RE-CENTERING DELHI Pa n ka j Vi r Gu pta | I ñ a k i A l d ay
A University of Virginia | Department of Architecture
Credits Publisher
Paper Matters Press | Department of Architecture, University of Virginia
Editors
IĂąaki Alday, Ryan Carbone
Research Director
Pankaj Vir Gupta, IĂąaki Alday
Copyright Texts | By author Copyright Drawings | By author Copyright Model Photos | Scott Smith / By author Copyright Edition | Department of Architecture, University of Virginia Graphic Design | Ryan Carbone Layout | Ryan Carbone, Luke Escobar Production | Ryan Carbone Printing | Department of Architecture, University of Virginia ISBN: 978-0-9974301-0-3 First Edition | March 2016
P RE FAC E
Iñaki Alday
Quesada Professor and Chair, Department of Architecture
Architecture, as part of a research institution is a pedagogical program based in social responsibility, critical thinking and innovation. And as a design discipline, architectural innovation is achieved through design research in different ways. We “search” for information, and we “research” creating knowledge, most often on new scenarios through design speculation seriously informed. Rigorous collection of data, spatialized through mapping and diagraming, create the basis for design research. The critical step forward, assuming the risks of proposing future scenarios, is the unavoidable outcome of the creative work of the research teams. The Research Studio system is the pedagogical innovation that merges instruction with faculty and students research. Two studios in the undergraduate program (3010 and 4010) and another two in the graduate program (7010 and 8010) are focused on profound architectural research aligned with research interests and expertise of the faculty members. The instructors commit for three to five years to sustain a research line, offering a series of Research Studios that take on a variety of relevant contemporary topics in a consistent multi-year research agenda. Students define their personal path through the program, selecting the research studios offered by Architecture faculty (and Landscape Architecture for the graduates), in their own preferred sequence for the fall of the last two years (3010 and 4010 or 7010 and 8010). The diversity of topics reflects the intellectual diversity of the Department of Architecture of the University of Virginia. Research projects take on urgent international crises such as the changing condition of the Arctic, neglected cultural landscapes in depressed regions, or one of the most pressing urban ecologies challenge in the world (Delhi and its sacred and poisonous Yamuna River). Others work within local conditions, disciplinary inquiries or philosophical and spatial investigations. Started in 2012-13, these first four years have been especially instrumental for the development of the youngest faculty, raising $529,000 in grants, five awards and two international symposiums. One of the research projects has become the first all-university grand challenge project. The Research Studio system of UVa has proven itself to be invaluable in defining what “design research” means, its potential to reach broader audiences and impact critical contemporary situations, and to redefine the research culture in the design schools. Charlottesville, Virginia | March 2016
RE-CENTERING DELHI
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Iñaki Alday
Pankaj Vir Gupta
Iñaki Alday (Zaragoza, 1965) is, together with Margarita Jover, the founder of aldayjover arquitectura y paisaje, in 1996 in Barcelona, an internationally awarded firm that creates works of public architecture and landscape with a common approach to the specific character of the place. aldayjover has designed the most important public spaces in Barcelona (Sagrera), Zaragoza (Water Park, Tramway), Pamplona (Aranzadi) or Ibiza (Vara de Rei) as well as architectural pieces and landscapes, and has been awarded with the European Public Space Prize (2002), FAD Prize (2009), Urban Integration (2011) and a number of Spanish and Iberian prizes.
Pankaj Vir Gupta is a licensed architect in the United States, and a registered member of the Council of Indian Architects. He received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Architecture from the Graduate School of Architecture at Yale University. In 2014, vir.mueller architects were awarded the Fritz Hoger Prize (Berlin). Committing to the architectural evolution of Indian urbanism, vir.mueller architects are presently engaged in designing significant architectural projects including the Humayun’s Tomb Interpretation Centre, the Institute of Engineering and Technology for Ahmedebad University, the University of Chicago Centre in India and institutional buildings for NCAER and ICRIER in New Delhi.
Chair and Quesada Professor of Architecture University of Virginia Principal, aldayjover arquitectura y paisaje
Harry S. Shure Visiting Professor of Architecture University of Virginia Principal, vir.mueller architects
Matthew Pinyan
Megan Suau
ERIC BARR
Lecturer, Dept of Architecture University of Virginia
Lecturer, Dept of Architecture University of Virginia
Lecturer, Dept of Architecture University of Virginia
Matthew Pinyan was a Lecturer at the University of Virginia during the first year of the Re-Centering Delhi research initiative and recently practiced with vir.mueller architects in New Delhi, India. Matthew received a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture from North Carolina State University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia.
Megan Suau was a Lecturer and Associate Director of Initiative reCOVER at the University of Virginia. Her research considers integrated design delivery systems in developing contexts, design-build projects in East Africa, and visualization techniques for sites of remote communication. Megan received a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida and a Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia.
Eric Barr is currently the Research Director of Re-Centering Delhi and a lecturer at the University of Virginia School of Architecture. He holds a Master of Architecture from UVA and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. Previously, Eric designed at Gensler Los Angeles, as well as researched for C-LAB at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. His work deals in architecture, urban field operations, furniture craft, and design visualization.
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RE S E ARC H T E AM
Isabel Argoti Jessica Baralt Eric Barr Henry Brazer AARON BRIDGERS JOSEPH BROOKOVER Anna Cai CRISTINA CASTILLO PHILIP CHANG BEN DINAPOLI YUSHAN DU BRITTANY DUGUAY Luke Escobar Kate Fowler Anna Freidrich Rachel Himes STEPHEN HOBBS Alexandra Iaccarino Courtney Keehan
William Keel Joseph Laughlin SAMANTHA MANOCK Jaline McPherson Lauren Nelson Madeline Partridge GABRIELLE RASHLEIGH SHANNON RUHL Donna Ryu Seth Salcedo Abigail Sandberg MARISSA SAYERS Suzzane Sharp ANDREW SHEA SEAN SULLIVAN Michelle Stein CHLOE VOLTAIRE Chris Wallace FUHOU ZHANG
RE-CENTERING DELHI
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RE-CENTERING DELHI is a three-year research collaborative at the University of Virginia School of Architecture which uses urban design mandates to initiate a dialogue with the city of New Delhi. This research and design exercise is based upon a collaborative methodology intended to facilitate a wideranging discourse resulting in a series of speculative solutions for a critical site. RE-CENTERING DELHI capitalizes on current conversations within the government to place riverfront restoration and development at the forefront of national consciousness. The rapid urbanization of New Delhi, coupled with the absence of planning strategies along the Yamuna River has resulted in a ecological emergency for the city. The design mandates for this project include access to improved mobility within the city, revitalization and public access to the culturally and ecologically vital Yamuna River, improved infrastructure, access to sustainable sources of potable water, improved air quality, and linking of archeological sites flanking the river’s western edge. The resultant design propositions propose a series of site-specific speculations, re-establishing the Yamuna River as a geographical center, vital to the existence of the citizens of New Delhi. This studio will address these critical issues at multiple scales. The proposed site begins with the Nizamuddin neighborhood (home of the largest collection of Mughal era monuments in New Delhi) and extends north to the historic site of the Red Fort. These two edges contain the Delhi Zoological Park, which is home to several important architectural monuments, as well as several vital pieces of transportation infrastructure – the Nizamuddin Train Station and bus depot. The objective of the studio is to open up the relationship of this site to the Yamuna River, and re-orient the focus of the urban settlement towards the river. More significantly, this studio will address the critical issue of how to create a vision of the flood plain of the Yamuna, presently ignored as a potential urban recreational core for the city. Currently, rampant encroachment by new construction, illegal sand mining, and hazardous pollution and industrial waste afflict this area along the river. The site offers significant design opportunities at the urban / landscape / infrastructural scale, as well as at the scale of individual architectural interventions. 4
RE S E ARC H D RI V E RS
ECOLOGICAL ISSUES
SOCIAL EQUITY
TRANSPORTATION + INFRASTRUCTURE
YAMUNA FLOODPLAIN
HOUSING + MIXED-USE TYPOLOGIES
RE-CENTERING DELHI
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ECOLOGICAL ISSUES The Yamuna River is currently subjected to an unchecked flow of large amounts of untreated sewage making the water toxic and dangerous and negating its usefulness as a resource for the city. One essential design project would be a water treatment plant to clean the water. New Delhi, located in a Humid Subtropical Climate, is the capital of India and is situated along the Yamuna River Basin. Although the city is only a small percentage of the overall length of the river, it contributes the most pollution to the water. This startling fact elucidates the need of the built environment to work with the natural systems and the environment in Delhi. The compilation of ecology data includes information on climate, the Yamuna River, the geology (soil types and seismic), vegetation and species, solar, wind and heat.
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D R IVE R 1 | E CO LO G IC AL ISS U E S
Nelson, L | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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DRAIN
RE-CEN Anna Cai
226 MGD
HAIDERPUR
135 MGD
WAZIRABAD
94 MGD
CHANDRAWAL NANGLOI
40 MGD
12 MGD
20 MGD
8
Banker
Delhi Cantonment
2. Kan
Dwarka RK Puram
D RI V E R Barapulla Drain System South Delhi
3. Ind
1 | E CO LO G I C AL I SS U E S
4.Ran
Jasola
Tronica City
5. Raj
Sarita Vihar
Vasant Kunj
Rameshwar Park
Mehraull
WATER TREATMENT
Najafargh Drain System Kharol Bargh West Delhi Civil Line Zone
RE-CENTERING DELHI Anna Cai
6. Mo
alluvium make-up and yield of tubewells Loni
Chandu
Paschim Vihar
Hari Nagar
Najafgarh
KachaJanakpuri Canal, Delhi Branch Munak Canal Upper Ganga Canal Delhi Cantonment
Dwarka
10. W
11. M
Ankhir
Mayur Vihar II
Sant Nagar
Badkhal Village
14. Na
sewage treatment plants Noida Special Economic Zone
Sarita Vihar
Vasant Kunj Mehraull
12. Gu
13. Ch
Kakrala
Jasola
NTERING DELHI
Indirapuram
10 million
RK Puram
Barapulla Drain System South Delhi
NAGE AND SEWAGE TREATMENT
Kaushambi
WTP effectiveness 40%
Wazirabad Pond
9. Su
recyclying plant to Okhla
total current outflow 833 MGD total demand 1166.2 MGD
Chandrawal Wazirabad Haiderpur Nangloi Okhla* Dwarka Bawana Bhagirathi Sonia Viihar Bhandwari
Rajeev Nagar
Vasundhara
millions of gallonsKakarduma per day
plant
Karol Bagh
Ganga Bhakra Yamuna
8. Jail
Sahibabad
Lok Nayak Puram
Isharheri
lake
WATERplants TREATMENT PLANTS water treatment Seelampur
Vikaspuri
historical water tank
delhi quartzite: limited yield Shahdara Drainage System Gurukul Basti rural Shahdaraand urban sources Dayal Basti
Buhadurgarh
Garhi Harsaru
7. Ram water treatment plan
young alluvium: large to very large yield Yamuna Floodplain old alluvium: moderate yield City Line Zone fringe area: low yield
Rohini
plant millions of gallons per day Keshopur Phases 40% Okhla Phases WATER TREATMENT EFFECTIVENESS Kondli Phases Rithla total current outflow 833 MGD Yamuna Vihar total demand 1166.2 MGD Vasantkunj Gejah Talattulabad
Nagil Sakpur
15. A.
16. M
Allahbas
17. Ka
Shahdara
Garhi
Gurukul Basti
Chandu
Dayal Basti
141 MGD
SONIA VIHAR
Garhi Harsaru
Badauli Bangar
Shafipu
Coronation WTP Pillar effectiveness833 40% MGD treated Narela 1166 MGD untreated Nithola Najafgargh 10 million Papan Kalan Sen Nurshing Home SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS sewage treatment Delhi G. Nalla plants sewage treatment uncovered drain Mehrauli plant millions of gallons per day covered drain Keshopur Phases Rohini Okhla Phases renovation needed Ghitorini Kondli Phases Rithla Kapashera Yamuna Vihar Commonwealth Games Vasantkunj Coronation Pillar Bakkarwala Narela Molar Bandh Nithola Timar Pur Oxidation Najafgargh Kambakashpur
Kondli
Gari Sa
10 million
Ankhir
Badkhal Village
BHAHGIRATHI (N. SHAHDARA)
DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE TREATMENT RE-CENTERING DELHI Anna Cai
BAWANA
Sant Nagar
Bhandwari
recyclying plant to Okhla
10 million
total treated 825.8 MGD total current outflow 12 STP effectiveness 66%
young alluvium: large to very large yield old alluvium: moderate yield fringe area: low yield delhi quartzite: limited yield
lake
DWARKA
illions of gallons per day
Papan Kalan Sen Nurshing Home Delhi G. Nalla Mehrauli Rohini Ghitorini Kapashera Commonwealth Games Bakkarwala Molar Bandh Timar Pur Oxidation
tment plants
107 MGD
18. Gr
Jhatta
Rajeev Nagar
historical water tank
water treatment plant
lluvium make-up and yield of tubewells
1:175000
10 MGD
OKHLA
total treated 825.8 MGD total current outflow 1245.84 MGD 66% STP effectiveness 66%TREATMENT SEWAGE EFFECTIVENESS
825.8 MGD treated
420of MGD untreated 59% drains are covered
59% of drains are covered
Cai, A + Partridge, M | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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SE CTION 1: AGR O FO R EST RY
SE CTION 2: WET LA ND S
SE CTION 3: WAT ER T R EAT M ENT
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D RI V E R 1 | E CO LO G I C AL I SS U E S
Sandberg, A | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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D RI V E R 1 | E CO LO G I C AL I SS U E S
The tensile concrete roof provide The triangulated punctures are pla Tensile Roof gradient pattern allows more shad
The tensile concrete roof provides needed shading for the market below. The triangulated punctures are placed according to the mandi program. The gradient pattern allows more shading for the dense market and less shading for the open promenade.
Market In the centerShops of the platform, 60 f circulation. These stalls allow vend
They are equipped with refrigerati In the center of the platform, 60 formal shops are organized around mandi circulation. These stalls allow vendors to have more private stores, if desired. They are equipped with refrigeration, so dairy products and meats are able to be sold without spoilage.
The concrete platform sprawls ove undulation of the platform allows
First, thePlatform platform ramps over the Mandi
the surface ramps down to meet t
10 meters high, the platform meet The concrete platform sprawls over the sewage is the main market, which is susp treatment plant. The ramping undulation of the Three ramps allow access onto the platform allows the surface to bridge multiple elevations. First, the platform ramps over the road at three different elevations. Then, the surface ramps down to meet the ground level. Ramping back upward to 10 meters high, the platform meets the metro line. The end of the platform is the main market, which is suspended over the sewage treatment plant. Three ramps allow access onto the mandi and connect to the metro station through a network of paths.
Sewage Treatment Plant In order for the canal’s water quali
sewage treatment plant must be im
In order for the canal’s water quality to fully beenimprove, left and builtthe over. Steel-reinf plant’s footprint and act as completion of the sewage treatment plant must be the implemented. Thus, the infrastructure has been left and built over. Steel-reinforced concrete, load-bearing walls encase the plant’s footprint and act as the main support for the mandi platform.
Duguay, B | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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PURANA QILA INTERVENTIONS ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM NATIONAL LIBRARY
33800 M2 1800 M2 1800 M2 14550 M2
PUBLIC SPACE
5550 M2
DELHI MONUMENT MUSEUM
6450 M2
PURANA QILA VISITORS CENTER
3650 M2
PERFORMING ARTS / CULTURAL PROGRAM GALLERY
27300 M2 3600 M2
CONFERENCE CENTER
4245 M2
REHEARSAL SPACE
1300 M2
TECHNICAL / ADMINISTRATIVE
4185 M2
MULTIFORM THEATER
1800 M2
PROSCENIUM
7900 M2
AUDITORIUM
2000 M2
PUBLIC AREA
2250 M2
SOCIAL EQUITY
AMENITIES RESTAURANT
COMMERCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
10000 M2
4000 M2 6000 M2
33000 M2
Currently, existing transportation networks [highways, railways, transportation centers] 30,000 M2 PARKING 750 CARS cut off access citizens of Delhi [many of whom live in METROto STOPthe river for lower-income 3000 M2 suburbs east of the Yamuna]. Design responses could reimagine access to the riverfront, harnessing the city’s metro system to bring equity to the riverfront’s use and engage the river’s potential as public space, a scarce typology within the city. Understanding the demographics of Delhi is crucial for understanding the landscape 95000 m2 PUBLIC SPACE and social activities taking place. The growing population ranges from the wealthiest FOREST PATH 65000 M2 PLYNTH PARK 30000 M2 to the poorest, with access to services and basic facilities varying respectively. Even among these groups, the discrepancies between men, women and children are also an issue of social equity. Furthermore, the conditions in which these people are living are drastically different in correlation to urban density levels. Density, consequently, is a major influence on social issues such as education and health.
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DRIVE R 2 | S O C IAL E Q U ITY
PURANA QILA INTERVENTIONS ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM NATIONAL LIBRARY
33800 M2 1800 M2 1800 M2 14550 M2
PUBLIC SPACE
5550 M2
DELHI MONUMENT MUSEUM
6450 M2
PURANA QILA VISITORS CENTER
3650 M2
PERFORMING ARTS / CULTURAL PROGRAM GALLERY
27300 M2 3600 M2
CONFERENCE CENTER
4245 M2
REHEARSAL SPACE
1300 M2
TECHNICAL / ADMINISTRATIVE
4185 M2
MULTIFORM THEATER
1800 M2
PROSCENIUM
7900 M2
AUDITORIUM
2000 M2
PUBLIC AREA
2250 M2
AMENITIES RESTAURANT COMMERCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE PARKING 750 CARS METRO STOP
PUBLIC SPACE FOREST PATH PLYNTH PARK
10000 M2 4000 M2 6000 M2
33000 M2 30,000 M2 3000 M2
95000 m2 65000 M2 30000 M2
Laughlin, J | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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D RI V E R 2 | S O C I AL E Q U I TY
Remnant of a European planning movement in the 1930s and a great wall that protected the old city from the floods of the Yamuna act now as barriers between dense pockets of residential and commercial districts and an unused strip of land that runs alongside the wall. Attempts at making use of the land have only left the field marked with forgotten paths and cracking plazas. The demand for affordable housing causes new developments to move upwards, restricting the many side streets to daylight and creating extreme congestion. The Daryaganj Park Development not only assists in moving residents outwards to the new edge of the city through affordable housing, but also mitigates street traffic, implements water management, and meets public and commercial spatial needs.
The explosive development of Delhi after Imperial British rule began a process of expansion away from the river highlighted by a frayed urban fabric and lack of a shared social identity. A new cultural forum is founded; a Cultural Transect for an Independent India which allows identity to emerge over time through moments of recognition and shared experience.
Salcedo, S + DiNapoli, B + Brookover, J | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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D RI V E R 2 | S O C I AL E Q U I TY
Laughlin, J + DiNapoli, B | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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TRANSPORTATION + INFRASTRUCTURE Transportation infrastructure on the site acts as a barrier between the river and residential neighborhoods and historic precincts + cultural/religious monuments [Humayun’s tomb, the Nizamuddin market, Purana Kila Fort]. Design proposals could redesign these infrastructural arteries to open up relationships between these districts and the floodplain/river. In a metro area of over 22 million inhabitants, getting people from one place to another is essential to the city’s function. Delhi’s road networks are constantly congested with heavy and unorganized traffic, making it difficult to efficiently drive or take a bus. Cyclists and pedestrians have also been ingnored in terms of urban infrastructure until recently, with their travel being inhibited by heavy traffic and dangerous road conditions. However, there is a bright future for Delhi’s mobility with the construction of a 190 km and growing metro rail system, along with a bus-rapid-transit system, bike lanes, and major road improvements.
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D R I V ER 3 | T RA NS P O RTAT IO N + IN F RAST RU CT U RE ROAD SYSTEM: ROAD SYSTEM:
1. PRIMARY ROADS FORM TWO RINGS AROUND THE CAPITAL ALONG 1. PRIMARY ROADS FORM TWOWITH RINGS SPURS TOTHE THECAPITAL AIRPORT, SUBURBS, AROUND ALONG WITH AND REGIONAL CITIES SPURS TO THE AIRPORT, SUBURBS, AND REGIONAL CITIES
2. SECONDARY ROADS CONNECT PRIMARY ROADS TO INNER PORTIONS OF THE CITY 2. SECONDARY ROADS CONNECT PRIMARY ROADS TO INNER PORTIONS OF THE CITY
3. TERTIARY ROADS CREATE INTERWOVEN NETWORKS THE NEIGHBORHOODS 3. TERTIARYTHROUGH ROADS CREATE INTERWOVEN LOCATED BETWEEN THE MAJOR ROADS NETWORKS THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOODS LOCATED BETWEEN THE MAJOR ROADS
RAILWAY SYSTEM: RAILWAY SYSTEM:
1. MAJOR RAIL LINES FROM ALL OVER INDIA CONVERGE IN DELHI 1. MAJOR RAIL LINES FROM ALL OVER INDIA CONVERGE IN DELHI
2. THE DELHI SURBURBAN RAILWAY/RING RAILWAY CONNECTS THE SUBURBS OF 2. THE DELHI SURBURBAN RAILWAY/RING DELHI TOCONNECTS MAJOR INDIAN NETWORKS RAILWAY THERAIL SUBURBS OF DELHI TO MAJOR INDIAN RAIL NETWORKS
3. THE DELHI METRO RAIL CONNECTS THE RING RAILWAY AND THE REGIONAL RAILWAY 3. THE DELHI METRO RAIL CONNECTS THE TO THE CITY’S SUBURBS AND INNER NEIGHBORRING RAILWAY AND THE REGIONAL RAILWAY TO THE CITY’S SUBURBS AND INNER NEIGHBOR-
MOBILITY MOBILITY RE-CENTERING DELHI Chris Wallace
RE-CENTERING DELHI Chris Wallace
Wallace, C | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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D R I V ER 3 | TRA N S P O RTAT I O N + I NF RAST RU CT U RE
Shea, A | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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D R I V ER 3 | TRA N S P O RTAT I O N + I NF RAST RU CT U RE
Stein, M | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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Barr, E | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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YAMUNA FLOODPLAIN Design proposals should engage the river’s floodplain as it acts as a buffer for the swelling river during intense monsoon periods; current encroachment by buildings and new construction renders this floodplain ineffective leading to flooding of urban areas. This area has great potential to act as an ecological – social – productive resource for the city during the 8-9 months when it is accessible for human usage.
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6th Century
Delhi Founded
17th Century
Shahjahanabad and Red Fort constructed by Shah Jahan of the Mughal Empire
1
D R I VE R 4 | YAMU N A F LO O DPLAIN
1890
Civil Lines constructed by the British
1921
New Delhi’s construction complete. City turns away from river
2
3
For five centuries or more, the Yamuna River flood plain in Delhi has been slowly encroached upon. During Mughal times, construction mainly stayed within the parts of the flood plain that are higher on the western side. The section cut at the bottom of the map explains why most of the older settlements are located on the west side of the river while the newer ad hoc ones are on the east side. 5
2
1955 4
5
Major embankments constructed to prevent flooding. Flood plain is narrowed
4 1
Wazirabad and Okhla Barrages constructed
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9 10 3
6
Drains and canals built putting most sewage into the river
6
7
1975 7
8
Development of Transyamuna, Noida and Dwarka along river bank
5
Water treatment plants constructed in North Delhi 8
2001 9
2010 10
Slums develop near the Okhla Barrage
Yamuna Bank Metro Station built directly in the flood plain Commonwealth Games Village built directly in the flood plain
FOREST RIDGE PRESERVE
NEW DELHI
DANGER LEVEL
YAMUNA RIVER WEST OF YAMUNA: ABOVE DANGER LEVEL, LOW RISK OF FLOOD DAMAGE
TRANSYAMUNA
Brazer, H | RE-CENTERING 29DAMAGE EAST OF YAMUNA: BELOW DANGER DELHI LEVEL, HIGH RISK OF FLOOD
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D RI V E R 4 | YAMU NA F LO O D P L AI N
Ruhl, S | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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HOUSING + MIXED-USE TYPOLOGIES Currently the river’s edge is populated by low-income and homeless citizens and lacks programmatic typologies that would enliven the precinct as a public space. Design interventions could harness interstitial spaces identified within the site to introduce new mixed-use typologies or low-income housing. The growing urban population and density of Delhi has put an increased stress on the city’s housing infrastructure. A large percentage of the increased population is lowincome migrants from impoverished rural areas who are looking for work. Unable to afford planned housing, they move into slums, JJ clusters, and other informal settlements. Primarily self-constructed, these areas lack basic amenities and create unsafe and unhealthy living conditions for the residents. Recent efforts have been made to either improve these areas or relocate residents to resettlement colonies. Some of these efforts have been successful while others have caused more harm than good. NGO’s, architects, and other organizations continue to propose new ideas addressing Delhi’s struggle to balance the improvement of existing infrastructure and the development of new housing. 32
D R I V ER 5 | H O US I N G + MIX E D-US E TY PO LO G IE S
In order to provide public facilites and space to the dense and growing population of Delhi, redistribution of schools, libraries, museums, temples, and parks takes place in direct relation to the densities of districts, particularly within East Delhi, to make safe and desirable living conditons for all demographics. The floodplain, as one of the few remainng open spaces in Delhi becomes an opportunity to design floodable public space that can be used almost year round. Through both structural moves on constructed topography in the floodplain and large landscape moves in floodable zones, the additional public facilities footprint of the city is half of the existing and the overall designated public space increases by 200%. Voltaire, C + Iaccarino, A | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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D R I V ER 5 | H OUS I NG + MI X E D - US E TYP O LO G I E S
Stein, M | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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Urban expansion and unregulated construction generally have a negative impact on a landscape. It destroys any understanding of the environment and its natural systems, replacing order with disorder and banality. Man’s relationship with his habitat is degraded, if not completely divorced. Trans-Yamuna takes a critical position to Delhi’s sprawl and discord with a minimal insertion into the Yamuna River. Through the heart of the city, in an unpopulated and overlooked territory, the new public maidan hosts affordable mixed housing with orderly metrics of structure, space, and transit. It displays no formal or constructional excesses, and in its totality, it addresses Delhi’s very real problems of homelessness and public space.
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D R I V ER 5 | H OUS I NG + MI X E D - US E TYP O LO G I E S
Barr, E | RE-CENTERING DELHI
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A University of Virginia | Department of Architecture