Affordable Co living Spaces in Urban Villages

Affordable coliving spaces in Urban Villages Sakshi Reddy | PG180859 | MUD | Sem IV

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Contents 1. Studio Brief 2. Thaltej Gamtal - now and before 3. Low cost rental study 4. Cul de sac Cluster demonstration 5. Housing cluster transformation 6. Incidental transformation

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Studio Brief Studio Title – Urban Transformation Studio Masters in Urban Design, Semester IV Vertical Title – Urbanizing Urban Villages Faculty – Umesh Shurpali, Brijesh Bhatha TA - Pooja Raval Brief

The studio is an attempt to assess and deal with issues of urban villages engulfed by stereo typical urban development. City development plans of ten exclude these areas with an arbitrarily demarcated boundary with no vision to improve livability. In most cases, urban villages lack basic housing facilities and result into haphazard commercial & residential development in absence of regulation enforcement. Often Teeming with multitude of community and cultural spaces ,the villages rely on Existing services on its periphery. Urban villages thus have always been treated as Backyards of cities.

Against this background, the studio aims to sensitize students regarding urban Villages as thriving urban systems and explore utilizing market forces to bring about Positive change .Exploiting strong sense of community within the villages ,the studio Shall also focus on envisaging cohesive urban development that is equitable.

Students shall be required to take radical positions on how to bring change in these Urban villages identified as illustrative cases. The proposals would rethink the Conventional ‘one size fits all’ pattern and shall identify categories and Corresponding typological variations. Their proposals can consider catalysts such as Transit/ tourist /community /institutional developments etc. Depending on individual Case to trigger desired changes. Eventually the students shall carry out the exercise To derive guidelines ,regulations and framework basis their proposals.

The sites range from 20 to 40th with population between 5000 to10000 People on average.

Sites selected 1)ThaltejGam,Ahmedabad 2)MakarbaGam,Ahmedabad 3)HauzRani,Delhi 4

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Thaltej Gamtal - now and before

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Ambli - 2000

Ambli - 2019

Sola - 2000

Sola - 2019

Memnagar - 2000

Memnagar - 2019

Vastrapur - 2000

Vastrapur - 2019

SOLA

THALTEJ

MEMNAGAR

Gamtals in the vicinity and pressure on it.

From the gdcr it is clear that Thaltej Gamtal is under maximum pressure - a transformation is unavoidable. Vastrapur gam has been under pressure and has gone through a partial transformation. The other gamtals will remain under inertia

VASTRAPUR AMBLI 8

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2001

2008

2016

2003

2012

2018

2006

2014

2019

Thaltej Gamtal through two decades Two major changes noticed 1. Commercial blocks developed along the left road edge.

2. Housing units grew rapidly and grew smaller- due to division in property.

Thaltej Gamtal - Ward 8 37 acres 10

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Project in brief Affordable Rental Housing in Urban Villages – A case of Thaltej Gamtal, Ahmedabad “Urban Village”, a global phenomenon that affects most of the cities in the world, and its transformation is the subject of the studio. The site chosen is Thaltej Gamtal in Ahmedabad.

The Gamtal is located next to a major metro junction and is abutting an arterial road. A transformation is likely to take place with or without an intervention. Many opportunities and challenges were identified after visiting the site and interviewing different stakeholders, including the ex-village sarpanch, a developer from the site and government bodies like Gujarat institute of development and research (GIDR). As a result a broader topic of affordable rental housing emerged. Research papers on rentals for low income migrants, in urban villages of cities of developing countries, particularly Chandigarh, Gurgaon and Shenzhen, further propelled me to choose this area of study.

Community Map

Affordable rental housing turned to be the guiding force for the transformation of the village.

In the scenario of Thaltej Gamtal, few gamtal residents were constructing additional floors and some were redeveloping their property to let out for rental to supplement their income.

Developing a strategy so that most gamtal residents found it profitable to provide for rental housing was crucial to the project study. The rapidly growing market is incapable of providing formal rental housing at low prices and it would reduce the burden of the already overburdened government body. The overall aim was to increase the stock of affordable rental units and increase the quality of life for the tenants, all within the challenges of the site.

The initial stages of the project included- understanding the existing rental market stock, documenting the user groups, the rental typologies on site, existing quality of life in Thaltej Gamtal and most importantly, interacting with the residents of the gamtal. Low income migrant families emerged to be the primary user group of the rental market.

A cluster in the interiors of the gamtal with many dilapidated buildings was chosen to demonstrate the transformation. Number of families living in the cluster was identified and a scenario that could accommodate double the number of families was proposed while suggesting urban design guidelines for the amalgamation of plots, percentage of area for common areas, increasing the variety of typology available on site to expand the user group and revitalizing the chowk space abutting the cluster. Based on this demonstration the probable transformation of the site was projected in phases. The site’s proximity to city level infrastructure, cannot be overlooked. The Metro station and SP ring road would trigger incidental growth along one edge of the gamtal. A plan is proposed to channelizing this incidental growth to be able to achieve the main aim of the project.

Height Map

Any redevelopment project, results in increase in price. This project is making an effort to regulate gentrification so that low income migrants and their families can rely on rental housing in the Gamtal, to gain a foothold into the city and start their journey confidently.

Residential Mixed-Use Commercial Institutional

Building Use Map 12

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Low cost rental study

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3%

MIG housing

41%

Low cost Rental

Low cost rentals in Thaltej Gamtal

56% Gamtal owner

41%

Low cost Rental

25%

Owner + rental

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10 %

Entirely rental

5%

Retail+Rental

2%

Student PG housing

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Typology + Tenant profile - 1

Housing @ +1 ,+2 lvl

Big Apartment complexes & housing societies

Retail @ 0 lvl

Eateries along Sindhu Bhavan road Hotel staff Home maker Migrant room 1

Migrant room 2

Retail + Rental It is observed that one room has a LIG family of three or less living in it. The monthly rent varies from 3k to 5k.There is no attached bathroom typology. There is

Cook Shopkeeper

Building unit

bathing corner provided in the room and shared toilet facilities are outside on the same floor. There is not inbuilt kitchen slab.

Lig migrant family 18

Lig migrant bachelors 19

Typology + Tenant profile - 2 Student pg’s @ +1 to +4 lvl

Stores along SG highway,

Admin @ 0 lvl

Student Hotel manager Building unit

Student PG accommodation Three students share one room. There is no kitchen attached. Each student pays about 10k -12k each month, this includes services like provision of two

Student pg - 3 sharing

Students at Allen Career Institute

meals, washing clothes, clean room. There is an attached bathroom. It is observed that a third partyis involved in constructing and housing these allen career institute students.

Non Lig bachelors/couple 20

Students 21

Vision for the transformation of the Urban Gamtal

Providing more units of quality affordable rentals within the Urban Village.

Nobody wants to give up ownership. We brothers will redevelop on our own so that it is profitable for us.

Thaltej Gamtal Resident

3%

others

Cheap rentals in Gamtal attract low income migrants from states like UP, Rajasthan etc

56% Owner

41%

Low cost Rental units

25%

Owner + rental

Thaltej Ex Sarpanch

Entirely rental

Existing (extrapolated)

People of the Gamtal want to move out. They want a lifestyle similar to the one enjoyed by the neighbouring areas.

5%

others

Developer near Thaltej Gamtal

25%

Owner

70%

Low cost Rental units

30%

Owner + rental Interviews Three important interviews were conducted on the site that primarily gave rise to the vision for the project. A video was presented before the project was presented. Around ten gamtal residents

17 %

were interviewed. They had a similar motivation like the person above.

Multiple successful PG accommodations observed, a trend on site, seemed like a lucrative way to them to supplement their monthly income.

40 %

Entirely rental Projected

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1. Pictures of migrant living. Rental units of 16 sq

3. Pictures of migrant living. Rental units of 16 sq

2. Narrow plots with not setback for ventilation.

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light. Though the rental units are small, A. Challenges on site The above pictures refer to the quality its the lack of ventilation that makes living of existing rental units available on site. difficult.

Most plots are small holdings. a result of division of property amongst siblings of the next generation. These rental units thus constructed lack proper ventilation and

B. Challenges on site As observed in some parts of the gamtal, image 4, there is ample space for semi public activities like drying clothes, chatting, playing ground for children, informal parking and more. Newer structures,image 3, lack spaces for spill 24

out activities. These new structure are mostly rental units that have more number of people living in tighter spaces , therefore there is a higher need for public and semi public space.

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There is no public space for all children of the area to play, apart from their school

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We keep our head down, go to work and get back home.

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C. Challenges on site “Organic and traditional character of Gamtal” -Gujarat development control regulations. Image 6, is an effort to identify the distinctive style of gamtal housing projected balconies, direct entry to houses

without compund walls or fencing, ornate railing, door and window details etc.

Image 5, newer structures don’t keep to the organic and unique built form character of the Gamtal.

D. Challenges on site There is an invisible division in social fabric – amongst tenants (migrants) and in between Gamtal residents and the tenants.

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Cluster demonstration

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Middle aged to old aged - 12

Dilapidated and empty - 4

Housing stock and demography Newly constructed – 3 completely migrants-2 Pg for students-1

A cluster in the interiors of the Gamtal was choosen to be studied and thereafter the envisioned transformation is demonstrated. The cluster was selected due to the many number of dilapidated

Dilapidated - 8

buildings present. The cluster could become the model for transformation, which would influence other gamtal residents to follow the trend.

Total area - 2200 sqm Present FSI consumed -2.1 Housing stock Total - 27 building units Newly constructed - 3 Middle aged - 12 Dilapidated - 8 Dilapidated and empty - 4 Demography Families living on rent - 29 Gamtal residents homes - 15 Number of Students living in PG accomodation - 30

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Existing Scenario

The existing situation on site. The number of people living in the cluster presently is considerably less as there are many dilapidated buildings. Presently fsi consumed - 2.2

Scenario 1

Scenario 2

If all the people were to be housed in one building, the volume occupied by that building is overwhelming.

Approximate fsi consumed - 5

Existing number of ppl + vision projecting 40 to 70 % increase in low cost rental units. The above massing is reflective of a careful and conscious planning to accomodate the increased number of people without creating out of place volumes.fsi approx -2.4

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110

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Scenario 2

Total area - 2200 sqm Present FSI consumed -2.5 Housing stock Total - 12 building units Newly constructed - 9 Middle aged - 3 Dilapidated - 0 Dilapidated and empty - 0 Demography Families living on rent - 110 Gamtal residents homes - 7 Number of Students living in PG accomodation - 50

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Parklets for bicycles and two wheelers only Regulating Building Façade – human scaled and interactive

Balconies –typologies with balcony face the street

Introducing a green park at the chowk to prevent it from becoming a parking lot

Common areas of the rental structures flow into the street Common areas on every floor of a rental unit. Higher % on the ground floor – double height spaces

Built form facing the Gamtal road junction - chowks Retail + CAFÉ on the GF Hotspot for a canteen/ mess that would serve economical meals

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Circulation plan of the cluster The ground floor plan is drafted to compliment the cul de sac pattern of the existing layout. The common areas are adjoining the street so that there is gradual gradation in privacy - Cul de sac street for

Lighting and ventilation

public activities , common areas and corridors for semi public activities, and lastly private spaces.

The plots are amalgamated in a way that there is a minimum setback of 3m on the rear end. One side setback is necessary. In case of irregular plots and existing adjoining buildings, this can be achieved by providing

matching light wells - mirroring the adjacent buildings setback resulting in adequate ventilation

Entirely rental units Common area Gamtal Owner unit

Cafe + Mess

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Housing stock and demography The different typologies envisioned for different sets of tenants is explained with detailed floor plans. Typologies include - variation in floor space , attached toilet provision and attached balcony. These

typologies are an advance version from the one existing on site with better ventilation and carving out common areas.

+2 lvl

+1 lvl

0 lvl

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Basic + Bathroom 27 sq m User group - young couple individual looking for cheap accommodation in Thaltej

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Basic + Bathroom +Balcony 25 sq m User group - young couple individual looking for cheap accommodation in Thaltej

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Basic 18 sq m User group - Low income migrant families and bachelors

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Student sharing 25 sq m User group - Students looking for economical pg accomodation

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Block transformation Post the cluster demonstration, the block will eventually transform. The existing cul de sac pattern is carefully identified in the block, around which plots will

amalagamate and develop further.

This will ensure a development that is harmonious with Gamtal’s character and route pattern.

3. Envisioned transformation of the block

2. Existing street pattern cul de sacs connecting to the main street

1. Existing block

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Phase 1 - This will include the transformation of housing clusters with maximum dilapidated buildings and the incidental transformation of the gamtal near the metro station edge

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Phase 2 - The edge towards the main road will transform into an active edge catering to the metro riders needs.

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Phase 3 - Gamtal road edges and the block it is a part of will transform to take advantage of street traffic.

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Phase 1 - Later phases will include transformation of block interiors that will replicate the cluster demonstration.

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Incidental transformation towards the metro edge

Housing Cluster transformation

Envisioned transformation of the Gamtal 48

Primarily driven by the need to supply more low cost rental housing units and organized around a recognizable cul de sac pattern.

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Transformation of a housing cluster

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Avg plot size in the cluster - 7m by 14m

Existing plots

Widened cul de sac street

Minimum plot size for amalgamation

Ground coverage and setback

Resultant amalgamated plots

Resultant Built form

Existing site section

Detailed transformation - Plot amalgamation rules, min size of the amalgamated plot to be able to develop. Site section portrays individual plot transformation in the cluster.

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Proposed site section

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Proposed transformation

Existing situation on site 54

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Existing situation on site 56

Built form abutting Gamtal Chowk 57

Proposed situation on site

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Retail + CAFÉ on the GF Hotspot for a canteen/ mess that would serve economical meals 59

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Incidental transformation (metro station)

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Transformation towards the metro st. edge The site’s proximity to city level infrastructure, cannot be overlooked. The Metro station and SP ring road would trigger incidental growth along one edge

of the gamtal. A plan is proposed to channelizing this incidental growth to be able to achieve the main aim of the project.

Residential Mixed Commercial ( Retail+office ) Residential + Commercial Institutional Religious Hostel Acco Vacant Res+ Light Indutry

Land Use of Thaltej Gamtal and surrounding areas.

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Metro st

A. Existing Circulation pattern inconvinient and obstructs passing to major residential areas

B. Identified Circulation pattern -with proposed plot amalgamation for a transit friendly builtform and block circulation

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C. Proposed Circulation pattern -easening out traffic flow without breaking the gamtal block size.

Builtform catering to the metro

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Existing road character towards the metro station 66

Proposed road character 67

+0

Plot amalgamation and builtform character on metro link

+1

Existing

+2

+3 Proposed

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Public Space - Vacant AMC plot utilized Will cater as a playground and walking area for the residents of the gamtal

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Block transformation Metro station edge and builtform catering to the transit corridor.

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Masters in Urban Design | Sem IV Cept University | Ahmedabad

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