Assignment No.1 - Aranya Housing Case Study
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Keren LopezAssignment No.1 - Aranya Housing Case Study
Uploaded by
Keren LopezOutput: Case Study on Urban Development Concept Best Practice:
Aranya Housing
Project by B. V.
Doshi
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for
Architectural Specialization 1:
Urban Design
Submitted to:
Arch. Grace Fajilagutan
Submitted by:
Laylo, Rochelle Mae V.
Lopez, Ranilin Keren M.
Luzon, Shaira C.
BSA-4C
INTRODUCTION
“They are not houses but homes where a happy community lives. That is what finally
matters,” says B.V Doshi. Doshi created Life Insurance Corporation in Ahmedabad in 1973
and Aranya Low-Cost Housing in Indore in 1989, one of his most well-known projects. This
project was incredibly unusual in terms of its methodology, design philosophy, and
importance in the lives of consumers. Aranya Low-Cost Housing, each core house comprises
a plinth and service spaces (bath and kitchen). The architect used the core housing concept
in the project to construct affordable housing for low-income families in the region. User
participation occurred as a result of the inclusion of core housing. The architect created many
housing alternatives for single-family homes, as well as diversified incremental development
scenarios and flexible layouts. Even two samples from the same housing option could be
altered differently by customers according to their choice. However, in Aranya Low-Cost
Housing, user input was crucial in achieving greater typological variety.
Context
The Aranya Township is located in the
city of Indore, which is the commercial center
of the state of Madhya Pradesh (see Figure 2).
According to the 1981 census, the population
of this city was 8.27 lakhs. Indore, like most
other cities in India, was facing a severe
housing scarcity, particularly for the lower
income group, as well as challenges caused by
poor infrastructure. According to a survey
conducted by the Indore Development
Authority and the Madhya Pradesh Housing
Board in 1981, around 60,000 households
were living in slums and squatter colonies. Housing supply from both public and private
agencies was 25,000 units during the following four years, with an extra demand of 51,000
units. The income distribution of Indore city showed that nearly 60 percent of the population
belonged to the economically weaker section, with at 1980 pricing) and could not afford to
spend more than 10% to 15% of their earnings on housing. The Indore Development
Authority planned Aranya Township to address the housing crisis, particularly for the
economically disadvantaged portion of the population.
Aranya offers a 'traditional' strategy to housing the urban poor, intended for 65,000
people, largely from the economically weaker sector (EWS) and lower income groups (LIG).
But a "location and services" approach has been modified (while being flexible, responsive
to individual resources, and spontaneous) to include 'model' house-types, proposed
materials, and implementation processes. This proposal finds a middle ground between a
house "without rooms" and a completely non-participatory repetitive public housing
building. The primary components of a site and services project are land and infrastructure.
Hence, effective site planning was prioritized while keeping human factors in mind. A new
approach to infrastructure design was developed to improve performance via the use of
novel materials, design processes, and computer-aided models. The use of 'infrastructure
design principles' resulted in an innovative layout that did not compromise the quality of
the urban environment and significantly lowered infrastructure costs.
It was considered that training centers for industrial, construction, and other
specialized skills were required. Material banks were established to feed the early stages of
construction. A cluster of demonstration homes was used to show simple building and
assembly procedures. In essence, the attitude of self-help was fostered in order to enhance
the settlement's internal economy. With this in mind, Aranya Township offers a diverse range
of places and constructed forms to suit these activities. The property, which was mostly
rectangular in shape, was located on the Mumbai-A gra highway, 6 kilometers north of
Indore's city center (Refer to Figure 3). Out of the net area of 88 ha, over 2.5 ha had been set
aside to absorb the pockets of the existing light industry. Approximately 6500 plots for
individual residences ranging in size from 35 square meters for EWS housing to 400 square
meters for higher income groups were offered. The EWS category received 65 percent of the
total number of dwelling units.
Bigger plots for higher income
groups were also incorporated into the
program in order to generate surplus
capital to cross-subsidize EWS houses
and provide them with loan repayment
capability. The residual was put into a
revolving fund to help with house
development and the establishment of
material banks.
"The designers' sole
'architecture' was to be 'sanitary cores,'
each of which had plumbing, a lavatory,
a kitchen, and a single room." They
could then be expanded as the
residents settled down; it was intended that the new community would eventually create
construction trades, resulting in an enhanced version of the informal urban vernacular."
Planning
The VSF designed the dwellings for the
economically disadvantaged part using a "site and
services" approach. In this strategy, land and
infrastructure are the two main components, with
human concerns remaining a prominent focus. A
plan like this finds a happy medium between a
house with no rooms and a non-participatory,
wasteful public housing project. The "site and
services" strategy provide households with a
modest plot that includes all essential facilities
such as a water tap, stormwater drainage, a sewage
connection, and a paved entrance with street lights. The degree and quality of service vary
according on the beneficiary's financial capabilities. A basic building core is supplied, which
may be expanded by the building's residents using their own resources at their own speed.
This concept of "site and service" is gaining momentum since it enables communities to self-
help and assists the impoverished in making the most of their limited resources.
Aranya's primary purpose was to create an integrated human environment that was
appropriate for the residents' way of life, cultural identity, and economic restraints. The
design principles that determined hierarchy in Araya low-cost housing differed from other
such projects in that they ranged from abstract ones like a sense of community and social
connection to more concrete ones like the minimum population or area that can support a
given local facility or the creation of an environmentally favorable area free of through traffic.
Because many of the physical and social components for these hierarchies had overlapping
restrictions, the efficiency of the design depended greatly on how they were integrated while
remaining flexible.
Planning included communal living activities as well as affordability, marketability,
and spatial restrictions. Hierarchies based on human size and imageability were formed. In
developing the plan, well-defined communities and geographical organization were
incorporated, with the following hierarchies:
Levels Population range
Township 40,000 to 65,000
Sector 5,000 to 15,000
Community 500 to 1,500
Cluster or Street 30 to 200
Dwelling unit 1 to 20
Township Planning
The plan was to split the
township into six sectors or
communities that would be linked
by a road to create a sense of
community. To create an
environment free of traffic, the
road network was designed with
specific access locations and
discouraged through vehicular
traffic. The northern and southern
site limits were determined to be
linked by the township's activity
spine. This had to be done in such a way that the proposed road network gave enough access
to the town center while discouraged through traffic. The township's spatial layout took into
account how marketable the land and building type was in relation to the predicted
population. It was critical to give the township a sense of purpose.
Sector Planning
At the sector level, making diverse facilities easily accessible helped build a feeling of
community and increase social interaction among inhabitants. Placing social services in open
areas enabled these places to be maintained and self-policed against unlawful activity while
also encouraging varied uses.
Cluster Planning
The climate was one of the most essential factors to consider while planning at the
street or cluster level. Lower level roadways are oriented east-west, whereas the longer side
of a row home block is oriented north-south to limit sun exposure. Households were
frequently placed in clusters around tiny, semi-private areas or public squares. These areas
provided youngsters with a secure place to play as well as for social and household tasks.
Places were made accessible for money-generating businesses, such as tiny stores or offices
in homes or on property adjacent to households.
Dwelling Unit Planning
The residences were constructed to accommodate the tenants' lifestyles. Because
EWS site sizes were restricted and there was a need to share sites for diverse activities at the
dwelling unit level, the creation of outdoor spaces was encouraged. The home form
incorporated platforms, porches, courtyards, and roof terraces. Most houses featured a back
door that allowed owners to keep pets, store automobiles, and even rent out a piece of the
house to make extra income. A simple residence was designed so that people may improve it
as they saw fit. The home's initial layout had merely a room and a rudimentary service core.
The establishment of a 0.5 m-wide transition space between the street and the
residence was permitted, within which people might build house expansions. House
extensions such as stoops, platforms, porches, balconies, and open stairs were permitted,
giving the street a distinct character. Ottas, platforms, and porches served as transitory zones
between the street and the home. These sections might be used as offices or retail stores.
Service Core
The service cores serve as the building blocks around which the dwellings spread and,
eventually, the communities take shape in any "site and service" model. In this sense, a
disregard for the people's social and physical needs may condemn the entire community to
an unpleasant future. Water supply and sanitation are the two most expensive components
of these programs. As a result, the service core and supporting infrastructure play critical
roles in the architecture.
HISTORY
B. V. Doshi
Doshi's grandfather managed a furniture shop, and he initially planned to follow in
his grandfather's footsteps. However, he grew interested in building and enrolled in the Sir
J.J. School of building in Bombay in 1947. (Mumbai). In 1950, he traveled to London and met
Le Corbusier, with whom he worked for the next four years in his Paris studio. He returned
to India to supervise the development of some of Le Corbusier's projects, notably the Mill
Owners' Association Building in Ahmedabad (1954) and the Villa Sarabhai in Mumbai.
(1955). He finally stayed in that city, where he created his own house (1963), which he named
Kamala House after his wife, as well as his studio, Sangath (1980), and some of his most
important creations. In 1956 Doshi founded his own practice, Vastushilpa, which he later
renamed Vastushilpa Consultants. The firm worked on more than 100 projects throughout
India, including a collaboration with Louis Kahn on the Indian Institute of Management
Ahmedabad (1962).
Doshi's early works demonstrate the impact of his mentors' endeavors in India. The
grid facade of Doshi's Ahmedabad School of Architecture, which he created and designed in
1966, is reminiscent of the Mill Owners' Association Building, while the use of brick and
concrete is reminiscent of the Villa Sarabhai. Doshi used slanted skylights and sliding doors
to manipulate light and regulate temperature, inspired by Le Corbusier's ability "to create a
soft light that makes people's faces glow." He incorporated recessed plazas shaded by leafy
trees throughout the campus to provide locations for students to meet in comfort, ever
conscious of India's heat. In the ensuing decades, the school expanded to include, among
other things, the School of Planning in 1970, the Visual Arts Centre in 1978, and the School
of Interior Design in 1982. In 2002, the university was renamed the Centre for Environmental
Planning and Technology (CEPT). Students helped design each new addition, using
comparable forms and materials to make the campus feel coherent.
Doshi immediately became known for his dedication to delivering cheap housing
throughout India, where cities had been afflicted by a housing crisis for decades. He is best
known for designing the Life Insurance Corporation Housing in Ahmedabad (1973) and the
Aranya Low Cost Housing in Indore. (1989). The latter, possibly his most well-known project,
was a low- to middle-income township. The master design intended for the construction of a
central spine of private enterprises and dwellings on each side. A cluster of ten dwellings
surrounds a central courtyard, with paved walkways and squares breaking up the pattern.
Doshi provided prospective residents with a choice of 80 models ranging from one-room flats
to larger residences to suit a variety of demands and incomes.
Aranya Housing
By the late 1970s, it was clear that a lack of economic development in rural regions,
along with continued population expansion, was causing widespread migration from rural
to urban areas, culminating in the establishment of slums. Internationally, slum improvement
efforts frequently fail due to authorities' incapacity to provide slum inhabitants with security
of tenure. In response to the growing housing problem and illegal squatter settlements,
which Dundar referred to as "urban cancer" in 2001, the Indian government commissioned
urban planners and architects to provide housing alternatives. Indore, like most other cities
in India, was experiencing a housing scarcity, particularly among lower-income residents. A
survey conducted by the Indore Development Authority (IDA) and the Madhya Pradesh
Housing Board revealed that about 60,000 households were living in slums. The income
distribution also revealed that approximately 60% of the population was poor. The Aranya
(forest) Township is an innovative initiative funded by the Indore Development Authority to
alleviate the housing deficit, particularly for the economically disadvantaged. The Indore
Development Authority appointed the Vastu-shilpa Foundation (VSF), chaired by B.V. Doshi
will create this new housing complex. The project's concept differs it from other comparable
projects, which is “Planning and Urban design framework of the settlement where people
build themselves.”
PROBLEMS
According to Goyal et al. (n.d.) While Aranya Housing is generally considered a
successful affordable housing project, it also faces some challenges and issues, which are
common to many urban housing developments. Some of the problems associated with
Aranya Housing include:
1. Maintenance and Upkeep
As Aranya Housing is a relatively old housing project, built in the 1980s, the issue of
maintenance and upkeep has been a concern. Over time, some of the buildings and
infrastructure may require repairs or renovation, and ensuring regular maintenance
can be challenging due to budgetary constraints and coordination among residents.
2. Infrastructure and Amenities
While Aranya Housing was designed to provide affordable housing, there have been
concerns about the adequacy of basic infrastructure and amenities. Some residents
have reported issues with water supply, sanitation, and other essential services. The
development of amenities such as schools, healthcare facilities, and recreational
spaces within or near the project may also be limited, leading to inconvenience for
the residents.
3. Social Dynamics
Aranya Housing is a dense urban development with a large number of families from
diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Managing social dynamics, community
cohesion, and addressing issues related to security, cleanliness, and social
interactions can be challenging in such settings. Conflicts or disputes among residents
may arise, which may require intervention and resolution.
4. Accessibility and Connectivity
While Aranya Housing is located in the city of Indore, there may be concerns about
accessibility and connectivity to other parts of the city, particularly for residents who
work or study in different areas. Transportation infrastructure, connectivity to public
transit, and access to employment centers, educational institutions, and other
amenities may pose challenges for some residents.
5. Housing Demand and Affordability
While Aranya Housing was designed as an affordable housing project, demand for
housing in the area may have changed over time, and affordability may be a concern
for some residents. Changes in economic conditions, rising costs of living, and
increasing property prices in the surrounding areas may impact the affordability of
housing in Aranya Housing for certain sections of the population.
REASONS FOR FAILURE
Handa and Singh (2019) explained that Aranya Housing was a successful project in
terms of architectural planning as well as its idea, but a failure in terms, of government
redevelopments. The reasons are:
1. Model template failed to inspire the inhabitants
The model template for Aranya Housing failed to inspire the inhabitants as it did not
draw inspiration from the local heritage and ethnic background. The rest of the site
was left undeveloped, with lavatory blocks and plinth beams for future inhabitants to
develop according to the model houses.
2. Conceived merely as a one-time design project and no focused efforts to create
a thriving community
Aranya Housing was conceived as a one-time design project with little focus on
creating a thriving community. Architectural interventions were used to address
community issues, but the ethnicity and economic background of potential
inhabitants were not considered.
3. Undesirable site made worse for living through objective design approach
The site chosen for Aranya Housing was undesirable, located at the edge of Indore.
No mechanisms were put in place to support the living standards of inhabitants, such
as credit and mortgage arrangements, resulting in challenges for their sustenance.
4. Unfavorable times challenged the fate of the society and repelled its potential
inhabitants
The demolition of a nearby mosque and social tensions, led to the migration of
inhabitants, resulting in the housing units being sold at inappropriate prices and
affecting the potential success of the community.
5. Lack of mechanisms for sustenance
NGO activities, funding facilities, alternate employment opportunities, limited water
availability, and little government support, further impacted the sustainability of
Aranya Housing.
SOLUTIONS
Several solutions could be considered to address the challenges faced by Aranya
Housing:
1. Implementation of appropriate budget allocation and regular monitoring of the
maintenance and repair needs of the housing complex
Forming a dedicated maintenance committee comprising representatives from the
residents' association and the relevant authorities could oversee the maintenance
activities and ensure timely repairs and upkeep.
2. Collaborate with local authorities and other stakeholders to develop necessary
infrastructure and amenities within to address the concerns.
This could help improve water supply and sanitation systems, developing schools,
healthcare facilities, and recreational spaces to enhance the livability of the housing
complex.
3. Promote community engagement and fostering a sense of ownership and
responsibility among residents
This helps to manage social dynamics. Encouraging community participation in
decision-making processes, organizing community events, and promoting inclusivity
and mutual respect among residents could create a cohesive community within
Aranya Housing.
4. Explore options to improve accessibility and connectivity to other parts of the
city
Developing better transportation infrastructure, improving public transit
connections, and promoting access to employment centers, educational institutions,
and other amenities, could enhance the convenience for residents in terms of
commuting and accessing essential services.
5. Regularly assessing the affordability of housing in Aranya Housing
Taking necessary steps such as revising housing prices, offering subsidies, or
exploring affordable financing options could ensure that the housing remains
affordable for the intended target population. Monitoring changes in economic
conditions and property prices in the surrounding areas and taking appropriate
measures to maintain affordability could also be considered.
6. Providing capacity-building programs and workshops to the residents on
topics
Maintenance, waste management, community building, and conflict resolution could
empower the residents to take ownership of their living environment and contribute
to the overall well-being of the housing complex.
It is important to note that addressing the challenges faced by Aranya Housing
requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including residents, local authorities,
and other relevant agencies. A proactive and participatory approach, involving regular
communication, coordination, and feedback mechanisms, can help implement effective
solutions and ensure the sustainability and success of the housing project.
RESULTS
Positive
• The idea of merging various socioeconomic groups worked well, and it became a solid
reference for any integrated settlement development.
• Provision of a minimal service core and allowing freedom to the residents to build at
their own pace and choice was a success. People built with more variety to create a
unique identity of their own.
• According to the post-occupancy survey, nearly 90% of low-income households
continued to live in and make little improvements to their homes. To increase their
income, 30% of the households rented out a portion of their homes.
• Availability of open spaces with amenities created a sense of equality among the
residents. These linear open spaces were also used extensively by people to access
schools and other amenities located along them.
• Initially, who will perform the maintenance of the streets and open spaces was an
issue, but later the communities evolved their own system of maintenance and
upkeeping.
• The project understood the traditional Indian habits of the low-income communities
and was designed in accordance with the socio-economic conditions of the residents,
which created a sense of belongingness in the people.
Negative
• The contribution of the public sector in the funding of Aranya Housing was only 1.5%
of the total. (Ekram,1995) (Government of India Planning Commission, 2008)
• The architect believed the growth and community involvement in Aranya to be a
common cultural occurrence, however this was untrue. The concept was proven
inefficient since the necessary organizations, such as Indore Municipality Council
(IMC), were unable to encourage occupants to abide by their allotted sites.
• Only 80 display homes were constructed at the beginning of Aranya to demonstrate
the flexibility of housing and the type of space that might be anticipated from the
entire development once it was finished. Once the initial demonstration homes were
erected, the remainder of the project was left to be completed by local residents
without the necessary municipal support or enforcement.
• Unfortunately, even ten years after the project's inception, there is still an 81-ha
building site without any trees (Khosla, 1995).
• Aranya depends on ‘material banks’, financed by the higher income groups. However,
there was no institution that was responsible for these material nodes. (Steel, 1998)
• The way of delivering houses placed the local income groups at a disadvantage. It is
essential that resources be made available for the poorest households, including
depots where they may purchase building supplies at a discounted rate as well as
financial aid and technical guidance. (Turner,1980)
• A local report by Khosla in 1995 claimed that at Aranya, water was only available half
an hour a day.
• In the case of Aranya, ‘only 15 to 20 percent of the original plot owners still held the
plots originally allotted to them, with the resale price of plots averaging
approximately ten times the original purchase price. (Steel, 1998) This is
contradicting what the post-occupancy survey results claimed.
CONCLUSION
In today's society, the majority of master plans successfully comprehend the needs
and expectations of the people they seek to help as well as the culture in which they were
formed. Yet, without the administration of governing authorities to guarantee that the project
and plan are effectively implemented and regulated, it is simple for them to fail, calling into
doubt the intentions of those who were involved in the planning process.
One of the primary reasons for establishing new communities for the urban poor is a
severe shortage of services and a deplorable environment. Like in Aranya, where the number
of services offered was probably excessive, making houses expensive for the typical slum
inhabitant, prudence is required in this location. Furthermore, the creation of so many
personalised services put a strain on the site's potable water supply, rendering it unable to
satisfy the demands of each individual. Building methods can be unique to the community if
a controlled institution is in place to disseminate knowledge on how to construct swiftly
using new technology. Building materials must be easily accessible to tenants, reasonably
priced, and motivating to inspire residents to house themselves in a more acceptable manner.
Avoid employing sophisticated, expensive building materials and processes, as this might
jeopardize the effort to provide a roof over the heads of the "needy." Property usage must be
controlled in order to achieve the project's goal and avoid it becoming detrimental rather
than beneficial to the target community. The potential recipient must really live in the
development.
The major lesson provided by the Aranya project is that it is extremely difficult to
construct low-income housing that actually develops and supports all of the sophisticated
systems of social, religious, and economic elements of a true community over time. The issue
of suitable design is still a major topic of discussion in India's architectural and planning
communities, as well as in governments throughout the world, with substantial
repercussions for other developing countries and the post-industrial world. The Indore
Development Authority's experimental township has inspired other organizations working
in the field of affordable housing by establishing a standard for a balanced and harmonious
environment, and it has set the bar for many future initiatives like it.
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