Riverfront
Development (Public spaces)
NATIONAL LITERATURE STUDY
Theme: Framework for Riverfront Development
AIM: To formulate the framework for Riverfront development as a Socio-Interactive space.
OBJECTIVE:
Explore network of public spaces that attract both citizens and tourist to riverfront.
Identify the various needs of socio cultural response to recreational use .
Identify issues and related problems of socio interactive spaces.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY: A rational public space design for both social and ecological
benefits, as well as integration of coastal restoration construction.
LIMITATION:
Inferences drawn will be on secondary references only.
Limiting to a typology of socio interactive space for a riverfront.
METHODOLOGY:
A) LITERATURE REVIEW
1. Design Strategies (Riverfront Development – Kanakapura) & Analysis
2. Design Strategies (YAMUNA Riverfront development Zone ‘O’) & Analysis
METHODOLOGY:
A) LITERATURE REVIEW
1. Design Strategies (Riverfront Development – Kanakapura) & Analysis
2. Design Strategies (YAMUNA Riverfront development Zone ‘O’) & Analysis
B) DATA SYNTHESIS
Riverfront as breathing space with meaningful socio interactive spaces
Case studies of successful riverfronts with significant public open spaces:
Sabarmati, Ahmadabad
C) FINDINGS:
Functions of Riverfront
D) PROPOSALS
Issues & Constrains for public spaces on riverfront.
Planning strategies for public spaces on riverfront.
Riverfront Development (KANAKAPURA)
ABSTRACT: - People are drawn to water. Human interaction with water is
foremost feature that calls for riverfront development. People have a strong
desire to feel it, reach it; and thus it becomes very important that approach to
water should be given, public space production along the river shore should
be primary purpose. This paper focused to develop a set of guidelines that
contribute to the establishment of socio interactive spaces at riverfront.
Research will also explore on current riverfront developments and notion of
place identity and place making by the development of recreational spaces.
Different case studies and their analysis will provide the strategies of a
successful riverfront with meaningful socio interactive spaces. From the
synthesis of findings a set of design attributes are framed.
1. INTRODUCTION: “People in cities wants a riverfront as a place of public
enjoyment. They seek riverfront where there is enormous visual and physical
eye catching sites remain all day the throughout. People also want riverfront
to serve many purposes and a place that contributes to the quality of daily
life in all of its aspect-economic ,social and cultural”
1.1 LITERATURE REVIEW- 1
AIM OF THE STUDY:-To improve the natural environment and support economic growth
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report would be to transform riverfront of Kanakpura
into a socio interactive space equipped with certain facilities for entertainment and
recreation to serve the city.
DESIGN STRATEGIES
Creating multiple destinations, connecting destinations and optimizing public access so
riverfront is designed with walkways, recreational parks, and fountains etc. for interaction
purpose.
Connecting public open spaces with a continuous riverfront trail to link destinations and
serve as a destination for walking, jogging and other related purposes.
Constructing socio interactive spaces, for this the area is basically divided into six
sections.
Section1 lies in remote area so maximum area is utilized for agriculture purposes and
creating green belts with Walkways and open spaces added on the edge of this stream.
Section 2 is the township of Kanakpura; where the significant element is its agriculture
wells.
Section 3 marks the convergence Point of River Arkavathi with River Suvarnamukhi.
Approximately 13% of this section is used as open spaces, 1% is for public place and the
remaining area is for agriculture land.
Section 4 is categorized as major urban settlement with major public
spaces as its limelight. Proposal provided for this section is approximately 16%
open spaces and 13%for public spaces.
Section 5 is developed in a well-planned manner. Community parks are
provided in this section. Exhibition Center, Roller Skaters Ground is the
proposal for this section.
Section 6 is the proposed site for Solid Waste and Sewage Treatment Plant.
ANALYSIS
Implementation of this riverfront projects was driven towards investment
needs rather than for recreational needs like the sections involving
agriculture lands
which is a beneficial part for the community.
Alternate way of transportation to the road infrastructure is provided
through linkage of water.
Public private partnership is exercised for creating recreational spaces like
community parks etc. for commercial development.
Handicraft markets are proposed to make the project economically viable
as well as beneficial for its user group.
All the aspects of riverfront development are possible only when water of
the river is clean and toxic wastage or sewerage water is not mixed with the
river water.
YAMUNA Riverfront development Zone ‘O’
1.2 Literature Review 2
PROPOSAL: YAMUNA Riverfront development1 Zone ‘O’ by [Link]
Bhandari, Additional Commissioner, Landscape and Environmental
Planning Deptt, DDA
AIM OF THE STUDY: To conserve, protect and restore the Biodiversity of
Yamuna River by Public Recreation spaces that the city needs in
framework of Zonal Development of Zone O.
OBJECTIVE: To reestablish the river’s eco system so that people start using
river for commuting or recreation purpose; to protect the people and city
activities from the floods and havoc of river.
DESIGN STRATEGIES:
Active recreational facilities go hand in hand with passive recreation.
Connecting all three zones (Protective biodiversity zone, Interactive
biodiversity zone, Public recreational zone) with green linkage system, which
act as wildlife movement corridor.
Develop an active corridor for recreation and leisure by adopting the
concept of mixed land uses including Commercial, Residential and
Institutional uses. These would house open facilities like playgrounds, theme
parks and would be treated as open recreational spaces that can be used
by public residing in the city.
Introducing major concept as walk by treating it as showcase for the river.
ANALYSIS
Making the concrete riverfront like Ahmedabad would not be feasible
here as Yamuna River is extremely vulnerable to floods.
This kind of riverfront development basically changes the ecological and
social space of the river altering it into an urban commercial space rather
than a natural, cultural, social and ecological landscape.
The floodplains have been developed to make pathways and real estate
commercial projects.
The need to conserve the 52-km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi and Uttar
Pradesh as ‘conservation zone’ and restoring the river’s ecological functions
is also stressed. This is possible only by keeping a strict check on
environmental flow that passes through this stretch, especially in the lean
season.
The project involves developing infrastructural and recreational facilities
like parks, Yoga centers, picnic spots, golf course, sports centers, polo
grounds, etc. on Yamuna plains.
The project does not lay emphasis on sustaining, cleaning, and
rejuvenation of the river.
2. DATA SYNTHESIS
“A riverfront is a significant resource and a challenging opportunity for a city;
a chance to be an escape valve for the pressure-cooker of crowded city life,
a chance to be a bright, breathing edge of city living and can be achieved
by providing meaningful interactive spaces.”Arthur Cotton Moor
RIVERFRONT AS MEANINGFUL SOCIO INTERACTIVE SPACE
The impact that public spaces on a riverfront have can be seen in an
area’s development in economy, people’s health, recreational & tourism
activities.
Promotes human contact and social activities. At riverfront such spaces
establish water’s edge that is continuous, publicly accessible and
magnificent.
It utilizes city streets to create green corridors and provide valuable
connections to the riverfront.
A continuous riverfront trail not only connects public open spaces but also
links destinations and serves as a platform for walking, jogging and other
related purposes.
2.1 CASE STUDY OF SUCCESSFUL RIVERFRONT WITH SIGNIFICANT SOCIO
INTERACTIVE SPACES
SABARMATI RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT, AHMADABAD CITY, INDIA
Aim of The study: SRFD Project has been conceptualized as an urban project
to significantly improve the habitat, structure and conditions of the river and
adjoining areas.
Objectives: Social Infrastructure: it includes formation of public spaces, parks
and provision of socio-cultural facilities for the city.
Design Strategies: The Riverfront Development reclaims the Sabarmati2
banks publicly accessible.
The project has provided more than ten kilometers of continuous pedestrian
promenade on each bank and has also made public Ghats available for
direct access to the water.
85% of riverfront land has been proposed for public infrastructure,
recreational parks, plazas, sports facilities, and gardens.
Introduction of civic and cultural institutions like museums, exhibition
spaces, monuments, performance venues, has significantly enhanced the
availability of civic amenities.
SRFD has also focused to upgrade iconic informal markets, and to create
Vibrant new spaces for Residents and Tourists.
RIVER PROMENADE3
A key element of the project is a new linear two-level
promenade. The lower promenade having a minimum
width of 10 meters lies just above the water level, providing uninterrupted
pedestrian access to the water.
The upper promenade hosts a variety of public buildings, cultural and
educational institutions, public parks and plazas and commercial
development.
Lower promenade Cultural activity
Walkway
PARKS & PLAZAS
The project has used more than a quarter areas for creating
public spaces in the heart of the city.
Elements include public parks and gardens to urban forests and shaded
plazas
The parks will help improve livability in the neighborhoods and also provide
the city with much needed green spaces and breathing space from the
dense built environment. Whereas the Plazas will provide public places for
social gatherings and informal activities.
Riverfront parks
Subhash Bridge
STREETS
The SRFD streets have been constructed to serve as effective movement
conduits.
The SRFD streets run parallel to the river on both banks thus providing
continuous access to the riverfront development.
All SRFD streets have dedicated pedestrian paths with parking bays, cycle
tracks and 6 m wide carriageways.
SPORTS FACILITIES
Sports facilities will be beneficial keeping in mind the location and
surrounding area.
AMENITIES
RIVERFRONT MARKET: The market provides selected vending areas with
1,641 vendor platforms, seating areas, paved walkways, food streets,
parking of vehicles and four public washrooms.
EXHIBITION CENTRE: the riverfront will host trade-fair facilities to serve the
business community. EVENTS GROUND: will offer venues for holding
planned events of local and national importance.
LAUNDRY CAMPUS: provides facilities for the washing community as
traditionally riverbanks were used for laundering.
INTEGRATED OUTDOOR VENDING AREAS: Provision on all along the length
of the project, will accommodate street vendors so they too benefit from
the project z
Exhibition space Event Ground
Laundry Space
ANALYSIS:
Riverfront development shouldn't be about just beauty and aesthetics but should address issues of
environment and ecology.
SRFD project focus is to create leisure and recreation but basically it is helping to replace a dynamic
living water system with a constant modern concrete canvas.
The project will reduce the riverbed from a variable width of 600-300 m to a fixed width of 275m.
Instead of concretizing the entire area, an option of both hard & soft land, some bricked up and
some left as an open expanse, which at times would be flooded and occasionally dry and retained,
would create an ever changing dynamic picture with the river as the focal point.
3. KEY FINDINGS:
FUNCTIONS OF RIVERFRONT AS SOCIO INTERACTIVE BREATHING SPACE
Public space - Riverfronts are public spaces. The city people can use
them for a variety of activities, like a festive gathering place, a variety of
recreation resources (active as well as passive) or for some mixed use, be
it residential, retail, a city landmark etc.
Recreation/Fitness - They could be used as space for cycling, jogging or
other activities that require open areas. It can also be utilized for some
passive activities or fishing and boating are. These activities will serve a
threefold purpose – provide recreation, create a healthier environment
and thus keep people fit and healthy.
Tourism - Tourism improves the economic wealth of the city. The
rejuvenated and re-energized riverfronts will attract more visitors. Cities
developed them as destinations to expand their tourism industry.
4. PROPOSAL FOR PUBLIC SPACE:
4.1) KEY ISSUES FOR RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT ARE:
History and Location – Each riverfront comes with a different context and history. Historic
buildings can be restored; forms can be achieved by using various historical as well as from
architectural features and can be thus used symbolically as signage, sculpture etc.
Environmental issues –Socio Interactive areas demands huge amount of construction and
accommodating greater number of people on the site led to environmental issue Interaction
with the river has become important for planning of sustainable development. This can be
tackled by selecting the heights, materials used for building, native plants for landscaping,
reusing disturbed areas and building within the context.
Public Accessibility - People are drawn to water. Human interaction with water is foremost
feature that calls for riverfront development. People have a strong desire to feel it, reach it;
and thus it becomes very important that accessibility to water should be given. To achieve
these objective walkways, trails and benches are provided as they give people a
opportunity to be either in the river or near it. An effective or fruitful riverfront having active
use can be achieved if multiple entry points to the river are available.
Walkways are important as they define the movement pattern on the site.
They are also physical pedestrian linkages between different parts of the
site.
Visual connectivity - The building layouts and structures should be
designed in a way so as to not block views of the river. The presence and
view of the river from various locations on the site not only help in
achieving a successful project but also help in developing the
surroundings
Liability - Building constructed near water can pose a major risk for
people. Certain liabilities like falling in the river while using walkways that
have no railing, drowning etc. come with the package.
Education / Interpretation – Traditionally, most of the cities have been
known to have a river. Riverfront redevelopment is a great way of
educating the residents and visitors about the city’s cultural heritage.
Restoring old structures to new uses like museums or the river edge itself
also offers a way for bringing people closer to natural sites
BY: SHUBHAM VARSHNEY
PRINCE ALI
PRANAV DHAM