DISSERTATION
ACOMPARITIVE STUDY OF THE THEORIES OF
WESTERN URBAN ARCHITECTS AND ACTIVISTS IN
INDIAN SCENARIO
Submitted by
Tharangini K
ASPECTS TO BE STUDIED IN A PUBLIC SPACE :
Based on the thorough study of the listed books.
• As new cities emerge, and older ones grow, it is critical that we be
thoughtful in planning and designing their futures. Unfortunately, in cities in
India, this has not been the case. One of the aspects that has been most
neglected, is the planning for parks and public space.
• There are many books that can be chosen on urbanism themes but some
books focus particularly on how to design and create better public spaces for
all. Although they mostly focus on the western cities, there is a lot that the
Global South can learn from them as well. The books are to create better
neighbourhood and lifestyles for city planning and city living. The following
seminal works have been listed as best books on public spaces that has deep
wells of research, thought, and theory that are unseen on the surface of a
space. (archdaily.com, planetizen.com, planningtank.com)
• “Countries like India can learn from these books to know how to implement
more public spaces in their cities. Change usually occurs more
systematically in the developed world, but if the governing bodies around
the world read these books and took it in their hands to create change for our
cities and people’s wellbeing in the cities, then these books would have
served their purpose”. https://planningtank.com/books/books-public-spaces FIRSTUP 2
CONSULTANTS
1. INTERACTIVE SPACES AND THEIR ACTIVITIES
S/No. Books Topics Covered
1 Death and life of great -the uses of sidewalks – contacts
American Cities -the need for concentration
-The need for primary mixed use.
2 Concise Townscape Line of life
3 Architecture of the city Locus
4 Social Life of small urban Life of Plazas
spaces
5 Cities for People -City as a meeting place
-good cities for walking, staying, meeting,
self expression, playing and exercise
FIRSTUP 3
CONSULTANTS
2. EXPERIENCE AND THE PERCEPTION OF SPACE
S/No. Books Topics Covered
1. Death and life of great -visual order: its limitations and possibilities
American Cities
2. The image of the city -The image of the environment
-The city image and its elements
3. Concise Townscape -Serial vision
-Focal Point
4. Architecture of the city -Urban ecology and psychology
FIRSTUP 4
CONSULTANTS
3. INVITING ELEMENTS OR ATTRACTIONS
S/No. Books Topics Covered
1 Death and life of great -the uses of sidewalks – contacts
American Cities -the need for concentration
-The need for primary mixed use.
2 Concise Townscape Line of life
3 Architecture of the city Locus
4 Social Life of small urban Life of Plazas
spaces
5 Cities for People -City as a meeting place
-good cities for walking, staying, meeting,
self expression, playing and exercise
FIRSTUP 5
CONSULTANTS
4. THE ELEMENT OF HISTORY
S/No. Books Topics Covered
1. Death and life of great -The need for aged buildings
American Cities
2. Concise Townscape -Functional Tradition
3. Architecture of the city -Theory of permanence
-The ancient city
-Process and transformation
-Geography and history
-City as a history
-Collective memory
FIRSTUP 6
CONSULTANTS
5. COMFORT
S/No. Books Topics Covered
1. Death and life of great - Erosion of cities or attrition of automobiles
American Cities - The safe city
2. Social Life of small urban -Sun, wind, trees, water
spaces
3. Concise Townscape -Outdoor publicity
-The English climate
-Trees
4. Cities for People -The human dimension
- City at eye level
-The safe city
FIRSTUP 7
CONSULTANTS
NET CASE STUDY -TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON
• Interactive spaces and their Activities:
• Trafalgar Square serves many functions and is also seen as a “center
for national democracy and protest”. An example of a parade in
Trafalgar Square is the annual anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar
on 21st October by Sea Cadet Corps in London. The public see
Trafalgar Square as a place to express their freedom of speech and
ability to create change in the space. The square is attached to the
North Terrace which was pedestrianised so that it is linked to cafes
and the National Gallery.
• Inviting element and Attractions:
• The surrounding environs around the squares, such as cafes, art,
museums, theatres contribute to making the space more inclusive
and welcoming to the public. This is evident in Trafalgar Square
because it is known to hold many prominent public artworks which
makes people contemplate and gives purpose to the public space.
The Fourth Plinth which is a north-west plinth usually a center of
attraction for much temporary public art displays. This element in
Trafalgar Square, makes it one of the most talked-about and
photographed public art spaces in the country.
FIRSTUP 8
CONSULTANTS
NET CASE STUDY -TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON
• Perception of space and Experience:
• When people feel a sense of inclusion towards a space, they tend to
use it for a longer time and more frequently.
• Nelson Column’s location at the center of Trafalgar Square is seen to
be very convenient by visitors to meet acquaintances. It acts as a
landmark to help better perceive the space as coined by Kevin Lynch.
While the building facades surrounding the plaza acts as the edge that
encloses the plaza and gives a protecting feel to its users.
• Element of History
• Scholars argue that change takes place when the space is used for
strong protests and the historic presence of protests taken place in
Trafalgar Square makes it a significant space for the public. The
Nelson Column which marks a major historical significance, is
usually seen as a point for casual meetings and a place for people-
encounters.
• Comfort:
• Trafalgar Square provides a sense of comfort and attraction to visitors
as they can sit and walk in the square (in the pedestrianised area) and
with the regular events or activities that are provided in the square, FIRSTUP
people might also get to interact with strangers on a regular basis 9
CONSULTANTS
LIVE CASE STUDY – MARINA BEACH PROMENADE
• The Marina is the most popular destination in the city for
both local residents and tourists.
• A sandy banner proudly displaying colonial and
postcolonial landmarks, it is patronized by all social
groups.
• The middle- and upper-class residents of the city converted
the colonial habit of promenading on the beach into an
early morning exercise, with its uninterrupted expanse used
by fitness enthusiasts for jogging and walking.
• The presence of educational institutions along the Marina
ensures a constant presence of youngsters, particularly in
the evening hours, and during Sundays, when the rest of the
user groups throng the Marina for some valuable free
leisure and recreation, the beach finds itself stretched
beyond capacity.
• For a city that is congested and reeling under unmanageable
densities, this vast open strip provides a much-needed FIRSTUP 10
reprieve in the fresh air to all classes. CONSULTANTS
LIVE CASE STUDY – MARINA BEACH Frequency of visit Time of visit
PROMENADE
18% 21%
33% Daily 36% Early Morning Weekday
Weekly once Early Morning Weekend
• Inviting Elements and Attractions: 25%
Monthly once
19%
Evening Weekday
Rare Evening Weekend
• The water edge has the natural attraction as 24%
24%
the sea, sound of waves, cool breeze. This
invites almost all age groups. They make the
Mode of Transport Purpose of Visit
travel through the sandy stretch to access the
view and experience the sea. The landscaped 10% 15%
stretch has paved surfaces, greenery, design 2 Wheeler Leisure
elements, easy access and circulation. This 19%
47% Car 46% Personal errands
invites the older people and those who are in Public Transport
33%
Physical activity
Others Others
the need of a comfortable space. Whereas 24%
the attractions of sandy stretch like food 6%
carts, ferris wheel, are limited to a certain Preferred Activity
group of people alone. Inviting Stretch
7%
6%
Leisure sitting/stroll
14% 26%
Physical Activity 31% Landscaped area
Playing in water Sandy Stretch
10% 39%
Shopping Water edge
Fast food Others
24%
19% Others
FIRSTUP
24%
11
CONSULTANTS
LIVE CASE STUDY – MARINA BEACH Experience Rating Mass Event - Importance
PROMENADE 14% 9% 13%
Grade 1 29% Parade/ Air show
12%
Grade 2 Political speech
• Perception of space and Experience: Grade 3 25% Marathon
• Anna Square marks the entry of the Marina. The Colonial 34% Grade 4 Protests
31% Grade 5 15% Others
buildings form the edge at one side and the sea forms the 18%
edge at the other side. They mark the arrival of the
Marina visually. While the statues, through the Comfort Grades
Evolution Rating
connection with history and as a prominent structure, acts 6
as landmarks for people to identify a particular point of 5
8%
the 2Km stretch, from Anna square to the Light house. 18%
Grade 1 4
15%
• Element of History: Grade 2
Grade 3
3
2
• Colonial buildings fronting the beach. Statues and 27% Grade 4
Grade 5
32% 1
memorials of historic importance. For 30 decades the
0
promenade has evolved to its current position. It has Climate Basic amenities Resting spaces Safety
bought together the people of Chennai for innumerable
reasons.
• Comfort:
• The open expanse of land makes security easy, while
shading from hot sun is made difficult. Basic amenities
and shaded seating area are lacking. Tiring walk along
the sand stretch.
FIRSTUP 12
CONSULTANTS
LIVE CASE STUDY – MARINA BEACH PROMENADE
1. Stretch
• Interactive spaces and Activities: along the
landscape
• The activities at the landscaped stretch are pedestrian and area
vehicular - entries and exits, parking, walking/jogging at
pedestrian pathway, yoga/meditation at the platforms, general
seated/standing gatherings. Sand stretch hosts wide varieties of
activities like innumerable vendor shops with North Indian and
South Indian fast food, sea food, decorative items, balloon
shoots, photo studios, horse rides, ferris wheel rides and many
other entertainments. Apart from this, bird feeding, sports, 2. Sandy
dance and gymnastic practices among others also happen here. Stretch
The activities at the water edge are limited to casual stroll and
seated gatherings on sand, playing in water, horse rides, sunset
and sunrise views.
Presence of different Activities Density of Activities
60 45
40
50
35
40 30
25
3. Stretch
30
20 along the
20 15 shore
10
10
5
0 0 FIRSTUP 13
Stretch 1 Stretch 2 Stretch 3 Stretch 1 Stretch 2 Stretch 3 CONSULTANTS
COMPARISON
Qualities of a Public Trafalgar Marina
Space Square Beach
1 Interactive spaces and 7 8
Activities
2 Inviting elements and 8 5
Attractions
3 Perception of space and 9 5
Experience
4 Element of History 8 7
5 Comfort 8 4
FIRSTUP 14
CONSULTANTS
INFERENCE
• Today as public spaces decline, concerns for the vitality and liveability of
the cities increases. People are the main ingredients of the city and without
public spaces it is impossible to establish a physical and mental connection
between public and urban environment. Open public spaces are
fundamental city elements in democratic and liveable cities. Besides the
physical dimension of design process, psychological aspects should also be
taken into account by urban designers and planners.
• Hence, the below mentioned aspects should be studied for any public space
to be made better and to build better:
1. Interactive spaces and their activities
2. Experience and the perception of space
3. Inviting elements or attractions
4. The element of history
5. Comfort
FIRSTUP 15
CONSULTANTS
