REFEREED JOURNAL OF IIA | ISSN-0019-4913 2019 JANUARY | VOLUME 84 | ISSUE 01 | 100

UIA-IIA ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW

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Contents
JIIA IS REFEREED JOURNAL
ISSN-0019-4913

REGISTERED UNDER SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, XXI OF 1860

JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
VOL-84 ISSUE 01 - JANUARY 2019

4 Editorial - Ar Anand Palaye

5 President’s Message - Ar Divya Kush
6 Logo Competition Launch - UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture
8 UIA International Forum on Tourism in Historic Cities at BAKU
9 UIA-IIA Architects Mahakumbh Lucknow
16 Proposed Curriculum for Architectural Design
- Ar. M. Pratap Rao
20 Defects and Maintenance in Residential Apartment Buildings
- Dr. Anurag Kashyap & Ar. Rahul Chutake
25 JIIA Subscription Form
26 Impact of Transition in Culture & Change in Behavioral Expression
- Ar. Vijay B.Sambrekar & Dr. Suresh V. Ranade
31 Socio-Ecological Urban Systems: Planning for Resilience
- Ar. Alokananda Banerjee Mukherje & Ar. Suchandra Bardhan
37 IIA Student Membership Form
38 Bringing flexibility in design of affordable house prototypes
- Prof Dr Alka Sunil Kote & Ar. Sudhir Ramesh Deshpande
43 29th JK AYA Entry Form
44 Re-Imagining the Development of Inner city: A case of Aurangabad
- Ar. Karansingh A Thakur
52 A Paradigm of Modern Living
- Ar. Jagdish B. Karamchandani

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2006. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any IIA OFFICE BEARERS 2015-2017
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording or any information storage or
Ar Divya Kush - President
retrieval system without permission in writing from THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.
Only materials accompanied by stamped and self-addressed envelopes can be returned. No responsibility Ar Prakash Deshmukh - Imm Past President
is taken for damage or safe return by the Editor of JIIA. The Editor of the THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF
ARCHITECTS takes no responsibility for author's opinion expressed in the signed articles. Ar Vilas V Avachat - Vice President

Printed & Published by Ar Anand Palaye on behalf of The Indian Institute of Architects and printed by Ar Amogh Kumar Gupta - Jr Vice President
Arihant Digiprint, Unit Nos. 1-2, Bussa Industrial Estate, Hanuman Lane, Near to Peninsula Corporate
Park, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400 013 and Published at The Indian Institute of Architects, Prospect Ar Sunil R Degwekar - Hon Treasurer
Chambers Annexe, 5th Floor, Dr D N Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001.
Ar C. R Raju - Jt Hon Secretary
Tel.: +91.22.22046972/22818491/22884805 Fax: +91.22.22832516
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Ar Lalichan Zacharias - Jt Hon Secretary
Website: www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com
Editor: Ar Divya Kush R.N.I. No.9469/57
Email : [email protected] Ar Anand Palaye - Chairman –
Printer’s Email : [email protected] Publication Board &
Executive Editor, JIIA
Cover Photo: UIA-IIA ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW
EDITORIAL

Ar Anand Palaye

Dear Fellow Architects and readers

As our institute proceeds into another new year, we at the JIIA continue our efforts to provide our
readers with useful and relevant architectural material.
We are pleased to present a collection of papers and articles on a variety of subjects that are
integral to architecture.
Ar. M. Pratap Rao, in his paper has made his suggestions on how the subject of design can be
integrated in the overall curriculum for architectural design.
Defects and general maintenance in residential buildings is a very acute and nagging issue even
today. Ar. Anurag Kashyap and Ar. Rahul Chutake have carried out a study on this subject which
will be very useful for the architects and residents equally.
Ar. Vijay Sambrekar under the guidance of Dr Suresh Ranade has presented his research on Impact
of Transition in culture and changes in social patterns on the design of residential buildings in
west Maharashtra as a case study.
Ar. Aloknanda Mukherjee and Ar. Suchandra Bardhan have addressed the issue of how climate
changes particularly affect the cities in proximity of wetlands and how planning considerations
can help instil resilience in a sustainable manner.
Dr. Alka Kote and Ar. Sudhir Deshpande have highlighted the importance and need of flexibility in
design of affordable house prototypes with possible solutions through a case study of Pune city.
A young Architect Karansingh Thakur presents his thesis on reimagining the development of an
inner city – through a detailed case study of Aurangabad city.
Ar. Jagdish Karamchandani showcases a modern township project which incorporates many
design features that can be termed as a paradigm of modern living.
We present a detailed report on a mega architectural meet held at Lucknow, India from 30
November to 02 December 2018, fondly referred as ‘Architects Maha Kumbh under the auspisces
of UIA (International Union of Architects) and IIA which provides an insight of many deliberations
carried out at this mega event.
We are sure our readers will find these articles interesting.

Ar Anand Palaye
Chairman - Publication Board & Executive Editor,
JIIA

4 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Ar Divya Kush

Dear Fellow Architects,

Once again, Warm Greetings for a very Happy & Prosperous New Year 2019 to you all,

Friends, as you are already informed that, the 1st ever UIA Council meeting was held in India at
Lucknow followed by the Architects Maha Kumbh on 1st & 2nd Dec. 2018. Hon’ble Governor of
Uttar Pradesh Sh. Ram Naik, was the Chief Guest at the Architects Maha Kumbh while Hon’ble
Deputy Chief Minister Sh. Dinesh Sharma presided over the valedictory function. Hon’ble
Mayor of Lucknow Smt. Sanyukta Bhatia inaugurated the historic 136th UIA council meeting.

I thank Thomas Vonier, the President & entire council of UIA for the historic opportunity &
privilege of hosting the under 136th UIA council meeting to IIA. I also thank the President &
all the International participants for their congratulatory messages & calls for the meticulous
arrangements & extra ordinary hospitality extended by the entire team of the UP & Uttarakhand
Chapter, who also richly deserve to be complimented for their efforts & achievement.

My thanks & gratitude for the keynote address to Ar. Raj Rewal which included screening of a
film showing some of his land mark projects & equally so to the other eminent speakers which
included Ar. Premnath, Ar. Christopher Benninger, Ar. Jaisim, Ar. Shirish Beri, Prof. R. Shankar,
Prof. Pushp Lata who enlightened the houseful of participants with their wisdom thoughts on
a variety of aspects of the profession of architecture through their works & words throughout
during the technical sessions of the event.

This issue of the Journal has articles on Modern living, Defect & Maintenance of Buildings,
Impact of transition in Culture, Curriculum for Architecture Design, Flexibility on Design of
affordable housing & Re-imagining the Development of inner city-Aurangabad.

I am sure, as always, the papers & articles in this issue will prove to be very interesting &
informative for the readers.

Ar Divya Kush
President,
The Indian Institute of Architects

2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 5

 LOGO COMPETITION LAUNCH - UNESCO-UIA
WORLD CAPITAL OF ARCHITECTURE

COMPETITION LAUNCH
6 February 2019

UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture

LOGO COMPETITION

The UIA is launching a competition for the UNESCO-UIA More information about the World Capital of Architecture.
World Capital of Architecture logo.
The winning logo will be used all around the world for the
The World Capital of Architecture is a new triennial World Capital of Architecture programme branding. While
programme launched by UNESCO and the UIA, whereby the a new World Capital of Architecture is nominated every 3
two organisations will designate cities hosting the UIA World years, the programme logo stays the same.
Congress of Architects as World Capitals of Architecture for
...And we want that logo to be designed by YOU!
a period of 1 year. The city designated as World Capital of
Architecture will become a global forum for discussing the ELIGIBILITY
pressing challenges facing our world, through the prisms of
This competition is open to anyone. Submissions can be
culture, heritage, urban planning and architecture. UNESCO,
made as an individual or as a team.
the UIA and local institutions will organise activities and
events to promote projects that will involve not only
architects and urban planners, but professionals from
TIME
all other related sectors, including artists, writers, policy
Launch – Wednesday 6 February 2019
makers, and social institutions. Deadline – All projects must be submitted online
The overriding objective of the World Capital of Architecture
via the competition platform by 18:00 Central
initiative is for designated cities to style themselves as open
European Time, Tuesday, 30 April 2019
and creative spaces to discuss, exchange and seek solutions Results – The winning project will be announced
to the urban dilemma. on Monday, 27 May 2019

6 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

 L O G O C O M P E T I T I O N L A U N C H - U N E S C O - U I A W O R L D C A P I TA L O F A R C H I T E C T U R E

Eddie Opara began his career at ATG and Imaginary Forces

THE JURY and worked as senior designer-art director at 2×4 before
establishing his own studio, The Map Office. He joined
Pentagram’s New York office as partner in 2010. Opara is
also a senior critic at the Yale University School of Art and
has recently authored a book, Color Works, published by
Rockport.

LULU LI
Lulu Li is an active practitioner in fields of design, art,
interaction design, research, curatorial practice, and
entrepreneurship. Both her personal works and studio works ELAINE RAMOS
has won numerous awards from TOCA ME, Gilbert de Botton Elaine Ramos runs a design studio most focused on the
UAL awards, Red Dot, IF award, to the Best app 2014 and cultural market and is a founding partner of the Brazilian
2015 in app store. She is renowned for her commitment publishing house Ubu, created in 2016. She graduated from
to projects raising awareness about the fight against air the School of Architecture and Urbanism of the University
pollution in cities and for her work with virtual reality. of São Paulo (FAU-USP) and worked as art director at the
publishing house Cosac Naify for 11 years. She has been
exhibiting her graphic design work in Europe and America
since 2006.

FOR REGISTRATION, PLEASE VISIT :-

https://uia-wcalogo.awardsplatform.com
The International Union of Architects (UIA) is an international non-
governmental organisation based in Paris. Established in 1948, it is
the only organisation representing architects across the globe working
to unify architects, influence public policies on construction and
development, and advance architecture in service to the needs of society.

UIA - INTERNATIONAL UNION OF ARCHITECTS

E-mail: [email protected]
EDDIE OPARA Website: www.uia-architectes.org

2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 7

 UIA International Forum on Tourism in Historic Cities at
BAKU, Azerbaijan from 7th to 9th June 2019 followed by UIA
Mini general assembly & UIA Council meeting on
10th & 11th June 2019.

Early Bird Registration upto 28th Feb. 2019

For Details visit: UIA2019baku.org/en/

8 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

 UIA-IIA ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW
30.11.2018 - 02.12.2018, Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow
Organized by
UP & UTTARAKHAND CHAPTER
THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

Hon. Governor of UP Sri. Ram Naik ji lighting the lamp with UIA president, IIA president,
Chapter Chairman and Convener of Mahakumbh

The International Union of Architects, UIA is the only

international non-governmental organization that represents
the world's architects, now estimated to number some 3.2
million in all. The UIA was founded in Lausanne, Switzerland,
in 1948. The General Secretariat is located in Paris. It is
recognized as the only global architecture organisation by
most United Nations agencies, including UNESCO, UNCHS,
ESOSOC, UNIDO, and the World Health Organization, as well
as the WTO. The current (2017-2020) president is Thomas
Vonier from the United States of America.

The UIA convenes the World Congress of Architects every

three years, each organised by a UIA member section that has
competed for the honour. The UIA General Assembly meets
UIA Meeting in progress during the World Congress of Architects, to conduct the

Mayor of Lucknow greeting the UIA delegates along with IIA president Ar.
Mayor of Lucknow Ms. Sanyukta Bhatia with UIA and IIA members Divya Kush and Convener Ar. K.K. Asthana

2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 9

 UIA-IIA ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW

Mayor of Lucknow Ms. Sanyukta Bhatia with UIA and IIA members

business of the UIA and to elect UIA officers for a three-year U.P. Architects along with a building materials exhibition &
term. UIA also holds its council meetings generally every six guided heritage tours at Lucknow & Agra for the international
months at various member institutes. For the first time in its delegates were the other highlights of the event.
seventy years long history IIA was honored with the privilege
of hosting the 136th UIA council meeting at Lucknow which The Theme
was organized by UP and Uttarakhand Chapter of IIA along During Kumbh, which is organized once in twelve years,
with ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH. saints and seers assemble at one place to disseminate
their knowledge among the general public. In the UIA-
The council meeting was inaugurated by Ms. Sanyukta IIA Mahakumbh modern day seers and torch bearers of
Bhatia, Hon’ble Mayor of Lucknow & was very well attended architecture from across the world assembled at one point
by more than 30 International delegates & observed by over to share their knowledge and experiences for betterment
100 national delegates while the ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH of the profession of Architecture. Accordingly the Theme of
was inaugurated by Sh. Ram Naik, Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Architects’ Mahakumbh was very thoughtfully chosen as “
Pradesh. The key note address was delivered by Ar. Raj Rewal Architecture of Tomorrow and Day after...”
followed by thought provoking presentations by eminent
speakers including Ar. Christopher Charles Beninger, Ar.
Premnath, Ar. Shirish Beri, Ar. K Jaisim, Prof. R Shankar and
Prof. Pushplata.

Thomas Vonier, President, UIA also made a power point

presentation on the history & the role of UIA as representative
organization of more than 35 Lac Architects of over 100
member Institute from all the continents of the world.

More than 300 delegates & students were active participant

during the presentations. Finally the Valedictory session was
addressed by Sri Dinesh Sharma ji, the dynamic Deputy Chief
Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Hon. Governor of UP with UIA and IIA Presidents and Convenor of
IIA Council meeting, The student competitions, exhibition the program.
of 100 years of Indian Architecture & selected works of

National Anthem in Inaugural ceremony Ar. K. K. Asthana-Convener, Ar.

Divya Kush-IIA President, Hon. Governor of UP Shri. Ram Naik Ji, Ar. Thomas
Hon. Governor of UP addressing the audience Vonier-UIA President and Ar. V. K. Agarwal-UP & Uttarakhand Chapter-IIA.

10 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

 UIA-IIA ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW

Inaugural ceremony- National Anthem Address by Dy Chief Minister of UP Sri Dinesh Sharma ji at valedictory function

Greeting the Chief Guest Sri Ram Naik ji, Hon. Governor of UP by UIA and Felicitation of Dy CM by convener, IIA president and chapter chairmen
IIA presidents. looking on

Hon. Governor of UP at Architects Mahakumbh Dy CM interacting with office bearers of UIA and IIA

Objective of the Seminar Intelligence are changing present and future of

The objective of the seminar was to deliberate on topical architecture.
issues pertaining to architectural practice and academics in
• 3D printing as a New Shape for Architecture.
India. Major Emphasis was made on the following issues:
• Zero Energy Architecture.
• How architecture is linked with new technologies such
as virtual/ augmented reality and artificial intelligence, • Smart City as a new platform for living.
and how new technologies will transform cities and • The Sustainable Strategies for the City Development.
what the architect is to expect in the next 10-15 years. • Mega projects, Super Tall and New Cities within the
• How Virtual Reality/ Augmented Reality/ Artificial existing cities.

2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 11

 UIA-IIA ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW

The Sub Topics for Seminar/Lectures/ Panel Discussions o People in every country try to follow their norms
1. Diminishing Cultural Boundaries and Style of Local and maintain their values in making of architecture
architecture by applying the material things. Changing the
o The culture of each society is identified through cultural and social attitudes in communities has the
its manifestations such as language, art, and greatest impact on the architecture. Therefore, the
architecture, and analysis in the field of culture role of culture in promoting architectural identity
is related to the study of cultural manifestations. seems essential.
Architecture as a matter of human life reflects the o The social order formed by civilization creates
culture in every society interacting closely with cultural progress, and apart from the country’s
structural, historical, political, economic and social political, moral and economic conditions, the
features of society. pursuit of knowledge and that of the arts forms the
basis of the culture of one’s country.

UIA President- Thomas Vonier making presentation Prof.Pushplata during her presentation

Question answer session Prof. R. Shankar during his presentation

Ar. Premnath during his presentation Ar. K. Jaisim during his presentation

12 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

 UIA-IIA ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW

Ar. Shirish Beri explaining his point Ar. Christopher Charles Benninger during his presentation

Co Convener Ar. Sandeep Saraswat escorting the UIA president in exhibition Ar. Raj Rewal during his presentation

UIA President Thomas Vonier visiting the exhibitions with IIA Trustee Ar. Thimmaiah Moments of leisure and pleasure after days hard work.

2. Outburst of Technologies and worldwide monotony are two objectives that should be pursued, but the
o Uniformity or lack of variation in pitch, intonation, challenges will vary depending on each city and its
or inflection related to architecture. degree of development.
o Tedious sameness or repetitiousness o The urban population is expected to double in the
3. Present scenario of Architecture Practice prospects in next 40 years, forcing cities to undertake a holistic
Developing Countries and sustainable transformation of their model.
o Architectural and economic aspects are important. o Cities are very important, not just for the world
But beyond that, challenges and solutions need of architecture and urbanism but also for the
to be addressed comprehensively and viewed economy and politics. In addition, the urban
holistically in the cities of developing countries. population is expected to double over the next 40
Reducing inequality and achieving sustainability

2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 13

 UIA-IIA ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW

years, bringing about a rapid, large-scale change the conventional architectural business milieu.
that has no precedence in human history. Whatever A number of relatively new challenges present
the reasons behind it, this growth pattern is having themselves to those architecture- related
an impact on the functioning of cities, on their companies based innovative business models.
governance, and the quality of life. In light of o In response to the unnecessarily cumbersome back-
this, we must ensure that cities remain spaces for and-forth process architects have between their
innovation, culture, and well- being. clients, developers, architects, contractors and sub-
4. Archipreneurship: contractors, archipreneurs are beginning to create
o The ethos of being an archipreneur merges new business models that push the boundaries of
that of entrepreneurship and architecture, and the profession.
often involves scenario unlikely to play out in

Some serious deliberations! Some glimpses of cultural evening

Some serious deliberations! Vice President UIA in a lighter mood

Some glimpses of cultural evening Vice President UIA in a lighter mood

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 UIA-IIA ARCHITECTS MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW

Art competition of students of Architecture Curiosity for results of competitions.

Art competition of students of Architecture Jubilant students with Prof. Keshav kumar

Art competition of students of Architecture Student participants with Professors

Organizers of UIA IIA MAHAKUMBH LUCKNOW • Prof Dr Arun Kapur, Co convener ( Technical sessions)
• Ar. Virendra Agarwal, Chairman, UP-Uttarakhand • Prof Jagbir Singh, Special Cooperation
Chapter, IIA
• Ar Prof Md Tabish Abdulla, Ar Vishal Jain, Ar Prasenjit
• Ar. K.K. Asthana, Convenor, Organising Committee, Sanayal, Ar Rohit Parmar, Ar Fouzan Khan, Ar Prateek
136th UIA Council Meeting Srivastav, Ar Ariz Ali, Ar Dipti Sagar, Ar Sanjay Maurya, Ar
• Ar. Ashutosh Kr. Agarwal, Convenor, Secretariat, 136th Chitranshu Khare, Ar Aditya Yadav, Ar Azeem Akhtar, Ar
UIA Council Meeting Md Zia, Ar Sweksha Yadav, Ar Shishir Srivastav, Ar Gaurav
• Ar. Munish Chandra, Jt. Hon. Secretary, UP-Uttarakhand Gupta, Ar Parul Gurha, Ar Karan Raj Nagpal, Ar Ananya
Chapter, IIA Asthana
• Prof Keshav Kumar, Co convener Students: Ankur Varma, Chandan Bharadwaj, Sakshi Agrawal,
Faizan Siddiqui, Md Tariq, Abdul Ahad
• Ar. Sandeep Saraswat, Co convener (Exhibition)

2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 15

Proposed Curriculum for Architectural Design

Ar. M. Pratap Rao

M. Pratap Rao is a senior consultant Architect-Planner working in Hyderabad, Telangana. He passed B.Arch
(1977) from JNTU, Hyderabad; MURP (1981) from University of Mysore, Mysore with First rank and gold medal.
He received IIA Research Award in 1991.He published six books and fifty articles.

[email protected]

ABSTRACT
There is a dilemma among the students and faculty in teaching the subject of architectural design. It is treated as
a separate subject without relating to the other subjects learnt in the preceding semesters. This article suggests a
curriculum for architectural design.

A. The present method: In the First stage, the first 3 academic years or 6 semesters
There is a dilemma among the students and faculty in (each of approximately 18 working weeks) shall be
teaching the subject of architectural design. Faculty expects institutional academic studies. In this stage, the students are
very high standards in the design reviews, whereas students expected to apply the knowledge gained in other subjects
struggle to find answers with their limited knowledge. and theory of design methodology to design buildings of
Faculty expects different design proposals from each student medium complexity e.g. Residences, Schools, Colleges,
like a design competition. In the name of creativity, students Public Buildings, Dispensaries, Hospitals, Shops, Offices,
indulge in various fancy shapes for buildings to impress the Industries, Buildings for Recreation and Entertainment, etc.,
faculty. All design proposals may not be satisfactory, but new and present them in graphic form using both manual and
proposals should be encouraged. electronic medium

In assessing the students, the level of knowledge acquired by In the Second stage, the course shall be of 2 academic years/
the students is not given due weightage. Architectural design 4 semesters including one year of practical training. In this
is treated as a separate subject without relating to the other stage, the students are expected to design complex buildings
subjects learnt in the preceding semesters. In glorifying it as and campuses involving analytical studies of building and
a core subject, the fact is forgotten that it is not a separate spaces from sociological, economic and cultural points
subject. It is always related to the other subjects. A student of view. The topics can be universities, industrial estates,
can only apply knowledge acquired in other subjects in housing schemes etc.
designing a building or a structure. A First year student
cannot design like a final year student. A student acquires In the Final stage (THESIS), a major project may be selected
knowledge progressively from first year to final year. by the students in the area of their interest after detailed
analytical study of the chosen topic/subject. The project is to
B. Present ‘Council of Architecture’ norms: be done under faculty guidance and presented in a graphic
As per Council of Architecture, India ‘Minimum Standards form, model, computer generated graphics and report. In this
of Architectural Education 2008 prescribed under section 21 project the student is expected to individually synthesize all
of The Architects Act 1972’ the architecture course shall be that is learnt in the previous semesters, conduct investigative
of minimum duration of 5 academic years / 10 semesters. research through library and other resources, co-ordinate all
The 5 years Bachelor’s Degree Course in Architecture may be pertinent architectural issues with the design concept and
conducted in the following stages: objectives to reach a viable solution for the resolution of the

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 PROPOSED CURRICULUM FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

selected problem. Thesis may also be on theme-based research 5th YEAR:

on architectural projects involving collection and analysis of • Practical training
relevant data presented as an analytical study report. At present students are taught to design from
small buildings to big buildings without taking into
C. Present curriculum of B.Arch: consideration the relative knowledge acquired in the
Take the case of B.Arch, Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture & other subjects in the previous semesters because Arch.
Fine Arts University, Hyderabad, Telangana state 2010 for Design is treated as a separate subject.
general understanding of the present curriculum.
D. Rational parameters for Arch. Design:
1st YEAR: There are significant technical, social and visual lessons
• Semester 1: Basic Design; Arch. Drawing – I; Building to be learnt from the past. The history of building
Construction- I; Building Materials- I; Structural construction around the world establishes some
Mechanics – I; Introduction to Art & Architecture; undisputed facts. They are
Computer Applications-I; Workshop- I.
1) All structures were constructed to serve a specific
• Semester 2: Arch. Design – I; Arch. Drawing & Graphics purpose. Buildings were constructed to create convenient
– II; Building Construction – II; Building Materials – II; spaces to perform an activity. For example: we construct
Structural Mechanics – II; History of Architecture – I; a temple, mosque or church to worship god. It was the
Surveying & Leveling. same in the past and it has been the same at present,
2nd YEAR: and it is likely to remain the same in future also.
• Semester 3: Arch. Design – II; Arch. Drawing & Graphics 2) It is the nature of activity that dictates the architectural
– III; Building Construction –III; Structural Mechanics design of a building. A particular architectural design
– III; History of Architecture –II; Building Services-I; is adapted to suit the activity to be performed in the
Climatology. building. Any design, which cannot accommodate the
• Semester 4: Arch. Design – III; Building Construction- efficient functioning of that particular activity, can be
IV; Design of Structures – I; History & Theory of termed as bad design.
Architecture-I; Building Services-II; Landscape Design & 3) History reveals that each structure is constructed within
Site Planning; Computer Applications-II. a socio-economic and cultural context prevailing at that
3rd YEAR: particular period of time. For example; the Egyptian
• Semester 5: Arch. Design – IV; Building Construction – V; Pyramids were constructed when the king and his soul was
Design of Structures – II; History & Theory of Architecture- worshipped as god, the Greek Parthenon was constructed
II; Building Estimating Costing & Specifications; on top of a hillock because people felt that god should be
Environmental Studies; Computer Applications-III worshipped at the highest place in the town and in the
medieval period forts and palaces were constructed on top
• Semester 6: Arch. Design – V; Working Drawings & Details; of a hill and guarded with high walls to protect against enemy
Architectural acoustics; Building Codes & Bye Laws; attacks. All these examples make it clear that buildings were
Building Economics & Sociology; Human Settlements & constructed to meet a specific need with the technology and
Town Planning; Barrier Free Built Environment. skills available at that particular period of time.

4th YEAR: 4) After industrial revolution, many new building types

• Semester 7: Advance Design Studio; Advanced are constructed to suit the changing life styles of the
Construction & Materials; Advanced Structural Systems people. We cannot borrow or draw lessons from history
Green Buildings & Infrastructure; Advanced Services; for the architectural design of these new building types.
Pre-Thesis Seminar; Elective-1 (Urban Design / Housing / We must create new architectural design concepts to
Building Construction and Management / Interior Design suit the requirements of these new building types. Any
/ Landscape Architecture) imitation of ancient buildings would be a grave injustice
to the creation of these new building forms. Mere
• Semester 8: Design Thesis; Professional Practice; Elective
copying of the outward forms belittles history of building
– II ( Architectural Illumination / Architectural Journalism
construction. With the changing technology and skills,
/ Furniture and Product Design / Disaster Resistant
the process of building construction should also change.
Architecture)
New technological developments offer an opportunity to
evolve new forms.

2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 17

 PROPOSED CURRICULUM FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

5) Buildings were constructed for individuals or • Stage-III: With emphasis on Design composition, Local
organisations or governments; who imposed certain Site conditions, Climate
conditions because they were investing and promoting (Related subjects: Climatology)
the project. Architects accepted those conditions and
tried to improve them. A dedicated promoter and Design of Buildings like hostel, residential flats, Old age
builder are as important as a sensitive architect for good Home, holiday resort.
architectural design of a building. Semester 6
6) All buildings are constructed in a specific location. They • Stage-IV: With emphasis on Design composition, Local
are influenced by local conditions. Site conditions, Local Climate, Local Culture
(Related subjects: History of Architecture, Building
Based on the above historical facts, six tangible rational Economics and Sociology)
parameters can be derived with ‘Functional efficiency’ as
the core for good architectural design. Design of Buildings like college, hospital, offices.

They are 4th year

Semester 7
1) Design composition
• Stage-V: With emphasis on Design composition, Local
2) Local Site conditions Site conditions, Local Climate, Local Culture, Local or
3) Local Climate Modern Building technology
4) Local Culture (Related subjects: Building Construction, Building
Services, Design of Structures, Building Materials,
5) Local or Modern Building technology
Building Estimating Costing and Specifications, Working
6) Local Building regulations Drawings and Details, Architectural acoustics)
Any building can be designed and judged based on the Design of Buildings like Convention Centre, Bus terminal,
above rational parameters than depending upon the Auditorium, Multiplex, Museum
individual philosophies of architects or architectural
styles. Semester 8
• Stage-VI: With emphasis on Design composition, Local
E. Suggested curriculum: Site conditions, Local Climate, Local Culture, Local or
Serious architectural design exercises should start from Modern Building technology, Local Building regulations
2nd year onwards. They may be taken up in six stages (Related subjects: Town Planning)
with one stage in each semester covering all the rational Design of building complexes like Heritage areas,
parameters progressively. Housing, University campus.
2nd year All related subjects shown are only indicative. Few
Semester 3 more can be added according to the curriculum of the
• Stage-I: With emphasis on Design composition respective college.
(Related subjects: Basic design, Architectural Drawing)

Design of small structures like bus shelter, milk booth,

security Kiosk, flower stall, ATM Center.

Semester 4
• Stage-II: With emphasis on Design composition, Local
Site conditions
(Related subjects: Surveying and Leveling, Landscape
Design and Site Planning)

Design of Small buildings like Primary Health Centre,

Police Station, Cafeteria, Primary School

3rd year
Semester 5

18 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

 PROPOSED CURRICULUM FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

F. Suggested design approach: Entire class may be divided into groups of 5 to 10

students depending upon the size of the design
All students may be encouraged to prepare an problem. All related subjects may be completed in the
architectural design of any building based on the prior semesters, so that a student can apply complete
following steps: knowledge of the related subjects for designing a
• Step-1: Data Collection: To make an initial study of the building or a structure. All drawings should be drawn to
relevant type of buildings in the books and other sources. a specific scale; otherwise they will remain as sketches.
This will give a theoretical understanding of the building This is a broad framework, which may be adopted by
type. various colleges according to their curriculum.
• Step-2: Case Study: Then take up a case study of
similar building or buildings and find out its merits and REFERENCES
demerits through an analysis. This will give a practical
1. Minimum Standards of Architectural Education 2008
understanding of the building type.
prescribed under section 21 of The Architects Act 1972.
• Step-3: Design preparation: Finally make an attempt to 2. Curriculum of B.Arch, Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture &
improve upon the existing buildings to prepare a building Fine Arts University, Hyderabad, Telangana state 2010.
design. Here, students can use their creative potential to
design after complete understanding of the theoretical 3. ‘Architectural Design’, M. Pratap Rao, Standard
and practical aspects of the building type. Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi, 2014 Edition

2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 19

Defects and Maintenance in Residential Apartment Buildings -
An Overview

Dr. Anurag Kashyap

Dr. Anurag Kashyap is a 1983 architecture graduate of BKPS College of Architecture, Pune. He has done his
post-graduation in Town Planning in 1998 and secured a Ph. D. in 2010. He has worked in India and abroad on
projects of various kinds.
He is the founder Principal of Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture. He is also a PhD guide has guided
research scholars in subjects as diverse as Architectural Conservation, Landscape Architecture, and Construction
Management.
He has served on advisory committees of several organizations and has been an invited speaker on numerous
subjects.

[email protected]
Ar. Rahul Chutake
Ar. Rahul Chutake is a 1996 graduate of MM College of Architecture, Pune. In his early years he has dealt with
numerous interiors, residential, commercial and slum rehabilitation projects. He has done his post-graduation in
Construction Management from the Texas A&M University in 2003.
He has served with EDI Architecture Inc. Houston at different managerial positions.
Committed to academics since 2010, he has administered various post-graduate and undergraduate level
courses at Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture.
He has been invited by various organizations as a speaker on numerous subjects and is currently pursuing his
Ph.D. in Facilities Management. As a professional he provides consultancy to a variety of clients.

[email protected], [email protected]

ABSTRACT
This paper briefly traces the evolution of Indian apartment housing and its share in the real estate sector. It brings
forth the need for maintenance management of the current housing stock. It concisely presents a range of economic
outgoings during the post occupancy period toward maintenance management and operation costs across the world. It
covers what is understood as maintenance management and the assortment of the pertinent strategies. Among other
activities, maintenance management is found to be centered around elimination of defects. A variety of definitions
circumscribing defects and their classifications are presented. The issues of data availability for research in this domain
are highlighted. Results of a survey of residential buildings in Pune, are presented that resonate with the literature
findings. The paper concludes with suggestions in research areas that plead attention in the Indian scenario.

Key Words: Defects, maintenance, management, residential

INTRODUCTION
Urban development all around the world is marked by the few decades have marked a change in India; from the single
ever-growing need of housing close to centers of commerce buildings on small plots having 10-20 units stacked on 3-4
and convenience. In India, while the residential sector floors of the 1970s, housing projects today are much larger
contributes towards 80% of real estate sector, the urban - larger in plot areas, number of buildings, floors, scores of
housing is reported to have a shortage of about 10 million apartments, amenities and infrastructural services. Today
units (IBEF, 2018). In the last few decades the housing in cities like Gurgaon, Noida, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Pune
demand seems to have been responded by the development it is common place to see projects of about 200-1000 units
of the ‘attached-multi-unit’ typology of housing, popularly sited on a large plot, comprising of numerous buildings of 7
referred to as ‘apartments’. Apartments make up most of the floors and much higher.
urban housing stock across the world today. In that, the last

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 D E F E C T S A N D M A I N T E N A N C E I N R E S I D E N T I A L A PA R T M E N T B U I L D I N G S - A N O V E R V I E W

The change in living standards, the advancement in or restore it to, a state in which it can perform a required
technology and modifications in prevailing norms have function’ ("Definition and Types of Maintenance," 2013).
resulted in additional amenities like fire detection and
The issue of building maintenance is universal and includes
fighting, elaborate landscaping, water purification systems,
cleaning, inspecting, repairing, and replacing the building’s
automatic water pumping, sewage treatment plants, solar
various systems and components (David Arditi, 1999). While
energy harvest systems, surveillance systems, garbage
most academicians prefer to conceptualize maintenance
disposal systems, integrated data communications, storm
into two groups, namely, planned maintenance and
water recharge provisions, club houses, swimming pools,
unplanned maintenance. Planned maintenance is further
piped domestic gas supply, mechanical parking systems, etc.
categorized as preventive maintenance and corrective
Such new generation housing projects are complex in terms
maintenance. Unplanned maintenance remains to be
of services that they are provided with and consequentially
emergency maintenance. Preventive maintenance may
call for a high degree of technical suaveness and managerial
be further classified as running preventive maintenance
skills in building maintenance.
and shutdown preventive maintenance while corrective
maintenance may be breakdown corrective maintenance and
shutdown corrective maintenance (Institute of Maintenance
Management Education, 2013). Though this is the basic
classification, there are several maintenance techniques in
practice indigenous to a variety of industries ("Definition
and Types of Maintenance," 2013). However, maintenance
process must involve both, preventive maintenance and
corrective maintenance (Suffian, 2013). Today, outsourcing
of building management and maintenance is common
(McLennan, 2004).

Another conceptual aspect comes forth from a study pointed

at recurring quality issues, notes that the house building
industry must find out what matters to their customers
(Auchterlounie, 2009) A similar post-handover defects study
concurs that the house building sector lacks definition of
what its customers’ expectations and priorities are (Nuria
Forcada, 2013) .
Source: Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, RBI, CRISIL
Building maintenance and operation costs have been
receiving much attention in recent years (Waziri, 2016). A
BUILDING MAINTENANCE – Definitions, concepts and study based on the analysis of building maintenance costs
significance accounted 56% of the total to fair wear and tear, 20% to
Maintenance starts the day the builder leaves the site (Isaac rectification of design or specification faults, 12.5% to
Ofori, 2015). Notionally, for every building the completion repairs due to faulty materials or workmanship and 11.5%
of its construction marks the phase change from where it to secondary causes (Sadi Assaf, 1996). Studies conducted in
begins to deteriorate and goes into the maintenance phase. the USA have shown annual operational costs for individual
While several authors are found to define maintenance, it buildings to exceed 10% of the original construction cost and
has been briefly described as ‘the preservation of a building this to increase at about 4.5% annually (Hrvoje Krstić, 2012).
so that it can serve its intended purpose’(David Arditi, 1999). Maintenance and repairs costed 50% of the total construction
(Waziri, 2016) opines that maintenance may be referred to all related investments in the UK (Bognar, Marenjak, & Krstić,
necessary work done to preserve a building with its finishes 2002) and same costed 37% in Sweden(Sterner, 2002).
and fittings so that it continues to provide the same or almost
the same facilities and amenities and serve as it did when it It can be observed from various studies that outgoings
was built. The BS3811, 1993 defines building maintenance as toward building maintenance surmount to significant costs
‘the combination of all technical and administrative actions, during the post occupancy periods. Among other activities
including supervision actions, intended to retain an item in, aimed at sustaining the building in a state in which it can

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 D E F E C T S A N D M A I N T E N A N C E I N R E S I D E N T I A L A PA R T M E N T B U I L D I N G S - A N O V E R V I E W

perform its required function, building maintenance is 2009). Though numerous studies in different countries show
chiefly centered around elimination of defects / failures. variations in their findings, most researchers agree (Adejimi,
2005) on categorizing causes of maintenance problems as:
DEFECTS - Definitions, causes and classifications
1. Causes initiated during the design stage
Terms such as rework, failures, faults, and errors have
been interchangeably used in literature to denote defects 2. Causes initiated during the construction stage
(Anthony Mills, 2009). A building defect is any characteristics 3. Causes initiated during the usage stage
exhibited which hinders the usability of the building for
DATA AVAILABILITY - Challenges
the purpose for which it was designed and constructed.
While defects result in economic impacts and learning from
It is a frailty or shortcoming that prevents an item from
the past experiences can help reduce the consequences, in
being complete, desirable, effective, safe, or of merit, or
most cases the data is hard to get or is poorly structured
makes it to malfunction or fail in its purpose (Allotey, 2014).
making it difficult to analyze and unviable for research use
Similarly, (Watt, 2007) views building defects as “failing or
(Marcel Macarulla, 2013) and many previous studies have
shortcoming in the function, performance, statutory or user
only limited empirical data support (Meng, 2013). While the
requirement of a building, and might manifest itself within
collection of empirical data for costs is difficult (Joseph H.K.
structure, fabric, services or other facilities of the affected
Lai, 2011), it has been noted that tracing origins and causes
building”. Another definition offered by (Chew, 2011) views
of defects are inextricable (Sommerville, 2007). Further,
defects as the results of failures or an incapacity in the
limited research has been undertaken to address specific
function, performance, or statutory or user requirements of
defect costs; when defect costs have been reported they
any facility.
have at best been estimates (Anthony Mills, 2009).
The study by Sheelah Sivanthan, (2012), states that building
A study also brings forth some very important facts that
problems can be classified as defects or failures and classifies
the collection and processing of data is extremely difficult
causes of building defects into three categories: poor design,
because buildings are dissimilar, and are in different areas,
specification, construction and maintenance management.
built at different times, and operated by a variety of entities
This study refers to a survey conducted in Hong Kong
(Hrvoje Krstić, 2012) and further, that there is no institutional
showing 40% of maintenance faults were design related, 30%
mechanism or a standard method for collecting and
of maintenance problems were construction/installation
recording of data, therefore difficult to collect and analyze.
related and 30% of maintenance problems were related to
It is observed that though several studies have been done in
maintenance management (Sheelah Sivanathan, 2012).
foreign countries no published works seem to be available in
Another study identifies 11 major groups of faults from the Indian context.
a literature review - defects in civil design, architectural
SURVEY
defects in design, design defects in maintenance practicality
As a part of an ongoing research, a survey to understand
and adequacy, defects due to consultant firm administration
the various aspects of maintenance of the contemporary
and staff, defects due to construction drawings, defects due
housing projects was conducted. Contemporary residential
to construction inspection, defects due to civil construction,
apartment projects in Pune were considered a representative
defects due to contractor administration, defects due
of urban housing in India. 17 housing projects were randomly
to construction materials, defects due to construction
selected from Pune’s numerous growing areas. Each of these
equipment and defects due to specifications (Sadi Assaf,
projects has a range of tenements between 100 and 1000 of
1996).
varying assortments in terms of floor sizes and number of
Another study conducted by the English Building Research rooms; and has been occupied between a range of 5 and 15
Establishment related to building failure patterns and their years. This study revealed that there are numerous methods
implications found 58% of the defects originated from followed for accounting expenses. Repairs and maintenance
faulty design, 35% from faulty execution, 12% from faulty contribute between 11.18% and 46.05% of the project’s total
materials, components or proprietary systems and 11% from outgoings. An average of about 24% of the total outgoings
unexpected user requirements (Sadi Assaf, 1996). are towards repairs and maintenance followed by electricity
charges amounting to about 18% and security amounting to
Another study notes that on an average, defects-claims about 16%.
account for about 4% of the contract price (Anthony Mills,

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 D E F E C T S A N D M A I N T E N A N C E I N R E S I D E N T I A L A PA R T M E N T B U I L D I N G S - A N O V E R V I E W

% OF TOTAL 40 Vermiculture Expense 0.0142%

NO. ACCOUNT HEAD
EXPENSES
41 Payment Gateway Charges 0.0115%
1 Repair and Maintenance 24.1431%
42 Bank Charges 0.0108%
2 Electricity Charges 18.4484%
43 Tally Accounting Software 0.0095%
3 Security 16.2721%
44 Energy Audit Fees 0.0050%
4 House Keeping 7.5427%
55 Travelling Expenses 0.0049%
Salaries, Staff Welfare, Ex-Gratia, Bonus,
5 7.5070% 56 Credit Card usage charges 0.0015%
Emoluments
57 Interest on TDS 0.0007%
6 Water Charges & Management 6.5778%
58 Special Projects 0.0000%
7 Sinking Fund Interest 3.4773%
TOTAL 100.0000%
8 Depreciation 2.8746%
Table 1: Distribution of maintenance expenses
9 Excess of income over expenditure 2.1859%
10 FD Interest transfer to Reserve 1.8768% The average contribution that each tenement owner
11
Taxes & Insurance (property tax,
1.1989% makes towards maintenance of the entire project ranges
NA tax, income tax, TDS)
between INR1.5 -3.0 per square foot per month on the
12 Social & Cultural 0.9224%
size of his tenement. The study also revealed that there
13 Legal and Professional Fees 0.8627% is no standardized method of documenting maintenance
14 Accounts Writing Fee 0.6032% calls, defects encountered, defects locations, defect causes,
Office Expenses (stationery, copying, and expenses involved in particular repairs. There appears
15 telephone, postage, bank charges, conveyance, 0.5572%
printing)
ambiguity and variations in the ways these are documented
in the financial records as well.
16 Diesel Exp 0.5489%

Miscellaneous Expenses (AGM expenses, CONCLUSIONS

17 Refreshments, Chairs, Tables, Rent, Diwali 0.4658% A large part of this paper is based on existing literature and
Gifts, Others) presents numerous isolated studies undertaken to appraise
18 Audit fees 0.4461% defects, repairs and maintenance and building management
19 Garbage Collection 0.4405% in various parts of the world; however published studies in
this area are almost absent in our country. This paper has
20 Other Expenses 0.4132%
attempted to cover and string together the assortment of
21 Deficit/Surplus for the year 0.3555%
definitions of defects by a variety of authorities, the various
22 DG Expenses 0.3162%
classifications offered, the various causes opined, the effects
23 Insurance 0.2566% of defects brought forth by various studies and the various
24 General Expenses 0.2048% concepts in building maintenance. Also, many works have
25 Interest Receivable 0.1828% noted that detailed data in these realms is often lacking and
26 Meeting Expenses and AGM expenses 0.1636% if available is not standardized, difficult to obtain.
27 Pest Control 0.1556%
On one hand the study presents the handsome share of the
28 Conveyance Deed Expenses 0.1549%
economy that is involved in maintenance of buildings, on
29 Parking Expenses 0.1314%
the other hand it begs the attention of construction industry
30 Rebate on Maintenance Charges 0.1286%
professionals to address the issue of defects and the ensuing
31 Prompt Payment Discount 0.0994% expenses.
32 Housekeeping Materials 0.0973%
33 Contribution to Educational Fund 0.0959% This study also shows defect-addressing in the Indian context
34 Administrative Expenses 0.0687%
calls for much research work in areas such as examination of
prevalent practices, identification of defects, identification of
35 Room Games 0.0450%
the causes of defects, the impact of defects, the significance
36 Professional and Software Charges 0.0418%
of defects to end users, categorization of defects, examination
37 Credit Note Members 0.0352%
of existing related standards and evolving standard methods
38 Communication and Internet 0.0244%
of detailed documentation and thus generation of data and
39 Advertising (Recruitment, Tender) 0.0197% its ready availability.

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 D E F E C T S A N D M A I N T E N A N C E I N R E S I D E N T I A L A PA R T M E N T B U I L D I N G S - A N O V E R V I E W

REFERENCES Joseph H.K. Lai, F. W. (2011). An analytical method to

evaluate facility management services for residential
Adejimi, A. (2005). Academia.edu. Retrieved from buildings. Building and Environment, 165-175.
Academia.edu: https://www.academia.edu/4955649/
Poor_Building_Maintenance_in_Nigeria_Are_Architects_ Marcel Macarulla, N. F. (2013). Standardizing Housing
Free_from_Blames Defects: Classification, Validation, and Benefits. JOURNAL
OF CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
Allotey, S. E. (2014). An evaluation of the impact of © ASCE, 968-976.
defects in public residential buildings in Ghana. Civil and
Environmental Research, 58-64. McLennan, P. (2004). Service operations management
as a conceptual framework for facility management.
Anthony Mills, P. E. (2009). Defect Costs in Residential Facilities, 344-348.
Construction. JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
AND MANAGEMENT © ASCE, 12-16. Meng, X. (2013). Involvement of Facilities Management
Specialists in Building Design: United Kingdom Experience.
Auchterlounie, T. (2009). Recurring quality issues in the UK JOURNAL OF PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTED
private house building industry. Structural Survey, Emerald FACILITIES © ASCE, 500-507.
Group Publishing Limited, 241-251.
Nuria Forcada, M. M. (2013). Assessment of Residential
Bognar, B., Marenjak, S., & Krstić, H. (2002). Analysis Defects at Post-Handover. JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTION
of actual and planned costs of maintenance and use ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT © ASCE, 372-378.
of buildings. DZNM Državni zavod za normizaciju i
mjeriteljstvo, 85-96. Nuria Forcada, M. M. (2013). Posthandover Housing
Defects: Sources and Origins. JOURNAL OF PERFORMANCE
Chew, S. D. (2011). Generic Method of Grading Building OF CONSTRUCTED FACILITIES, 756-762.
Defects Using FMECA to Improve Maintainability Decisions.
JOURNAL OF PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTED FACILITIES Sadi Assaf, A.-M. A.-H.-S. (1996). Effects of Faulty Design
© ASCE, 522-533. and Construction on Building Maintenance. JOURNAL OF
PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTED FACILITIES, 171-174.
David Arditi, M. N. (1999). Designing Buildings for
Maintenance: Designers’ Perspective. JOURNAL OF Sheelah Sivanathan, J. D. (2012). An overview of design
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING, 107-116. deficiences on building maintenance. OIDA International
Journal of Sustainable Development, 105-111.
David Arditi, M. N. (1999). Issues in Building Maintenance:
Property Managers’ Perspective. JOURNAL OF Sommerville, J. (2007). Defects and rework in new build
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING, 117-132. - An analysis of the phenomenon and drivers. Structural
Survey, 391-407.
Hrvoje Krstić, S. M. (2012). Analysis of buildings operation
and maintenance costs. Researchgate: GRADEVINAR- Sterner, E. (2002). "Green procurement" of buildings: A
Journal of Croatian Association of Civel Engineers, 293-303. study of Swedish clients. Construction Management and
Economics, 21-30.
IBEF. (2018). Real Estate - September 2018. IBEF.
Suffian, A. (2013). Some Common Maintenance
Institute of Maintenance Management Education. Problems and Building Defects: Our Experiences.
(2013, July 21). Definition and Types of Maintenance. Procedia Engineering - The 2nd International Conference
Retrieved from MAINTENANCE Management: https:// on Rehabilitation and Maintenance in Civil Engineering
maintenancemgmt.wordpress.com/tag/maintenance- (pp. 101-108). Solo, Indonesia : Elsevier Ltd.
definition-types/
Watt, D. S. (2007). Building Pathology: Principles and
Isaac Ofori, P. M. (2015). Establishing Factors Influencing Practice. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.
Building Maintenance Practices: Ghanaian Perspective.
Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 184- Waziri, B. S. (2016). Design and Construction Defects
193. Influencing Residential Building Maintenance in Nigeria.
Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering, 313-323.

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2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 25
Impact of Transition in Culture & Change in Behavioral Expression of
Users of Residential Buildings in West-Maharashtra.

Ar. Vijay B.Sambrekar

Ar. Vijay B.Sambrekar is an Architect working as I/C Principal and Associate Professor at Appasaheb Birnale
College of Architecture,Sangli, Maharashtra. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. from Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

[email protected]
Dr. Suresh V. Ranade
Dr. Suresh V. Ranade is currently giving his guidance to Ph.D. research students as a Shivaji University Supervisor.
Under his guidance Prof. Vijay V. Sambrekar doing his research. He has got Teaching experience of more than
35 years. He has Established Dnyandeep Education & Research Foundation to promote Research in India.

[email protected]

ABSTRACT
It has long been recognized that architecture is influenced by many forces. The forces like cultural changes, Transitional
behavior of peoples Traditional beliefs systems and context climate. Among them those articulated by traditional
Architecture , but how often to do we really pay serious attention to the needs of the user , to the behavioral, social
and cultural determinants of design and the role of good design in affecting human behavior. The domestic architecture
is the prime reflector of the culture of the people of that region. Many developing countries had witnessed a drastic
change in architecture towards the middle of 20thcentury specific in residential designs. With the new development,
the existing traditional design approaches were replaced rather than adapting Thus, the local architectural forms,
that have been responding to the cultural and physical needs of the people for years seems to be neglected. This
research discusses the impact of socio cultural factors on the transformation of traditional to contemporary residential
architecture of West- Maharashtra region. The domestic architecture is the prime reflector of the culture of the people
of that West –Maharashtra region. This research article is a point on study of transition of Traditional House form to the
new expression of contemporary house form specifically in West- Maharashtra region.

Key Words: Transition of House form, Traditional beliefs systems, Human behavior , Eco Cultural Logic, Contemporary
Expressions.

Introduction:
The culture, beliefs and traditions of the people are reflected socio cultural forces include religious beliefs, family and clan
through the architecture of that region. According to structure, social organization, way of gaining a livelihood
physical data socio cultural characteristics and the lifestyle and social relation between individuals as time passes,
of the residents have a great effect on the design of the and with change of lifestyle, the needs of the person also
dwelling unit and the settlement. The identity of a society is changes even though many physical and Physiological needs
gained through the socio-cultural values of the people. The such as the need for openness, airiness, privacy etc. remain

26 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

 I M PA C T O F T R A N S I T I O N I N C U LT U R E & C H A N G E I N B E H AV I O R A L E X P R E S S I O N

unchanged. Even though some aspects of the Traditional

architecture were valuable and rich, the same system cannot
be followed today because the conditions under which
Traditional architecture evolved have changed and no longer
exist today. People always have the tendency to come back
to their base culture which is visible in their adaptation
of the traditional characteristics. So it is important that
the architects and designers should try to incorporate the
traditional wisdom into the modern houses, rather than
adopting the new technologies as such.

Focus on study of West – Maharashtra culture and Tradition

of Architecture designing a house that works for Marathi The sense of semi community space in traditional home
people begins with understanding who the people we are.
The designer to learn the basic cultural beliefs and habits of With evolution, man left caves and stared living in groups
the common peoples that define what the people need in a and communities, and created wonderful primitive and
housing design, and to work with them to translate their life vernacular architecture. With the study of primitive and
style into an appropriate housing form. Even though most vernacular buildings, one find a close relation between
Indians share cultural similarities, there are also distinctions house forms, tradition & culture. Earth with its hidden forces
that separate them. It is important to understand the have buckled the strata and lifted and shifted the landmasses
different ways people experience life through their culture and on the surface, the erosion of snow and rain and storm
and context. Maharashtrian peoples view their world of stream and ocean of sun and wind, have carved out a
through categories, concepts, and labels that are products natural architecture similarly, man has carved out nature and
of their particular culture. Our perception of things around reorganized it according to his needs and requirement and
us comes from the shared meaning within our culture means has created wonderful manmade architecture he has also
centric family concept. become an architect of his environment, but in technologies,
he is not able to control the physical environment completely.

Maharashtrian culture refers to innumerable aspects of life,

including many rituals and festivals. Our tradition emphasized
common habits and behaviors in what he considered
culture, but the totality of life also includes not just what
people do, but also how they commonly think and feel. As
we define it here, culture is the set of learned behaviors and
ideas (including beliefs, attitudes, values, and ideals) that are
characteristic of a particular society or other social group.
Behaviors can also produce products or material culture
things like houses, musical instruments, and tools that are

The scared spaces used for traditional precessions & rituals

We use perception to select, evaluate, and organize our

environment. Perception comes from the impressions left
on us by past and present experiences. And the meaning
we give to these perceptions is influenced by our beliefs,
attitudes, and values. All of these elements speak to ways in
which we view, reflect on, filter, and respond to the things in
our environment that are important to us. They determine
our patterns for living. The Activity pattern of typical
Maharashtrian man is an isolation of character and design.

The semi covered spaces appeal to light to enter in room spaces.

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 I M PA C T O F T R A N S I T I O N I N C U LT U R E & C H A N G E I N B E H AV I O R A L E X P R E S S I O N

the products of customary behavior. Different kinds of groups extent ,they refer largely to certain technological as well as
can have cultures. People come to share behaviors and ideas economical levels of development and also includes aspects
because they communicate with and observe each other. of social organization .The vernacular house form is a result
Although groups from families to societies share cultural of collaboration of many people over many generations
traits, anthropologists have traditionally been concerned ,as well as collaboration between the maker and the user
with the cultural characteristics of societies. of the building and other artifacts, which defined by the
term traditional .Tradition has the force of law honored by
Translating lifestyle patterns and traditional housing everyone through collective control, which act as a discipline.
preferences into contemporary homes comes first from this approach works because there is a shared image of
coordinating activities between the contemporary life, an accepted model of the building, a small number of
Maharashtrian house pattern and new technology. This building types, and finally an accepted hierarchy and hence
working relationship establishes the priorities for a step an accepted settlement pattern.
by-step process that identifies homeowners, sites, housing
designs, and, finally, construction schedules. When the Today man has differentiated himself into various groups and
order is followed and the work is done in a timely manner, communicate based upon various aspects like origin, faith,
it is possible to make the far reaching dream of building beliefs and practices, etc, and one find that with passage
new traditional homes with contemporary expression for of time these communities develops rich and distinctive
Maharashtrian peoples with the concern climatic context. lifestyle and characteristic of themselves they have their own
peculiar way of living, may that be there celebrations, day
Transition in culture and transformation of house form: to day activities, culture, traditions or customs. Building is a
The changes in culture and architecture are reciprocal. result of interaction of man and his nature,aspirations,social
The impact of one is reflected on the other. Maharashtrian organisation,worldview,way of life ,social and physiological
rich cultural heritage is vanishing due to the influence of needs, individual needs and group needs. However, today
urbanization and globalization. In order to protect and in our Maharashtrian culture, traditions, which are the
conserve our rich cultural and architectural heritage the regulators, have started disappearing for various reasons. As
elements of vernacular housing should be incorporated in house being the direct expression of changing values, images,
the contemporary planning and architecture. The provision perceptions, and way of life, it becomes very necessary to
should be made to incorporate vernacular architecture understand the research.
and traditional housing knowledge in the housing design
planning parameters. The designers should consider this in
their work for betterment of society and environment.

A traditional living space in typical Maharashtrian House.

Behavioral Analysis of West – Maharashtra House form.

1) To study the influence of religion and belief system on the
The response to environment in non built traditional spaces.
contemporary housing.
2) To study the behavioral factors & needs of the occupant
For understanding Maharashtrian culture and its relation to in the relative context.
the house form, one needs to understand first the relation 3) To study the culture, tradition, religious belief, life style
of house form with man and its nature and also physical and activity pattern to understand there reflection in
surrounding. The primitive buildings were built by people their built form.
using their wisdom, ability and resources to their full

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 I M PA C T O F T R A N S I T I O N I N C U LT U R E & C H A N G E I N B E H AV I O R A L E X P R E S S I O N

4) Identify various different house form at the relative of any housing typology like one commonly observed in
context for giving form to values. occupational housing typical in Traditional villages in West –
5) To study the peculiar characteristic of community houses. Maharashtra . To design residential settlements in the cities
6) To study and analyze the spatial organization of various having traditional system approach .For the global culture
spaces and identity the element that constitute. understanding the principles of traditional habitat. In the end
the cultural symbolism in today’s scenario use of vernacular
To study house form at various place and to understand the elements is the same but still basic spatial arrangements
constant and the variable determinant factors. By the base of differs as the community differs and this is nothing but the
threshold analysis (Culture, Character & Climate) we can easily cultural impact.
understands the needs and expressions of contemporary
house form projected for West – Maharashtrian peoples. As time passes, and with change of lifestyle, the needs of
the person also changes even though many physical and
Methodology to understands Transformation of House physiological needs such as the need for openness, airiness,
Form privacy etc. remain unchanged. Even though some aspects of
This is an analytical type of research whose purpose is to the traditional architecture were valuable and rich, the same
find traditional & transitional behavioral factors of humans system cannot be followed today because the conditions
on contemporary housing specific to West –Maharashtra under which traditional architecture evolved have changed
context. The research questions of study are, and no longer exist today. People always have the tendency
1) What are physical & physiological needs of the user from to come back to their base culture which is visible in their
Built form? adaptation of the traditional characteristics. So it is important
2) What are physical, economical & socio-cultural factors that the architects and designers should try to incorporate
affecting house form ? the traditional wisdom into the modern houses, rather than
3) What are the behavioral determinants of contemporary adopting the new technologies as such.
house Design ?
4) How demographic urban factors affects on the traditional
housing?
5) What are the cultural reforms to be undertaken in terms
of contemporary House form?
6) What are the climatic comfort needs of the occupant?

Outcome:
For understanding transition in cultural behavior and its
relation to the house form, there is need to understand first
the relation of house form with man and nature and also the
cultural and physical surroundings. so my aim to study the
cultural aspects which have close relation with the housing Environmental and cultural sustainability could be achieved
and to tackle the housing at mass level which will still have through adopting a regional design approach. In regional
the essence of culture to address the basic parameter approach, design regards the climate and topography
and intends to sustain the culture of the region through

The traditional vernacular style of West –Maharashtrian House.

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 I M PA C T O F T R A N S I T I O N I N C U LT U R E & C H A N G E I N B E H AV I O R A L E X P R E S S I O N

The transition of spaces traditional to contemporary House form of West –

Maharashtrian .
REFERENCES
considering the existing pattern of the region, the existing
1) David Matsumoto : San Francisco State University.
architectural features of the buildings, the existing lifestyles
of the inhabitants and the existing cultural issues. In short 2) Culture, Context, and Behavior Culture and Culture
regional design meets the goals of eco cultural logic of Change, article at national level general.
sustainable architecture which is a new statement of House 3) Current issues in cross-cultural psychology: Miriam
form of West – Maharashtrian culture. Spering, Institute of Psychology, University of
Heidelberg, Germany
The outcomes of the analysis is rotating around the spaces
which remains static in phenomenon. The whatever may 4) John d. Carnwath : Understanding the value and the
the transitional movement and cultural changes occurred impacts of cultural experiences.
the approach toward Traditional secreted spaces (Rituals 5) Gary T.Moore :Architecture and human behavior:the
spaces) and environmental comfort approach through place of environment-behavior studies in architecture ,
energy conservation remains static specifically in West-
6) Gini Gopinath1 & S.Y Kulkarni:
Maharashtrian houses.
The Impact of Socio-Cultural Factors on the
The aspects of community relation may narrow down but Transformation of the Residential Architecture of
the semi public activity sense and the behavioral approach Kerala A study on living culture and typo- morphology
remains stagnant. The transitional factors never get affected of Vernacular-traditional houses in Kerala, Indah
on activity pattern, beliefs systems & cultural settings. But Widiastuti.
the Planning & Aesthetic behavior of building is constant
7) Giving form to traditional valves Design principles for
changing as per trends.
Indian housing.
The contemporary House form of West-Maharashtrian 8) Indah Widiastuti Susilo: The Living Culture and Typo-
context.
Morphology of Vernacular-Traditional Houses in
Kerala,.
9) Traditional values and their adaptation in social housing
design: Towards a new typology and establishment of
‘air house’ standard in Malaysia.
10) Shikha Patidat, Brishbhanlali Raghuwanshi,
Changes in Culture and Architecture from Vernacular to
Modern: M.P., India.
11) Rapaport :Form & culture-Amos
12) Sinem kultur : Role of culture in sustainable architecture
Bahcesehir university, turkey

30 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

Socio-Ecological Urban Systems: Planning for Resilience

Ar. Alokananda Banerjee Mukherjee

Ar. Alokananda Banerjee Mukherjee is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Architecture, Jadavpur
University and also a Research Fellow at Centre for Built Environment, Kolkata.
A Gold medallist in Urban Design from School of Planning & Architecture, she now heads a design firm, MCS, in
Kolkata as well. She contributed papers in various national and international conferences including the World
Water Forum, 2015 and was selected by British Council to represent India at the ‘Cityscapers Cardiff Chimeria
2020’ workshop in Cardiff supported by the International Relations Program of the Welsh Assembly Government
and Cardiff City Council. Concern for Indian urban realm lead her research orientation towards climate change
and the need of building urban resilience for vulnerable communities In Indian context, which also forms the
focus of her Ph.D. research works.
[email protected]
Ar. Suchandra Bardhan
Suchandra Bardhan, an architect with Masters in Landscape Architecture & PhD, is currently serving as Professor
at the Department of Architecture, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. With about sixteen years of research experience
and interest in sustainable built & natural environment, her papers have been published in many national /
international journals and academic volumes. She has been the joint recipient of the Best Paper Award at the
24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EUPVSEC).

[email protected]

ABSTRACT
The risks to the Indian sub-continent as a result of climate change are high and multi-dimensional. India with its 7,500
km long predominantly low-lying and densely populated coastline is particularly susceptible. A recent global survey
identified Kolkata and Mumbai as among the top ten cities with high exposure to flooding under the current climate
change forecasts (Nicholls et al. 2008). Yet conventional urban planning fails to safe guard the socio-ecological systems
that render resilience to cities by various services towards adaptation and mitigation like flood control, pollution
control, supplying food to city and livelihood to urban poor and carbon sequestration. This paper attempts to explore
such waterbody based socio-ecological systems that exist in the city of Kolkata and are rapidly shrinking. The paper,
taking the case of East Kolkata Wetlands, demonstrates the threats and explores possible planning tools to conserve
the systems as “green infrastructure”.
Key Words: socio-ecological urban systems, resilience, wetlands, urbanisation

1. INTODUCTION and urban designers look away into western examples and
The year 2007 has been the tipping point in human history technology to find solutions to the global calamity, whereas,
with half the world’s population living in cities for the first time. indigenous socio-ecological systems forming the backbone
Urbanization in India has been closely following this global of city existence and resilience gets neglected and hence
trend. In this context, it is no exaggeration to say that the threatened.
battle against climate change will be won or lost in our cities.
Conventional urban planning is becoming obsolete and ‘out 2. SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL URBAN SYTEMS
of the box’ thinking is required to address the issues of water, Cities are not only sustained by socio-economic infrastructure
energy, food security and other interrelated urban sectors. but also supported ecologically by areas like drainage basins,
wetlands, urban forests and others. Resilience in an urban
‘Resilience’ being the new research frontier, adaptation and ecosystem depends on multiple ecological and socio-
mitigation strategies are being formulated. Often, planner economic benefits provided by these human managed eco-

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 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL URBAN SYSTEMS: PLANNING FOR RESILIENCE

systems. Integrating human’s activities into environment can 2.1 Socio-Ecological Sytems In Kolkata, India
only help to balance human and ecosystem needs in urban Floods are a recurrent problem for the Indian cities, mainly
ecosystems. the city of Kolkata lying on the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta
and it leads to disruption of activities and hardships for the
To plan for resilience, it is important to understand there is
residents. As per the report of World Bank (2010), Kolkata
a clear link between social and ecological resilience mainly
is one of the most flood prone cities of the world and also
for the social groups or communities that are dependent
in terms of population exposed to coastal flooding. The
on ecological and environmental resources for their
urban poor are most at risk from exposure to hazards due
livelihoods. Interesting they are the ones that keep serving
to lack of resources. Food stock in the godowns, agricultural
the city by direct community participation in managing own
fields, livestock, fishing boats and others are also put at risk
environment in a sustainable manner. It is the profound
leading to food insecurity. On exploring the causes, the two
ecological thinking of the urban poor that sustainably
major factors that are revealed are urbanisation and climate
manage the East Kolkata Wetlands which is an example of
change. It is from there the research took off.
Socio-ecological urban system.
Flood and food insecurity should never been a problem
Conventional urban planning is becoming obsolete and ‘out
for Kolkata. In Kolkata, exists many such socio-ecological
of the box’ thinking is required to address the issues of water,
hotspots that demonstrate unique relation between social
energy, food security and other interrelated urban sectors.
and environmental functions. Recycling of waste-water,
As socio-ecological systems, wetlands, urban forestry, urban usage in urban agriculture are some methods of sustainable
agriculture make cities resilient with increased self-reliance urban living engaging the community in the management of
and capacity to manage or bounce back from stress or their own environment as well as addressing the issues of
disastrous events. In many cities, urban agriculture, waste food security and urban poverty.
water fisheries, constructed wetlands being promoted as a 1. East Kolkata Wetlands (owned by landlords/ government
permanent feature in sustainable city planning and resilience and leased to fishermen / farmers) - At 12500 hectares it is
building contributing to both adaptation and mitigation the world’s largest waste water fed aquaculture system.
measures.

Map 1: Location Of East Kolkata Wetlands (Source-EKWMA, WISA, 2010)

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 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL URBAN SYSTEMS: PLANNING FOR RESILIENCE

Fig- Socio-Ecological system of urban waste recycling to produce food in EKW through engagement of local community (Source- Furedy, C. and Ghosh, D., 1984)

2. Mudially, South - east Kolkata - The waste fed fishery about 3,060 tons annually (Gupta, S., 2002). An important
managed by a co-operative society of fishermen was once a feature is the participation of stakeholders: the Kolkata
waterlogged lowland on the south-western edge owned and metropolitan Water and Sanitation Authority, the local
used by Calcutta Port Trust to dump garbage. Every day the authorities, the fishermen who lease the ponds and the rice
wetland receives nearly 25 million litres of wastewater which farming households all are involved in the project.
is utilised as fishery. The leased wetland, which now spreads
3. CASE-STUDY: EAST KOLKATA WETLANDS (EKW)
over 82.5 ha, produces fishes worth Rs 60 lakh per annum.
Of these, East Kolkata Wetlands is the largest and oldest in
Over the years members have diversified into commercial
the world and listed as a “Ramsar site” for its wise-use. The
goat and duck rearing, fish breeding, horticulture,
sewage-fed water bodies produce an average of 6,000 tons
manufacturing paddle boats, managing a boating complex
of fish a year and employ 4000 families. In addition to this,
and renting out picnic spots—earning an additional Rs 50
intensive farming on 800 hectares of garbage dump, which
lakh a year from eco-tourism. The cooperative society has
has been leased out by the Municipal Corporation, employs
also set up a shelter for 10,000 migratory birds at Mudiali
about 20,000 people.
Nature Park. (Bera, 2015)
3. Titagarh Bandipur, North Kolkata - This Project area The urban wetlands in the city fringe is serving as the
comprising of Titagarh (an industrial town) and Bandipur “Natural Kidneys” of the city treating waste water naturally,
(a peri-urban land unit) is located on the east bank of the helping in flood control as “urban sponge”, supplying food to
river Hooghly. Titagarh had an old sewage treatment plant the city and helping in community building. This is also the
(STP) with a capacity to treat 9.08 million litres of sewage most efficient carbon sinks for the city.
per day (mld).A new stabilisation tank system has been built
in Bandipur with a capacity of 14.10 mld to bring the total 3.1 Threat To The Eco-System
capacity to 23.18 mld. As a result, the stabilization tanks Whether this remarkable wetland and its wise use will
used as sewage-fed fish ponds yield about 7 tonnes of fish continue to survive is an open question, as it is under
per hectare per year. Whereas, an area of 23.8 hectares of considerable pressure of urbanisation. The wetlands have
land irrigated with treated effluent from the STP, and 5.35 been ever shrinking. The land use pattern in East Kolkata
hectares irrigated with untreated waste lifted from the canal, Wetlands has changed significantly over the last two decade,
produces around 30 to 32 types of vegetables estimating especially in areas with close proximity to the city of Kolkata.

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 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL URBAN SYSTEMS: PLANNING FOR RESILIENCE

Fig 1: Types Of Landuse Conversion In EKW

Area Analysis:
2010-11 2016-17 Change
EKW- Total Area in Area Area in Area
sq.km in % sq.km in %
Agricultural 47.5 37.6 45.4 36.0 1.5 (decrease)
Waterbody 45.9 36.4 34.9 27.7 8.7(decrease)
Settlement 26.0 20.6 40.9 32.5 11.9(increase)
Open Space 6.2 4.9 4.7 3.7 1.2(decrease)
Table 1: Year Wise Area Analysis from Landuse Maps (Source- Author)

Figure1: Comparative chart showing change in landuse area between

2010-17 (Source- Author)

The mapping recorded a decrease in waterbody area of 8.7%

only in the span of 6years and increase of settlement area by
12% encroaching waterbodies, agricultural lands and open
Map 2: Landsue maps of EKW in 2010-11 and 2016-17 (Source-Author, spaces. The first land-use map of this waste recycling region
Developed over Mouza Map within EKW (EKWMA), GIS mapping of was prepared in 1987 and at that time 49 percent was under
EKW conducted by PAN network in 2010-11, in connection with a study
water coverage. However, by 2011 this percentage dropped
commissioned by the University of Calcutta (Dey, Banerjee, 2012) and
satellite image from Google earth (2017) down to 36.4 %and now it stands as 27.7%. It is imperative to
say that it not only robs off the livelihood opportunities but
The comparison of satellite images, field visits and structured also ecological services.
and unstructured interviews with the local inhabitants have
4. URBANISATION- THE BIGGEST THREAT:
identified the following broad types of changes:
The major threat to this unique socio-ecological system
Conversion of water body to agricultural land is only the comes from Urban sprawl and new town developments.
intermediate step for conversion to settlement finally. The The factors that contribute to its rapid urbanisation are as
open spaces are also highly vulnerable to conversion. The follows-
settlement growths are of both types- formal structures
4.1 Population pressure:
(buildings) to squatter settlements in and around East Kolkata
The pressure of urbanization is more pronounced in the
Wetlands, although this Ramsar designated area is legally
peripheral mouzas. According to 2011 records by census of
protected against conversion by The East Kolkata Wetlands
India the population of Kolkata is nearly 4.5 million1 and that
(Conservation And Management) Act, 2006 (Passed by the
of Salt Lake City and Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality are 0.2
West Bengal Legislature).

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 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL URBAN SYSTEMS: PLANNING FOR RESILIENCE

million and 0.4 million respectively. These are the bordering life. The Supreme Court had ordered 538 polluting tanneries,
urban areas expanding at very fast rate over the years. operating in the heart of the city, to relocate to the outskirts
Between 1981 and 1991, the increase in population of Salt in 1995. In 2005, the Calcutta Leather Complex was shifted to
Lake City was 202% and between 1991 and 2001 the change Bantala (along eastern boundary of the wetlands). Although
in Rajpur -Sonarpur was 460%. guidelines were laid down for the tanneries to treat waste,
Name of Municipal Area Kolkata Rajpur Sonarpur Salt lake the 308 tanneries operating at the complex is doing serious
Total Population (2011) 4486679 423806 218323 irreversible damage to the ecologically sensitive zone of the
Change in 1981-1991 (%) 6.61 36.81 201.58 wetlands. (Bera, S., June 2015, Down to Earth).
Change in 1991-2001 (%) 4.11 459.55 64.14
Apart from this, innumerous illegal units have mushroomed.
Change in 2001-2011 (%) -2.05 25.87 32.94
They process leather shavings outside the complex and
Table 2: Population Pressure In Municipal Areas Around EKW (Source-
Census Of India) right next to the ecologically sensitive Ramsar site. They boil
shaving dust (a byproduct of finished leather products), flesh
The information indeed shows the extent of population linings and trimmings to make fertiliser and fish feed and the
pressure in the vicinity of the wetlands the creeping sprawl toxic waste are released in the canals, feeding the fisheries,
in urban edge. and finally killing the fishes.

Map 3: Boundary of EKW With Respect To Other Municipal Areas. (Source-

Author)

4.2 Encroachment by New town Developments:

The grates threat to the wetland is urbanisation. There have
been systematic infrastructure and New town developments
by Govt. Itself to house the burgeoning urban population.
Substantial part of the marshland was filled up to create
Salt Lake City in the north and the Eastern Metropolitan
By-pass (major arterial road) cutting the city and wetlands Plate 1 (left) - Contraptions boiling leather turning and releasing the molten
apart. Very recently Rajarhat- New Kolkata Township in the waste in canal beside, Plate 2 (right)- Illegal settlements and plastic recycling
immediate Eastern vicinity of East Kolkata Wetlands have units along canals (Taken by Author)
been developed backed by Govt. of West Bengal as ‘Smart
City’. In fact a part of the wetlands lie within the project area While the other factors are loss of fish productivity of water
of New Town and is designated as “service village”. These bodies due to pollution by the illegal plastic recycling units,
result in constant shrinkage of the wetlands to give way to unorganised waste disposal choking the canals that supply
urban infrastructure. sewage water to fisheries, loss of carrying capacity of sewage
water due to siltation of irrigation canals, chemical wastes
4.3 Environmental degradation: dumping on agricultural land. These are ways to make the
Proximity to Leather complex is a major threat to aquatic water bodies and agricultural lands unfit for agricultural and

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 SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL URBAN SYSTEMS: PLANNING FOR RESILIENCE

fisheries production and hence are sold off to developers.

This is a kind of engineering livelihood crisis plaguing the REFERENCES
wetlands making it highly vulnerable. • Bannerji, S., 2014. Sewage-fed Fisheries under Private
Ownership in the East Kolkata Wetlands: A Case Study.
International Journal of Advancements in Research &
Technology, Volume 3, Issue 6, June-2014 ISSN 2278-
7763

• Bera, S., 2015, Fish and a philosophy-A cooperative in

Kolkata shows the way for urban sewage management.
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coverage/fish-and-a-philosophy-39587

• Bera, S., June 2015, Stink In The Leather Belt, Down

to Earth, accessed from https://www.downtoearth.
org.in/coverage/stink-in-the-leather-belt-41357 on
10.10.2018

• Dey, D., Banerjee, S., 2012, Ecosystem and Livelihood

Support: A Study on East Kolkata Wetland, Dissertation,
Department of Economics, University of Calcutta.

• EKWMA,WISA, 2010, Management Plan for East Kolkata

Wetlands by East Kolkata Wetlands Management
Authority and Wetlands International – South Asia

• Furedy, C. and Ghosh, D., 1984. Resource-conserving

traditions and waste disposal: The garbage farms
and sewage-fed fisheries of Calcutta. Conservation &
Recycling, 7(2-4), pp.159-165

• Gupta, S., 2002. Integrated resource recovery project in

Kolkata, India. RUAF Magazine.
Plate 3 (left) –Dead fish floating in canal water, Plate 4 (right) -Canals lie
blocked with wastes, unable to feed the fisheries with sewage water and • Kundu, N., Pal, M. and Saha, S., 2008, July. East
agricultural land with treated effluent (Source- Author) Kolkata Wetlands: a resource recovery system through
productive activities. In Proceedings of Taal2007:
5. CONCLUSION: The 12th World Lake Conference (Vol. 868, p. 881).,
Kolkata’s problem should be seen in a broader context of available at http://www.moef.nic.in/sites/default/files/
options for urban fringes in making Indian cities resilient. nlcp/G%20-%20Pollution%20Abatement/G-1.pdf
Urban Planners should rethink settlement patterns that
• Nicholls, R.J., P.P. Wong, V.R. Burkett, J.O. Codignotto,
could be designed to preserve the socio-ecological urban
J.E. Hay, R.F. McLean, S. Ragoonaden and C.D.
systems as “green infrastructure”. Woodroffe , 2007. Coastal systems and low-lying
areas. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and
As an urban planning policy to combat climate alter, planners
Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the
must look at a city holistically. One must understand the socio-
Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental
ecological systems that make up the city, their contribution
Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P.
towards– Resilience which has two aspects - 1. Adaptation Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds.,
(water resource management, pollution control, flood Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 315-356.
control, poverty alleviation, urban food security through
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and 2. Mitigation (reduction of GHG emissions, carbon A.R., 2008. Waste management: A case study of
sequestration). The next step would be to examine the ongoing traditional practices at East Calcutta Wetland.
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interdependencies and risks they may face. Hence, Urban
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not be seen separately or as conflicting in nature, but should Reportsgeneralreports5.pdf
support each other in a sustainable manner.

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2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 37
Bringing flexibility in design of affordable house prototypes
for Pune city

Prof Dr Alka Sunil Kote

Dr Alka Sunil Kote is a Professor in Civil Engineering at Dr D Y Patil Institute of Technology, Pimpri, Pune. She
has 27 years experience in teaching and 1 year industrial experience. She completed PhD from Indian Institute
of Technology Bombay, Masters in Water Resources Engineering from Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli,
Maharashtra and Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Goa College of Engineering, Farmagudi, Goa.
She is associated with six professional bodies viz. Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), New Delhi, Institution
of Engineers IEI (India), Kolkata, Indian Society for Hydraulics (ISH), Pune, Indian Water Resources Society (IWRS),
Roorkee, Indian Water Works Association (IWWA), Mumbai and Indian Society of Geomatics(ISG), Ahmedabad.
She has 51 Publications in National & International Journals & Conferences. She has guided 25 undergraduate,
13 postgraduate students and 6 are pursuing PhD under her guidance in Research Centres at DIT, Pimpri and
BNCA College of Architecture affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). She is a reviewer of Journal of
Hydrologic Engineering, The American Society of Civil Engineers, Unites States of America.
She is awarded Department of Irrigation Prize, Ministry of Water Resource, Government of India in 25th Indian
Engineering Congress at Cochin in 2010. She was a member, Board of Studies in Civil Engineering, SPPU. She
received Rs 14 lakhs grants under Research Projects, AICTE-MODROBS schemes and for attending International
Conference at Malaysia. She is involved in testing & consultancy work in Civil Engineering. She is a review expert
for Maharashtra Public Service Commission Examination. She has been a resource person in various short term
training programs at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Government College of Engineering, Aurangabad, and
D Y Patil College of Engineering, Akurdi, Pune.
[email protected]
Ar. Sudhir Ramesh Deshpande
Ar. Sudhir R Deshpande, is an architect and academician. He has more than 10 years of professional experience &
7 years of teaching experience. Previously he has worked in reputed firms like Vascon Engineers, Dar Al Handsah
Group with capacity of senior architect. Presently he is associated as a senior architect with K&G architects, Pune.
He did Masters in Construction Management & Bachelor of Architecture from D.Y. Patil college of Architecture,
University of Pune. He is presently working as an associate professor at SMEF’s Brick School of Architecture,
Pune. He was previously associated with Sinhgad college of Architecture, Pune & Vidya Ptatishthan’s School of
Architecture, Baramati. He is PhD scholar, at Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture – BNCA, PhD Center
affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University,- SPPU.

[email protected]

ABSTRACT
The capability to adapt, to change or accommodate change is a basic and fundamental requisite for the future of city.
The traditional design practice for housing is challenging in an uncertain changing context. Currently, Pune is growing
city and demanding flexible affordable housing. It is due to rapid rise in population and migration of people from
varied and distinct cultural backgrounds. In this paper the concept of flexibility is discussed and examined from the
theoretical as well as practical point of view. This study also identifies the addressees of flexible design viz. architectural
layout, structural systems, service spaces and flexible interior furnishing. This research suggests strategies like addition-
deletion, neutralization and joining-segregation that ensure both the adaptability of the space in response to changing
usage and affordability.
Key Words: Flexibility, affordability, space, neutralization, usage

1. Introduction concept is introduced all over the world. It is very important

to introduce innovative concepts in design to create flexible
The capability to adapt, to change or accommodate change physical environment (Blackman, 2003). Flexibility is
is a basic and fundamental requisite for the future of city. the ability of a system to convert or modify built or open
The traditional design practice for housing is challenging elements as per need of the user (Celluci, 2015). It provides
in an uncertain changing context. A process of area an effective alternative to psychological perceptions of the
optimization is critical in a rigid design. Therefore, flexibility user. (Klaufus, 2000). The study of sociological pattern helps

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 BRINGING FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN OF AFFORDABLE HOUSE PROTOTYPES FOR PUNE CITY

to assess need-based users in a community viz. i) Young It also includes the population from Wada’s, Gaothan,
families who benefit from the re-configuring of rooms to dilapidated buildings or extremely cramped regular housing.
meet their changing spatial requirements over time. They It is due to lacking of alternatives which offer better space
can afford their first home as a flexible home. ii) Single adults for housing (Mashal Project Team, 2010). Therefore, the
who may want to use some spaces communally and other flexibility concept can be implemented in different ways
spaces independently. iii) The people who need some space for Pune city. It is categorized under some attributes/
for their commercial activity in the housing society itself parameters. Effective design of a space is one of the
by additional or convertible shops, office in their proposed primary addressee in providing flexibility (Schneider, 2007).
prototype only. iv) Persons with disabilities may require Application of complementary construction technology is
flexible housing designed to be fully wheelchair-accessible, also important for flexible designs. (Estaji 2017, Arroyyo
including wide corridors and special features for visually 2017, Yadav 2013). Effective Space and Technology should
impaired and physically disabled (Graham, 2016). provide the flexible and adaptable physical design to the
user (Inani, 2014, Narendran 2014).
The concept of flexibility is dependent upon some aspects of
design viz. architectural layout, structural systems, services 2. Methodology
and furnishings as shown in Fig. 1. Architectural layout Literature from various contributing fields is considered
enables the quality of multifunctional use of a space. Flexible comprehensively to define flexibility and flexible design. The
structural design system enables the architects to separate selected literature is reviewed to identify the attributes of
the interior from structure (Estaji, 2017). Construction flexibility in an affordable housing. The studies selected are
technology & services are inseparable part in affordable limited to those pertaining to the meaning of flexibility and
flexible housing. The observed perception of the user about needs & expectations of the user from a home. The probable
services is based on convenience and maintenance. Flexible users are defined in the study. The application of flexibility
service locations enable effective space planning inside the concept is explained in the context of space, construction
unit. The furnishing in interior will provide extra carved technology & design. The design strategies are discussed to
storage spaces in the unit without increasing the area. The make the unit as flexible. The purpose of this analysis is to
interior should be flexible enough to adjust with changes as standardize and create a thought process for application of
per convenience of the user (Inani, 2014). flexible design in an affordable housing.

3. Preliminary data, findings and discussions

In order to provide a new and flexible approach in design &
construction for affordable housing in Pune city, a suitable
prototype design is proposed. In the following section the
strategies for affordable prototype design is studied under
three primary domains namely (i) flexibility in space (ii)
flexibility in construction technology (iii) flexibility in design.

3.1 Flexibility in Space:

Flexibility in space offers more functions to the prototype
design (Danko, 2013). It also plays a part in three-dimensional
volume of space. It gives flexibility to accommodate more

Fig. 1 Addressees of flexible design (Source: Author)

Flexibility should be practiced effectively in developing

metro cities. Pune is one of the fastest urbanizing cities in
India due to rapid rise in population and migration of people
from varied and distinct cultural backgrounds. The challenge
facing Pune Municipal Corporation is to supply homes at
affordable cost in response to the increasing demand. This
population includes job seekers, college students, small scale
businessmen, etc. Fig.2 Multi Functional common space

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 BRINGING FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN OF AFFORDABLE HOUSE PROTOTYPES FOR PUNE CITY

Fig.3 Seperation of areas with Furniture arrangement Fig. 5: Surface Paneling system
(Source: Svetlana Brzev, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Canada,
(Source: Kalba Devi Chawl, Goregaon Chawl, Mumbai Chawls and People
2015)
newsletter, Mumbai)

space in a vertical way and to have comfortable height inside 2013). Fig. 4 shows precast paneling construction (in place of
the tenement. Many designs in apartment buildings possess masonry) in the apartment scheme at Bangalore.
a large non-utilization factor in the tenement. This factor
A complete precast paneling system in Canada is shown in
could be reduced by means of flexible space planning.
Fig.5. It offers quick construction and hence saving in cost.
There is a correlation between space and flexibility. The Also, quality of construction gets enhanced due to casting in
space should not be rigid in occupying secondary functions controlled environment.
into it. The history and lifestyle of people in Pune was very
3.3 Flexibility in Design
much different in earlier period. Many functional activities
The flexible design plays an important role in providing
like communication, sitting, playing, and allied activities
flexible interiors inside the prototype. The design &
of cooking took place in the social spaces. It improved
placement of external staircases, internal staircases, lifts,
space optimization in tenements. It can be easily observed
entrances, service lobbies enables effective planning and
from Fig.2 that the social space could be designed as
space optimization inside the house. The Fig. 6(i) shows the
multifunctional. The Fig.3 shows the use of furniture for
design of low-level windows with extended sills that could
the separation of areas. It saves space by accommodating
be utilized as sitting in drawing room. It also could be a place
furniture as storage and partition.
for relaxation as shown in Fig. 6(ii). It could be worked out as
3.2 Flexibility in Construction Techniques: a traditional way of planning like ‘katta’ seating which was
There is also a relationship between construction techniques found in traditional houses and in public places.
and flexibility. Flexibility requires reduction in rigidity by
Some strategies in flexible design that could be implemented
providing complementary construction technology. Certain
are namely i) Provision of undefined neutral space inside the
logic of construction and provision of services allows
house for multifunctional utilization. The design can adapt
flexibility of configuration, which in turn enables flexible
the functions without any physically change (Celluci, 2015).
use and occupation (Graham, 2016). The material and
construction methodology should be flexible in terms of
providing different building typologies such as high rise,
midrise, low rise, single modular homes and quadruplex.
The standardization of structural components is very much
important in flexible construction. The components should
possess less self-weight, minimum self-occupied space,
favorable for different surface treatments as per choice and
customized in terms of containing service rails on or inside
the surface. This is possible with precast and prefabrication
technology. Prefabricated housing is now growing all over
the world and style of composite construction is suitable
for flexible mass scale housing. The composite construction
could include the precast concrete, structural steel,
Fig 6 (i) and (ii) : Low level window design for formal and informal seating
aluminum form-works in a very comprehensive way (Yadav, (Source: Author)

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 BRINGING FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN OF AFFORDABLE HOUSE PROTOTYPES FOR PUNE CITY

Fig.8 Addition or Deletion strategy (Source: Author)

Fig 6 (i) and (ii) : Low level window design for formal and informal seating
(Source: Author)

This is possible either by neutral sizing of the living units

to accommodate any function and elimination of hierarchy
between them (e.g bedroom can be converted into a study,
etc.). It is shown in Fig. 7 (i) and (ii) that the wall between
living room and bedroom could be adjusted during day and
evening time. It could be a good interactive space and dining
space for family users.

Fig.9 Neutralization of area (Source: Author)

Fig. 7 (i) and (ii): Planning of Undefined Neutral Space (Source: Author)

ii) Use of balcony during the day time as a common family

habitable space.iii) Provision of part mezzanine floor that
can accommodate 1-2 people at night for sleeping or can
provide storage space iv) Provision of lofts for storage. v)
Smooth conversion of a building by providing regular grid
for laying flexible structural system. vi) Use of materials Fig 10 Joining or Segregation mechanism (Source: Author)
that ensure maximum reversibility of the system in addition
design phase itself rather than post-construction phase to
to the flexibility of the internal space viii) Assembling and
allow for simple alterations to structural and service systems.
disassembling of the structural component and the use
This provides quality in flexibility as per the need of the
of hollow or rectangular beams capable of integrating the
end user.
installation system inside the structural form. The internal
space should be designed as a completely flexible and should The flexible design also should possess neutralization of
be complementing to its convertibility. area except service areas as shown in Fig. 9. It explains that
there will be no clear intended use for any room. The end
As seen in Fig. 8, the ability of space should be flexible towards
user can decide the internal planning as per the needs and
addition or removal. This potential should be explored in the

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 BRINGING FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN OF AFFORDABLE HOUSE PROTOTYPES FOR PUNE CITY

functional activities. It is a new idea and could be effective BIBLIOGRAPHY

considering current trend and aspirations of the user. The (1) Arroyo S, 2007, Emerging Technologies and Housing
elements like sliding doors and screens can greatly increase Prototypes -: Berlage Institute
the spatial configurations of a house and allow spaces to be (2) Blackman, 2003, 'Building Futures. Housing', Building
used for numerous different uses. The vertical walls could Futures. A Building Design Supplement for CABE and RIBA
be adjustable in nature to have space dimension as per (3) Celluci C, 2015, The Flexible Housing: Criterias and
Strategies for implementation of the flexibility, Journal of
functional requirement. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 9, 845-852
The concept of joining and dividing space generally (4) Danko M, 2013, Designing Affordable Housing for
Adaptability-Principles, Practices and Applications, Pitzer
becomes critical for multifamily apartments. As shown Senior theses, Pitzer college
in Fig. 10, joining and segregation mechanism allows (5) Estaji, 2017, ‘A review of flexibility & adaptability in
increase or decrease in a volumetric space. It also enables housing design’, International Journal of Contemporary
‘change in ownership’ in case of an adjacent tenement Architecture “The New Arch”, Vol.4, No.2, 2017
in an apartment building. This method need not be (6) Graham, P.,2016, Design for adaptability – an introduction
to the principles and basic strategies, The Royal Australian
limited to horizontal plane and projects that are flexible Institute of Architects, GEN66.
in three dimensions typically offer the most options (7) Inani S., 2014, Flexibility concept in design and construction
for adaptability. for domestic transformation
(8) Klaufus, 2000, Journal of Housing and the Built Environment,
4. Conclusion Vol. 15, No. 4 (2000)
The study shows that there is a need of ‘change in perspective’ (9) Mashal Project Team, 2010, ‘Housing Study for Pune
towards the affordable prototype design in Pune city. This Municipal Corporation’
paper further identifies the addressees of flexible design (10) Narendran A, Filbert Musau, 2014, Flexible and Environment
viz. architectural layout, structural systems, service spaces Responsive mass housing in Bangalore, India, 30th
International Plea Conference, CEPT University, Ahmedabad
and flexible interior furnishing. The proposed research
(11) Schneider 2007, Flexible housing. Taylor and Francis
has suggested flexibility strategies like addition-deletion, Publication.
neutralization and joining-segregation which ensure the (12) Suryavanshi R. ,2016, Housing for all by 2022, Shelter -
adaptability of the space in response to changing usage Volume 17, Hudco Publication
and affordability. These flexibility strategies can be applied (13) Yadav N., 2013, Pre-Cast Technology: An Initial Step
effectively only with the combined efforts of Architect, to Sustainable Development, International Journal for
Scientific Research and Development, Vol. 1, Issue 7, 2013
Engineer and Developer.

Fig.4: Mid rise precast paneled scheme at Bangalore (Source: NBM Media Publication, 2015)

42 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

Re-imagining the Development of Inner City:
A case of Aurangabad

Ar. Karansingh A Thakur

Ar. Karansingh A Thakur has completed B.Arch from Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering Collage (JNEC) Aurangabad in
2014 after which he joined his father in practice. Widening his horizons in 2017 he completed M.Arch in Urban
Design from Kamala Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architectural and Environmental Studies (KRVIA) Mumbai
in 2017 and he is currently practicing as a ‘chief Architect’ in AJAY THAKUR & ASSOCIATES Aurangabad (MHA).

He is always looking forward for design challenges and is always enthusiastitc about taking part in several
competitions.

[email protected]

ABSTRACT
Every livable city is a place of uniqueness which will have its own inborn properties, identity and a development potential.
Today heritage and tourism related infrastructure in various part of the country has improved the quality of life of the
local people and helped to promote local art and crafts. People have always travelled to distant parts of the world to
see monuments, art and culture and test new cuisine.
Identities are related to physical environment by means of complex patterns of direct and indirect ideas, feelings, values,
goals and behavioral tendencies, relevant to a specific environment. With the onset of urbanization, the historic town
has been exposed, physically damaged and destroyed due to the impact of unplanned urban development.
Heritage enhancement through reinforcement of identity is serving as a gateway to boost the tourism cities such as London,
Paris, Tokyo, offering a wider range of attractions and improvement in overall urban ambience and cityscape views.
The city of Aurangabad is a perfect blend of both heritage and industries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the
historic core of Aurangabad, through the idea of development around the core and envisioning a development that is in
sync with the core, as well as undergoes a functioning that is integrated with the everyday. The focus of the thesis would
be upon integrated development strategies for the historic core, by equal distribution of resources and development
strategies, for them to form an active and integrated part of everyday. The strategies would also aim to attract visitors
and tourists to the city, to expand its reach on a global level.
Aurangabad has seen a shift in its identity from a historic city to an industrial city, leaving behind a trail of problems
and threats to the historic core. The historic core is seen as an isolated entity from the recent development around it, its
values and significance have not been embraced and integrated by and into the everyday.
The thesis concerns the reformation of the inner city identity and its potential to accommodate new development, using
heritage as a driver in order to reconnect the tangible and intangible elements associated with it.
Key Words: Identity, heritage, integrated, everyday, historic core, inner city, tangible and intangible

Every city has its own identity. The identity is related with the physical environment by means of a
Cities growth, economy, culture…. Depends upon center or complex pattern of direct and indirect ideas, feelings, values, goals
core area of city. and behavioral tendencies relevant to a specific environment. 1)

Source-The City and SelfIdentity: Harold M. Proshansky First Published June 1, 1978 | research article

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 REIMAGINING THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNER CITY

Overview to Inner city roof lines, scale of public and semi-public spaces . The growth,
Every livable city has its own unique character that is expressed economy, culture of a city is associated most with its inner city, the
in its architecture and arrangement of streets and open places. point of its beginning.
It is not inappropriate to propose the image that the livable
city, like every living thing, has a genetic code, or a DNA structure. Today’s condition of old Indian inner cities are in neglected state.
The DNA of a city is expressed in those architectural and spatial In the modern times the historic town have been exposed and
characteristics best loved by the city’s occupant that contribute physically damaged and destroyed by the impact of unplanned
most to its sense of identity. These may consist of a typical urban development. while most of these cores still stand
arrangement of scale and architectural forms, building lot size, overflowing with buildings, artifacts, and other features of
historical and cultural value, these living museums fell into neglect
during the 20th century, often as an unintended by-product of
rapid urbanization. Rapid urban growth often leads to the collapse
of large cities historic urban cores, since urbanization generally
occurs at a more rapid pace at cities’ peripheries than centers.
These cities are losing its character, values and feelings. Many
cities in the country do consist of old or historic inner-city areas
of considerable historic and cultural value. These city centers are
not only valuable old assets but opportunities for revitalization of
local economic development and national cultural identity.

Aurangabad has seen a shift in its identity from a historic

city to an industrial city,

1932 1960 1970 1991 2006 2012

Muncipality was Maharashtra Industrial The responsibility for the A new industrial cum residential GoM appointed CIDCO for As part of the DMIC the
formed Devopment Corporation (MIDC) new city was given to City township has been planned at Aurangabad Fringe Area as SPA Government of Maharashtra has
began acquiring land and and Industrial Development Waluj in Aurangabad by CIDCO on 3rd Oct. 2006 decided to develop the Shendra
setting up industrial estates. Corporation (CIDCO) which - Bidkin belt in Aurangabad as
Inner core of city started development in the planned industrial townships to
1970s. act as major investment node
Core area of city

Study area Boundary Delineation

MACRO LEVEL MACRO LEVEL COMPONENT LEVEL
- Based on understanding of AMC area, - Based on innder city are within fort wall - Based on understanding of core area boundary.
fringe area and shendra Ind. Area - Based on heritage influence of inner city area - Based on influences of care area on its immediate surroundings.
Regional Level analysis Inner city & heritage analysis Character appraisal for core area, prescient level
• identification of core &* immediate setting
• Historic, cultural & tourism background of • detailed analysis of heritage precincts
• physical condition mapping
the Aurangabad region. • identification of present condition
• built form character
- historic layers, movement of • identification of monuments
• landmarks and nodes
development - landuse, heritage, routes
• community & spaces
• Identification of heritage precincts & assets • morphology & settlement pattern
• institutional, religious & heritage structures
• Analysis of existing heritage condition. • Gates of City and Fortified Precincts
• buildings typology
• Reviewing & analysis policy framework. • Underground Water Channel - Nahar System
• Activity mapping and cultural practices
• City Monuments And Connection
• Architecture style

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 REIMAGINING THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNER CITY

2) Macro level Analysis Schematic chart with the main attractions available in the region
Heritage Tourist Circuit
The city is known for its historic settlements.it has seen a many
dynasty’s start from sathvahana periottd to early nezam’s period.
the ajanta caves is madeup in vakataka dynasty of the 5th -6th
century.the ellora site presents monuments and artwork of
buddhism, hinduism and jainism from the 5th -10th century
period. daulatabad also known as devagiri it is a 14th-century fort
city.than mughals and nizams rules on city.

Religious Tourist Circuit

city of aurangabad is surrounded with many historic religious
temporial precincts.the grishneshwar temple is one of the lord
shivas 12 jotirlinga .the temple is built in the 16th century. sant
eknath maharaj samadhi mandir is situated on "krushnakamtirth" on
godavari river bank. the temple is said to be built during ramayana
period bhadra maruti temple, khuldabad is the idol of hanuman is
portrayed in a reclining or sleeping posture. it is one of only three
places where hanuman is represented in a sleeping posture.

Tourist Network Pattern

case-1
it’s seen from many years
the shirdi saibaba is one of
major religious attraction
for tha people from andhra
pradesh and all over india.
with the shirdi they also visit
grishneshwar temple and
aurangabad heritage sites.

case-2
according to tourism
department officials, nearly
20,000 visitors from japan,
korea and other parts of
asia visited maharashtra last
year as part of the buddha
circuit.the maharashtra
government is planning to
set up a japanese village near
the famed ajanta-ellora caves
near aurangabad to attract
more tourist footfalls from
japan. special japanese tours

case-3
the khuldabad urs festival
is a five day affair. muslims
assemble here in large
numbers during the khuldabad
urs to pay their respects to
these saints. in 2015 around
12 lakh people attended the
fair from all over the country
as well as from iran, pakistan, and saudi arabia," the tomb of of
the mughal emperor, aurangazeb is also located here.

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 REIMAGINING THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNER CITY

3) Macro level Analysis Underground water channel- neher system

Gates of inner city and fortified prescient
Malik amber in 1617 a.d. discovered subterranean water table
also known as the ‘city of gates’,it had 52 gates not a very long of mountainous elevated valleys in north of aurangabad. he
time ago.these gates served as points of revenue collection practically manipulated and procured a stable perennial water
while entering the town and were also used for surveillance supply for a population of 7 lakh by constructing his unique
purpose.out of 52 ,only 19/20 survive today..a few of them in a wonderful aqueduct by name khair– e- jari. the cityof aurangabad
very dilapidated condition. was having number of nahars of pure mineral subterranean
drinking water the different nehers and its present conditions
are listed below

Todays condition of nahar

The nehers still exist and are in perfect working conditions.

the government also knows about these perfect traditional
systems. but still these nehers are kept away from the public realm
despite the marathwada region facing serious water scarcity.
these systems are free of maintenance. the water taken from the
mountains is not under the government and the people using the
water don’t have to pay for it. the government is unable to make
any profit from these self sustaining and evergreen systems and
hence these systems are kept unused. the water from these nehers
is not going to be adequate for the entire city of aurangabad but a
lot of unprivileged people who do not have the luxury .

With the time edge got blurred as it become a place with multiple
boundaries within itself.Today they are lost in the vast landscape
of the inner city.The entire street scape in the city has values
associated with the people. The city was identified by thick walls
along its periphery.The center of city was structured with different
walled precincts.The invincible wall today shows the meeting of
the past with the present.

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 REIMAGINING THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNER CITY

4) Character Appraisal-Component Level Architecture (Wadas & Havelis)

The character appraisal of the city is divided in specific aspects of There are many ancient havelis and wadas in the precinct. Most
site, space, streets, architecture, community and economy, which of them which are clearly in dilapidated conditions. There are two
are further subdivided into various elements of paths and edges, types of wadas i.e. the Mughal period wadas and the Yadavas
nodes, vistas, landmarks, procession, heritage structure, religious period wadas. Many of them are presently going redevelopment.
structure, wadas, havelis, community, community activity,
traditional occupations and modern occupations. Community (Ethnicities)
There is a diverse and rich mix of population residing in the
Also for the grading of the monumental structures certain precinct. The people residing are of various ethnicities like Hindus,
specifications of value, fabric, use, associations and aesthetic Muslims, Sikhs, Bhoris, etc.
character have been specified which further branch out in other
minute and much precise specifications. The following table shows
all of these aspects, elements and specifications of the heritage or
monumental structures.

Streets (Paths & Edges)

Most of the edges of the site itself have a very distinct character.
The significant value of these streets goes on diminishing outside
the boundary of the historic core city.

Streets (Nodes)
The nodes add different views and visions to the precinct and it
acts like a junction for the people to displace to other parts of
the city. Nodes act as points of communication and co-operation
between the public via joint events and exchange of experience.

Streets (Vistas)
There is a series of vistas which connect the views and shares
different experiences towards the focal points of the heritage
structures or monuments showing different activities of the day,
especially during festival periods

Streets (Landmarks)
Landmarks have their own value in the surroundings. It visually connects
and associates us with the aesthetics of the neighboring areas.

Streets (Processions)
Streets are an important part of processions. Streets act as a mix
of social events and cultural festivals. Such acts make the streets
more expressive and in time increase the value of the precinct.

Architecture (Heritage Structures)

The precinct has various types of heritage structures from different

time periods. The architecture of these structures gives numerous
identities to the precinct.

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A Paradigm of Modern Living

Ar. Jagdish B. Karamchandani

Ar. Jagdish B Karamchandani, Principal Architect, K & Associates, Delhi, has envisioned and successfully
executed more than 100 trend setter projects of diverse nature of leading Real Estate Developer of Delhi in
last two decades. He has proven expertise of more than 45 years in Architecture and landscape designing in
Government and Real Estate Industry. He is the recipient of honorariums from Govt. of India for holistic design
approach of VVIP projects. Recently, he has been awarded for designing of War memorial for martyrs of China
War 1962 by Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh.

He has infused `First in India’ pre engineering & pre cast construction technologies, which saves time and
improve quality of construction.

He always stresses on innovative design solutions, immaculate building execution and sustainable development.

[email protected], [email protected]

Sheel Kunj Township – a dynamic place to Breathe Purity have an approach from 24m wide master plan road providing
and Live in Tranquillity complete access to the existing Modipuram Colony.
The exquisite Township in Meerut is the ultimate independent
built up houses featuring both the contemporary style and Contemplation of the township
simplicity. The simple geometric forms with vibrant colour The concept of the township development was to build
of the units can keep any individual warm in heart and cool houses suiting every need & modern lifestyle. Architect
in mind. While designing the township with architectural has creatively designed the township while emphasizing
beauty as per the location or fulfilling the expectation of on the concept and meeting the client’s expectation at the
the client to have maximum number of independent built very same time. The design brief was to have maximum of
up houses, the Architect Mr. Karamchandani has reflected plots as independent built up Houses. Thus a holistic concept
exceptional work design in his project and shown the approach was opted for and unique identity was planned.
perfection in all aspects. Whether designing the plot, A variation has been provided in the size and amenities of
maintaining simplicity or offsetting bold but vibrant colours the individual house, which are of various types yet effort
of the houses, energetic vibe and eye pleasing landscape is has been made to maintain the integrity of the architecture
reflected throughout every corner of the township. design concept. All houses are well integrated living spaces
and extremely functional and have user friendly design.
Site Singularity The basic layout consists of 875 plots and majority (600) of
The 70 acres of irregular land along with Modipuram – plots have built up houses. All Built up houses enjoy a visual
bye pass road in Meerut (UP) has been transformed and and elemental bond with landscaped green area and water
developed into the enigmatic township in phases by the bodies and fountains. The houses are strive 4BHK, 3BHK and
Promoters. The uniqueness of the township’s location is to 2BHK duplex and simplex houses. (4BHK duplex houses are

View of Tulip Housing Asler Housing

52 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

 A PA R A D I G M O F M O D E R N L I V I N G

Magnolia Housing

Central Fountain Avenue

2019 January JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com 53

 A PA R A D I G M O F M O D E R N L I V I N G

Pyramid square.

on 200 sq. yards plot with a covered area of 2300 sq. feet. only breathtaking but it also gives an enchanting experience
3BHK duplex houses are on 150 sq. yards plot having covered at night with the fascinating illuminated reflection from
area of 1500 – 1800 sq. feet. 2BHK simplex houses are also surrounded water body when the area is lightened up. To
on 150 sq. yards plot having a covered area of 1050 - sq. have the social interaction and strengthen the community
feet.) All houses are expandable and have car portico, sit out bonding, an amphitheatre is designed as the platform to
terraces and balconies. No wonder the concept of living in perform plays and entertainment.
independent house has become popular among end users
and investors. The life style facilities in this Township make The Township Signature
them attractive destinations for the young generation. To maintain the architecture enigma of the township, the
houses are named after beautiful flowers such as Tulip,
Sensation of Mural Vibrancy Aster, Gardenia, Carnation and Dahlia etc. to resemble
The Building plan layout has been envisaged in such a way design integrity and reflect the natural ambience. The Hide
that maximum houses face open greenery and captivate & Seek Park and Millennium Park is also the signature of the
landscape so that the house buyers can enjoy the serene township to be admired.
environment to have a visual and elemental treat. The
generous landscaping and serene environment add to the
beauty of the township. Every park has been designed with
a theme and motif and is the land marks of the township.
The entrance gate leading through rows of trees, Fountain
Avenue, a central vista of sprawling open space, street light
featuring state of the art, unending green courts and the
encircling jogger’s tracks always gives an illusionary vision to
any individual of any age to live in the township forever.

The generous landscaping and serene environment add to

the beauty of the township. Every park has been designed
with a theme and motif and is the land marks of the
township. The spellbound sight of the glass pyramid square
at the heart of the township enclave by the green art is not Night view of Hide & Seek Park

54 www.indianinstituteofarchitects.com JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS January 2019

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PUBLISHED ON 14TH OF EVERY FOLLOWING MONTH AND
POSTAL REGD. NO.MCS/007/2018-20 POSTED ON 15TH & 16TH OF EVERY FOLLOWING MONTH

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