Cities for Play - Kannagi Nagar, Chennai

Cities for Play

A project initiative to make Chennai a child-friendly city

Kannagi Nagar, Pilot Project Detailed Project Report

Prepared by

“

Play is not a luxury, play is a necessity.

- Kay Redfield Jaminon

CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT 2. NEED FOR THE PROJECT 3. CASE EXAMPLES 4. TYPES OF PLAY 5. DESIGN PRINCIPLES 6. PROJECT SITE LOCATION 7. EXISTING SITE CONDITION 8. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS 9. DESIGN PROPOSAL

Image Source: 3:0 Landscape Architecture

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01 INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT School Low income housing (High density)

Convenience store Hospital Large format retail stores

Bus stop

Apartments (High Density)

Play ground

Park School

Business centre Parking lot Shopping mall

Residence

Gated community

Mapping a typical day in the life of a child The spaces & routes that are required to be safe and accessible for a child to be able to access them independently as a part of his/her daily routine

CITIES FOR PLAY is a vision rooted in the realization that very little has been done in the public realm to fulfill the needs of children in our cities.

Children typically spend 16 hours or more in a day in their homes and community settings.

Effecting change in the public realm through play not only contributes positively to their cognitive and motor skills and eventually their overall holistic development but also encourages ownership and responsibility towards maintaining our public realm.

Learn

Live

Play

Countries like USA, Russia, Germany on an average win 10 medals per million in Olympics India with a population more than 1000 million we should have had at least 10,000 medals But we have only 35.

Can Chennai lead the revolution?

CITIES FOR PLAY is an initiative that places children as catalysts for reimagining our urban commons.

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02 NEED FOR THE PROJECT IMMEDIATE BENEFITS As an immediate offering, Cities for Play will result in the following SIX visible and tangible benefits:

1

2

New / Improved places for play in the existing

Clean neighbourhood

open areas in the neighbourhood.

Image source: ST+ART

Image source: KaBOOM

3

4

Places for sports

Places for active recreation & fitness

Image source: samacharjagat

Image source: KaBOOM

5

6

Places for intergenerational interactions

Safe access to the school & play spaces

Image source: KaBOOM

Image source: Urban Design Collective

6 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

CITIES FOR PLAY ALIGNS WITH MEDIUM TERM BENEFITS Child development • Children gain confidence by stimulating the imagination, social skills, empathy, resilience, motor skills, cognitive skills, logical thinking, speech • Learning problem solving, assessing risks, etc. through play • Interaction with built environment Health • Promoting physical activities thus improving health & fitness •

•

Promotes independent mobility , bone health, reduces risk of obesity and diabetes, motor skills.

Brain development

Community development • Ownership of play spaces • Opens up career in sports • Opens up employment opportunities through sports quota • Improving passive surveillance • Develop & strengthen social linkages Waste management • Litter free surroundings LONG TERM BENEFITS • •

Creation of a sports hub in Chennai Uplifting low income settlements

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Individual level impacts

Community level impacts

•

Enough opportunities of play to ensure a holistic development of children in low income settlement where play is often overlooked as a essential element in everyday life

•

Wide beneficiary pool - Spaces that work for children work for every age group.

•

Turning unused spaces/residual pockets into a vibrant public realm focusing on children will allow them to develop the sense of ownership of public good.

•

Investing in children’s holistic development is investing in the future.

•

Allows effecting change for the entire neighbourhood incrementally instead of a piecemeal approach to improving development.

•

These neighbourhoods could turn into local talent scouting base for sporting franchises like Chennaiyin FC and eventually make Chennai the sporting capital of India

•

A unique approach to uplifting the quality of life in low income settlements.

•

Potential for scalability across several such settlements/ neighbourhoods across the city.

CITIES FOR PLAY WILL TRANSFORM CHENNAI TO BE

SAFE

HEALTHY

CLEAN

GREEN

Investing in children today For a better tomorrow 8 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

SECURE

03 CASE EXAMPLES OPPORTUNITIES IN PLACES OF LIVE

In between buildings Sports based play

In open spaces Adventure based play

Image source: dwell.com

Image source: Landezine

In open spaces Fitness based play

In open spaces Fun based play

Image source: KaBOOM

Image source: KaBOOM

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OPPORTUNITIES IN PLACES OF LEARN

In open spaces Learning based play

In open spaces Sensory based play

Image source: Urban Thinkscape

Image source: Pinterest

In open spaces Learning based play

In open spaces Learning based play

Image source: Urban Thinkscape

Image source: gehlpeople

10 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

OPPORTUNITIES IN PLACES OF PLAY

In open spaces Sensory based play

In plazas Fun based play

Image source: KaBOOM

Image source: Urban Thinkscape

In playgrounds Sports based play

In playgrounds Fitness based play

Image source: samacharjagat

Image source: kiddo.edu.au

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OPPORTUNITIES WHILE COMMUTING

In sidewalk Fitness based play

In bus stops Fun / Learning based play

Image source: KaBOOM

Image source: Bloomberg

In intersections Safe crossings

In crossing Safe crossings

Image source: 3m.com

Image source: designweek.uk

12 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

04 TYPES OF PLAY

Imagination based play

Fitness based play

Image source: gehlpeople

Image source: KaBOOM

Adventure based play

Tactical & Sensory based play

Image source: Landezine

Image source: KaBOOM

Fun based play

Sports based play

Image source: KaBOOM

Image source: NY Times

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05 DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Multifunctionality of space Image source: fiafoundation.org

Lighter Quicker Cost effective approach Image source: Anthill Creations

Using locally available materials Image source: Qnewshub

Using locally available skills/ expertise for construction Image source: Alarmy

Using recyclable materials e.g. End of life tyres (ELT) Image source: Anthill Creations

Juxtaposition of play spaces for different age groups to encourage cross-learning Image source: rethinkingchildhood

14 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

06 PROJECT SITE LOCATION Kannagi nagar has been identified as the first location to demonstrate the concept of cities for play based on the various parameters listed below and based on the willingness from Greater Chennai Corporation and Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board officials.

Others parameters are:

Low income settlements

•

Based on need

•

Based on availability of public land

•

Potential for maximum impact

First row above: Images of children playing in Kannagi Nagar.

Till January 2020 KANNAGI NAGAR One of India’s largest resettlement units

Since March 2020

In 2021

KANNAGI ART DISTRICT

KANNAGI NAGAR SPORTS DISTRICT! Prepared by Urban Design Collective | 15

ABOUT KANNAGI NAGAR Map of Chennai with Kannagi Nagar and localities from where they were relocated

No designated/ designed play areas in the walking proximity

Original locations from where all people were relocated

Girls are not found playing on streets

Kannagi Nagar

Zone Ward Households Population

15 195,196 24,057 > 1 lakh

Kannagi Nagar is one of Chennai’s earliest and largest resettlement colonies. Though it is collectively known as Kannagi Nagar, it is actually comprised of 3 resettlement sites - Kannagi Nagar, Ezhil Nagar and Tsunami housing - implemented in a phased manner since the early 2000s. Today, the area has a total of 23,700 houses and a population of around one lakh. Most of the people living in the tenements are slum dwellers who were rehabilitated between 2000 and 2010 by the state government. Following the 2004 tsunami, fishermen who were living along the coast in different parts of the city were also moved here.

As a result, Kannagi Nagar has come to house people who were previous inhabitants of several different parts of Chennai. Residents of the neighbourhood face several civic issues and social issues on a daily basis for nearly two decades now owing to deficits in the physical and social infrastructure. Growing up in such an environment, children of Kannagi Nagar end up becoming the most vulnerable demographic. While several indicators of development are found lacking in Kannagi Nagar, the Cities for Play initiative seeks to address the aspect of child development as a way to bring about social sustainability to the neighbourhood.

16 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

Lack of employment opportunities

Residual spaces in the newly designed housing blocks could potentially become negative spaces

They are trying hard to break that stigma associated with them over the past

Legend Religious places Amma Unavagam Shop Ration shop Market Nursery school Schools Parks Vacant land Amenities

Suitable sites for the pilot intervention were identified after a detailed mapping of all the open spaces in the neighbourhood, lands ownership already transferred to GCC or if the process of transfer was initiated .

In addition to the two CPS pockets, the pilot area also has a school and GCC owned park and proposed sports ground suitable for the entire Cities for Play concept to be demonstrated here.

TNSCB tenements Two storey Three storey Four storey Tsunami rehabilitation Tow a

rds

OMR

Polices station

CPS 2 CPS 1

Police boys and girls club

Government Hospital

Kannagi Nagar bus stand

Map of TNSCB tenements in Kannagi Nagar and Ezhil Nagar Prepared by Urban Design Collective | 17

Towa rd

Corporation Park

s Poli ce sta tion

Satellite map of the pilot project location

11607

Childr

en Pla

11661

- 1166

0

12417

y Spa

- 1171

4

ce - 2

Childr

y Spa

s Bus

stand

- 1241

Towa rd

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0

en Pla

12363

Children Play Space - 1

- 1247

Children Play Space - 2

6

ce - 1

Sports Ground

07 EXISTING SITE CONDITION

Garbage dumping and sewage outfall along the building edges creating mosquito breeding spots

Water logging in site occurs even after light showers

Lack of adequate lighting and programming, leaving the site unused in the night and thus

Lack of green cover along CPS 1, reducing the opportunities for the space to be utilized during the day.

turning into a space for anti social elements

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Play areas not designed as per master plan even though the land is designated as Childrens play space (cps)

Damaged fencing making it hazardous for children using the space

20 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

08 PROJECT REQUIREMENTS METHODOLOGY Existing usage of site

Holistic development of a child

Design Principles

02

03

Other sports in Kannagi Nagar

Types of play

Project requirement

04

01

Existing site Condition

HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF A CHILD

Fine motor skills The ability to make movements using hands and wrists. eg: Throwing & catching activities, Hand eye coordination

Basketball

Mound Gross motor skills The ability to do tasks involving the whole body movement - large muscles, legs & arms. eg: Walking activities, Balancing activities

Skating

Calisthenics Endurance The ability to do something difficult for a long time

Outdoor gym equipments

Strength The quality of being physically strong

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CURRENT & PROPOSED SPORTING ACTIVITIES IN KANNAGI NAGAR OVERLAID ON A FITNESS MATRIX STRENGTH 100m sprint Swimming

Silambam

Football

Basket ball

TECHNIQUE

Tennis

Cricket Badminton Table Tennis

Karate

Skating

LUNG POWER

Volleyball

Kho - Kho Kabaddi

Marathon Boxing

Cycling

PAIN TOLERANCE Currently played in site

Played in Kannagi Nagar and accommodated in design

Currently played in Kannagi Nagar

Currently not played but accommodated in design

Played in site and accommodated in design

Currently not played but not accommodated in design

AREA REQUIREMENT Component Basketball court Kabaddi Fitness activities Calisthenics Mound Badminton court Skating corridor

Area requirement 30m X 17m 15m X 12m 7m X 3m 15m X 10m 10m X 6m 8.1m X 15.6m 2.5m wide

22 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

SITE CONDITION BASED REQUIREMENTS 1.

2.

3.

4.

Fencing Landscaping Cleaning & leveling Storm water drain

09 DESIGN PROPOSAL

List of drawings: 1. Existing layout - CPS 01 2. Proposed layout - CPS 01 3. Existing layout - CPS 02 4. Proposed layout - CPS 02 5. Proposed site plan 6. Proposed views - CPS 01 7. Proposed views - CPS 02

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Existing toe wall

Building number 12417 - 12470

5.7 m wide road

+/- 0 mm

+/- 0 mm

+/- 0 mm

Building number 11661 - 11714

CPS 1 - Existing Layout

T Polic owards e sta tion

Key plan (Not to scale)

CPS

2

CPS

1

Towa rd bus s s tand

SDAT

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groun

d

CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project)

5.7 m wide road

SDAT sports ground

Existing fencing

Legend: Existing Inspection Chamber Trees Light pole

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3

Outdoor Gym Equipment (compacted red soil) A - Arm and Shoulder Wheel B - Double Cross Walker C - Twister and Leg Trainer D - Arm and Leg Strengthener All dimensions as per GCC playfield SOR

6

Proposed Storm water drain 55m length X 0.69m wide

2

Proposed Fencing (chain link) 17m X 5m & 30m X 5m

5

Fitnes (Ceme

Building number 12417 - 12470

+/- 0 mm

5

4

3

1

2

0

JUMP

+100 mm SQ

UA

T

MP

10

x

C

+100 mm

LU

NG

B

ES

10

x

JU

5.7 m wide road

S

IN G 10 JA x CK

D

S UP SH 0x 1

PU

A

+/- 0 mm

Building number 11661 - 11714

CPS 1 - Proposed Layout 4

Silambam/ Karate/ Kabbadi Zone (compacted red soil) 15.70m X 19m

T Polic owards e sta tion

Key plan (Not to scale)

CPS

2

CPS

1

Towa rd bus s s tand

SDAT

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groun

d

5

Fitness Corridor (Cement flooring w

ss Corridor - 46.20m X 1.2m ent flooring with paint finish)

2

CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project)

Proposed Fencing (chain link) 17m length X 5m height

+100

SDAT sports ground

5.7 m wide road

m

+100 mm

- 46.20 m X 1.2m with paint finish)

1

Basket ball court - 30m X 17m (Cement flooring with paint finish)

Legend: Existing Inspection Chamber Trees Light pole

Proposed Trees

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Towards Police station

Building number 11607 - 11660

16m wide road

Shop

+/- 0 mm

Towards Bus stand

+/- 0 mm

+/- 0 mm

Building number 11661 - 11714

CPS 2 - Existing Layout

T Polic owards e sta tion

Key plan (Not to scale)

CPS

2 CPS

1

Towa rd bus s s tand

SDAT

28 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

groun

d

CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project) Existing fencing

Legend: Existing Inspection Chamber Trees Light pole SWD Manhole

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6

Proposed Fencing (sports net) 23m length X 3m height

5

Proposed Storm water drain 45m length X 0.69m wide

4

F C

Towards Police station

Building number 11607 - 11660

+80

+/- 0 mm

+900mm

16m wide road

Shop

+100 mm

+100mm

+900mm

Towards Bus stand

+/- 0 mm

+8 Building number 11661 - 11714

CPS 2 - Proposed Layout

1

Badminton Court 8.56m X 15.86m (Clay court)

T Polic owards e sta tion

Key plan (Not to scale)

CPS

2 CPS

1

Towa rd bus s s tand

SDAT

30 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

groun

d

4

Fitness / Skating Corridor (Cement flooring with paint finish) 46.20m X 2.50m

2

Mound - 10m X 6m (Brick & Ferro cement with pai finish)

Fitness / Skating Corridor - 46.20m X 2.50m Cement flooring with paint finish

6

CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project)

Proposed Fencing (sports net) 23m length X 3m height

0mm

+ 80mm

B

F

C

A

Existing SWD

D

+100 mm

5.7 m wide road

E

+ 80mm

80mm

int

3

Cube - 16.20m X 11.62m (MS structure on compacted earth floor) A - Swing Corridor B - Rope Climber C - Calisthenics D - Parallel Bar E - Balancing Beam F - Ring Bar

Legend: Existing Inspection Chamber Trees Light pole SWD Manhole

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Police S

tation

2nd M

ain ro

ad

1st M

ain ro

ad

Park

Sump

Towa r bus s ds tand

Prima ry schoo l

32 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report

Shop

T Polic owards e sta tion

CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project)

14th

cross

Build in 1160 g number 7 - 11 660

t

Build in 1241 g number 7 - 12 470

2

JUMP

0

1 2 3 4

5

1 KS

CPS

Build in 1166 g number 1 - 11 714

SQU

AT

10x

JUM

JAC G PIN 10x

CPS

stree

S

GE

LUN 10x

Build in 1236 g number 3 - 12 416

13th

cross

H UPS PUS 10x

SDAT

groun

d

stree

t

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CITIES FOR PLAY | KANNAGI NAGAR Proposed Views Site Location: CPS 01 Cities for play interventions (A) (i) Basket ball court (ii) Fitness area (Outdoor Gym) (iii) Silambam / Karate / Kabaddi zone (iv) Fitness corridor (v) Landscape Site development requirements (B) (i) Basket ball court fencing (ii) Storm water drain

44 | Cities forDesign Play - Detailed Project Report © Urban Collective

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CITIES FOR PLAY | KANNAGI NAGAR Proposed Views Site Location: CPS 02 Cities for play interventions (A) (i) Badminton court (ii) Mound (iii) Cube (iv) Fitness area (Outdoor Gym) (v) Fitness/ Skating Corridor Site development requirements (B) (i) Fencing (ii) Storm water drain

46 ©| Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report Urban Design Collective

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Investing in children today For a better tomorrow