MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE

Dissertation (July – November 2018)

PHASE - I

URBAN ACUPUNCTURE
For Transforming Indian Towns

R. INDUJA
M. ARCH (General)
Reg. no. 311317566009 I Batch 2017-2019
MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE DISSERTATION 2018

Abstract

The dissertation is a study about how small and precise architectural

interventions can act as a catalyst to bring major urban transformation.
“Urban acupuncture as a series of small-scale highly focused interventions that have
the capacity to regenerate or to begin a regeneration process in Dead or damaged
spaces and their surroundings” - Jaime Lerner (2003).

Key words: Urban Acupuncture, Catalyst, Transformations

Background study:

Jaime Lerner, Architect cum Urban Planner and the former mayor
of Curitiba, suggests urban acupuncture as the future solution for
contemporary urban issues; by focusing on very narrow pressure points in
cities, can initiate positive ripple effects for the greater society. Urban
acupuncture reclaims the ownership of land to the public and emphasizes
the importance of community development through small interventions in
design of cities. It involves pinpointed interventions that can be
accomplished quickly to release energy and create a positive ripple effect.

Introduction

While dealing with the impacts of growth on a city, it faces urban

issues, and has urban voids which need to be regenerated. So going
through various texts on urban intervention and regeneration, came
across a dynamic concept of urban acupuncture.

Old city fabrics are complex and hard to intervene or change them
completely, but can approach with certain aspects of them to trigger
chain reactions by introduction an urban catalyst. This catalyst may be a
part of a holistic scheme or government program/policy and serve as a
source of creating energy while the whole system takes shape.

“URBAN ACUPUNCTURE” R. INDUJA

FOR TRANSFORMING INDIAN TOWNS 311317566009
MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE DISSERTATION 2018

There are four urban functions targeted as acupuncture points:

transportation, habitable places, recreation/entertainment and
recycling,.

This dissertation investigates Indian urban programs in relation to

urban acupuncture, and understands issues in existing town Ponneri
(Thiruvallur dt, Tamilnadu) and proposing guidelines. This method is
seen as a response to the time consuming urban planning process,
Intention is to create quick and effective design solutions.

Aim

 The aim is an attempt to abstract knowledge about the new

concept of urban acupuncture, its principles and thus relating to
Indian context.
 It further proceeds on to the understanding of urban issues for
smaller Indian town Ponneri in order to revitalize the urban
neighborhood.
 It aims to reveal the benefits and challenges of the new approach.
 This knowledge sets out a guideline for future urban acupuncture
projects for smaller towns in India.

Objective

 The objective is to understand principles and vision of the concept

Urban Acupuncture.
 Relate them to Indian Urban theories and Urban policies that have
led to transformation.
 To understand situations and its precise small time bound
solutions.
o Community level approach ( bottom-up)
o Town level approach (top-bottom)
 To try and identify the Challenges in intervening, while trying to
bring in urban acupuncture into the existing Indian fabric. Selection
of a sample study Ponneri town and understand its issues and
proposing Guidelines based on it.

“URBAN ACUPUNCTURE” R. INDUJA

FOR TRANSFORMING INDIAN TOWNS 311317566009
MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE DISSERTATION 2018

Research Question

“How can the theory of Urban Acupuncture be successfully

applied in order to revitalize small Indian town?”

Sub Questions

1. What are the principles of urban acupuncture? What is the

vision for the theory according to three pioneers?
(Jamie Lerner, Marco Casagrande, Manuel de Sola)

2. What are the various Indian Urban theories that relate with the
concept of urban acupuncture?

3. How has urban acupuncture been applied from a top-down

initiative in order to revitalize an urban area? (Case study)

4. How has urban acupuncture been applied from a bottom-up

initiative in order to revitalize an urban area? (Case study)

5. What are the existing Indian urban policies / programs that can
be used to urban acupuncture?

6. What are the benefits and challenges that exist in order to

successfully apply urban acupuncture in Indian town?

“URBAN ACUPUNCTURE” R. INDUJA

FOR TRANSFORMING INDIAN TOWNS 311317566009
MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE DISSERTATION 2018

Methodology

PHASE 1

How can the theory of Urban Acupuncture be successfully applied in

order to revitalize small Indian town?
Part 1 Part 2
Theoretical approach Analytical approach

Literature study Net Case study

Research papers Books Top down Bottom up

1. Urban acupuncture SWEDEN NETHERLANDS

1. Urban Acupuncture: An
Alternative principles  Malmo  Amsterdam.
 Rosengard.
2. Intermodal Nodes 2. Urban theories –
between Urban acupuncture redevelopment
Theory and Practice
3. Urban policies and
3. Healing Neighborhoods programs in India –
through Urban Acupuncture Analysis & Inference
AMRUT, HRIDAY etc.
from case studies

Framing draft guidelines for India Comparing Theory and Practice

Sampling approach
Sample study – Part 3
To understand issues in a
town level (taking in case of
PONNERI)

Applications of the lessons

learnt - “Final draft
Guidelines for urban
acupuncture in Indian
towns”

“URBAN ACUPUNCTURE” R. INDUJA

FOR TRANSFORMING INDIAN TOWNS 311317566009
MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE DISSERTATION 2018

Scope

To consolidate the urban concept followed abroad and relating it to

Indian context.
Understanding Urban issues of the sample study area Ponneri at
macro level.
The scope is to frame guidelines using lessons learnt from study for
transforming Indian towns under the urban acupuncture concept.

Limitation

Micro level Understanding Urban issues for the study area cannot be
done. Application of the guidelines or macro/micro proposals might not be
included as a part of this dissertation.

Case study

The two case studies which represent top-down case within Sweden are
located in Malmo, Rosengard.
The two case studies which represent bottom-up within Netherlands are
located in Amsterdam.

Sample study - Ponneri

Bibliography
Books:
1. Urban Acupuncture - Jaime Lerner (Island Press, 2014)
2. Healing Neighborhoods through Urban Acupuncture (2012) - Pascaris,
Jonathan P.

Articles:

1. Informal Settlements and Affordable Housing 2009 - Urban

Acupuncture: An Alternative - Triatno Yudo Harjoko
2. The New Urban Acupuncture: Intermodal Nodes between Theory and
Practice - Aleksandra Stupar, Vladimir Savcic

“URBAN ACUPUNCTURE” R. INDUJA

FOR TRANSFORMING INDIAN TOWNS 311317566009