Fusion of Traditional and Modern

Principles of Design for Public Spaces of

Indian Cities
Gaurav Gangwar , Asstt Prof, M.Arch
Chandigarh College of Architecture
Defining Public Spaces :
Public spaces are defined as state owned ? , free access open spaces to the
all city resident without prejudices of caste ,religion , sex ,economic ,social ,
cultural differences in democratic countries.

Pomidou centre by Renzo Piano

 Significance of Public Spaces :
Public Spaces are symbolic existence and center or focus on city. These
spaces are used for various activities and act as social or cultural nodes of
city. Urban public spaces can be defined as elements of urban fabric which
bind together the other components of city and reinforce the urban fabric.
 Types of Public Spaces :
Public spaces : streets

Hosier Lane in Melbourne, Australia.

The streets of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Types of Public Spaces :
Public space : Parks

Central Park , New York

 Types of Public Spaces :
Public space : Public square

Naqsh-e Jahan Square, in Isfahan, an example

of Iranian Squares known as maydan
Large dance in public square , China
 Historical Background : WESTERN CIVILIZATION : GREEK AND ROMAN
The public spaces were very important features in western ancient
civilization. The most well know example of public space could be traced
back as Public Square called “Agora” in Greek Civilization.

Colosseum ,Rome
“Agora” in Greek
 Middle Ages
During the middle Ages, public spaces were focused around the religions
buildings such as church, civic buildings and market places etc

Piazza del Campo is the principal public space of

the historic center of Siena, Italy.
INDIAN CONTEXT : MOHENJO-DARO AND HARAPPA , Temple Architecture

Great Bath at Mohenjodaro

Virupaksha temple Courtyard, Hampi Karnataka

The statement by John Ruskin that “The measure of a great
civilization is in its cities and the measure of a city’s greatness
is to be found in the quality of its public spaces, its parks, its
squares.”
India is having very heterogeneous population based on age,
income, religion and other factors ,to design the public space to
fulfill the needs of such heterogeneous population is challenge
in itself .

The more rapid urban growth in past two decades and

globalization has changed the whole scenario, the people
have moved from public to more private spaces and rise of
gated community is perfect example for it.
City for People or Vehicle
There is need to understand that city
should not be designed for vehicle but it
should be design for people , people
centric approach might lead to good
design of public spaces in future .
CRITERIA’S FOR PUBLIC SPACES IN INDIAN CITIES:
NEED AND IMPORTANCE: The policy makers of cities had recognized the
importance of public spaces in cities but these are neglected by planners and
urban development authorities due to economics and space constraints in city.
The public authorities are not able to understand the need of public is modern
context due to lack of participation of public at design stage , it is seen that
users are not able to relate to these public spaces later on as these are not
able to fulfill the needs of people .
CRITERIA’S FOR PUBLIC SPACES IN INDIAN CITIES:

IDENITY : The public spaces are responsible for iconic image of city and
most of time the planners, urban designer and policy makers neglect the
socio cultural identity of city, these authorities think that modernization
means that away from the culture and adopting the model of western
civilization for public spaces
CRITERIA’S FOR PUBLIC SPACES IN INDIAN CITIES:

ACTIVITES: : There could be three broad categories of public spaces on the

basis of activities, necessary activities, optional activities and social
activities.
CRITERIA’S FOR PUBLIC SPACES IN INDIAN CITIES:

MULTI PURPOSE ACTIVITIES :

Manek chowk ,Ahemedabad

CRITERIA’S FOR PUBLIC SPACES IN INDIAN CITIES:

SAFETY AND SECURITY IN PUBLIC SPACES:

Fusion of Traditional and Modern Principles of Design :
The Open Mall – City Centre – Salt Lake, Kolkata by Charles Correa

He has given identity to this Mall

by mixing the modern Shopping
mall with traditional concept of
Bazzar

The spaces are designed in such way to

fusion formal and informal, air-conditioned
and open, traditional shops and modern
shown rooms
Fusion of Traditional and Modern Principles of Design :
Awadh Shilpgram Lucknow :
This project is designed by Archohm
to accommodate the 200 shops for
craft around the region, workshop
area for craftsmen, amphitheater,
exhibition hall and food court

The different forms create collage of

shapes refer to chaotic composition of
urban bazaar found in this region. The
street, arches and stone jali etc have
been used to create feeling of traditional
bazaar of Lucknow.
Fusion of Traditional and Modern Principles of Design :
Rock Garden ,Chandigarh :
In 1951 Nek Chand has obtained
work to create a secrete sculpture
park full of figures made from waste
objects, broken ceramics and
remnants of the villages which were
demolished to construct Chandigarh.

The planning of rock garden was based

on to create village life which was
complete contradiction to the whole
planning of city. In the design of rock
garden, we can feel sense of loss, longing
to remember the past and to create
mythological scenes from folk tales and
epics.
Conclusion:
It is concluded that Indian is growing with very rapid urban growth and quality of
life is highly concern in these cities.
Public Spaces are one of the major factor in creating quality of life for the
people to all stake holders irrespective of economic , social and cultural
background
The public spaces of India were very different from the western world
throughout history before globalization
Globalization has lead to uniformity in public spaces all over world irrespective
of climate, social and cultural background, India has lost its traditional spaces
due to this factor only.
There is need to link the past with present, fusion of Indian public spaces and
western concept of public spaces
Conclusion:
It is concluded that Indian is growing with very rapid urban growth and quality of
life is highly concern in these cities.
Public Spaces are one of the major factor in creating quality of life for the
people to all stake holders irrespective of economic , social and cultural
background
The public spaces of India were very different from the western world
throughout history before globalization
Globalization has lead to uniformity in public spaces all over world irrespective
of climate, social and cultural background, India has lost its traditional spaces
due to this factor only.
There is need to link the past with present, fusion of Indian public spaces and
western concept of public spaces
Conclusion:
There is need to explore more ideas by urban planner , architects and urban
designer , policy makers on this topic of fusion of modern and traditional
design principle for public spaces in Indian cities so that cities are able to give
the quality life to its resident .

Thank you .