COMPARING CORE AND THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY

Venktesh Bhagat
2022MUD006

As I completed my bachelor’s degree, first though that came in my mind as every fresher
where will I work for my initial career. Pune was always close to my heart because it was
where I spend 5 years completing my bachelor’s degree. So, I decided to come back where it
all started. Pleasant weather, a beautiful city, and warm people – you are sure to fall in love
with Pune.
After completing my thesis, I came back to pune, stayed at my relative’s place and
started looking for a job. I gave interview at an architectural firm which was situated in the
core of the city and after one week I got selected for the same. I was fascinated about my
first job. The place where I used to stay was a part of expansion on the outskirts of pune so,
I used to travel all the way from outskirts of the city to the older core part of the city. In a
working day I nearly had experience of visiting another city.
The place where I used to stay had a different taste in food and culture. It was later on
developed in late 2000’s area on the outskirts. The area mostly housed by the migrants of
the city came to pune seeking for jobs in IT sector. People living here were working around
the clock to make their earning. Every morning everyone rushes on the roads to get to their
workplaces. City grew differently on the outskirts. There was chaos everywhere, people
rushing on roads, hawkers near IT parks, everything was on the go. People had diverse
choice of culture here, being came from different parts of India almost every festival was
celebrated. One may also discover traditional food from many states here.
While I travelled from my home to my workplace, I noticed a major change in lifestyle of
people living nearby. Pune being ruled by Peshwa’s in the history, still have the essence of
Peshwa culture in the city. In the core city Aali were formed by the peshwa’s. (Aali basically
means a lane), which was housed by people by types of their occupation. While travelling
through those lanes one may easily recognize where he is standing. While roaming around
these lanes I felt I was in the peshwa era. It was chaotic but peaceful. Residents here had a
lazy and slow lifestyle. Being core of city, it reassembles a strong character for itself. I could
see people doing chores at their own pace. Core city mainly houses bramhins, which created
a different character for the city.
I could still see people living in wada built by their ancestors, two-three generation back.
Out of curiosity, once I visited a family living in a wada. It was typical maratha architecture
style big wada and I was surprised to find out climate inside was relatively cooler than the
outside. It was built in traditional style with stone and lime paste. It was still standing strong
than the newer constructions nearby. Being dominated by the bramhins, Ganesh ustav is
widely celebrated in core city. Once I had a chance to participate in celebration during my
college days, I participated in a Dhol Pathak (Band) the aura and energy of everyone was on
different level. The festival brings close everyone from younger to older. I could feel the
tradition being run through the history.
 While travelling to my workplace I had to cross a river which divided outskirts from the
core city. Travelling from highway to a small lane there was diversity in connectivity to get
to my workplace. These lanes strongly resemble the essence of the old city. Roaming around
JM road or FC road, it being the main connectivity of the core city feels vibrant. FC road,
housing iconic Fergusson college attracts many students to the road. Whenever I pass
through JM road, I stop for a while to enjoy its peacefulness. Its so well developed that even
running on full capacity it feels safe to walk on street for pedestrians. My workplace was in
model colony area which had a very peaceful climate around the day. Many times during
the monsoon I used to sit on terrace with my colleagues to enjoy the day.
During my office days I was working on metro project of the pune city which showed me
growing image of the city. The metro line was so well planned, connecting the city from all
sides. Pune metro project is always close to my heart, it gave me chance to see the city with
a urban designers perspective.
One thing I noticed about outskirts is that they were well planned than the core city.
Connectivity and roads networks were in better condition than the core. One may not get
lost in the outskirts than the core city. While returning to my home from office I sense a new
city growing and seeking way through the history. Outskirts tends to be modern in nature
and somewhere I feel in outskirts, the essence of the city is losing.