Tactical Urbanism in India by Hafsa Rafi

tactical. U R B A N I S M

I N

I N D I A

“SUCCESSFUL CITY IS LIKE A FABULOUS PARTY, PEOPLE STAY BECAUSE THEY ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME THERE.”

S L I D E

Space to Place People are the only makers of place from a space and the process is the Place making.

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PLACEMAKING IN INDIA Good informal gathering spaces

were

created

organizing

meetings on chabutras.

The old city Shajahanabad got its name from the crescent shape informal gathering space which became popular as a hotspot activities.

various

public

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issue

Degradation of Public Spaces The significance of social interactions were overpowered by the materialistic things. Thus public spaces gradually lost their proficiency in fabricating the neighborhood. The public spaces in

today’s times are not being used to their potential.

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IMPLICATIONS Popular public space like Bryant Park in Manhattan, was not only neglected by people but also avoided by them. The public space became undesirable

and

disturbed

communal

harmony. The social values got lost in

The places turn into criminal

People retaliate by molding the

the hustle and bustle of

hotspots when not used for

cities according to heir usage

urbanization. Thus, lead to the

prolonged periods. Also effect

and comfort. This in turns

loss of community spirit.

the security of nearby streets

result into vandalism and

and areas.

encroachment.

To meliorate the current situation Jane Jacobs and William H.Whyte came forward with the proposals of place making which involved public participation.

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ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY : THE TOOTI BOUNDARY CASE

VANDALISM The boundary between Jamalpur and Medical Colony in AMU Campus is known as Tooti Boundary. As the people always raze the boundary to the ground for it is a hindrance to the easy connection between Jamalpur and Medical Colony.

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UNIVERSITY CANTEEN: ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY

NEGLECTION The location effected the popularity of the place. The location is behind Mathematics Department, near boys hostel in AMU campus. Accessibility of college canteen is easier as compared to university canteen.

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BABA KHARAK SING MARG, CONNAUGHT PLACE, NEW DELHI

ENCROACHMENT Baba Kharak Singh Marg, a part of ring road, is known for the series of emporiums surrounded by plazas and open spaces. These plazas are vibrant only during festive seasons, during normal days these places are treated as taxi stands.

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Reasons for Degradation o f L I F E i n P U B L I C S PA C E S i n I N D I A The planning of megacities became centered around generating built structures rather than creating welcoming public spaces. Very little attention is paid in creating life in spaces. Thus, places created now-a-days lack identity. These places are built as whole to part and are disconnected from the surroundings and the neighborhood.

01.

02.

Loss Of Hospitality Character

Loss of sense of ownership of

Negligence towards the

Unawareness of people towards

In Places

one’s neighborhood among

development of neighborhood

the social values of a good public

03.

04 . space.

Introduction of Tactical Urbanism I N

I N D I A N

C I T I E S

Tactical Urbanism is the most suitable approach to be used for promoting public participation for community welfare. As an effective tool, it proposes ephemeral solutions taken by the people to bring a permanent change in the society. Tactical Urbanism in Indian cities has been there since earlier times. The meaning however has changed somewhat in the present context

Why is it most suitable for Indian cities ?

An efficient tool for rejuvenating public spaces in India. “Making Places from Spaces”

S L I D E

01.

This approach allows the host of local actors to test new concepts before making substantial political and financial commitments.

02.

The failures in the practice becomes its learning. Feedback mechanism is provided by the public itself as well as the changes are made by them. BUILD – MEASURE – LEARN Dynamic character of the practice. Modifications made iteratively help it to adjust itself according to the present needs of the society.

03.

It is short term practice which may or may not be sanctioned by the authorities. Avoids cumbersome paperwork and lets people modify their neighbourhood and solve their daily problems at their scale. The success of practice might lead to a better permanent change .

04.

Indian cities are known for their unique urban fabric - which identifies with the people of the region and their culture. Placemaking and tactical methods were a major components in social values earlier. The Indian cities are in desperate need of revival of its bazaars, its lively squares, twisting alleys to regenerate life in the cities- to create a sense of belonging.

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Steps towards Tactical Urbanism DEVISING A STRATEGY FOR IMPLEMENTATION

LAYING OUT A PROPOSAL

DISTRIBUTION OF WORK AND PROCUREMENT OF RESOURCES

The identification of site

The possible outcomes

The proposal is presented

includes assessing it for

and challenges that they

to the community for

its potential to serve the

might incur in due

approval. After this an

community and analyzing

course of its working.

informal group of people is

Stages of execution of the project is discussed and work is distributed amongst people and resources required are procured. The final execution begins after this.

IDENTIFICATION OF A SPACE.

its current state.

formed who’d carry out the execution of the process.

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Anandrao Flyover Bangalore. With the initiative to transform the public spaces into green spaces, a group of students from SUI Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia, New York approached the Commissioner, BBMP to develop these unused spaces. Instead of a presentation, the commissioner demanded a demonstration to analyze the effects and the reactions of people towards a new practice in the city before sanctioning a complete project for modifying all the public places of the same type. They used recyclable wood, plastic bottles processed in the form of bales,

bamboo, metal scrap etc. Scraps from billboards were used to assemble metal frames, sitting spaces were made from discarded pavers and gravel and the walls were scraped of advertising pamphlets and colored in bright colors with a neutral abstract pattern.

The once dumping ground was transformed into a captivating urban spot in ten days by a team of students.

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Benefits

How tactical urbanism helped rejuvenate the site under the flyover? Reclamation of a derelict site The once dumping ground was transformed into a captivating urban spot in ten days by a team of students. People responded positively to the space redesign.

Encouragement of social interaction The demonstration was used by a wide section of the population. It offered a lively space to have lunch, to

office workers who worked nearby, a recreational area for kids, an attraction for people passing by, a safe area for pedestrians, sitting spaces for parents who picked up kids from the bus, a waiting area for people waiting for the transport.

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Benefits

How tactical urbanism helped rejuvenate the site under the flyover? Contempt towards damage of public spaces The people started valuing the place and anyone who attempted to depreciate the place was viewed as an offender by the general public. advertisement pasting on the walls of these spaces led to negative publicity of the company along with crucial criticism.

Initiation of other placemaking activities People engaged themselves in placemaking activities such as painting the flyover pillars, walls etc. hence, along with the positive impact at one place, a spirit of public participation was developed among many in the city of Bangalore.

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“ Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody. ” - JANE JACOBS