Waterfront public realm, Brahmaputra

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WATERFRONT PUBLIC REALM Case: Brahmaputra, Guwahati Abstract Where water and land meet, a unique place with innumerable possibilities emerges that entwines the urban fabric with this dynamic realm of public space. The waterfronts are a very valuable asset to a city and it is often this element that lends character and a distinctive identity to its urban landscape. The coastal areas have always seen the hustle and buzz of activities be it transport, fishing, people or commercial markets around it. These areas provide a great opportunity for social interaction along with rejuvenation. Approximately 90 of the world’s 100 developed cities are built on the coast of waters and portray a complex relationship with water, which is considered as an extension of the urban fabric. Until the beginning of the industrial revolution the principle infrastructure was formed by the waterway network, functioning for transportation, drainage, water supply, food supply, inland shipping, waste distribution, sewage and even defence. Waterways served as the spine where economic activities took place. During the industrialization the waterway net- work lost its importance as the city infrastructure. Better imminent alternatives such as the railway, road network, airways etc. resulted in the river quickly losing its primary function in the city. This led to the concept of revitalizing the waterfronts and making it a vibrant face of the city for interaction and social cohesion. India is known for its topographical richness with mountains, plains, valleys, plateaus and rivers generating variations in its form. Brahmaputra – a trans-boundary river is one of the major rivers in Asia being the 29th longest and passes though many cities in the northeastern parts of the country. As it enters India, via Arunanchal Pradesh and winds into Assam valley, it stretches to 10 km in width in some of its parts. Being mighty even in summers, with a great value for fishing, transportation and identity of itself, it has great potential for riverfront development.

“Environmental images are a result of two-way process between the observer and his environment” Kevin Lynch states in “The image of the city”. In the book, Kevin lynch portrays various aspects of urban image and its significance and theorises various elements that make an urban space personified to its functionality.


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