Nachane Siddhesh Shirish Swati

UD4002-3

The studio is focused on the design aspects of urban transformations within the existing urban areas. Indian cities are growing rapidly in terms of population and therefore expanding physically. Increasing urban population and the growing urban incomes are affecting the demand for more and more built-floor space in cities accompanied by a demand for infrastructure. Urban areas within these cities are dealing with unsustainable levels of stress on infrastructure, resources and public services and are becoming unlivable Although a number of initiatives have opened various dialogues about urban development, questions of quality of built environment that enhances the experience of the cities, especially the urban centers remain largely unanswered. Re-inventing these centers through urban design can not only bring a new life to some underutilized precincts but also maximize the use to its potential. Thus urban transformation offers a unique opportunity to bring about long term, sustainable changes to the structure of the cities. While there are many kinds of lands that open up for redevelopment in cities, some of the most popular ones are defunct industrial hubs, ports, waterfronts and more recently defunct highways. Historically, these have tended to be industrial lands or old rail yards. But modern transportation and industrial development needs are moving these places to more spacious and better located sites, often at the urban edge, creating new inner-city potential and opportunity.