Rethinking riverfront commons: a community cultural center for reestablishing the water people threshold in Nashik/

Abstract

Water has played an important role in shaping Indian landscapes. India's relationship with water is a profound dialogue between humanity and the divine, where architecture, culture, and ecology converge, from the tranquil ghats to the vibrant riverfronts. This relationship has been taken for granted by the cities, thus looking at water as merely a resource and not as a sacred thread weaving together life, faith, and culture. Nashik, a cultural city, shaped by the sacred Godavari River and the dynamic character of the Kumbh Mela along the river, exists at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. The thesis aims to investigate this relationship of the city with the river by proposing a cultural community center along the stretch of the Godavari River. This not only fulfills the requirements of the community but also reduces the stress of the ghats during the Kumbh by accepting the spillover, creating an ephemeral character along the river. Rooted in the philosophy of re-establishing the connection between the city and its river, the design incorporates the historical wadas of Nashik into a comprehensive cultural trail. The project aims to revitalize the Godavari through careful restoration of the riverfront, giving due importance to the rejuvenation of the lost Kunds of the city due to concretization and an appreciation for local craftsmanship, all while safeguarding the essence of the city. This proposal aims to transform Nashik into more than just a destination; it seeks to present the city as a dynamic narrative, where architecture, heritage, and humanity intersect harmoniously with the ecology and making the river the lung of the city. The proposed community-cultural centre helps to inculcate the essence of Godavari in the everydayness of the community residing in the Wadas, in the old core city of Nashik. The wadas occupied by the artisans and residents of Nashik, serve as bridges to the Godavari, linking the people of the city to its soul, the river. Paths meandering through revitalized kunds, vibrant courtyards, and tranquil riverfronts establish a seamless connection between the natural and the cultural, the sacred and the mundane. Keywords: Community-cultural centre, Riverfront development, Urban river revitalisation, Godavari Rejuvenation.