Figure 49: Activity graph for NFC center

3.3.11 Activity Mapping

The activity mapping of the community center has been done on the basis of the site visits and therefore three different time zones have been developed that includes:

1. 12 pm – 4 pm

2. 5 pm- 8 pm

3. 9 pm- 12 am

The following image highlights the activity analysis at different times of the day. It can be clearly seen that the center faces its highest footfall during the evening hours i.e. from 5 pm- 8 pm and the least activity is after 8 pm.

Figure 49: Activity mapping of new friend’s colony community center; Source: Author

3.3.12 Uses and activities

The different activities that are undertaken by the visitors of the community center were observed during the site visit and thus the graph provided below clearly highlights that shopping activities and the restaurants or cafes mostly attract the visitors of the New Friends colony community center.

Figure 50: Users and activities of new friend’s colony community center; Source: Author

3.3.13 Inferences

The inferences drawn from the above study are:

i. New friends colony community center is also located close to Sukhdev Vihar metro station and has extensive connectivity with different bus stops and auto stands located in its very close proximity. ii. The walkability quotient for the community center has also been very wellidentified with the segregation of vehicular and pedestrian movement. The internal alleys and paths are dedicated solely to the pedestrians and the vehicles only run at the periphery, thus the pedestrian movement remains unhindered. iii. In terms of community facilities, the center offers a diverse range of options for seating, book reading, shopping and eating which very well attracts the visitors towards it. iv. As can be seen from the graph as well, a great share of visiting population prefers to come to the place just to enjoy their time, sit and walk around at the center, thereby enhancing and developing community bond.

4. SURVEY ANALYSIS

4.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of the survey is to evaluate the role of the Public Open Spaces in the activities undertaken by the visitors of the community centers. Thus the survey was done at three different case study locations, i.e. the Saket community center, Preet vihar community center and the New Friends community center. The survey analysis helped to develop an idea of the importance and role of public open spaces in the community centers.

4.2 OUTCOME

The outcome of the survey achieved from the three different case study locations are:

Question 1: How often do you visit community centers?

Question 2: Which time of the day do you prefer to visit the community center?

Question 3: Why do you mostly visit community centers?

Question 4: How likely are you to spend time at the open spaces if you visit the community center? (1 being less likely and 5 being extremely likely)

Saket community center:

Preet Vihar Community Center:

New Friends Colony Community center;

Question 5: How much time do you spend at the open spaces of the community center?

Question 6: Are sufficient seating spaces available in the open spaces of the community center?

Question 7: How much would you rate the seating spaces provided? ( 1 being very poor and 5 being extremely satisfying)

Saket community center:

Preet vihar community center:

New Friends Colony Community center:

Question 8: Are sufficient dustbins available near and around the open spaces of the community center?

Question 9: How much would you rate the cleanliness quotient of the open spaces of the community center? ( 1 being very poor and 5 being extremely satisfying)

Saket community center:

Preet vihar community center:

New friends colony community center:

Question 10: Do you feel that walking within and around the spaces of the community center is disturbed by vehicular movement?

Question 11: How much would you rate the safety quotient of the open spaces of the community center, if one visits during the late evening hours? ( 1 being highly unsafe and 5 being extremely safe)

Saket community center:

Preet vihar community center:

New friends colony community center:

4.3 INFERENCES

The inferences drawn from the survey are:

i. The survey clearly highlights the poor conditions of the open spaces of the Preet Vihar community center as compared to the other two case study options. Through the survey it can be seen that firstly, only 10% of the entire visiting population prefers to use the open spaces and engages in activities like talking, walking, or sitting. About 80% of the entire visitors are the employees who access the place for their work. ii. Contrary to the above scenario, in the case of both Saket and New friends colony community center, on average 50% of the visiting population prefers to use the open spaces to enjoy their leisure time. iii. Further, the dilapidating condition of the open spaces of the Preet vihar community center is also because of the lack and poor maintenance of the open space amenities. The survey clearly highlights that around 70% of visitors feel that sufficient seating spaces are not available and around 80% of the visitors think that the seating spaces of the community center need to be improved. iv. However in the case of the other two, more than 50% of the visitors are satisfied with the open seating spaces that have been provided and feel that just slight maintenance of the seats provided would do the job. v. Further, cleanliness as an aspect also needs to be developed in the case of Preet vihar community center as per 80% of the visitors, whereas, cleanliness has been maintained to a very great extent in the other two centers as per 70% of the visitors. vi. Pedestrian safety and walkability as an aspect is other harmful factor that has affected the use of open spaces at the center. Obstructions created through the vehicles, in pedestrian movement and circulation, mostly prevent the pedestrians to use the spaces. vii. However, in the case of the other two centers, more than 80% of the visitors are satisfied with the segregation of vehicular and pedestrian routes and find it easier to access the open spaces of the community centers.

5. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

5.1 Introduction to aspects of comparison

The community centers strive to be the Hub of the busy urban centers, these activityinducing centers are created to play the role of activity-inducing areas as being prominently important Public spaces of considerable importance. Public spaces are all places publicly owned or of public use, accessible and enjoyable by all for free and without a profit motive. Each public space has its own spatial, historic, environmental, social, and economic features. The community recognizes itself in its public places and pursues the improvement of its spatial quality. Thus, for better analysis of the public open spaces of the community centers, the methodology used for their comparison has been drawn based on the four aspects proposed by the Public open space guidelines of the UNO-HABITAT i.e.

5. Access and Linkage

Accessibility of a place is measured by its connections to its surroundings, both visual and physical. A successful public space is easy to get to and get through; it is visible from a distance and close. The edges of a space are important as well: for instance, a row of shops along a street is more interesting and generally safer to walk by than a blank wall or empty lot. Accessible spaces have a high parking turnover and, ideally, are convenient to public transit.

6. Comfort and Image

Whether a space is comfortable and presents itself well - has a good image - is key to its success. Comfort includes perceptions about safety, cleanliness, and the availability of places to sit - the importance of giving people the choice to sit where they want is generally underestimated.

7. Uses and Activities

Activities are the basic building blocks of a place. Having something to do gives people a reason to come to a place - and return. When there is nothing to do, a space will be empty, and that generally means that something is wrong.

8. Sociability

This is a difficult quality for a place to achieve, but once attained it becomes an unmistakable feature. When people see friends, meet and greet their neighbors, and feel comfortable interacting with strangers, they tend to feel a stronger sense of place or attachment to their community - and to the place that fosters these types of social activities.

5.2 Conclusive analysis