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Volume 4, Issue 6, June – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Analysing Chowk as an Urban Public Space


A Case of Lucknow
1
Shreya Gupta, 2Dr. Vandana Sehgal, 3Prabhat Rao
Faculty of Architecture,
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow

Abstract:- Urban public spaces have been described as importance of pedestrianisation in a public space, how
places of gathering for social, economic or cultural the place should be accessed, the role of physical
purposes. It derives its form from the local context, features etc.
land use and heritage of the city. Earlier the streets ,
the chowks, the open green spaces people wants to go to The study concludes that all factors helps in
shop, to walk, to interact, to meet, to play and even to making chowks a better place to think about, they gives
see. Then the time came when the automobiles, an ideal imageability to chowks which becomes a
buildings, traffic, crowd came changing the concept of highlight of the public spaces. These factors give a new
spaces, the people and places were shunted aside. With enlighting path or ways of improvement in the existing
time the quality of spaces washed away with the new chowk concept and make it a center point of attraction
inventions. The proportion of urban areas dedicated to again, which will affect the vision of the passerby and
streets, nodes and public spaces is a crucial feature of set in the memories of the visitors forever.
the spatial plans of cities. Indeed cities that have
adequate street and public spaces and greater Image of the city is duly enhanced with the advent
connectivity are more liveable and productive. of new modern concepts of chowks, they provide an
imageability and bring out the vision behind the
Earlier the Chowks were the major urban public structural concept of chowks.
spaces in India solving different purposes such as
promoting the access & movement but with I. INTRODUCTION
encouraging the interaction & various activities at the
same time. But with time the essence of chowks is been There was a time in our cities & towns when moving
washed away due to many reasons. This focus is to from one place to another was pleasant and gives enriched
analyse what are the physical & social factors that play experiences. Earlier the streets, the chowk, the open green
major role in reviving the chowks of a city. spaces people wants to go to shop, to walk, to interact, to
meet, to play and even to see. Like the urban spaces were
Through this study, an attempt is made to the stage given to the community to interact & exchange
understand the various social & physical factors such ideas and at the same time various activities takes place.
as pedestrian movement, activities, accessibility, visual Then the time came when the automobiles came changing
access plays an important role in defining the image of the concept of spaces, the people and places were shunted
a city through these spaces. The study aims to aside. With time the quality of spaces washed away with
understand the chowks, and how they act as an urban the new inventions. The activities on street are important
public space by considering the physical and social element of urban structure as a street and a node acts as a
aspects of traditional and contemporary chowk in social space, commercial space, cultural space as well as a
present scenario. channel of movement, sometimes a junction gives a
symbolic representation of local tradition and culture. The
For the fulfilment various methods are carried proportion of urban areas dedicated to streets and public
out, the literature is studied that what has been said spaces is a crucial feature of the spatial plans of cities.
about the chowks & public places by different authors Indeed cities that have adequate street and public spaces
in different perspectives, then the data is generated & and greater connectivity are more liveable and productive.
collected by the surveys at different timings for better Street pattern, street junctions, plazas and public gardens,
understanding of the place. By analysing the current is the key element of personal interaction and
scenario some findings are generated on the basis of communication between the citizens. In that sense, it
some parameters (physical & social aspects) such as the defines the culture and political quality of city life.

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Volume 4, Issue 6, June – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

Fig 1.1: Need of Urban Spaces (Source: Author)

II. LITERATURE REVIEW consideration the physical, social and symbolic aspects at
the same time (Krier, 1979, p.15).
2.1 Urban Spaces
Many people have identified urban spaces with a Urban spaces are important segment of daily lives.
number of different perspectives. Subsequently, Krier Such activities of daily life take place both in public
characterizes urban space as the “external space”, “all spheres and private spheres.
types of space between buildings in towns and other
localities.” The concept of urban space needs to take into

Fig 2.1: Classification of Urban Spaces (Source: Author)

2.2 City and Urban Spaces

Fig 2.2: City transformation pattern (Source: Author)

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Historical cities have transformed their physical p the vast requirement of Indian public realm. This is result
character to accommodate more which are not just people of visionless adaptation of designs and theories from parts
but buildings, cars, streets, and many more entities that of the world. Regional spatial characters are being
makes a City “The City”. The physical development overlooked, moreover the physical characters of regional
has its limitation against economic growth, leading to poor urban spaces do not seem to have any place in the sensitive
quality of life. This physical transformation is reflected in spaces. The spaces are designed without thinking the
the elements of the city like Urban Spaces; which history of the place, which is leading to loss in sense of
contribute to high quality of public life. place.

Historically, the urban spaces in any city have been 2.3 Area of Concern
important to everyone which is being over For centuries streets & chowks contributed to
shadowed by the lost traditional sense of urban space. Ther defining the cultural, social, economic and political
e is need to understand the relationship of a city and its functions of cities. They are key element in determining the
urban spaces, and aid in generation of newer urban spaces. form and function of a city neighbourhood and community.
Developing countries like India face these challenges more Historically, the purpose of streets was to carry pedestrian
than others as rapid urbanization is enormously extending and nodes to facilitate movement and access while at the
the residential sector but has limited development same time encouraged interaction within the community.
in public areas. The demand of housing is so high that Thus, streets define a city’s urban landscape & the chowks
lacking in the public spaces occurred. And privileged people to interact.
whatever new urban spaces are designed, are failing to gras

Fig 2.3: Street and Nodes Function (Source: Author)

Traditional streets, similar to past public places (i.e. chowks are acting just as traffic nodes in today’s time losing
Greek agora, roman forum), were developed based on the their sense of place with time.
functional need of the people throughout time. The sidewalk
was a western invention. The first sidewalk was said to have The chowks were welcoming people to interact, they
been built in Pompeii in 200 B.C. with the sole purpose of were like having a temple and shops along inviting people
physically delineating walking individuals. The study of to worship and provide space to have a social activity, these
History provides an understanding on the evolution of the things were helping in promoting a better social life.
local urban context ensuring the cultural continuity in a city.
2.4. The concept of nodes (chowks)
Earlier the chowks were majorly used by the people to The concept of a node is another element that needs to
interact. A tree aside of the chowk invites people to interact be considered when discussing space and place. A node is
with a feeling of comfort and safety. People sitting and chit an intersection of two or more linear systems can be a
chat interact with each other in their leisure time at the main generating point of a place, can be starting point of any
chowks of the town or place encourages the sense of safety community. Nodes are immaterial, representational points
to the people living in that place. The chances of crime that describe just not the flows of movement & but the
reduced by it as they work as “eyes on street” for the activities as well.
community. But do we have that culture now-a -days? The

Fig 2.4: Nodes Function (Source: Author)

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Volume 4, Issue 6, June – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
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While nodes are not physical constructions, they nodes often operate at slower speeds because they were
define and shape how people and systems flow through a designed to function at a pedestrian scale. Dense
space. Nodes operate within spaces and are constrained by connections of nodes that allow faster flows (automobile) do
their physical form. Different nodes depict different special not facilitate social interaction. An example of this is a
feature of it, it may be high speed automobile node or a parking lot, where the nodal intersections of drive aisles are
node in parking, or a node in a walled city. High speed dense but do not foster any interaction.
automobile or rail nodes require more space to work
efficiently than pedestrian nodes. 2.4.1. The concept of Kevin lynch
Physical attributes of a place plays a major role on
The arrangement and density of nodes can reflect the making an impact on one’s mind. As physical qualities
use and character of spaces. Dense arrangements of nodes, gives a high probability of remembering a place it makes a
as seen in older European cities, often facilitate social strong image on the observer, which is basically called
interactions, but the density itself is not what determines this imageability. We remember a place just by the arrangement
likelihood of social interaction. pattern, the building styles, any repetitive element, any foci ,
any structure at the junctions, by the fragrance we get by
Rather, the speed at which flows are allowed to move entering any place that’s creates the imageability of a place.
through a node is what determines the possibility of social He used five basic elements which people use to construct
interaction. Social interactions occur in spaces where their mental image of a city, that are-
movement is at a pedestrian scale. Dense collections of

Fig 2.5: Elements of city (Source: Image of city, Kevin lynch)

Lynch discussed the term ‘nodes’ in his study ‘The image of a city, imageability, cognition, identity,
Image of the City’ as one of the five elements of a city. He orientation, way- finding, urban design and architecture.
made a classification into five types of elements, which are
paths, edges, districts, nodes and landmarks. Lynch was the Nodes are points, the strategic spots in a city into
first person to discuss the importance of these elements in which an observer can enter, and which are the intensive
that manner. He studied each element’s functions and each foci to and from which he is travelling. They may be
element’s effects on the people who live in the urban primarily junctions or concentrations.
environment, in terms of physical reality of a city, mental

Fig 2.6: connectivity of various nodes (Source: Author)

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Fig 2.7: Plan showing various major nodes of the city (Source: Image of city, Kevin lynch)

2.5 Chowk in Indian context chat interact with each other in their leisure time at the main
Cities in history are remembered for their public chowks of the town or place encourages the sense of safety
spaces, the Greek Agora, the Roman Forum, the European to the people living in that place. The chances of crime
squares and Indian ‘chowks’ (quadrangle open spaces). The reduced by it as they work as “eyes on street” for the
experience of ‘public’ is the experience of a city. This is as community. But do we have that culture now-a -days? The
true for the visitors as for her inhabitants. In fact, public chowks are acting just as traffic nodes in today’s time losing
spaces have great value for the inhabitants than the visitors, their sense of place with time.
as these spaces contribute greatly to enhance the experience
of lived reality. The chowks were welcoming people to interact, they
were like having a temple and shops along inviting people
Earlier the chowks were majorly used by the people to to worship and provide space to have a social activity, these
interact. A tree aside of the chowk invites people to interact things were helping in promoting a better social life.
with a feeling of comfort and safety. People sitting and chit

Fig 2.8: Chowk comprises of following spaces (Source: Author)

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2.6 The Role of chowks
 Recreational Activities
2.6.1 As Channel of movement:  Activities experienced on a traditional street
As a channel of movement, street connects one place  Walking
to another. The street provides as link between buildings  Social interaction
and a node provide links between places, both within the  Sitting
street and in the city at large. As a link, it facilitates the  Shopping
movement of people, as pedestrians of within vehicles, and  Children’s street games
the movement of goods.
 Some fairs or celebrating festivals
 Functional uses:- 2.6.3 As Commercial Space:
Some chowk function as a place for exchange of
1-Vehicular circulation
goods or a place to do business. People use streets as a
 Through movement place to offer goods and a place for display as much as they
 Picking up/dropping off passengers were ―allowed to pedestrian see, compare, discus with
their companions, bargain and decided whether to buy an
2- Pedestrian circulation item or not.
 Through movement
 Waiting for, boarding and alighting from vehicles 2.6.4 As Cultural Space:
(buses, cars) The use of chowk by pedestrian is primarily culturally
 Entering and leaving subways based. India is a fine example of the effects of culture on
 Crossing street the streets and junctions use. There, the junctions provide a
 Entering and leaving buildings variety of activities and corresponding different sounds,
 While shopping smells and sights. A confusing mixture of animals, people,
bicycles, rickshaw, trucks and buses moves continuously.
2.6.2 As a Social space
Chowk also act as an arena for social interaction. Activities are mixed together of an extremely fine
People use streets as a media to interact with each other. It grain. The intersections are full of great variety of people of
is in street space, where people can see and are to be seen. different communities, not only walking and riding but
 Social/amenities of street standing ,sitting, sleeping, cooking, eating , getting their
 Window shopping hair cut and getting shaved doing laundary, fixing bicycle
 Resting or trees manufacturing things snowing, playing, reciting,
 People-watching arguing, barraging and even praying.
 Vendors
2.7 The eight principles focus on ways to attract people to
 Newspaper
a place and to tap into its community building potential
 Art works and banners
 Eating
2.7.1 Great activities and destination
 Waiting People need to have a reason to be, and stay, in a
 Information particular place. The more activities and options a street
offers, but it’s not enough to just have a great set of
 Necessary Activities restaurants and shops and businesses that operate behind
They refer to all the activities that have to be done closed doors. Great streets have an ―inside-outside quality
regularly, such as going to school, waiting for the bus and where indoor activity spills onto the street – whether that’s
going to work. These types of activities occur regardless of through sidewalk displays of merchandise, outdoor cafés,
the quality physical environment because people are or special events or programming that take place in the
compelled to carry them out. right-of-way.
 Social Activities
They refer to the activities which occur whenever
people move about in the same spaces. They involve
passive and active participation of people with others like
watching, listening and conversing.

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Volume 4, Issue 6, June – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
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i) Great activities & destination ii ) Safe

Fig 2.9: Streets with different activities and safety


(Source: https://www.pps.org/article/8-principles-streets-as-places, 2015)

2.7.2 Safe  Diverse design of buildings


The safety of a street works best. Most casually, and  Frequent building entrances
with least frequent taint of hostility. Precisely when people
are using and most enjoying the streets voluntarily 2.7.4 Design for lingering
Cities rarely measure the time people spend lingering
2.7.3 Inviting and rich in detail on a street, despite its relevance to both social exchange and
 Human scale signage on buildings and sidewalks economic activity such as shopping and dining out.
 Attractive and detailed building facades

iii) Inviting & rich in detail iv) Design for Lingering

Fig 2.10: Streets with Inviting, rich in detail,& design for lingering
(Source: https://www.pps.org/article/8-principles-streets-as-places, 2015)

2.7.5 Interactive and social which some external stimulus provides a linkage between
William Whyte used the term ―triangulation, to people and prompts strangers to talk to other strangers as if
refer to features and activities that create linkages between they knew each other.
people in a public space. In his words, it is ―a process by

v) Interactive & social vi) Unique

Fig 2.11: Streets showing intractiveness & social activeness with uniqueness
(Source: https://www.pps.org/article/8-principles-streets-as-places, 2015)

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2.7.6 Unique
Streets have a tremendous capacity to communicate  Safety & comfort:
to us a place’s history, culture, values, and assets. It’s up to Making streets safe clean & walkable, create climate
local communities to figure out what story they want their sensitive design.
streets to tell. There are a multitude of ways to showcase a
community’s identity, history, or local assets, whether  Ecology:
through building design, public art, landscaping, pavement Reduce impact on the natural environment, reduce
materials and design, way finding or other signage, pressure on the built infrastructure.
programming or special events, and the showcasing of
local institutions, people, and businesses on the street. 2.8.1 To ensure pedestrian safety:
 Creating “eyes on street” – by removing setbacks and
2.7.7 Accessible boundary walls to the edge of the street row. This
Great streets are true meeting grounds of local would allow people to from inside to look out on the
society – where people of different ages, ethnicities, and pavement, thus discouraging misbehaviour, shady
income levels intersect and interact. To make that happen, corners, peeing etc.
not only does a street need to have diverse destinations and  In case enclosure of sites is required, transparent
activities, but it also needs to be easily accessible to all. fencing should be used above 300 mm height from the
ground level.
2.7.8 Flexible  Require commercial facades to have minimum 30% of
Streets have enormous capacity to be flexible spaces transparency.
that can meet multiple community goals, especially when  Provide adequate street lighting for pedestrian &
they are designed with that purpose in mind. Lacking bicycles.
adequate civic space for special events, some communities  Create commercial hawking zones at regular intervals
have started to create flexible streets that can more easily
to encourage walk ability, increase street activity and
be used for markets, shows, play streets, and local provide safety.
celebrations – often signified by special concrete paving or
stamping on the street, as well as streetscape amenities and
2.8.2 From climate comfort:
signage.
 Trees are the essential components of all streets- to
provide shade to the pedestrians and reduced solar gain.
2.8 Norms & standards
The national urban transport policy, government of  High albedo materials for paving reduce urban heat
island effect.
india states following vision under which uttipec functions-
1. To recognize that people occupy centre stage in our  Built to pavement edge buildings with overhangs, and
cities and all plans would be for their common benefit arcades provide excellent protection to pedestrians.
and well being.
2. To make our cities most liveable and enable them to 2.8.3 To ensure universal accessibility and amenities for
become the ‘engines of economic growth’ that powers all street users:
India development in the 21st century.  Provide at grade crosswalks at maximum intervals of
3. To allow our cities to evolve into an urban form that is 70-250m aligning with the location of transit stop, type
best suited for the unique geography of their location & of street/land use activities and neighbouring building
is best placed to support the main social and economic entries and destination.
activities that take place in the city.  Provide dustbins, post-box, signage and other public
amenities at street corners for high usability.
 Provide accessible public toilets at every 500-800m
distance preferably located close to bus stops for easy
access by pedestrians & public transport users.
 Follow universal accessible design standards to make
public streets & cross walks fully navigable by the
physically handicapped.

2.9. Literature Study

 Badi Chaupar, Jaipur


The city of Jaipur has been planned based on the
traditional texts on spatial organization. Public spaces
emerged as cross roads (N-S roads connecting to E-W
Fig 2.13: Norms & Standards (source: UTTIPEC Norms) roads and forming public squares. One such important
public square is the Badi Chaupar. Badi Chaupar is
 Mobility & accessibility: connected by roads from all the sides and includes
Maximum number of people should be able to move structures of importance. On the west lies the Tripoli
fast, safely and conviniently through the area. Bazaar, this is the hub of artisans, jewelers and craftsmen.

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On the north are the City Palace and the Hawa Mahal. the chaupar has a clear vision from one end to the other.
Presence of these structures in the vicinity results in an
inflow of people in this area. The width of the square is Due to its hot and dry climate, the pathways are
approximately 100x100m, i.e. it is wide enough for both covered by the use of projections (chajjas). These also
incoming and outgoing traffic, along with pedestrian enhance the linearity of the space by creating strong
movement. There are no landscape features except a horizontal projections.The number of pedestrians reduces
fountain around which seating has been provided. A few around the central part as there is a lot of vehicular traffic.
trees are scattered here and there. Every road leading from

Fig 2.14: plan of badi chaupar (source: traditional jaipur study,2014)

A 100X100m square accessible by two major roads- located centrally. The viewing angle of 10° reduces the feeling of
closure and there is a clear visual connection from one end to the other.

Fig 2.15: Street lights in badi chaupar (source: traditional jaipur study,2014)

 Street lights:
Street lighting is just an element but it increases the safety level of badi chaupar and offers an welcoming environment (all
day) to the people visiting there.

Fig 2.16: Buffer zones in badi chaupar (source: traditional jaipur study, 2014)

Zones created for pedestrian, parking of vehicle & for place. On the corners of the chaupar trees are planted which
vehicular movement provide proper channelization for the are for shading & sitting purposes. Landscape is not just
people coming for any purpose here. Pedestrian friendly increasing the aesthetics of the place but giving
environment increases the rate of people accessing the opportunities of social interaction.

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Fig 2.17 : Facade of badi chaupar (source: traditional jaipur study,2014)

The pedestrian zones made in the badi chaupar are in 2.10.4. Physical Attributes
context of architectural style of Jaipur, providing  Landscape features
uniformity to the place. The monotonous colour, texture &  Seating’s
style making it visually attractive.  Street lights
 Pedestrian Friendly
2.10. Parameters of a better urban public space
According to the description that is mentioned in the III. CASE STUDY
previous sections, we continue to address the issue of how
to create these spaces and which measures and indicators to The case study is of the different chowks of lucknow
use to evaluate their effectiveness, open a huge field for that are-
assessment, discussions and action. Considering the  Kaisarbagh chowk (18th Century)
substantial role of these spaces, not only in terms of what  Lalbagh chowk (19th Century)
they are expected to prepare citizens and society as a  Husariya chowk (21st Century)
whole, this type of spaces can be evaluated according to the
following criteria: These are the chowks of different time period from the
oldest to the modern time. Site selection criteria of these
2.10.1. Access chowks-
Inviting public spaces and easy access to these spaces
has a significant impact on people's presence in spaces.  Kaiser Bagh Chowk
Access to public spaces is in the sense of openness towards This is one of the oldest chowk catering major roads
a social presence in itself. from the city to major destinations that are charbagh,
 The linkages, connectivity, connecting roads, ameenabad, Burlington etc.
surrounding building.
 Visual Connection  Lalbagh Chowk
This is the next traditional chowk catering various
2.10.2. Scale & Proportion activities and connecting to major roads to hazrat ganj,
Scale & proportion creates an image to one’s mind, if charbagh etc.
it is in proportion can give a feeling of comfort, feeling of
safety can be felt by the proportions of a space.  Husariya Chowk
 Enclosure ratio(building height/road width) This is the chowk of modern time catering different
 Visual attractiveness settlements of people & connected to the highway.

2.10.3. Transparency
Transparency increases the rate of people coming to
the place, it gives a feeling of safety & helps in inviting
people to the place.
 Building facades
 Activity pattern

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3.1. Case 1 Study Area- Lalbagh Chowk

Fig 3.1: A view of Lalbagh chowk (source:Author)

Fig 3.2: Lalbagh chowk (source: google earth,2018)

3.1.1. Accessibility
This chowk is accessible by 5 minor roads, providing connection to the major areas of the city i.e. to hazratganj, ameenabad,
great post office etc.

Fig3.3: Access of the Lalbagh chowk (Source: Author)

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3.1.2. Pedestrian movement
This chowk is surrounded by pedestrian movement all along.

Fig 3.4: Plan showing Pedestrian movement at Lalbagh chowk (Source: Author)

Fig 3.5: pedestrian movement along at Lalbagh chowk (Source: Author)

3.1.3. Land use plan


 The first layer along the chowk is commercial & mixed use.
 The second layer is purely residential.
 The chowk is further surrounded by the open green areas.

Fig 3.6: Land use plan (Source: Author)

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Fig 3.7: Land use, Mixed (Source: Author)

Fig 3.8: Building Heights (Source: Author)

3.1.4. Building heights


In front the building heights are G+1, but further the building heights in that area is G+2.

Fig 3.9: plan showing Building heights (Source: Author)

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3.1.5. Activity mapping
Various activities on different timings of a day making the place more vibrant.

Fig 3.10: Activity pattern plan (Source: Author)

Fig 3.11: Activity pattern plan (Source: Author)

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Fig 3.12: Activities at Lalbagh chowk (Source: Author)

3.1.6. Attraction to the place


Various reasons for coming to this place are present making this chowk active for most of the time in a day.

Fig 3.13: Attraction of Lalbagh chowk (Source: Author)

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3.1.7. Parking
Parking along the chowk showing that where is organized parking & where is unorganized.

Fig 3.14: Parking at Lalbagh chowk (Source: Author)

3.1.7. Intensity of crowd


Intensity of crowd on different roads connecting to the chowk on different timings

Fig 3.15: intensity of crowd Lalbagh chowk (Source: Author)

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Fig 3.16: intensity of crowd Lalbagh chowk (Source: Author)

Fig 3.17: intensity of crowd Lalbagh chowk (Source: Author)

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3.2. Case 2 Study Area- Kaisarbagh Chowk

Fig 3.18: A view of kaisar bagh chowk (Source: Author)

Fig 3.19: Kaiser Bagh Chowk (source: google earth,2018)

3.2.1. Accessibility
This chowk is accessible by 5 major roads-located centrally.it gives direct connectivity to the major area that are charbagh,
ameenabad, kaisarbagh bus station, cantonment etc, that’s why its is one of the most active chowk of the city.

Fig 3.20: Access to Kaiserbagh chowk(Source: Author)

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3.2.2. Pedestrian movement


This chowk is surrounded by pedestrian movement all along, but due to high traffic rate it is difficult to move from one side
to another.

Fig 3.21: Pedestrian movement at kaiser bagh (Source: Author)

Fig 3.22: Pedestrian pathways (Source: Author)

3.2.3. Land use plan


The first layer along the chowk is commercial & mixed use. Inner sides of the chowk is purely residential, with the
traditional typology.

Fig 3.23: landuse plan at kaiser bagh (Source: Author)

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3.2.4. Building heights
In front the building heights are G+1, but further the building heights in that area is G+2.

Fig 3.24: building height plan at kaiser bagh (Source: Author)

3.2.5. Attraction to place


Various reasons for coming to this place are present making this chowk active for most of the time in a day.

Fig 3.25: Attraction to the place (Source: Author)

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3.2.6. Activity Mapping
Various activities on different timings of a day making the place more vibrant.

Fig 3.26: Activities at kaiser bagh (Source: Author)

Fig 3.27: Activities at kaiser bagh (Source: Author)

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Fig 3.28: Activities at kaiser bagh (Source: Author)

3.2.7. Crowd Intensity


Intensity of crowd on different roads connecting to the chowk on different timings

Fig 3.29: Intensity of crowd at kaiser bagh (Source: Author)

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Fig 3.30: Intensity of crowd at kaiser bagh (Source: Author)

Fig 3.31: Intensity of crowd at kaiser bagh (Source: Author)

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3.3. Case 3 Study Area- Husariya Chowk

Fig 3.32: A view of Husariya chowk (Source: Author)

Fig 3.33: husariya chowk (source: google earth,2018)

3.3.1. Accessibility
This chowk is accessible by 4 major roads, which are further connected to major destinations that are hanhemann chowk,
gomti nagar, patrakar puram etc.

Fig 3.34: Access to Husariya chowk(Source: Author)

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3.3.2. Land use plan
The first layer along the chowk is commercial & mixed use.Inner sides of the chowk is purely residential,with contemporary
style.

Fig 3.35: Landuse of Husariya chowk (Source: Author)

3.3.3. Pedestrian Movement


This chowk is surrounded by pedestrian movement all along, but due to high traffic rate it is difficult to move from one side
to another.

Fig 3.36: pedestrian movement at Husariya chowk (Source: Author)

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Fig 3.37: Pathways along chowk Fig 3.38: Building heights variation with mix
(Source: Author) land use (Source: Author)

3.3.4. Building Heights


A variation of G+1 & G+2 are found in the area.

Fig 3.39: Building height plan (Source$: Author)

3.3.5. Attraction to place


Various reasons for coming to this place.

Fig 3.40: Attraction to the place (Source: Author)

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3.3.6. Activity Mapping

Fig 3.41: Activities at husariya chowk (Source: Author)

Fig 3.42: Activities at husariya chowk (Source:Author)

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Fig 3.43: Activities at husariya chowk

IV. FINDINGS & DISCUSSIONS  -Seating and landscaping elements should be provided
in the centre and should be well-shaded to protect from
 The access could terminate in a landmark or have an the harsh sun. Shops and stalls should use overhangs for
element of surprise, or any activity that attracts the the same.
visitors to the place.  -To promote unity and continuity in the space, a
 Pedestrian movement also gets enhanced by multiple common element or façade treatment should be done.
activities happening in the area, as can be seen in This will give enhance the sense of similarity among
lalbagh chowk. The number of pedestrians increases the users.
with market activity.  -Use of tactile flooring has to be incorporated for the
 The landscape features are also an important part, ease of visually-impaired people.
providing shades and maintaining the micro climate of
the place. C. Activities:
 Physical features are also important as they add value to  Shops, food stalls, etc should be provided for leisure.
the place and give a feeling of sense of place. This will promote more people to use the space.
 Basic street furniture like benches, litter bins and public
From the case studies of the different chowks, it is toilets should be provided within 500m distance.
possible to come up with guidelines related to designing it  Smell can be used as a tool to attract people to food
to a better urban space. stalls.
 Promotion of activities should be done by utilizing
A. Access: proper space which is generally covered by
 should be accessible from major network of roads. The unorganized parking.
space should be designed as a fully pedestrian zone so
that it is accessible to all without haphazardness. D. Physical features:
Specific landmarks should be visible from at least 100  physical features such as street lights, seatings,
m (walkable distance) to provide visual access. hardscapes & softscapes, building features seems to be
very little but all together they enhance space in a better
B. Visual Configuration: way, so consideration of these should be taken
 An element of surprise can be added in the space to seriously.
promote activity to the place.

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V. CONCLUSION REFERENCES

People are the main ingredients of the city and [1]. Holland, Clark, Katz, Peace.(2007). Social
without public spaces it is impossible to establish a interactions in urban public places, 2-15, 18-
physical and mental connection between public and urban 35.retrieved from www.policypress.org.uk
environment. [2]. Krier, R. (1979). Urban Space. London: Academy
Editions.
Earlier, the chowks were the places of giving [3]. Li, M.(2003). Urban Regeneration Through Public
opportunity to interact, giving a platform to socialize. The Space:Waterloo.
chowks were acting as a node giving access & movement [4]. Matthew Carmona, T. H. (2003). Public Places-
parallely acting as a social space, commercial space, Urban Spaces. Burlington: Elsevier
cultural space etc. the chowks are rich with its cultural & [5]. Ali Madanipour.(1996) Design of Urban Space ,An
historic references but With increase in population, Inquiry into a Socio-spatial Process. John Wiley and
increase in infrastructure, increase in automobiles and sons, New york.
traffic congestions now a days has totally detoriated the [6]. Whyte, W. (1980).The social life of small
quality of public spaces & the ideologies of ancient urban spaces.Washington DC: Conservation
chowks. foundation
[7]. Lynch, K. (1969). The Image of the City. Cambridge:
For that study carried out of various chowks of MIT Press.
traditional & contemporary concept in present scenario. On [8]. Gehl, J. (2007). The social dimension. In M.
the basis of different physical & social parameters through Carmona, & S. Tiesdell, Urban Design Reader (p.
primary surveys concludes the actual situation of 139). USA: Architectural Press
chowks.The deep analysis of chowk helps us to derive [9]. Woolley, H., Rose, S., Carmona, M. and Freeman, J.
certain features that will promote or unfold the situation of (2004). The Value of Public Space, How High
chowk as a public space. Quality Parks and Public Spaces Create Economic,
Social and Environmental Value. London: CABE
Pedestrianisation is a factor that must be indulged Space.
while designing a chowk, it enhances the user activities, [10]. Street design guidelines,UTTIPEC,delhi development
providing a welcoming environment with a more vibrant authority,New Delhi 2009
approach.Landscape features should be kept in mind, as [11]. Worpole,(2009).The social value of public spaces,2-
they just not enhance the aesthetics of the place but 5,7-11.retrieved from www.jrf.org.uk.
providing a pleasant environment. They provide [12]. Benfield, Kaid(2013), Streets Can Be Public Spaces
opportunities to sit, stand, talk etc.There must be some Too,1-8.retrieved from
solution given to unauthorized parking zones, so that the https://www.citylab.com/design/2013/07/streets-can-
area can be better used for what it is pre defined or any be-public-spaces-too/6235/
activity can be done.Physical features seems to be small,
but all together they enhances the visual attractiveness of a
place. The new additions should be done with keeping the
context of the place, so that loss of sense of place must be
avoided. Proper channelization of space should be done so
that it may be user friendly.

These all factors helps in making chowks a better


place to think about, they gives an ideal imageability to
chowks which becomes a highlight of the public spaces.
These factors give a new enlighting path or ways of
improvement in the existing chowk concept and make it a
center point of attraction again, which will affect the vision
of the passerby and set in the memories of the visitors
forever.

Image of the city is duly enhanced with the advent of


new modern concepts of chowks, they provide an
imageability and bring out the vision behind the structural
concept of chowks.

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