Economic and visual integration of the river with the surrounding

Abstract

Water and water bodies have been an important factor influencing any city. During any planning process the focus for maintaining water bodies revolves around major features like river or lakes. This has led to various problems related to conservation and utilization of water bodies and surrounding areas. Local residents through garbage in the river which cause water pollution. These shows the lack of integration of river towards city and there is a need to study how to economically and visually integrate the river into urban fabric. River has many potentials like it can be developed as a recreational area which can boost the city profile. it can be used as a means of transport (boats) in many cases which will help in reducing the traffic of the city. River can be used for balancing temperature in its surrounding areas. River bank can be used for growing vegetables. Commercial areas can be established alongside the recreational space which interns can led to increase in land value. In India Rivers has mostly been used for irrigation purpose and they have not been used as a place making assets. The study was started by reading various riverfront projects in national and international context. The study area was then selected, which is 1.5 km stretch of Kharun River, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The scope of the thesis is to study 1.5 K.M. stretch of Kharun River and its 500 mtr buffer area in Raipur dist. and Incorporating strategies for Promoting local livelihood along the river: but the thesis does not look at the financial aspect and is a sitespecific study. After finalizing aim and objectives, data collection was done in the form of primary survey, secondary survey and personal interviews. Visitors survey, vendors survey was some of primary survey conducted during data collection. To understand the potential of the riverbank, various literature of national and international case studies was taken which gives ideas about visual and economic integration of river with city. During data analysis various activities were noted which were going on the study area and it helps in deciding the proposal of thesis. In the analysis different sections were made and activities were marked accordingly. Expected outcome is a plan for economic integration of the river to its surrounding.