Defining an approach towards re-densification along major transit corridors of Jaipur

Abstract

Urban “redevelopment” has emerged, in recent years, as one of the key concerns of urban social science in both theoretical and empirical-based settings. This reflects an associated trend with urban studies more generally, toward specifying the economic, political, and cultural factors responsible for uneven urban development. Being a government owned land and primarily comprising residences of government officials; the neighborhood tissue of Gandhinagar having low density housing units stands out frozen in time in context to the present-day transforming city fabric of Jaipur. Thus, the area provides us with an opportunity to be redeveloped by improving the built environment and creating a more resilient, self-sufficient community living experience for its residents. The area also allows us to raise an urban argument on its non – contextual nature. With the increase in population and need to meet the housing requirements by re-densification by means of high-rise apartments, the neighborhood thus faces a challenge of providing livable conditions and also responding to public realm. The Neighborhood has ample of open space but lies under individual plot boundaries. Thus, the underutilized land of the given neighborhood gives an opportunity for urban designers to redevelop the area and open out its spaces for public realm. The immediacy of the location of Gandhinagar on two major arterial roads of the city and the under-utilized land parcels with timeworn properties located within the study area present significant opportunities for various other options to be explored in terms of commercial, institutional, recreational, green park, etc. to add to the city fabric thus enhancing its strategic location. The project seeks to create a diverse, thriving and successful urban neighborhood offering quality living environment for the specific community. At the core, the design studio requires focus on development considerations like Identity, Sense of Place and Sustainability.