DESIGN CREATED BY PEOPLE ACTING AS A GROUP OR ENTITIES THAT SHARE OR ARE MOTIVATED BY ONE COMMON INTEREST
DESIGN CREATED BY PEOPLE ACTING AS A GROUP OR ENTITIES THAT SHARE OR ARE MOTIVATED BY ONE COMMON INTEREST
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VARANASI, INDIA
Uttar Pradesh - Irrigation Departement
Waterfront
Completed
A Series of Objectives were the project being considered under this proposal is for the Ghats redevelopment along river Ganga in Varanasi. Known as the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It dates back to the 11th century BC Popularly known as Banaras spread in 1,550 km in area, it’s a melting pot which brings life and death together. It supports a population of 1.092 million. Along its winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
It is experienced to be India’s most atmospheric city. The city draws pilgrims from all over the world to the sacred waters of the Ganges. Spiritually enlightening and fantastically photogenic, Varanasi is at its brilliant best by the Ghats, the long stretch of steps leading down to the water on the western bank of the Ganga. Most are used for bathing but there are also ‘Cremation Ghats’.
About 80 Ghats border the river, but the main group extends from Assi Ghat, near the Banaras Hindu University, northwards to Raj Ghat, near the road and rail bridge over Ganga.
Assi Ghat, the furthest south of the main Ghats, and one of the biggest, is particularly important as the River Assi meets the Ganges near here. All the Ghats presently are not maintained properly due to various factors. Most of the Ghats are in private ownerships with some belonging to royal families. The increased tourist inflow and poor upkeep has led to deterioration of these Ghats
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To Touch the Ground lightly, protect the heritage and character, provide modern amenities and install subtle interventions. A series of objectives were developed to address the many constraints and opportunities.
Connect the modes of circulation (rail, car, auto rickshaw, bike, pedestrain), consequently reduce congestion, improve comfort and provide a resilient backbone to varansi heritage precinct.
Restore the tangible and in-tangible historical significance of varanasi waterfront city and ghats through rectification, interpretation, celebration and maintenance.
Provide an activated and lively urban fabric adjacent to and on the ghats, through innovative infill projects, adaptive reuse and contextual developments.
Infrastructure should not be seen, heard or smelt however must significantly improve the quality of life for the community (residents, pilgrims, tourists) of varinasi.
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Return the ghats to a hub of activity by consolidating religious, cultural, recreational and social facilities. provide multi-functional platforms / minor hubs to reduce congestion from the 5 main heritage zones.
Create a series of structures on the ghats which serve the needs of the community of varanasi and are visually contextual to the heritage without immitating.
Deliver an environmental solution which enables a green, soft and shaded parkland in juxtaposition to the hard edged heritage ghats. improve the natural biodiversity and ecosystem along and within the ganga and address the seasonal changes in the design solution.
Improve the social infrastructure, safety, security along the ghats by increasing consistant furniture and fixtures, toilets, shelters, drinking fountains, lighting and signage.
Maintain, celebrate and encourage existing religious, pilgrimage and seasonal festivals which currently occur on the ghats. provide potential for new events to occur around new themes such as food, music, art, yoga and recreation.
AECOM India
WHZ Environmental Design Sdn Bhd
2017
2018
Design Master Plan
20 Km
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