Enhancing the Spatio-Temporal Resilience of the Historic Town of Srirangam

Abstract

The concept of resilience in urban design has gained significant attention in recent years due to the increasing vulnerability of cities to various shocks and stresses. The spatio-temporal resilience is a crucial aspect that needs to be addressed for sustainable urban development. This thesis explores the spatio-temporal resilience of urban form in the case of Srirangam, a historic temple town in Tamil Nadu. The thesis investigates how the urban fabric of Srirangam has evolved over time and how it has adapted to changing social, economic, and environmental conditions, where the impact of urbanization and festivals have influenced the city's spatial and temporal characteristics. The literature review explores the concept of resilience in urban design, spatial resilience, temporal resilience and other approaches to resilience. It also reviews various scholarly views to resilience and explores the present scenario of historic temple towns and the impact of urbanization on these settlements. The analysis is structured around six main layers: the city's physical fabric, its heritage and culture, the socio-economic structure, the activity and movement pattern, the ecology and environment, and the infrastructure and new inserts. The analysis helps to identify the key heritage and cultural assets and helps to analyze the city's ability to withstand environmental shocks and stresses. Based on the analysis, the thesis identifies the factors that contribute to the spatio-temporal concerns of Srirangam. The thesis concludes by offering a set of recommendations and design interventions for enhancing the spatio-temporal resilience of Srirangam with a particular emphasis on the conservation of the city's cultural and architectural heritage and strives to create a balance between religious practices, leisure activities and the environment. The proposed design strategies can serve as a roadmap for enhancing the city's resilience, preserving its cultural heritage, and creating a more sustainable and livable urban environment. Through this, it will also improve the quality of life of the locals and enhance the experience of the pilgrims visiting the town.