Redefining abandoned places with archaeological ruins : a case of Bada Bagh, Bhopal

Abstract

What happens to places when they are abandoned, when they fail to solve their purpose anymore? When on a patch of land all that is left are mere boulders and chunks of rocks left to decay and die. In most cases, we would break those chunks into smaller chunk until they can be disposed. However, in Archeological sites, places with ruins remaining there for centuries, as these ruins boast of the richness in the architecture, it is not feasible, nor wise to reduce them to rocks. These ruins are a source of the place’s identity. They reflect a culture, a style and in a manner give us an imagery of what life would have been like, years ago. Just because at some point of time they became isolated from everything around them and lost relevance to the context, it isn’t justified to cast them away. Keeping in mind my thesis topic, “Redefining abandoned places with archeological ruins in urban landscapes”, I approach my research with an attempt to delve a deeper insight into methods, practices and urban design strategies used to regenerate abandoned places and understand how through design, an abandoned region is later transformed into a thriving social space. I through my design, not only aim to revive the place, but also intend on creating a design which lasts over various cultural time periods and would not become a ruin in near future. The proposed program and suggested interventions shall be flexible and incremental in nature; and shall continually develop the context around Bada Bagh as well over time.