Bhau ni pol chowk
1.3
Background of Pol Houses
Pol housing is one of the oldest housing developments of Ahmedabad. The “Pols” are the indigenous residential area that comprises of compact and dense fabric of built form (Choksi, Agarwal 1984). The street patterns here have evolved gradually over many centuries, resulting in narrow lane in dense residential area. These narrow lanes with popping balconies above, provides a pleasant environment for socializing and shaded walkways (Raval 2017). Other than this the residential area of the pol housing is devoid of any formal community spaces. Chowks and streets are the resultant of the un-built spaces in its fabric that acts as the informal gathering space for the residents, where inhabitants can freely interact with each other, being present into their semi private
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zones they can participate into different socializing activities. (Choksi, Agarwal 1984) The study focuses here to understand an atmosphere that has evolved during a period of time. The most favorable conditions for the following research could be found in organically developed settlements, those possessing a long tradition of vernacular buildings and neighborhoods. To this one of the best examples found was the traditional neighborhood in Ahmedabad known as Pol housing. This historic settlement is also known as “Amdavad” and has recently been declared as India’s first heritage city by Unesco. The history of the evolution of the city dates back down by six centuries and the dwellings here evolved here over a period of 300- 400 years. (Khasiya 2014)
