Abstract:
Dhanbad, the coal capital of India, is rapidly developing into an industrial hub, yet its local population remains largely underprivileged. Many families depend on illegal coal mining to survive, risking their lives daily in unsafe conditions. Children are the most affected often orphaned by mining accidents, abandoned due to poverty, or forced into hazardous labor to support their families. These children grow up deprived of basic necessities such as education, healthcare, clean living conditions, and emotional support. The psychological impact of their environment, marked by instability and trauma, severely affects their growth and future prospects.
This thesis aims to design a Children’s Development and Support Center in Dhanbad that provides a safe, nurturing environment tailored to the holistic development of children affected by the coal mining crisis. It involves in-depth research on traumainformed design to address the psychological and emotional needs specific to children growing up in high-risk, marginalized settings. The center will integrate residential
care, vocational training, educational support, and social interaction spaces to create a stable and empowering atmosphere. By combining healing-focused architecture with practical skill-building, the project aspires to break the cycle of trauma and equip children with the tools for a self-reliant and dignified future.
Keywords: Vulnerable Children, Holistic Development, Vocational Training, Social integration, Healing Architecture.
