Tanishka Singh

UR3011

Nai Sarak, located in the heart of Jodhpur’s old city, carries a rich cultural and architectural heritage that has gradually deteriorated due to abandonment, congestion, and fragmented development. Instead of pursuing wholesale redevelopment, this proposal advocates for a strategy of ‘surgical intervention’. This approach aims to preserve the existing built environment while implementing targeted, minimal yet impactful changes. The vision is to revitalize Nai Sarak by blending the spirit of the old city with contemporary urban needs, creating spaces that cater to both locals and visitors. Central to this strategy is preserving and retrofitting existing structures, such as the colonnaded shopfronts. These will receive incremental improvements in services, facades, and structural repairs, all without displacing current occupants. Alleys and sidewalks will be transformed into shared, active public spaces through enhancements like better lighting, rear entries to upper floors, and encouraging habitation on higher levels, promoting natural surveillance based on Jane Jacobs’ concept of ‘eyes on the street’. Key interaction points such as temple courtyards, junctions, and open corners will be developed into micro-plazas featuring seating, vending infrastructure, and public art, creating vibrant social hubs. The proposal also reinforces diverse mixed uses within every block, preventing mono-functional zoning.