Abstract:
The market is the place where the people of a city gather on a regular basis. It is the platform where
the drama of the city unfolds given a chance. Many a times such valuable spaces are lost to
inconsiderate planning and design that prevent the markets from becoming great Public
Places.
Grand Bazaar of Pondicherry is a marketplace, the history of which extends as far back as the history
of Pondicherry. Located at the heart of the city, This open marketplace was the pride of Pondicherry
with all its colourful commodities and bustling trade. It was a place that was flexibly used for
multiple and a wide variety of functions. In 1960 the government of Pondicherry built a market
building restricting the market to a few functions. The old district of Pondicherry was designed for
walking. With trade becoming more dependent on vehicular movement, the narrow streets of the
old town became unable to manage the huge inflow of vehicles. This thesis explores the possibility
of redesigning the market place with three main aims How can the new marketplace be made flexible
enough to accommodate the varied activities of a city center at present and of the future? How can
the marketplace regain its value as a social space? How can the redesign respond to its rich historic
context? A study of the existing market with its surroundings, with respect to history, morphology
and activities is carried out which informs the design. Case studies of commercial spaces that have
sociable public places were done.
