Design interventions and propositions for redevelopment of an area characterised by open spaces, nature and topography: a case of Tulsi Nagar Bhopal

Abstract

Large inserts in a city's fabric act as catalyst in influencing the development adjacent, close and around it. These inserts may be sponsored by the state or by private developers and very often are located in the most accessible areas of the city. Such large scale projects give opportunities of growth around them and turning them into potential zones. They tend to act as magnets and dictate developments within their influence zones. Many of them may also be a part of plan proposals for the city. A road, a transit point or even public buildings are enough to instigate change. While informal transformations may be seen, the formal transformations need to be explored and visualised. The thesis explores various issues of modern urban development transforming the surrounding areas. These issues are such as giantism and loss of control, large scale privatisation and loss of public life, destruction of valued places, placelessness etc. These issues have been analysed taking the site of Tulsi Nagar, Bhopal with Gammon India Project and smart city as major urban infill in the area. It is a 60 year old low rise low density government housing development which has dense vegetation and rich ecology. It was proposed under re-densification scheme 15-20 years ago. The upcoming new developments in the area are ignoring the natural setting and social structure which results in long term damages. After the analysis of present conditions the study will further lead to proposing a redevelopment model in synchronisation with the natural setting and social character of the area. Conclusions can be derived as the built-form guidelines of how development should be done in areas so that the ecological layer remains unaffected and character and sense of belonging in not lost.