, dance, talk or have a nap in the shade. Along the outside of this one, a short brick wall is constructed, creating an area to sit alone or with friends. In the centre, as per heritage, a tree surrounded by a seating/stage platform is placed. The tree begins small, steadily and continually growing. The tree and community are bound together growing bigger, stronger, older and more mature together as one. The tree comes to represent the collective spirit of everyone who comes to sit under its branches.


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Communal Habitat This design solution features a community garden and increased green space. The community garden provides a space for residents to grow their own food and spend time together outside which reduces stress and strengthens community. The increased green space features trees and shrubs that mask the bare brick walls of the housing blocks and provides habitat for native birds, bats, and beneficial insects. The green space absorbs water and helps to prevent flooding as well as provide homes for species that eat mosquitoes. The tall grass garden beds are not fenced off, giving the local cow population a space to linger. Seating has been incorporated into the garden beds and green space to encourage gathering within the courtyard.

Paalak Spinach

Neemboo Lemon

Ber Indian Jujube


Shalajam

Moolee

Turnips

Radish

Tamaatar

Shimala Mirch

Tomato

Capsicum

Amrood

Chikoo

Anar

Yellow Guava

Sapodilla

Pomegranate

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Waste Cycles In order to reduce the amount of waste produced, the project proposes to create compost out of organic waste. In order to do so, the compost bin is conjoined with a public drycompost toilet facility1. The excrements are mixed with organic waste in the compost tank and a substantial amount of rich compost can be produced every two months. This compost can be used by the community to enrich soil for plants. The pavilion can also feature a drainage basin hosting plants with decontaminating proper ties.

Based on: Tilley, E. Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies - (2nd Revised Edition). Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Duebendorf, Switzerland. p. 72.

Diagrammatic Section

Zoomed View of Project


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Tool Bar Learning new skills and being able to contribute to the community by sharing knowledge and helping people around the neighborhood is an effective way to fight social segregation and promote self-empowerment while also solidifying the cultural fabric that creates the locality.

Concrete Mix

The Tool Bar positions itself within these values by providing a simple structure and tool-lending library to help people take care of impor tant facets of their lives, daily needs, and vehicles. By creating a simple brickwalled structure, tables, work areas and a shared collection of any tools needed, this project strengthens the community’s resilience, promotes equality and accessibility, and sets up a framework for collective activities. Tool Bar Elevation


Tool Box

Community Sharing

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Application As seen above, the many strategies in this document are meant to be viewed in combination, rather than isolation. Each idea can overlap with or expand on any other, providing many solutions to existing problems that can occur in the same space. Seating, paving, shading, education and play could conceivably coexist in a single cour tyard, while another could be entirely dedicated to a single use (spor ts, for example). Given the many residents and numerous courtyards of Dhanas, development would by necessity grow from engagement, planning and coordination with the community and its many members. In this process, the

specifics of these de change but are activ so — this document as a catalyst for and much longer, more i ended conversation actors at play.

We also intend that, nature of these inter solutions of the deve could be translated t housing communities In the face of mass u resettlement, archite and policymakers alik from such a toolkit o with which—and up communities can bui


esigns not only can vely intended to do t is meant primarily starting point in a involved, and openbetween the many

, due to the simple rventions, many eloped in Dhanas to similar masss through India. urbanization and ecture, communities, ke could benefit of design options pon which— ild collectively.

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Support All projects come at a price, and rehabilitation communities often consist of some of the most marginalized people in India. Therefore, we have compiled several non-governmental or non-profit organizations who could potentially support some of these projects, and invest in community growth. While none of these organizations have yet committed to contributions, they are the beginnings of a list of potential resources and collaborators who may be able to support this type of work.

Abhinav India http://www.abhinavi Supporting women, c

Aga Khan Foundati http://www.akdn.org Rural support, infrast

Asiye Etafuleni https://aet.org.za Urban design initiativ

Construction for C https://www.constru Non-profit constructi

Indicorps http://www.indicorp Community-based pr

Water Aid India http://wateraidindia Sanitation, clean wat


india.org children and youth in agriculture, health and employment

ion g/our-agencies/aga-khan-foundation tructure and development

ves and community building

Change uctionforchange.org ion company working for NGOs

ps.org/36/explore-fellowship-projects rojects around youth service and leadership

a.in ter, hygiene

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