Proposal for Revitalization of The Public Library, Mehrauli, New Delhi

PROPOSAL FOR

REVITALIZATION OF THE

PUBLIC LIBRARY MEHRAULI, NEW DELHI

AUGUST 02, 2019

LOCATION Mehrauli, South Delhi (Zone F15 in MPD) Outside Abadi area on Kalka Das Marg Adjacent to Tehsil

ACCESSIBILITY

CONTEXT Qutub Complex in South-East Tehsil and Bhul bhulliyan (Adam Khan’s tomb) in West Yogmaya temple in North Parking in South

500m from Qutub Metro station 150m from Mehrauli Bus Terminal 1400m from Shamshi talab 4 wheeler, 2 wheeler, and bicyle parking available

YOGMAYA TEMPLE

ADAM KHAN’S TOMB/ Bhul Bhullaiyan TEHSIL

LIBRARY

CHURCH COMPOUND

2

PARKING LOT

QUTUB MINAR

ABOUT THE LIBRARY Committed to imparting Knowledge Marker on the Building

1947 Launched by the State Government under ‘Adult Education Programme’¹ Inaugurated in 1947 by Sardar Vallabhai Patel.

1972 Jawaharlal Nehru Yuva Kendra, an autonomous organization under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, within the Government of India, set up its Head office

2006 The library was shut in 2006 after The Adult Education programme was scrapped, it has been defunct eversince and is opened for periodic maintenance by CPWD & MCD.

2019 JNYK occupies the rear hall and two abutting rooms, rest of the building remains unused.

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THE SITE Residential Area

SITE AREA 0.9 ACRES

2

Restaurant

9

OWNERSHIP STATE GOVERNMENT

8

JNYK’s Office

Library

7

5

arg M s

a

aD k l a

Tehsil

K 3

1

North Point

1

Photograph Location markers

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2. North edge of the site

1. South-West corner of site, Entrance to Yogmaya temple

4. View from library

3. Library as seen from Kalka Das Marg 5

5. Steps reaching the Library

6. Office of District Youth Coordinator, Nehru Yuva Kendra 6

7. Locked Library hall, Way to JNYK’s office

8. Entrance to JNYK’s office

11. Store room

10. Rear view of JNYK’s office 7

The site remains unguarded post office hours, and can become a hot-spot for negative social elements.

12. Arched corridor in the Library 8

WHY IS THIS SITE IMPORTANT ?

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1. OUR HERITAGE : To Preserve Historical Memory of the Place

Library, built in 1947.

Adam Khan’s Tomb/ Bhul bhullaiyan, built in 1562.

MODERN BUILDING • Design Inspired by Adam Khan’s Tomb OF INDEPENDENT • Building placed on a pedestal with steps reaching to it INDIA • Similar Arched corridor ENVISIONED TO BE AN INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING INAUGURATED BY PROMINENT LEADER SARDAR VALLABHAI PATEL

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2. POTENTIAL / OPPORTUNITIES

a. PRIME LOCATION Adjacent to tehsil Within 200 m radius of Qutub Minar Complex Adjacent to Designer Boutiques and restaurants

Row of Designer Boutiques & Restaurants

Library Tehsil

On kalka das marg - main road leading to Mehrauli Easily visible and accessible to residents, domestic tourists, international tourists, visitors to tehsil

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c. ADEQUATE GREEN COVER

b. ABUNDANT OPEN SPACE

d. NOISE-FREE ENVIRONMENT

e. AVAILABILITY OF PARKING

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3. UNIQUE PUBLIC FACILITY IN MEHRAULI Clockwise from left: Various Public/Interactive spaces A’choutra’ to play cards in the evening, A ‘choutra’ turned into parking, Kalu ram chowk ocassionaly turned into parking Various parks around mehrauli are active in morning and evening.

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Quality of Public Spaces

~

Quality of life

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4. GOVERNEMENT PROPERTY REMAINS UNDER-UTILIZED, SITE IN A STATE OF NEGLECT

a. Garbage has been dumped on site

b.Dilapidated condition

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c. Encroachment on site has already begun

d. Unkempt vegetation blocks view, Library as seen from Main road

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POTENTIAL THREATS TO SITE

CAN BE DEMOLISHED UNDER-UTILIZED POTENTIAL PERMANENT LOSS OF VALUE AND MEANINIG TENDENCY TO BE COMMERCIALISED 17

POTENTIAL TO BECOME SOCIAL & INFRASTRUCTURAL ASSET

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Public Library RESTORE FORMER FUNCTIONS

HOW TO REVITALIZE THE SITE? INTRODUCE NEW FUCNTIONS

Interpretation Centre

Tourist Information Centre

Employment Information Centre

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Cultural Arena

Open Air Theatre, Exhibition Arena, Café

Open School for Women

FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A LIBRARY IN MEHRAULI

LEVEL

CITY

3 WAY BENEFIT OF A LIBRARY

STORE-HOUSE OF KNOWLEDGE

LEVEL

COMMUNITY

Access to Information

LEVEL

INDIVIDUAL

REQUIREMENT OF A LIBRARY FOR A POPULATION BASE OF 1.2 LAKH

Barometer of Growth

Increases awareness

According to MPD 2021², there should be provision for a library for every 1 lakh population. It should be atleast 2000sqm in area.

Mehrauli has a population base of 1.2 lakh and is increasing by the day and should have a Library as part of its Public Infrastructure.

SOCIAL-INFRASTRUCTURAL ASSET

Community Involvement & ownership

Bottom-Up approach to Development

Promotes InteractionCohesiveness

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Promotes effective communication

Confident & Competent Individuals

Unfolds varied faculties of every individual 20

²Refer : https://dda.org.in/ddanew/pdf/Planning/reprint%20mpd2021.pdf for MPD Bylaws

LACK OF ANY FUNCTIONAL LIBRARY IN MEHRAULI

CASE STUDY OF EXISTING LIBRARIES Availabilty of Books Yes Scope for Leisure reading Yes Charges Timings 9am - 5pm

a. HARDAYAL MUNICIPAL PUBLIC LIBRARY, Branch Number 23 ABOUT: The main branch of the Library is in Chandani chowk and was established in 1862. It was originally called the Hardinge Library and came to be known as Hardayal Municipal Library in 1970.There are about 28 Library Branches + Head Office Library all over Delhi within the three Municipal corporation jurisdiction.

The Library has been shut for many years now.

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b. SAI LIBRARY, Mehrauli ABOUT: It is a privately owned Library cum Study space that was

established in October 2018, in the basement of an

apartment near Bhagwati Hospital, Mehrauli.

It has a current

ATTRACTIONS: Students, mostly competitive exam aspirants come here to study as it provides a Conducive environment for long hours of concentrated study. Students bring their own study material.

Air Conditioned space Access to Internet Drinking water Locker facility

enrollment of 200

students and a

seating cpacity of 67.

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Availabilty of Books Scope for Leisure reading Charges Timings

No Nil INR 800 - 1000/ month 7am- 12am

c. FRIEND’S LIBRARY Lado Sarai ABOUT: It is a privately owned Library cum Study space .

It has a current

enrollment of more than 200 students and a

ATTRACTIONS: Students, mostly competitive exam aspirants come here to study as it provides a Conducive environment for long hours of concentrated study. Students bring their own study material.

Air Conditioned space Access to Internet Drinking water Locker facility

seating cpacity of 100.

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Availabilty of Books Scope for Leisure reading Charges Timings

No Nil INR 900 - 1100/ month 24 x 7

50+, 18.7%

.3 % %

15-20, 2

Age

(years)

,1

LE MA

OTHE R

L AU R H ME

RE RA

TEN, 23%

Did you know about this Library? .

1 YES, 7 24

LY, 26.4%

How often do you visit a Library?

, 25.3%

22 %

NE

NO ,

Residence

OF

.6%

5%

, 50 30-

12 %

F-E SEL

4%

MA YB E

,6

, ER

%

V ER

T EN STUD

31 .9

4.3

I, 8 8%

Occupation

OT H

4%

16.4%

9.

EMP LO 1 Y

ED

M PL OY ED, 31.95%

ABOUT: A google form was circulated within Mehrauli and neighbouring areas to gain an insight into the needs and aspirations of the people.

It also helped in understanding the expectations of people from a Public Institution such as a Library. It furhter, highlighted the awreness of people about this particular Library.

.7%

0 -3 20

,5 2.7

%

Gender

40

FE

6.4

E . 47 AL

M

NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE

VE RY -OFTE , 25.3% N

DO YOU THINK RE-OPENING THE LIBRARY WILL BENEFIT THE SOCIETY?

How would you like your Library to be?

‘‘More interactive and alive with activities beyond passive reading of books, e books, book reading etc.’’ ‘‘Should be opened as early as possible.’’

100%

YES

‘‘Full of good books, ventilated and disciplined.’’ ‘‘Full of books, colors and somebody to talk about the books we read thus, regular interactive sessions on books and reading which will also bring more people to the library.’’ ‘‘Better infrastructure to sit and study.’’

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‘‘It’s is very useful for elders, student’s, working people’s etc and I like it’s location is very peaceful to study.’’ ‘‘Like British Council Library in Connaught place’’ ‘‘With all modern amenities.’’ ‘‘I think it’s a basic need in every student’s life.

So it should be open as soon as possible. #isupportthis.’’ ‘‘Please install computerised method to find books.’’ ‘‘Quiet and Calm.’’

Jitin Yadav, Graduate, SSC aspirant Resident of Kishangarh Originally from Rajasthan, moved to Delhi 4 years ago.

“There is no other place to go nearby, I used go to Lado Sarai but that takes a lot of time. This is the only option, I have joined this Library 3 months ago and I spend about Rs.800/- per month for studying 6-7 hours here.’’

Prakash Jha, Age: 28yrs Software Engineer Resident of Mehrauli ( Family living here since 60 years) “There is no other Library in Mehrauli that I can go to so I have to spend money for it. This place can be suffocating when there is a power-cut, I would love to study in a better environment. A Public Library will be beneficial for all.”

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Surender Kumar Gupta, Age: 65 yrs Resident of Mehrauli since 1900’s Retired, owns a shop “I used to go to the Library when I was young, to read magazines and watch movies on TV. I am now retired, I would love to spend my time in the Library if it reopens. I wish they reopen it. Me and my friends will go there. We should do something about it.”

Poonam, Age 28 years Is a single mother of two children and has been living in Mehrauli since 10 years.

She works as a housemaid and dreams of giving her two sons the best education. ‘‘I cannot afford tuitions or any extra activities for my children, I don’t have much knowledge also. If there is a facility for my children nearby it would be very nice for their future. They are intelligent kids and will do well if given a opportunity.

The library will be very good.’’

Ar. Rishi Sharma, has his office adjacent to the Library.

His family is one of the oldest inhabitants of Mehrauli, ‘‘This Library is part of our Heritage and is a waste right now. We as a community should take steps to revive it and make it inviting for people of all age groups and economic background. I used to go there as a child and it would be very beneficial for everyone if this place becomes positive.”

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Ruchi Gupta, Age 32 years, teacher in Saraswati Bal Mandir school, Mehrauli, ‘‘It will be a very good opportunity for the students of our school also. They will get a different exposure and a chance to showcase their talent through competitions and exhibitions. Mehrauli should have a modern Library and lead by example.”

INR 65,000 - INR 75,000 Is The Average Monthly Income Of

INFERENCES

A Library With No Books

BREACH OF NORMS

There are about

THREAT TO SAFETY

40 - 50 such Libraries within 3 km radius of Mehrauli ( Lado Sarai, Saket and Ber Sarai )

INR 10,000 - INR 15,000 Is The

Annual Expenditure Per

Do not have a Commercial License for premises Do not have necessary permission from Police Station

RESPONSIBILTY OF There is no other Government Library for such a THE GOVERNMENT population base of 1.2 lakh Disregard for the right to Public facilities RIGHT OF Forces people into complying with expensive private EVERY CITIZEN substitutes.

There is no provision for parking Is obscure to genral public, tucked in faraway corners COMPROMISE ON Lack of ventilation and Natural Light creates polluted QUALITY OF LIFE indoor spaces Psycological impact of a space is totally overlooked

Person To Avail Such Facilities

There exists no other Community/ Public Space in the entire region

Existing ‘Libraries’ do not have a NOC

Conviniently neglecting and wasting an Important resource in a community

HIGH DEMAND

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There already exists a Highly- activated User group that wishes for the Library to come to Life.

THE IMPORTANT QUESTION

OR

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AUTHOR’S NOTE I am a resident of Mehrauli and was born here too. Living in Delhi’s largest urban village has made me sensitive towards our built environment and its impact on lives. Further, the intricacies and nuances of such an environment are invariably different from colonies and societies that have come up in recent times.

Graduating in Architecture, helped me in gaining a perspective towards understanding our environment, our seemingly complex relationship with it and its impact on the quality of life.

As part of my academic curriculum, I have published a Dissertation which explores the Transformation of Mehrauli concerning the quality of life and analyzes if it is degenerative growth or development.

Again, for my Thesis project in college, my mentor, Prof. Rajat Ray, suggested this particular site in Mehrauli to be adopted for the same. It turned out to be an extension of my previous research. A suitable project brief was developed and I took several liberties while undertaking work on this site during my thesis and therefore, the design is hypothetical. A glimpse of the design is presented here.

I continued working on gathering information and formulating ideas on the development of the site. During this course, I met Ar. Rishi Sharma whose practice is based out of Mehrauli. Being a resident of Mehrauli, he too understood the need for the revival of the Library and its potential in improving the quality of life of the community.

Efforts have been made since then to formulate steps to further this case. To verify the requirement and urgency of this library, I have conducted surveys, interviews, and discussions with various groups of people (mainly residents of Mehrauli) including students, professionals, womenfolk, children, native residents and migrant population to gain an insight into the aspirations and needs of the rapidly diversifying community.

A glimpse of my Thesis Project on the same site.

‘‘I hope to see this Library become a Social & Infrastructural Asset.’’

- Arushi Gupta 30

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Ar. Rishi Sharma, Principal Architect, ARCHER POINT Mr. Suneel Vatsyan, Founder NADA India Foundation

Mr. Anand Rana, Director Operations Katha Foundation

ARUSHI GUPTA arushigupta58@gmail.com +91-8377893589

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