An Investigation into the Transition of Human Settlements in the Himalayan RegionIntroduction The mighty Himalayas tise beyond the Indo-Gangetic plain of Northern India, extending through the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to. Northeast India, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. Himalyas are the youngest mountain range in the world today. The birth of the range is credited to the tectonic movement of the earth's plates. This entire range of the Himalayan Mountains serves as home to more than 0 million people, with another 450 million settled at the base of it. And this entire population flourishes on the resources that flow from the Himalayas. Principles of Human settlements Natural Attributes Cultural Attributes -Landform/Topography | Religion — -Private spaces -Vegetation and Water -Trade and Commerce = -Institutions -Climate -Traditions and customs ~Public open spaces Geographical Setting: Prospect and Refuge Identity: Sense of place Actual crest: Forest itary cro: Sttamant Vale: Sut roee Kalpa: Hill and valley Kibber: Cultural continuity Greetanaagicutral tne Grassland/Agrcutral lard Seterners " thoughts Kibber: Highlands 4 Vatey: Spit ver Kapa: Imageabilty ‘Tabo: River basin Place Structure of the settlements Kalpa Tabo Himalayas in Transition Change is evident! In the recent years; these villages have suffered trernendous pressure from globalization. Agents of Transition: Tourism, Cilmate change, People aspirations, Technology, Ad-hoc urbanisation, Connectivity Course Methodology Lectures Introduction to course and the Himalayan region Course Objectives: To decode the structure of the studied villages in terms of site planning principles along with understanding the Transitions that are taking place. Heritage Walk “Understanding Mehrauli as © settlement using site planning principles Course Schedule: SPA Delhi: Introduction to the course which outlined the basic site planning principles and agents of transitions, Lecture on Kathmandu Valley by Ashim Kumar Manna and Sheeba Amir that showed an exemple of practical field work and the process of analysing the urban. and ecological transformations. Field Investigations “Site study, Analytical ketch ing, publie engagement and ‘group discussions Prof. Arunava Dasgupta shared his experience regarding working in himalayan villages, this was to give an exposure about the actual conditions to form an idea. before leaving for the site visits. Workshops “Formation of narratives as per field investigations Route Map 6 Vilges Covered under the Courte Prot Arunava Desgupts Hoel of Urban Design Department SPA Delhi CEPT. UNIVERSITY Sol Maiti] Harsh Patel || Satyajit Mal Cultural Landscape Spatial Organisation: Kaloa Monastery: Religious Complex as Public AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE TRANSITION OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS IN THE HIMALAYAN REGION Wile Kibber: Relationship with streets- Institutional Kalpa Gita complex: Orienting towards Kinnear Kailash Kibber Tornetong Aspiration Induced: Kalpa Heritage core Rapid Urbanisation: Shimla Mehrauli Arheological Park: Next was a nature cum heritage walk at Mehrauli and exhibition by Prof. Manu Mahajan. The attempt was to exoose the participants to the role of ecology in shaping of settlements. Field Investigations: The students were divided into groups of six to study socio-cultural aspects and its physical manifestation- Open Spaces and Water, Streets, Markets, Religious structures and Civic Amenities. The study was majorly done through these lenses and using tools like cognitive mapping, plans, sections sketches, interviews and photographs taken by students. Hentage wal t Metal and exibition by Pot. Maru Manan SPA This exhibition concludes this 13 day programme that gives an overall idea about the places visited and inferences are drawn to begin a dialogue. Sohini Mati Var Patel -Coure Invedution Field Invetigetions