Shreeni Benjamin_Landscape Architecture Academic Portfolio by Shreeni Benjamin

P O R T F O L I O LANDSCAPE

shreeni benjamin

Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi, Pritzker Prize winner 2018

Shreeni Benjamin B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) - 2015 Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture, Rajkot CGPA : 3.6/4 M.Arch (Master of Landscape Architecture) - 2019 Centre for Environment and Planning, Ahmedabad CGPA : 3.0/4 Email : greenduststudio@gmail.com Registered Architect under Council of Architecture, India CA/2016/79143 Professional membership of Indian Society of Landscape Architects B-66/S 2018

Achievements

Skill

Young Talent Architecture Award_Asia edition

: 2020

Graphisoft Archicad

Indian Society of Landscape Architects Award ISOLA Prabhakar Bhagwat Award for Best Thesis

: 2019

Autocad

Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects Awards : 2019 Best Design Showcase - Bronze Outstanding Contextual Analysis and Investigation- Bronze Planting Design - Bronze Ghana, Accra Affordable Housing Design Competition :2018 Part of the Winning Firm (DPC, Ahmedabad), Junior Architect

Profe s s i o n a l

Lumion 3D Photoshop CC Lightroom CC Adobe Indesign CC Adobe Illustrator CC

Pra c t i ce

Freelance Landscape Architect, Ahmedabad

Vastushilpa Consultants, Ahmedabad

Dec 2019- At present Position: Landscape Consultant Contributed to the design & planning of the following projects • Residential landscape Planning for Mr. Dave, Anand • Residential landscape Planning for Mr. Mansukh, A’bad • Residential landscape Planning for Mr. Joseph, A’bad • Residential Interior Planning for Mr. Martin, A’bad

May 2012- Jan 2013 (9 months) Position: Trainee Architect Contributed to the design & development of the following projects • Ishira House, 250 sqmt • Bhadra Plaza, 19000 sqmt • IIM Udaipur, 78000 sqmt • IIT Gandhinagar Housing, 1050 sqmt

Nature of Work involved Conceptual Masterplan, Presentation drawings, Working drawing, Research

Nature of Work involved Model making, Presentation drawings, Site visit, Working drawing, Case studies, Report writing

Jerde Partnership, Los Angeles

Design & Planning Counsel, Ahmedabad

Dec 2020- At present Position: Assistant to Senior Landscape Consultant Contributed to the design & development of the following projects • Powerlong Retail park- Xiamen China • Pukoh Industrial park- Wenzhou China • Ningbo Transit Oriented development-Ningbo China • Jinan Retail Park- China

Feb 2016 - May 2017 (15 months) Position: Assistant Architect Contributed to the design & development of the following projects • Multi-level Parking, 6000 sqmt • Daman-Ganga Riverfront Development, 1.75 km • Chandola Lakefront Development, 3.5 sqkm

Nature of Work involved Conceptual Masterplan, Presentation drawings, Working drawing, Research

Nature of Work involved Concept Design, Landscape Design, Detail Design, Coordination, Working drawing, Presentation drawing, Site visit, Case studies, Report writing

Exaggerating existing contrast

Understanding the river Vishwamitri and its offered landscape in its entirety from upstream to delta including its processes of evolution and associations with the surrounding biodiversity and the urban fabric. The attempt is to instigate the connection between the river and a memory through a landscape design insertion at a designated stretch within the city. The “Exaggerating existing contrast” focuses on the exaggerating the existing prominent physical features of the site that portrays a contrasting experience on the banks of river.

‘Urban Greening - as the Pace-Maker for the Metabolism of the City’ Looking from a top down perspective to the details of the treatment policies this project questions the larger organizing system of open spaces at an urban scale. Considering the city as an organism, the concern is to identify its state of health by understanding the state of its inhabitants. Furthermore providing strategies to counter the imbalance of the metabolic state through the physical infrastructure or policies of the city. The place of intervention targeted to heal the city is the commuting physical network.

Landscape detail design

Farm like landscape situated between the fringe of a rapidly developing city and a small village. The area is sparse with quiet few residences. Most of the people own holiday homes in the given vicinity. The theme for such a residential area is considered to be adapting the spatial character of both the context that is the city and the village. The aim is to bring out the best of both contexts in a structured and comfortable way. The adaptations from the village context began with observing the seating spaces, the use of the river or lake for recreation and the mounds or slopes as vantage points. The design incorporates mostly tall grasses and slopes to bring back the topography of a village settlement with some aloof as well as congruent seating spaces pertaining to the nature of the users and attempts to generate a farm-like landscape ambiance manipulating it through modern technology and systems.

Mending the gap : Landscape Conservation for the island of Aliabet

The island is a part of the river Narmada’s estuary which has formed connections with the mainland due to the depositions afflicted by the anthropogenic activities like the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Once an ecologically rich and diverse chunk of land, Aliabet was a home to bountiful wetland birds and animals. Overlooked social cost of the dam has left Aliabet to become a desert and a saline wasteland. This research study is an attempt to understand the drivers and the ecological services of Aliabet in order to provide strategies to reactivate its Wetland habitats and revive its place in the larger ecological chain

Miscellaneous Poster to illustrate the Importance of trees in different urban and rural context and Documentation of Trees and Biodiversity for the Centre of Environment and Planning University, Ahmedabad

Landscape Garden Design: Vishwamitri River banks

E x a g g e r a t i n g

t h e

Due to the presence of various neotectonic plates near the river basin, the river exhibits a narrow, highly sinuous and deeply incised meandering channel. The Vishamitri river flows for most of its length in the Gujarat Alluvial Plain which further endorses the meandering pattern. The climate of this region is characterized by a hot summer and a general dryness except during the monsoon season. The Dhadhar valley and the adjoining regions fell under the semi-arid bio-climatic zone. This broad division has been made on the basis of the intensity and duration of precipitation, temperature and duration of dry season. According to the classification, the climate in this zone is described as tropical accentuated, as dry season exceeds more than seven months and the rainfall is of the order of 500-1000 mm. Recently the region is observing frequent flash floods. As per the current situation in the city of Vadodara, people are facing their back to the river and only use it as a dumping or sewage ground. Also, Vishwamitri is one of the famous Crocodile breeding grounds for decades which makes it nearly impossible to enter the river.

e x i s t i n g

c o n t r a s t

River Vishwamitri Length

: 70 km

Catchment Area : 3423 sqkm Forest types

: Dry mixed deciduous type

Bio-diversity

: Crocodile, Panther, Otter,

Chinkara, Jackal, Mongoose, Indian hare, Indian porcupine

Source: Pavagardh Hills

River Vishwamitri Catchment Area

Dhadhar Vadodara city Site

Middle course of river Features Meanders Erosion and Deposition Wider channels Flood plains Heavy sediment load Ox-bow lakes

F a b r i c

o f

t h e

s i t e

As one approaches the site the first nuance one perceives is that of a large open space with almost a flat ground, consisting of sparse or absolutely no vegetation. On exploring the open space further, one witness the river coming to life. In this journey, contrasting physical features of the site like the gradual slope of the barren land turning to undulating bends, steep slope and deep valley transcending into a river are observed. Presence of a ridgeline between the river edge and the flat patch of the site is a natural threshold that divides the two distinct spheres in the site.

Steep slope towards the Dense Riparian vegetation river approach along the meanders

Gradual slopes on the Barren Upland

Sparse Vegetation on the flat land

ste

water

land

u grad

water

land

empty flat/ empty wet/ dense

valley

Broad

hill

all

t e,

ns de short plantation shade

flat

depression

g din

ord

asc

sho

rt/

den

No plantation / Barren

10 flat

Nature of all the elements from this ridgeline onwards, on either side, undergoes changes which are evidently notable through their physical features or appearance. The design approach is to identify such similar contrasting spatial experiences and exaggerating them in order to create two distinct experiences at the same place and time; which is at the river edge and on the flatter portion of land. This is the only approachable space on site. The identifiable and exaggerated features to be created are limited only to the three main parameters that constituents the entire site, which is the topography, vegetation and water bodies.

Panoramic view overlooking the northern horse-shoe meander 4

Existing Contrasts between the different Habitats Barren Upland Water dispersing/ Run-off Open, Dispersed/ Sparse Free Movement Vistas & View Uniform/ Montonuous Multi-directional/Radial Wide Brown Flat, Gradual

River Habitat Water collection Closed, interconnected Contained/ Threshold Obstruction Diverse Uni-directional/Line Narrow 1 Green Bendy/Steep

water

Den

se/

res t

rict

gradual steep

11 raised

valley

o f

t h e

s i t e

p r o p o s a l

e x i s t i n g

p r o p o s a l

e x i s t i n g

F a b r i c

The existing contrast has been exaggerated through the physical features like the presence of the riparian forest in the center versus a raised upland forest in the center. And the continuous unidirectional river stream around the site versus a collecting 12

stagnant water pond inside the site, replicating the wetlands on the stretch of the Vishwamitri river with the same palate of the grasses and shrubs. The height of the meadow in relevance to the existing gradual slope of the site. Also the presence of the orderly culitvated crops versus the chaotic riparian forest.

Overlapping the analytical drawings together brings out the physical features interconnected more prominently. This attempt helps to identify areas that can support the design intentions . 13

Drainage path Impervious surface Forest/ Dense Plantation Sparse Vegetation Flat barren land Sparse Vegetation

The superimposition of different parameters together exposes various overlooked and undefined characters of the terrain. There are certain decisions taken to create a upland forest in the centre to experience the contrast of having

a ridge to the exisiting valley. The water logged area is excavated further to extend the water sheet and feel the presence of a larger stagnant water body in contrast to the exisiting the flowing unidirectional river water channel.

Dense forest Meadows Grasslands Agriculture Wetlands/Marshland

Meadows -Grasses and Wild Flowers on a gradual slope

Grasslands

Wetlands found along the stretch of the River Vishamitri

Corn fields at the floodplains of Vishwamitri

The sparse vegetational area is converted to grassland for a clear vision of the garden around with the backdrop of the highly noticeably upland forest. The different versions of vegetation to add to the contrast orderly includes the farm fields of

corn and wheat and the meadows of the wild flowers and grasses that gives an opportunity to view the garden clearly from any area and experience the contrast. Wet meadows also replicate the existing wetlands around the banks.

Agriculture Grassland Upland Forest Wetland Meadow Existing Riparian Forest

Meadows and Grasslands

Transitional zones between the meadows and the riparian zone

Grasslands constituting areas with different kind of grasses

Corn fields and Barley fields replicating the stretch of Vishwamitri

Wild flowers & grasses found along the banks of Vishwamitri river

Tephrosia perpurea

Eichhornia crassipes

Ipomea aquatica

Eichhornia crassipes

Tridax procumbens

Pennisetum purpureum

Stenotaphrum secundatum

Cynodon dactylon

"Wetlands"

Transitional zones between the meadows and the riparian zone

Eichhornia crassipes

Hygroryza aristata

Plants having temporary inundation play a crucial role in the regulation of water flow water quality to whole catchments

Eichhornia crassipes

Neptunia prostata

Permanent inundation provides fauna water even during the drought

Murdannia loriformis

"Upland Forest"

Palette

found along the vishwamitri

river

Forests are high ground water recharge areas, which plays an integral role in sustaining water resources, protecting water quality, and attenuating river floods. More specifically, afforestation can absorb rainwater, disperse surface runoff, purify pollutant, and thereby reduce pollutant load into the rivers and streams and produce clean water.

Eucalytpus

Albizia lebbek

Parkia speciosa

Plumeria alba

Part Plan

Sections across the site

02 U r b a n

The Pace-maker for the metabolism of the city

Reduces flood risk

Aesthetic quality

Transpiration cooling

Encourages biodiversity

Streets in the city Ecological Corridors

92.55 µg/m³ PM 2.5 Unhealthy Category Per capita emission of CO2 emission is 0.42kg/day *

Gujarat Pollution Control Board

10-12 %

INCREASE/ YEAR 29 lakhs till 2017 Estimated no. of vehicles 68 lakhs till 2050 *

Surat Mobility study- CEPT

Peri-urban fringe Nutritional hot-spot

14.03 %

DEATHS Due to heavy traffic and rash driving Journal of Indian Acad Forensic Medicine *

STR EET S

S U R AT:

D I STUR B ED

S T R E E T S : PA RT

O F

THE

Improved Air quality

E C O S YS TE M

G r e e n i n g

Industries

Urbanisation

City of Surat Area: 326 km Population: 4.5 million

City of Surat 40% of Streetscapes Overtly utilized public spaces

H A B I TAT TR E E

O F

City of Surat 0.81% of Designated open spaces Underutilized public spaces

N AT U R A L

W h y “U r ban Gr e e n i n g ”?

Natural Processes carried out by a tree

20%

CHILD OBESITY Adolescent Children found obese due to lack of infrastructure *

National Journal of Medical Research

115

BRIDGES & FLYOVERS Heavy concrete heat accumulating structures across the city as part of the streetscapes * Surat Mobility study- CEPT

Trees are the mediators in the organisms known as the city that runs the ecological processes for sustenance. Absence of these mediators can create health issues for the organism and its inhabitants. A growing pile of research suggests that planting more urban trees, if done right, could save tens of thousands of lives around the world each year by soaking up pollution and cooling down deadly heat waves. “A lot of cities still think of trees as just ornamentation,” says Rob McDonald, the lead scientist for the Nature Conservancy’s Global Cities program. City like Surat which is booming in its population, pollution and infrastructure lacks one of the most important component for its sustainable growth i.e. Trees. It can eradicate all its disrupted conditions in the city particularly in the movement corridors.

Massive grey structures 23

P L A N T I N G STRATEGIES

Road width 4.5 m

Length of the stretch No of trees Total length in the site No of trees planted

10 m 5 (Dia = 5m) 21288 m 10,644

Road width 7.5 m

Length of the stretch No of trees Total length in the site No of trees planted

10 m 4 (Dia = 5m) 1021m 409

Road width 12m

4.5

7.5

Population : 38390 Area : 1.0 sqkm No. Of Vehicles (estimated) : 11362 Total CO2 emitted : 4.5 tonnes Tree density (GFD) : 8 per Hectare No of trees present : 800 Open space : 45%

Roads & Driveways 24

(4,42,497 sqmts)

: 40%

Length of the stretch No of trees Total length in the site No of trees planted

10 m 2 (Dia = 10 m) 2442 m 489

4.5

GUIDE

LINES

OP EN S PAC E C ATEGORY

Infrastructure greens Plantation along roadside

Pit size 1.25 x 2 m Pit

1.25 mts x 1.25 mts

Planting distance (c/c)

Trees planted inside the residential setback to provide enough clearance for the street

Large trees : 10m Small trees : 5m

Tree cover

15% area of Roads and Highways

Tree species and theme Follow the species matrix 7.5

Trees planted inside the residential setback to provide enough clearance for the street

Extended living room = 4.5 m wide Street

1.25m Median for plantation 1.50m Walkway

Walkways closer to the driveway to increase the flexibility of the street for other purposes

Congregational space = 12m wide Street

P L A N T I N G STRATEGIES

Road width 18m

Length of the stretch 10 m No of trees 3 (Dia = 10 m) Total length in the site 1137 m No of trees planted 342

Road width 24m

Length of the stretch 10 m No of trees 3 (Dia = 10, 12 m) Total length in the site 966 m No of trees planted 290

Road width 42m

Population Area No. of Vehicles (estimated) Total CO2 emmitted Tree density (GFD) No of trees present Open space

Roads & Driveways 26

: 38390 : 1.0 sqkm : 11362 : 4.5 tonnes : 8 per Hectare : 800 : 45%

(4,42,497 sqmts)

: 40%

Length of the stretch 10 m No of trees 4 (Dia = 10 m) Total length in the site 1006 m No of trees planted 403

T RE E C O VER

Achieved after incorporating the strategies Trees (dia =10) = 1524 Area = 119,237 sqm Trees ( dia = 5) = 11,053 Area = 216,915 sqm TOTAL TREES = 12577

1m Walkway

1.25m thick plantation

33.6%

Walkways protected by plantation from pollution and high temperature

Total tree cover achieved for the site : 336,152 sqmts/ 1 sqkm Urban greening can increase the tree cover by 30% only using the STREETSCAPES

1.50m Walkway

1.50m thick plantation

1.25m Median for plantation

1.50m median

1.25m Median for plantation

1.50m thick plantation

1.50m Walkway

Cutting down a lane on each side to provide a designated parallel parking

Regulated corridor = 24m wide Street

1.50m thick plantation 1.50m Walkway

Median for plantation 1.25m

B.R.T.S

1.25m

Median for plantation

1.50m Walkway 1.50m thick plantation

)

B.R.T lane seperated via median plantations, designated parallel parkings

City Identity = 42m wide Street

S P E C I E S CALCULATOR FOR EFFICIENT USE Aesthetics Shade & Buffer Pollution Mediators Species

Carbon Sequestration efficiency

Evergreen

Density (foliage density)

Form (broad or narrow)

Upright (provides clearance)

Seasonal Variation

Fast growing

2 1 2 2 4 2 4 5 10 4 8 6 8 10 3 4 2 1 4 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 2

8 8 6 8 4 8 8 6 4 8 8 6 8 6 6 2 2 10 8 8 4 6 2 8 0 0 8

4 8 6 8 4 6 8 8 6 8 2 6 4 0 8 6 6 10 10 6 10 8 8 6 6 6 6

2 8 8 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 2 6 3 0 4 4 8 10 10 8 10 8 8 6 8 8 6

10 8 6 2 8 8 6 8 8 6 8 8 8 8 4 8 8 2 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 8 8

0 4 8 2 6 6 2 2 2 4 2 2 4 2 6 8 6 2 4 6 6 4 4 2 6 6 4

8 8 8 6 8 8 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 6 4 4 8 2 2 2 8 8 8 6 0 6 8

Polyalthia longofolia Alstonia scholaris Delonix regia Achras sapota Terminalia catappa Cassia siamea Azadirachta indica Mangifera indica Tectona grandis Peltophorum pterocarpum Casuarina equisetifolia Pithecellobium dulce Eucalyptus globulus Acacia chundra Acacia auriculifornis Butea monosperma Albizia lebbeck Ficus benghalensis Tamarindus indica Spathodea campanulata Erthyrina variegata var Dalbergia sissoo Melia azedarach Ailanthus excelsa Mitragyna parviflora Holoptelea integrifolia Millingtonia hortensis

P R O P O S E D

T H E M E S

4.5 m COMMUNITY ROAD Extended living room Pollution Mediators Aesthetics Shade Preferable Biodiversity

0% 20% 50% 10% 20%

12 m LEVEL space

F O R

O F

NEIGHBORHOOD Congregation

Pollution Mediators Aesthetics Shade Preferable Biodiversity

10% 40% 20% 10% 10%

T H E

S T R E E T S

F O U N D

T H E

S I T E

45 m BRT ROUTE City Identity

24 m INTERNAL ROAD Regulated corridor

Pollution Mediators Aesthetics Shade Preferable Biodiversity

I N

40% 20% 20% 10% 10%

Pollution Mediators 40% Aesthetics 45% Shade 5% Preferable 5% Biodiversity 5%

to choose for Urban greening St ra tegy fo r Da Calculator m a ge co nt rospecies l

How to use the Calculator 1. Choosing the theme for the Street based upon the purpose of the street for eg: 4.5 m COMMUNITY LEVEL ROAD - Extended living room

Preferable Biodiversity Fast growing

Hardy

Brittle branches

Less Butresses

Deep root system

Encouraging Biodiversity

8 8 8 6 8 8 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 6 4 4 8 2 2 2 8 8 8 6 0 6 8

8 10 10 5 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

5 10 10 5 5 10 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 5 5 10 10 5 10 10 5 5 5

10 8 2 4 10 8 10 6 10 8 10 8 8 10 10 10 10 2 6 8 8 6 8 8 10 6 10

10 10 5 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 8 8 10 10 10

1 6 2 2 1 2 2 6 2 4 2 2 2 2 0 8 4

Score

57 74 61 49 63 70 66 67 68 69 63 64 63 58 58 70 70 62 68 70 73 63 63 64 58 61 69

4 6 4 0 0 1 4 4 6

C A L C U L A T I O N

2. Selecting the respective characteristic of the trees which suffices the activity/purpose of the street highly. for eg: The street requires to be shaded, thus allocating maximum or higher weightage to the head SHADE Shade -50% , and the rest of them accordingly Pollution Mediators - 0%, Aesthetics - 20%, Preferable - 10%, Biodiversity - 20% 3. Using the above allocated % get the score for all the mentioned trees in the list 50%Shade (Density + Form + Upright) + 20% Aesthetics (Form, Upright + Seasonal Variation) + 10% Preferable (Hardy + Weak branches + Less Buttresses + Deep root system) + 20% Biodiversity Choose the trees with high score from the result.

F O R

E A C H

H E A D

Aesthetics Shade & Buffer

Preferable

Pollution Mediators Species

a longofolia scholaris egia pota a catappa mea hta indica a indica grandis rum pterocarpum equisetifolia obium dulce us globulus undra riculifornis nosperma bbeck ghalensis us indica a campanulata variegata var sissoo darach excelsa a parviflora ea integrifolia nia hortensis

Carbon Sequestration efficiency

2 1 2 2 4 2 4 5 10 4 8 6 8 10 3 4 2 1 4 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 2

Biodiversity

Evergreen

Density (foliage density)

Form (broad or narrow)

Upright (provides clearance)

Seasonal Variation

Fast growing

8 8 6 8 4 8 8 6 4 8 8 6 8 6 6 2 2 10 8 8 4 6 2 8 0 0 8

4 8 6 8 4 6 8 8 6 8 2 6 4 0 8 6 6 10 10 6 10 8 8 6 6 6 6

2 8 8 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 2 6 3 0 4 4 8 10 10 8 10 8 8 6 8 8 6

10 8 6 2 8 8 6 8 8 6 8 8 8 8 4 8 8 2 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 8 8

0 4 8 2 6 6 2 2 2 4 2 2 4 2 6 8 6 2 4 6 6 4 4 2 6 6 4

8 8 8 6 8 8 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 6 4 4 8 2 2 2 8 8 8 6 0 6 8

Hardy

Brittle branches

Less Butresses

Deep root system

Encouraging Biodiversity

8 10 10 5 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

5 10 10 5 5 10 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 5 5 10 10 5 10 10 5 5 5

10 8 2 4 10 8 10 6 10 8 10 8 8 10 10 10 10 2 6 8 8 6 8 8 10 6 10

10 10 5 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 8 8 10 10 10

1 6 2 2 1 2 2 6 2 4 2 2 2 2 0 8 4

A % + B % + C % + D % + E % = 100

4 6 4 0 0 1 4 4 6

Score

57 74 61 49 63 70 66 67 68 69 63 64 63 58 58 70 70 62 68 70 73 63 63 64 58 61 69

Landscape Detail Design

R u r b a n

l aSt n ra d te s cgya pfoer Da f oma r ge w ecoe nt k ro e nl d

The project was to design Landscape for a given 31 unit weekend house township. The design included landscaping and paving for the driveways and footpaths along with two large Common Open Place (approx. 2000 sqmts each) and the landscape design for a club house. The COPs were divided as formal and informal places for events which were made in the order of their appearance. The COP 1 appears immediately as one enters the Housing premise and thus was designed with a formal space in mind with a larger open lawn area to with-hold the events and small functions and also with an enclosed space to hold meetings and events indoors. The other COP is designed with more informal set of seatings and connections for all kinds of users. It includes a jogging track, shaded plaza and a volleyball court to encourage community relations along with leisure activities. After the Master planning and schematic design for the parks, the design was further worked out for the COP 2. The detailed design was done particularly for the Water-feature, Bench and a Mound.

h o u s e

COP 2 Linear strip of garden parallel to Jogger’s track adjoining the property line

COP 2 The linear park across the volleyball court, Another entry to the park

COP 2 The plaza in the center integrates spaces of diverse spatial quality from a splash pool to shaded seating spaces

30 Plan, COP 2

COP 2

COP 1

Main Entrance

Master-Plan

COP 1 The Entrance plaza overlooking the trail to meditation platforms and the entry to Multi-purpose lawn area

Plan, 32 COP 1

COP 1 The exterior of the COP 1 from the secondary entrance from the meditation garden

St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt ro l

COP 1 Aerial view of the Multipurpose area overlooking the entrance

COP 1 -Overview

COP 1 Entry to the Club house

St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt ro l

Plaza Bench Details

Central Plaza, during the night

Central Plaza, Shaded seating areas in the afternoon sun

St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt ro l

Water feature Details

The water-feature is an integrated part of the Plaza-design. The mound in the center of the COP acts as a backdrop to the waterfeature in the front which has a splash pool, foaming jet play area and a seating area. The supply tank of the water-feature is placed 38

on a very gradual slope of the mound with a manhole cover that allows storage of 4” of soil to facilitate the growth of lawn grass on top it to allow it to hide under the mound. The supply tank carries filter and pump to suffice the need of the water-feature

St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt ro l

Water-feature Details

04 m e n d i n g t h e g a p

Landscape Conservation for the island of Aliabet

BEFORE Degraded edge

Encrusted salt

AFTER

Coastal management is one of the most important parameter of urban planning for a resilient future. Especially in today’s time when the planet is subjected to high risks due to the extreme changes the natural processes are undergoing, it becomes mandatory to look at the existing ecosystem services and it’s impact in a larger spectrum.

The island of Aliabet is an example of one such change of process. The island is a part of the river Narmada’s estuary which has formed connections with the mainland due to the depositions afflicted by the anthropogenic activities like the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Once an ecologically rich and diverse chunk of land, Aliabet was a home to bountiful wetland birds

Filled up creeks Vegetated creeks

Salt marsh

Halophytes

Nesting grounds and animals. Overlooked social cost of the dam has left Aliabet to become a desert and a saline wasteland. This research study is an attempt to understand the drivers and services of Aliabet in order to provide strategies to revive and regain its position in the larger ecological chain.

High

Medium

Low

Salinity tolerant species

Aravali protocontinental plate a river Singhbhum protocontinental plate

d Narma

Dharwar protocontinental plate

The Narmad rift valley was a result of the upliftment between the Protocontinental plates of Aravali, Dharwar and the Singhbhum fracturing along the Precambrian patterns. Image .

b Cam ift ay R

Kachchh Rift valley

Ravines

Younger tidal flats

da Rift

a Narm valley

Older Tidal flats

State of Gujarat, Alia-bet highlighted with the Rift valley system at the Gulf of Khambhat, which is a part of an active estuarine area and thus undergoes regular changes in terms of deposition and shifting. Image .

The configuration of the Landforms like the Older tidal flats, younger tidal flats and Ravines respective in the mouth of the river Narmada. Image .

Bharuch

Bhadbhut

Gulf of khambhat

Aliabet 238 sqkm2

Ankleshwar

Scale nearb

Narmada river

Lower Narmada trail of Sardar sarovar dam to the Gulf of Khambhat. Narmada River, west of Bhadbhut, enters in t These distributaries circle Aliabet, and merges in the Gulf of Khambhat. Along with the two banks of the waterway, mudflat Image .

Understanding St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt rofluvial l dynamics of Aliabet

Image . Sardar sarovar dam

Image .

has affected the river channel drastically

Bedaghat, source of river Narmada

Sardar sarovar dam

of the population in towns and villages by

the delta region, part into two dis-tributaries. ts and swamps are framed.

Image .

Local fishing tribal community by the banks

Artificially dammed Narmada, loss of more than 10,000 hectares forests resulted in to the deposition of silts on the beds, heading into blocking the entire rift valley. The dam also resulted in thinning out the river channel which impacted its adjoining river ecology and biodiversity. The flow-rate of the river dropped drastically and it affected the overall level of the water which in turn raised the hidden islands and shoals in the estuary.

Ahmedabad

Map . Ahmedabad, Area : 452

The stable banks of Narmada due to forests are now devoid of its steady agents, which opens them now to destruction through floods. Minus the forests this river is facing raging torrents in the rains and dried up water courses in the summer. One of the shoals has resulted in to a considerably huge island named Aliabet which conserves a diverse and rich ecosystem of the Estuary.

Aliabet

sqkm2

Map . Aliabet, Area : 238 sqkm2

01. Before Sardar Sarovar Dam, Aliabet was an island and was 04. After the floods, the water recedes back to the sea surrounded by river water channels on all the sides leaving behind loads of sediment, which is then left for the river water to clean up during ebb.

02. Aliabet was part of an active and perenial estuary where the 05. River water has now lost the pressure to flush out the water was a part of a varying salinity throughout the year sediments in to the sea leading to the sediment deposition

03. During Floods and high tides the sea water currents travels 06. More deposition leads to the formation of Sand bars North and North-Eastern part of the Gulf of Khambhat and Shoals, also many submerged sediments emerges in the absence of adequate flushing

Understanding St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt rofluvial l dynamics of Aliabet

07. The process leads to the shifting of the Mudflat towards the mainland to an extend that it completely fills up the river water channel on the other side of the island. Forming a landwise connection to the island.

The island is going to observe more deposition in the near future in the southern most part. Seaward growth of aliabet indicates tint possibly the rate of deposition of sediments by river is greater than the rate of removal by sea waves and currents which is due to the narrow expense of gulf of Khambhat. During floods Narmada brings huge load of sediments and deposits on the bank of Aliabet in the form of a thin veneer every year. This may also contributes to the seawards extension of foreset beds. The older tributary area is not going to face any more erosion and will form a stable part of the main land

08. The East-West aligned island faces saline water to a larger extent which shifts the ecological plane and leaves the island devoid of its natural vegetation

The island is facing high level of salinity ingression due to extremely low flushing from the river water which is resulting into the declination of the local grass ”Aal” and Wetland ecosystem The anthropogenic pressure has intervened in the fluvial processes leading to the decrease in brackish water to quiet a large extend.

09. The present condition may increase the deposition of the island towards the sea

2 0 11 1

19 7

2 00 4

Maps generated from the remote sensing tool indicates heavy loss of habitats over the period of years. The 1974 map indicates the spread of mangroves on the island on a large scale. Over the period of years mangroves disappear drastically and salt pan and salt marsh which were absent before starts appearing. One of the reason for such affliction is also due to the communities that uses mangroves for wood fire. Also the increase in salt pans have drastically changed the terrain. Salinity ingression in the land has changed the ecology distinctly.

Map . 1974

Map . 2001

Salt Marsh

Mudflats

Mangrove

Salt Pan

Scrubland

22.4 % Mudflats 0.5 % Mangroves

Creeks

27.1 % Salt Marsh 7 % Depression 20 % Salt pan 1.2 % Settlement Map . 2011

Mudflat Mangroves Scrub Shoals

Settlement

18.8 % Scrubland

Salt Marsh Salt Pan Creek Depression

2.4 % Creeks Graph . Present

configuration of land use , 2019

Depression

St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt ro l

Site Analysis

2m 4m 6m 8m Map . Neap Tides

2.5

10 km

The average of the regular tides that occurs everyday is estimated 1-1.2m

Map .

Contour map

2.5

Most part of aliabet undergoes submersion during floods. The average elevation of the land is 5m and the Highest Amplitude tide (H.H.T) reaches till 6m. The North-eastern part of the land where the “Jat Maldharis” (Animal Herders) reside and few areas in the centre along with the constructed embankments remains dry during H.H.T

0 2.5 5 10 km Map . Spring Tides The average of periodical tides that occurs twice a month is estimated between 3.5-4 m

Map . High high tides

2.5

10 km

The highest amplitude of tide 6m during flooding of the sea

Map . Land-use

Mud flat Salt Marsh Scrubland

Mangroves Depression Ponds

2.5

Settlements Salt pan Connection

Central plains of Aliabet after monsoon

Image .

Vegetated Mudflats after monsoon

Dominant species of flora & fauna in Aliabet

Image .

Common crane

Reef Haron

White Egret

Image .

Salt pans after monsoon

Macrobrachium Sesuvium rosenbergi portulacastrum

Tenualosa ilisha

Avicennia marina

Intertida zone

Pond grey heron

Black headed gull

Grey Shrike

Red necked Flamingo

Brown pelican

Painted Stork

Estimated number of Buffalos left in Aliabet are around 1500

Image .

Porteresia coarctata

Settlements in the vast plains of Aliabet

White necked Kingfisher

Image .

Portable water boug nearby towns

St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt ro l

Threats and Concern

Diminishing of the brackish water-zone

Narmada estuary is famous for the Hilsa fish that breeds in the ocean water but travels back to the brackish water for the rest of year. Sedimentation and Salinity ingress has reduced the rare mix of various saline

levels and temperature of the brackish water to a larger extent, damaging its dependent ecology like the Mangroves and the “Aal grass”. Reduction in the number of Hilsa fish and Aal grass have also rendered the number of Wetland birds very less.

Reduction in the Residentary and Migratory birds

Suaeda nudiflora

Land affected due to salt

Older aluvial plain

egraded coastlines of Alia-bet

ght from s

Temporary huts made from hay stacks and wooden posts.

Various migratory birds from China, Siberia and Russia are said to visit Gulf of Khambhat and Alia Bet. Around 20,000 flamingos, thousands of waterfowls can be seen in the salt- pans of Aliabet from October to March. The only residing community the “Jat maldharis”(Animal herders) who thrive on

there Camels, buffalos and goats depend on the local vegetation. Camels have now adapted to survive on both, dry land and in the sea. They swim in seawater and feed on saline plants and mangroves. Presently there are about 600-650 camels.

Replenishing mangroves using salt-tolerant species

Preventing Salinity ingress

Prevention of Coastal Erosion by providing a natural surge Barrier

Filtration of sediments at both the ends of land and water

Nursing grounds for local and migratory fishes and crustaceans

By introducing barriers at the strategic locations leads to conservation of water and prevention of sea-water to flood and degrade the resources further.

U n d e r s t a n d i n g S a l i n i t y g r a St d arat te i ogy n fo r D

Figure . Salinity - High tide

Figure . Salinity - Spring tide

Figure . Salinity - High tide - After construction of

Figure . Salinity - Spring tide - After construction of

Embankments

Less Moderate Extemely

Figure . Areas under embankment : Salinity level - Less

Figure . Areas under embankment : Salinity level -

Extremely low to moderate

for Damage Control St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt roStrategy l

Fresh water conservation

Cultivating fodder for the grazing animals

BRACKISH

SALT

FRESH

Conservation of fresh water can help re-generate the lost habitats of varying salinity and biodiversity.

Cultivation of fodder strengthens the only residing tribal community and their livestock, increasing the ownership and repsonsibility towards the degrading island more.

a m a ge w ico t hntro r e sl p e c t t o E m b a n k m e n t s

Figure . Salinity - Neap tide

Figure . Summer catchment area Figure . Salinity - Neap tide - After construction of

Embankments

Figure . Winter catchment area

Figure . Areas under embankment : Salinity level -

Extremely low to null

Figure . Monsoon catchment area

2.5 5

10 km Map . 02 Spring tides

Map . 01 Existing Salinity gradation

More than 90% of the area are subjected to salinity

Less Moderate Extemely

Extend of the spring tides

Map . 05 High tides

Map . 06 High tides after embankments

Extent of the high tides floods. By flooding the existing rainwater pools of the high tides helps generating a brackish water zone in the conserved rain-water area.

Introducing a second level of embankment higher then the highest amplitude of tides.

for Damage Control St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt roStrategy l

Map . 03 Spring tides after embankments

Map . 04 Spring tides Rainwater pools

Creating embankments above the height of the spring tides at strategic intervals to prevent the saline water from flooding the land.

The rain-water can be then conserved in the areas of depressions which were earlier flooded by the sea water.

2.5 5

10 km

Map . 07 High tides - Rain water pools

Map . 08 Achieved Salinity gradation after 3-4 seasons

Water conserved after monsoon in the areas covered under the second level of embankments can be purely rain-water which percolates to improve the salinity of the land.

Achieved state of salinity after embankments helps promote native vegetation and inhabit local biodiversity

Less Moderate Extemely

SALT FRESH BRACKISH

water - After monsoon

2.5

10 km

Stages of Development

Map . Retained

Map . 01 Replenishing Mangroves followed by salt marsh

Map . 02 Freshwater and Brackish water habitats

and Planting Palette St ra tegy fo r Da m a geDevelopment co nt roStages l

Planting palette for the different saline habitats SALINE

Sesuvium portulacastrum

Leptochloa fusca

Salsola iberica

Haloxylon Paspalum salicornicum vaginatum

Salsola iberica

Paspalum vaginatum

BRACKISH

Atriplex halimus

Salicornia brachiata

Salvadora persica

Suaeda nudiflora

Aeluropus lagopoides

Juncus effusus

Cressa cretica

Terminalia arjuna

Heleochloa Cyperus setulosa conglomeratus

Limonium stocksii

Fimbristylis tenera

Typha angustata

Echinocloa colonum

Tradescantia Heliotropium supinum axillaries

Salvadora persica

Sporobolus Halopyrum Porteresia maderaspatanus mucronatum coarctata

Map . 03 Grasslands preceded by wetland habitats

FRESH

Tamarindus Cyperus iria indica

Syzygium cumin

Map . 04 Woodlands

Map . 05

Succession of Woodlands to Dense forests and addition of the farmlands to cultivate the fodder.

Brown pelican

Cuttlefish

Hilsa ilisha

Reef Haron

Painted Stork

Black headed gull

Indian skimmer

Bar-tailed godwit

Red naped ibis

Glossy ibis

Macrobrachium rosenbergi

Common Sandpiper

Red necked Flamingo

Saru crane

Little egret

Black necked stork

Percolation

After 20 - 30 YEARS

White necked Kingfisher

High marsh Low marsh Brackish- Marsh land Mangrove Swamps Intertidal flat

Common crane

Pond grey heron

Black hair-crested drongo

Red-wattled lapwing

Grey Shrike

Crested lark

Percolation Fresh water wetland

St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt ro l

Conceptual Masterplan

Platform Overflow drain E-concrete Boulders packed with sand

Figure .

Impenetrable concrete foundation mattress

Embankment section

Mangrove swamps Salt Marsh Brackish wetlands Fresh water ponds Grasslands Woodland Dense forest Farming Embankments

Embankment wall after 1-2 monsoon season Figure .

E-concrete is an eco-friendly material that allows the growth of oysters and corals on its surface along with moss and algae. This promotes the growth of small fishes and shrimps sheltering around it.

Spotted owlet

Greater flamback

Black kite

Dense forest pland forest/ Terrestrial bird habitat

Indian robin

Malabar Trogon

Purple sunbird

Common crane

Little egret

Shikara

Pond grey heron

River tern

Coppersmith barbet

European roller

Greater coucal

Red naped ibis

Kharai camel

Percolation

Common myna

Indian peafowl

Bllue hair-crested drongo Merops orientalis

Anthus campestris

Jungle babbler

Percolation

Freshwater ponds High marsh Fresh-water Wetland

Settlements Dry deciduous forests

Farming

After the construction of embankments

Embankments as platforms for the tourist

Water-retaining ponds during the winter

E-concrete

Wetland habitats generated for the birds and residentary grazers after the construction of embankments Figure .

St ra tegy fo r Da m a ge co nt ro l

SUMMER

Aliabet Revived

MONSOON Embankment E-concrete

Catchment ponds

Figure .

Conservation pools close to the ‘Animal herder’ community

05 i m p o r t a n c e o f t r e e s Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

D o c u m e n tat i o n o f t r e e s & b i o d i v e r s i t y

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