Bachelor Thesis, Community Empowerment Center in Mehrauli by Shamita Chaudhary

DECLARATION The research work embodied in the thesis titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Community Empowerment Center, Mehrauliâ&#x20AC;? has been carried out by the undersigned as part of the undergraduate program in the Department of Architecture , School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India under the supervision of Prof. Meena Mani and Prof. B.K.Tanuja as design guides and Prof. Bashabi Dasgupta as research guide. The undersigned hereby declares that this is her original work and has not been plagiarized in part of full form from any sources, furthermore this work has not been submitted for any degree in this or any other university.

Guides: Prof. Meena Mani Prof. B. K. Tanuja

___________________ SHAMITA CHAUDHRY 5th Year B. Arch A/2322/2011 School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi 110002

Studio Cooridinators: Prof. Aruna Ramani Grover Prof. M.L. Bahri

CERTIFICATE This thesis was carried out during the January â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 2016 semester in the Department of Architecture under our guidance. Thereafter, based on the declaration dated 4th May 2016 by the candidate, the work was placed in front of the Juries held on 23rd, 25th & 26th May 2016. On successful completion of the Jury process and completion of the Report in all respects including the last chapter by the Candidate we provisionally accept the Thesis Report and forward the same to the Studio Director.

______________________ ________________________ _______________________ Prof. Bashabi Dashgupta Prof. Meena Mani Prof. B.K.Tanuja Research Guide Design Guide Design Guide

On successful completion of the course by the candidate I hereby accept this completed report on behalf of the Head of the Department to be placed in the Library of School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. ______________________ Prof. Moti Bahri Studio Director Date :

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This thesis was a team effort and it would be incomplete without the acknowledgement of those who played the rudders to what would have otherwise been a ship sailing in the dark. First of all I’d like to thank my guides, Prof. Meena Mani, Prof. B.K. Tanuja and Prof. Bashubi Dasgupta for believing in my work and for their constant words of encouragement. Throughout discussions, arguments and epiphanies, they backed our enthusiasm with their experience and helped us deliver a product that was truly a reflection of our learning and beliefs. I’d also like to thank Prof. M.L. Bahri and Prof. Aruna Ramani, our studio coordinators who kept every- one on track and made our lives and this journey as smooth as possible. Along with them Prof. Snehanshu Mukherjee, Prof. Anuj Mehta and all the other design studio faculties who constantly kept an eye on the project to see how it was shaping up and offered timely advice on practical matters of cost, construction and design. Prof. Nalini Thakur and her extensive research on Mehrauli formed the base of this thesis while Prof. Manu Mahajan, Prof. Parul Kiri Roy and Prof. Henry Fanthome helped me get past the hurdles of getting to know the locality, the people and picking the site. Ar. Ashish Ganjoo, Aarti Dhingra and all those working at GREHA with their ongoing research on Mehrauli provided me with the base map that you will see has been used everywhere. I thank them for magnanimously sharing it with me. Institutions like INTACH and the Delhi Development Authority (Department of Physical Planning, Landscape and Urban Development) were accommodating and helpful and readily furnished me with whatever information I required and offered their valuable guidance in making this project as real as possible. Lastly I’d like to express my gratitude towards my friends and family – my parents for their motivational talks and food at odd hours and Kiranmayi Yenduri, Protyasha Pandey, Riddhi Batra and Sumhaira Mumtaz in particular for taking time out of their busy schedules to lend a helping hand with the sheets and the model. I might forget a few who in their small ways helped out however they could but without you all this semester would have been extremely hard to complete. Thank you all very much.

SYNOPSIS This thesis started with the simple search to understand how one must treat the interface between an urban village and a city. I looked at the list of the 111 urban villages that existed in Delhi and after doing a feasibility study on many, from Hauz Khas Village to Shapurjat to Chirag Dilli, my heart finally settled on Mehrauli – the oldest of the 7 cities of Delhi. Currently saturated and in a state of disrepair – it is in grave need of an intervention. Mehrauli has always held a place of wonder and mystique in my mind, with its ancient baolis, pleasure gardens, the last Mughal palace and ancient colonial bungalows buried under the host of problems it currently faces. Its connect to the Aravallis and the ancient water channels of Delhi give it an interesting ecology that juxtaposed with the layers of settlements over the years (including the current one) give it its current characteristic. The thesis further questions the current urban situation in Mehrauli, the role of the authorities, the existing yet non-existent village development plans and the way forward. Any suggestions made in it are personal opinions, although formulated after thorough research. The following chapters capture the journey through the settlement, from understanding what urban villages are to decoding the layers the surround the Urban Village of Mehrauli – its people, its architecture and moreover its complicated history in a more comprehensive manner – to finally delivering an architectural product that draws from this exploration to produce something I felt the people of this settlement sorely needed – Empowerment. Empowerment here is not only at a personal level but rather a community level with Education, Skill Development and Heritage Conservation forming the base for holistsic Urban Revitalisation.

4.1.2 Development Methodology 4.1.3 Programme Formulation 4.1.4 Functional Diagram

4.2 MAJOR COMPONENTS AND REQUIREMENTS 4.2.1 Interpretation Center 4.2.2 Library

...59 ...60

4.3 PROPOSED AREA PROGRAMME

...62

CHAPTER 5 - DESIGN DETERMINANTS 5.1 SWOT Analysis 5.2 Site Planning and Circulation 5.3 Volumetric Disposition

PART II

...56 ...57 ...58

...65 ...66 ...67

CHAPTER 6 - DESIGN EVOLUTION 6.1 Major Concepts 6.2 Design Translation

...69 ...70

CHAPTER 7 - DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

...72

CHAPTER 8 - THE FINAL DESIGN 8.1 Model Photos 8.2 Plans 8.3 Elevations 8.4 Achieved Area Programme 8.5 Jury Comments

...76 ...80 ...84 ...88 ...90

LIST OF FIGURES / photographs / maps Cover Page ................................................................................................................... Fig 1 : The 3 guiding principles of this thesis............................................................... Fig 2 : Hypothesis ........................................................................................................ Fig 3 : Extents of Protected and Regulated Zones for Hauz-i-Shamsi & Jahaz Mahal Fig 4 : Life cycle of an Urban Village ......................................................................... Fig 5 : Formation of an Urban Village ........................................................................ Fig 6 : Concepts .......................................................................................................... Fig 7 : Conceptual Sketch of Interpretation Center ..................................................... Fig 8 : Recently constructed boundary walls and the ongoing construction................ Fig 9 : Elevational Study ............................................................................................. Fig 10 : Extents of Protected, Prohibited and Regulated Zones................................... Fig 11 : Khair-ul-Manazil and Shershah Suri Gate at Purana Qila, Delhi................... Fig 12 : Extents of Protected and Regulated Zones..................................................... Fig 13 : Location of Begumpur Masjid + Bijay Mandal - Google Map...................... Fig 14 : Extents of Protected and Regulated Zones for Hauz Shamsi & Jahaz Mahal Fig 15 : Layers of Mehrauli......................................................................................... Fig 16 : The Economic Activities of Mehrauli............................................................ Fig 17 : Wards of Mehrauli ......................................................................................... Fig 18 (a,b,c) : Gateways of Mehrauli ........................................................................ Fig 19 (a) : Doorways of Mehrauli ............................................................................. Fig 19 (b,c,d) : Doorways of Mehrauli ....................................................................... Fig 20 (a,b,c,d) : Jharokas and Balconies of Mehrauli ............................................... Fig 21 (a,b,c,d,e) : Grills and Infills of Mehrauli ........................................................ Fig 22 (a,b,c,d) : Facades of Mehrauli......................................................................... Fig 23 (a,b,c) : Architectural Details seen in Mehrauli ............................................... Fig 24 : Baoli of Nizamuddin Auliya .......................................................................... Fig 24 (A to F): Nizamuddin Basti Urban Renewal Initiatives.................................... A,B,C ........................................................................................................................... D,E,F ...........................................................................................................................

Author Author Author Author Hao 2012 Hao 2012 www.flaticon.com Author Author INTACH 2012 INTACH 2012 Google Bajaj 2013 Google Map Author Thakur 1989 Author Thakur 1989 Author Lewis, C & Lewis, K, 1997 Author Author Author Author Author The Hindu 2012 Author www.nizamuddinrenewal.org

LIST OF FIGURES . Fig 25 : Location, Punta Arenas ............................................................................. Fig 26 : Local Community working with professionals learning modern building practices ................................................................................................................. Fig 27 : Plan, Punta Arenas .................................................................................... Fig 28 : Exploded axo, Punta Arenas ..................................................................... Fig 29: Views of the Punta Arenas Tourist Station ................................................ Fig 30 : Crafts Museum ......................................................................................... Fig 31 : Location, Crafts Museum ......................................................................... Fig 32 : Plan, Crafts Museum ................................................................................ Fig 33 : Ratio wise breakdown of the Area Program ............................................. Fig 34 : Amphitheater of Crafts Museum .............................................................. Fig 35 (a,b,c) : Courtyards of Crafts Museum........................................................ Fig 36 : Museum Plan............................................................................................. Fig 37 : Location, Anandgram ............................................................................... Fig 38 : Site Plan, Sanskriti Kala Kendra .............................................................. Fig 39 : Visitor experience at Sanskriti Kala Kendra.............................................. Fig 40 : Place making, Sanskriti Kala Kendra........................................................ Fig 41 : Land use plan............................................................................................. Fig 42 : Zone F ....................................................................................................... Fig 43 : F-15 Mehrauli ........................................................................................... Fig 44 : Precinct Map, Mehrauli ............................................................................ Fig 45 : Landmarks Map, Mehrauli ....................................................................... Fig 46 : Landmarks of Mehrauli ............................................................................ 1. Crescent Mall...................................................................................................... 2. Qutub Minar ....................................................................................................... 3. Ahimsa Sthall....................................................................................................... 4. Jain Dadawadi Mandir.........................................................................................

Google Maps www.archdaily.com www.archdaily.com www.archdaily.com www.archdaily.com Author Google Maps Crafts Museum, Delhi Author Author Google Crafts Museum, Delhi Google Maps www.isola.org.in Author Author MPD 2021 MPD 2021 MPD 2021 Author Author Google Author Google Google Google

LIST OF FIGURES 5. Qutub Minar Metro Station................................................................................. 6. Hauz-i-Shamsi ........................................................................................................... 7. Kisaan Haat................................................................................................................. 8. Chhatarpur Metro Station............................................................................................ Fig 47 : Existing Site and Context Plan.......................................................................... Fig 48 : Garbage disposal................................................................................................ Fig 49 : Solid Waste Provisions ...................................................................................... Fig 50 : Electricity............................................................................................................ Fig 51 : Primary Streets ................................................................................................. Fig 52 : Tertiary Streets .................................................................................................. Fig 53 : Drainage ............................................................................................................ Fig 54 : Map overlaying the Geological Map of Delhi on the Landuse Plan of Delhi... Fig 55 : Historic Water Channels of Delhi..................................................................... Fig 56 : Poor Garbage Disposal...................................................................................... Fig 57 : Lack of Parking ................................................................................................ Fig 58 : Open drains & Poor sanitation.......................................................................... Fig 59 : Eastern edge, Son Burj Masjid and Informal Flea Market ............................... Fig 60 : Northern edge, Mango Orchard ........................................................................ Fig 61 : Southern edge, Forest Land .............................................................................. Fig 62 : Boundary Wall along Western Edge ................................................................. Fig 63 : Entrance into Forested Area .............................................................................. Fig 64 : Garbage Dump for the Settlement .................................................................... Fig 65 : Old Structure Containing Multiple Graves ....................................................... Fig 66 : South View from Site at +15m .......................................................................... Fig 67 : North View from Site at +15m .......................................................................... Fig 68 : Illegal Construction on Site .............................................................................. Fig 69 : View of Southern Edge with Lots of Keekar growing wild .............................. Fig 70 : Visual Disconnect from Historic Structure ........................................................

Author Google Google Author Author Author Lewis, C & Lewis, K, 1997 Author Author Author Author Bajaj 2013 Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author

LIST OF FIGURES Fig 71 : Shrine of Hazrat Makhdoomi Samaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;uddin Suhrawadi ..................................... Fig 72 : Any open space available used as Parking........................................................ Fig 73 : Jahaz Mahal & Community Field - Site For Phool Waalon Ki Sair.................. Fig 74 : Jharna - In A Neglected & Dilapidated State, Historic Water Channel Blocked Fig 75 : Between Graveyard & Shamsi Talab - Illegally Raised Boundary Wall........... Fig 76 : Graveyard with Illegal Boundary - Visual Disconnect with Mango Orchard... Fig 77 : Pavillion on Hauz-i-Shamsi.............................................................................. Fig 78 : Historic Mango Orchard - Walled & Disconnected ......................................... Fig 79 : Development Methodology .............................................................................. Fig 80 :Mapungubwe Interpretation Center, South Africa by Peter Rich Architects..... Fig 81 : Coit Memorial Tower, San Francisco by Arthur Rich Jr. and Henry Howard Fig 82 : Conceptual Massing ......................................................................................... Fig 83 : Whitehall Library by Jonathan Barnes.............................................................. Fig 84 : Interiors, Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Area.................................................................................. Fig 85 : Ground Floor Plan, Whitehall Library.............................................................. Fig 86 : Major Movement Axes ..................................................................................... Fig 87 : Site Drainage .................................................................................................... Fig 88 : Zoning .............................................................................................................. Fig 89 : Elevation - Showing the gradation in building height along visual axis........... Fig 90 : Plan - Buildings staggering inwards as per perspective ................................... Fig 91 : Sections along the Central Spine of Mehrauli Village...................................... Fig 92 : The linking of the Madarsa and Library roof................................................... Fig 93 : Public spaces for Social Interaction ........................................................................ Fig 94 : The Site-Orchard-Shamsi Connect, Model Photo ................................................... Fig 95 : Colonial style grills and windows ; Blue Persian tiles, Mughal Gateways.............. Fig 96 : Sketch Design .......................................................................................................... Fig 97 : Design Development I ............................................................................................ Fig 98 : Design Development II ........................................................................................... Fig 99 : Block model - Southern edge ..................................................................................

Author Author Author Author Author Author Author GREHA 2006 www.akdn.org Google Author www.archdaily.com www.archdaily.com www.archdaily.com Author Author Author Author Author Bhargava, N 2013 Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author Author

model photographs Fig 100 : Zoning and Volumetric Disposition ................................................................

(All photos in this section have been taken by the Author)

list of tables

Fig 101 : The Final Design - Northern Edge Fig 102 : The Activity Center - Opening Out Onto The Amphitheater Fig 103 : The Library Overlooking The Kund Fig 104 : Community Toilet Complex catering to the Masjid & Akhara Fig 105 : Madarsa And Its Public/Private Courts Fig 106 : Drop Off - Shopping Street & Interpretation Center Fig 107 : The buildings as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;backdropâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the Orchard Fig 108 : The Southern Edge of the Complex Fig 109 : Private Working Spaces Of The Heritage Conservation Unit Fig 110 : Tourist Plaza with informal shopping and eateries around it Fig 111 : The Modern Aesthetic Of The Interpretation Center Fig 112 : Top view - Community Empowerment Center

(All tables have been made by the Author) Table 1 : Drafted Heritage Bye-Laws for Hauz-i-Shamsi & Jahaz Mahal Table 2 : Area Program of Crafts Museum Table 3 : Development Methodology - Application to Mehrauli

GLOSSARY

1. AMASR ACT - Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010 2. ASI - Archaeological Survey of India 3. DUAC - Delhi Urban Art Commission 4. INTACH - Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage 5. UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 6. NMA - National Monuments Authority 7. HICIRA - The Hicira Handbook for Heritage Interpretation Centres 8. MPD - Master Plan of Delhi 9. GNCTD - Governement of National Capital Territory of Delhi 10. AKTC - Aga Khan Trust for Culture

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION THE (LAL DORA v/s DELHI) INTERFACE The city of Delhi is home to 111 recognised “urban” villages today. Created as a result of the Delhi Development Act of 1957 where in order to accommodate for the high influx of migrants post-partition agricultural land around the villages was usurped for “urbanisation”. The Lal Dora, characterised by a red boundary that indicated the extents of the village abadi, came to mark the extents of these urban villages. The red boundary that was earlier meant to distinguish the agricultural land from the non-agricultural was now nothing but a schism between the regulated and the unregulated. The land enclosed that was free of the regular norms of taxation and building bye-laws that applied to the rest of the city. As a result, these settlements grew organically over time. At the cost of basic amenities and facilities, these villages turned into hubs for cheap accommodation and are now face varying degrees of gentrification in places. Deprived of their original source of livelihood and compensated with land on the outskirts of the city, the natives here live off their incomes from rent and face a general discord with the general scheme of things in the city. On one hand you have the “planned” settlements of the capital while on the other you have the organic and rather haphazard “unplanned” settlements within the Lal Dora. Apart from the

social disconnect, structural safety is of concern as is fire safety and the movement of any kind of emergency vehicle. The presence of historical monuments within these settlements has only added to the list of complications the inhabitants face. With the AMASR Act of 2010 prohibiting any kind of construction within 100m of a protected monument and regulating construction between 100 to 300m, the dilapidated structures can only disintegrate further. Heritage monuments, old houses, the crafts and the culture are all important aspects of many urban villages in Delhi today. However, the attitude of the conservation authorities in our country to freeze everything in place in order to conserve it is insensitive to the needs of the residents. What has been overlooked is the fact that the settlement itself is a living breathing heritage in itself, growing and adapting with the market forces constantly tugging on it. So the question that comes forward is – how can one make the interface between a historically significant urban village and the city more transitional such that it caters to the needs of the settlement today and is more inclusive towards outsiders as well?

WHY MEHRAULI? Mehrauli is the oldest living settlement in Asia. Apart from being a storehouse of many of the layers of history that Delhi has seen in the past 900 years, it is the perfect example of an Urban Village with a significant historic past. Furthermore, it has been well documented in the past which lays a good base of information and data for an architectural thesis. PROPOSITION

Fig 1 : The 3 guiding principles of this thesis

cOMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Fig 2 : (on facing page) Hypothesis

TOURIST FACILITATION

HERITAGE CONSERVATION

The 3 pillars of this thesis are – • Community Education & Empowerment • Tourist Facilitation • Heritage Conservation Being a linear settlement, Mehrauli is based around a central spine that has 2 ends which meet the city and form interfaces with it. One being the Qutub Complex – a world heritage site as recognized by UNESCO, the other is the ‘Hauz Shamsi - Jharna - Jahaz Mahal - Mango Orchard’ Complex that caters to the residents as open recreational space now. The former is a tourist magnet which has over time attracted many high end boutiques around it that cater to the ultra-rich. Understandably, the gentrification limited to this pocket does not relate to the residents in any way, some of whom still struggle to make ends meet. Moreover, it is a matter of concern that while thousands of tourists flock to the Qutub Complex every day, just a few 100 metres away are various monuments prime to the history of Delhi that lie in a state of neglect and disrepair.

The other end of the settlement holds potential to be a ‘Counter Magnet’ to the Qutub Complex with tourist facilities for cultural programmes and restaurants that can be used to draw out tourists from the Qutub Complex and lead them to other end of the settlement, thereby activating the central spine and the monuments that lie along it as well. Furthermore, this needs to be clubbed with facilities of heritage conservation that research the current state of the monuments and train the existing population which is skilled in basic construction so that the manpower for the restoration can come from the village itself. Apart from being a source of income this will also instil a sense of pride in the community about their surroundings and spread knowledge about the settlement to the population – both old and new.

MEHRAULI VILLAGE

ANDHERIA MOR

900 YEARS OF HISTORY

MEHRAULI

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

The linear settlement on Mehrauli requires a facility that taps into the footfall of the Qutub Complex, drawing people out through the main spine or via Andheria Mor while also catering to the growing needs of the settlement hence creating a ‘TRANSITIONAL INTERFACE’

THE NEED FOR A “COUNTER MAGNET”

HYPOTHESIS

QUTUB COMPLEX HIGH FOOTFALL TOURIST MAGNET

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR SITE SELECTION Mehrauli is home to a lot of Centrally & State protected monuments, Hauz-i-Shamsi and Jahaz Mahal being instances of the former. This subjects us to the AMASR Act of 2010 which prohibits any construction activity within a 100 meter radius of their plinths but allows regulated construction between 100 to 300 meters. So site selection needs to be done very carefully if a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Counter Magnetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has to be executed at the other end of the settlement. JAHAAZ MAHAL

The following figure shows all the monuments along the spine of the settlement with their 100 and 300 meter radii. Another factor to be kept in mind in the absence of bye laws in this region. According to AMASR 2010 ammendment, Heritage Bye Laws need to be especially drafted for the influence zones of each protected monument, by a competent authority such as National Monuments Authority, ASI, INTACH etc. Upon checking it was found out that the process of drafting these laws is a slow one and no bye laws exist currently for this area. Hence, special bye laws need to be drafted.

HAUZ SHAMSI

100

200

Fig 3 : Extents of Protected and Regulated Zones for Hauz-i-Shamsi & Jahaz Mahal. 4

CHAPTER 2 2.1-research Urban Villages - Morphology and Evolution (Secondary) • •

Characteristics and Role in the city Urban Renewal of Urban Villages - Study of the proposals by DUAC for the urban renewal of Aya Nagar

Heritage Interpretation • •

The HICIRA Handbook on Heritage Interpretation 2005 Heritage Interpretation in Mehrauli

Architectural Intervention in Historic Contexts • •

Heritage Bye Laws & the AMASR Act Study of Heritage Bye Laws for the Begumpuri Masjid & Khair-ul-Manazil

Settlement Study of Mehrauli • • •

Historical antecedents Socio-economic survey Architectural Vocabulary (Primary study)

2.1.1 u r b a n v i l l a g e s CHARACTERISTICS & EVOLUTION Urban villages are formed by engulfing agricultural land around villages by Urban areas in order to develop them for further urbanisation, leaving the residential rural land intact. This process is clearly depicted in Figure 4. As compensation, alternate accommodation is provided to them by the government, mostly on the outskirts of the city. Apart from this other forms of compensation provided to these villagers are the reduction of taxes, relaxation of building bye-laws etc. Most of these acts are however done as a compromise for the lack of modern amenities in these areas such as properly laid out water, electricity and sewage lines. Health and hygiene become common issues here, but apart from that these areas become hubs of cheap housing as renting out their houses becomes a profitable source of income for the villagers who find themselves out of place in the urban situation. Over time this leads to a boom in the migrant population, which slowly overtakes the indigenous population. This leads to an increase in the demand for commercial and service facilities. The daily lives of the population calls for personal and professional services such as shops, salons, clinics, schools for the children etc. Catering to these markets enables the development of various commercial and service facilities to flourish. Cheap products and services in the villages meet local demands and even attract customers from outside. As migrant housing, employment and services all develop, the villages become a niche location for migrants to enjoy an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;urban lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. (Hao, 2012)

Fig 4 : Life cycle of an Urban Village

Fig 5 : Formation of an Urban Village 6

2.1.2 H E R I T A G E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N THE HICIRA HANDBOOK ON HERITAGE INTERPRETATION CENTERS, 2005

PRINCIPLES OF HERITAGE INTERPRETATION

“Interpretation is a working method which facilitates presentation and social use of heritage and serves to provide a reading and options for its active use by means of many presentation and animation resources. Interpretation is based on cultural and/or natural evidence, either material or immaterial, found in a given location and always seeks to promote these features in their original context. To this end, the aim is always in situ recovery and the greatest possible contextualisation of heritage resources. The idea of the object as having value in itself in isolation from its function and setting, is rejected.”

Freedman Tilden, considered the father of interpretation established 6 fundamental principles for the discipline in his book Interpreting our Heritage (1957).

- Heritage Interpretation Centres, the HICIRA Handbook WHY NOT SIMPLY DO A MUSEUM ? The concept of Heritage Interpretation is different from that of a traditional museum, which is simply an archive of historical evidence, presented with a ‘cold rationalistic rigour’. It aims to not only at raising public awareness, but also invoking a sense of curiosity in the visitor by allowing him/her to visualise, smell, see, hear, touch, i.e. truly experience the site. According to York Edwards (1976), the process of Interpretation possesses 4 vital characteristics - being an attractive form of communication, providing concise information, the fact that it is conducted in the presence of the object and that it helps the visitor to understand the meaning of the heritage object.

1. Any interpretation that does not somehow relate what is being displayed or described to something within the personality or experience of the visitor will be sterile. 2. Information, as such, is not Interpretation. Interpretation is revelation based upon information. But they are entirely different things. However, all interpretation includes information. 3. Interpretation is an art, which combines many arts, whether the materials presented are scientific, historical, or architectural. Any art is in some degree teachable. 4. The chief aim of Interpretation is not instruction, but provocation. 5. Interpretation should aim to present a whole rather than a part, and must address itself to the whole man rather than any phase. 6. Interpretation addressed to children (say, up to the age of twelve) should not be a dilution of the presentation to adults, but should follow a fundamentally different approach. To be at its best it will require a separate programme. 7

HERITAGE INTERPRETATION IN THE CASE OF MEHRAULI Some of the few benefits of the Interpretation Center in Mehrauli can be listed as follows. - Economic upliftment by providing Direct or Indirect Employment - Social Integration of Heritage via Education - Creating an Identity & Reinforcing link of the community with territory and tradition - Culutral Tourism - Heritage Conservation

Ideally, the Interpretation Center in order to be a ‘Counter Magnet’ should offer a vantage point over the settlement, something that the Qutub Minar doesn’t do anymore. As a viewing deck, it connects one visually not only to the Hauz Shamsi, Qutub Complex and the monuments within the settlement but also Qila Rai Pithora, Lal Kot and the Archaeological Park and allows one to perceive it in its totality, something that is currently missing in the understanding of the area.

In the case of Mehrauli, the Interpretation Center should be something that exhibits the inventory of local heritage resources that Mehrauli has to offer, especially the following. – Built Heritage - Monuments,Streets, Old Havelis

Spatially, it can attempt to recreate the experience of walking through the lively shaded streets of Mehrauli and link it up with the viewing tower as an extension of it, demonstrating what one is about to experience.

– Natural Heritage – Historic Water Channels – Cultural Heritage & Local Traditions

Furthermore, it can have a place for educational workshops for rediscovery of local traditions & customs in collaboration with the local community.

Fig 7 : Conceptual Sketch of Interpretation Center

Fig 6 : Concepts

2.1.3 A R C H IT E C T U R A L I N T E R V E N T I ON S I N H I S T O RI C C O N T E X T S THE AMASR ACT 2010 According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, areas falling within 100 metres of a centrally protected monument are declared ‘Prohibited’ by the National Monuments Authority (NMA) and those between 100 to 300 metres are declared ‘Regulated’. No construction is permitted within the Prohibited Zone while construction and repair (according to certain parameters) is allowed provided the structure has been built before 1992. Within the Regulated Zone however, the Competent Authority may grant permission for construction, reconstruction, repair and renovation on the basis of recommendations by the NMA duly taking note of the Heritage bye laws, which shall be formulated in consultation with INTACH and other expert heritage bodies based on detailed site plans prepared by the ASI.

walls recently erected enclosing the mango orchard and the historic graveyard next to the Hauz Shamsi. This insensitive construction has now completely blocked the view of the orchard from the Shamsi talab and vice versa. In order to carry forward the design process, one needs to study existing heritage bye-laws to understand how they are drafted and what parameteres one must keep in mind to draft out a set of guidelines for the area chosen. UNREGULATED LAL DORA v/s AMASR 2010 While a certain confusion exists as to whether the AMASR Act applies within the Lal Dora, where no bye laws apply, the thing to note is that, yes, the AMASR Act of 2010 does apply to these areas.

GROUND REALITY OF THE ACT The flip side to this act is that although the centrally and state protected monuments have been identified, the process of making Heritage bye laws (that need to be drafted for each separately) is a slow one. Hence, as our area of intervention lies near the Hauz Shamsi, a centrally protected site, one finds that no Heritage bye-laws exist for the area. Fig 8: Recently constructed boundary As a result one finds rampant illegal construction all around, with new houses being constructed along with boundary walls and the ongoing construction 9

CASE 1 : HERITAGE BYE-LAWS FOR SHERSHAH SURI GATE + KHAIR-UL-MANZIL

Permissible height in Restricted Zone: RZ-1 : Consists of Government housing, Barracks and National Stadium. Max 7.5m. This is in consonance with existing development. RZ-2 : Consists of High Court Campus. Max 30m. This is to ensure that future buildings are behind the tree line as viewed from the monument. Some of the existing buildings are 30m in height and no future construction should be more than 30m in height. RZ-3 : Consists of open area between Sher Shah Gate, Khair-ul-Manzil and Purana Qila / Zoo. Max 3.5m. This will ensure that any public amenities that ASI may propose in this area are kept at a low height. RZ-4 : Consists of private housing. Height to be as per prevailing building bye-laws, in which case they will not disturb the ambience of the monument. (INTACH, 2012) Fig 9 (above): Elevational Study Fig 10 (right): Extents of Protected, Prohibited and Regulated Zones.

Notified Protected Area Prohibited Area Regulated Area 10

CASE 2 - HERITAGE BYE-LAWS FOR BEGUMPUR MASJID + BIJAY MANDAL These bye-laws are still to be released formally by INTACH. Therefore no original information is listed. This is a summary. • Construction is allowed in the prohibited zone near the village, where construction already exists. • No basements in prohibited zone

• Height restrictions 9-12m in prohibited area, 1215m in regulated area. • Water tanks to be hidden behind parapet walls • No elevational controls as monuments themselves are very plain • No hoardings • No mention of FAR and setbacks.

Fig 12 (above) : Extents of Protected and Regulated Zones Fig 13 (left) : Location of Begumpur Masjid + Bijay Mandal (Google Map)

F O R M U L A T I N G H E R I T AG E B Y E - L A W S ( AS PER gUIDELINES BY NMa ) RZ-1 : Consists of private houses and along the street have commercial functions as well. The construction has gone up to G+5 (approx. 20m). RZ-2 : This land is designated as ‘Green/Open’ by the DDA but has been occupied by unauthorised colonies for almost 30 years. But since this is historically significant piece of land, the residents should be relocated and the land to be used for “tourism and recreational development” as suggested in Master Plan.

RZ1 PZ1

RZ-3 : Archaeological Park Greens. ASI can propose public amenities here as long as they don’t come within the prohibited zone of any protected monument within the park. Again, low height structure (approx. 3.5m).

JAHAZ MAHAL

RZ2

Table 1 : Drafted Heritage Bye-Laws for Hauz-i-Shamsi & Jahaz Mahal

RZ3 AMSI

HAUZ SH

PZ2

Parameters

RZ-1

RZ-2

PZ-2

Height

20 m

20m , unless for a viewing facility, in which case 35m

3.5m, however, Permanent constrn prohibited

Floor Area

As per population requirements

Land Use

Mixed-use along periphery, residential inside

Regional Park to Socio - Cultural (proposed CLU)

Regional Park

Facade

In harmony with existing development

Roof

Flat roof with parapet walls to hide water tanks etc.

Any appropriate roof form that allow collection of RW

Materials

In harmony with existing development

In harmony with the historicity of Mehrauli

Temporary building materials

RZ2

Fig 14 (above) : Extents of Protected and Regulated Zones for Hauz-i-Shamsi & Jahaz Mahal.

100

200

2.1.4 S E T T L E M E N T S T U D Y O F M E H R A U L I THE HISTORY OF MEHRAULI

Fig 15 : Layers of Mehrauli

10th-13th Century

13th Century ‘Purana Shahar’

(Report on Integrated Conservation of Mehrauli Heritage Zone by Nalini Thakur) 1. The Natural Setting & the Mythological Times 2. Hindu & Muslim Capitals - Lal Koi & Qila Rai Pithora 3. Khilji Dynasty to the Great Mughal Era 4. Era of the Late Mughal Retreat 5. Colonial Mehrauli 6. Post Independence

Early 19th Century

1857 - 1947

Post - 1947 14

Fig 12 (above) : Extents of Protected and Regulated Zones Fig 13 (left) : Location of Begumpur Masjid + Bijay Mandal (Google Map)

2.1.5 s e t t l e m e n t s t u d y o f m e h r a u l i v i l l a g e SOCIO - ECONOMIC SURVEY Occupations - Post-independence, Mehrauli became the centre for trade and commerce while the manufacture, household crafts and industries went down considerably (although they can still be found in certain pockets around the settlement). In recent years, there seems to be another shift in occupation towards the service sector as the younger population seeks a better pay in white collar jobs in private or government offices. The settlement, with its rich historic past, leaves the tourism industry untapped. Economy - The main commercial activity is retail selling and more recently, wholesale goods as well. Vegetables and fruits come from surrounding villages, oil/kerosene, building materials, fertilisers and farm implements from the city. There are also welding workshops, lathe machine shops, agriculture tool manufacturers, canvas goods, tents, pottery etc. The Islamic part of the settlement has a lot of butcher shops. There is little agricultural activity and no natural resources other than local clay which is great for china and clayware.

Fig 16 : The Economic Activities of Mehrauli

The entire settlement is home to a mix of ethnic populations that reside in it together, although clearly demarcated into their own little colonies. For administrative purposes, these divisions have been formally termed as the “wards” of Mehrauli. Ward 1: Baniawala is occupied by Baniyas Ward 2 & 3: Brahmins Ward 4: Jatwara - originally occupied by farmers who, after the DDA acquired their land, migrated to Kishangarh. Now houses a mix of resettlement refugees from Pakistan. Ward 5: Baniya wholesale merchants of grain, gur, sugarcane.

HAUZ-ISHAMSI QUTUB COMPLEX

BUS DEPOT

ADAM KHAN’S TOMB

Ward 6: Refugee allocation ward. Newer houses, more mixed population. Ward 7: Kasaiwara mostly occupied by Muslims Ward 8: Muslims and Multanis

Fig 17 : Wards of Mehrauli

2.1.6 a r c h i t e c t u r a l v o c a b u l a r y GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

GATEWAYS & DOORWAYS

The major building types found in Mehrauli range from mosques, temples, gateways, enclosures , palaces, houses, sarais and water structures with great variation found in each. In many buildings within an enclosure, such as houses, shops, sarais etc, certain common features were found. These were a courtyard, gateway or gate house, rooms, a well and a staircase. In terms of a stylistic timeline these could be classified into 3 sections - Late Mughal, Colonial and Hybrid (or modern). The following study is of the major architectural elements found along the central spine, with the exception of the Zafar Mahal which has been added to show where the building influences of the Later Mughal Era are stemming from.

Lodhi/Early Mughal Late 1400-1500s

Late Mughal 1842 A.D.

Fig 18 (a,b,c) : Gateways of Mehrauli 18

HAUZ-ISHAMSI QUTUB COMPLEX

BUS DEPOT

ADAM KHAN’S TOMB

Ward 6: Refugee allocation ward. Newer houses, more mixed population. Ward 7: Kasaiwara mostly occupied by Muslims Ward 8: Muslims and Multanis

Fig 17 : Wards of Mehrauli

JHAROKAS & BALCONIES Most of the ornate Jharokas seen belong to the Havelis of Mehrauli. These are found right above the shops on the ground level and are accessed through narrow staircases next to shops that lead one up. Most of these are 50-100 years old, hence belonging to the Colonial Period. The colonial style is clearly visible in the form of its iron grills, wooden posts and stone brackets.

Colonial 1920s

Fig 20 (a,b,c,d) : Jharokas and Balconies of Mehrauli 20

GRILLS AND BALCONY INFILLS Even in the case of windows a very typical metal grill pattern was observed as can be seen in Fig 4. These metal grills were typical of Colonial Havelis and can actually be seen around other old quarters of Delhi as well. The repetitive simple pattern cut in sandstone (last figure) is typical of the Modern construction of the late 1900s and can be seen throughout the spine.

The juxtaposition of Colonial and Modern

Hybrid Late 1900s

Present

Fig 21 (a,b,c,d,e) : Grills and Infills of Mehrauli 21

FACADES

Colonial 1924 A.D.

Early Hybrid 1950s

Hybrid Late 1900s

Contemporary 2000s

Present

Fig 22 (a,b,c,d) : Facades of Mehrauli 22

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS Quartzite is the main construction material in Jahaz Mahal. Columns are square with geometric patterns carved into Red Sandstone. Pointed Arches. Dome plastered with Lime and Blue persian tiles inlayed highlighting the base. A typical frieze from this period can be seen below.

Lodhi/Early Mughal Late 1400-1500s

Influenced by the Lodhi period, it is characterised by Pointed arches and Cusped arches, either found in pairs or independently. The columns were either Quartzite (in which case they are square and less ornate) or in soft sandstone (in which case highly ornamental).

Late Mughal 1842 A.D.

Hybrid structures of brick and quartzite. Jack arches supporting roofs. Metal grills are quite characteristic of this period, paired with slender wooden columns along interior balconies & heftier sandstone columns on the Jharokas facing the streets. Staircases made of Sandstone slabs either supported on Sandstone brackets or cladding a stone staircase. Plain horizontal friezes.

Colonial 1920s

Fig 23 (a,b,c) : Architectural Details seen in Mehrauli 23

2.2-CASE STUDIES The first set of case studies were picked up to understand the process of Community Empowerment, one in an urban village of Delhi and one as an international case study. Both are examples of Urban Acupuncture**. The second set of case studies were all examples of craft revival aimed at Community Empowerment or Tourism. These were picked up for their similarity in programme in order to observe their response to certain factors crucial to this thesis such as Topography, Historic Context and Visitor experience/Architectural Language.

Community Empowerment Initiatives

• Nizamuddin Basti Initiative (Primary)

Crafts Revival Initiatives

• Crafts Museum – for its response to historic context and visitor experience

• Puntas Arenas Tourist Service Station, Venezuela (Secondary)

• Sanskriti Kendra, Anandgram – for its response to topography

Heritage / Craft Conservation **Urban Acupunture is a socio-environmental theory that combines contemporary urban design with traditional Chinese acupuncture using small-scale interventions to transform the larger urban context. Sites are selected through analysis of aggregate social, economic and ecological factors, and are developed through a dialogue between designers and the community. Just as the practice of acupuncture is aimed at relieving stress in the human body, the goal of urban acupuncture is to relieve stress in the built environment. Urban acupuncture is intended to produce small-scale but socially catalytic interventions in the urban fabric.

Community Empowerment Tourism Facilitation 24

nizamuddin basti urban renewal new delhi Architect - Aga Khan Trust for Culture Year of Completion - 2005 Reason for choosing as case study To understand Urban Renewal as a live working example in a historic urban village in the context of Delhi. ABOUT An example of ‘Urban Accupuncture’ the Nizamuddin Basti Project aims to tackle community level issues and facilitate Heritage conservation simultaneously by creating a symbiotic programme. AKTC’s approach to instill pride in the community about their surroundings is an effective one with interventions in various sectors such as Education, Employment Generation, Primary Health, Cultural Revival, Heritage Conservation. The case of Mehrauli village with its proximity to the Qutub Complex comes closest to the case of Nizamuddin Basti and Humayun’s Tomb Complex. Hence, Areas of Intervention & the derived Programmatic Components can give cues for Mehrauli as well.

Fig 24 : Baoli of Nizamuddin Auliya 25

OBSERVATIONS & INFERENCES • Community Upliftment is treated not just as Cultural Revival, but very realistically grounded in the present. • Addresses important issues such as ‘Health’, ‘Community Education’, ‘Hygiene’, ‘Sanitation’, ‘Environmental Awareness’. • Identifies important social issues that can be resolved with small infrastructural interventions. Such as the need for creches - for women to freely be able to go work. • Some programmes feel a little sexist / elitist. Like why is the vocational training for women restricted to sewing and cooking? • There is a need to supplement the Vocational Training with Adult Education Programmes. • Stone Masonry - From the ongoing conservation observed at Humayun’s Tomb and Rahim’s Tomb, one can see that Stone work is a tedious job as the material required is heavy and needs a dedicated space. Hence jaali making and masonry to be done at site of restoration itself. The stone workshop with the conservation office proposed in programme will have classrooms and required machinery for training stone masons only.

Fig 24 (A to F): Nizamuddin Basti Urban Renewal Initiatives

A. Socio-Economic Initiatives

B. Education

C. Health Facilities - Polyclinic

D. Vocational Training

E. Cultural Revival Initiative

F. Sundar Nursery - Developing A City Park

PUNTA ARENAS TOURIST SERVICE STATION VENEZUELA Architect - Colectivo Taller Independiente, Ruta 4, Pico Estudio Year of Completion - 2005 Reason for choosing as case study To understand how community involvement in building processes can be used for upliftment of the community. ABOUT Punta Arenas is a low density coastal community located in Araya Peninsula, Sucre state, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The community has abundant natural resources, including landscapes, beaches and archaeological sites that give this place high potential for tourism. However, the main and almost exclusive socio-productive activity in Punta Arenas is fishing which displaces other activities such as tourism, which despite their huge potential lack the necessary infrastructure for their development. This fact is also reflected in the lack of facilities, a situation that leads to a routine shift to other populations. From understanding this reality, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Punta Arenas Service Stationâ&#x20AC;? project was developed. Understood as an intervention of urban acupuncture, it enables a dynamic of popular transformation and creates processes of physical and social transformation through participatory design. Fig 25 : Location, Punta Arenas 27

CONCEPTUAL UNDERPINNING The architectural project, under these methods, is an organic and emergent process that evolves according to the local reality, consolidated to the extent that it becomes built. This results in a project that breaks with the traditional paradigm of absolute control, becoming one of fluidity, whose complexity lies in its immediacy without losing sight of the future. Also, the everyday becomes an exchange of ideas and knowledge; where every decision arises from a debate between the actors in the project in terms of the time and resources on hand. The project has been turned into a blank canvas where the priority is experimenting with the material and the creation of new systems of composition and construction which can then be applied to other projects. In conclusion, once the project is completed, the aim is to have a community that owns its creative power, with capabilities to manage similar projects and who knows its limits and possibilities, which has an organized task force, which has been provided opportunities for improvement and learning, in the ability to take on similar projects. METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION Advanced building technology that paired with local manpower provided opportunity for education, employment and community empowerment. Modular form made it easy to replicate and expand in future. Traditional + Industrial for a fast / innovative / local /replicable module

Fig 26 : Local Community working with professionals learning modern building practices.

COMPONENTS OF PROGRAMME

SERVICE • Social production modules • Tourism • Restrooms CULTURAL • Information module • Information centre • Library • Student square

ENCLOSURES

Roof Tile Plastic Tongued Pine Strips Mat Wood

STRUCTURE

Modular System Main Structure: Red Mangrove Framework: Iron Rod

OPEN • Camping area • Play area • Sports Court • Amphitheatre

PLATFORM

Radial System Stone Walls

Fig 27 (above): Plan, Punta Arenas Fig 28 (right) : Exploded axo, Punta Arenas

Total Area : 1300 sqm Built up Area : 140 sqm 29

OBSERVATIONS & INFERENCES The concept of Urban Accupuncture is interesting and very relevant to this thesis. It talks about sites that are selected through analysis of aggregate social, economic and ecological factors that are then developed through a dialogue between designers and the community. Just as the practice of acupuncture is aimed at relieving stress in the human body, the goal of urban acupuncture is to relieve stress in the built environment.Urban acupuncture is intended to produce small-scale but socially catalytic interventions in the urban fabric. Certain practices that made this urban accupuncture very effective are as follows. Sustainability is observed in the way the community has been equipped with better building skills and technologies while at the same time their consultation and participation in this project makes it acceptable and hence, sucessful. Modularity of the structure ensures that any future expansion can easily be accounted for and can be undertaken by the community itself. Radial Circulation - The amphitheatre as a central focal point with all functions opening up to it serves both the community and tourists as it becomes site for cultural programmes. Great way to tackle the community - tourism interface. Fig 29 (above): Views of the Punta Arenas Tourist Station 30

CRAFTS MUSEUM PRAGATI MAIDAN, DELHI Architect - Charles Correa Reason for choosing as case study Similar programme and response to historic context CONCEPTUAL UNDERPINNING Breaking away from the traditional museum typology that India borrowed from the west with colonialism, Correa realised that Indian history cannot be explained by displaying objects of antiquity. Rather, as the “past” and “present” are not as severely segregated Indian history, much emphasis needs to be given to the evolution of the context - the living practices of rituals, festivals, weekly markets, picture-shows of itinerant storytellers, materials, techniques and tools of artisans, cultural changes and attitude towards the past and the contemporary tradition as such. This overlooked dimension was much emphasized in the concept of the Crafts Museum. It was put together originally for craftsmen who were losing touch with their craft as reference material. It was designed as a metaphor for an Indian village street - affable, accomodative, active with works from various states being presented through their regional building practices and handicrafts. The museum invites about 50 craftsmen each month from all over the country to come and stay in the complex and discover new market opportunities and collaborate with one another. (Habitat Library & Resource Center, 2009)

Fig 30: Crafts Museum 31

HALL OF NATIONS

PURANA QILA

HIGH SPEED CORRIDORS - DISCONNECT WITH OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT

CONTEXTUAL CHALLENGES The immediate context of the complex consisted of the historic Purana Qila on one side and Correa was faced with the challenge of how he would respond to it.

Autumn (July to November). Shaded by a lot of trees and interspersed with a lot of sizeable open areas, Correa created a microclimate for the area which keeps the surroundings comfortable.

CLIMATE The weather in Delhi is composite. In summers (April to June) it gets very hot going up to 45 degrees Celcius at times. Winters (December to Jan) can go down to 1-2 degrees. Best time to visit is in spring (Feb to March) or Monsoon/

BUILDING MATERIALS Demonstration Area - Materials used in each pavillion are local to the region they represent, apparently brought in from their respective states. Fig 31 : Location, Crafts Museum 32

Component

Area

MUSEUM AREA Textiles Gallery

(in sqm)

Reserve Handicrafts Collection Temporary Exhibitions Courtly Crafts Cultic Objects Bhuta Sculptures Folk/Tribal Art Conservation Room + Toilets Library Museum Collection Store Museum Shop Office(admin+chairman etc.) Audio visual room Cafeteria Public Toilets Electrical Room(to be confirmed) Amphitheatre

310 360 422 400 210 480 188 260 1274 280 360 100 390 50

Total BUA Total Site Area FAR DEMOSTRATION AREA Reception Demo/Exhibition Area Performance areas Kadambari Theatre Shilp Kutir - Craftsmen Residency (50) Carpenter's workshop Public Toilets Security Room Total BUA Total Site Area FAR

SERVICE ENTRY

ENTRY FROM PRAGATI MAIDAN

1890

490 500 7464 8368 0.891969

MAIN ENTRY FROM PURANA QILA SIDE

25 790 60 85

Fig 32 (above) : Plan, Crafts Museum

120 40 120

Table 2 (extreme left) : Area Program of Crafts Museum

1095 15318 0.071485

Fig 33 (left) : Ratio wise breakdown of the Area Program

MOVEMENT THROUGH SPACE (CLOSED MUSEUM COMPONENT) • As can be seen below, the museum was envisaged as a series of courts. One moves along a central pathway going from village to temple to palace - a metaphor for the Indian street. • Walking along this spine, one catches glimpses of principal exhibits that lie on either side. The circulation is casual but well defined. One can visit any particular exhibit or progress through all the sections in a continuous sequence. • Towards the end, the building fragments themselves be- A come a part of the exhibit. • Finally, one exits via the roof terraces that form an amphitheatre for folk dances as well as an open air display for large teracotta horses and other handicrafts. • Only half the floor area is open to public. Rest of the collection is stored in special areas for tehe use of the very fine craftsmen who are selected to come and study these archives.

OPEN - BUILT RELATIONSHIP • The central pathway/axis is punctuated at certain intervals by courts that house a variety of activities. The play of levels and the arrangement of the spaces around the courtyard adds an element of surprise as one moves from one space to another. • Human scale has been very well incorporated into the low-key design by keeping objects of display into courts which would have otherwise been large open spaces.

B A

OBSERVATIONS & LEARNINGS

Fig 34 (facing page, top) : Amphitheater of Crafts Museum Fig 35 (a,b,c) : Courtyards of Crafts Museum Fig 36 (bottom left) : Museum Plan, Crafts Museum

• Concept - Correa’s interpretation of a museum as per Indian culture is quite interesting. The mix of open air & closed elements shows that a museum need not be just a display of archives but rather a curated experience of the contexual as well as cultural evolution. • Circulation - Clearly segregated into 2 components the open and the closed the transition betweem which is very obvious. The casual yet well defined circulation adds a sense of comfort to the experience of someone who is not a ‘regular’ in museums. The visitor feels at ease, as opposed to the sterilised environment of ‘western’ museums. • Scale and materiality - The human scale of open and built spaces and use of natural stones and mud plasters is also responsible for the sense of comfort - visually and haptically. • Low height of blocks - below trees - blocks noise from the road maintaining the pristine ambience of Indian villages. • Response to context - By not creating something very iconic, Correa respects the historicity of his context while providing visual connect with Purana Qila only from the Amphitheatre. • Accessibility - The lack of parking and high priced valet parking defeats the purpose of “free entry.” Also, the lack of provisions for auto/rickshaw stand makes the last mile connect with the metro quite difficult.

• Rather than a museum, an ‘Interpretation Center’ could be created that also has a gallery space for archives. The visitor should be able to imbibe the evolution and the current setting of the settlement through exprience • A visitor should feel like he is naturally strolling through the place rather than being told what to do and where to go. The liveliness of the settlement could be replicated here in the form of a bazaar street to do the same. • Give the visitor an option for visiting the interpretation center or not. Some people might want to explore on their own and might need just basic information. • One of the experiences provided by the museum / interpretation center could be a visual connect with the Qutub Minar and the settlement and all the monument within it. • Provide ample parking plus some for the community as well. a ‘Park and Walk’ technique could be applicable here.

SANSKRITI KALA KENDRA ANANDGRAM, DELHI Architects - Upal Ghosh Associates Landscape - Mohammad Shaheer Reason for choosing as case study Similar programme and topographical context CONCEPTUAL UNDERPINNING Also situated on the spurs of the Aravalis, the Sanskriti Kala Kendra is an institution that aims to cultivate an environment for the preservation and development of the artistic and cultural expressions of India. Conceptualised as an artistic retreat, the place offers creative minds an opportunity to collaborate with like minded people and pursue the area of study of their choice. The site is historically rich but geographically arid at the foothills of the Aravalli range on the outskirts of Delhi, surrounded by what has earlier been referred to as “farm house” development. Although owned and managed by a private trust, the institution is very public in the kinds of activities it hosts. The landscape design uses historical references as tools to understand how natural ecology and cultural ecology can work together to produce a very contemporary yet distinctively Indian landscape. LOCATION Located on the Mehrauli - Gurgaon road, the site is very close to the Arjungarh Metro Station. It’s also quite close to the IGI Airport. Fig 37 : Location, Anandgram 36

PROGRAMMATIC COMPONENTS • Research - 3 Museums (Everyday art, Terracotta and Indian textiles) and Conservation Labs • Workspaces - Village complex for rural crafts and workshop spaces • Residential Component - 2 Residential studio blocks, a Haveli (owner’s residence) and the Baithak (common room for the Kendra)

23 22 12

14 5

17 19

9 7

22 INDEX

6 5

4 1

Fig 38 : Site Plan, Sanskriti Kala Kendra

1. 2. 3. 4.

Entrace Barakhamba Nursery Museum of Indian Terracotta 5. Courtyard 6. Cafe 7. Museum of Everyday Art 8. Office + Library 9. Museum Shop 10. Textile Museum 11. Kund 12. Kitchen

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

Amphitheatre Rentable Dorms Camping Site Ceramic & Pottery Studios Nahar Ardha Kund Canopy Aangan Haveli Services Washing Area Garbage Recycling System

Manch - The Oper air theater (13)

Gaon courtyard - the rentable dorm rooms (14)

Pottery & Tile Making Shed (16)

Dried up stream used for flower beds (19)

Terracotta Terrace (4)

Boundary Wall of locally sourced Quartzite 38

OBSERVATIONS

LEARNINGS

• Due to the presence of contours, lots of levels have been created throughout which design an interesting experience for the pedestrian, although highly ignorant of universal accessibility. • The levels are treated as raised platforms (for display of sculptures, high plinth buildings) or sunken OATs, museum buildings or buildings traversing multiple levels altogether. • The natural features on the site such as the water channel and existing trees were kept and have structured the existing layout plan of the buildings. • The entrance was planned around the Banyan tree at the entrance and gives a very pleasant vibe to those who walk in. • All open courts seem thermally comfortable due to the presence of trees or water bodies in them. • Land is mostly unpaved or soft paved to facilitate the recharge of the groundwater table. • Healthy mix of hard and soft paved areas. • Multiple interconnected courtyards can get a bit confusing and hence has been treated by providing place-markers such as the pigeon coop as seen in the picture below, or a kund in another. • These courts are multi-purpose spaces and become spaces for open air workshops at different times of the day and look ornamental when not in use. • Buildings predominantly constructed of RCC framework and bricks. • Vernacular architectural features such as sloping roofs, mud plastered walls bring a certain uniformity to the complex.

• The treatment of contours to create levels is interesting, in terms of visitor experience. • Retention of all natural features on site should be done and these can be used as determinants for the design. • A mix of hard and soft paved surfaces to be provided for creating a local heat island effect on site. • Courtyards can be planned around tree clusters that will also make them thermally comfortable. • Place markers on a large site help people navigate through space. • Land is an expensive commodity and multi-purpose use of each space is necessary. A dedicated time schedule for each open space can actually be prepared to help one to utilise each space efficiently and cut out redudant spaces. • Brick walls and mortar while the most familiar form of construction can be replaced by locally sourced material - quartzite stone.

Fig 39 : Visitor experience at Sanskriti Kala Kendra Fig 40 : Place making, Sanskriti Kala Kendra 39

CASE STUDY - SUMMARY INFERENCES & CONCLUSIONS

Community Upliftment need not always be just about economical welfare. It can also mean addressing issues of health, hygiene, sanitation, education etc Community Education , apart from vocational training, facilities for adult education are just as necessary. Enhancing skills in local community that promote Sustainable Development.

Modularity for easy replication and greater adaptability to meet current/future needs.

Radial Circulation is one technique to tackle the tourist-local interface by providing a common platform for tourist-local interaction

Fig 41 (facing page) : Land use plan, MPD 2021 Fig 42 (facing page) : Zone F, MPD 2021 40

CHAPTER 3

Source : MPD 2021

PROJECT site 3.1 LOCATION 3.1.1 WITH RESPECT TO THE CITY Mehrauli is situated in the South Delhi planning zone F-15. It is located on the spur of the Aravallis, immediately behind the famous landmark of Delhi - the Qutub Minar. It is approached by the Aurobindo Marg from the AIIMS side or from the Gurgaon side by taking a right at Andheria Mor on the Chhatarpur road.

ZONE F

According to the Zonal Development Plan, “Zone ‘F’ (South Delhi –I) is known for its posh colonies which afford an exclusive lifestyle.” Furthermore, it goes on to say that “Keeping in view the significance of these residential pockets, further development should be regulated within the parameter of MPD- 2021 to maintain and enhance their character.” Alien to this posh lifestyle, Mehrauli’s interface with its neighbours is a lost one. Being the oldest settlement of Delhi, Mehrauli holds a position of high importance in the context of the heritage of Delhi. The research of this thesis aims to explore Mehrauli in its 2 regional contexts - in its traditional regional role as a village as well as its new role within the ever growing, ever changing contemporary metropolis of Delhi. Moreover it hopes to address the issue of the interface between the 2 dichotomous regional contexts through design.

The development process in Mehrauli is largely an outcome of 2 plans prepared by the government - the Delhi Master Plan of 1962 and the Village Development Plan of 1984. As can be seen on the previous page, the Master Plan for Delhi marks the entire settlement of Mehrauli as “residential” surrounded by a “regional park”, implying it to be developed as a part of the regional park. The plan proposes “tourism and recreational development” using the village as a core thus giving an impetus to the growth of the entire area. While the attempt to develop Mehrauli and bring it at par with the developed areas of the city is great, certain shortcomings were observed.

THE SHORTCOMINGS OF PLANNING

MASTER PLAN DELHI 1962 - 2021

metre radius of a centrally protected monument of the ASI. A settlement like Mehrauli, with multiple such struc1. The village development plans prepared are too gener- tures now has a large part of the settlement that cannot ic and geared only for development and provision of be changed or rebuilt without prior permission and proper services. For an area as complex, a more specific de- sanctions. The following drawbacks show that Mehrauli is velopment plan is required. sorely in need of a revised village development plan. 2. The Land Acquisition, Delhi Development Act had far reaching implications and as can be seen in the present 1. The Village Development Plan does not treat Mehrauli times, has clearly failed. as a cultural artefact with a 900 year old history and 3. For the development of any urban village, Master Plan ignores the natural and built environment. It does not standards are adopted with regard to utilities, services show any contours even though the landform is very and public facilities. However in most cases it has not important in this area. been possible to earmark sites for community facili- 2. Historic orchards, heritage trees and gardens have not ties as per standards. Also, the norms for the provision been located. Historic water features have not been of community facilites have been reduced to the stanidentified. The resource potential of the site has not dards adopted in unauthorised regularised colonies. been utilised in the plan. 3. Certain encroachments - such as the Ghosiya colony VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1984 and the colony around Makhdoon Shah’s Mosque have existed for the past 30 years. They have not been The last village development plan for Mehrauli was made marked on the plan. Certain new roads have also been in 1984. Since then the settlement has expanded considlaid that need to be marked out. erably, vertically as well as horizontally but there is no 4. Land use proposals are too general and need to be accounting for it. Since then, the AMASR Act of 1992 more specific and precise. They need to be based on has stated the regularisation of all structures within a 300 better documentation.

Fig 43 : F-15 Mehrauli, MPD 2021 42

3.1.2 WITH RESPECT TO THE PRECINCT

RG MA A

IIT - D

OUTER

JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY

VASANT KUNJ

NA A S

AF A L

QUTUB GOLF COURSE

Approximate Site Location

LADO SARAI

QUTB MINAR

ARU

B Closest Bus Stop Chhatarpur (5 min. walk)

QILA RAI PITHORA

MEHRAULI

VASANT KUNJ

ARG

M AVE

CL S EN

PRE

M SAKET

MEHR

AULI

ARCH. PARK

MAJOR ROADS

Fig 44 : Precinct Map, Mehrauli

MALVIYA NAGAR

SANJAY VAN

I MA RG

M Closest Metro Station Chhatarpur (5 min. walk) Qutub Minar (15 min. walk)

SOUTH DELHI GREENWAY

M RING RO

CONNECTIVITY

DEER PARK

AU RO BIN DO M

MUNIRKA

AR G

1. Mehrauli is landlocked from all sides by either forest land or settlements. Accessibility seems to be an issue. 2. There is only one main access road and it is constantly under a lot of pressure. 3. Located between Delhi & Gurgaon, it has potenial to draw in the population from both.

- BAD

ARPU

R RO

VASANT KUNJ M

TO GURGAON M

SAINIK FARMS

3.1.3 NEIGHBOURHOOD - ESTABLISHING LOCATION VIA POPULAR LANDMARKS

SITE

Fig 45 : Landmarks Map, Mehrauli

7 44

Fig 46 : Mehrauli Landmarks 1. Crescent Mall 2. Qutub Minar 3. Ahimsa Sthal 4. Dadabadi Jain Mandir 5. Qutub Minar Metro Station 6. Hauz-i-Shamsi 7. Kisaan Haat 8. Chhatarpur Metro Station 45

Fig 47 : Existing Site and Context Plan 46

1:2500

EXISTING SITE AND CONTEXT

3.2 NEIGHBOURHOOD - PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Fig 51 : Primary Streets

Being the only road puts a lot of pressure on the street from Cars, Service Trucks, Pedestrians & Non Motorised Vehicles

Fig 48 : Garbage disposal No dustbin or waste recycling system currently exists and garbage is collected every alternate day.

Fig 52 : Tertiary Streets

Only space for 2 wheelers or pedestrians to pass through

Fig 49 : Solid Waste Provisions

Sewage pipes currently getting laid

Fig 50 : Electricity

Electric poles exist along the main commercial spine

Fig 53 : Drainage

Open Drains along the street

3.3 ECOLOGY - GEOGLOGY & HYDROLOGY SOIL TYPE

Site is located on the spurs of Aravallis on the Alwar Quartzite Ridge and is located quite close to a fault line.This implies that construction method needs to be earthquake proof and that the locally sourced material for construction could be Quartzite.

DRAINAGE

Mehrauli is a part of a larger water channel that acts as a tributory to the river Yamuna. Starting at Hauz Shamsi, it collect water from surrounding areas and drains it to the Jharna, then Khirki and so on till it reaches the river. This channel currently lies blocked.

SITE

Fig 54 : Map overlaying the Geological Map of Delhi on the Landuse Plan of Delhi

Fig 55 (right) : Historic Water Channels of Delhi 48

3.4 SITE INFORMATION CLIMATE

Delhi has a composite climate - extremely hot in the summer months (from April to June), extremely cold in the winter months (December-Jan) and receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon months (July-August). Site in surrounded by forest land which creates a microclimate within the site. Also the presence of Hauz-i-Shamsi makes the surroundings pleasant even in the summer.

VEGETATION

Abundance of Keekar trees in the forest land and Mango and Guava trees in the Orchard. While the orchard has grass and shrubs as well the forest land has no undergrowth. The name â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Andheria Morâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as local legend has it, was due to the fact that the foliage of the Mango Trees here was so thick that even during the day there was darkness everywhere. However that is no longer the case. Stunted, medium sized trees and shrubs are widely spaced and do not form a continuous canopy anymore. (Dakshini, 1966)

PROBLEMS

One of the major issues to be tackled is that of Hygiene and Sanitation. Being an irregular colony, there is no connection to the municipal sewer line. Open drains exist, along with abundance of garbage all around as there is no proper place to dispose or recycle any of the waste. Also there is a lack of proper parking and any open space found is used for parking. The entrance to the settlement is used as a taxi stand and truck parking that cater to the building material market that is present along the commercial spine near Andheria Mor.

Fig 56 : Poor Garbage Disposal

Fig 57 : Lack of Parking

Fig 58 : Open drains & Poor sanitation 49

PHOTOS OF SITE EDGES

Fig 59 : Eastern edge, Son Burj Masjid and Informal Flea Market

Fig 60 : Northern edge, Mango Orchard

Fig 61 : Southern edge, Forest Land

Fig 62 : Boundary Wall along Western Edge 50

PHOTOS OF SITE CONTEXT

Fig 73 : Jahaz Mahal & Community Field Site For Phool Waalon Ki Sair

Fig 74 : Jharna - In A Neglected & Dilapidated State, Historic Water Channel Blocked

Fig 75 : Between Graveyard & Shamsi Talab Illegally Raised Boundary Wall

Fig 76 : Graveyard With Illegal Boundary Wall - Visual Disconnect With Mango Orchard

Fig 77 : Pavillion On Hauz - I - Shamsi

Fig 78 : Historic Mango Orchard - Walled & Disconnected 51

MAPPING THE SITE

MSI

HAUZ SHA

A TO H - PATH TRAVERSED

t visual (No apparen e om site du connect fr ion at st re fo to dense t of built and heigh around) s re u struct

SITES FOR INTERVENTION POINTS OF INTEREST

HISTORIC MANGO ORCHARD Used as playground / garbage dump for the settlement

Fig 63 : Entrance into Forested Area D

E EXTENEN

IBITED ZON

ASI - PROH CONNECTIONS TO THE MANGO ORCHARD

LAL MASJID Encroached on all sides G

SON BURJ MASJID Car Parking and squatter settlement around it

F H

SHRINE OF HAZRAT MAKHDOOMI SAMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;UDDIN SUHRAWARDI Central to the Islamic colony

EXTENEN TED ZONE SI - REGULA

Fig 64 : Garbage Dump for the Settlement E

GARBAGE DUMP

D B

FORESTED AREA C

ANUVRAT

MARG

ANDHERIA MOR

Fig 65 : Old Structure Containing Multiple Graves 52

PHOTOS FROM SITE B

CHHATARPUR METRO STATION

Fig 66 : South View from Site at +15m

QUTUB MINAR

Fig 67 : North View from Site at +15m Fig 68 : Illegal Construction on Site

Fig 69 : View of Southern Edge with Lots of Keekar growing wild. E

Fig 70 : Visual Disconnect from Historic Structure

Fig 71 : Shrine of Hazrat Makhdoomi Samaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;uddin Suhrawadi

Fig 72 : Any open space available used as Parking 53

SITE STUDY - SUMMARY INFERENCES & CONCLUSIONS

Vital Land occupied by Unauthorised Colony and Squatter settlement Land is expensive in Delhi and conforming to the market forces is inevitable.

While recently a part of the settlement has been cleared, it is more appropriate to relocate them to another part of the site as they have been there for almost 30 years and earn their livelihood from around the settlement.

Views Surrounded by forest land the views is great on all sides. However, to view the Hauz-i-Shamsi one needs to build above G+5 ~ 20m (assuming 3.2m min floor to floor height).

Functions such as interpretation centre and restaurants for which view is vital, build in place where there are no trees in line of sight.

Microclimate The presence of a lot of trees also generates a lot of wind movement and the Hauz-i-Shamsi adds moisture to the air making it pleasant during the summer as well.

Utilise this to make all building passively ventilated, hence, also cutting on running and maintenance cost.

Lost historic axes and visual connect Son Burj Masjid has been encroached beyond repair, the graveyard and the orchard have boudary walls enclosing them and ruining the historic visual axis with the Hauz Shamsi.

Visual connect to be revived. Boundary wall of Mango Orchard and Graveyard to be brought back to original form.

Educating the community - both new & old It is essential to educate the community about the historic value of the settlement. Not only will it increase their pride in their surroundings it will also give them a feeling of belonging and respect for ancient heritage.

Tourist facilities such as interpretation centre must also cater to the community. Facilities like public libraries to be provided. Moreover, access to education must be easy. It must come in the form of vocational training and adult education for those who have not been able to complete their schooling. 54

CHAPTER 4 4.1 A R E A P R O G R A M M E PROJECT SCOPE Modelled on the development methodology suggested by Architect Ashish Ganjoo in his report ‘Aya Nagar Urban Development’ approved by the DUAC, the project aims to create a programme that aids the all-round development of the community. The project is a hypothetical one, proposed on the basis of similar interventions done or proposed around the city in other urban villages, such as Nizamuddin Basti, Lado Sarai, Aya Nagar etc. The programme has been derived from the study of the same. Many urban level issues such as Community Education, Healthcare & Physical Wellness, Community Hygiene & Sanitation, Women Empowerment, Heritage Conservation, and Cultural Revival are addressed through the programme. Apart from using Hauz-i-Shamsi waterfront as the natural site for community activity, the programme also aims to facilitate tourism and proposes having the water front as the starting point of the heritage walk through Mehrauli and the Qutub as the culmination point. Through small scale interventions near ‘points of interest’ along the spine, the aim is to make the spine walkable and hence open up the community to income generated through tourism, an area currently untapped. At a city level scale, the attempt to revive the historic water channels of Delhi is also present, with Hauz-i-Shamsi being one of the starting points to it – an extension to the proposed South Delhi Greenway Scheme by OASIS Designs Inc.

Fig 79 : Development Methodology

Source : GREHA Report (2006) 55

Table 3 : Development Methodology - Application to Mehrauli COMMUNITY ACTION • Employment Opportunities • Skill Building – Building Technology – Vocational Training – Adult Education – Remedial Classes • Wellness – Mother & Child Clinic – Polyclinic – Physical Fitness Facility – Art, Yoga, Spiritual Wellness etc. • Education & Awareness – Community Library – Interpretation Center

HABITAT DESIGN • Waste Management – Rainwater Management (groundwater recharge; draining excess into Shamsi Talab) – Composting Fruits and Vegetable Waste – Sewage Treatment • Revival of Shamsi and Jharna and old water channels extending link to Delhi Greenways Project by OASIS Design. • Community Space - Overall Development of all age groups

RAISING RESOURCES

RECORDING THE PROCESS

• Promoting ‘Self Sufficiency’ among residents • Economic Welfare – Generating employment – Skill Enhancement • Rental Income - Studios/Shops/Workshop spaces for boutiques & designers (the recent migrant population of Mehrauli) • Revenue generation from Tourism – Interpretation Center – Auditorium • Public-Private Partership in Funding (partly achieved by GREHA already)

• For Recording Progress - Establishing an office for INTACH/ GREHA to research and document the settlement • For Raising Awarness - Display space in temporary gallery of Interpretation Center to showcase community level interventions by GREHA/INTACH - a point of common interest for community + tourists • For Fund Generation

PROGRAMME FORMULATION

~20%

~30%

NEED

Community Empowerment (Migrants + Natives)

Heritage Conservation

Tourism Facilitation

ADDRESSAL

Conservation Unit

Adult Knowledge Healthcare Community Fitness Crafts Revival Performance Heritage Education of settlement Area Interpretation Hygiene

Building Skill Women & Enhancement Children

PROGRAMME

GREHA + Kaarigarshaala - Mother & INTACH Office Lime, Stone, Child Clinic Tiles, Wood

~50%

Market + Eateries

Creche

Sabzi Mandi

Library

Waste Recycling

Adult Edu. Polyclinic Activity Center Center

RWA Office

Amphitheater Interpretation Restaurants Center

Naika - Pottery, Rentable Meenakari, Toys etc. Studios

Bazaar street

FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM SABZI MANDI

HISTORIC MANGO ORCHARD

MAKHDOOM SHAH DARGAH + MADARSA

LIBRARY + ADULT EDUCATION + RECREATION CENTRE

AMPHITHEATRE

ACTIVITY CENTER

POLY CLINIC

BAZAAR STREET

RENTABLE STUDIOS

WORKSHOPS

CONSERVATION UNIT (GREHA+INTACH)

TOURIST - LOCAL INTERFACE

RESTAURANTS

MAIN COMMERCIAL SPINE

LAL MASJID

GYAAN KENDRA

BAZAAR STREET

INTERPRETATION CENTRE

PARKING DROP OFF

COMMON SERVICING

HOUSING FOR THE DISLOCATED 58

4.2 M A J O R C O M P O N E N T S & R E Q U I R E M E N T S 4.2.1 INTERPRETATION CENTER COMPONENTS

CHARACTERISTICS

1. Ticketing Counter

1.1 Ticketing for Tourists, free/pass system for locals

2. Information Center

2.1 Easy Access from road - for those who do not wish to see the

3. Admin Offices

interpretation center

4. Exhibition Space -

2.3 Hiring a guide done from here

Permanent 5. Exhibition Space Temporary

INFLUENCES

2.2 Supplemented with Cyber Cafe & Cycle Rental Kiosk. 4.1 Old photographs recreating the different layers of the Mehrauli timeline.

6. Auditorium

5.1 Exhibition of current work by INTACH/GREHA.

7. Viewing Deck

6.1 Capacity of 300 persons. Also for cultural performances. Open

8. Cafeteria

after hours of Interpretation Center. Separate entry preferable.

Fig 80 :Mapungubwe Interpretation Center, South Africa by Peter Rich Architects

7.1 Arial Visual Connect with Qutub Minar, Hauz Shamsi, Jahaz Mahal, Lal Kot, Qila Rai Pithora and the settlement (and whatever monuments are possibly visible through it). 7.2 Local Materials to be used to blend it in with the surroundings and aesthetically something that does NOT overpower the Qutub Minar. Fig 82 : Conceptual Massing

7.3 Landmark feature - marking the development

Fig 81 : Coit Memorial Tower, San Francisco by Arthur Rich Jr. and Henry Howard 59

LIBRARY - as a community learning space COMPONENTS

CHARACTERISTICS

1. Book Stacks

• Zoning wise to be clubbed with Madarsa on site in order to create

2. Quiet Reading

an ‘Education Zone’ combined with Adult Education and Voca-

3. Reading Lounge

tional Training classes. However, much like the settlement, apart

4. Open Area

from the Madarsa, the Education Zone remains a Secular Place

5. Computer Center

of Learning

6. Remedial Rooms 7. Kids Area 8. Teens Area 9. Staff Offices

• Gender inclusive - no segregation in terms of men & women in

INFLUENCES

Fig 83 : Whitehall Library by Jonathan Barnes

washrooms • Reading Areas to be kept north facing for ambient diffused lighting • Provide bicycle parking

ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS • Separate children’s areas from quiet reading areas 1. Adult Education 2. Vocational Training

• To achieve the Work-Play relationship, open up the library to

Fig 84 : Interiors, Children’s Area

the Mango Orchard • In order to make sure the Madarsa gets the privacy it requires, provide a blank wall on the front by placing book stacks along the wall.

Fig 85 : Ground Floor Plan, Whitehall Library 61

PROPOSED area programme

CHAPTER 5 design DETERMINANTS

S O

• Rich Historic Context • Easy Accessibility (Car - Andheria Mor ; Bus - Chhatarpur Bus stop ; Metro - Chhatarpur & Qutub Minar) • Communal Harmony amongst all wards • Close to the starting point of the Phool waalon ki sair near Jahaz Mahal - a prime example of communal harmony and secularism in Mehrauli

• Potential to tap into Qutub Complex’s footfall • Potential to revive old water channels & create a great community space • Visual connect with Qutub at around G+5 level. • Presence of so many trees and Shamsi Talab creates a microclimate for the site that keeps it pleasant all year round. • The “Tourist-Local” interface presents an opportunity to create a platform for interaction between the 2 • Potential to educate and empower community • Enhance the skills of the existing population and provide employment opportunities

W T

• • • •

Poor health, hygiene & sanitation facilities No provision for waste treatment Highly congested junction at Andheria Mor Having only one main road running through puts a lot of pressure on it (by residents, service vehicles, goods trucks for the market etc.) • Lack of Parking space that leads to any open space available to be used for parking • Visual connect with Hauz Shamsi barred due to dense foliage

• Gentrification might occur due to incoming tourist population and should be countered with ample community participation • As the population grows over the years, the current design needs to be adaptable to accommodate future needs • Encroachment • Water shortage to only get worse in the future. One must try and treat all the waste water on site.

DESIGN DETERMINANTS

Fig 88 : ZONING

SITE PLANNING & CIRCULATION

CONCEPTUAL COMMUNITY

MAJOR AXES / CIRCULATION

F & B FACILITIES F & B FACILITIES

TOURIST

SITE

TOPOGRAPHY & DRAINAGE

Removal of dense shrub foliage to provide visual and pedestrian access from housing to orchard

Amphitheatre - as a public gesture to bridge the level difference and welcome people from the orchard side

MANGO ORCHARD

Sabzi Mandi Another route into the orchard

Library - paired with the existing Madarsa to form the Gyaankendra; opens out to the amphitheater

Polyclinic - Visible and with road access Community Activity Center - opening up onto the Amphitheater

Convenience shopping along most traversed route

F & B Facilities

Conservation Unit - in the most secluded / private part of the site with workshops forming interface with tourist facilities SITE

Fig 86 (above) : Major Movement Axes Fig 87 (below) : Site Drainage

Surface Parking - as a part of the ‘Park and Walk’ strategy for residents

HOUSING FOR THE DISLOCATED

100

Tourist Information / Interpretation Center being the most visible point on site The housing forms a porous boundary wall on the southern edge of the site 66

DESIGN DETERMINANTS GRADATION IN BUILDING HEIGHT

Fig 89 : Elevation - Showing the gradation in building height along visual axis

Buildings planned as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;backdropâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to the amphitheatre, with buildings staggering inwards with increasing distance to supplement the perspective of the visual axis created from the Mango Orchard to the Viewing Tower. The gesture is meant to be welcoming yet impactful, creating a vista of sorts along one of the major movement axes proposed on site.

Fig 90 : Plan - Buildings staggering inwards as per perspective 67

PART II DESIGN TRANSLATION

CHAPTER 6 DESIGN EVOLUTION MAJOR CONCEPTS

LOCAL - TOURIST INTERFACE

Initial Search :

From wanting to understand how to treat the interface between an Urban Village and the city, the question boiled down to how one can treat the interface between a local and a tourist from a design point of view.

Evolution of Concept :

RE-CREATING THE MEHRAULI FEELING In order to do that, one must make the community feel at home at a place that aims to cater to the tourist population of Delhi as well. At a design level this would mean recreating the volumes and scales that a resident of Mehrauli is used to and not something that is way out of his comfort level.

Heritage

Community

Tourism

SECULAR DESIGN GESTURES One of the major characteristics of Mehrauli is its communal harmony. While the site is closer to Ward 8, the Islamic settlement, it is also close to the site of the Phool Waalon ki Sair, one of the biggest exhibits of Communal Harmony in a setllement as diverse as Mehrauli. Hence, the design must exhibit characteristics of a secular design scheme.

COPING WITH CROWDING For Tourists to enjoy Mehrauli, one needs to prepare them through design gestures to be able to cope with the crowding which is inevitable in the settlement. From past research one realises that Crowding is not merely physical density, but a psychological experience that can be designed for.

CREATING A PLATFORM FOR INTERACTION For creating an inclusive environment, a dialogue needs to be initiated between the 2. By providing functions that can cater to both, like Food & Beverage facilities, Cultural programmes, a showcase of the handicraft work done by locals etc, one can attempt to provide a platform for it.

DECONGESTION In order to decongest the spine from vehicular traffic and make it more walkable, service heavy activities such as the Sabzi Mandi are shifted out to be a part of the community space.

ELEVATIONAL TREATMENT Materials and Facade treatments play a very important role in creating the transitional typology one was aiming towards creating.

DESIGN TRANSLATION STREET SECTION D

This street section has been cut at the point where the main street spine bends.

This street section has been cut through the street in front of the temple and a shop on the opposite side.

It is from this point onwards that one notices a conspicuous change in the street character-the road is very narrow and the buildings are of purely commercial nature, anking the street on either side.

RE-CREATING THE MEHRAULI FEELING The temple is often a hub of activity-on special days of the week, on festivals etc. Being STREET C the main spine,SECTION it causes traďŹ&#x192;c The road width to building height ratiosituated to onbe congestion as both pedestrian and vehicular access is the same. kept between 1:1 to 1:2 for an enclosed yet comfortable walking experience.

Fig 91 : Sections along the Central Spine of Mehrauli Village SECULAR DESIGN GESTURES STREET SECTION D Educational components are a big part of the design and while there exists a Madarsa on site, secular gesThis street section has been cut at the tures need to be made to make the Library &street Adult point where the main spine bends. It is from this point onwards that one noEducation facilities seem welcoming to all. tices a conspicuous change in the street character-the road is very narrow and the Roofs,STREET recognised as important socialbuildings spaces for the SECTION C are of purely commercial nature, anking the street on either side. congested settlement are used to link the Library and Madarsa and create another such secular social space. Furthermore, it is sloped towards the orchard as a universally welcoming gesture to all people from the community.

Street Pattern

Street Sections

Fig 92 : |The linking of the Madarsa and Library roof Street Sections Street Pattern

CREATING A PLATFORM FOR INTERACTION The amphitheater for open air cultural performances is a common plaform open to all that creates an equal ground for Local - Tourist Interaction. Apart from that Food and Beverage facilities along the main spine also facilitate the same. Fig 93 : Public spaces for Social Interaction

SITE MANGO ORCHARD

AMSI

HAUZ-I-SH

RE-ESTABLISH THE HISTORIC LINK BETWEEN ORCHARD AND SHAMSI Water collected and recycled from the site is drained to the Shamsi, thereby revitalising it and irrigating the Mango Orchard in the process. The recently erected boundary wall surrounding Mango Orchard is removed and the recently raised Graveyard wall is lowered , facilitating a visual link and recreating the pedestrian path along the Hauz-i-Shamsi Talab. DECONGESTION Sabzi Mandi made a part of the site with any spillover area required happening into the Mango Orchard. Moreover, waste from Mandi is used for creating Manure for the Orchard.

Fig 94 : The Site-Orchard-Shamsi Connect

ELEVATIONAL TREATMENT â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Mixture of Different Erasâ&#x20AC;? In the case of Mehrauli, picking a dominant architectural style is difficult if one wants to recreate the Mehrauli feel. Locally sources Quartzite is paired with Blue persian tiles inspired from the Lodhi period Jahaz Mahal. Structural elements such as jack arches and arched gateway are common repetitive elements.

Fig 95 : Colonial style grills and windows ; Blue Persian tiles, Mughal Gateways

However, while all buildings on site have a similar aesthetic, the Interpretation Center is given a contrasting modern look that gives it a sense of iconicity and identity to the complex. 71

CHAPTER 7 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Fig 96 : Sketch Design

HAUZ I SHAMSI

STAGE 1 : SKETCH DESIGN The attempt of the first sketch design to preserve the ecology of the place and cut as little trees as possible while at the same time figure out the approximate zoning. The design was planned geometrically with a radial circulation with the Amphitheater forming the common focal point for the interaction between tourists and locals facilitated by cultural performances and activites.

• Amphitheater acts as a common platform for local community and tourists interaction • However it obstructs the movement path between the Orchard and the Interpretation Center. • Programme not fully formulated, as visibly seen in plan. • Built blocks placed very loosely • Madarsa - Masjid Link not very clear. • Public Library attempts to merge with the Madarsa but one realised that the Madarsa needs its privacy. • Restaurants are randomly placed. Moreover, it is advisable to not build anything on the Mango Orchard. • The 2 meter level difference between the Orchard and site not appropriately addressed. • Displaced houses are enclosed by roads and have poor linkages with the orchard and the Madarsa.

Restaurants

Community Toilets Amphitheater Gyaankendra

Polyclinic + Women’s Health Facility Activity Center

Food kiosks

Interpretation Center

Conservation Unit Workshops

Housing for the displaced

Construction Material Market

100

HAUZ I SHAMSI

Fig 97 : Design Development I

STAGE 2 : DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 1 PROS • A more direct axis created between Lal Masjid and Madarsa • A more definitive Interpretation Center created in the form of a viewing tower. • The Amphitheater used to address the level difference between the Orchard and the Site. Also acts as a welcoming gesture to the community. CONS • Un-usable, Triangular spaces are getting created • Poor sense of entry for Interpretation Center • No direct connection between Orchard and Interpretation Center. • Amphitheatre orientation • The Akhara seems disconnected to the rest of the scheme • Vehicular Entry encloses the housing • Extending the axis from the Masjid towards Conservation Unit doesn’t make much sense LEARNINGS • The axes need to be rectilinear and staggered if necessary, but avoid creating traingular spaces • For the entry to feel like an entry it must be visible from the Road

Space for Sabzi Mandi Library

Activity Center Amphitheater Shopping Str

Main Community Street

Polyclinic

Conservation Unit Viewing Tower Gallery Spaces Construction Material Market

Housing for the displaced

100

STAGE 3 : DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 2

Fig 98 : Design Development - II

PROS • Inclusion of the Akhara into the Complex makes the fitness component of the design richer and also leaves more usable room for the children to play in the orchard • The tourist - local interface treated with F&B facilities • More definitive axis between Orchard and Interpretation Center and better sense of entry CONS • Scale of spaces too large for Community to relate or feel comfortable • Too many entrances and paths make the circulation a little complex. • Buildings still feel fragmented and not like a cohesive complex. • Poor treatment of Chowks or places where movement paths are intersecting. • Awkward intersection between Tower and Auditorium/ Gallery Block

Library + Madarsa/ Gyaankendra

Akhaara

Convenience shopping / Boutiques (G+1)

Polyclinic

Women’s Wellness Center Main Community Street

Framing Views of Old Neglected Tomb

Restaurants Informal Shops

One side workshop, One side Boutiques

Viewing Tower Auditorium/ Gallery Block

Conservation Unit Workshop Str 0

Fig 99 : Block model - Southern edge

100

DESIGN DETERMINANTS GRADATION IN BUILDING HEIGHT

Fig 89 : Elevation - Showing the gradation in building height along visual axis

Fig 90 : Plan - Buildings staggering inwards as per perspective 67

DESIGN TRANSLATION STREET SECTION D

This street section has been cut at the point where the main street spine bends.

This street section has been cut through the street in front of the temple and a shop on the opposite side.

Street Pattern

Street Sections

Fig 92 : |The linking of the Madarsa and Library roof Street Sections Street Pattern

Fig 102 : The Activity Center - Opening Out Onto The Amphitheater

Fig 103 : The Library Overlooking The Kund

Fig 104 : Community Toilet Complex catering to the Masjid & Akhara

Fig 105 : Madarsa And Its Public/Private Courts

Fig 106 : Drop Off - Shopping Street & Interpretation Center

Fig 108 : The Southern Edge of the Complex

Fig 107 : The buildings as a ‘backdrop’ the Orchard

Fig 109 : Private Working Spaces Of The Heritage Conservation Unit

Fig 110 : Tourist Plaza with informal shopping and eateries around it

Fig 111 : The Modern Aesthetic Of The Interpretation Center

elevation 2 The Community Spine is the most traversed existing route on the site as it culminates at the Dargah / Madarsa. Local convenience shopping are placed along it for the people of the community. Small eateries for the street food of Mehrauli are also present along it which would attract both - the locals and the tourists.

Important secondary streets - the Tourist Shopping Street and the street through the Activity Center/Polyclinic Block - are demarcated by Mughal Gateways that throughout the settlement have been used for the same.

elevation 3

This street marks the pedestrian route from the Interpretation Center to the conservation unit and the workshops. It is also overlooked by office spaces and the Boutiques. It is lined with Food Court style counter tops and a Cafe for quick eating between work hours.

The Jaali Wall encloses the Dargah and separates the movement path from the place of prostration. The Rainwater pit collects water from this level (+1.00m) and channels it towards the Kund (0.00m).

The Office/Restaurant block is like any traditional Mehrauli structure. With commercial at a lower level and Jharoka like balconies running on the upper level, enclosed with openable shutters with horizontal wooden louvres to block south summer sun.

SECTION B

The streets frame views of the Dargah and the other smaller Tomb and give a sense of direction by making these structures the Culmination Point of the movement path. The Kund is the final collection point of all the water from the site from where it flows through a series of channels through the Mango Orchard, ultimately draining out to the Hauz - i - Shamsi.

A E1 E2 E3

KEY PLAN 85

SUM MER SUN

RAINWATER SPOUTS

WI N SU

VERTICAL LOUVRES FOR EAST SHADING

LOUVRE WALL THAT OPENS COMPLETELY FOR CROSS VENTILATION

BLUE PERSIAN TILES THAT RESONATE WITH THE “JAHAZ MAHAL”

NICHE FOR DRINKING WATER FOR WORKSHOPS

SOUTH SHADING PLANTER ( 1:50 )

EAST ELEVATION ( 1:50 )

WEST ELEVATION ( 1:50 )

3. WATER & WASTE MANAGEMENT Rainwater is channeled to Hauz-i-Shamsi. Waste from Community toilets & workshop toilets to be treated in a biodigester and used for irrigating orchard.

TOWARDS HAUZ-I-SHAMSI

Biodigesters

KUND at 0.00m Collects all water from site and channels towards Shamsi Talab

Collection Pit for LVL +1.00 m Drains in ground collecting rainwater from Roofs

Waste from Sabzi Mandi composted and used in the orchard.

Multipurpose Halls Storage Kitchen Lobby 3 classrooms (30 each)

3*1000 3000

25 For 310 Cars

Covered

Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered Open Covered Covered Covered

Covered Covered Open Semi/Open

Covered Covered Covered Semi/Open Covered

Covered

Semi-open Covered

Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered

Covered Covered Covered

Covered Covered

DEGREE OF OPENNESS

Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Non AC Non AC Non AC

Earth Cooled Non AC -

Earth Cooled Non AC Non AC Earth Cooled

Non AC

Earth Cooled Non AC Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Earth Cooled

Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Earth Cooled Non AC Earth Cooled

Earth Cooled Non AC

COOLING TECHNIQUE

4. INTERPRETATION CENTER

Automated Carpark

Waste Recycling / Garbage disposal point

186 18 770 60

70 35 100 160 200 140 6 38 55

2*93

330 38 35 65 120

Remedial Classes 15-16 students Computer Center 14 computers Children’s Area Reading Lounge Private Reading Spaces Private Reading Terrace Pantry Washroom Storage

2 classroom (45 each) Furniture Storage Performance Area Amphitheatre (Comm Toilet Complex Shaded Pavillion as Greenroom)

Vocational training

Adult Education

Activity Center

Women’s

23 60

Community Toilet Complex Men’s Porch 8 WCs 6 urinals Bathing Area Change Rooms Wash basin/Lockers 12 WCs Bathing Area Change Rooms Wash basin/Lockers

40 20 12 22 20 28

30 16 16 10 18 6 15

Multipurpose Examination room Doctor’s Office DOTS room + waiting Immunisation Cell Homeopethic doctor Medicine storage Dental OPD room

TOTAL AREA

40 20

3*40

UNIT AREAS

Waiting Area + Reception(with family card storage) Washrooms

COMPONENTS & OCCUPANTS

Mother + Child Wellness Waiting Area Feeding room + Washroom Ultrasound Room Gynae OPD Pediatric OPD Emergency Delivery Room

Polyclinic

Community Facilities

FUNCTION

Health & Wellness (in sqm) Library (in sqm)

Activity Center (in sqm)

583 673 715

3. CONSERVATION UNIT

Misc. (in sqm)

2. COMMUNITY FACILITIES

3025

1. MAJOR AXES 5. THE INTERFACE

Workshops & Training Centre - Kaarigarshaala (in sqm)

Conservation Unit - GREHA+INTACH Office (in sqm)

Interpretation Center (in sqm)

2*45 2*45

Ticket + Information Lobby Auditorium Washroom Storage Café + Temp Gallery Café Terrace Kitchen Permanent Exhibit Storage Electrical + HVAC Viewing Tower

Informal Shopping 2 wheeler parking

Convenience Stores

Boutiques

for 28 vehicles

Large Boutiques Smaller Boutiques 6 Large units 6 Small units

2*142 5*40 6*45 6*10

5*40

10014

285 200 270 60 135 100

385 200

5 counters

Rentable Office Spaces 6 units of varying sizes Studio Spaces 5 units

Café + Kitchen Food Counters Lobby Restaurants Office Café/Pantry

40 30 145 125 100+185 285 270 190

6*6.5 6*5

100*

6 shops Semi/Open component

Street food shops

6 layers of Mehrauli

1M & 1W

55 120 485 45 15 170 200 80 430 165 65

68 22 68 55 90 90 30 30 30 75

Workshop Tile Making (for 10-15) Storage Workshop Pottery (for 10-15) Workshop Naika Classrooms (2) Workshops (2) Washrooms Waiting Area Men’s (with lockers) Women’s (with lockers) Sales & Demo. Area

Covered Covered Covered Covered Semi-open Semi-open

Covered Covered

Covered Semi-open Covered Covered Semi-open Covered Covered

Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered Semi-open Open Covered Covered Covered Covered

Semi-open Covered Semi-open Semi-open Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered

Covered

Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered Covered

Covered

45 45 30 60 50 17 45 15 85

Creative Team - photographers , archivists etc. (7-8) Boss’s Cabins Social Workers (8-10) Documentation dept. (4-6) Storage for 10 1M & 1W - 2 floors Kitchen / Pantry Eating space (for 65-70) Covered Covered Open Semi-open

Architects,conservationists, etc. (15-16)

Covered Covered

95 95 45 125

100 60

Lobby + Tourist Info Center Admin + Accounts(8-10)

Carpentry Metal Workshop Lime Workshop (10-15) Lime soaking + refining tank Workshop Area + Lime chakki Stone Workshop (for 10-15) Storage

Meeting room Washrooms Dining

TOTAL AREA

Office

Eateries (in sqm)

717 806

Shopping Street (in sqm)

1155

The Interface

1917

Tourist Facility

977

969

Heritage Conservation Unit Office spaces

Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC -

Non AC Non AC

Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC

Non AC AC AC Non AC Non AC Non AC AC AC Non AC

Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC

Non AC

Non AC Non AC -

Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC Non AC

Non AC

Non AC Non AC

SITE AREA ~ 2.1 HA BUILT UP AREA - 9758 SQM GROUND COVERAGE 30% FAR - 0.75

JURY COMMENTS The Jury carefully listened to everything I had to say about my project and raised only a few concerns regarding the Elevational Treatment. They felt that too many different styles of arches had been used and further questioned me on my choice of vault roofing.

Fig 112 : Top view - Community Empowerment Center

references publications & papers 1. AMASR ACT 2010. Ministry of Law and Justice. 2. Community Embedded Approach for Conservation of Mehrauli Heritage Area, GREHA 2014 3. Baeyens H, Valat ZC, Grizzi T, Ghitti E, Tresserras JJ, Tugas PI et al. 2006, The Hicira Handbook of Heritage Interpretation Centers, Barcelona. 4. Thakur N, 1989. Integrated Conservation of Mehrauli Heritage Zone, New Delhi 5. Hao P, 2012, Spatial Evolution of Urban Villages in Shenzen, PhD Thesis, Ultrecht University, Netherlands 6. Proposed Heritage Bye-Laws for Shershah Gate and Khair-ulManazil, INTACH, 3 December 2012 7. Lewis, C & Lewis, K, 1997, Delhi’s Historic Urban Villages : A photographic evocation, Ravi Dayal Publisher, New Delhi. 8. The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance, 2013 9. Tankha, M 2012, ‘Nizamuddin Basti to host cultural festival’, The Hindu , 27 November, viewed 18 April 2016

unpublished publications & papers 1. DUAC, Lado Sarai: Site Specific Design for Ward Number 169. 2. DUAC, Aya Nagar Urban Development : Planned Development of Unauthorised Colonies. 3. Bajaj, V 2013, The Khirki Interface : Trasitional development for conservation and promotion of Urban Heritage, B Arch Thesis, SPA Delhi 4. Ahmedabadwala HJ, Bhargava, N, Chaudhry S, Mogha P, Hafila U, 2013, Fifth Semester Settlement Study in Mehrauli, SPA Delhi

bibliography

publications & papers 1. Shah, P 2012, ‘Keekar shrubs have destroyed 80% of Delhi’s forest cover’ , Sunday Guardian, 23 September, viewed 28 March 2016, Sunday Guardian Database. 2. Dakshini KMM, 1966, Vegetation of Delhi State : Mehrauli Region, Department of Botany, Delhi University. 3. Jodidio, P 2011, The Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme: Strategies for Urban Regeneration. Prestel, Munich. 4. Architecture for Humanity 2006, Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crisis, Thames & Hudson, London.

other sources 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Google Earth www.asi.nic.in www.akdn.org www.competentauthoritydelhi.co.in www.intach.org NMA Guidelines on drafting Heritage Bye Laws www.greha.org www.nizamuddinrenewal.org www.studio3x3.com