Recycling Urban Space and Development of Flyover Garden -The case of Clock Tower, Ludhiana
Abstract
Since the evolution of highways and flyover takes place, the urban planning of the city has been influenced a lot not only in terms of opportunity to the modern city but also degradation of old heritage of the city. Coin has two sides just like that transforming into urban spaces has positive and negative impacts. In transforming into urban spaces -elevated highways plays an important role in traffic congestion problems by dividing the traffic composition into two one is bypass and other is from the city, at the same time it creates the problems like misused spaces below flyover, underutilized parking, unhygienic spaces and less exposure to heritage sites below flyover. Urban recycling plays a significant role in maintaining the sense of old heritage concept of the site along with the modern parameters of urban transformation. Urban recycling will leads us to neglect the negative impacts of flyover also it helps us to create more utilized space below flyover. Due to increasing population in selected area, there is a high demand of garden, parks and recreational areas for senior citizens and children’s because this area has been largely denser by the commercial; and retailers shops. In this study, Flyover garden will improvise there to overcome with problems like clock tower becomes overrated due to presence of flyover also it will create a space for garden at the same time eliminating the traffic congestion issue due to unmanaged parking. The study will suggest a design proposal for flyover-garden, at the same time using the heritage values of site will create a scenic and managed space which was once called an under-utilised and waste space.
Keywords- Urban-recycling, Urban re-development, preserving heritage, Flyovergarden, Space utilisation, Recreational spaces
Introduction
Urban recycling is a process of maintaining the sense of physical, spiritual, social, cultural values in transformation of urban areas, buildings or old towns in regards to save the memory of the cities and improve the level of their urban culture and heritage. One of the methods of the urban recycling will include the preservation of old heritage of the city. Thus it can be used in planning in broader terms. This type of activities are largely evolve in local, institutional or municipal level. The main cause of using urban recycling in urban planning level is only the maintaining the previous cultural or spiritual values of the city by balancing the development in terms of society and culture. Urban recycling plays an important role in transforming the urban city as it can be used as a planning concept. At the same time it will also help the city to get the perfect balance between modern and historical development. The cities like London and Paris are still not modernised yet and the main cause are the peoples who are living there because they want to connect with the heritage and spiritual value on these types of cities. But the cities which are modernised after being the heritage site are facing some serious issues like less tourism and under-utilisation, just because of doing urban transformation without noticing its heritage values.
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Clock tower is the major heritage site in the Ludhiana city. It is situated in the heart of Ludhiana and is the iconic building nearby the prime locations like railways station and business centre- Chaura bazaar. This tower in 1906 by the governor of Punjab and other its dependencies. The style of architecture used is Indian-gothic which was used in Victoria memorial at that time. The material that have used in clock tower is sandstone and terracotta. Since its construction it is the emblem of Ludhiana city. (See fig no.1)
In the era of rapid urbanisation, this area has been facing serious issues of traffic congestion and management. With this regards flyover takes place during 2000’s to overcome the problem of traffic in this area. This flyover helps traveller of the city to bypass from this area also it helps in management of traffic in this area. But the only heritage site in this area has been influenced by this flyover. Clock tower is once the attraction point of the Ludhiana becomes the place for vendors and hawkers due to neglecting its heritage values which develops after construction of this flyover. Surroundings is neither not maintained and utilized makes this place not likely to be visited. Surrounding of the site (mainly the front road) is covered by the flyover which makes this area dark and place for migrants to park their vehicles.
On the other hand this area is largely influenced by the business centre of the city which is present there. This gives opportunity to retails and wholesalers to grow their business in this area. Along with shop dwellers, vendors are also making this place more dirty and unhygienic place. The large number of population which is living there facing the major problem of lack of recreational spaces like parks and gardens in this area. Due to urbanisation this area becomes denser due to irregular settlements and give rise to the lack of public facilities like parks and garden.
The idea of flyover garden comes from the not usable space between two columns and two lanes of road which is being not utilised from many years. With the increasing of population we need a more places of parks and garden to serve its population. In the cities like Delhi and Mumbai where population is dense more land is require to living and their public facilities. In demand of more land the administration is now more focuses on providing houses for living than the public facilities. The main cause behind the lack of adequate land which is required to build parks and gardens. So the urban planners now finding its solution to provide public
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Figure 1: The clock tower
facilities in more ways. So the development of flyover takes place to overcome with this problem by creating not usable space into usable. Flyover garden not only serves as a garden but it becomes the attraction point for the visitors and living population. Flyover garden often beautifies the architectural values of the site by providing some concept from its heritage and architecture.
Location-Clock tower road, Ludhiana
The site is located on the clock tower road which connects new Ludhiana and old Ludhiana. This road plays a significant role in transforming the city as most wholesalers and retail markets are there. This road has also a heritage values by the presence of Clock tower. The road on which our site is located (see fig.no.2) is covered by the retails shop which creates the traffic congestion due to not properly parking of vehicles. The main focus will be on space between two roads which is presently been used as a parking (see fig no. 3).
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Figure 2: Site nearby clock tower
Figure 3: parking space below flyover
Selected site is 1.2 kilometre long comprises of mixed-use buildings. The site is starting from railway station entrance to the Mata Rani Chowk present on the clock tower road. (See fig no. 4) Site has 3 major connection i.e. JMD chowk , Chaura bazaar chowk and Mata Rani chowk and 3 important landmarks clock tower, chaura bazaar and railway station as marked in diagram.
On the site there is presence of large number hotels and retails shops. The main cause for presence of these type of land-use is the Chaura bazaar which is on of the largest market in north India. If we talk about another cause for congestion of traffic on the site is railway station. The scope of work on site will mainly focusses on the space in between the two lanes which is now being used as a parking. By further study this space will be replace by flyover garden which can helps its habitats by recycling its heritage values.
Methodology
The research paper have followed certain method to perform the processes in a systematic manner. For the aim of developing flyover garden along with the recycling the urban space of the clock tower area theoretical analysis has been done in which we have concluded the required data which will used in further study. In the study I have compare two case studies also from which we are taking the required data which will help us in developing flyover
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Figure 4: Site showing different landmarks
garden on the selected site. By further study we will be compiling all data and use this in the proposal. Method of study will be followed by data analysis and comparison. At the last of the study, the suitable conclusion will be done for the successful provision of the study. In table no.1 methodology flow chart is shown which provides the process-chart for the study.
Recycling urban space and Development of Flyover Garden
Theoretical analysis
Case studies and comparison
Site survey and land use data
Data collection and Findings
Designing
Proposal for Flyover Garden
Data analysis and comparison
Conclusion or Result
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Recycling Urban Space and Development of Flyover, 2020
Table 1: Methodology flow chart
Literature Studies
Site Survey
The site is located at the 1.2 km stretch on clock tower which is covered by the flyover. The important landmark- Clock tower which is present almost at the centre of the site is the major focal point of this site. The scope of work will include space between two lanes which is 5 metres wide and the space between two column are 20 m. Each column has a diameter of 2.8 metres placed vertically along the road axis. Column is surrounded by plinth area which is 150 mm above the ground level. Space between white line of two parallel roads and column is around 1200 mm on both sides. There is total 60 columns on the 1.2 km stretch. There are two roads single lane which runs parallel trough the stretch. These roads further will have 1.5 -5 metres irregular pedestrian on both sides. (See table 1)
There is no provision to increase the space from pedestrian’s walkways as it is very less or irregular. There is only 1.2 m of space to pass through the columns which is less. According to the standards there is need to provide minimum 1.5 m of space to pass through. So for the solution we can do, we can demolish the area of plinth surrounded by the column which can give more 300 mm on both sides and can make a total of 1.5 m to pass through.
According to the survey there is no sewerage line or water line passes through the stretch so we can improvise garden in that area. There are total 60 space are made so to improvise garden in between two column, we need 58 gardens each of 20 m.
Currently the space in which our scope of work will come is covered by the shopkeepers and customer parking which is not legal, as it comes under municipal corporation area. Also at the junctions, roads are not managed properly. This problem is the cause of accidents due to mixed traffic in this area. This stretch is mostly covered by the vendors and stalls as they will create the messy environment there. This area is also not maintained by the administration as it creates the unhygienic and dirty place for the visitors.
Land use and Characteristics
The 1.2 km of stretch includes three primary location- Railway station, Chaura bazaar and Clock tower, these location have a major effect on the land use in that area because these location are the one of the major location of Ludhiana on which the economic, cultural and historical values exist. It is obvious that there would be the most population of Ludhiana living there. Besides living population there is majority of commercial areas which are found
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Recycling Urban Space and Development of Flyover, 2020
SPACE LENGTH
STRETCH 1.2 KM
BETWEEN TWO COLUMNS 20 M
BETWEEN TWO LANES 5 M
COLUMN DIAMETER 2.8 M 5.PLINTH AREA 150MM ABOVE 6.TOTAL NUMBER OF COLUMNS 60
THROUGH DISTANCE ON BOTH SIDES 1.2 M Table 2: Measurements
site
1.TOTAL
2.DISTANCE
3.DISTANCE
4.EACH
7.PASS
of
in ever streets and road in that area. The reason behind the dominance of commercial areas in that stretch is the presence of Chaura bazaar which is the only business centre of Ludhiana. There is a presence of railway station which also influences the land cover of that area as you can find hotels and restaurants in that area. Besides these there is residential population but mostly you will find not particularly residential also mixed use land covers
It has been observed that there is a requirement of gardens and parks for the residential population. There is a lack of public facilities there because of densely populated area. Peoples often talks about air pollution in that area while visiting and passing through the market. Peoples wants that there should be the improvising of trees and vegetation in that area so that will not experience this type of problem.
Case Studies
Location- Matunga flyover garden, Mumbai, MH, India
Matunga flyover which is located in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Mumbai is a good example of flyover garden present in India. This flyover once was a hangout zone for hawkers, drug-addicts and gamblers now turned into a garden. This area has now serving the population of Matunga’s residence which includes all age types of peoples.
There are 5 different zones for serving different age type of groups. The five zones areMultipurpose zone, Kids zone, sports zone, fitness zone and senior citizen zone. The total project stretch is 293 metres long which act as a harmony with road traffic and pedestrian walkways.
The garden is designed to look like a flow of Narmada River. The architects and engineers have tried to replicate a flow of river by the pedestrian walkways in the garden. (See fig. no.5)
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Table 2: Land-use chart of the site
Land use on the site COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL RECREATIONAL
The granite blocks in gardens act as a landmarks also portraits the history of god-goddess which is connected to the Narmada River. The garden has several siting place in different concepts which looks aesthetically good and more usable.(see fig no.6) The garden has more than 50 types of vegetation’s and trees which reduces air and noise pollution in the area.
Location- LTTS Wild Arena, Veeranyapalya, KN, India
LTTS Wild Arena is a flyover project which is located near the Bangalore in the state of Karnataka. This is the crucial junction near the Manyata tech park and thousands of people’s crosses every day. Before the construction of this project this place often used as dumping for garbage but due to construction of Manyata tech park, their surroundings including flyover gets transformed into wild arena themed garden.
This project has been influenced by the rich diversity of forests and animals in Karnataka. This project was initiated by the forest department, Karnataka which they wants to portraits the biodiversity of Karnataka. LTTS Wild Arena projects different types of sculptures of animals like Tiger, Lion, Elephants, crocodile etc. (see fig no. 7, 8)
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Figure 5: Matunga flyover garden
Figure 6: Matunga flyover garden
The entire area was converted into a neat, clean, green, and managed public space to enhance the hygiene and aesthetics of the entire area. This Project helps in the tourism sectors as it will became the attraction point in Bangalore.
Existing Conditions On site
The site has been covered by the flyover flanges until the end of the stretch. Hence it is creating so many problems below the flyover. Some of the problems have been classified as- (i) unmaintained space below the flyover (ii) illegal parking creating traffic problems (iii) less exposure to the historical monument below the flyover (iv) space becomes hangout place for drug-addicts, gambler etc. (v) dirty and un-utilised land below the flyover. These problems are creating this place not likely to be visited. (See fig.no.9)
As this place is not coming under any development authority so this place has been underdeveloped from 20 years. This place needs to be developed and maintained. Thousands of people daily visiting the place for shopping not only from Punjab but from the outside state people came there for shopping. Due to presence of largest wholesale market in this region, this place is always crowded by the peoples. Traffic is always a
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Figure 7: LTTS wild arena
Figure 8: LTTS wild arena
problem there because traffic get mixed with pedestrian movement further creating congestion in the area. (See fig no.10). In the coming 10 years this area will likely to develop more due to increasing population. There is a need for development to cater the mentioned problems above.
The most important landmark and most visible landmark in Ludhiana- clock tower is not visible to the peoples who passes from the city. This problem created by the flyover if people wants to visit this place they have to cross from the dirtiest area of Ludhiana. Also after visiting this place they will not able to identify as a historical place because surrounding of the area is not making harmony with the clock tower. The survey showed that the visitors wants to visit this place only if this place gets maintained
Architectural importance on site
Clock tower was made in 1906 by the governor of Punjab at that time. Since the construction of clock tower, this place becomes the emblem of the Ludhiana city. This monument has an importance in Ludhiana city as the biggest business centre is located there. Also it is located nearby the railway station. This became the first attraction point for the peoples coming from the outer cities or states. Clock tower was made in indo gothic style which is inspired by the Victoria memorial. The architect in involved in the construction is an English, so he wants that this monument would represent the power of
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Recycling Urban Space and Development of Flyover, 2020
Figure 9
Figure 10
British Empire in the country. This monument was built by sandstone and terracotta which gives the uniqueness.
At the time of British Empire, the nearby surrounding of the clock tower were influenced by this monument. So it can be easily seen the numbers of Indian-gothic style building. The major cause of the influencing is not the British peoples living there but the peoples living in Ludhiana like this type of architecture. So they wants their buildings in the Indian-gothic style. So during 1920’s the Clock tower looks good as it making harmony with the surrounding , but after urbanisation of the area this area gets influenced by the commercial hub of the city making it the dirty and crowded place.
Proposal
The selected site which is approx. 1.2 km of stretch has been facing countless issues, to overcome with these problems a proposal has been made. The proposal mainly focuses on the space between the two lanes or where the columns are placed. This is the only space where proposal can be occurred. The site is started from the entrance point of the railway station to the mata rani chowk. Likewise this space will follow to the whole stretch. There are total 60 columns throughout the site and will cover all the columns as well. The clock tower which the main attraction point of the site located almost at the centre of the site.
The proposal has made on the basis of urban recycling which means the area which was known for its heritage now is being used as the commercial hub of the city. Nor the heritage site like clock tower has been displayed according to the flyover. All problems
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were created by the flyover, we can’t demolish the flyover but we can make this area more interactive with its surrounding and culture. In the wake of making this space more interactives with its heritage we must use the architecture elements in the proposal. The proposal of the study will mainly focuses on making this site more interactive by recycling its urban space.
Concept
The most suitable and preferred way to use the unutilized space below the flyover is to create the garden. This garden will act as a public facility to the peoples of all ages. The idea behind the flyover garden comes from the requirement of the site. Also with regards to the recycling of urban space we should incorporate the design of clock tower in its surrounding. The flyover will have the pathways to cross from each column and in between there are some siting space which is designed according to the design of this flyover garden. Flyover garden will have number of trees to overcome the problem of air pollution and the echoing of sound in the area.
The pathways has been designed in a way that it creates the flowing of river. The concept behind the pathways originated from the rivers in Punjab. The sculpture placed in the garden will portray the story of business hub in Ludhiana. By the sculptures of machinery and working peoples all statues and rock art will be show after every column there is an interactive space where peoples can sit and watch these sculptures. After every 4 columns zebra crossing is provides and it is open from the garden from both sides of the road. The boundaries of the garden has been fenced by the concrete pillars which is made in the shape of clock tower. (See fig. no.11)
Figure 11: Concept of the proposal
The proposal is categorized in different areas namely railway station, clock tower and mata rani chowk. These are the places where proposal has been made. According to this, concept will follow the entire stretch. The first area is railway station which covers 18 columns the second area is clock tower which covers the clock tower and its surrounding stretch covers 14 columns and the last point of the site namely mata rani chowk covers 11
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columns. These 3 areas will portray the design of the space in flyover garden. (See fig. no.12)
Figure 12: Proposal criteria
In the (fig.no. 13) you can see the area of railways station where site begins. The pathways has been placed around the columns to cross from both sides. The total space which is left to cross from the columns is 1200 mm and the total width of the space is 5 metres. The pathways has been covered by the trees from both sides to reduce the echoing below the flyover. In between the pathways there is a recreation spaces are there which can be used as sitting and other activities like playing children games.
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In (fig no. xx) it can be observed that there is a presence of clock tower which is the main focus point of the study. There are total 13 columns are there. After every 4 columns which covers 80 m stretch have 1 zebra crossing. After every 80 metres there is an exit from the garden. The garden edges is covered by the concrete pillars which act as a boundaries of the gardens. These pillar were shaped into the clock tower shape which creates the harmony with the clock tower monument located in this area.
In fig no. xx you can see the ending point of the stretch located at Mata rani chowk. There are total 11 columns are there. The trees and vegetation have been planted in the way they will neglect the negative impacts like air pollution and other harmful particles not enter the garden. There are numbers of zebra crossing are there to cross from the road. There will be proper signage on all sides of the road to maintain functionality. The sculptures depicts the image of business hub in this area and their working population.
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Figure 13: (a) Railway station area
In fig no. xx you can see the ending point of the stretch located at Mata rani chowk. There are total 11 columns are there.
In fig no. 15 you can see the ending point of the stretch located at Mata rani chowk. There are total 11 columns are there. The trees and vegetation have been planted in the way they will neglect the negative impacts like air pollution and other harmful particles not enter the garden. There are numbers of zebra crossing are there to cross from the road. There will be proper signage on all sides of the road to maintain functionality. The sculptures depicts the image of business hub in this area and their working population.
The overall development done on site is cost effective and can be taken into the construction. The development process takes less participation of civil works and structures. The design of flyover garden is sustainable will maintain its social activities like playing, jogging, morning walk etc. This project will be beneficial for Senior-citizens and children as they can spend their time here by playing and hangout. This area will become more interactive and prevent
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Figure 14: (b) Clock tower area
criminal activities. Overall development of the site will not only increases the social gatherings but it will helps in the tourism sector.
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Figure 15: (c) Mata Rani chowk area
Figure 16: (c) Proposed Section of the site
Conclusion
From the above study, we conclude that the selected site of 1.2 km (approx.) stretch has once called an historical site which is located in the clock tower area. Due to the presence of clock tower which is known as emblem of the city, have major impact on its surroundings. The largest business hub of Ludhiana is present there. Due to the presence of these landmark including railway station makes this area the most important area of Ludhiana. But after urbanisation flyover gets constructed in this area which creates many problems like traffic congestion below flyover, un utilised area, illegal parking below flyover and these place become the hangout place for hawkers, drug-addicts and gamblers. Besides these the only landmark here gets vanished due to flyover.
Due to presence of commercial hub in this area, this area becomes denser. There were not enough public facilities like parks and garden are there. There can easily see that there is a need for garden in this area which serves its citizen who are living nearby.so in the proposal we have proposed a flyover garden which utilised the waste space, prevents peoples from criminal activities. Reduces air pollution and most important traffic management is viable there. After the proposal, this area successfully becomes the utilized, managed and heritage space.
With the concept of urban recycle, this area become heritage site which portrays clock tower and its surrounding. This area will have sense of social, cultural and spiritual in its elements of design. This idea becomes example for several places in India which gets affected by these kind of development, we can easily overcome with the concept of urban recycling.
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Martínez, P. G. (2017). Built Heritage Conservation and Contemporary Urban Development: The Contribution of Architectural Practice to. Shanghai, China: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University.
Mirror, M. (2019). Inspired by Matunga flyover garden, BMC to build one under D. Banglore: Mumbai Mirror.
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