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Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725

International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering, Science and Technology (ICETEST - 2015)

Contextual Form Based Coding as a tool in Urban Design Process-

Chalai,Thiruvananthapuram as a case.
Lakshmi S Shajia*, Manoj Kumar Kinib*
a
Dept. Of Architecture, College Of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram
b
Associate Professor, Dept. Of Architecture, College Of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram

Abstract

The present urbanized world is on a vogue to remold its impression and character into someone else’s. The new impressions often carries a
complete disconnect from its roots which gradually loses its self and identity and never has a sustenance. In this context Form Based
Coding(FBC) as a tool in Urban Design Process aids to come up with solutions whichstrongly holds the people to their community and
closelyassociated with culture through the physical spaces they areassociated with. The paper has made an effort to analyze theprocess of FBC
as a genuine tool to establish the association ofphysical form and spaces with the public realm to uphold thecontext and culture by taking a case
in the heritage rich centralcommercial core of Thiruvananthapuram city, Chalai. Chalai isundergoing a tremendous transformation in its
physical formdisregarding its strong culture and context and this can influencethe inherent native character of the bazaar activity and looses
itsidentity in form and function. In this regard form Based Codingwill be a suitable tool to strengthen it as a native bazaar for thecity.
A detailed documentation of form in relation with the existing layers of street pattern, activity, building types, and function is analysed and its
influences to variations in form is studied. The existing codes of the built form of different uses were decoded.
The comparison of existing codes with the theoretical parameters from literature and case studies lead to the formulation of codes with FBC as
a tool suitable for the context.
© 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
© 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review
Peer-review under
under responsibility
responsibility of
of the
theorganizing
organizingcommittee
committeeofofICETEST
ICETEST––2015.
2015
Keywords: Form Based Coding, Regulations, Public realm, Commercial corridor redevelopment;

1. Introduction

Form Based Coding (FBC) is a way of regulating land development to achieve a specific urban form. Form- Based Codes
create predictable built results and a quality public realm by using physical form (rather than separation of uses) as the principle
of organization, with a lesser focus on land use, which is prevailing through municipal regulations. Thus FBC is a regulation,
rather than a mere guideline, adopted into city, town, or county law which is a powerful alternative to conventional zoning
regulation [1].

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 9495118823

E-mail address:lakshmishajis@gmail.com

2212-0173 © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of ICETEST – 2015
doi:10.1016/j.protcy.2016.05.204
 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725 1715

1.1. Relevance of FBC

Form- Based Codes are a new response to the modern challenges of urban sprawl. Such a widespread urbanization resulted in
deterioration of historic neighborhoods, and neglectof pedestrian safety in new development. This also made the existing
municipal regulations insufficient and became a driving force to arrive at a new method of regulation mechanism which is FBC.

2. Background

The Form- Based Codes Institute defines form- based codes as method of regulating development to achieve a specific urban
form. Form- based codes create a predictable public realm by controlling physical form primarily, and land uses secondarily.

2.1. Key differences between conventional Zoning and Form-based code.

Conventional zoning is use- based, with a community divided into zoning districts which segregate land uses [4]. Form- based
codes de- emphasize use and divide a community into neighborhoods or specific street corridors , that have a distinct and
consistent character, while allowing a mixture of compatible uses[7]. Conventional zoning attempts to create uniformity
throughout a district by applying uniform intensity parameters such as setback, height, density, and floor area ratios. Form based
codes embrace diversity in neighborhoods by reflecting different standards for different types of buildings. Because use and
building type are tied together, the standards ensure the building form relates properly to the streetscape and adjacent uses..

2.2. Process of Form based coding.

Form based coding is a regulating plan synonymous tozoning plan but with greater specificity on street types, block
dimensions and building lines. First, the type of code desired and the geographic area(community, specific corridors,
neighborhood or business district) is decided. Then an inventory and analysis of existing condition is documented. From the
analysis and public discussion process detailed urban standards are formulated which specifies uses and corresponding building
types. Based on this the placement and building envelope is defined. This regulates, building line , setbacks, building heights and
integrate with the streetscapes which includes sidewalks and landscapes [5].

2.3. Potential pitfalls of FBC.

While form- based codes are effective tools that can help realize a community’s vision, they are not a panacea that will cure all
problems. There are some limitations of form based codes and some problems [3] that the codes may present to local
communities: Form- based codes are prescriptive and very rigid, which may be viewed by developers as a limitation on what they
can do with their property and a limitation on an architect’s creativity.

3. Case Study.

3.1. Scope.

Case study analysis mainly aims at understanding the parameters and how it has been analyzed to develop codes for the new
infill development. This particular case study of Mount Holly takes up street based coding as its main organizing principle.Also
the understanding of how the commercial streets have been correlated with the existing development and work culture is focused.

3.2. Form- based codes de- emphasize use and divide a community into neighborhoods or specific street corridors ,Study Area.

Mount Holly Township [2], originally founded in 1688 as Northampton, is the county seat of Burlington County, New Jersey
and home to over 10,000 people in just under three square miles.
Form- based codes de- emphasize use and divide a community into neighborhoods or specific street corridors , that have a
distinct and consistent character, while allowing a mixture of compatible uses[7]. Conventional zoning attempts to create
uniformity throughout a district by applying uniform intensity parameters such as setback, height,
1716 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725

Figure 1. Street based Transect Map of Mount Holly Township. Source: Mount Holly Form- Based Code, 12/06/2010 draft.

Mount Holly chose to develop a form- based code over a more conventional zoning code to achieve the following specific
objectives:
1. Create an active mixed- use, walk able downtown that is able to support a variety of housing types; day, night, and weekend
commercial uses; government services and active public spaces.
2. Build upon the existing transportation infrastructure to promote a highly connected, multimodal system.
3. Enhance Mount Holly’s gateways and unique features.
4. Preserve the character of Mount Holly.
5. Create appropriate transitions to outlying neighborhoods.
6. Foster positive economic development.

Six principles below to guide the form- based code project:

1. Preserve the existing character of the downtown and adjacent residential neighborhoods.
2. Support opportunities for desirable economic development.
3. Provide clear graphics to accompany code language, allowing users to visualize specific regulations.
4. Decrease the frequency of variances needed for common urban design features.
5. Encourage vibrancy along High Street with mixed- use development.
6. Enhance Mount Hollys gateways and unique features, such as Rancocas Creek.

3.3. Parameters derived from case study.

From the case study analysis, the major elements used to regulate parameters to regulate the new infill in Commercial Street as
shown in figure 2, focus mainly the pedestrian users and how their built form responds to the public realm. Principle parameters
to regulate the new infill in Commercial Street are as shown in figure 2.

3.4. Conclusion of Case study.

The parameter evolved to code the new developments though aim at defining the urbn form, the understanding of the extend
of influence of end users, lifestyle, culture, and function is critical.
 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725 1717

Figure 2. A: Each commercial center should have their own individual commerce space along with the smooth pedestrian
interface. B: The continuous pedestrian realm for the commercial strip. C:The new infill should merge with the existing context
of buildings,the earlier built use was of work live culture.

4. The Study Area - Chalai.

4.1. Establishing the site.

Trivandrum the renowned temple town with its development core as Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple at Eastfort is the trigger
for development of the commercial centre Chalai. Initially the capital of the state was at Padmanabhapuram later during late 18th
century it was shifted towardstheTravancore ,the present Trivandrum. This initiated the renovation of the Padmanabhaswamy
temple to upgrade its physical status to define the capital complex of the temple town.

Figure 3. The street character of east fort area and old(1930’s) photo of chalai bazaar.

Then Diwan Raja Kesav Das put forward the proposal of the Chalai Bazaar to serve the service community migrated from
neighboring region who were traders, craftsmen involved in temple construction. Thus Chalai Bazaar a native market since its
inception flourished since then, and today it is strong commercial core of Trivandrum City.
The old form of Chalai had close association with the heritage core and cultural context.
Today Chalai is undergoing a tremendous transformation in its physical form and character with the new infill and renovations
and also the frequently occurring fire also adds to the vulnerability to the existing structures. So the rich heritage possession of
Chalai cannot disregard its identity and character to take a physical form with no relation to the context.
1718 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725

Figure 4.Streetscape of Chalai showing transformation in its form.

The current regulating code practiced in India is the national Building code and regarding Kerala it is Kerala
Municipal Building Regulations. In these documents the buildings are treated as individual plots which results in
exploiting the indigenous character which used to positively respond with the public realm [11].

4.2. Introduction to the site.

The area of Thiruvananthapuram City stretches over the low lying coastal belt and undulating terrains of mid land sandwiched
between the high land comprising green mountain forests of Western Ghats and Lakshadweep.

Figure 5. Major Commercial nodes and Linkages of Thiruvananthapuram City

The distance from Thiruvananthapuram to major urban centers of the State like Kochi and Kozhikode by road is 222km and
446kms respectively and by rail are 221kms and 411kms respectively. The major commercial node and linkages are shown in
figure 5.

Chalai market one of the oldest markets in Thiruvananthapuram city was established as a full-fledgedmarket in late 18th
century by then Diwan Raja Kesavdas is one among the most thriving markets in Thiruvananthapuram compared to other markets
which are functioning for almost the same time span. The population density in the central core is nearly 9000 per sq. km, and the
built density is 4000 per sq.km.
The main spine carries majorly the retail shops and the second layer consists of majorly storage spaces and whole sale shops.
The interior pockets are used as residential land as shown in figure 6. There is intrusion of commercial area into the inside area.
 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725 1719

Figure 6. Built use map- Chalai.

Figure 7.Photographs depicting different built forms and activities of Chalai.

1720 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725

5. Analysis of Different layers of Chalai.

5.1. Movement Network. .

Figure 8.Chalai- Movement Analysis.

Figure 9.Chalai- Activity Analysis.

Chalai is diversified with all modes of movement network from cycle to truck systems. The road systems and the buildings are
not designed to take the entire traffic into the streets of Chalai. Hence the pedestrian oriented streets find it difficult to take
 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725 1721

beyond its carrying capacity. The major share of traffic includes two wheelers and pedestrians and the on street parking by two
wheelers and cars makes the streets congested.

5.2. Analysis of activity pattern. .

Chalai Bazaar works 24 hrs a day, the active time is morning 8 am to evening 8 am and the peak time is evening 4 pm to 7 pm.
The presence of the transit interchanges, bus stand and railway station is a major catalyst . Apart from the formal shops there are
few informal commerce, nearly 4 on the verandas of the other shops. The flower merchantsmajorly occupying the corner shops
works 24 hrs a day.
The major influence of activity on the form is alterations and extensions to the existing structures majorly additions to roof
structures and alterations in materials used for fade treatment as part of the change in commercial type and expansion of the
existing commerce.

5.3. Typology Analysis. .

Chalai is enriched with built forms which is unique to itsactivity , context and culture. This holds Chalai closely
associated with the heritage core of Fort area[20]. So formstudy is critical to regulate the new infill development.
Figure 10 shows the cross section of a street which is predominantly hardware shops specifically materials such as
construction tools and other construction materials. One of the oldest buildings along the street is one which is featured with the
courtyard. Historically it was used as horse stable (Kuthiralayam) but now it is adaptively reused for wholesale storage and
commerce of hardware materials.

Figure 10: New infills completely disregarding the existing contextual and cultural characteristics.

From the documentation analysis few types of building were identified. The parameters[8] used to delineate the types were
age of the buildings which could show the transformation of the buildings from the old character to the new, these types are the
majorly repeating ones.
1722 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725

Figure 11.Chalai- Typology Analysis.

Figure 12. Parameter Analysis in reference to form based standards[7]

6. Issues.

1. The infrastructure facilities are not upgraded to meet the increasing commercial pressure.
2. Expansion of commercial function to the existing residential fabric without any regultaion and planning.
3. Amalgamation of plots resulting in massive structure disregarding the bazaar character of Chalai.
4. Traffic congestion along the major roads resulting in pedestrian conflicts.
5. No regulated places for informal commerce.
6. Absence of qualitative public spaces.
7. New infill developments deviating from the existing physical and social form and culture.
 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725 1723

7. Study of paramaters with reference to theory and context. .

A comparative analysis of planning and building codes have been done with reference to the form based codes standards, case
study, and context, considering the major organizing principles- linkage based codes, building based codes and architectural
standards as shown in figure 12 and figure 13. From this analysis, the parameters for the formulation of strategies specific to the
study area have been adopted.

8. Proposed strategies for study area.

8.1. Street based codes linkages.

Arterial roads:
The existing average width of the main spine is 7m. No extension of the width of the main spine, which will destroy the scale
and intimacy of the existing bazaar typology. A continuous pedestrian realm for the entire spine with individual commercial catch
areas. The pedestrian path should only be at a rise of 7 cm for easiness in moving and crossing. Restricting Vehicular entry
through the main spine.

Collector Roads:
The existing collector roads the width varies from 4m to 2.5m. Strong entry nodes with respect to the hierarchy of streets to
enhance the visual permeability and proper lighting facilities.Insertion of appropriate signages to enhance commerce.Service
vehicles to be restricted within collector roads.

8.2. Building based codes hierarchy of built.

Principal Buildings:
The first layer of built height along the main spine shouldrestrict its height to 9m so that it doesn’t break the visualconnectivity
to the rear buildings. The setbacks from thecentral line of the road to the frontline of the building should beof 3m provided
vehicular access is restricted with a continuouspedestrian path of width 1.5m.
Inside Buildings:
The setbacks from the central line of the road to the frontline of the building should be of minimum 3m [6]. The
building should hold elements to capture the attention of the people passing through the arterial roads.

8.3. Land parcelling.

Plot Size:
The minimum plot width should be 1.8m and maximumshould be 20m.

Nature of division:
The division of plots into narrow plots and amalgamation of plots into massive plot size should be restricted[10]. Minimum
plot size should be 12 sq.m and maximum should be 200 sq. m

8.4. Built Open Relationship.

Streets:
Each shop should have its own commerce stop areas and should be integrated with the pedestrian realm. The corner plots
should imbibe a pocket area of minimum 3 sq.m to catch people otherwise the people will move on[9].

Neighboring Buildings:
In the case of shops sharing walls they can maintain a continuous verandah space to have more active interface with the
public. In the case of two separated shops the minimum distance should be 3m to avoid cramped passages, if the height is up to
10m.

8.5. Function.

Restricted functions along the main spine includes, sound polluting industries like welding workshops, flour mills. Roadside
eateries have to be restricted to the corner shops or preceding inside shops. There can be segregation of retail shops to the main
1724 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725

street and retail shops to the collector streets, so that congestion of different modes of movement can be restrained to a service
road connecting these streets.

Figure 13.Parameter analysis from the contextual analysis of the Study area.
 Lakshmi S. Shaji and Manoj Kumar Kini / Procedia Technology 24 (2016) 1714 – 1725 1725

8.6. Architectural Stansdards.

Cultural/ Heritage Features:

The main element is the sloping Manglore tiled roof with a proportion of To maintain sense of History the existing elements
and characteristics should be identified and integrated in the new physical forms with an understanding of the new context and
function. Neglecting the heritage of the context can bring about an urban form with no relation to the context and culture of the
place.

Building Height Proportion:

The visual permeability should have access to the maximum possible total height of the building adjoining to the
street, a ratio of 1 :( 1.5+(x/2)) can be maintained for the building height, where x is the distance from the observer to the highest
point of elevation meeting the ground. .

9. Conclusion.:

The major objective of the study was to evolve strategies from the detailed analysis and understanding of the context of Chalai
with regard to its form . As from the primary study it was clear that the form is not just a dead physical form, it actually shapes
our form, attitude and response to the space. So an area like Chalai which is unique in its nature since its inception historically
cannot afford a development completely disregarding it rich cultural and heritage. And also to favour the native customers who
form 80 % of the crowd, both sellers and buyers. Chalai, having a close association with the historic core of Thiruvananthapuram,
should be a strong native bazaar for the city of Thiruvananthapuram, to serve the native crowd often comes under the category of
annual income of below 20thousand who cannot afford a mall culture.
In this context, the exploration of Form based codes as a regulatory tool can be used with primary emphasis on the physical
form of the built environment which in turn shapes the social form and culture. By this study it was able to justify the demand
and need of Chalai as a potential site for applying FBC .Thus the exploration of Form- based codes as a regulatory tool where
primary emphasis is on the physical form of the built environment taking Chalai as a case could bring about the significance of
form in bringing about a qualitative interface between public realm and physical built form.

References

[1]Form Based Codes Institute:Form-Based Codes Defined,http://formbasedcodes.org/definition, accessed on may 10, 2015.
[2]Form Based Codes, Lessons Learned From A Mount Holly, NJ CaseStudy. Issue: March 2012.
[3] Smart Growth Tactics. Issue No: 28, 2007.
[4] Kerala Municipality Building Rules, 1999.
[5] Form Based Codes in New Jersey, 2010. Issue: July.
[6] C. Alexander. A pattern languag e, 1977.
[7] P. C. C. Daniel G. Parolek, Karen Parolek. Form Based Codes, johnwiley publishers.
[8] N. J. Habraken. Control Hierarchies in complex artifacts. Proceedings of the 1987 Conference on Planning and Design in architecture at the
International congress on Planning and Design Theory, Boston, Massachussets, 1987.
[9] A. B. Jacobs. Conclusion Great Streets and City planning ,1993.
[10] J. Jacobs. Authors’ Introduction and The Use of Sidewalks. 1961
[11] S. Srirangam and W. Forsyth.CULTURE AND COMMERCE OF CHENNAI CITY-A spatialanalysis of the relationship between temples and retail activity,
Proceedings of Eighth International Space Syntax Symposium, Santiago de Chile: Puc, 2012.