Urban Transformation in Leftover Spaces: A case study of Dilli Haat

Gaurav Raheja1, Katharina Borgmann

2 ,Sangeeth S Pillai

1

1. Department of Architecture & Planning, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand State, INDIA 2. IN-EAST School of Advanced Studies, University of Duisburg-Essen, , GERMANY

Figure 6 Dilli Haat Current growth pattern of Informal Shops marked in red , ( Sachdeva, 2015)

________________________________________________________________________ Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge the valuable contribution of data, images , discussion and support rendered by Ar. Pradeep Sachdeva and Ar. Vishwesh Viswanathan from Pradeep Sachdeva Design Associates, New Delhi.

__________________________________________________________________________ References: Bentley, I. (2004), Urban transformations: power, people and urban design: Routledge, London

Hillier, B., Perm, A., Hanson, J., Grajewski, T., & Xu, J. (1993), Natural movement: or, configuration and at-traction in urban pedestrian movement. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 20, 29-66. Kakar, A., (2015) Dilli Haat, http://www.indiaprofile.com/fashion/dilli-haat.htm

Mohsini, M. (2011), ‘Crafts, Artisans, and the Nation‐State in India’. In: Princeton University, A companion to the anthropology of India, John Wiley & Sons, p.186-201, doi: 10.1002/9781444390599.ch10

Sachdeva, P., (1994),‘The Dilli Haat’, Architecture+Design, Media Transasia India, New Delhi 11(4), 22-31. Sachdeva, P., (1995), Dilli Haat, The Food & Crafts Bazaar, The Indian Architect & Builder, Jasubhai Media, Mumbai.

Sachdeva, P., (2015), ‘Dilli Haat Issues’, Unpublished Report , Pradeep Sachdeva Design Associates 11(4), 22-31.

Figure 4 Dilli Haat, credits : Martin Haobam, (2012), Source: www.flickr.com

___________________________________________________________________________ Dilli Haat: Origin & Evolution

Located on a leftover site opposite to an informal market on a highly active road, Aurobindo Marg (Fig. 1), the journey of its transformation began from an experimental Crafts Bazaar in 1990 at another location in New Delhi. The chosen site of 100 x 300m comprised of a 23m wide storm water drain (‘Nallah’ in local language) (Fig.2) , a garbage dumping ground often used for outdoor defecation and sanitation purposes. Along the site were number of trees lining both sides of the drain, giving it a linear flowing character but with an identity of a left over space.

Figure 2 Dilli Haat : Section showing drain under the site, ( Sachdeva, 1994)

Figure 3. Diili Haat, Activity based zoning map, ( Sachdeva, 2015)

Axial Map Analysis showing the measure Choice

Figure 1. Dilli Haat: Location Map ( www.google.co.in/maps, 2015)

Abstract

Urban transformation is a fairly complex, large and a continuous phenomenon. However, trans-forming left over spaces within contemporary urban environments into better, safer and valuable public spaces remains a continuous challenge (Bentley, 2004). This paper presents the case of Dilli Haat, as a unique example of urban transformation of a left over space in New Delhi, the capital city of India. Evolved from an open left over space with storm water drain, garbage dump and a line of some vegetation, Dilli Haat has emerged as an active and engaging public space with an over growing demand and high footfalls. Its urban precinct and spatial configuration fur-ther become the defining criteria of how it works and how people use it. This paper employs space syntax tools to analyse the spatial framework of Dilli Haat along with in situ observations. It further correlates the findings based on discussions conducted with the project architects, on site observations and Space syntax tools. It brings out generic conclusions about the spatial ty-pology of Dilli Haat as a learning for urban transformations with positive social impact in Indian context.

_________________________________________________________________________ Conclusion

Dilli Haat is a true example of a complete transformation of an urban leftover space into a unique public space through a food and crafts bazaar program. Its spatial typology supported by a subdued architectural character induces a strong sense of connectedness and visibility as also evidenced by the space syntax. Space syntax tools further reveals the underlying properties of the spatial configuration of Dilli Haat. It has a strong potential to illustrate how urban spaces and their configurations can translate into positive public value.

___________________________________________________________________________ Keywords

Urban transformation, Leftover Spaces, Public Space, Space Syntax

____________________________________________________________________________ Program Zoning : How it works?

In response to the given site and a participatory design brief, that emerged through discussions with craft persons, probable users and other stakeholders, it was resolved in to a spatial se-quence and configuration (Fig.3) making the Haat a feasible urban public space experience.

An initiative led by an NGO (Dastakari Haat Samiti), architect Pradeep Sachdeva and Delhi Tourism de-partment led to the proposal of a unique concept of a Crafts bazaar where the local artisans could display and sell their crafts and people could shop and experi-ence the place. The whole proposal was conceptual-ized on a site allotted by the New Delhi Municipal Cor-poration (NDMC) during the 1990’s. Reclamation of this site for a transformational purpose of a public ac-tivity was a novel idea. Discussions with the architect reveal that it was envisioned as a public space for an average urban Delhi resident, who otherwise did not have enough choices for urban recreation. Dilli Haat, designed by architect Pradeep Sachdeva, was con-ceived as an Urban Haat, the permanent urban equiv-alent for the weekly village market (Mohsini, 2011).

As a result the spatial pro-gram includes an entrance plaza, raised to block vehic-ular access and bring a new spatial identity for pe-destrian circulation and tick-eting services for entry to Dilli Haat.

It is followed by a linear spine of movement flanked by stalls on both sides in cluster patterns showcasing the local and the regional crafts of India. (Fig.4)

To transform Dilli Haat into a successful public experi-ence, the food plazas and a performance arena culmi-nate this spatial journey. Space syntax tools have been used to study the in-teraction between the spa-tial configuration and public movement in this spatial ty-pology in an urban context.

The food zones that flank as networks on both sides of the spine after the round about has a medium level of visual connectivity and inte-gration. The lower most portion of the site has lesser integration levels due to its visual discontinuity. This is visible through in-situ obser-vation by the authors also.

Space Syntax Analysis: How people use it?

The connectivity analysis of the axial map of Dilli Haat shows that the street corresponding to the first half of central spine from entrance has the highest values of connectivity but com-paratively smaller values of integration to the overall system. This is by virtue of its linear character which supports its function as a shopping street.

In comparison, the latter half of the central spine with a nearer value in connectivity has very high value of integration as it is well integrated into the network of food zones on both sides.

The above analysis is validated through the facts that while Dilli Haat was conceptualized for 1000 to 2000 people per day. It however witnesses up to 7000 people on weekends or holi-days and about 3000 on weekdays. ( Kakar, 2015) The growing numbers of visitors is a strong indicator of the successful transformation of a dead and unattended leftover space in-to a valuable urban space demonstrating a rich public experience. Figure 6 shows the in-creasing growth pressure the haat is facing from within by the creation of unplanned informal stalls.

Figure 5 Site Images, Space Syntax Analysis (Axial Map and VGA Analysis)

Axial Map Analysis showing the measure Connectivity

Axial Map Analysis showing the measure HH-Integration

VGA Analysis showing the measure HH-Integration

Entrance Plaza

Craft Stalls

Food Zone