Reinstating the Linkages between Culture and Ecological Places Divided by Urban Development, Case of Madurai

Abstract

Historic towns that are rich in culture often face pressure from tourism, informal activities, and new developments that can lead to the loss of their significance. This pressure is even greater in peri-urban areas, where towns are experiencing increased development and different user demands. In addition to losing their historical significance, these towns can also lose their connection with natural features that are essential to daily life. As William H. Whyte famously said, "What attracts people most, it would appear, is other people." (Whyte, 1980) This thesis focuses on Madurai, a Temple city in Tamil Nadu, India, which is renowned for its cultural heritage and history dating back to the 6th century BCE. However, the religious tourism industry has had a significant impact on physical development, leading to uncontrolled growth that can compromise orderly planning. This problem is particularly acute in historic sites, where it can gradually loss the cultural and physical character of the location. The study to restore socio-culturally and ecologically implicit areas that have been lost due to increasing urbanization. It will identify these areas and work to improve the public realm, integrate different user groups, and restore cultural and environmental networks, including lost third places. The thesis will also address the unobserved detrimental impact on housing settlements and day-to-day life, while retaining the cultural network with the natural ecosystem without degradation. The overall goal is to increase the social, economic, cultural, and environmental essence of the historic urban periphery and its surrounding cultural and environmental territory. The research findings can inform policies that ensure the preservation of cultural heritage and the natural environment while meeting the needs of tourists and urban development. By understanding the impact of development pressure, temporal activity, tourism, and development on the historic urban periphery, we can create a sustainable future for historic cities and their surroundings.