Regeneration of existing canal as a community and tourist hub : case of Salt Lake, Kolkata

Abstract

Waterways are a vital and productive resource to our environment. As for Canals, Which are made to provide a variety of amenities and services to communities across the world. They are widely used for navigation, irrigation, and drinking water, food, travel, wildlife habitat, connection to places, aesthetic appeal, economic development etc. This thesis project will examine the importance of canal system of Kolkata and identify one typological interventions of Kestopur (Drainage) canal to its urban community and show how canal front design can function as an unifying element for the Salt lake city (Kolkata) and its ecosystem. "Over half of the worlds future population will be living in urban environments by 2030, which will dramatically increase the stress on a vulnerable network of water syste". ( Bernhardt and Palmer, 2007). A regeneration of canal can bring awareness to people while improving physical and ecological corridor connections and also provides a unified living society between people and the natural environment.