Spatial integration of fragmented urban fabric: a case of Kakkanad city/ Antony Saju

Abstract

Cities are spatial compositions of diverse activities which emerge as distinct urban fabrics that changes with time and needs of the people. These built fabrics when integrated properly creates a coherent urban landscape. But in contemporary cities, it is visible that the due to globalization the cities are expanding accommodating newer developments, functional zones which are spatially disconnected from the surrounding areas resulting in fragmentation of the city. Especially in peri-urban areas of developing countries like India, where rapid urbanization brings in migration of people which impact the urban landscape of the area and brings in new activities and functions, spatial fragmentation is a visible phenomenon. The spatial fragmentation manifest on the built form creating locally disconnected spaces, privatized public spaces, gate enclaves etc. This fragmented landscape creates an unsustainable growth of the city, which has an impact on social bonds, activity pattern of life of the people and ecology of the area. The enquiry of the study is to understand the impact of fragmented spaces on the social, spatial and ecological aspects of the city and importance of inclusive urban spaces for maintaining a sense of pluralism in the city and producing coherent urban canvas in modern cities. This could be understood through the analysis of urban areas that has undergone rapid development and produced fragmented urban fabric. To understand this, we will explore and analyse the characteristic of developing area of Kakkanad, Kochi, Kerala. The Kochi city has a long history starting from spice trade network and developments happening in different time periods. The Kakkanad site is located in the fringes of the city and has been subjected to rapid urbanization in recent decades creating lot of pressure on the urban landscape. The area is also ecologically sensitive area which consists of wetlands and waterbodies. Newer developments, functional zones and enclaved spaces are coming up without any conscious effort of understanding the spatial dynamics and relation to already existing urban fabric around it. This creates fragmented urban landscape that is characterized by disconnected, impermeable and inactive spaces. these spaces have now been reduced to incoherent urban entities which are visually and functionally disconnected from rest of the area and impact the biodiversity in the area. Thus, the intend of the thesis is spatial integration of fragmented urban fabric both spatially and ecologically through urban networks while responding to the natural systems to provide urban cohesiveness and vitalizing the area. By strengthening the relationship between people and urban spaces would allow the city to create and form its own meaning from the fragments. Making the spaces accessible, both physically and socially and develop strategies for spatial integration of the area through Urban Design.