STUDIO PROGRAMME

July 2023
Faculty of Architecture, Dayalbagh Educational Institute
Community Inclusive- Urban Design and Development Studio Programme in the
Tajganj, Agra

Introduction

“Development” has different meanings to different people. For sustainable development, it is most crucial
to understand the ways in which development is inclusive and relevant to its people. Detachment of its
people from the Development is a conflicting issue across the globe, which disconnects the city from its
social landscape by adopting a myopic and fragmented approach, hampering its longevity. The “top-
down” approach towards city development need to be superseded by more “participatory and inclusive
approach” to nurture positive relationships between people and the urban fabric; thereby exposing the
existing social processes of caring for urban spaces and the city.

Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, is a global tourist destination, and offers huge potential for developing a strong
and broad-based tourism-centric city economy. Conservation and development of the Taj Mahal is seen
as the key city priority with high inflow of investments from all sectors concentrated around the
monument with no connection to its surroundings, which has restrained the development of the area
around and the city as a whole. The road-blocks to realizing the potential includes lack of inclusive and
integrated approach to urban conservation, excluding its “receptors” i.e. the community in the
development process.

Taj Mahal is integral to its surroundings- river, the green buffer and the historic neighborhood of Taj Ganj
with its people. Taj Mahal was part of the larger complex which includes the Taj Ganj, comprising of the 4
katras and several small settlements around. Thus, Taj Ganj serves as an important historic setting for the
Taj Mahal and should therefore be recognized as an urban heritage precinct in its own right, woven with
its community. There have been limited attempts in the past to see Taj and its environs as one integrated
living site for inclusive development.
Studio Programme:

Objective
The objective of the Studio Programme will be to focus
on inclusive development of Taj Ganj as a living cultural
site integrated with the Taj Mahal.

About the Studio Programme

In order to achieve this, an inclusive approach would be
needed that will combine responsive architectural
intervention with strong understanding of the people and
the spaces. Therefore, a comprehensive urban design and
development studio programme will be required to
ensure overall aesthetic, environmental and socio-
economic development of Tajganj.
The studio programme will include:
• Profiling and mapping of the tangible and intangible cultural assets of Tajganj,
• Social mapping of urban spaces as a tool for participatory planning and inclusive place making.
• Identification of key urban development issues affecting the residents of the neighborhood.
• Macro and micro design proposals for Taj Ganj - Design of community spaces, children friendly
street design, heritage walks, street as a space for crafts demonstrations, reclaiming open spaces,
accessibility to
• Community sharing workshop in Agra of the final outcomes of the studio programme with City
Officials as a means to integrate in the on-going city development agenda.
Learning Outcomes
• Develop the insight of the students to look at historic neighborhoods as dynamic evolving living
urban spaces through morphological mapping
• Understand and develop participatory tools to engage with community
• Create and design spaces through place making in context to surrounding neighborhood.