Sense of belonging in literary hub: Kozhikode/

Abstract

Kozhikode, recently declared India’s first UNESCO City of Literature, offers a unique opportunity to celebrate its literary and cultural identity through spatial interventions. This thesis proposes the development of a Literary Hub and a Reading Street near Kozhikode Beach, integrating with existing urban elements like the Freedom Square and the beach promenade. The project aims to create a public, inclusive, and culturally rooted space that fosters a sense of belonging and promotes literature as part of everyday life. Drawing from the principles of placemaking and tactical urbanism, the design responds to both physical and social needs by incorporating interactive reading zones, performance areas, community cafés, skill centers, and digital storytelling exhibits. Case studies such as Jawahar Kala Kendra, Bharat Bhavan, and Design Ashram (Kozhikode) informed the spatial planning, architectural language, and community engagement strategies. The project also addresses the changing modes of literary consumption and emphasizes the role of flexible public spaces in engaging diverse age groups and reader types. The intervention not only redevelops an underutilized urban stretch but redefines it as a walkable cultural corridor, reinforcing Kozhikode’s literary identity. Keywords: Kozhikode, Literary Hub, Placemaking, Tactical Urbanism, Reading Street, Cultural Identity