Importance of Urban Public Space in Nanjangud

Importance of Urban Public Space in Nanjangud

Ar Athma Rajesha Bhat

Research Scholar, Department of Architecture School of Planning & Architecture, University Of

MysoreMysore, India

Dr Yashaswini Somashekhar Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture School of Planning & Architecture, University Of

MysoreMysore, India

Abstract – The diminishing areas of Public Space in Nanjangud has led to the decline in quality of Urban life. Despite the rich cultural heritage and value of Dakshina Kashi, the growing industrial area is also affecting the public realm lifestyle within the Urban form. The relationship between Public, Localities, the visitors with the Urban public zones is an interesting case for the study. In terms of social interaction, the user activities were interrelated with affability within few zones leading to the temple and rest of the residential zones are just non interactive. The paper tries to evaluate and give solutions to reviving the concept of Public Space.

Keywords – public space; transformation; social interaction; private-public space; cultural heritage; common space

1. INTRODUCTION

   Urbanists have always considered the importance that plays amongst physical, social and cultural dynamics in the formation of public spaces. A citys public areas from the largest City Squares, parks, plazas, playgrounds of recreation to the smallest spaces like sidewalks & footpaths, streets, kattes, gardens along with detailing of furniture, color & texture brings about identity of a place and symbols of collective gathering space, expressions of achievement and leisure. While varied opinions and interest of the typology, scale and location of these public realms have been seen through time and space, the absolute existence of these spaces itself has not been denied.

   In the era of rapid urban growth, proliferation to built spaces and plummeting use of public spaces can be observed significantly. Amin et al. (2008) defines that We are far removed from the times when a citys central public spaces were a prime cultural and political site. In any city having interactive public spaces plays a major role in getting together people for day-to-day rejuvenation and vibrant. Carr et al. (1993, p. 344) states that in a well-designed and well- managed public space, the Armor of daily life can be partially removed, allowing us to see others as whole people. Seeing people different from oneself responding to the same setting in similar ways creates a temporary bond. It is important that Public spaces exists and needs to be maintained for social and public communion which allows us to view and understand the various perspectives of people.

   The increasingly decline in importance given to public space is due to interests in privacy and formation of Individual spaces with busy urban life. The distortion or disappearance

   of public space as F. Tonkiss et al. (2006, p. 73) has recently asserted, can be seen as an index of the weakening of public life and also a causal factor in its decay. Public spaces are downgraded by the same processes that reduce any coherent notion of the public sphere in itself. While I do not wish to DISSENT, that Public Space has a connect with public life, I do dissent that it is not the only reason for this plummet. Other major factors can be Occupation and change in culture with lifestyle and individuality come in to picture. My study in this paper is that change and migration towards different occupational goals has made the public sphere lose its essence. All that can be observed is the compact growth of city and pollution.

2. NANJANGUD TOWN

   1. The Heritage City

      Nanjangud has been a temple town for a thousand years and has been slowly progressing towards an industrial area since the late 20th century. The growing industrial zone and existing historical context has led to a decline in shared public life within the city with less importance and preservation of public space in the city. The city has rich historical heritage and is known for the Srikanteshwara or Nanjundeshwara temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. It is situated on the banks of Kapila. The temple has two grand processions in a year namely Dodda Jathre and Chikka Jathre which takes the route within the city. This is an important landmark with 5- 6lac devotes coming for these events annually. The smaller Rathas are used at Poornima of every month which has a footfall of up to 1lac people.

      Fig. 1 Proposed Land Use Nanjangud 2031 ( source :MUDA )

      Nanjangud previously had a town municipal council which has now been included in the Mysuru LPA. The Urban area is of 14.08 km². The industrial area started from Sujata Textile Mills which was established in 1978 in Nanjangud. There are 20,000 small scale, 200 medium scale and 120 export industries which are registered apart from those which are not registered. There are proposals for Future development goals to develop a industrial corridor. According to NIA, Nanjangud is the second highest tax-paying (sales tax of over Rs400 crore a year) taluk in Karnataka after Bangalore.

   2. Study Area Presinct

   The study area is located in east part of the Nanjangud taluk of Mysore District of Karnataka. Reason for choosing the study area extent is because the city evolved around the temple and river. The oldest settlements and open spaces can be observed in this zone. In Nanjangud, the wet season is oppressive and overcast, the dry season is partly cloudy, and it is hot year-round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 64°F to 95°F and is rarely below 59°F or above 100°F. Zone A represents the industrial hub and Zone B represents the temple and urban area grown due to temple precinct.

   Fig. 1. Urban Zoning ( source : Author )

   Fig. 2. Selected Study Area

   The Nanjangud town and surrounding 27 villages with an area of 141.84 sq km (14.08 sq km in Nanjangud TMC and

   127.76 sq km of surrounding area) lies between 12° 11´

   37.68´´ N to 12° 03´ 17.61´´ N latitude and 76° 43´ 08.45´´ E to 76° 40´ 05.70´´ E longitude has a population of 112188 according to 2011 census. It is bounded by Mysore taluk on north, on south surrounded by the villages namely Muddahalli, Sindhuvalli, Gonathagala, Veeredevanapura. The villages of Hosakote, Volagere, Heggadahalli, and Bidaragoodu on western side and Bendagahalli, Horalavadi, Hulimavu, Hadinaru villages of Nanjangud taluk are on east.

3. EXISTING LAND USE STUDY

   The Urban Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) guidelines, 2014 recommend 10 to 12 sq.mt. of open space per person within a planned open space such as recreational, organized green & other open space. In the built-up area (excluding recreational space, vacant land, flood plain, forest) the NBC suggests 3 sqm/ person as minimum norm.

   As per target 11.7 in SDG 2030 states that PROVIDE ACCESS TO SAFE AND INCLUSIVE GREEN AND

   PUBLIC SPACES – By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities. Designing urban public can have poignant impact on social sustainability & character of the city. It can also have positive effects on happiness index of the city and livability index. Such breathable space can also have major impact to decrease the AQI index of cities.

   Fig. 3. Comparitive Analysis of Land Use

   Analyzing the percent of area for Public space it is observed that it remains the same throughout theyears and has been marginal to none increase in the development of these areas. We can see a slow increase in the need for developed open space. Focus and attention from government and the locals needs to be implemented in the Land use typologies. There are many undeveloped Open space with scope towards the waterfront development also.

4. REASONS FOR DIMINISHING PUBLIC SPACES There are multiple reasons as to why there is a decline in

   public spaces such as poor entrances, visually inaccessible spaces, decline in physical activities leading to decreasing number of playgrounds, increase in property value in CBD leading to conversion of public to private properties, Inclination towards concepts of private than social, Degentrification, etc. In case of Nanjangud initially there was

   migration to major cities which led to decrease in use of public spaces, then due to the industrial zone the CBD of Nanjangud is currently packed with historic regulation of no change within 100m radii of temple in place and leading to congestion and paucity of public spaces. As cities have changed, so have their public spaces (Madanipour, 2006). This is also true in case of Nanjangud. When we observe the transformation pattern of public space in Nanjangud, two main trends can be identified, namely the deterioration and existence of public space.

   Fig. 4. Norms for organised Green for Plain Area (source: URDPFI 2014)

   Fig. 5. Population Data (source: census India)

   Historically, urban spaces have carried symbolic value for citizens, in ceremonies and festivals as well as protests and conflicts. Particular places and landmarks have been used as symbols of collective identity or as markers for navigating the city (Madanipour, 2006, p. 187). This meaning or symbolism can, however, change over time through specific events taking place there or through actual physical changes (Short, 1996). This has also been true for many well-known public spaces in Nanjangud. As the standards in URDPFI guidelines says 0.50Ha of Open Park per 5000 population served is not met in this city, with overall population of 50,600 as per census 2011. Therefore, requirement of Open Public Space is necessary. In case of Nanjangud excluding the waterfront open space, the proposed urban green space is of 0.65 Ha in the Study area. When we compare with the Population and open parks, it is seen that there is a need to develop a greater number of open spaces.

5. THE ROLE OF URBAN DESIGN IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF PUBLIC SPACE

   Public Spaces play a pivotal role in cities as they provide zones of social interaction, cultural, political and recreational activities. Urban design protects and enhances the characteristics of streets, nodes, buildings, landmarks, and creates views that are unique and define the city. Urban

   design also addresses how people feel, perceive and congregate to use their surroundings. Public Spaces can be of various spatial forms such as parks, sidewalks, streets, playgrounds, plazas, markets, edge spaces, river fronts, which are quite important for the urban poor.

   According to Madanipour (2006), one can understand the role of urban design in the transformation of space from three perspectives: namely that of the producer, engaged with building the city; the view of the regulator, concerned with managing the city; and finally, through the eyes of the users, related to urban designs contribution to the use value of spaces within the city. This conceptualisation also offers a useful way to understand the role of urban design in the transformation of public space in Nanjangud.

   In the pre-industrial period, urban spaces facilitated everyday communication, sociability and trade, making them the major element allowing each city its unique character (Carr, Francis, Rivlin, & Stone, 1992). Post Industrialisation we can see a drastic change in public spaces. This process enlarged cities and endowed them with large and heterogeneous populations, breaking down traditional socio- spatial fabrics (Carmona, Heath, Oc, & Tiesdell, 2003). After World War II, various strategies were adopted to implement housing and transportation projects across developed economies. The need to accommodate traffic and the move towards zoning restrictions created deep divisions in the urban landscape contributing to the fragmentation of the urban fabric and altering the public realm (Gehl & Svarre, 2013). Consequently, public spaces and their character changed as they ceased to function as facilitators for social interaction and were reserved for merely utilitarian purposes. They thus lost their historic role as places in which the public could mingle (Hall, 2002). Three major trends in urban space transformation are 1) fragmentation of urban fabric and deterioration of public space 2) the privatization of public space, and 3) renaissance of such spaces (Carmona, 2010; Landman, 2016; Madanipour, 2019). On of the major factors also includes the limited financial and legal power in local management. As a result, public spaces are spaces became deprived of a wider civic function, homogenized and polarized, which increases apathy towards public life (Carmona, 2010).

   Urban Design can bring in change by understanding spaces and needs to Public.

6. CURRENT PUBLIC SPACE FUNCTIONALITY

   It is observed through this study that Open Public space is in the form of katte or avenue & is diminishing with less prominence to these spaces. Smale (2006) defined space as the geometry of a physical location, which correspondingly has objectively defined properties characterized by points, lines or routes, areas, and surfaces (p. 370).

   Fig. 6. Types of Kattes in Nanjangud

   In fig 7. 01 shows the enclosed typology of katte with the space secluded only for that neighborhood. The space is used as a recreational use for those set of super block residences. Fig 7. 02 & 05 shows the katte within a temple precinct used for religious purposes such as worshiping and tying threads to the holy Arali katte. It is strictly restricted for temple activities. In some cases, small idol on the katte can be observed. Fig 7. 03 shows the katte which is open to the street without any restricted closure. It is used by the local residents and people passing through the neighborhood. Fig

   7. 04 is the type of katte in the river ghat zone which is not used to its potential and is currently used as a coracle store zone. In fig 7. 06 the katte is right beside the main road and is used as a relaxation zone by people with small vendors using that space. Other type of open spaces like parks and public squares is of great importance. As per existing Master Plan 2009 by MUDA there are no designated space for parks. As observed in proposed master plan 2031 by Mysuru development authority there are only 3 demarcated parks in the selected zone.

   Fig. 7. Existing Kattes in the presinct (source: census India)

   A deeper and more critical examination of urban public space means recognizing space as a complex socio-spatial construct that goes beyond simply location in a physical setting (Crouch, 2006). Smaller zones for eatery, market avenues, parking along main street corridors is essential to segregate and organize the cluttered areas. Spaces like Public squares, and other interactive spaces needs to be created to revive the city of its importance of Urban Public and Urban green zone. As Crouch acknowledged (p. 129), Space is a component of cultural phenomena, interactive and processual. A key insight that cultural geography has contributed to leisure studies in recent years concerns the ways in which leisure is valued through the encounter the individual makes with space, and how this is part of an ongoing process of self- realization, lay knowledge and identity.

7. STRATERGIES

   Various methods to tackle this lacks of Public Spaces are to implement the following:

   1. Green Space Development

      It is important to have open green spaces which are developed withgood connectivity. Proper accessibility for all typologies of green spaces with integrated approach for green and blue open spaces nurtures the ecology and environment of the surrounding. Both urban development and also the environmental value conservation will be done at a time by doing this et al (Yashaswini S, 2022).

      Fig. 8. Proposed Green Space development zones

      At the street or neighborhood level in the study area, potential vacant lands or zones which are acting as buffer spaces for the nala and railway track, areas used by street hawkers, market spaces, dump yards has scope to be developed into Urban green space. The large area of land available next to the Kabini river can be identified and be designed with water front development which is not just for the localities but also attracts tourists which can be a great economy generator. The existing Canal buffer areas need to be opened up in identified places and can be made interactive in such areas with focus for pedestrian and cycle lanes along the stretch. Small scale green spaces in roundabouts or at turning intersection can have an impact in reducing the urban heat effect on the city and can reduce the hot climate within the micro area.

      Developing Green Spaces not only improves Urban quality but also enhances and protects Organismal Ecology, ecosystem ecology along with climate.

   2. Privately Owned Public Space (POPS)

      POPS started in 1961 in New York with an incentive mechanism providing bonus of rentable or sellable floor area in return for a square foot plaza. These spaces are dedicated to public use and enjoyment, which are owned by private property owners, in exchange for bonus floor area or waivers. The demarcated unbuilt spaces as shown in fig 7. are zone for

      each residential super block which has potential of scope Privately owned public spaces.

      Potentially marked areas can be used partially for open spaces with the remaining for the private property owners. Maintenance and developing these zones can be taken up either by the private party or local governing body.

      Fig. 9. Pops demarcation Near Temple Area

      These zones can have temporal activities to in turn create revenue within the space. It also activates the sub block drastically and provides various amenities to the neighborhood. Much scope need to be given for pedestrian access across the space with restriction of vehicular entries. By identifying the stakeholders in the picture who can take care of these spaces will boom the zones which are vacant and unused currently.

   3. Kattes infrastructure development

      The existing katte infrastructure needs to be improved and made accessible for public. New potential zones for kattes or small gathering spaces in a block needs to be identified and developed either by the local authority or by local body association.

      Fig. 10. Post katte development, people pattern

      These spaces will act as interactive spaces within the sub block. It is important and is observed that the women and children use the spaces. Rejuvenating the existing kattes and creating new potential spaces as gathering or relaxation zones for the community. Having these interactive spaces enhances the Urban quality of life.

      Form Based Codes

      This is a type of Planning and zoning tool that is used to regulate development using physical form rather than land use segregation as the organizing principle for the code. Form based Codes are crucial to set guideline for specific streets or zones which enhances and concentrate on the historical and heritage needs of the space. Guidelines such as Setbacks, building line, interactive and transforming spaces towards the street can be given. Street redesign with proper spaces for parking, street furniture, footpaths, street vendors can be designed accordingly. This is one of the major tools to redevelop the urban character with providing open space towards the streets. It is also crucial that public participation and involvement in maintaining these spaces. By also giving responsibility for public to participate in important decisions and management of UGS it will lead to a better quality of place and lifestyle.

8. CONCLUSION

Along with rapid urbanization and growing industries in Nanjangud, it is important to preserve and develop Open Public spaces which has the potential to provide good urban quality, and support the cultural, heritage, ecology of the city. Also, it is observed that there are lot of migrants influx for job opportunities available at the growing industrial side and that they arent residing within the city which can also be due to factors of Quality of life in the city. The diminishing Open public spaces which were used by the people with upcoming Built structure and rapid focus given to the industrial and economy generator is making the city lose it basic essence of quality of urban life. Therefore, there is a lot of scope for enhancing and establishing UGS with public space.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This paper originated as a Study Paper prepared under the auspice of the Curriculum for Masters in Urban design.I consider this as an opportunity to express my sincere and absolute gratitude to my guide Dr. Yashaswini S, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture, School of Planning and

Architecture, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru. Without her guidance, encouragement, and persistent support this research work would not have been successfully completed.

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