Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
INDEX
1. Introduction
3. Project Proposal
6. Defining Place -
Categorizing Cultural Patterns
9. Bibliography
1. Introduction
The Kankaria Lake has been an inseparable part of the identity of Ahmedabad since its foundation in 1451. Kankaria tank
was included in municipal limit in 1884 A.D. However, the heavy traffic on the lake side road, disorganized informal activities,
haphazard use of the right of way and the lack of sufficient access to the lakefront prevented the complete utilization of all its
potentials.
Initiated by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, this project is a comprehensive lakefront precinct set in the heart of the
city of Ahmedabad, and conceived as a memorable recreational Urban Space. Its primary objective is to create an efficient
and durable infrastructure which would foster entirely new activities in addition to supporting current ones.
The inauguration ceremony for renovated Kankaria lakefront was held on December 25, 2008. This can be attributed to the
integrated one system approach of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) backed by the Gujarat Government, which
not only reinforced the character of the public place but also turned it into an enriching experience. The project was taken up
and executed in a span of 2 years by 2008.
Source : Ashwin, Mukul, Study of some surface water structures of medieval period of Gujarat:
An Urban conservational viewpoint major case study: Kankaria Tank, Ahmedabad, Unpublished thesis 1988, CEPT University.
1.1 Location
Kankaria Lake is located approximately 1.5 kms south-east of Raipur gate of Walled city of Ahmedabad.
Stakeholders Tourists, Nearby Locals, Kids and Parents, Eating Enthusiasts, Joggers, Hawkers, Service
providers
Project Scale 2.3 kms long Lake Edge developed as a Pedestrian Zone
In addition to the social gatherings, this place acts as source of daily bread for many, who associate themselves with various
activities like vending, hawking, etc. and benefit from those visiting the lake precinct at a daily basis, for various recreational
activities related to food, lake, swimming pool, temple, zoo, garden, naginawadi, kids city etc.
Projects like these (since it caters to the general masses as a whole) become the way to express and also at the same time
show power not just to the stakeholders of the place, but also to other states’ governing bodies as well. In a way, projects
like this become beneficial for those who are directly related to it (the stakeholders, i.e. from the public to the govt.) in many
ways.
Dutch tombs, summer palace in naginawadi and historical Dadu Dayal Temple alongwith the sluice are living examples of
medieval architecture at Kankaria Lake Front. Naginawadi and Zoo area along with the lake precinct form a garland of green
area.
A very distinct step was taken by the AMC by starting census of planted trees. World’s largest mural is under construction of
which 3100 sqft is already built. This is a unique way to represent the historical and cultural development of Gujarat,
becoming an important element in the making of this public place.
Understanding the cultural values and existing cultural patterns (of food, festivals etc.) and allocating them space, making
guidelines of use, cleanliness etc. for the same, in a city level public space like this are other achievements of Urban Design.
3. Project proposal
3.1 Project Purpose -
Redevelop the dying center of the city, as a clean, managed and an organized one. Educating and relocating the vendors
became an important part of the process. Trying to create ‘An Inclusive for all - public city center’. But ticketing and creating
boundary wall are the paradoxes existing in this place.
• Identify underutilized land (Rail Yards, etc) and integrate with new development
The conceptualization of this project can be broadly categorized under three major stages.
In the first stage of conceptualization, the main aim was focused on to develop the lake edge. This included providing
parking facilities, congregating existing amenities and de-congesting the peripheral road.
Initially the design proposal focused on organizing and developing the Kankaria lake edge – (the peripheral road)
Image source : author
Recognizing important Nodes and restructuring/organizing of informal activities Image source : HCPDPM
Achieves
The second stage of conceptualization moved a step ahead and en-visioned a complete pedestrian zone which would house
& formalize the informal sector as well as provide a traffic free zone for various other activities. The portion of the road left
open for vehicular movement was to be provided with better parking provisions. This further developed in development of the
ring road and provision of parking facilities along the road.
In addition to the issues recognized in the 1st stage, following new issues were addressed:
• Recognizing and segregating potential pedestrian zone and low traffic vehicular zone.
The design proposal focused on segregating the vehicular and pedestrian activities along the lake front.
Image source : author
Stage 3 –Complete transformation into a Pedestrian friendly zone and ring road development
The conceptualization of the ring road and incorporation & promotion of BRTS saw the development of the third stage. This
vision of promoting public transport provoked the designers not to provide parking spaces along the vehicular movement
area, also pedestrianizing the entire lakefront. The design though, still incorporated tarred road in the area previously en-
visioned for vehicular movement. The addition of Entrance gates by AMC, marked the end of this stage.
In addition to the issues recognized in the above stages, following new issues were addressed:
• Acquisition of land
• Road widening
The design proposal focused on developing a ring road and a comprehensive strategy to do so. Promotion of public
transport was an important part. Image source : author
The strategies included creating large pedestrian zones along the lake's edge, developing an outer ring road by
strengthening the existing road network, creating approximately 6 km of access streets as well as new access points to the
lakefront, enhancing recreational potential by improving public facilities, preserving historic buildings and encouraging overall
development within the precinct
Efforts are being under taken by AMC to work forward towards the development of proposed indoor
stadium which is in conceptualization phase. The design consultant hired for the same is Christopher
Charles Benninger Architects. For the conservation of heritage buildings, ASI has jurisdiction for the same,
and the lakefront project didn’t interfere with the heritage structures.
PART 1
PART 2
The entrance plaza was designed to have ticket counter and train station but these facilities are actually
located at the north-west entrance of the lakefront.
The space for handicrafts and local crafts bazaar is currently used as a green space and was never
conceptualized as envisioned by the designer.
These important nodes were recognized and redeveloped differently than the other parts of the lakefront which followed design of
the typical sections. Variations in the design proposal and the actual realization on site can be noticed in the areas near Pushpkunj
junction and Naginawadi.
A rupee 10 entrance fees is charged for those visiting Kankaria Lake. Historical Dadu Dayal temple, Natural History
Museum, desert safari, aquarium, gardens like One Tree Hill garden, football ground, water sports and rides, open air
theatre, Jaldhara water park, boating and small amusement park are in working state along-with a few other attractions like
Zoo, Jawahar lal balvatika and the Kids city.
4.1 Signage
From advertisement hoardings to neon signages, the lakefront is strategically designed with sufficient signages for
demarcating all the amenities, functions and recreational facilities. These signages become important element in binding and
recognizing various functions along the lakefront. These signages also demarcate the transition zones from lakefront to the
other ancillary facilities along the lakefront.
4.5 Deviations
The way Kankaria Lake has been developed,it appears that there is an attempt to keep poor away from
this heritage of the city. It is also an attempt to deprive the poor from accessing environmental resources
and entertainment places…
There is social loss, there is cultural loss and there is economic loss for the city and her residents…
The real question is why projects envisaged in the name of Urban Development are those that would
cause displacements…
- Extracts from Report of Public Hearing on Habitat and Livelihood Displacements
To start off, one is proceeding with a few hypothesis, which also starts shaping the Methodology to define Urban Design in
this context.
1. Culture is an extension of habit or discipline from an individual to a group of people or society practicing it for mutual
benefit.
2. Public ‘places’ tend to develop different activities due to involvement of various factors and participation of various
stakeholders over a period of time. These activities associate themselves with built, open, shaded areas, movement, color,
clothing, food, location and many such elements and develop as patterns, which grow with time. When such a pattern is
accepted and practiced by many, it evolves into a ‘culture’ (generally accepted and appreciated by all).
5.2 Methodology
In the current context architects, planners and designers have identified a method, which in-general maps the activities,
without knowing the cultural significance of it. This actually serves as a shortcut to manipulate others into believing that the
designer has understood the context and the stakeholders well. Whereas what actually is done is, intensity of activity is
noted, and not the cultural patterns. In general a preconceived notion of what should be there, over-dominates the study,
and becomes biased. Hence, it becomes all the more important to segregate the cultural patterns and study them, as that
would allow one to understand the actual stakeholders and their involvement with it.
Thus, noting down what are the inherent cultural patterns which defines Lakefronts like Kankaria is the first step.
Secondly, one needs to segregate these cultural patterns, into the following categories.
1. Cultural patterns existing from before the Lake front project,
2. Patterns responsible in the making and breaking of the image of this place.
This would allow in understanding one very important way of looking at studies, i.e. not defining such studies as just issues,
problems and solutions, but help develop a process of understanding of inherent phenomenon that change the image and
usability of a place, and how Urban Design can play an important role in becoming a part of this process in enhancing these
patterns to uplift the image and organization of such places. The scope of the study here limits to recognizing these cultural
patterns only.
Thus, Urban Design becomes a tool to work towards this making, helping cultural aspects & spaces to evolve above those
patterns which are developed because of factors like lack of co-ordination, knowledge and sensitivity and mutual
understanding of stakeholders.
6. Defining Place
6.1 Cultures that existed at Kankaria and are enhanced/controlled by the Lake Front
Development Project –
Culture of Celebration
Noting down events that take place at Kankaria like Dushhehra & Eid Celebrations etc.. Now events like Kankaria Carnival,
Navratri and other such events make Kankaria as one of the most important cultural centers of the city.
Culture of Food
Food is generally inherent part of Indian culture. A public place like Kankaria is no different when it comes to food. It would
have started as a need, but definitely developed as a culture that is practiced by many, i.e. enjoying food at the lake.
Culture of Hawking/Vending
It’s a vicious circle, in a public place like this. Public – need – economy prospects - hawkers and vendors – cater to public.
They actually are one of the most important elements of making of this place. Educating them, and regulating controls for
them, allows better understanding amongst them, regarding ownerships and management of spaces they are related to
(whether directly, i.e. the place they work, or indirectly, i.e. the place where they dump garbage).
Connecting to nature and water edge , has always been an inseparable part of Kankaria. It has evolved into a culture and
practiced by many, in the form of activities like morning and evening walks, performing exercises, chit-chatting etc.
6.2 Cultures that played an important part in the breaking of the image of Kankaria –
Culture of Littering
Whether we call it ‘pressure of urbanization’ or insensitivity of people visiting such places, we find various activities leading to
unhygienic conditions due to littering of food articles, waste etc. This culture which was a bi-product of many other activities,
definitely played important role in decreasing popularity of the place.
Culture of Encroachment
Commercial perks which attracted many, allowed many to take advantage of the undefined rules and guidelines of the usage
of the spaces. Thus, promoting this culture amongst those seeking economic benefits. Such practices are pretty common in
public spaces across the country.
Addition of vehicular movement (post-independence) as an inseparable layer , created quite a few impositions on the
character of this place. Unauthorized parking and congestion on the lake edge, along with pollution are a few of those.
Culture of Suicide
Kankaria was started to be called as the suicide hotspot of Ahmedabad, due to increasing number of suicide incidents that
happened here. Chief Fire Officer M.F.Dastoor said: "The lake had been a headache for us. On an average, we used to get
at least one call every day and most of them would be cases of suicide.
The heritage structures in and around Kankaria, whether it was the sluice, or the platforms or the Naginawadi, had been
abused continuously and were in dilapidated conditions.
Walkability is not a new concept in Indian context. Still, a complete pedestrian friendly space is difficult to achieve and
implement in the current urbanized context of Indian cities. This project made a successful attempt towards a complete
pedestrian friendly public space, which allows one to connect to the spaces and its elements at human level. More
importantly, this experiment has worked quite well for a recreational public space like Kankaria and can be seen as a model
for such projects.
From wall paintings to stone murals, art has become an inherent culture of this place. Various events that promote this
culture also are the living examples of the same.
Culture of Impositions
Defining few entry points and restricting the vehicles outside by creating a no vehicular zone has definitely changed the way
one commuted with Kankaria. Ticketing fees has further changed the way this space was perceived. Many such Impositions
at the Lake front Project has given it a new Image.
Various games for kids like bungee jumping, water riders train ride etc. has brought in the culture of involving kids in outdoor
activities, also allowing kids to interact with various murals showing Gujarat’s development in a public place like this.
Ganesh Visarjan is one of the most important festivals celebrated in this part of the country. Kankaria Lake was the centre of
such festivals which were open to all public. The controls now applicable at the Kankaria lake specifies that no one is
allowed to submerge Idols in the lake. Hence the culture of celebrating such festivals is lost here. Other festivals like
Dushehra, Satnam fair, and Id were regular events that marked the character of this ‘free to all’ public place. Lose of such
cultural events does raise a question towards the inclusiveness and sensitivity of this development.
This is one of the most debated topics which brought Kankaria lakefront into limelight. Whether Kankaria can be called a true
public space or not, is still a question. Well, it did create a different image of the place, but it has also changed the way
people use this space now.
• Thus developing a process which takes care of identification, translation and solutions through tools and organizing of the
same.
Urban Design here is the process of development, integrating and influenced by factors like politics, culture and
social practices of public space to evolve its identity at various scales (local, city level and/or global) which
participates in the making of this “space” to “place”. In short, Urban Design here is a “Place Making Exercise”.
7.2 Elaboration
Public spaces tend to develop different activities due to involvement of various factors and participation of various
stakeholders over a period of time. These activities and functions are related to the immediate needs of those using such
spaces. These activities associate themselves with various local existing factors, and start developing patterns. When such a
pattern is accepted and practiced by many, it evolves into ‘culture’ (generally accepted and appreciated by all) over a period
of time, defining the space as ‘place’.
Urban Design here is to understand this notion of place making because of (& with the help of) locally developed cultural
environment and by enhancing the experiences of the same using tools of design and management, especially in the
present political context.
These patterns can be understood by noting down various key functions of such spaces (i.e. lakes and its edges, entrance
points etc) and the defining factors of the same, e.g. built, open, movement, color, food etc. Considering the scope of this
report, which is limited to the redevelopment of the Kankaria Lake Front; the nature of the lake is (both prior and post
redevelopment) public. The values attached to the urban design here lies in recognizing the different systems, that worked
independently and not as one entity, which became the most important reason in the decline of the image of this place (in
terms of congestion, hygiene, cleanliness, urban form, environmental quality etc.), and understanding the role authorities
and consultants played to bring it all together to re-create the image of this place. Also at the same time, understanding the
importance of political influence and the role politics can play in making of urban spaces becomes important.
Political influence becomes another major driving force towards the development of spaces like this. Public Places are the
best way to indulge general masses and make them aware of a political party’s influence and development strategies for the
public. It won’t be wrong if one says that these places become a way to promote political intentions and make a mark in
history, as development of these public spaces are the most visible form of development strategies. Also, creating a global
image for a public space which lies in the constituency of one of the most important political leaders would help in creating
not just local pride and image amongst the people of the city, but also for the political leaders involved. Hence Urban Design
also becomes a tool or medium to achieve such political intentions.
• The first stage looked towards instant solving of the problem, providing instant solutions, which might not have lasted
for ever. The parking conditions would have proved insufficient over the period of time and hence providing a few new
parking lots doesn’t actually solve the problem in the long run. Also, the overlapping of pedestrian and vehicular
activities wouldn’t have been avoided with this solution. Hence design solutions should be able to talk towards more
sustainable solutions rather than instant solutions.
• The second stage did take a few steps towards better social and economic conditions next to the lake, but allowing
vehicular access and working towards parking conditions would have made this project a herculean task to complete,
which would have again ended up into a short term solution.
• The third stage, promoting the public transport and linking it with Lakefront project, allowed a more better and
sustainable approach towards strategizing parking problems. Also, Kankaria Lakefront as a complete pedestrian zone
was a bold step, demoralizing private vehicle owners to visit this place. Addition of gates and entry fees, not just
converted the entire image of the place but also the way people used this space. Now it is a complete recreational
space, with social elements and gatherings of grand scale happening at frequent times of the year, than on a daily
basis. Still, on a daily basis, the spaces are extensively used by the locals and tourists visiting Kankaria or
surrounding facilities.
• This stage proved beneficial in binding the facilities, activities and architecture around the lake, thus becoming a focal
point of further developments (like kids’ city, balwatika etc.) rather than being just a separate renovation project.
This Urban Design project did help in realizing a few very important points towards making of public spaces, in today’s
context –
• Political will can definitely change the course of development towards making of such public spaces. It mutually helps
both governing bodies and public/stakeholders to create a positive image. Not just during implementing of the project,
but also in the years to come, a project like this becomes center of many cultural and political events, which is again,
beneficial not just for the image of the place (to keep it alive), but also to those who are in the continuous process of
maintaining this place.
• One important point to note and discuss here in the light of political influences is that whether this model of
development is actually a tool just to have political gains or it becomes a medium to enhance the social and cultural
conditions of the place as discussed in the above point. Well, in this case, providing and boosting moral of local
vendors by organizing and providing formal spaces to them, and not selling the same to international brands
(which are general trends of creating a global image) is one of the examples that points towards mutual benefit of
locals and the political intentions.
• Complete pedestrian/no vehicular areas are not just a concept now; rather this project is a living example of success
of transformed vehicular zones to complete pedestrian areas, without any negative impact on the economic or social
conditions of the place.
• It is high time that public places start realizing vendors and hawkers in the design procedures and consider them as
stakeholders, while designing guidelines for the development.
• Existing activities and patterns do develop into local culture of the place. Hence any redesign/redevelopment project
must be able to keep such factors in the picture. Understanding of such patterns starts looking at the redevelopment
as a process and not just as the end product to solve immediate problems.
• Subsequently, the projects that are developed nearby, starts becoming extension of this idea of enhancing cultural
qualities of the place rather than becoming over dominating and over shadowing these existing cultural aspects.
9. Bibliography
• Sundaram V., A Great Sant from Gujarat & Rajasthan : Sant Dadu Dayal, February 22,2010, Hindu Jagruti Samiti,
www.hindujaruti.org
• Hemigton James, Entry fees kills will to die, March 06, 2009, Ahmedabad Mirror
• TNN, AMC bags HUDCO award for Sabarmati Riverfront & Kankaria Lake Project, April 26, 2012, The Times of India
• Kumar Manish, ASI approves Kankaria Lakefront Development, November 07, 2009, The Times of India Ahmedabad
• Goyal Vikram, Vision Gujarat : Creating an Urban Landscape, April 23, 2011, Asian Voice
• Religious leaders visit mural at Kankaria, March 19, 2012, DNA India, www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad
• Jadav Ruturaj, Kankaria’s musical steps lost in development cacophony, November 23, 2010, Ahmedabad Mirror
• TNN, HC notices to AMC, ASI over new-look Kankaria Lake, September 17, 2009, The Times of India Ahmedabad
• PTI Ahmedabad, Kankaria Lakefront in Ahmedabad a big hit amongst Tourists, August 29, 2012, West News – India
Today
• PIL challenges Kankaria Fortification, entry fee, September 17, 2009, DNA Ahmedabad
• Concept Report Kankaria Lakefront Development, AMC, developed by HCPDPM Pvt. Ltd.,
• Ashwin, Mukul, Study of some surface water structures of medieval period of Gujarat: An Urban conservational
viewpoint major case study: Kankaria Tank, Ahmedabad, Unpublished thesis 1988, CEPT University.
• http://freekankaria.blogspot.in/
• http://narendramodi.in