PERCEPTION OF AN

URBAN PUBLIC
PLACE :
A CASE STUDY OF MARTYRS’
SQUARE, TRIVANDRUM

Source: Urban design Report on Palayam by S8 2016-21 Batch MCAP

INTRODUCTION

India is in a rapid phase of development. The development

occurs in various phases and in certain areas. Urban places
play an important role in the economic, cultural and social
development of a place and the people.

When in comes to the functioning of an urban square, many

urban theorists and planners have different opinions. These
can be analyzed with respect to various urban squares to
understand the proper functions of an urban public square.

Source: Cathedral

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INTRODUCTION
The urban structure today has significantly increased
worldwide and as a result the social and physical structure
of the cities changes accordingly..

Privatization and decentralization are the future of cities

and open public places.

Urban squares are open public spaces which reflect the

cities’ identity and the communities’ cultural background.
They are where people of the community gather and “urban
life” takes place since the ancient times.

As the fundamental component of the city structure, urban

squares contribute to the image and prestige of the city.
Hence, it is essential to know various aspects of an urban
square and what all characteristics contribute to a perfect
well-functioning urban public square. Source: One Time Square

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AIM
To understand urban spaces and to evaluate the
performance of Martyrs’ Square Trivandrum as an Urban
Square.

OBJECTIVES
• To understand urban squares, its typologies,
characteristics and functions.
• To understand and analyze the Urban theories pertaining
to urban spaces of Roger Trancik, Kevin Lynch.
• To identify various forms and planning of urban squares
and undertake an comparative analysis
• To evaluate the performance and behaviour of Martyrs’
Square, Palayam, Trivandrum as an urban square.

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SCOPE
• This study evaluates various urban squares and its
characteristics through secondary sources. Trivandrum
has so many urban spaces but this study restricts itself to
Martyrs’ Square alone.

• The study only covers the analysis and evaluation of an

urban square with respect to various parameters
identified from the different urban theories studied.

LIMITATIONS
• The pandemic situation prevalent in India from March
2020 onwards posed a lot of challenges and restrictions.

• Logistical issues and restrictions.

• Capturing the live usage of spaces during a public

gathering was difficult to a large extent.

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RESEARCH PROCESS

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 EVOLUTION OF URBAN
SQUARES
UNDERSTANDING URBAN
AGORA
SQUARES ROMAN
FORUM
URBAN SQUARE?
CHURCHES
• According to Kevin Lynch, an urban square is the
“activity focus” in the center of dense urban areas. He PIAZZAS
states that “it will be paved, enclosed by high density FORMAL
structures, and surrounded by streets, or in contact with SQUARES
them. It contains features meant to attract groups of
people and to facilitate meetings” (Lynch, 1981, p. 443) HUGE GREEN
AREAS
URBAN
SQUARES
TURNED TO
CROSS ROADS

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TYPES OFURBAN SQUARES

BY FORM

BY PAUL ZUCKER

DOMINA NUCLEA GROUPE AMORPH TRIANGU RECTAN CIRCULA L-

CLOSED
URBAN SQUARES
TED RIN D EXAMPLES:
OUS LAR GULAR R SHAPED
SQUARE
SQUARE SQUARE SQUARE SQUARE SQUARE SQUARE SQUARE SQUARE
INDIA
The cities of India have had a traditional
settlement as an urban core, which
developed during the medieval period
under the reign of the Hindu and then the
Muslim rulers Manek Chowk, Connaught Gandhi Nagar,
Ahmedabad Place, Delhi Gujarat

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FUNCTIONS OF AN URBAN SQUARE
• Promote social interactions
• Wide variety of functions
• Should provide physical and mental well-being to the
users
• Economic and social surroundings
• Provide shelter against traffic

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS PARAMETERS

 According to Rob Krier, the performance of an urban square includes:-
• A gathering place for the people.
• Commercial activities as well as cultural activities should happen in a square.
• Establishments such as community halls, youth centers, libraries, theaters, concert halls etc. should be
included.
• Wherever possible (especially in case of central squares) there should the squares should functions which
generate activity twenty four hours a day.
• Residential uses should not be excluded from any urban squares.

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 According to urban planner Kevin Lynch, an urban square includes:-
•A square groove of trees with scattered benches and walks.
•Includes landscaping and water features.
•Providing them with a shelter against the traffic.
•Represents as a psychological parking place within the civic landscape.
•The City image and its Elements

 Other performance parameters of an urban square

includes:-
• Accessibility
• Activity
• Spatial Organization
• Image
• Size
• Landscaping
• Site Furniture
• Focal Elements

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LITERATURE CASE STUDIES
• Times Square, New York
-Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist
destination, entertainment center, and neighbourhood in the
Midtown Manhattan section of New York City, at the
junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue.
-It is a very busy and crowded urban area. Active
throughout the year especially during various seasons such
as New Year’s Eve. Times Square has a large number of
Times Square, New York
commercial buildings and offices. Source:Kaskus
• Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad
-The walled city of Ahmedabad has developed on
traditional city planning principles centuries ago and even
now it thrives as a vibrant community space, comprising
majority of the Hindu population.
-Manek Chowk is a collaboration which act as a connecting
space, cultural space, open space, interaction space and
commercial space
Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad
Source:Wikipedia

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LITERATURE CASE STUDIES
• Connaught Place, Delhi
-Connaught Place is one of the largest financial,
commercial and business centers in New Delhi. It is often
abbreviated to CP
-It was developed as a showpiece of Lutyen’s Delhi with a
prominent Central Business District.
-The design of CP provided for large open spaces and have
proved to be valuable public spaces in today's context. The Connaught Place, Delhi
Grand Scale and architectural character of Connaught Place Source:Square Yards
makes it stand out amongst the buildings which surround it.

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 MARTYRS’ SQUARE, PALAYAM

Source: Urban Design report on Palayam by S8 2016-21 Batch, MCAP

• Palayam or Cantonment, as it is locally known, one of the busiest localities in Thiruvananthapuram (also
known as Trivandrum), the capital of Kerala State in India.
• It is home to many of the administrative, cultural, and educational institutions in Kerala.
• It gets its name from the fact that it used to be camp of the royal army and cavalry of the erstwhile kings of
Travancore.
• Palayam lies at the intersection of National Highway and a historic corridor which showcases several
mesmerizing architecture styles like Colonial, Indosarsenic, Islamic, Gothic, Kerala Vernacular, Modern.
Post-Modern-Colloidal style, Gracco-Roman style etc...
• The unique character of Palayam is marked by the coexistence of religious centers- Juma Masjid, St Joseph’s
Church, Ganapathi Kovil and the temple inside Connemara Market.

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 PALAYAM

Source: Urban Design report on Palayam by S8 2016-21 Batch, MCAP

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CURRENT SCENARIO

• At present Palayam Martyr’s Square is used as a

space for holding political meetings and other
strikes.
• A crossway is provided in front of Martyr’s Square
and many people use it. Martyr’s Square acts as a
central core for the Palayam area.
• An underground passage goes below the Martyr’s
Square.

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CONTEXT ANALYSIS

Source: Urban Design report on Palayam by S8 2016-21 Batch, MCAP

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PERFORMANCE PARAMETER ANALYSIS

ANALYSIS ACCORDING TO ACCESSIBILITY ANALYSIS VISUAL ACCESSIBILITY

THEORY OF KEVIN LYNCH ANALYSIS
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PERFORMANCE PARAMETER ANALYSIS

VIEW FROM PETROL PUMP NEAR PALAYAM CHURCH VIEW FROM THE ROAD NEAR SAPHALYAM

IMAGE ANALYSIS

SPATIAL ANALYSIS

Source: Urban Design report on Palayam by S8 2016-21 Batch, MCAP

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COMPARISON OF URBAN SQUARES TO UNDERSTAND THE PERFORMANCE OF MARTYRS’ SQUARE

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IDENTIFYING POTENTIALS FOR IMPROIVNG
THE PERFORMANCE OF MARTYRS’ SQUARE

• Improvement of the surrounding context.

• Adapting certain measures to create a more people friendly and eco-friendly place.

• Provide adequate seating spaces and open spaces for public.

• Making the area more user friendly.

• Provide visually appealing views.

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CONCLUSION

• Urban places have a major role in the development of a city.

• Martyrs’ Square at Palayam Trivandrum has originally been designed as well planned Urban Square at the
most appropriate position taking in to consideration in Geographical location based on the various political
and other administrative building in the region.

• The direct and indirect pressures of surrounding developments, traffic, vehicular movement etc. has definitely
affected the spatial quality of Martyrs’ Square as an urban space.

• The people using the place have adapted themselves to use this area as it is. This area has evolved through
various times and has gone through many changes.

• There is scope for a lot of improvement so that the overall spatial quality of the locality is elevated.

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