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Exploring the Role of River as Seam within City Structure, Case of Gomti River
Precinct, Lucknow

Article · December 2011

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Venu Shree
National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur
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 29

Ar.Puneet Sharma
He is working as an Assistant Professor at
N.I.T. Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, India

Exploring the Role of River as He did his B. Architecture degree from the
Univ. Of VTU Belgaum Karnatka (India) and
Masters in Urban Design from SPA Delhi.
Seam within City Structure,
Case of Gomti River Precinct,
Lucknow

Ar. Puneet Sharma

Ar. Venu Shree

Ar. Venu Shree

She is an Assistant Professor at N.I.T.
Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, India

She received her B. Architecture degree from

B.B.D. Lucknow

Abstract
This paper is an attempt to define the role of rivers as seem in urban fabric. In
past, rivers used to shape the city structure but in the present scenario under
the pressure of urbanization rivers have lost their significance with respect to
city and its people. City needs public places and active natural recreation places
to cater new lifestyle and this need gives an opportunity of redefining the
interface between river and city. This research will be aiming at same by means
of creating active water front which joins with city as a successful public place.
This paper helps in developing an approach towards making rivers as heart
of city rather than an edge. In order to establish this hypothesis case of river
Gomti, Lucknow India, has been taken as research area.
Keywords :
Urban Fabric, Urbanization, Rivers, Active Water front.

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 30 Exploring the Role of River as Seam within City Structure, Case of Gomti River Precinct, Lucknow

Introduction
Lucknow, capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh situated on
Gomti river bank, is today an important educational,
trade, Commercial and administrative center. “Lucknow
is the region that is emphatically and wisely related to its
rivers, lakes, canals and waterfronts” (Simond J O).
Lucknow, in its past responded to River Gomti both in
terms of City structure and human relationship. River
Gomti is passing through the mid of the city and also
connects the major traffic routs. With growth of city, it
has neglected this vast natural resource which can be
seen as a potential for public recreational places. At
present Lucknow is left with few recreational public
Fig. 2 : Historical Structures along River Gomti
places which are neither integrated with city nor with
Gomti.
during Muslim, French and British were along river.
There are many magnificent monuments symbolizing
the glorious past of the city, the following are the better-
known monuments.
Bara Imambara :- Nawab Asifudollah built this historic
building in 1786.
Rumi Darwaja :- Just adjacent to the Imambara is an
imposing gate structure which when seen from the front
looks like a gate but in reality is a structure of several
storeys.
Chota Imambara :- This structure is famous for its
chandeliers and other artifacts.
Clock Tower and Picture Gallery :- The novelty of the
paintings lies in the fact that they all seem to be looking
directly at the viewer from every angle.
Residency :- This is the British settlement that was
Fig. 1 : Evolution of Lucknow city established following the annexation of Oudh and was
the site of the 1857 Mutiny.
Walking street along Hazratganj and newly opened
Sahara Mall are only Public places of active recreation. A
new way for exploring some kind of common interest like
public place will help in integrating the city. In present
context (at Global level) all developments are aiming
towards sustainable development and an approach
toward sustainability in development process of Gomti
River will not only be a move toward future but also set
an example for same kind of developments in India.

Historical Evolution
Lucknow is known for its rich history and culture –
manifest not just in its many magnificent monuments
but an intrinsic part of its lifestyle. During the course of
development after independence growth pattern has
shown back towards its life, River Gomti. City is divided in
two parts by river Gomti. Most of the old intervention Fig. 3 : Rumi Darwaza

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 Exploring the Role of River as Seam within City Structure, Case of Gomti River Precinct, Lucknow
City Structure Analysis
Movement network
Lucknow is well connected to all the major places in the
country as well as state by rail, air and road, due to which
there is continuous flow of passengers and travelers
throughout the year. It is an important railway station of
northern and northeast railway. Several State and
national highways converge into city, providing
connection of city from other cities. Three national
highways connect Lucknow with Delhi, Kanpur, Varanasi,
Agra, Allahabad, Gorakhpur and Jhansi. Lucknow is
connected by airways with Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and
Patna.
Fig. 4 : Road Network of Lucknow City
Image Structure and Activity Pattern
City of Lucknow has a radial structure hence there are
number of active points where city meets the river which
can be explored. Important historic/ institutional
precincts, large open areas, significant city connectors
give a vibrant river precinct in Lucknow which in turns
has a great potential as public place. River has got variety
Fig. 5 : Important city level activity Generators
31
Fig. 6 : View of Temple Fig. 7 : View of River Gomti
inside River Gomti
Fig. 8 : View of River Side Temple
of spaces around it like transport nodes, Vacant site,
Active and Dormant edges and Wide unused flood plain
which can be perceived as both Opportunity as well as
constrain.
River Precinct Study, Gomti River
Overview
River Gomati is considered as the daughter of Sage
Vashistha. One can get emancipated of all sins by taking a
holy bath in her water. After covering a distance of 35
miles, river Joknai merges into it, after which it becomes
broader. Many other small rivers too merge with it
subsequently. Gomati finally merges into river Ganges,
some 20 miles north of Varanasi.
Gomti River and Its Flood Plain
Gomti is subsidiary river of Ganga. Its total length is 640
k.m. Till lucknow its length is 290 k.m.Its length in
Lucknow is about 12km. Gauhgath is the main pumping
station for the city.
•The city varies in altitude from 106.5 to 122 meters.
•The highest flood level in the river Gomti is 113.2
meters recorded in 1960.
•River bund level is 114.4 meters.
•The flood level in the river Gomti was 106.56 meters
in 2003. Zero river level is 100 meters.
Constrains and Opportunities
•River as vast open space within city structure
•Historical precinct and views
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 32 Exploring the Role of River as Seam within City Structure, Case of Gomti River Precinct, Lucknow
Fig. 9 : Location of Gauge and discharge of River Gomti
•Number of religious structures along river side.
•Rare natural landscape lying for city and its people.
•Place for social attraction and public activities.
•An alternative to fast growing class specific
development.
•New ferry as per master plan opens up river to city.
SPANDREL, ISSUE 2, SPRING 2011
Urban Design Agenda
•Integrating city open space system with the river
and creating a recreational park system, through
which role of river can be redefined.
•Creation of public spaces and regenerating existing
natural resources all along river in order to
strengthen overall structure.
•River all along its length possesses different
character districts. Based upon that analysis, river
bank has been divided into different zones having
separate development strategies.
Among all these zones, zone C between Dali ganj Bridge
with Hanuman setu is most appropriate area where river
can act as seem while transforming huge open space into
a new public place for the city.
Character ZONES
River side is dominant with institutional and historical
precincts. Residential areas are plugged in between.
Presence of religious activity nodes and transport nodes
brings diversity in the overall character of river
precinct.
Fig. 10 : Urban Design Vision Along River Gomti
 Exploring the Role of River as Seam within City Structure, Case of Gomti River Precinct, Lucknow 33

Precinct.
•Connecting Dali ganj Bridge with Hanuman setu.
•Improving connection between city railway station
and city bus stand
Pedestrian connectivity
•Development of Heritage walks connecting
monuments with river Gomti.

Fig. 11 : Character Zones

•Development of promenade along river bank
connecting Daligangj Bridge with Hanuman setu.
Precinct Level Landmark •Improving connection between city bus stand and
CDRI.
Development of Structural plan
Activity generators

Fig. 12 : Residency Fig. 13 : Planetarium

Fig. 14 : Chattar Manjil

Inferences
•Area has number of landmarks which defines the
precinct
•Presence of historical buildings adds quality in
skyline
Fig. 15 : Concept Plan
•Presence of temples all along stretch gives an
opportunity for interaction with river
•There are number of nodes along river which can be •Enhancing the existing structures like Planetarium.
integrated •Connecting Daligangj Bridge with Hanuman setu.
•At present riverfront acts as play and parking place •Improving connection between city railway station
•Dhobi Ghats along river adds color to it. and city bus stand
Movement paths
Concept Development
•Integrating exhibition area with museum and
Vehicular connectivity
Planetarium.
•Connectivity of City railway station with river

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 34 Exploring the Role of River as Seam within City Structure, Case of Gomti River Precinct, Lucknow
Fig. 16 : Structure Plan
•Development of promenade along river bank
connecting Daligangj Bridge with Hanuman setu.
•Pedestrian domain all along shopping street.
•Introducing ferry between temples and exhibition
pavilions.
Strategies and Principles
•Increasing accessibility, mainly pedestrian in order
to reinforce riverfront integration with city.
•Introducing public places and recreational
activities along river bank.
•Introduction of informal market in order to have
active places.
•Introduction of water related activities and
reinforcing existing religious activities along river.
•Integrating and introducing new cultural activities in
river prescient.
Strategically located on the beautiful riverside this
Promenade will serve as a city level space. Clubbing of
the exhibition pavilion will ensure the viability of this
Fig. 17 : Detailed Structure Plan
SPANDREL, ISSUE 2, SPRING 2011
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development. Creation of a active park system with
activities like display area, water related sports, boating
in river and street side food courts and shops will make
this space one of the most visited public space in
Lucknow. By means of active recreation spaces along
river Banks River instead of acting as barriers will
transform into seam hence archiving the objective of
thesis. This transformation will add to river precinct a
great value without disturbing the existing historical
setting. Ecological sensitive pockets will also contribute
in sustainable development.
Fig. 18 : Detail Section along River Precinct
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