Decoding Sense of Place, Case of Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad

Panse Shambhavi Nityanand

UP4002

When cities evolve they start to transform and attract more people. The built as well as the unbuilt helps shape a city. People start building association with their neighborhood. All of this leads to achieving a 'sense of place' to the people. The portfolio tries to decode this aspect for Ghatlodiya, a growing residential suburb in western Ahmedabad. The area is analyzed through the three elements of this theory namely memory, experience and social relations. The history, built form and public realm is elaborated though the lens of 'sense of Place' for better understanding of the city and the suburb.

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Sense of place is associated with the social environmental characteristics of place, although resident’s perceptions of it have been linked to physical features of the built environment. The meanings tied to place were ground in memory, experience and social relations. (Plas and Lewis, 1996). MEMORY - First aspect of 'Sense of Place'.

Expansion of Ahmedabad's city limits was due to various industrial, policy and infrastructure related developments. This impacted the transformation of Ghatlodiya.

There was a spatial transformation from farmlands to a dense residential neighborhood. This helped shape the character of the precinct and form an image through the various landmarks, nodes and edges. Thus, the precinct showcases some distinct elements related to access, built form and open spaces.

Sense of place is associated with the social environmental characteristics of place, although resident’s perceptions of it have been linked to physical features of the built environment. The meanings tied to place were ground in memory, experience and social relations. (Plas and Lewis, 1996). EXPERIENCE - second aspect of 'Sense of Place'.

The built forms in Ghatlodiya have evolved over the years and is a predominantly residential. The comparison of property prices in Ghatlodiya with other parts of the city clearly indicates that this suburb is the foremost choice for affordable housing and land.

The constant demand for housing has resulted in degrading quality of open space over the years.

Sense of place is associated with the social environmental characteristics of place, although resident’s perceptions of it have been linked to physical features of the built environment. The meanings tied to place were ground in memory, experience and social relations. (Plas and Lewis, 1996). SOCIAL RELATION - First aspect of 'Sense of Place'.

In the absence of curated open spaces the streets of Ghatlodiya act as prominent public spaces. The varied street edge conditions show that there is an active and porous connection of the street with the built forms. This helps enhance the feeling of security and social relations are formed.

The Public Realm in Ghatlodiya is analyzed based on the theory given by Jan Gehl. The theory states that public spaces provide with a choice to either assemble or disperse , open up or close and invite or repel.

The presence of wide streets in Ghatlodiya proves to be an asset for the residents. The streets function as area to gather, eat and play at different times of the day.