Heritage Responsive City Development The course aimed to understand the pressure of contemporary development on heritage for the case of Adalaj village. The study focused on identifying the issues that has been faced by heritage precincts due to increasing urbanisation and figuring out a plan for heritage based socio – economic development for achieving balance between heritage conservation and urban development, with further opportunities for tourism development as well.
Introduction to Adalaj Village
The Monument : Adalaj Stepwell
The main attraction at Adalaj village is Adalaj ni Vav (tourist spot) (8:00 am to 6:00 pm)
BUS STATION
PARK
ADALAJ LAKE
ADALAJ CHOKDI
It was constructed by queen Rudabai in 1499. it is five stored step well Its main purpose was to store rain water
ADALAJ STEPWELL
BUS STATION
ADALAJ GAMTAL
• • • • •
Study area – 1 sq. km It includes Adalaj Gamtal (0.4 Sq. km), Adalaj ni Vav and its surroundings Connectivity – Adalaj Chokdi bus station (700 m) & Adalaj Gam Bus stand (1 km) There are two lakes in our study area – Adalaj lake & lake near Ganesh mandir Other major/nearby landmarks are: Trimandir, Chehar Mata Mandir, Ambapur Stepwell
Adalaj ni Vav is example of Indo - Islamic architecture and design. Archeological survey of India (ASI) declared it as a national importance in year 1958 History & Timeline 10th-12th century
Construction of vav in Gujarat with similar iconology by Solanki dynasty
1498
1499
Construction completed by Mahmud Begada for Rani Rudabai
Construction of vav started by Raja Veer Singh for the settlement of Dandai Desh (Vaghela Dynasty)
1706
1577
Adalaj became a gateway to the city of Ahmedabad
Battles fought between governers of Gujarat in the village of Adalaj
1802
2001
1958
Adalaj vav declared as heritage of national importance
Battles of Kaadi Jagirdars was fought again in the Village of Adalaj.
2009
Proposal for interpretation centre at Adalaj by Centre for Environment Education
Conservation of Adalaj ni vav by PWD
Heritage Responsive City Development The exercise started with understanding the existing components of the Adalaj village such as its transportation network, current built use and land use, existing social infrastructure, livelihood activities, community mapping, and governance framework including relations and understanding of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) with the panchayat. ASI Buffer Zone
Transport Network
AMTS Buses BRTS Buses • • • •
As per ASI notification (which provides regulations for monuments and its surroundings), No construction is allowed within 100 m buffer and controlled development within the 200m buffer of ASI monument 48 buildings in the 100 m buffer zone 187buildings in the 200 m buffer zone
Auto Rickshaws Private Vehicles Uber / Ola
Heritage Responsive City Development Adalaj is basically a traditional settlement in form of a village. Hence, the street network of Adalaj is mainly forms organic pattern. The close proximity of Adalaj, from the city of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar has made it an important node of transportation. It is very well connected by Ahmedabad Patan National highway and S.G. Highway and public transportation services provided by AMC. Having village character most of the activities of Adalaj are informal and takes place on streets, i.e. parking and vending. Street Network Major Junctions Junction 1 Taxi Stand.
2 3
On Street Parking
• Organic street Pattern • Collector & Local village roads
4 Wheelers 2 Wheelers
1
Junction 2 Adalaj Step Well, Vegetable Market Junction 3 Termination of major arterial road Cattle affected zone
On Street Vending Activity
Auto Rickshaws Heavy Vehicles
Around 90 vendors in close proximity of the stepwell
Heritage Responsive City Development The existing built use mapping of Adalaj village an its vicinity was done to understand the character of the village and scale of development. Adalaj is mainly residential with traditional houses within the gamtal area and newly developed mid rise apartments in surrounding and highway influenced area.
Existing Built use
1
4
1
2
3
4
2
3
• •
100 sqm of area covered with trees Proposed to be converted into parking space by ASI
Residential
Heritage
Mixed use
Recreational
Institutional
Open Spaces
Religious
Commercial
Public Amenities
Vegetation
Heritage Responsive City Development The Socio Economic characteristics of Adalaj is an interesting feature. The residential clusters are divided based on the community in the village area. Economic activities also differ based on the community. Village has few of the small general provisional shops and day to day need based economic activities developed in small shops while contemporary development has led to emergence of convenience shopping complexes along the access road to the national highway and the step well. Local Communities Livelihood Mapping
Thakur
Muslim
Thakur Rabari Patel Thakur
Patel
Thakur
Thakur
SC Harijan Patel
•
Socio – Economic characteristics slightly differ from community to community, hence their usage of open and semi built space.
RABARI VAAS AMRI VAAS JALAPORA VAAS DANTAANI VAAS BRAHMAN VAAS MAHADEV VAAS PAGI VAAS MUSLIM COMMUNITY
Economic Activities • Tobacco Factory • Potter’s Community • Cow Milking, Dairy businesses • General Provision Stores • Flower Decorators • Sweet Manufacturing
COMMERCIAL MIXED USE ROAD WATERBODY
Heritage Responsive City Development To understand the concerns of local people of Adalaj and those who are associated with place, stakeholder interaction was done. It provided information on how the stepwell is maintained and protected, how gram panchayat and both governs it, and how it is a part of local people’s social activities & routine. Stakeholder Interaction
“I live in the village nearby. I have my stall here since the past 10 years. Currently my business is running well, but it would be affected if we are shifted.” -Malti ben “I am working on contract basis, and I am involved in cleaning and maintenance from 8 am to 6 pm. I am appointed by ASI, for a period of 3 years”
- Dinesh bhai
“We have come to visit the temple of our ‘kuldevi – Varudi mata’, and to see the vav” - Group of tourists from Aravali
“There is an increase in the number of visitors since the past one year.” - Jagadish bhai (ASI employee)
“These spaces have a sense of time and place through the human activities in them and their built elements. They represent a cultural context”
Heritage Responsive City Development The stakeholder interaction and some basic observation helped to understand the issues, conflicts and potentias that are faced by the locals due to poorly managed heritage infrastructure and how modern development hinders the stepwell and its conventional idea of water management. Issues & Potentials
Congestion due to absence of dedicated auto stand
Old, dilapidated buildings in ASI buffer
No drop off zone for tourist vehicles
Conflict between vendors, vehicles ,pedestrians
Lack of dedicated parking space ASI monument – tourist attraction
Availability of large open spaces in the vicinity
Easy accessibility from SH 41
Conflict due to cattle crossing at the junction
Heritage Responsive City Development After understanding the issues and potentials of the Adalaj stepwell and village the proposals were given on the Urban Design, Junction Design for smooth traffic movement, Policy reformulation for better governance and strategies for Tourism Development for Adalaj. Proposals 1. Urban Design Guidelines • Materials used on a shopfront should relate to the existing materials and architectural character of the building at upper floor level and of adjoining buildings. • Coated aluminum, steel or extensive amounts of curtain walling will be permitted only when it is demonstrated that the shopfront would be in keeping with the character of the streetscape.
2. Junction Design • Proper junction Design for decreasing traffic movement related issues • Defining Plot Boundary at the front • Provision for accommodating different activities on the street Provision for Vending activities Provision for parking Facility Provision for Pedestrians
3. Policy Formulation • Setup of a committee having elected representatives from ASI, Gujarat Tourism and Panchayat. • The commitee would have Sarpanch, District Collector and a member from ASI as the committee heads. • The committee would also have representatives from vendors, temple trust, autowalas, local market union etc to have their interests considered Committee Heads Sarpanch
Member from ASI
District Collector
Committee Members 2 Member from ASI • Plastic or neon signs will not be permitted as they detract from the visual amenities of the area. • Projecting internally illuminated box signs and plastic lettering are not acceptable • Hanging signs are not permitted • Hinderance in visibility of the monuments from the street
2 Members from Gujarat Tourism Board
2 members from Panchayat
Committee Representatives Representatives from local vendors, market union, autowalas, etc.
Heritage Responsive City Development Multiple strategies were worked out for the tourism development of Adalaj stepwell and village, through keeping its tangible and intangible heritage alive. Events and Activities like heritage walk, movies, special days were worked out to engage different types of visitors. Visitors at Adalaj
Proposals
Event Local Tourists
Domestic Tourists
International Tourists
• Visitors for Leisure
• Students
• Business visitors
• NGOs
• Religious visitors
• Corporate
Typology of Events
• Academicians
• Cultural and Youth Societies
Regular Events • Educational Movie at Interpretation Center: Twice a day • Interactive walkthrough and storytelling: Twice a day • Heritage Walk
• Artists, craftsmen
Aim Of Tourist Engagement Programs
Awarene ss Collaboratio n of stakeholders
Platform for attracting finances
Sense of Pride
ENGAGEMENT GOALS
Developing as a Brand
Environme ntal Sensitivity
Promotio n of architect ural heritage
Special Days • Heritage Week: Dance and Music Festivals in association with Dance and Music Associations • World Water Day: Movie-Screening, Conference of environmentalists, conversation experts and architects • Festivals: During Navratri, Shivratri Janmashtami fair to be organized in ground by community members • Flea Markets to showcase community heritage and established brands in fashion and food industries Specific Sections • School students: Heritage walks, competitions (painting, quiz monthly), treasure hunts: Weekdays in association with specific schools, Weekends for all children. • Youth camps • Poetry Recitation and Open Mic Events by Literary Societies already active • Association with MNCs to encourage their employees to organize Health and Fitness Days • Renting out the garden for private functions
Identifying section of visitors aimed at
Initial Development Of Specific Event Management Plans
Types of Visitors
4. Strategies for Tourism Management
Frequency and time of event
Venue of Event
To be organized by
To be organized by
Funding Sources
Develop Implementable Plan