Alerting reasons for the study of mixed land use
Does that neighbour’s knock on your door for extra sugar irritate you and lead to a conclusion that they wanted sugar? Then, you might be wrong it’s not the sugar they wanted but rather a humane interaction. Expansion in technology has minimized human contact, and calls have replaced the idea of meetings. Spaces in our urban world have led to neglect of social interaction not that it’s a flaw to be introverted but the enhancement in technology has created a loophole leading to the alienation of community spaces, they’re dull, bland and certainly contributed as urban voids. Forums in Rome were designed to generate activities that increase the economy, human values, and exchange of thoughts now boulevards are replaced with billboards or kiosks. Cafeterias are just for taking orders and not giving, which can be easily done through kiosks. One cannot deny the idea of vanishing technology, but architects have the ability to integrate technology with spaces. Architects engrave the idea of mixed land use developments more than any profession as such spaces have existed within them before inhibiting the field of architecture.
Not only within architects but mixed land use has existed among all professions for centuries, the streets amidst different activities on land spoke of the diversity and culture of India. The markets, residences and recreational spaces as mixed land use were a medium to enhance the trade and commerce. Studies depict the markets were beside the residences of the sellers and sometimes to the customers for the ease and accessibility of the users.
These developments cater to different levels of zoning such as vertical mixed land use and horizontal mixed land use. Mixed land use not only roots the upliftment of social values but also aids towards the feature of accessibility and walkability. Providing feasibility integration of residential retail creates ease for the users residing in that particular building so that they don’t have to travel to another point to fulfil their daily needs. Many variants of mixed land use are residential-recreational, residential-offices or commercial-office. Such developments are built according to the need of that land, fulfilment of the required site and also in consideration of the landmark or surrounding it is going to address in the upcoming future.
Case studies
It is essential to understand the need for mixed land use apart from its psychological identity, and the reason for its demand. The grappling population has led to the fusion of rural to urban areas for job opportunities and has caused the initiation of multiple modes of transportation leading to an increase in carbon emissions. Not only this due to depreciating land usability illegal settlements have also taken place and there is always a continuous transition on the land and its surroundings. Varied reasons for mixed land use are the issues of not designing them. Lodha NCP is a fine example of a mixed land-use high-rise building that integrates all the activities.
Lodha NCP is a multifaceted building with provision of facilities like residential, recreational, retail, offices, restaurants, and healthcare facilities. The aim of integrating different activities was to enhance the values of time management, and sustainability and foster the intention of social interaction.
Another building with an area of 1.8 acres and a LEED Gold Certificate has become a landmark at the heart of New Delhi, MAX House. This sleek tower has a tale of ideas and a hub for networking. It has podium-level parking that does not disturb the eye-level view of the passerby. The implementation of passive design techniques like the use of exposed brickwork on the façade and maximum utilization of daylight makes it an intensively self-sustainable building.
Image 3_MAX House _© https://maxestates.in/commercial-projects/delhi/max-house
Whether it’s the depreciating or degrading land both need shelter from humans, it’s the responsibility of the architects to design socially integrating structures or spaces and the response of humans to treasure it.
