Architecture has largely improved sensitivity and keenness in my view of the world, people/users always stand at the core of architecture. Defining the success of a project often stands subjective, in my opinion when users can effectively utilize the space designed in multiple ways, the building or space stands a success. What do we have to say about our public spaces, and community areas in the same context?
Living in the core of a bustling city, calculating every second to make it through the traffic chase to reach destinations, eagerly looking for creative places to hang out, and making choices about public safety, multiple dynamics have redefined themselves today in the context of public spaces and community spaces. People are always looking for something more to come. Given today’s challenges, designing public spaces questions an architect’s true potential. Spaces and design elements must converse with their occupants; architects and designers have the flair to create environments for those conversations to happen. Given this, it’s always adventurous to explore more avenues and possibilities for public and community areas.
Redefining Public Spaces
As Winston Churchill rightly quoted, “We shape our buildings and our buildings shape u”
Public spaces are the pockets for a city or town to breathe. Despite intricate neighborhoods and well-planned community areas, public arenas are the ones that keep people alive. It’s a fact that public spaces are accessed for purposes like recreation, engagement, more like a getaway. On the flip side, it makes me think, what are these public spaces at all? Most of the urban citizens run to the multiplex, shopping malls, restaurants, or party spaces. These are all various enclosed public spaces that promote recreation and celebration to an extent. To rekindle social cohesion and interaction, architects are required to promote open public spaces like plazas, and public squares, street markets, playgrounds where these areas allow people to feel welcomed and belong and there is the movement of people around. Original public spaces need to be improved in four ways: equipping furniture facilities, improving traffic congestion, increasing blue-green spaces, and establishing artistic spaces. New urban public spaces need to make efforts to create more interactive spaces and increase stagnation points. Fundamentally, only when an occupant of a space owns it and feels it belongs does that space become safer. All the wonder about why urban spaces are turning out to be less safe is coming to light. Imagine a street, with children playing around, adults walking alongside, and buildings on either side of the street, such an interactive street implies high safety and engagement, similarly every public space requires a design with the right balance of function, diversity, and sustainability- sustainability goes 2 way, the design should align with the environment, design should sustain for a long period. This builds a landmark and character for that public space, in its surroundings. Effective observation of human behavior and responses to rapid urbanization shall pave the way to increase and retain public open spaces.
As architects and designers, we always look for an x-factor, for an awe moment through the design journey. Although interest in how the broader built environment influences the sense of community is gaining momentum, there is a shortage of empirical research examining the association between the sense of community and the quality of public space. To step back for once and understand that architecture, planning, and design are to be achieved by designing for people’s needs and behavior, instead of imposing ideals, this needs to be considered keenly for community spaces. One of many good projects for a community design genre, Nokha Village Community Centre, by Ar. Sanjay Puri is acknowledged and celebrated. The Ar. stated “There are no spaces for a large segment of society who cannot afford or do not have access to museums, malls, and other congregational areas” A unique approach to providing solutions, that naturally blend with the local culture, climate and people is achieved in this project. The most valuable insight from this project is to build something that makes the users belong to, it shouldn’t stand foreign to its users. Museums and exhibition centers are West-influenced solutions for community spaces, rather Indian history highlights many subtle yet effective options. Open-air theatres under a tree, courtyards, typical deck areas (arugu- mostly identified in villages) staircases, playgrounds, and gardens, are a few of many.
High in the Sky
Skyscrapers have been around for a long time and have always been dominant landmarks in many cities, visible from far and wide. Tall buildings are perhaps the most keenly debated building typology currently in existence. Opinions on their contribution to the urban agenda are usually divided; either strongly for or strongly against. It is important to consider design aspects of their appropriateness to a setting and how they could be inspired by and relate to that setting. The role of architecture is to satisfy the physical, social, and aesthetic needs of society where architects play a crucial role in effecting change, taking responsibility for the social and environmental impacts of their professional activities.
Desire to explore the ultimate, multiple layers of architecture through the lens of science and design lend a ton of thoughts and insights to think beyond only to showcase the best of what this fraternity has to offer back to the world.
References:
Wiredu, S. (2018) The importance of Public Spaces, LinkedIn. _© https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-public-spaces-sheriff-wiredu/ (Accessed: 27 September 2024).
Adlakha, N. (2024) How these interactive community spaces in India were designed, The Hindu. _© https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/a-virtual-tour-of-four-interactive-community-spaces-in-india/article67957785.ece (Accessed: 27 September 2024).
