Professional Documents
Culture Documents
by
VINAY SHAH
at the .
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
February 1982
Certified by . . . . 0
Kj/ulian BeinajtjProfessor of Architecture
Thesis Supervisor
Accepted by . . . . . . . . . . . . .
UBRAMES
STREET DEVELOPMENTS: CASE OF AHMEDABAD, INDIA
by
VINAY SHAH
Submitted to the Department of Urban Studies and Planning
on February, 1982 in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degrees of
ABSTRACT
SHAH'
ACKNOWLEDGMENT CONTENTS
Though the necessity of planning for the popu- Appropriate urban development needs proper deve-
lation in relation to their socio-economic re- lopment policies, economic planning, transporta-
quirements has long been acknowledged, negligable tion facilities and so on which respond to the
efforts have been made to study the needs, needs of the society. The multi-use of streets
efficiency and deficiency of- the present modes in India is a good example of what a proper
of planning. In this era of rapid urbaniza- development policy must encompass.
tion the importance of understanding the needs,
developing design guidelines, and channeling' In India, as well as in some other countries
available resources in the proper direction can where a large portion of the country is in a semi-
hardly be unjustified. Immediate attention is arid arid climatic zone, streets have served
needed to stop the physical decay of the existing various purposes and functions to its population.
urban environment and ensure proper future 2
Processions occur in India characteristically
developments. strolling through the streets of the
city. Windows and doors of buildings open up
1
Twenty percent of India's population is concen- 1: Sain, M. - The Urban Poo&: ChandigaAh
2: Censu6 o6 India 3: 1bid
GROWTH OF URBANIZATION
Population of
Towns (mn.)
Class I 5.9 15.7 26.1 38.2 60.7
Class II 3.0 5.2 6.9 9.4 12.5
Class III 4.3 7.8 10.4 14.6 17.8
Class IV 5.7 7.2 8.8 10.3 12.4
Class V 5.3 6.8 8.2 5.7 5.2
Class VI 1.6 1.5 2.0 0.7 0.6
TOTAL 25.8 44.2 62.4 78.9 109.1
% of urban pop-
lation in
Class I 22.9 35.4 41.8 48.4 55.7
Class II 11.8 11.8 11.1 11.9 11.4
Class III 16.5 17.7 16.7 18.5 16.3
Class IV 22.1 16.3 14.0 13.0 11.3
Class V 20.4 15.4 13.2 7.2 4.7
ove Class VI 6.3 3.5 3.2 1.0 0.5
lion TOTAL 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
N
ReLigiou6 procesion-Chaiot
Ptoceu6ion- on the main avenue
o6 the city o6 Jaggannath Puri
(Top)
Photog9 aph: Da4a, B.
Commercial actLvitiae extend-
ing on a steet in Ahmedabad
(Bottom Le.t)
Photoghaph: Shah, V.
A dead-end .teet being ued
6o& sleeping in the old city
o6 Ahmedabad (BOttom Right)
Photog'Laph: Chavda, V.
~KJ -~f~W
c. Physicial Recent developments have eliminated these charac-
Physical planning of streets, which reflects teristics and functional segregation of the
the social and economic situation of the street to a large extent. The problems of
society, has an immediate impact on promoting contamination and chaotic transportation which
or discouraging a particular type of street func- surfaced have arrested the attention of planners
tion. The planning of streets is easily controlled of the 19th and 20th century that they
by laws. Design factors which affect the en- have failed to understand aspects of street
vironment of street layout are: planning, other than circulation and infrastruc-
1. Hierarchy ture.
- Functional sequence from commercial to
residential, the transition from public Under the present situation few intellectuals
to private spaces, from accessible to feel the need to step back into the past and
limited access streets, creates a borrow the wisdom of the ancient treatise of
hierarchical sequence. planning, the treatise which reveals tne art and
2. Spatial Shaft science of building cities.) However, any con-
- The three dimensional space created troversy of Ancient vs. Contemporary is not the
using the width of the street, facades major one in the present situation. Immediate
of the building, overhangs, the inter- attention is required to develop the appropriate
play of shadow and light, expansion and standards and planning manuals to suit the
contraction, stimulates the perception economic, social-cultural and physical conditions
of the users and promotes interaction of India.
between the user and his environment.
Climate plays an important role in the The objective of this study is to clarify the
user's interaction. relationship between the physical, social, and
3. Density economic environment and insure that the
- The number of users on a street is importance of tnis relationship is clearly known.
dependent on the density. Densely Since it is impossible to develop a primer for
built neighborhoods increase the use of design developments within the limited time
open space which is comparatively less and scope of this study, the focus is on street
than in a sparsely built neighborhood. development, witn a comparative study of tradi-
4. Services tional vs. contemporary street layout. The laws
- The level of services and the mode caosen are those that develop the hierarchy of
of providing them is not only indicated the streets, generate a street in three dimension,
in the physical environment of the 'and decide density and level of services in a
neighborhood, it bears the socio-
1: HavelU, E. - The Ancient and Mediaevat Architectume oJ India
economic influence.
5
neighbornood. The appropriateness of the laws
is being tested in the present socio-economic
situation. STANDARD OF LIVING INDICATORS
500
U.S.A. 5,160 2
U.S.S.R. 1,400 n.a.
600
*relates to Pakistan after
the creation of Bangladesh
400
200
1931 '21 '41 '61
6
MOHEN-JO-DARO
7
TAKSHA SHILA
TA ILA 11
-O f* Wf
u -
)L 0
7
Another example that throws light on the extent
to which the formation of ancient cities was
"institutionalized" through conscious planning
is the discoveries made after the excavation of
Taksha Shila, the university town. A series of
-7i
77I~
ii~ I~1~i
I!I~
Ii
If lI~~~i
I I I ~I.LL.i I
Typical division of a Vastlu-purushamandals into various
spheres.
1. Spheta of Brahma.
2. SphcreOf Daivika.
3. Sphere of Manushya.
4. Sphere of Paisacha.
The amalgamation of the two ethnic group-cultures, This method of division also corresponded to
followed by the successive invasions from the the hierarchy of various gods and finally to
north-east by the Shuks, Kushans and Turks leading the cosmic order; for instance, the central
up to the formation of the Mughul empire, had space in a town diagram was attributed to the
significant influence on the structure of the Brahma, the "ultimate," while the peripheral
cities. Planning norms responded to the socio- sections represent the lower gods.
economic structure that existed during the period.
The intermingling influence of different factors However, the symbolic representation of the
such as spiritual, physical, social reached such hierarchy--the social and religious order--
a complex stage that any effort to separate reli- became fixed in the forms laid out earlier.
gion from planning norms or planning norms from A dark skin Dravidian slave, Shudra, can not
social structure became impossible. rise up to a higher caste as was possible in
the Caste System originally. Although the
Vastu Shastras established not only the physical symbolic presentation of the logical principles
but the spatial, as well as socio-economic hier- is one of the reasons for the rigid social form
archy through the Caste System. The Caste Sys- existing today, Aryans can not be accused of
tem, which has implications even today, was generating the system in its present form.
devised by the Aryans to establish a hierarchy Aryans presented the arts and sciences through
by creation of socio-occupational groups. The symbolism and prescriptive methodology to pro-
group designations subsequently became personi- vide an abstraction to the masses who were not
fications of a ranking system, not only of the expected to intellectualize on the issue.
inhabitants of the settlements but also of
objects, including locations of city components.
9
The Caste System consisted of four divisions 1: Shah, V. - Ancient Ptanning Ptinciptes - India, PapeA
or Varnas which were, in the descending order 2: Ibid
12
10
RAJ MARG
MAHA MARG
RATHYA
VA M'
VITHI,MARG
A,
KSHUDRA MARG
'& _____
'(..~
Souitce: RIBA JouAnat 1966 Sow~c: 1~IA Jounct.~1966Sowkce: Berievoto,, L. - The Ok'Ligin6 o6 ModeAn Town PtnnLng
CHANGING TREND
industries, which began there, the production of
goods increased manyfold. For example, the
cotton industries produced 273,000,000 pounds
Tradition continued in the slow moving stature in 1872 in comparison to 3,800,000 in 1775.1
of the society until the introduction of a This drastic increased production, in turn,
new mode of living. The exposure given to increased trade, which was reflected in a higher
India by the British initiated a movement, demand on various services, particularly on
a movement of social change, which in turn communication's network in these countries.
created a physically dynamic society. This,
in turn, resulted in the adoption of new The invention of the locomotive, automobile
methods of planning. and other means of transportation had a major
influence on future planning. Many roads were
The roots of modern town planning in India replaced by turnpikes. Railroads were laid
lie in the social-political movement of the out connecting many industrial areas.:2 These
continent of Europe. For example, a town changes filtered through the British adminis-
llin medieval Europe changed its face so slowly tration in the Indian peninsula. The immediate
that at any point in time the town was static. impact of industrialization and the changing
The town was given a definitive architectural network of communication was felt by the
definition with sufficient margins to absorb industrial cities.
future growth in an era of slow moving reality.
The first to be affected was the economic
The method became less and less appropriate structure of these cities. Growing industri-
as the tempo of change became more rapid. The alization continued to influence the growth
changing political situation, dynamic social of Indian cities later on.
conditions, and proliferating industrialization
associated with the growing economy of the
cities required a new system of planning.
DEATHE (N A RAGE)
Been invited by the CommissionErs of Common
Sewers to take up his abode in Lambeth? or, from
what other villanous cause proceeds the frightful
Mortality by which we are surrounded?
In this Pent-House of the Metropolis, and
disgrace to the Nation, the main, thoroughfares
are still without Common Sewers, although the
Inhabitants have paid exorbitant Rates from time
immemorial IIl
- E seave. I ShaS
mob esmpens thu-dse .mue
e A"4 put i evesy honest hod. a whip,
- Te lah She saecals mkas throgh tSe werM."
Unless something be speedily done to allay
the growing discontent of the people, retributive
justice in her salutary vengeance will commence
her operations with the Lvansp-Iro* and the
Hart.
SALUS POPULL
Lus.ea, August, 1832.
A.W. PEEL, Printr... , ewCut. Lanhett.
A POSTER
stTtNJm R WII"
ssO
o146 ON|A .*cane COAL
A ~~ ~
DRAWINDSOWIN
ROOF~ GA
VRCOWIN
-- HM COSeLCA
GASMETSR
FEEDER ROAD
RESIDENTIAL ROAD
COLLECTOR ROAD
1: Benevoto, L. - The Oigins o6 Modexn Town Ptanning Source: Reddi, S. - Builtding Regutationz
Roads with lengths of more than 1500' have a
Hierarchy prescribed width of more than 35' when found
Rapid commercial growth had a devastating necessary by the local authorities.
influence on city development. Commerce became
the focus of growth. Transportation and sani- A road, if a continuation of an existing road,
tary facilities influenced the street layout. has to correspond in width. It also must ful-
to a large extent. Street planning became a fill the standard of width stated earlier.
technical and practical matter. The social Roads, their junctions, curves and corners
order, village structure, spatial hierarchy of the junctions should be as directed by local
and other traditional factors became unimportant authorities to maintain a smooth turning radius
in town planning. Technical aspects of infra- for vehicles and to allow wide angle vision at
structure and transportation influenced the the turns.
profession to such an extent that the movement
of social reform--changes in the social struc- A dead end street should have a 44' diameter
ture based on kinship and the Caste System-- circle at the end of the road to facilitate
hardly caught the attention of the planners. the turning of a vehicle. The requirement can
Streets were designed and designated for the be waived if the road is less that 150' in
capacity and function of handling traffic. length or dead end.plots have at least 30'
frontage over such a road.
Planning manuals today require that a city
be connected to other cities and towns via Segregation of different functions is imple-
highways, railroads, etc. Cities are directed mented by zoning bye-laws.
14
to have roads as follows: arterial road,
sub arterial road, major road, feeder road,
collector road, and residential road. The
width of large thoroughfares, arterial, sub Spatial Shaft
arterial, and major roads is decided by the A building is set back 15' from the front edge
city authority, depending upon the projected of the lot boundary leaving such elements as
need of the neighborhood. lamp posts and trees to create the three di-
mensional street. The width of a street is
The internal road in a layout must be 20' decided by its length, and the number of
wide, if less than 250' in length; 25', if less vehicles expected to pass through it in a
than 500'; 30' if less than 1,500' in length. day. The building code details the relationship
of length and width of a street.
The building heights are governed by a floor
space index. Thus most of the residential
buildings can go to the height of 35' without
using an elevator. A fire code restricts the
maximum height of the building to 100'.
Density
Administrative details and central control
became necessary to administer the large areas
of metropolitcan cities. Zoning laws and a
floor space index replaced the symbolic rep-
resentation, Vastu Purusha Mandala and other
such symbols. Laws, easy to administer with
central control, were preferred to guidelines
which required grass roots control to ensure
proper development and adequate services.
Town planning schemes were developed with
emphasis on administrative efficiency and
economic implementation.
15
Aerial Photograph - """
AHMEDABAD - 1940 num
r -- ia
% aill
POPULATION
TEMPERATURE
,SMHE. MONSOOlN.NIHTZ
46c
mthm
me 20a
4! HUMIDITY
X :c " J A WV I
RAIN
5.n0
- - CLIMATE
aim
love
l
ass
38 23 ISe
-. 4
4.
K --: -- 1 .
. -
,
e.- 4
~Ud
w
Al
a ML
it4
M~ lla~h
. *s.
Sou,%ce: Ahmedabad Municipat Coirpotation Plan
AHMEDABAD -1975
- s-
AIR
+.t
sv
putn
- ;T
'Zi
28
16
[i] l ED C LE] ED
Ol7JL
. 0 - -
U
-00000F=000l
ElCFl~lIElE]
0[71] 10 1[ LLEDE
F-00000r'lf7EI--l
rnrnmrnm I
LK1 L§~2&\
Ol i e0i
'-4. I fiil
-(i 1Ee
ncEevEr1
AHMEDABAD
pI'P
17
PATTERN - INCOME - DENSITY
I1COMES VERY LW
KEY
HIGH
LAM HEDIUM
HIDDU AND HIGH = JAW
1872 21,977 --
1881 22,552 + 2.62
1891 13,608 - 39.66
1901 13,094 - 3.78
1911 9,970 - 23.86
DATES 1921 11,301 + 13.35
-141L
1750 1931 19,135 + 33.93
_____1900
1941 11,276 - 25.50
1: Ahmedabad Gazateem
2: Census o6 India
3: Ahmedabad MunicipaL Corpoxation - Administ5ative Repost6 Source: Ahmedabad Municipal Cotpotation - Special Repoxts
The stable political situation of the 19th
-CHANGES -SOCIAL century and the prosperity brought about by
The prevailing social conditions and traditional increasing trade and industrialization loosened
social divisions at the time of the city's up the social ties to an extent. The British
establishment were reflected in the spatial enhanced the process by establishing a formal
pattern of the city. Muslims, being the ruling administrative structure (like courts and
class, stayed closer to the citadel and Hindus offices) thus weakening the grip of the guild
having strong affiliation to the caste system, on the society. The establishment of formal
developed residential neighborhoods popularly educational institutions, press, and other sucil
known as "Pol." This separation by community and organizations furthered the process of social
caste was furthered by grouping of families. The awareness. However, the society was not
ways of living, dress, religion all were reflected isatisfied with the new system of administra-
in the spatial pattern. Within the community, tion (although the growth of the city demanded
classes enjoyed social and domestic advantages the formation of a formal administration--hence
by adhering to their respective groups. the formation of the municipality to deal with
the issues of the city). Consequently, a council
The social structure has changed very little. was formed to deal with the immediate problems
When the municipality acted in the early 20th such as repair and maintenance of fort wall and
century to widen the streets, the displaced roads.2 The council still maintained the responsi-
18
residents preferred to move into other already sibility of presenting the citizens' priorities
dense parts of the city because of sentiment and to the British administration.
for reasons of security.
There were major recreational places such as
Guilds - Mahajan - of each caste attained a Hauj-E-Kutub (Kankaria Lake) and various parks
strong footnold in the closeknit communities in the city. However, in the former social
and exercised social control over the society. structure of the city where smaller community
Mahajan was responsible for such tasks ranging places were better utilized, the extensive
from the responsibility to represent the provision of amenities for a large group of the
community to the city administration, to mainte- public was never demanded. Daily services were
nance of hygenic conditions and the social envir- p.rovided by residents with mutual understanding
onment of the neighborhood. Individuals were and common effort. The growth of the city
not allowed to act in a fashion unacceptable to
the society at large.1
TRADITIONAL STREETS
The socio-occupational groups of the past and
the prevailing political situation formulated
the streets of the wall city Ahmedabad in its
present condition. It was unusual to have the
workplace away from one's living quarters in
those days. However, the marketplaces were
separated from the living places.
1:10000
1: Bhatt, P. - Ahmedabad in Time and Space Sowtce: Chavda, A.V. - Thesi., M.I.T. 1977
TRADITIONAL
PLAN - NEW CITY DEVELOPMENTS
CONTEMPORARY STREETS
The city of Ahmedabad, although an urban center
in its vicinity for more than four centuries,
started growing physically after the construction
of the first bridge over the river Sabarmati.
/6 As the migrants poured in from all directions
to the center city, the city population in-
creased at a very rapid rate; the citizens
occupying the center city started moving out
to suburbs which opened in the late 19th
centurv on the western bank of the river.
N 0oom
1:10000
21 22
SOCIAL ECONOMIC
LAKHA PATEL'S POL BRAHMIN SOCIETY' LAKHA PATEL'S POL BRAHMIN SOCIETY
Higher
Mode of Transport
Automobile 3 (3%)
Pedestrian/ 15 (15%)
Other
Area
MOTOR CAR
20,000 -
17,215
AUTO RICKSHAW
10,000 - 8,738
6,000 -
TRUCK
3,000
3,074
-
1,000 .
TAXI
534
50. -
BUS
409
TEMPO
250 342
i1947
i I
1951 I
1955 I
1961 1~I
1965 1 7
1971 I
1975
~
Souce: Ahmedabad MunicipaZ Cotpoutation, Tit~aAic Study Souxce: Vinay Shah, Fief-d Reseaxch
SOCIAL were enhanced by social situations and unstable
political conditions. A close community evolved
developing spaces for use by selected groups of
Composition people. The community places were developed for
The caste system has had a great deal of influence the use of the community within close proximity.
on the residential neighborhood which of late has
taken a more complex and rigid form. Though in- Organizations
creasing education levels, changing economic The system of "Mahajan" or guild system is dis-
structures and occupations have loosened these integrating since it does not carry any admini-
social ties, one still adheres to one's caste strative responsibilities such as maintenance
group to a large extent. For example, a pol of the streets and cleaning of public spaces.
named Lakha Patel's Pol after its developer who New organizations have developed to fulfill
was Patel by caste, is occuped by the majority new requirements surfacing in the present develop-
of the same community. Patels originally were ments. A selected administrative body of few
involved in agriculture. This particular pol has members is established to take care of the social
21
65% patel, 20% Brahmin, 10% Vaishys and 5% from function and services of the neighborhood. Though
other castes and religious groups. Thus each the whole neighborhood community does not parti-
neighborhood not only can be identified as Mus- cipate in the celebration of a birth or a marriage
lim, Hundus or Christian, but can also be identi- as per the tradition of the past, for example,
fied by the particular caste of its occupants the joy is however shared symbolically by distri-
also. buting sweetmeats throughout the neighborhood.
The neighborhood gathers to console the bereaved
Traditionally the King's Court allotted the lots family on the occasion of a death. The admini-
on the basis of an ancient system. Large plots strative body takes partial responsibilities for
were sold to various communities which in turn organization on such occasions.
subdivided the plots between the families of
the communities. Each family purchased the lot Youth organizations to organize youth activities,
to suit its needs and according to its economic various clubs to organize games and women's
ability to maintain the plot. This method en- associations to look after women's specific needs
couraged the development of a multi-family unit are too few to name in the recent development.
popularly known as "Khadki." An area so chosen
was subdivided with houses opening up on a small
dead end street. Because of a long relationship
with neighbors, the social ties were made strong-
er by the close spacing of dwellings. The ties
TRADITIONAL
plots from the society. In various societies
the range of the task covered by the administra-
tive body varies between organizing social
Composition events and taking care of administrative details.
The social organization of residential neigh- The occasion of a death is still one of the
borhoods today reflects the influence of tradi- most respected ones and each family of the
tions. Recently formed societies and co-opera- neighborhood is represented by a person in
tive organizations hold concepts similar to the gatherings for consoling the bereaved family.
Caste System, that of the old developments. Other occasions like birth and marriages are
Professors' colony, occupied by professors, becoming more and more personal. People of
Jain Hagar (township of Jains) occupied by the same community move away from each other
people who are Jain by religion, are just two and establish different societies in far-
examples which identify the prevailing system. spread sectors of the city, thus finding it
The society named Brahmin Society is mostly difficult to keep in touch on the frequent
occupied by Brahmins. The society has 80 per festive occasions. On the other hand the new
21
cent Brahmin occupants, 12 per cent Vaishya, structure of neighbors and social ties is
6 per cent Patel and 2 per cent other castes quite loose in comparison to the close knit
and religions. The occupancy pattern reveals system of the past.
a close similarity to the old city residential
pattern. Various clubs that enroll members, offer
recreational activities like card games,
The city authority has allowed developers to entertainment like movies, and services of
purchase large pieces of land for development food, have substituted small scale tradition-
which facilitatesthe citizens' action to al organization.
formulate co-operative housing societies. The
residents felt more comfortable with neighbors
of the same community, caste and religion.
This helped reconstruct old social ties. The
communal agitations of 19111and those of latter
dates enhanced segregation'by religion and
increased the community ties of the same group.
Organizations
A society forms an administrative body to take
care of such tasks as selling or purchasing of 1: Bombay Govemment - Speciat Repoxt6, Communat Riot6
CONTEMPORARY
Services
The old system of building drinking wells, places
of worship and other such similar services by a
combined communal effort is still alive. The
water supply is obviously taken care of by the
city administration but other than that, the
society has taken responsibility for the provisi-
on of recreational activities such as film shows,
folk dances and educational activities such as lib-
raries and evening schools for adults. The pol
also provides large utensils for feasts and decora-
tions for the various festivities. Thus a sense of
close-knit community is generated by sharing
feelings and participating in various activities.
TRADITIONAL
income group with 25 percent falling in the
Occupation very low income group. The cooperative socie-
22
:The changing economic situation of the urban ties generally formed by middle income groups,
area is reflected in the settlement pattern. represent a cross section of 35 percent in the
The old method of classification by occupation upper middle, 50 percent in the middle and
was outdated long before industrialization 5 percent in the low income groups. Data for
became a major force for urban growth. The the rest of the population is not available.
settlement reflects the new class of occupa-
tion -- that of the service man and laborer. Mode of Transport
A glance at a society, for example, the Brahmin Though most of the autovehicles of the city are
society, does not represent the intellectuals and used by the residents of these areas, the
administrators in the neighborhood as would have majority of the residents of the sector use
been the case in the past. This particular public transport and bicycles to commute to
22 work. A glance at the Brahmin society suggests
society has an occupation profile showing 55
percent servicemen, 25 percent businessmen, .that the majority of the population uses
22
10 percent household jobs and 10 percent in public transport to work. Three percent use
other occupations. automobiles, 25 percent motorbicycles and 15
percent use cycles. The remainder of the
The suburban societies are formed largely by working population use public transport to
the groups of people moving out of the old commute.
city, who are economically more mobile than many
old city residents. This is reflected in The residents, having established a stable
the overall economic pattern of the suburbs of income for taking care of daily needs and other
the city. necessities, look for other comforts and
services which the urban area has to offer.
Income
A large proportion of these neighborhoods are
middle and upper middle income groups. On an
average one finds less than 10 percent in
the higher income category earning more than
$1900 per month, 15 percent in the upper middle
income bracket earning less than $1900 but more
than $1000 per month. Thirty-five fall in the
middle income range and 15 percent in the lower
CONTEMPORARY
PART PLAN - OLD CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
PHYSICAL
Hierarchy
The set hierarchy of the streets established
beforehand, remained in the changing socioeconomic
situation. The streets in the walled city can
be broadly categorized in four ways:
(1) Thoroughfares: major streets which
run through the city in east-west and
north-south directions, connecting the
periphery to the city center, dividing
the city into various sectors;
(2) Commercial streets: these streets,
known as "Bazaars," markets, are concen-
trated in areas located in the center of
the city. Streets branch off from the
center which consists of religious places
and commercial areas, and penetrates dif-
ferent quarters, with stalls and shops
flanking both sidesof the street;
(3) Residential/Commercial streets: many
streets which are occupied are residences
by artisans and professionals have work-
A*- shops and shops on the ground floor to
produce and sell goods;
I Se(4) Residential streets: "pol," "khanc-
1:2500 ho," and "khadki' are the popular names
of residential streets. The streets, which
may be called residential neighborhoods,
contain houses, largely of one community.
Hierarchy
Besides having major highways and connectors
between the cities, the roads in the suburban
city can be categorized in three categories
at large. They are:
**
(1) Ring roads: roads of width 90'
120' circumnambulate the city. A Itl
series of these ring roads developed
and in the process of being developed
divide the city in various rings.
(2) Main roads: major roads, about
60' wide, divide the rings into various
I--
sectors. The roads in commercial zones
carry multi-story office buildings and
other public buildings like shopping
centers, European shops and other
corner stores. awl
CONTEMPORARY
accesses to the residential neighborhoods. Later the day. The combination of streets following
on, the entire residential neighborhood became the spatial hierarchy (expanding and contracting,
a "pol." creating a shaft which protects residents from
the hot and dusty winds of the summer) along with
Pols open up through entrance gates on the roads the courtvard houses, creates a ventilation
with widths of 12' to 24' and form a network of system for the dwellings.
circulation in a sector. The city is divided into
various sectors by a network of major roads, vary- The ancient system of deciding the height of a
ing in width from 18' to 32'. building and plinth is one of proportion. Height,
which was used in the past to express social
Spatial Shaft hierarchy, was restricted so that the average
Study of the physical organization of residenti- height of the buildings was two or three stories.
al neighborhoods reveals a typical spatial hier- The system of proportion prescribed earlier and
archy. The entrance gate segregates the public followed religiously created a continuing facade.
spaces, with roads connecting different sectors The plinths became a continuing and constant
of the city from the residential spaces. Resi- feature of the streets.
dential areas observe the hierarchy of semi-
public space--an open space which is usually loc- Density
ated near the entrance, to semi provate space-- The earlier residential developments, with 25
a street lined with houses, leading into a dwelling units per acre, grew denser because of
gradually increasing sense of privacy, termina- the popular demand for housing in close porximity
ting in a private space, either a shallow dead to work areas. Thus houses were divided and sub-
end street or a cul-de-sac. divided, increasing the density of residential
24 areas
to 50 units per acre. .At present, some
The physical hierarchy of the streets augments 240 people occupy one acre area. One will not
the spatial hierarchy since the width of the find any reference to density in the planning
streets narrows as one penetrates the inner manuals of the past. The size of the lot is also
parts of the pol. prescribed as a system of proportion rather than
a specific size or area lot. This gives an
The street sections of the pol narrows as the opportunity to everyone to build a house which
houses project into the street limiting the suits their needs and economic capability.
exposure of the street to sun. It is recommended
that a layout follow the cardinal direction to
ensure a combination of shade and sun throughout
TRADITIONAL
Spatial Shaft The orientation of a streets is in directions
There are more than 1400 co-operative societies which developers find economically most advan-
registered with the city authorities, which does tageous on their layouts.
not include the old city area.
Density
A study of the physical organization of a The size requirement for a lot housing a
co-operative housing society reveals a two dwelling which is 240 sq. yds. minimum, and
step spatial hierarchy with a distinct divi- the floor space index largely decide the den-
sion of public spaces and private spaces, 24 sity of developments. The density comes to
defined by the streets and lots. Semi-private an average of eight dwelling's per acre, accord-
space is a common plot--an open space--left ing to present laws. The majority of the
aside for general use in the layout of the population which falls in low, or very low
neighborhood. Thus the transition from public income groups thus has limited access to the
space to private is abrupt and generally direct. services which the city offers. The rural
migrants who migrated for economic reasons
The residential streets which are 30' to 40' can neither afford, nor are they willing to
wide with the 15' setback of the buildings pay, the high prices for a piece of real estate
from the property line create a shaft of space just to have access to the services.
60' to 70' wide. The purpose of the wide
street and bye-law for the margin in front of
the buildings allows easy circulation, fire
truck accessibility and flexibility for future
expansion of the width of the roads. City
authorities plant trees to keep the streets
shaded. Since the street is a public area,
the residents feel very little for its condi-
tion, whatever that may be. This planting of
trees demands a huge amount of investment and
expenditure for maintenance in this semi arid
climate. The inability of the city authorities
to maintain this vegetation and neglect by
the residents have resulted in the failure of
the program.
CONTEMPORARY
PLAN - LAKHA PATEL'S POL
Caste
Number of Percent- Occupa- Number of Percent-
Members age tion Members age
UP I
U
If'
t I
IL I
I
Naxvow and cLooked 6tieet in the waited city neighboxhood
1:1000
oA Ahmedabad
NegLected zteet in xecent MiddLe Income Co-Op development Sou/Lce: Ahmedabad Municipat Coipoation
o6 Ahmedabad
CONTEMPORARY
Photogxaph: Chavda, V.
Services collection. Most walkways are not introduced
The high density development which occurred when alongside tne narrow streets and are kept to a
the city limits were within walking distance are minimum in other streets to allow the maximum
part of the problems of services and utility possible width for vehicular movement. The city
today. Utilities were hardly mentioned in the authorities supply electicity to each registered
planning manuals of the past. Methods for dweller on payment of a service charge and inst-
ensuring a proper level of utilities for a allation fees. Street lighting is a municipal
small number of people were vaguely presented responsibility within the city limits.
in the manuals. For example, a site with a
grade of north/northeast was preferred due to
the wind movement in that area and to insure
adequate storm-water-drainage by means of a
surface drain.
TRADITIONAL
Services
New residential developments, which must go
through administrative procedure to procure
approval of the city authority after laying
out infrastructure, have adequate levels of
services. Paved roads, drainage, water supply,
street lighting and such services are provided
before the occupancy of the dwellings.
However, the developer can take advantage of
the laws allowing him to gradually develop the
services such as paved roads. Drainage and
water supply are a must before one occupies
a building.
CONTEMPORARY
A SECTOR - JAIPUR A SECTOR - CHANDIGARH
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Souice: Reddi, S - Building Regutations
Do.6hi, B.
A great deal of consideration is demanded by brick and concrete constructions. It is ob-
the complex transportation situation which exists served that dead end streets are better for
today as a result of the urban rural environment control and have a reduced crime rate.
of the cities in India, where everybody has
suitable transport available. (This ranges Though it is difficult to assert the degree to
from pedestrians, bicyclists to double decker which mixuse developments are appropriate, the
buses and trucks.) Everone has acknowledged traditional method of mixing residential develop-
the importance of segregation of traffic move- ments with non-residential developments at
ment, but no one has proposed a reasonable appropriate places needs a serious consideration.
solution. Each residential street in the old Dwellings are combined with workshops and shops
city neighborhood has a very limited number in the old city development. This has reduced
of thorough fares. Most of the residential the commuting distance, inturn commuting time,
streets are dead end streets, which means that giving some leisure time to the residents
strangers do not come to the neighborhood and resulting in some street activity. The distance
traffic is limited to thorough fares. Look- of work place has played an important role in
ing at the number of pedestrians on the street the street development and its use by reducing
one feels the necessity for considering their or increasing traffic on the streets, too.
"domain." With about 500,000 bicycles and
about 20,000 private automobiles in the streets Religious institutions play their part in
of Ahmedabad, one definately should question increasing communication between residents. A
the appropriateness of present street planning. temple or a mosque in a neighborhood provides
One should think in terms of streets for a common place to meet, discuss and voice their
slow moving vehicles and streets with limited needs and demands. An easily accessible location
vehicular access. of such institutions is desired.
NEW DELHI
1:2500
L
A. Portion of Tanjore Fort. The Municipal Council's proposals for the
relief of congestion. Cost about Rs30,000.ScaleI an. equals 100feet. I
.
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ep"ape.
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e aceere
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O sa. .. s ed nb.c opesspu
,es
THE INDIAN TEXTILE JOURNAL - THE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY OF INDIA, 6 VOLS. SHAH, V.
Cambridge, 1922.
- VARIOUS ARTICLES, 1890-1965. - THE INDUS CIVILIZATION (SUPPLEMENT CHI). - ANCIENT PLANNING PRINCIPLES - INDIA. Unpublished
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paper - MIT 1980.
JHOTE, R.
NANDDAS, H. SHANKERIAL, A.
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SRINIVAS, M.
PATEL, N.
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LINTON, B. 1924.
- INDIA'S POLITICAL SYSTEM. Englewood Cliffs,
1967. TALATI, A.J.
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PIGOTT, S. -
MAGANLAL, V. SOUVENIR VOLUME. Ahmedabad, 1968.
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Ahmedabad, 1851. In Gujarati.
PRAN NATH - STATISTICAL OUTLINE OF INDIA. Bombay, 1975.
MAJMUDAR, M.
- A STUDY IN THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF ANCIENT TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ORGANIZATION
INDIA. London, 1929.
- CULTURAL HISTORY OF GUJARAT. Bombay, 1965.
- TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING IN INDIA. New Delhi,
RAMRAZ 1962.
MAJUMDAR, R.
- ESSAYS ON ARCHITECTURE OF HINDUS. Varanasi, TURNER, R.
- ADVANCED HISTORY OF INDIA, 2ND. ED. London,
1972.
1950.
- CORPORATE LIFE IN ANCIENT INDIA, 2ND. ED. - INDIA'S URBAN FUTURE. Berkeley, 1962.
RICE, A.
Poona, 1922.
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- PRODUCTIVITY AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATION: THE
London, 1948. ABMEDABAD EXPERIMENT. London, 1958. - PATRICK GEDDAS IN INDIA. London, 1947.