Abstract:
Srinagar, Manali, and the rest of India via the Leh-Manali and Leh-Srinagar
highways. Given Ladakh's high-altitude terrain, Leh is crucial for acclimatization,
making it a mandatory stop for tourists before visiting any other part of Ladakh. Leh
is the largest urban center in Ladakh and is of central importance because of its
crucial infrastructure - transportation, health care, educational, commercial and
administrative facilities. Owing to these facilities and opportunities, the town has
seen migration from rural parts of the union territory over the years. As the town’s
population swells to three times its baseline during peak tourist seasons, its
infrastructure, natural resources, and cultural traditions have come under intense
pressure. The town has transitioned from a predominantly agrarian settlement into a
tourism-driven urban center. This rapid growth has fueled economic growth but has
also strained precious resources and threatened the fragile ecosystem of the town.
The study explores Leh's rapid urban transformation from its historically agricultural
roots to a dynamic, tourism-driven environment. It aims to enhance the quality of life
for local residents and position it as a sustainable, culturally rich, and
environmentally resilient destination for visitors. The study focuses on Skara (Ward
6) and parts of Skalzangling (Ward 7), which has the old fabric as well as new
developed areas. The area is experiencing an increase in tourism facilities in the
form of tourist accommodations.
This thesis intends to develop an integrated urban design framework that enhances
the quality of life for local residents by promoting inclusive, community-driven public
spaces, preserving the fragile ecology, and integrating expanding tourism
infrastructure without compromising the area's cultural and environmental integrity.
The framework prioritizes the preservation and the area’s fragile ecology—
reinstating low‐impact uses that honour the natural functions, safeguarding and
raising awareness of the ecological functions. Reclaiming and introducing open
spaces for recreation for the community, embedding cultural elements that reinforce
residents’ connection to place. To guide tourism growth sustainably and positioning
the area as an immersive gateway where visitors engage directly with local life. This
framework tries to integrate ecological resilience, cultural guardianship, and
community-focused design to preserve Leh as both a vibrant community and an
authentic tourist destination
