Multifunctional public spaces for vibrant

community engagement
Design Dissertation
Sakshi Pawar
Sem 9
Roll. no. 35
Chapter 1: Project Introduction
1.1. ​Subject of research
1.2.​ Topic of research
1.3.​ Justification for topic selection
1.4.​ Objectives
1.5.​ Aim
1.6.​ Hypothesis statement
1.7.​ Research framework and methodology

Chapter 2: Research Data

2.1. Understanding public spaces
2.1.1. What is a public space?
2.1.2. History of public spaces
2.1.3. Types of public spaces
2.1.4. Public spaces and the city
2.1.5. Social importance of public spaces
2.1.6. Benefits of a good public space

2.2. How public spaces create a sense of community

2.2.1. ​Public space and its meaning in urban neighborhoods
2.2.2. ​Sense of community in urban neighborhoods
2.2.3. ​Relationship between meaning of public space and sense of community

2.3. Need of multifunctionality

2.3.1. ​What is multifunctionality?
2.3.2. ​Factors affecting multifunctionality
2.3.3. ​The rhythms of use of public space
2.3.4. ​Interrelationship of activities in public spaces
2.3.5. ​Amalgamation of multifunctional aspect the activities occurring in public spaces
2.3.6. ​Advantages of multifunctionality

2.4. What makes a successful public space

2.4.1. Factors of a successful public space

Chapter 3: Case studies

3.1. Case studies
3.1.1. ​Superkilen, Copenhagen, Denmark
3.1.2. ​Tenri Station Plaza CoFuFun, Tenri, Japan
3.1.3.​ Tapis Rouge, Haiti

Chapter 4: Site
4.1. Ranwar, Bandra
Chapter 1: Project introduction

1.1. Subject of research

Among city buildings, there is a network of spaces that create and strengthen connections at
different levels of influence, which are termed as ‘public spaces’. Public spaces, which fill the
urban gaps with life, are directly associated with the construction of what we call a city and
influence the relationships that are created within them.
They shape community ties in neighborhoods. They are places of encounter and can facilitate
political mobilization, stimulate actions and help prevent crime. They are environments for
interaction and exchange of ideas that impact the quality of the urban environment. The subject
of research hence deals with how public spaces in urban areas and in city life act as a ground
for social exchange bringing the people together.

1.2. Topic of Research

The topic of research is concerned with the ‘multifunctional’ aspect of public spaces. Public
spaces play a vital role in the social life of communities. They act as a physical space and a
resource in which experiences and values are created and serve as a tool through which people
in a community come together and form a bond with each other. The multifunctional aspect of
these public spaces is through which a vibrant social engagement among the people is created.
There are distinct rhythms and patterns to the use of a public space. Hence, providing spaces
for various functions and activities in any public space helps include people of all diversity, age,
gender, can be used at any particular time of the day without any adherence, and thus create a
lively space for social adherence of the community.

1.3. Justification for topic selection

The public spaces play a very important role in providing the quality of life to its residents.
Quality of life will be determined by the social and economic equity as well the belongingness to
the city. The different types of public spaces may fulfill different types of need such as parks for
health and recreation, commercial spaces for shopping activities as well social interaction,
religious spaces for peace and harmony, exhibition spaces for different types of knowledge, etc.
Traditional Indian public spaces were able to cater the need of residents by providing different
types of spaces such as temple courtyard; parks, male ground, bazaars, and these spaces were
designed for climate, socio-cultural, as well economic factors. The public spaces in India cities
were designed for bullock cart, cycle, pedestrian, etc., and were the cost-effective solution. After
liberalization of the economy in 1990, the Indian cities have gone through a tremendous
transformation at the level of the economy, socio-cultural aspect. India has adopted the western
living style based on globalization and the public spaces of cities have been designed as indoor
and vehicular centric. These spaces become a gated community for rich people and become
inaccessible for poor or middle-class people of a city. These spaces have to lead to loss of
social interaction and loss of identity to its resident

1.4. Objectives
To understand the role of public spaces in creating a sense of community.
To study how public spaces foster social interaction and community engagement.
To learn the importance of public spaces in urban areas in improving the quality of life of its
citizens.
To analyse and understand the need of multifunctionality in urban public spaces.

1.5. Aim
To create public spaces through the idea of multifunctionality for vibrant community engagement
in urban Indian neighborhoods.

1.6. Hypothesis Statement

The multifunctionality of urban public spaces facilitate vibrant social interaction of the urban
communities by being more inclusive in nature, optimize their operating rate, thus improving the
quality of life of the people.

1.7. Research Methodology and framework

Literature review, data collection and analysis of each of the aspects mentioned above.
Research includes data from secondary sources like write ups, photographs, infographic from
readings and inferences from articles, essays, newspaper articles and research papers.
2.1. Understanding public spaces
2.1.1.What is a public space?
In the simplest way public spaces can be described as the common ground where people come
together as friends, neighbours and citizens. Places which people share together - parks,
streets, sidewalks, squares, trails, markets, waterfronts, beaches, museums, community
gardens, public buildings and more - are the primary sites for human interaction, upon which the
communities, economy, democracy and society depend. It is a gathering spot, part of
neighbourhood, waterfront or other area that helps to promote social interaction and a sense of
community.
Public spaces are all around us, a vital part of everyday urban life: the streets we pass through
on the way to school or work, the places where children play, or where we encounter nature and
wildlife; the local parks in which we enjoy sports, walk the dog and sit at lunchtime; or simply
somewhere quiet to get away for a moment from the bustle of a busy daily life. In other words,
public space is our open-air living room, our outdoor leisure centre.

2.1.2. History of public spaces

The first city formations appeared 6000 years ago. The most well-known earliest example of
today‘s public squares is Greek’s “​Agora​”. Democracy Shape Greek cities. The Agora was an
open place in the city centre where all kinds of gatherings; such as political meetings, athletic
and musical games,theatre performances and commercial activities took place. The geometrical
form of the agora was usually square or rectangle.

Representation of Agora showing the types of buildings surrounding it.

 Representation of Agora showing people using the space

Similarly, the ​Roman Forum​ was a large open space where people gather for political,
economic and social activities. It was the combination of agora and acropolis since it included
more activities (such as shrines, temples, the hall of justice and the council houses) with more
formal order.Later, Most of the open public spaces were shaped around religious
buildings.During this period commercial activities took place also in public spaces.Therefore in
middle ages, open public spaces were used mainly for religious ceremonies, and as
marketplaces.

Representation of Roman Forum

In the ​neoclassical period​ (the Renaissance and Baroque period). Formal designs and plans
were very common in this period. Symmetry and order were the essential principles in design of
the squares .Monuments and fountains were added to the design to create aesthetically
pleasing environments axial order, balance and hierarchy became main design principles during
the Baroque period. In this period, open spaces were designed to create visual and ceremonial
effects.
In the ​19th century​, the industrial revolution caused dramatic changes in urban design and
planning. The establishment of broad railway networks led to population increase in urban areas
which stimulated growth of cities. New industrial areas were developed near cities and the
labour class began to move into cities to dwell. There was an emergence of shopping arcades,
shopping streets, bazaars and department stores created a new form of public space,especially
for women. Pedestrian movement and freedom were limited.

In the Indian context, Public spaces were important throughout history and typical activities
related to religion, political, commercial, leisure and recreational were much planned in these
spaces. The public spaces in ​Harappa ​and ​Mohenjo-Daro ​were very planned and given
specific importance in city planning. The public square was raised on a mound with a different
type of structures like Great Bath, Assembly Hall etc and these public spaces were accessible to
all citizens of a city, forming vital space for cities.
But later, when ​aristocracy came into the picture​, class differences led to differentiation of
spaces. The people belonging to the Royal patronage and Brahmins would enjoy large open
leisure gardens, geometrically set out,within the palace boundary. This was not open to the
general public. These spaces were used for formal assembly or performances by dancers,
religious rituals etc. they would be grouped around ornamental elements that served as a
symbol of the State at that time. They sometimes served as parade grounds as well.
For the lower classes, the place of congregation was the temple courtyard.People of the same
faith and belief would meet and interact. This again was formal in nature to some extent owing
to the sanctity temple traditions and rules. Also, during the visit of the King, the space would be
closed for the public. Market places were another place which formed a public square. They did
not have any definite character, yet were popular users owing to the users and the function.
These ‘bazaars‘ would line along the streets creating a character of its own. During festive
times, these streets were decorated,lighted up for processions. Hence, the character was
mouldable.

Mohenjo Daro Temple courtyard

The ​Muslim rule​ brought about order in the spatial planning. The unbuilt spaces were given as
much importance as the built- no distinction between street and room. There was a grouping of
rectangular pavilions along definite axes and buildings were organised in progression around it.
The pavilions and open spaces were mostly enclosed by arcades or buildings on the sides and
had defined characteristics that formed an image of the space, meant solely for leisure
Monumental structures when built had sprawling gardens, spread out in front. Everything was
organized according to this principle: the layout of architectural elements, the hierarchical
organization of decorative symbols,even the practice of gardening. The space would be divided
into quadrants by means of pathways and water channels. Intersection of two pathways would
form a nuclear element like a fountain or statue; hence interest exists throughout the grounds.
The pathways bordered patches of green lawns in between. All were at right angles to each
other, so the space had a number of parallel sight lines and perspective view from different
angles. It has been considered a specific, self-contained entity removed from its context. Its
surroundings, the city, and the environment- a religious paradise. By virtue of its newness they
have been preserved till date. But all these had defined complexes. The mosque courtyard was
another place meeting ground, open to all.
With the advent of the​ British rule​, Indian public places lost their traditional value. Even with the
irregularities of geometric ratios, the perception of ‘disorder‘ was in harmony with the users. But
the British, introduced their own system of public squares based on length and breadth ratios,
with large gardens and central features. Though they beautified the space, they were unpopular
as the people it has been built for had no connection to them. The crossroads before their
government buildings also became squares but failed for the same reason and their size
compared to the population size of that time. These squares became nothing but meeting and
protest grounds for the freedom fighters. The fall of the British rule, came with urbanisation and
industrialisation in India, which changed the nature of public spaces.
It may be inferred that the Western public spaces and Indian public spaces were designed
keeping in mind of the difference in socio-cultural as well as climate factors. The western public
spaces were large scale, geometrical, organized and using principles of urban design since
ages while Indian Public spaces were exploring the intimate scale, organic growth, and concept
of mixed land use. The Indian Public Spaces were used as part of daily living of the people
while the Western Public Spaces were used for specific recreational purposes for a specific
time.

2.1.3. Types of public spaces

Open squares​ - An open square is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a
traditional town used for community gatherings. Other names for town square are civic center,
city square, urban square, market square, public square, piazza, plaza, and town green. Most
town squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets, music concerts, political rallies, and
other events that require firm ground. Being centrally located, town squares are usually
surrounded by small shops such as bakeries, meat markets, cheese stores, and clothing stores.
At their center is often a fountain, well, monument, or statue. Gardens, sitting out areas,
children’s play spaces or other areas of a specialist nature, including nature conservation areas
are some of the elements of a public square.
 Trafalgar Square, London Connaught Place Plaza, New Delhi

Enclosed or covered spaces​ - An enclosed or covered public space means the inside of a
building or a structure to which the public has access, including retail shops, indoor shopping
malls, restaurants, bars, places of entertainment, casinos and billiard halls. Providing for court
games, children’s play, sitting out areas etc.

Continental Plaza, New York​ Inorbit Mall, Mumbai

Pockets, parks and green spaces​ - Pocket parks: Small areas of open space that provide
natural surfaces and shaded areas for informal play and passive recreation that sometimes
have seating and play equipment.
District parks: Large areas of open spaces that provide a landscape setting with a variety of
natural features providing a wide range of activities, including outdoor sports facilities and
playing fields, children’s play for different age groups and informal recreational pursuits.
A park intended to provide recreation for children may include a playground. A park primarily
intended for adults may feature walking paths and decorative landscaping. Specific features,
such as riding trails, may be included to support specific activities.
 Central Park, New York Shivaji Park, Mumbai

Boulevard and linear open spaces​ - Boulevard: It is a wide, multi-lane arterial thoroughfare,
divided with a median down the centre, and with roadways along each side designed as a slow
travel and parking lanes and used for bicycle and pedestrian usage, with landscaping and
scenary.
Linear open spaces - Open spaces and townpaths alongside the Thames, canals and other
waterways, paths, disused railways; nature conservation areas; and other routes that provide
opportunities for informal recreation. Often characterised by features or attractive areas which
are not fully accessible to the public but contribute to the enjoyment of the space.

Prado Pedestrian Boulevard, Cuba Rajpath, New Delhi

2.1.4. Public spaces and the city

Cities are fundamentally about people, and where people go and where people meet are at the
core of what makes a city work. So even more important than buildings in a city are the public
spaces in between them. Enjoyable public spaces are the key to planning a great city. They are
what make it come alive.
It’s not just the number of people using them; it’s the even greater number of people who feel
better about their city just knowing that they are there. Public space can change how you live in
a city, how you feel about a city, whether you choose one city over another, and public space is
one of the most important reasons why you stay in a city.
Successful city is like a fabulous party. People stay because they are having a great time.
(Burden. A, 2013)
When talking about public spaces, we need to first understand the important role they play in
our concept of the city. Public spaces are where movements, interactions and connections
between individuals happen. It is there, in freely accessible spaces, free of barriers or prejudices
of any kind, that everyday city activities should occur.
However, the perception of public spaces is often restricted to images of parks and squares.
Although streets, for example, count as public spaces, and generally represent the largest share
of public space in a city, they are often forgotten as communal places. In large urban centers,
roads dedicated to cars occupy on average 70 percent of total public space, leaving people with
less than 30 percent.
Historically, city life has often been closely connected to residents’ use of public spaces on a
daily basis. For example, as discussed in the history of public spaces, beginning with agoras in
ancient Greece, the majority of urban activities—political, economic, cultural, and social—took
place in public spaces. However, after worldwide growth in car use, many of these activities
moved into private settings, causing cities to neglect their communal, public spaces.
Urban life is currently undergoing a transformation in cities worldwide.

2.1.5. Social importance of public spaces

Public spaces have a significant effect on our overall well-being, be it green parks, open plazas
or shaded atriums, or even the streets that people use everyday. As social venues, public
spaces also help to strengthen social identity, as well as offer opportunities for community
bonding and building intercultural understanding. At the same time, public spaces can help
humanize the urban environment by promoting life outside of buildings. They bring economic
benefits not only by drawing in more customers for nearby businesses, but also by making a city
a more attractive city to live, work and play in.
At their best, public spaces act like self-organising public service; just as hospitals and schools
provide a shared resource to improve people’s quality of life, public spaces form a shared
spatial resource from which experiences and value are created in ways that are not possible in
our private lives alone.

Times Square, New York

Public spaces offer many benefits: the ‘feel-good’ buzz from being part of a busy street scene;
the therapeutic benefits of quiet time spent on a park bench; places where people can display
their culture and identities and learn awareness of diversity and difference; opportunities for
children and young people to meet, play or simply ‘hang out’. All have important benefits and
help to create local attachments, which are at the heart of a sense of community. The social
value of public space is wide ranging and lies in the contribution it makes to people's attachment
to their locality and opportunities for mixing with others, and in people’s memory of places.
Places can provide opportunities for social interaction, social mixing and social inclusion, and
can facilitate the development of community ties. (Rowntree. J, 2010)

2.1.6. Benefits of a good public space

The rewards of transforming a civic space into a great public place go way beyond just the
space, although the place in itself enriches the lives of its users and enhances its surrounding
buildings and neighborhood. Great public places contribute to community health - whether
socially, economically, culturally or environmentally. They add enhancement to the civic realm -
not only visually, but also in providing a sense of character and a forum for public activities.
They can be anchors for downtowns and communities, acting as focal points for definition and
foundations for healthy growth. All of these assets, as well as the opportunity these places offer
for people to relax and enjoy themselves, add up to greater community livability.
Great public places benefit all kinds of communities, from dense urban neighborhoods and
downtowns to small towns and suburbs, and from diverse communities to those with a single
ethnic group. The following benefits focus primarily on the importance of these places to cities,
but they are applicable to every community.

Places give identity to cities

Great public spaces make great cities. For example, the skating rink and the other public
spaces around Rockefeller Center are one of the most-visited tourist attractions in New York
City. Thousands gather there for the annual lighting of the holiday tree or to stand in the street
outside the "Today Show" studios, hoping to be on television. These public spaces represent
New York. While people travel thousands of miles to experience such revered places as the
Piazza San Marco in Venice, the Champs Elysee in Paris, Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Central
Park in New York, Miami's beaches, or Riverwalk in San Antonio, others need only to walk down
the street to find places they cherish. Indeed, great public spaces can be world-renowned, or
they can be important because the people in a particular neighborhood value them.
Community places are just as important to the identity of cities as their more famous
counterparts, because they are where the people who live and work in a community experience
their neighborhoods and each other. These special places instill a mutual sense of pride and
ownership among diverse groups. This can lead to a shared dedication and stewardship for the
spaces' continued well-being and foster the teamwork to carry it on.
 Piazza San Marco, Venice Gateway of India, Mumbai

Places benefit cities economically

Public spaces that are great places have many real and measurable economic benefits. For
example, parks can contribute significantly to the land values in a city. In New York, the real
estate values around Bryant Park, Central Park, Prospect Park and Riverside Park are the
highest in the city. Minneapolis' prime residential areas are located along the extensive park and
trail system surrounding its numerous lakes. California's Pacific Coast beaches and parks
provide the setting for some of the most expensive homes in the country.
In New York, the Greenmarket on the north end of Union Square has been a major catalyst in
revitalizing the surrounding neighborhood and providing opportunities for small-scale
entrepreneurship. Upscale restaurants in the area buy produce at the Greenmarket and develop
their menus around what is fresh seasonally. Following the example of Union Square, 26
additional greenmarkets are now helping to revitalize neighborhoods all over New York City.
Little Rock, Arkansas' River Market has helped bring the city's downtown to life, spurring
development of residential apartments, a museum, the relocation of the city's library, and a
sports arena. Seattle's Pike Place Market is a major tourist attraction, supporting more than 600
businesses with sales of over $100 million.

Pike Place Market, Seattle

Places help the environment

Great public places also have environmental benefits because they give relief to urban living.
Not only do they reduce the need for and dependence on the automobile, but parks and other
"green" public spaces, such as waterfronts and wildlife areas, increase people's appreciation for
and stewardship over the natural environment, and also provide habitats for animals - for
example, Brooklyn's Prospect Park is home to more than 200 species of birds. What is more,
the trees and other greenery so characteristic of these places filter out pollutants and freshen
the air.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai

Places provide settings for cultural and social activities

Often, public places offer free, open forums for people to encounter art, to enjoy performances,
and to participate in other cultural activities. From "Shakespeare in the Park" festivals to string
quartets at a downtown plaza, good places foster and enhance a city's cultural life. Providence,
Rhode Island's WaterFire, an award winning fire and music installation, has had an impressive
cultural and economic impact, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the downtown
riverfront on summer and fall evenings. A symbol of the city's renaissance, WaterFire brings
people and events to a central urban area that had been typically deserted after dark. These
events also bring a great variety of people together and set the stage for positive social
interaction.

WaterFire, Rhode Island Ganga River, Uttarakhand

2.2. How public spaces create a sense of community
2.2.1. Public space and its meaning in urban neighborhoods
Public space is “the stage upon which the drama of communal life unfolds” (Carr, Francis, Rivlin,
& Stone, 1992, p. 3). Scholars argue that public space at neighborhood level plays a significant
role in people’s everyday life; it is an everyday space of community (Gallacher, 2005).
According to Madanipour (2010, p. 107), “public space is intertwined with everyday life in
neighborhoods” in such a way that it is directly related to the quality of day-to-day social life.
Public space concerns not only the physical but also the social and psychological dimensions
with a significant overlap among them. The physical dimension refers to the physical
environment or “provision” of public space which provides a setting for social interaction,
whereas the social dimension refers to the “use” or activities occurring in the space (Carmona,
Tiesdell, Heath, & Oc, 2010). The psychological dimension relates to the perception of public
space, which may be expressed in terms of how people interpret the space and give “meaning”
to it, and how such meaning helps develop a sense of community. The meaning of public space
thus has a strong relationship with its physical and social dimensions.

2.2.2. Sense of community in urban neighborhoods

According to Schwirian (1983, p. 84), urban neighborhoods are “distinguished from a residential
area by the degree of social organization among the residents”. The neighborhoods have been
developed as a means of creating areas of greater social interaction and enhancing
neighborliness and thus, are linked with the notion of community (Gregory, Johnston, Pratt,
Watts, & Whatmore, 2011). Rogers et al. (2009, p. 326) define a sense of community as “the
extent to which any member [of a neighborhood] feels connected to and committed to others in
the community, which bears on a sense of security and belonging”. Sense of community is a
key psychological construct that the residents of urban neighborhoods build over a period of
time (Nasar & Julian, 1995). It is about a feeling of belonging to the neighborhood that an
individual develops during the period of residence. The length of residence thus becomes
important in fostering a sense of community, in addition to neighborhood association and mutual
cooperation. Sense of community is thus also an individual factor (Francis, Giles-Corti, Wood, &
Knuiman, 2012), and the physical design of neighborhood alone cannot necessarily foster it
(Garde, 2011).
Propose four key elements of sense of community are: a) membership - a feeling of sense of
belonging and emotional safety; b) influence - reflecting ability to change each other in
community; c) reinforcement and need fulfilment - suggesting that needs are met through
mutual cooperation; and d) shared emotional connection - the sharing of belief and
commitments by individuals.

2.2.3. Relationship between meaning of public space and sense of community

Carmona et al. (2010) argue that neighbourhood’s socio-cultural character is enhanced in a due
course of time through a time-thickened experience, in which there is an important role of social
process that includes social interaction and cultural assimilation (Rogers & Sukolratanametee,
2009). Public space facilitates this process in providing an appropriate physical setting.
According to Rappoport (2002), neighbourhood does not necessarily involve neighbouring,
suggesting that social contact and interaction do not happen in the absence of a common
ground. Public space offers this common ground and facilitates the processes of social
exchange and interaction among neighbours.
Public space is thus a meaningful social territory (Abu-Ghazzeh, 1996), and people give
meaning to it for its role in social integration (Peters, 2011). It remains a key design feature of
an urban neighbourhood with a potential to offer place attachment. This suggests that the
design of the physical environment should consider a better provision of public space to
encourage social interaction through its use and thus, to build a meaning of place
(Abu-Ghazzeh, 1996, 1999).
The design of the built environment has a direct impact on the development of social
relationships. In the context of urban neighborhoods, studies reveal a strong association
between the quality of public space and sense of community (Francis et al., 2012; Kashef, 2009;
Lund, 2002; Rogers & Sukolratanametee, 2009; Talen, 2000). Such a social process helps
neighborhood residents in acquiring a meaning of public space, which is an outcome of
participation and interaction in the physical space over a period of time.

What is multifunctionality?
The expression ‘multifunctional’ has different meanings in different fields. For example, literally
the meaning of multifunctionality refers to something that has or fulfills several functions (Oxford,
2016).
The word ‘function’ is one of the keywords in architecture and refers to the building's purpose
and the activities done by users inside the space. This word is always used in the architectural
literature beside the words ‘form, space, stability and beauty’ in the scale of a building and it is
equivalent to the concept ;utilitas’ that Vitruvius made in the first century AD. Therefore,
‘multifunctional spaces’ concept has been used beside the mixed-use, multi-use, and
multi-purpose buildings and often without any distinction or difference. In fact, the concept of
multifunctionality could be linked with the concept of multi-uses (which means the different uses
of space in different times) (Zeidler, 1985) and the concept of mixed-usage (which means
having a combination of at least 3 different revenue-producing uses in a specific period of time)
(Florida, 2002).
Functionality refers to the ability to perform a task or a function. The meaning of
functionality is relative and depends on which medium is considered as the carrier of an ability
to perform the task/function - space, object, or activity (or even process) and for what purpose.
In that sense, multifunctionality is a feature of space, artifact or activity that means having or
fulfilling several functions and achieving multiple outputs, purposes or goals at the same time.
Multifunctionality can be also understood as a value that contributes to the simultaneous
solution of multiple problems or the achievement of multiple benefits. But it is not a value
per se; it becomes a value only when related to the specific purpose and goals [10].

The rhythms of use of public space

There are distinct rhythms and patterns to the use of public spaces, by time of day, day of week
and even season. In Aylesbury a team worked with co-researchers from the local community to
observe a whole range of spaces, from the town centre to residential areas, over the course of a
year. The study found that town centre public spaces had particular rhythms of use connected
to business, retailing and the working day. Older people were more in evidence in the mornings
when markets were operating, while adults would frequent the town centre at lunchtime; in the
evening the town centre was dominated by young adults eating and drinking. Patterns of use
differed considerably on market days and non-market days. Particular areas would be busier at
certain times, for example school pupils would be seen in the park at the end of the school day.
 The activities carried out in Town Centre in Aylesbury

Factors affecting multifunctionality

The aspect of multi-use/multifunctional of a public space is due to a series of factors/ influenced
by the following factors -
1. Diversity of people using the space
2. Land use of its surrounding area
3. Social Evolution of its surroundings
4. Activities required by all the people in order to engage with each other
5. Sustainability of the public space and the city

Logic of multifunctional public spaces - taking into account - people, time and activity diversity.

Interrelationship of activities in public spaces

(Life Between Buildings, Jan Gehl)
Outdoor activities in public spaces can be divided into three categories, each of which places
very different demands on the physical environment: Necessary activities,optional activities, and
social activities.
Necessary activities include those that are more or less compulsory – going to school or to
work, shopping, waiting for a bus ora person, running errands, distributing mail – in other words,
all activities in which those involved are to a greater or lesser degree required to participate.In
general, everyday tasks and pastimes belong to this group. Among other activities, this group
includes the great majority of those related to walking.Because the activities in this group are
necessary, their incidence is influenced only slightly by the physical framework.These activities
will take place throughout the year, under nearly all conditions, and are more or less
independent of the exterior environment. The participants have no choice.
Optional activities – that is, those pursuits that are participated in if there is a wish to do so and
if time and place make it possible – are quite another matter. This category includes such
activities as taking a walk to get a breath of fresh air, standing around enjoying life, or sitting and
sunbathing.These activities take place only when exterior conditions are favourable, when
weather and place invite them. This relation-ship is particularly important in connection with
physical plan-ning because most of the recreational activities that are especially pleasant to
pursue outdoors are found precisely in this category of activities. These activities are especially
dependent on exterior physical conditions.
Social activities are all activities that depend on the presence of others in public spaces. Social
activities include children at play,greetings and conversations, communal activities of various
kinds, and nally – as the most widespread social activity – passive contacts, that is, simply
seeing and hearing other people.Different kinds of social activities occur in many places:
indwellings; in private outdoor spaces, gardens, and balconies; in public buildings; at places of
work; and so on; but in this context only those activities that occur in publicly accessible spaces
are examined.These activities could also be termed “resultant” activities,because in nearly all
instances they evolve from activities linked to the other two activity categories. They develop in
connection with the other activities because people are in the same space,meet, pass by one
another, or are merely within view.Social activities occur spontaneously, as a direct
consequence of people moving about and being in the same spaces. This Implies that social
activities are indirectly supported whenever necessary and optional activities are given better
conditions in public spaces.
The character of social activities varies, depending on the context in which they occur. In the
residential streets, near schools, near places of work, where there are a limited number of
people with common interests or backgrounds, social activities in public spaces can be quite
comprehensive: greetings, conversations,discussions, and play arising from common interests
and because people “know” each other, if for no other reason than that they often see one
another.

Multifunctionality and types of activities

According to what has been presented, a “multifunctional space” could be identified with these
two characteristics.
- Allow different functions, different actors and different users during different periods of time or
have the capacity to accommodate two or more activities at the same time (accept more than a
function simultaneously)
- Fulfill the different roles a space might have in line with the environmental, economical and
social sustainability in the event that space could be considered as a set of: space, function(s)
(activity) and user(s), the mathematical interpretation of the concept of combining spaces and
activities will lead to. The recovered space could be used for optional activities and as levels of
optional activity rise, the number of social activities usually increases substantially, both of
which eventually lead to an increase in quality of life. If part of the space in a residential complex
could be allocated for social or recreational functions for all the residents of the neighborhood
unit, the need for constructing new facilities and spaces for these activities would decrease.
These small cells would enrich the diversity of activities and the choices in the whole area.
In this scale, it should be noted that when the multifunctional cells are put together, with a
comprehensive vision, the benefits much more significant of the sum of the advantages of each
cell would be achieved. By looking at the area as a network of spaces while creating a collection
of several multifunctional spaces (in a neighborhood or a district), a substantial area of land and
create a diversity of activities could be released which attract a large number of citizens and
make them return to the space several times. In addition, improve the functional performance of
an area, making it more efficient economically. These benefits are shown graphically in figure
below. According to what was said, it is concluded that multifunctional use of urban spaces may
reduce the requirement to create new capacities in order to meet the needs arising from
growing population and increasing urban density. It also enhances the quality of life of citizens
ensuring increased opportunity for optional and social activities in the city (in existing spaces
that have been used in a multifunctional way).
Advantages of multifunctionality
If we use the concept of multifunctionality to be used in urban areas, the most important benefit
of sharing use of a space is reducing the need for new constructions. They not only increase the
density in existing urban areas, but also by enhancing the diversity of activities, lead to more
vital cities (Batty el al. 2003). The economical value of this result is comparable with its social
and environmental values.

The multifunctional spaces, in small scales, have many advantages among which we may
notice saving travel time, increasing the effective time for activity and decreasing the costs for
maintenance, repairing and security because of centralization of the activities, facilities and
infrastructure. They also guarantee that the people will revisit the space (Pourbakht & Fujii,
2009).

In large scales, urban design and land-use planning, multifunctionality can reduce urban sprawl
and increase density, promote spatial and environmental quality, save scarce space by
intensifying its use, improve the economic performance of the whole space and create a vital
attracting area (Iveson, 1998; Lloyd & Auld, 2003; Rodenburg, et al., 2003: Vreeker, et al.,
2004).
2.4. What makes a successful public space
2.4.1.​ Factors of a successful public space

Great and successful public spaces are those places where celebrations are held, social and
economic interactions take place such as friends running into each other, and cultures mix.
These spaces are accessible to people, engage the public with activities, are comfortable,
project a good image and foster a sense of community.
Other characteristics of a Great Public include:
● Promoting human contact and social activities
● Is safe, welcoming, and accommodating for all users.
● Has design and architectural features that are visually interesting.
● Promoting community involvement.
● Reflects the local culture or history.
● Relates well to bordering uses.
● Is well maintained.
● Has a unique or special character.

It is important for a great public space to provide a sense of comfort and safety to those people
using the space, encourage social interaction amongst users of the public space and provide
activities or events that attract and engage people in the public space.

What makes a great public space, The Place Diagram, Project for Public Spaces
In evaluating thousands of public spaces around the world, PPS has found that to be
successful, they generally share the following four qualities: they are accessible; people are
engaged in activities there; the space is comfortable and has a good image; and finally, it is a
sociable place: one where people meet each other and take people when they come to visit.
PPS (Project for Public Spaces) developed The Place Diagram above as a tool to help people in
judging any place, good or bad.
Access & Linkages
The accessibility of a place can be judged by its connections to its surroundings, both visual and
physical. A successful public space is easy to get to and get through; it is visible both from a
distance and up close. The edges of a space are important as well: For instance, a row of shops
along a street is more interesting and generally safer to walk by than a blank wall or empty lot.
Accessible spaces have a high parking turnover and, ideally, are convenient to public transit.
Comfort & Image
Whether a space is comfortable and presents itself well - has a good image - is key to its
success. Comfort includes perceptions about safety, cleanliness, and the availability of places to
sit - the importance of giving people the choice to sit where they want is generally
underestimated.
Uses & Activities
Activities are the basic building blocks of a place. Having something to do gives people a reason
to come to a place - and return. When there is nothing to do, a space will be empty and that
generally means that something is wrong.
Principles to keep in mind in evaluating the uses and activities of a place:
● The more activities that are going and that people have an opportunity to participate in,
the better.
● There is a good balance between men and women.
● People of different ages are using the space (retired people and people with young
children can use a space during the day when others are working).
● The space is used throughout the day.
● A space that is used by both singles and people in groups is better than one that is just
used by people alone because it means that there are places for people to sit with
friends, there is more socializing, and it is more fun.
● The ultimate determinant of a place's success is how well it is managed.
Sociability
This is a difficult quality for a place to achieve, but once attained it becomes an unmistakable
feature. When people see friends, meet and greet their neighbors, and feel comfortable
interacting with strangers, they tend to feel a stronger sense of place or attachment to their
community - and to the place that fosters these types of social activities.
Chapter 3 - Case Studies

3.2. Superkilen, Copenhagen, Denmark

3.2.1. Introduction
Location - Copenhagen, Denmark
Year - 2012
Type - Public Space
Architect/s - Bjarke Ingels Group, Superflex, Topotek 1
Area - 30,000 sq.m.

An aerial view of Superkilen source:Archdaily

Basic information about the project

Superkilen is an urban park that is a kilometer long located in the center of Norrebro, the
neighborhood that can be described as the most socially challenged7 and culturally diverse of
Copenhagen, Denmark. The Project Was a result of a design competition for urban renewal of
the area by the Municipality of Copenhagen, and the Philanthropic Association Realdania.The
design of the project was a result of three teams working together:architectural office BIG-Bjarke
Ingels Group as the head of the design team, landscape architecture firm TOPOTEK1, and the
artist group SUPERFLEX. This arrangement of the effort resulted in a special design concept
that took the theme of pleasure garden and the fun park combined into the contemporary urban
context of Copenhagen. The design was divided into three different zones: The RedSquare, the
Black Market, and theGreen Park, each area with a dominated color in its name. By that the
design totally changed the image of the neighborhood, providing better connectivity as well as
increasing the sense of security within the surrounding residential area. To furnish the park the
resident of the neighborhood was invited to propose an element that’s related to their cultures
and an open exhibition for the best practices from all the world. There are trash cans from the
United Kingdom, a big sign from Russia, a replica of an octopus shaped playground from Japan,
and many other things. Most of local residents are from Islamic or Middile-Eastren background
but the design of Superkilen was not designed only for them, it was designed with the input of
them in collaboration with the border communities. Today these elements that were introduced
by the locals have taken the role of identifying the space and as a cultural element that gives the
residence a sense of pride and ownership over the park.

The park is located in a complex area, an area that has cultural and social diversity. That area
was segnaficlly changed after introducing the design to it. According to Mengy (2017) Norrebro
was a neighborhood that suffer a lot of stress many protesting movement was start from this
neighborhood the last one was in February 2008,and it has relatively high crime rate compared
to the rest of the city.The design of Superkilen by the participation process that was done the
design was able to make connection between the residence and the space and increase the
sense of community, the feel of belonging.

Old map of Copenhagen

Brief history about the area
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark. It is located on the eastern coast of Zealand to the east
of Odense. Copenhagen is the largest city in the country with a population of 5.6 million citizens
which is 15% of the country's population (Aksamija, 2016). The Name of Copenhagen means
“trading harbor”, referring to its historical role as the main harbour of Denmark and Scandinavia
atlarge. The Norrebro neighborhood was established in 1852 as a rural neighborhood on the
edge of the city. After that, it grew and developed by immigrants. That is what makes it
characterized as culturally devised. Located Outside the walls of the city the neighborhood was
devolved by the immigrants for other cities to Copenhagen and from people moving from the
inner part of Copenhagen as well as people from outside Denmark. According to Aksamija
(2016) a study was done between 1880 and 1911 to six streets in Norrebro showing that 60% of
the residents were born outside Copenhagen. Historical record shows from 1880 show that
immigrants came from more than 15 nationalities and that number grew to 20 by 1911. Most of
them at that time were coming from close countries like Sweden, Germany, and Norway. After
1960 most of the immigrants were coming from Morocco, Pakistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, and
Palestine.Through history Norrebro was a source of resistance and protest. For example,
theBattle of the Commons in 1872, when local labor protested against the long working
hours,which led to violent conflict with the police. In World War II after Germany's occupation
over Denmark the neighborhood had a violent protest against local Nazis. And in the 1970s a
series of conflicts and protests because of the demolition of a playground by the Municipality To
build new housing complexes. In the 1970s and 1980s Norrebro streets were used by radical
leftist groups for protest and resistance. And two more protests happened in the neighborhood
in 2007 and 2008 one for demolishing Youth House by the Municipality and the other one
because of the brutal treatment from police.

Environmental context
Due to the different historical period of Copenhagen development, the city is characterised by its
diverse architectural landscape. The oldest part is Middeladerbyen with narrow streets. The
inner city includes the small island of Slotsholmen whereChristiansburg Palace is built with a
canal surrounding it. And the most distinctive part of the city isFrederiksstaden. Copenhagen
has a horizontal skyline, shaped by Baroque and Rococo palaces and occasionally
churchtowers.In recent decades Copenhagen witnessed an architectural boom. New residential
and public buildings were built by local and international architects. This made a big change in
the architectural landscape. The new development offered several areas designated for
expansion and renewal (Aksamija, 2016).

Climatic factors
Copenhagen climate is Oceanic, characterised by unstable weather through all four seasons.It
is 5 degrees above the worldwide average in the same latitude duo to the Atlantic gulfstream. It
is moderate through the year with a peak from June to August. The rain is mostly even through
the year with more rain in July and March is the driest. The warmest is augustand the coolest is
January. The snow appears from December to early March and the temperature drops to 15-30
degrees below zero. Due to that harsh winter, summer months are very pleasant in
Copenhagen with the temperature reaching a little bit above 20 degrees.June is the sunniest
month with an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day.Given that condition, outdoor public
spaces can be used through the time from April to September. Because of the rare appearance
of sunny days, Danish people enjoy the setting outside even in the very cold months of march
and April. Many restaurants and cafes are offering outdoor seatings with space heaters and
blankets.

Project Boundary

Public Transportation

Shops/Services

Child Care/Schools

Community Centre/Culture/Library

Parks/Open Space

Islamic Centre/ Mosque

Site and surroundings

Superkilen is located in the Norrebro district in Copenhagen, one of the
city’s 10 official districts.The district is located in the north west of the center of the city, with an
area of 3.82 kilometre square and 70000 residences (Aksamija,2016). Before 1852,Norrebro
was a village in the countryside ofCopenhagen. After that,thousands of workers and immigrants
moved to the neighborhood. The area surrounding Superkilen is dominated by five to six stories
residential buildings. The Red Square is almost surrounded by the sportcomplex of
Norrebrohallen. To the west the Red Square is adjacent to the backside of a residential building.
The other two edges of the Red Square are framed by two main roads.The latter road connects
the Red Square to the Black Market which is surrounded by five storied residential buildings
from the east and west. From the east side Black Market translates to the Green Park which is
surrounded by four residential buildings with a fence that separates between them to secure the
residence private gardens. On the western side the Green Park is surrounded by an access
road, a parking lot, and a kindergarten. With narrow access that connects the Green Park to
nearby housing complexes. At 500 meters from the north side of the Green Park is the Grand
mosque of Copenhagen which was built in 2014. The dome and the menarite of the mosque are
visible from the park.

Concept of the design

The design of the Superkilen was through an organized competition by the Municipality
ofCopenhagen and Realdania. The competition called for development of new and innovative
methods to enhance and improve the architectural and urban quality of the area. They were
expecting a design to transform the area from an undistinguished area into an attraction point in
the city of Copenhagen. The new design should be a creative and diverse public space that
reflects the diverse nature of the neighborhood and allow all residences to use it across their
different ages, gender, religions, and cultures. The program that was assigned for the
competition is to design innovative urban spec for future matching international standards.
Offering a collection of functions and outdoor activities and recreation, and to transform a
mono-function area into a multi-functional public space that would provide a space forgathering
and outdoor activities for the locals (Aksamija, 2016).
The Red Square​: This zone is designed for team sports and outdoor fitness activities. The
square is brightly coloured in red, orange and pink and serves as an extension of the sporting
and cultural facilities in Nørrebrohall. A large central space with a variety of gym equipment
invites residents to meet for and through physical activity and games.
The Black Market​: The market is a modern interpretation of the neighbourhood square
and offers an intimate gathering space for the community. Youth are attracted to the
multiple amenities that are located away from the main street, including benches and barbecue
facilities, backgammon and chess tables, and the Japanese octopus playground. The Black
Market is an urban living room for the dense neighbourhood.
The Green Park​: The park landscape offers slopes, play areas, picnic areas and sports fields.
The park unites the neighbourhood and celebrates the multicultural diversity of area residents
through site elements inspired by their cultures. By interacting with these play elements,
children are exposed to the variety of cultures that live in their community.oft green hills appeal
to children, youth, and families.

The Black Market

The Red Square The Green Park

Diagram showing the elements from around the world and its layout in Superkilen
Tenri Station Plaza CoFuFun
Introduction
Location - Tenri, Japan
Year - 2017
Type - Community, Public Space, Square
Architect/s - Nendo
Area - 6000 sq.m.

The project is situated next to a railway station in the city of Tenri

Basic information about the project

Situated next to a railway station at the heart of Tenri, the plaza seeks to revitalize the
community for both residents and tourists, with new events space, leisure facilities, and
information kiosks.
The plaza’s name, CoFuFun, combines the main design motif, the cofun, with colloquial
Japanese expressions. “Fufun” refers to happy, unconscious humming: the design for the plaza
should offer a convivial atmosphere that unconsciously leads visitors to hum, happily, while
they’re there.The alphabet spelling, “CoFuFun”, also brings in the “co-” of “cooperation” and
“community”, as well as – of course – “fun” itself. The result is a name whose Japanese and
alphabet spellings mean similar things, so that foreign visitors to the plaza will understand it in
the same way, too.
Background
Tenri is a city located in Nara Prefecture, about an hour south of Kyoto and 45 minutes east of
Osaka. With a population of around 67,000, it is named after the Japanese new religion
Tenrikyo, which has its headquarters in the city. While this has lent itself to many
Tenrikyo-related and other religious facilities in the city, such as shrines, temples and ancient
tombs, that build the backbone of the city’s tourism industry, it is mostly an agricultural city,
known for its strawberries. It is also home to some major employers, such as Sharp's research
and product development center, Hayashi Kazushi Company's ice cream factory, a ramen chain
headquarters, and Mihara Foods Company, a commercial foods manufacturer.
Tenri is just one of many cities falling victim to the nationwide trend of an aging population and
population decline. Tenri's government has estimated that the population will decrease to
56,000 by 2040 and 45,000 by 2060. Combined with the outmigration of younger populations to
larger cities like Osaka and Kyoto in search of better jobs and a higher quality of life, the City
has been struggling to maintain vibrancy.
Community Engagement Process
While there was no concerted community engagement process for placemaking specifically
around the Tenri station, residents of the City of Tenri were still able to submit their concerns
about the city's future to the City's "Population Vision" Survey administered in October 2015. Of
the 753 residents who responded to the survey, a majority stated that they wanted to stay in the
City, but that they had high expectations of the City moving forward—such as better jobs, an
environment more amenable to child-rearing, as well as a vibrant town where young people can
gather. A majority of respondents ages 18-49 stated that they wanted more playgrounds where
their children could play. Most importantly, the residents felt that the city exuded a strong
religious image despite the declining number of Tenrikyo followers. The City of Tenri took these
concerns seriously while planning the space around Tenri station.
Design and program
The cofun’s different levels serve a variety of purposes: they’re stairs, but also benches for
sitting, fences to enclose playing children, the cafe and stage roofs, shelves for displaying
products and the nighttime lighting effect, which floods the plaza with light. This variety creates
an environment that encourages visitors to explore and spend time in different spaces within the
plaza, rather than limiting their movement to one place. It’s a “ambiguous” space that’s entirely a
cafe, a playground and a massive piece of furniture, all at once.
Guideposts and signboards feature gentle curves similar to those of the cofun, and are coloured
a dark grey that creates a natural contrast while still fitting in with the surrounding area well.
They are also arranged at four different heights according to their function in order to minimize
noise levels. A play space for children, a lounge and study space for reading books, and a stage
that can be used for concerts or public screenings have all been added to the meeting area, and
Tenri souvenirs can be purchased at a newly designed shop next to the space.
Every design was given to ensure that the materials and colouring of the interiors matched
those of the plaza as closely as possible. Furniture and fixtures made using wood from Nara
Prefecture and designed around a cofun theme create a sense of uniformity with the plaza.
Materials and construction
The construction technique used to create the plaza’s round cofun structures consisted of fitting
together pieces of a precast concrete mould resembling a huge pizza. Because precast
concrete moulds are formed at the factory and then assembled onsite, the resulting structures
are precise and the same mould can be used multiple times, ensuring excellent
cost-performance. The pre-formed parts are pieced together like building blocks using the same
massive cranes used to build bridges. Large spaces can be formed without the use of columns
or beams, and because of the round shape the well-balanced structures offer stability against
forces applied from any direction.
Comfort & image
While the survey respondents stated that they wanted to showcase the city's other strengths,
the city still noted that religion was an important partner in community development, and this
preference has been reflected in the final design chosen for the plaza. In the plaza sit four white
structures that resemble the 16,000-year-old tombs, kofun, where emperors and empresses are
thought to be buried. The plaza pays homage to the city’s rich cultural history.
Both the rail station and the bus stop have benches, real-time information and shelters. The
community also helps to maintain the space; students from the local special education high
school as well as other youth from the community regularly clean the windows and pick up trash
in the plaza. With more activity happening at all times of the day instead of at only peak hours,
mothers are able to bring their children and can easily keep an eye on them as they play.

Sociability
The plaza around the station has fulfilled its mission of local community revitalization and
providing a much needed communal space for local residents. The plaza hosts events
all-year-round for the entire community, such as dietary education classes featuring organic
food made in co-ops, exercise classes on Saturday mornings where participants can exercise to
the City's theme song, festivals, English classes for mothers and their kids, as well as Pokemon
Go events. All in all, this placemaking project has brought back vibrancy and a sense of
community to the City of Tenri.

These modern interpretations of cofun are perfect for public space. Steep layers beckon all
sorts of purposes, including seating, steps, roofs, shelves for items in shops, fences as well as
beautiful sculptural forms for navigating around on your daily commute.
Rather than being a gateway, Tenri Station plaza is in itself; a destination, and it takes on board
its responsibilities of providing space for visitors to wait, meet or simply waste time while
triggering its prospective to unite people and revitalize the community.
The variety present at the plaza creates an environment that inspires visitors to come and
explore as well as spend time in different spaces in the confines of the plaza, rather than limiting
their movements to just a single place.
Tapis Rouge public space, Haïti
Location - Haiti
Year - 2016
Type - Public Space
Architect/s - Emergent Vernacular Architecture (EVA Studio)

Basic Introduction
The program, funded by the American Red Cross and implemented by Global Communities,
aims to construct multifunctional spaces that facilitate and promote social cohesion through an
inclusive approach. Carrefour-Feuilles is one of the many informal neighbourhoods which
suffered extensive damage in the 2010 earthquake. The houses clinging to the slopes of the
ravine lack basic services such as electricity, running water and sanitation. There is little formal
infrastructure and the cheek by jowl homes are only accessible by a network of narrow corridors
that wind up the slope. It is among the tight corners and between the walls of neighbouring
houses that social life usually takes place.
Community Engagement
The design itself is inherently community-oriented and understands public space as an
anthropological ground from which identity and social relations grow. Through a participatory
approach and through placing community engagement at the core of the design process, this
public space aims to give transformative power to a local community and to provide the
residents with a sense of ownership, identity, and pride. The goal was to create a safer and
cleaner environment, which would help reduce crime, violence, and anti-social behaviour in the
area.
Design and program
The program and the architectural design have been established directly with the community.
An open-air amphitheatre, intended for community gathering, marks the centre of the space.
Dotted around the edges of the seating-steps are several Flamboyant’s that, when fully grown,
will shelter the users from the sun. The concentric rings beyond define areas within the plaza.
One, is occupied by outdoor exercise equipment and seating. In another one, near the wall, the
locally-made blue pavers give way to terraces of greenery, each with different plants. Above it,
by the top end, a row of palm trees conceals storage tanks for the adjacent water distribution
station. The well that feeds the tanks and station brings water from 100m below ground. The
revenue generated from the sales of water will be reinvested into maintaining the public space.
Materials and components
Pre-cast concrete pavers
The precast concrete pavers that create the vibrant pattern on the plaza have been locally
fabricated in Haiti. Their use in the project has been discussed directly with the community of
Carrefour-Feuilles. The vibrant colours have been tested with ARCOD and are aimed to provide
the community with a different colour palette, which is often left cement-like due to a lack of
resources for finishes.
Green Energy Solutions – Solar Lights
Carrefour-Feuilles is characterized by extreme poverty, poor vehicle and pedestrian circulation
and limited access to electricity. The installation of solar lights is aimed to provide the
community with a safer and cleaner environment.
Green Gym – Outdoor workout equipment
As part of a multi-functional programme, the low-impact workout equipment, specifically
requested by the community, is designed in an intuitive way for weight-based exercises. Green
Gym will also provide training to the users of the public space.
Chapter 4: Site
4.1. Ranwar, Bandra

Google map showing the Ranwar area located in Bandra, Mumbai

About Ranwar
Ranwar, a small quaint hamlet in Bandra (the ‘queen of suburbs’) speaks of 400 years of
heritage. Ranwar is one of the five surviving pakhadis (hamlets), which define Bandra and
its character.
The demographics in Ranwar has changed due to increase in population, which has shattered
the fabric of community life. The village infrastructure is not able to cope up with the
increasing residents. The narrow lanes get blocked by traffic, sewage lines laid in the 1920s
are overburdened due to increase in sewage. The original residents of the houses are
leaving and the demographic of this urban village is rapidly changing.

Design aim and intent

Providing spaces for interaction and engagement
for the local residents of the community and bring
back the lost sense of community by the means of
public spaces.

Mapping of open areas and public spaces

The area has a few open spaces, which are commonly used as plain sit-outs and play areas for
children or just daily meeting spaces for the community, affording the right balance of public use
as well as privacy. Unfortunately, the addition of new compound walls outside the bunglows
facing the open spaces disrupts the quality of the existing space and mars its special character.
Other spaces of any consequence are the few empty plots that stand resulting from the
demolishing of the earlier bungalows that stood on them. Presently, unbuilt upon, these are
covered with overgrown vegetation and are not maintained. Some are used as playgrounds,
while the others have generated into dumping grounds.