Urban Design Research Paper
Issues of Public Safety URBAN DESIGN RESEARCH PAPER
Shabeeb R. bilgrami Section- B 5th year B.Arch Page 1
Urban Design Research Paper
Issues of Public Safety DLF PROMENADE, EMPORIO AND AMBIENCE MALLS, VASANT KUNJ
Abstract The Human Development Report, 1994 cites ‘freedom from fear’ as an essential component of human security[ CITATION UND94 \l 1033 ]. The issue of urban safety and security and the meanings associated with these terms have since traversed from merely the physical to a well rounded concept of emotional wellbeing. Concepts of ‘inclusivity’ and ‘eyes on the street’, under the umbrella issue of public safety, have emerged as major topics of discussion and debate in the related and overlapping fields of architecture, urban design and urban planning over the last decade, particularly in the aftermath of[ CITATION UTT \l 1033 ] . This paper analyses the impact of the development of the commercial centre (the shopping malls) of Vasant Kunj on urban safety in the precinct. In spite of roughly thirty years having passed since its establishment in what was then the urban periphery, the Vasant Kunj precinct in south west Delhi remains isolated and rather poorly connected with the rest of the metropolis. Recently it also has been attracted attention for notorious as well as dangerous activities, in a city already infamous for its unsafe public spaces and crime against women. The Vasant Kunj master-plan, prepared by the DDA, created an expansive urban extension to the city of Delhi[ CITATION DDA \l 1033 ], dehumanised in scale and spirit, typified by large singular land-use parcels encircled by long barren streets. This scheme is in direct opposition to the compact city narrative, where densification Page 2
Urban Design Research Paper and humanisation of urban spaces is the focus. Physically Vasant Kunj interfaces with the city through massive institutional campuses whose inward functions and the resultant ‘unurbanised’ edges have been detrimental in forming close connections with the city, even though Delhi has since expanded into a bustling metropolis and thriving suburbia (Gurgaon) has developed beyond Vasant Kunj. Though it is occupied by major schools, universities and institutions like JNU, small commercial community centres like the Ber Sarai complex and high-income and middle-income group housings with urban villages interspersed in between, Vasant Kunj, expectedly, still suffered from issues of safety- especially by the night when the connections between the precinct and the city used to be dark and desolate. Again, this may be attributed to, the presence of large institutional and residential gated campuses, that leave the urban-scape dull, excluded and inactive, and the streets are reduced to mere passage for vehicular movement.
This paper posits that this ground reality as well as public perception has greatly changed, rather improved, since the establishment of the three malls in the commercial district of Vasant Kunj, opening up the Vasant Kunj ridge area to public from all over the city. Public transport systems, through greater metro feeder bus stops and auto-rickshaw stands and street lighting have also been accordingly enhanced. According to Prabhudda Das (Associate Architect at DLF) the DLF Promenade and Emporio malls together receive a daily foot fall of approximately 5000. The transformation of the precinct just by the activation of this commercial centre has been remarkable. The development of this large city-level commercial centre along the Nelson Mandela Marg, also envisioned by the masterplan, reclaims some of the lost urba, reinforces the fragmented urban fabric, and clearly demonstrates the importance and positive impact of human life, activity and ‘re-urbanisation’. However, the question arises- have the malls done enough? Occupying an area of approximately 8 hectares the commercial district is a business centric zone, that invites, rather is accessible by only a limited group of people, based on their purchasing power and economic class. Within the three malls as well, a clear economic division is evident- with increasing exclusivity from Ambience to DLF Promenade to Emporio. This exclusivity is supported by and carried forth in their particular spatial designs[ CITATION Pra15 \l 1033 ]. A large green plaza provided as a buffer in front of the mall’s front façade providing visual appeal but sets back the malls further away from the road. The strict vehicular Page 3
Urban Design Research Paper movement sidelines the pedestrian, pushing her into a highly regulated and unfriendly circulation, which clearly reflects the intention of the client and the architect to orient the design towards private vehicle owners- clearly a commerce driven decision.
Through the above observations, it is clear that though not intended or purposeful, the Vasant Kunj malls impact issues of urban safety positively, just by virtue of its existence. This is definitely credit to the urban planning. In fact issues that have been Page 4
Urban Design Research Paper borne of the urban planning have not been unfortunately addressed by the urban design either- the site is a lost opportunity to address the social and physical aspect of public safety at its edges. The development limits the interaction and contains the urban life within the walls of its own site. These malls, above all demonstrate the inter relationship between the concepts of urban safety and inclusivity. The Vasant Kunj project is similar to the current urban design studio problem in the way that both are urban edge developments, on largely rural land. Through thirty years of existence, Vasant Kunj offers a wealth of lessons in urban design and urban planning, dos as well don’ts, to extrapolate to the studio’s site of 14 hectares in sector-24, Dwarka The site can potentially suffer from the same issues of security and isolation, hence it must be kept in mind that this 14 hectare piece of land not only provides for the business, commercial and planning needs of the precinct but through sensitive urban design creates and contributes to a vibrant urban-scape that ultimately, through an actively inclusive approach enriches the social and urban fabric of the surrounding precinct. Safety in such an urban space will be inherent, well rounded and wholesome. Keeping these principles in mind, effort have been made in the studio problem, to create permeable site edges, to create zones of interest that naturally draw people inwards through a welcoming urban edge and interaction. Through an intrinsic inclusive nature, the site is imagined as the diametrical opposite to the DLF shopping malls at Vasant Kunj, where active measures ensure the segregation of users based on affordability and financial standing.
Bibliography Das, P. (2015, August ). DLF malls Vasant Kunj. (S. Raza, Interviewer) DDA. (n.d.). master plan delhi. New Delhi. UNDP. (1994). the human development report. UTTIPEC. (n.d.). transit oriented development. new delhi.
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