DEPARTMENT OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE - NEW DELHI

URBAN AND REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

ASSIGNMENT 01

CITY STUDY

PONNANI,MALAPPURAM,KERALA

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Amith Krishnan (LA -700) Mr. Ankur Jyoti

INTRODUCTION TO PONNANI
Ponnani is a municipality in Ponnani Taluk, Malappuram District, in the state of Kerala, India. It serves as the
administrative center of the Taluk and Block Panchayat of the same name. It is situated at the estuary
of Bharatappuzha (River Ponnani), on its southern bank, and is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and a
series of brackish lagoons in the south.

CULTURE
Ponnani also knows as the Mecca of Malabar is a Muslim
majority town but people with various religious and cultural
background lives peacefully and harmoniously. The current
importance is due the Valiya Jima Mazjid where the Muslim
religious education was slatted.
LIFESTYLE
Life in Punnani 'evolves around the Arabian Sea and &
Bharatha puzha. The main occupation is fishing and selling
fish in the market The old practice of pottery making and
coir making are now at the verge of extinction. The
'Marumakkathai* system of marriage is still followed by
many families.
HISTORY OF PONNANI
Ponnani had a glorious past of export and trade. It was the
satellite town of Muziris. It had trade links with many strong
empires such as the Romans, the British and the Dutch, with
the export of coir, pepper, tobacco, ginger, matchboxes and
various coconut products

Location and connectivity: Source - (Town planning

department Malappuram)
 SETTLEMENT AND ECOLOGICAL. EVOLUTION
700 BC
The land was part of the forest cover of Western Ghats.
Settlement started along the fertile Bharathapuzha basin
and along the coast of Arabian sea.

300 BC
The settlement started on the western side, due to the
availability of potable water. Since the water is muddy in
eastern side it was used for agriculture. Aryans came to
Ponnani, agriculture flourished.

600 AD
Ponnani became a major trade hub under Chera rule. Arabs
made constant trade with Cheras and settled near the then
port.

1850 AD
Tipu Sultan road was build and streets developed. Canolly
canal was build by British, coir and pottery industry
flourished around it. Later roadways became major mode
of transportation, streets developed along the roads.

PRESENT
By the construction of new NH 66 which Intersects with the
Palakkad Ponnanl road, many commercial establishments
are coming up along these roads. The construction of
hospitals and college also led to commercial development
in Ponnani. The construction of new harbor also led to
industrial development in Ponnani. The construction of
karma road also led to development in Ponnani.

Location and connectivity: Source - (Town planning

department Malappuram)
CHARACTER OF THE CITY
 MUSLIM CONCENTRATED AREA AROUND VALIYA
JUMA MASJID
Mainly two types of traditional houses are found here.
One is a typical Muslim tharavadu house. These
houses are typical courtyard houses that exhibit Hindu
architecture and are believed to have been originally
inhabited by Hindu disciples of the ZamorIn. These
houses have a 'Paidpura' entrance and are surrounded
by high compound walls that have windows. These
houses belonged to traditional Muslim families that
follow the Marumakkathayam tradition and have
separate Living rooms, courtyards, wells and bed-
rooms for each family.

DENSELY POPULATED FISHERMEN AREA

This area lies along the sea shore and comprises mostly of fishermen community. This area is a fully residential
area and has a dense Muslim population. It has a fine grain even texture and is the densest part of the town.
01. ENCLOSURE SPACES
Within the different settlements different types of semi public enclosure spaces can be seen.
These are community spaces found within the fishermen settlements. An open space within the
community Surrounded by houses is used as a gathering area.
02. OLD MARKET AREA ALONG
This area comprises mostly of Commercial buildings and is the oldest 'Angadi. of Ponnani. All the
buildings here have a traditional architectural style and consist of two floors. Being located near the
CAnolly canal these buildings held the active trade in the area importing and exporting local produce.
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