Synergising river interface to reconnect urban community through spatial restructuring: case of Tapi river Surat

Abstract

Water was the primary catalyst for all early civilizations. Indian cities were prosperous in developing distinct identities that were influenced by geography and climate. Throughout history, rivers have emerged as a distinctive design expression for each settlement. Water was vital to the communities' daily lives as well as their socio-cultural needs. The River's natural pattern and its nature define the pattern of urbanization. River edges have attracted many palaces, forts, capital cities, and activities over time, contributing to the development of a fabric that has emerged as a strong visual expression of the Indian Terrain. Despite the presence of such iconic values in the Indian Ethos, these Riverscapes today send a contradictory message by losing not only their visual identity, but also their physical and spiritual well-being over time. Urbanization in India has resulted in a significant change in the urban form as well as how people interact with the city. As cities grow, the connection between communities and water is fading, and their historical and cultural significance is being lost. The relationship with the River has vanished as the focus of cities has shifted away from the River, and today's cities face the River with their backs to it, further separating people and River. The Thesis is concerned with the lost identity of the Tapi River in Surat, which had such strong historical roots that it had a direct impact on the development of the city. Today, the activities along the River Edge, which once had a distinct character, have diminished. Surat witnessed a detached pattern of urbanization due to a loss of connection between people, the city, and their association with the River. The River's history and the events it hosts are both significant, and they serve as a starting point for learning about and understanding how cities used to interact with their rivers. The purpose of this Urban Design Enquiry is not to examine the Tapi River in isolation, as a vertical element passing through the city, but rather how it interacts with the urban landscape. As the River has strong historical associations, it must be revived to make the River a larger part of public memory and restore its inherent identity, which appears to have been lost. The socio-cultural relationships would be addressed, acting as a magnet to connect the city to its River by changing people's negative perceptions. As a result, this Thesis investigates the significance of rivers by tracing their history and integrating them into the current spatial scenario. Keywords: Identity, Association, Collective memory, Transformation