Project EKAM: Understanding Community Engagement

Radhika Maitra

UR2014

Unlike current transit settlements, Project EKAM (Oneness) aims to become a harmonious, self-sustaining community where everyone’s voice matters and collective, cohesive co-living occurs among different groups, while being situated in the heart of Ahmedabad.
EKAM is an acronym, where E stands for ‘Ek Saath’ (Together), K stands for ‘Kaayam’ (Sustainable), A stands for ‘Aavaaz’ (Voice), and M stands for ‘Mera, Humara, Apna’ (Mine, Our, Ours).
After proposing Project EKAM, 'Chalo Banaye Apna Social Space' (Come, Let's Make Our Social Space) - a gameboard - was designed to find an engrossing way to engage community members.

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An introduction to implementation & participation strategies - why it is required, and comprehending the current context of slum resettlement in India

Understanding the need of improving transit settlements by looking at the timeline of what happened during Sabarmati Riverfront Development in India

Drawing from present living conditions of Ganeshnagar - a transit settlement in Ahmedabad, making a vision for Project EKAM

Involving the community throughout the process of establishing Project EKAM - inform, consult, involve, collaborate

Even after moving into settlement, the community members are to be engaged - empower, evolve; Taking a look at what happens to project ekam once everyone is allotted housing

Making a storyboard tracing the path of residents from receiving eviction notices to a day in Project EKAM

After delving into the life of community members, finding an engrossing and playful way to engage them - 'Chalo Banaye Apna Social Space' Gameboard

Understanding the gameboard using concept diagrams; Aim, Implications and Introduction to the gameboard

Components, Setup and Rules of gameboard

Process of Development of gameboard, along with the final gameboard

Project Video