Architecture Thesis Report on "Urban Extension"

A summary report on

URBAN EXTENSION

An architectural intervention

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my parents for their support and care and all that they gave me and made me what i am today.

I deeply thank Ar Ajit Kavin and Ar Shirsendu Patra for being my thesis guide and supporting me throughout and also to the faculty at Crescent School of Architecture without whom this thesis would never have been possible. I also wish to acknowledge Ar Vivekanandan, Ar Palaniappan, and Ar. Saritha. I would like to thank the locals of Mumbai for cooperating with the interviews and data they provide

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends Nomaan Saikh, Selva Rahul, Sri Vaishnavi, Karthikeyan, Rashika, Mohamed Farhan for their support.

S.Raghunandhan

TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

HOW IS FUTURE FROM PRESENT

URBAN EXTENSION

IDEA

BRIDGE

SQUARE

USER & SITE SELECTION

USERS

CONCRETE JUNGLE

THE PROBLEM

CYCLISTS OF MUMBAI

OF MUMBAI

ROAD

SITE STUDY

1

2

3

CYCLIST’S DATA

CYCLISTS HEATMAP

SPATIAL PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME

CASE STUDIES

TABIAT BRIDGE

CYCLE HUB

PAVILION

DESIGN EVOLUTION

INTRODUCTION

HOW IS FUTURE FROM PRESENT

Possibly outcome of the future, while looking from today's point of view.

Architecture is a space that is created for any human comfort, to live, work, entertain, rest and repeat.

There are global problems, which can be solved by architecture. One such major problem of today's globe is overpopulation. To overcome this there might be solutions of stacking the spaces one above the above or to build on a non land space such as sea.

Global warming is another factor to consider, humans are getting aware of it and taking precautions to reduce it by using alternative energy sources and planting trees So, there will be space on the surface of earth to live with the trees.

The growing technology gives opportunities to build over the sea, which is also not healthy and may also lead to another destruction, to extend the land by covering up the sea This affects marine life and in turn the global cycle, which will have a great impact later, similar to global warming

The possibilities of technology and ideas can be used in different ways to overcome these problems

Palm Jumeirah ( the process of liquefaction can be seen )

Little island, by Thomas Heatherwick, having park over a strong foundation

AN URBAN EXTENSION

Augmentation of urban fabric for the further expansion of human life ?

The increase in population and industries, demanding to occupy land space for the dwellings and production and manufacturing. Once all the land is occupied, humans artificially make lands by consuming the sea, interrupting the ‘marine urban sprawl’ and the surroundings. This may not have an immediate effect, but like global warming this will have a later effect on the oceans.

Building on dredged sediments also has risks for inhabitants, as this strata isn’t as stable as hard bedrock on land. There have been reports that Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah archipelago is actually sinking. Reclaimed land is also a risk in earthquake prone areas. The prolonged shaking can trigger a process called liquefaction, where the once solid sediments of reclaimed areas can liquefy. This was a significant contributor to the devastation of the huge San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

Whereas making a solid strata structure with piles and columns, making an elevated land from the brim of the land have a lesser effect on marine life. It can be an extension on the land or parts connecting to the land or fingers from the land or a bridge connecting the parts of the land etc. One such example is the little island, by thomas heatherwick studio, it is an elevated park with a performance centre within itself which is elevated from the sea level and has a strong foundation and also a movement for marine life around.

RIALTO BRIDGE, VENICE, ITALY. A crossing path merging through the street Intervened with shops

THE IDEA

The idea of interpreting architecture within a structure that is used for other purposes than a habitat, that helps people and also gives an experience of the surrounding

The elevated space, discussed above, can be designed as a platform or a finger or a bridge connecting points.

Bridges have a purpose of moving from one point to another point. Also by time bridges have evolved by usage and technologies. Whereas fingers and platforms act the same as a surface.

The idea of intervention was inspired by the Rialto bridge of Venice, Italy. More than a bridge, it acts like a street that is elevated from the Grand Canal, it connects people and the ecosystem in the environment and also it gives a revenue to the government through the commercial shops. This can be seen as an urban plaza that is connected by pieces of land, rather than a bridge. The structure intervenes in the architectural program within the extension, making a habitual space for the people.

This can be said as“An urban extension of land, elevated, moving through a structure of bridge.”

The idea of the thesis is to make an extension of a street or an urbanspace, that is elevated like a structure of bridge rather than reclaiming the land and exacerbating the marine ecosystem.

The process starts with studying the bridge structures and urban plazas. Then choosing a demanding site and studying the site, to frame programmes required by the site and doing case study based on the requirements and to design the extension.

CYKELSLANGEN

Cyclist bridge based on the type of user Beam bridge based on the structure

PELJEŠAC BRIDGE

Vehicle bridge based on the type of user

Cable stayed bridge based on the structure

TABIAT BRIDGE, TEHRAN. IRAN Pedestrian bridge based on the type of user Truss bridge based on the structure

A BRIDGE

An elevated platform or a structure above any obstacles, used to move across points

A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, which is usually something that is otherwise difficult or impossible to cross. There are many different designs of bridges, each serving a particular purpose and applicable to different situations. Designs of bridges vary depending on factors such as the function of the bridge, the nature of the terrain where the bridge is constructed and anchored, and the material used to make it.

The earliest bridges were likely made with fallen trees and stepping stones. The Neolithic people built boardwalk bridges across marshland. The Arkadiko Bridge (dating from the 13th century BC, in the Peloponnese) is one of the oldest arch bridges still in existence and in use. These bridges can be classified based on their usage or the structure and the engineering.

In modern times, the bridges are the face of technology and the economy of the city. They show the wealth and the science that the land surrounding it has.

SUPERKILEN URBAN PARK Urban squares between the streets

CHENNAI URBAN SQUARE Urban squares between the bridges.

URBAN SQUARE

Urban square is an open public space used for community gatherings

An urban square is an open public space, commonly found in the heart of a traditional town, used for community gatherings. Most squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets, concerts, political rallies, and other events that require firm ground Being centrally located, urban squares are usually surrounded by small shops such as bakeries, meat markets, and clothing stores At their centre is often a monument, statue or other feature to make the space bold and as a landmark

These are a space to relax between the running world. Psychologically, they have an aesthetic landscape to soothe and calm the feeling of the surrounding. They also often attract ecosystems to gather.

The need of urban squares are identified by the locals. The more the gathering happens in an open space the space is eventually developed for or by the locals to enjoy the space themselves. Often they are formed between shopping streets, a market, a recreational space or a beach etc.

The elements and designs of an urban square may vary from time to time, but the urban square is defined as the gathering space but not the elements of it

GALATA BRIDGE, ISTANBUL.

A vehicular bridge intervening with restaurants and shops in lower deck

INTERVENTIONS

The intervention of a elevated structure with spaces to gather and entertain

Intervening spaces such as commercial shops, restaurants in the lower deck of a vehicular bridge in Istanbul (galata bridge) is one of the examples for the intervention. There are other examples, such as the rialto bridge, 11th street bridge park by OMA architects, little island park by heatherwick studio etc

These interventions are not act alone for a single purpose, they are packed with a movement for vehicles or humans or bicycles or combinations of these with other activities such as recreational or educational or even a residence etc. This shows the one piece of space can accommodate multiple activities within

11th STREET BRIDGE PARK, WASHINGTON D.C., A pedestrian bridge intervening with parks, performance centre, educational space etc

USER & SITE SELECTION

A pedestrian bridge

A cyclist bridge

A pedestrian and cyclists bridge

THE USERS

To define a specified user, based on the limitation Since, a bridge can be used for several movements such as, from a heavy duty vehicle to an individual pedestrian

An elevated structure can move a heavy vehicle such as buses, lorries and also pedestrians. So choosing the user is limited in this thesis.

A structure that allows cars to get in, and to enjoy the intervention they need parkings, which goes on a large scale, even with a minimal intervention with a motel, shops and performing centre like the examples seen And so the number of people visiting.

Whereas a structure that is restricted only with the pedestrians and the cyclists (to move along a long distance with short time) will take only around 3 sq.m. per person on footprint, where the design can be spacious and have a lot of scope.

So a design for heavy vehicles and cars could have structural limitations and the need for parking and architectural spaces could be in large scale and thus the thesis is limited within the pedestrians and cyclists

Residential population of Mumbai

A view of the urban fabric of Mumbai’s slum and city

A CONCRETE JUNGLE

A site that is dense with concrete, Mumbai

The city where there is a lot of architecture and technology but also with less human space to breathe

Mumbai is one of the most densely populated areas, and there is always a need for land to build new infrastructures for the development, since it's a metropolitan city. The residential average density of Mumbai peaked around 1,21,300 people/km2 . Mumbai reflects the large families living in overcrowded conditions in many of the city’s neighbourhoods.

Mumbai’s 40% of the population lives in slums. These slums cover only 17% of the land of the city. The rest are filled with some open areas and lots of infrastructures such as malls, IT parks, theatres, corporates, MNCs etc.

Mumbai lost 81% of its open land (barren spaces without any vegetation), 40% green cover (forests & scrublands) and approximately 30% of its water bodies (lakes, ponds, floodplains) between 1991 and 2018, while the built up area (areas developed upon) rose by 66% in the same period.

THE PROBLEM

'cycle chala city bacha' campaign on Bandra Worli Sea Link

Cyclist on the road of Mumbai

CYCLISTS OF MUMBAI

Mumbai has grown to have a robust, mature and large cycling community It has a number of cycling groups

Mumbai has a number of cycling groups, active & bustling with energy. These groups help to connect the cycling community in the city and are also vital for helping new riders to take up the sport through formal and informal mentoring.

Mumbai has its own mayor for cyclists, who look after the cycle clubs, but has no authority to build infrastructure for the cycles but he insists the government should give better places for the cyclists. The milkman, newspaper delivery man are widely using cycles because of their efficiency and so he suggested people to use non motorised vehicles for work, which is sustainable. Few companies encourage the employers to ride cycles for work and provide dedicated space for them and a shower space to freshen up.

After the COVID there was a gradual increase in the number of people using bicycles because the lockdown set limitations within the areas, the maximum sport activity allowed was to cycle with social distancing. This gives an interest in cycling for people then and now. New programmes such as the ‘happy street’ are initiated to lock a road and only allow cyclists to cycle and walk in BMC.

Footpath recently done by MMRDA

Sidewalks encroached by hawkers

PEDESTRIANS OF MUMBAI

Mumbai is growing with a high rate of footfall around a few places (about 22%) due to the footpaths constructed and maintained by MMRDA Most footpaths are encroached, obstructed by structures, or used to park two wheelers

Maharashtra may have framed an urban transport policy over five years ago to develop infrastructure aligned with walking, cycling, and public transportation, as well as to combat traffic congestion, but in Mumbai walking remains a nightmare. The recently launched Mumbai climate action plan’s (MCAP) sustainable mobility outlook has highlighted that only 22 percent of the city’s roads are pedestrian friendly.

To increase walkability and eliminate pedestrian vehicular conflicts on the street, MCAP has recommended that the city planning authorities draft a detailed Non motorised transport (NMT) policy for Mumbai by 2035. The MCAP has also set a target for BMC, MMRDA and other city planning authorities to implement pilot pedestrianisation projects in high footfall areas by 2025, fixing signs near pedestrian crossings, and increase signal timings for walkers by 2030 to ensure a reduction in fatality rates for pedestrians, and increase in km of pedestrian walkways in low income areas. At present, most footpaths are encroached, obstructed by structures, or used to park two wheelers.

Article about carter road getting its cycle lane on 2016

proposal of the project as given on 2016

Article about the failure of the project due to parking of vehicles , in 2019

View of Carter road promenade

Carter road is pitched by its 1.2 km promenade along the sea, where people gather at every moment of time. It is also popular for its food street.

Carter Road, Bandra is a road that runs alongside the Arabian Sea coast and the promenade between the road and the sea, is a favourite hangout place for the locals and also a place for morning and evening walks. It is a major hub for locals and visitors in Bandra locality Surrounded by a number of sea facing buildings and bungalows, most of which belong to celebrities, the road is abuzz with people, especially on the weekends The view of the sea and the cool sea breeze automatically makes the environment romantic and refreshing

Gathering and workshops happening in Carter road promenade CARTER ROAD

SITE STUDY

Map around 3km radius the Carter road (along the sea in zone 2)

BANDRA WORLI SEA LINK

A view from bandra west fort

PALI HILLS

Aerial view of pali hills in zone 2

JUHU BEACH

The notable are in zone 3

GEOGRAPHY

The fabric around the Carter road A vincity of 3 km is studied by its land use pattern and topology The shops, residences, commercial areas, and vistas are studied

The area around Carter road is studied. Since the people are coming around the area of Bandra west, Khar west, Khar danda, Santacruz west, Pali hills, Juhu a radius of 3 km is taken, to calculate the maximum number of people that are expected to visit the extension.

The number of residences, commercial shops, schools and colleges, recreational buildings and hospitality buildings are counted to look for the space that is lacking for the zone and to provide them. The land use map is hatched for all the three zones and studied live to look at the usability and the maintenance of the spaces.

PERCENTAGE OF SPACES IN ZONE 1

This zone accommodates the majority of commercial buildings, with a beach along the edge the beach attracts tourists, thus locating a number of hotels for accommodation

FREQUENCY OF TRANSPORT PER HOUR

Greenhouse gas emitting transportation is high due to the commercial and tourist spaces

ZONE - 1

The major spaces in the zone are residential zones, shops, restaurants, offices, airport (training centre), beach, hotels, resorts.

The Juhu beach acts as a major space connecting the people in the locality People use the zone majorly for commercial purposes. The airport is a disturbance for the people around, causing pollution

PERCENTAGE OF SPACES IN ZONE 2

This zone accommodates the majority of residential buildings, with commercial spaces within the stilts The sidewalks of streets are often used for parking People move in and out for educational and working purpose

FREQUENCY OF TRANSPORT PER HOUR

The usage of bicycle and walking is being a leisure and healthy activity in this zone, due to high density of residential area and less recreational spaces, where people need to walk or pedal

ZONE - 2

The major spaces in the zone are residential zone, shops, schools, junior colleges, senior colleges, recreational clubs, night clubs, restaurants, carter road promenade

This zone is a densely populated zone, packed with residencial apartments, in which the stilts are leased for shops. The basic needs for the people such as shops, market are poorly designed. few leisure spaces for the people making the environment dull. the major activity takes place along the promenade and the zone where the connectors join the land, due to which the traffic flow inside the zone may get.

PERCENTAGE OF SPACES IN ZONE 3

This zone has heritage structures such as the bandra fort and st. Mary's mount church. this area has a fashion bazaar along the primary road.

FREQUENCY OF TRANSPORT PER HOUR

comparatively a good number of incoming cycle from different parts of the city in the zone due heritage sites in the zone

ZONE - 3

The major spaces in this zone are residential zone, shops, schools, restaurants, recreational club, bandstand promenade, bandra fort, lake.

This zone predominantly consists of residents. Also consists of a bazaar, street and a fashion street bandra fort and bandstand promenade are a major attraction of the zone.

cycle sales is studied and possible population ride a cycle e population of pedestrians is the surveys done.

els of cycling activity is noted er to a professional cyclist, me go for work in cycles, those ed from surveys. The cycling place at different times with of people, as shown above

CYCLISTS HEAT MAP

The heat map shows the density of cyclists using the route The majority of the route used and not used by the cyclists can be seen from the heat map.

Heat map is a representation of how many cyclists are using a road. The thicker and brighter the lines represent a high number of cycling activities on the line and vice versa for the thinner and lean lines.

The diagram above shows the most favourite route of the cyclists in mumbai. And also the part of time they ride. They took different routes at different times because of the traffic and views on the route.

A map showing the route used by the workers, that connects with railway station and bus stands, from where the hawkers, milkman get into the zone to sell their products.

Also a club called ‘cycle to work’ encourages people to go to work by bicycle.

A map showing the transport interchange points in the fabric of space

SPATIAL PROGRAMME

SPACE COUNT

AREA(with circulation) in sq.m. max. no. of person

FOOD STREET - 3500 1000 pax

COMMUNALLIBRARY 1 330 50 pax

PLAZA 5000 1500 pax

LIBRARY 1 2000 200 pax

RESTAURANT 1 800 120 pax

CYCLE HUB 1 2000 100 pax

TEMP GALLERY 1 500 10% of total PERM. GALLERY 1 1350 TOTAL 15480 3000 4000 max

RESTAURANT

AREAin sq.m. (total) dining 540 kitchen 1 50 storage 1 25 utility 1 25 performance stage 1 30 toilet 40

CYCLE HUB AREAin sq m (total) cycle hub parking 1 200 studio 1 300 cafe 1 200 workshop 1 75 meeting room 3 90 toilet - 80

AREAin sq.m. (total) reception 1 15 cloak room 1 30 lobby 1 100 fiction section 1 250 science section 1 200 research section 1 150 literature section 1 175 club room 1 50 reading area 350

LIBRARY

FOOD STREET COUNT AREAin sq m (total) stall 15 20 dining 1100 public toilet 140

SPATIAL PROGRAMME

The recreational space and educational space that lack in the locality are programmed in the extension

The expectation and the need of people are interviewed especially from the pedestrians and cyclists of Carter road and the skaters and the elderly people on the promenade. Also from the students of the college and schools around Pali hills and Bandra West.

The public spaces such as the park, playground, libraries are visited and only a few are maintained and regularly in use. The rest are left damaged and unmaintained.

After the survey and the study, the requirements are drawn. The number of maximum expected population is calculated from the surveys and the standards of TSS, URDPFI.

The food street is added because of the view and experience that won’t be experienced in the existing food street. The existing food street can be shifted in and those spaces can become a shopping street, which attracts population. The gallery and pavilion can be a place to showcase the art of locals and to motivate and inspire people. Also the permanent gallery shows the evolution and importance of the cycle and also a place to launch a product. The OAT also acts as a viewing deck . The communal library acts as a great meeting spot for the elders to share thoughts and books within to help the younger generation. The library is another space to have a peaceful environment, with research materials, science and history materials, also with a digital library, this is majorly for the students of the locality. The cycle hub is the space where the cyclist can gather and start their trips and have their own studio to customise their cycle with other pro cyclists.

CASE STUDIES

TABIAT BRIDGE

The bridge in Iran has a great impact on the city itself, due to its structure and the spaces within that capture the people with its stunning view around.

Tabiat Bridge is the largest pedestrian bridge built so far in Iran. Located north of Tehran, it connects two public parks by spanning over Shahid Modarres, one of the major highways of the city. ‘Tabiat’ means ‘Nature’ in Persian language.

The bridge is about 270 metres long and consists of a 3 dimensional truss with two continuous levels that sits on three tree shape columns. There are two platforms on top of the main columns forming the 3rd level viewpoints. All the levels are connected to each other by stairs and multiple ramps, providing multiple paths throughout the bridge to get from each level to another.

Bridge is not only a path to pass but a place to stay. There is a café Gallery and a restaurant in the lower level of the bridge. In addition to this there are many benches and other seating areas in all levels which make it possible for the users to stay on the bridge for as long as they want to, and enjoy the scenery which they cannot see from any other place.

Having the depth of structure large enough to make it an architectural space, It is a 3 dimensional truss that is the structure itself at the same time provides an architectural space. This provides the lower level which is covered and makes the bridge usable in both rainy and extremely sunny conditions.

CURTIN CYCLE HUB

The CycleHub encourages cycling as a convenient and sustainable mode of transport to and from the campus of Curtin university.

The Curtin Bike Hub is a key component of Curtin University’s Creative Quarter precinct project located at the southern terminus of the Sir Charles Court Promenade, adjacent to key centres for learning in the arts, humanities and engineering disciplines. Creative Quarter provides new facilities, amenities and opportunities for activation at all times of the day as a vibrant space for students, staff and visitors to enjoy and to linger for longer. The Bike Hub encourages cycling as a convenient and sustainable mode of transport to and from campus

The design deliberately assimilates the bicycle hub within the broader landscape of the Creative Quarter precinct allowing it to become an integral part of the outdoor experience as well as providing a high quality bicycle storage and end of trip facility.

The green roof expands upon the base function of the building to include a new space that improves the student experience by providing a vibrant flexible area to relax and connect, in addition to being a possible events and activation space.

DANISH PAVILION

The pavilion is designed as a traffic loop created by the motion of city bikes and pedestrians tied in a knot. Over 300 free city bikes located upon the roofscape, offer the visitors a chance to experience the Danish urban lifestyle which includes biking everywhere.

The pavilion is a big loop on which visitors ride around on one of the 1,500 bikes available at the entrance, a chance to experience the Danish urban way. At the centre of the pavilion there’s a big pool with fresh water from Copenhagen’s harbour (one of the cleanest in the world), on which visitors can even swim.

At the centre of the pool you will find The Little Mermaid, a statue that has become a symbol for Denmark. And this time, it will be moved temporarily to China.

The pavilion is a monolithic structure in white painted steel which keeps it cool during the Shanghai summer sun due to its heat reflecting characteristics. The roof is covered with a light blue surfacing texture, known from Danish cycle paths. Inside, the floor is covered with light epoxy and also features the blue cycle path where the bikes pass through the building. The steel of the facade is perforated in a pattern that reflects the actual structural stresses that the pavilion is experiencing making it a 1:1 stress test.

DESIGN EVOLUTION

A organic path chosen over a linear path to be curious and have views

DRAWINGS AND DETAILS

of the extension

Plans of each level

Amphitheater with a screening on the waterfall

Amphitheater at the entrance

View of food street from the cyclist’s ramp

Food street

View of temporary pavilion from the ramp connects the permanent gallery

3 Temporary gallery with open screening area

gallery in the second level

Communal library connecting to second level

Open pavilion with projections over it

Food court next to the plaza

Food court next to the plaza

View of plaza from a building across the road

Extension of the existing promenade

Cyclist’s cafe

Cyclist’s hub

View of library from the pedestrian walkway

The atrium space in the library

Open air theater / viewing deck connected to the pavilion space

11. Open air theater / viewing deck above the plaza

Another gateway to the extension with open restaurant

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

The extension widens the scope of the local people and the hawkers and also attracts tourists.This increases the revenue, also the marine life is undisturbed.

The possible effect and impact of the extension is discussed.

The cyclists now have a place to gather and have their own time to learn about cycling. The permanent gallery shows the importance of cycling and the impact of cycling on the environment, which creates awareness and makes people shift to green vehicles. The cycle hub is a place for professional cyclists which happens 24 x 7 can also help people to get more ideas on the cycling profession and to learn cycling. The module of food courts can be recycled to make a compact home for the people who live on streets. The library widens the scope for educational purposes, students can access the library and also the reading club helps with impaired students and people. Gallery space helps the local artists to promote their works and also inspires the viewers to make art. The OAT and the pavilion are a place to relax and distress the visitor. The plaza, which is connected with the promenade, will become a major spot to gather in festivals and celebrations.

THANK YOU,

for the time spent on looking into the summary of this project.