Reconnecting fragmented urban open spaces through landscape design

Abstract

Open Space Character in Dehradun has been completely altered due to urbanization. With the increasing population and lack of Usable Open Spaces, there is a shift people's social behavior that points to the need for Interactive Open Spaces. The current open spaces in Urban Areas are scattered and deficient in influx. If we reconnect the fragmented Urban Open Spaces, there's a high possibility of reviving the City's ecology while providing the people with enough interactive spaces. Critical evaluation and synthesis of natural layers identify a connection in the open spaces. The thesis aims to reconnect the people to Dehradun City's lost ecology through a detailed city park design proposal with links such as water spines, natural trails and skywalk. City parks are one of those places where people get lost opportunities to socialize amid the passive urban growth. It provides space for people of all ages to interact and grow as individuals, urban growth has overlooked the concept that peace of mind is related to being in an open space rather than being in confined, closed spaces. Linked and well-built open spaces help people get close to nature and open the mind to a better way of thought. Talking about Dehradun the population has seen a significant spree in the last decade and the per capita open space ratio has dropped significantly. This is where the development authorities have proposed this site as a city park to cater for the social, recreational and leisure needs of the city's increasing population. The proposal must be a confluence of good open, interactive spaces with enough sports, gathering and interactive spaces as an integral part of the park, while making the best use of the natural ecology to enhance the user experience by bringing them as close as possible to nature. The proposal focuses on studying and analyzing the existing open spaces in detail, how they are fragmented and what trends are currently influencing the region's use of open space. This takes into account the social, political , religious, ecological and financial factors that exist in the region, and then provides an accessible open space that facilitates all the needs and fits well with the region 's current ecology and facilitates the growth of individuals as well as the region as a whole.