Harmonizing Urban Spaces: Sustainable Design Principles from Vastu Shastra by IRJET Journal

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 04 | Apr 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Harmonizing Urban Spaces: Sustainable Design Principles from Vastu Shastra

Ar. Sandhya Singh1, Dr. Richa Ankush Pathe2

1PhD Scholar, Faculty of Architecture, RKDF University, Bhopal (M.P.)

2Proffessor, Faculty of Architecture, RKDF University, Bhopal (M.P.)

Abstract - ThisreportexamineshowVastuShastraprinciplescanbeintegratedwithmoderneco-friendlydesignstocreate sustainableurbanspaces.VastuShastra,anancientIndianscience,focusesonaligninghumanspaceswithnaturalforcesand cosmic energies to foster harmony and resilience. The goal is to demonstrate how Vastu principles can complement contemporaryeco-friendlydesignstodevelopbalancedandsustainableurbanenvironments.

ThemethodologyinvolvesthestudyandanalysisofVastuShastraprinciplesandtheirapplicationinurbansettings.Case studiesfromIndiancities,includingChandigarh,Gandhinagar,Jaipur,andNaviMumbai,showcasesuccessfulimplementations oftheseprinciplesalongsidemodernsustainablepractices.Thesepracticesincludeusingnaturalmaterials,incorporating waterfeatures,ensuringproperventilation,andmaintainingopenspaces.

Theresultsindicatethatthesecitieshaveeffectivelyintegratedgreeninfrastructure,energy-efficientdesigns,andsustainable materialstoaddresschallengessuchaspopulationgrowthandinfrastructuredevelopment.Forinstance,Chandigarhutilizesa grid layout with numerous green spaces, while Gandhinagar emphasizes sector-based planning and environmental sustainability.

Inconclusion,theintegrationofVastuShastra withmoderndesignpracticeshelpscreate resilientandsustainable urban environments.Thiscombinationofancientprinciplesandcontemporaryapproachesensuresabalancebetweentraditionand innovation,underscoringthecontinuedrelevanceofVastuShastrainshapingthefutureofurbanplanninginIndia.

Key Words: Vastu Shastra, Sustainability, Eco-friendly design, Urban planning, Energy efficiency and Environmental sustainability

1.INTRODUCTION :

Inthefaceofgrowingenvironmentalchallenges,sustainableurbanplanningisessential.VastuShastra,anancientIndian science rootedinVedictraditions,offersinsightsinto eco-friendlydesign byharmonizingspaceswith natureandcosmic energies.IntegratingVastuprinciplesintomodernurbanplanningcancreatesustainable,resilient,andharmoniousliving environments.

VastuShastraemphasizesthebalancebetweenphysicalstructuresandspiritualwell-being,aligningdesignswithnatural forces.Itscoreprinciplesfocusonthefiveelements Earth,Water,Fire,Air,andSpace tocreatebalancedlivingspaces.The VastuPurushaMandalaguidesspatialarrangementandenergyflow,ensuringharmonywiththeenvironment.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 04 | Apr 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

2. LITERATURE REVIEW:

Vastu Shastra Principles in Urban Settings:

1. Earth: Usenaturalmaterialslikewood,stone,andclayforsustainableconstructionandinteriors.

2. Water:Incorporatenortheastwaterfeaturestoenhancepositiveenergy.

3. Fire:Thesoutheastwithproperventilationtobalancethefireelement.

4. Air:Designopenareasandventsformaximumnaturalventilation.

5. Space:Maintainopenspacesandavoidclutterforsmoothenergyflow.

3. METHODOLOGY

The methodology for this report on "Sustainability Through Vastu Shastra: Eco-Friendly Design Approaches" involves a comprehensive approach to gather, analyze, and present information on the integration of Vastu Shastra principles with sustainabledesignpractices.

3.1 CASE STUDY OF INDIAN VASTU COMPLAINT URBAN CITIES

3.1.1 Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana

Chandigarh, designed by Swiss French architect Le Corbusier, is one of post-independence India's first planned cities. Key architectural features include its grid layout, dividing the city into self-sustaining sectors with residential, commercial, and recreationalspaces.Thecityemphasizesgreeninfrastructurewithnumerousparks,gardens,andtree-linedavenues.Sustainable practicesincorporateVastuprinciples,ensuringharmonyandbalance.

Figure-1TheVastuPurushaMandala

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 04 | Apr 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

3.1.2 Gandhinagar, Gujrat

Gandhinagar,thecapitalofGujarat,isrenownedforitsmeticulousurbandesignandgreeninitiatives.Itfeaturessectorbasedplanning,dividingthecityintoresidential,commercial,andinstitutionalareas.Thecityboastsextensivegreen spaces,suchasparksandgardens,emphasizingenvironmentalsustainability.Additionally,Vastuprinciplesareintegrated intotheplanningandorientationofbuildingstoenhancepositiveenergyflow.

3.1.3 Jaipur, Rajasthan:

Jaipur, planned by architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya in the 18th century, exemplifies Vastu Shastra in urban planning. Key architectural features include a grid layout with streets running east-west and north-south. The city is zoned for various activities residential, commercial, and religious following Vastu principles. Additionally, water bodies and gardens are integratedtoenhancethenaturalenvironmentandprovidecoolingeffects.

3.1.4 Navi Mumbai:

Maharashtra:NaviMumbaiisaplannedsatellitecityofMumbai,designedtoalleviatecongestionandfostersustainability.Key architecturalfeaturesincludesector-basedplanning,dividingthecityintoself-sustainingnodeswithresidential,commercial, andrecreationalareas.Thecityemphasizesgreeninfrastructure,featuringparks,gardens,andgreenbelts.Vastuprinciplesare integratedintotheplanningandorientationofbuildingstoensureharmonyandbalance.

Figure-2(Chandigarh)

Figure-3(Gandhinagar)

Figure-4(Jaipur)

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 04 | Apr 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

4. Discussion

TheseexamplesdemonstratehowIndiancitiescansuccessfullyintegrateVastuShastraprincipleswithmoderneco-friendly designapproachestocreatesustainableandharmoniousurbanenvironments.Byfocusingongreeninfrastructure,sustainable transportation,renewableenergy,watermanagement,andwastemanagement,thesecitiessetabenchmarkforfutureurban development.

Table 1: Comparative Analysis of Vastu-Compliant Cities

City Overview

Chandigarh OneoftheearliestplannedcitiesinpostindependenceIndia,designedbyLeCorbusier.

Gandhinagar CapitalofGujarat,knownforitswell-planned urbandesignandgreeninitiatives.

Key Features

-GridLayout:Dividedintosectors,eachfunctioningasaself-sustaining unitwithresidential,commercial,andrecreationalspaces.

-GreenSpaces:Numerousparks,gardens,andtree-linedavenues.

-SustainablePractices:IncorporationofVastuprinciplesinthe orientationandlayoutofbuildings.

-Sector-BasedPlanning:Dividedintosectorswithdesignated residential,commercial,andinstitutionalareas.

-GreenInitiatives:Extensivegreenspaces,includingparksand gardens.

-VastuIntegration:ApplicationofVastuprinciplesintheplanningand orientationofbuildings.

-GridLayout:Designedonagridpatternwithstreetsrunningfrom easttowestandnorthtosouth.

Jaipur WalledcityplannedbyarchitectVidyadhar Bhattacharyainthe18thcentury.

-Zoning:Specificareasdesignatedforresidential,commercial,and religiouspurposes,followingVastuprinciples.

-WaterBodies:Inclusionofwaterbodiesandgardenstoenhancethe naturalenvironment.

Figure-5(Maharashtra)

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 04 | Apr 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

City Overview Key Features

-Sector-BasedPlanning:Dividedintonodes,eachfunctioningasaselfsustainingunitwithresidential,commercial,andrecreationalspaces.

Navi Mumbai PlannedsatellitecityofMumbai,designedto decongestthemaincity.

-GreenSpaces:Emphasisongreeninfrastructurewithparks,gardens, andgreenbelts.

-SustainablePractices:IntegrationofVastuprinciplesintheplanning andorientationofbuildings.

ThistableprovidesaclearcomparisonofhowdifferentIndiancitiesintegrateVastuShastraprincipleswithmodernecofriendlydesignapproachestocreatesustainableandharmoniousurbanenvironments.

City Challenges SuggestedSolutions

-PopulationGrowth:Overpopulationleadingto strainoninfrastructureandresources.

-InfrastructureExpansion:Developsatellitetownsandimprove publictransportationtoreducecongestion

Chandigarh

-UrbanSprawl:Unplannedgrowthand environmentaldegradation.

-HeritageConservation:Balancingmodern developmentwithpreservationofLeCorbusier's legacy.

-EconomicViability:Strugglestoattractdiverse economicactivities.

-DevelopmentRestrictions:Rigidplanningcontrols hinderingadaptationtogrowthpressures.

-InfrastructureMaintenance:Upkeepofextensive greenspacesandpublicamenities.

-Heritagevs.Modernization:Balancingpreservation ofhistoricalsiteswithmoderninfrastructureneeds.

-TrafficCongestion:Increasedtrafficand inadequatepublictransportation.

-WaterManagement:Scarcityofwaterresources.

-AffordableHousing:Ensuringaffordablehousing whilemanagingsocio-economicdisparities.

-EnvironmentalConcerns:Balancingurban developmentwithpreservationofgreenspaces.

-InfrastructureDevelopment:Delaysinkey infrastructureprojects.

-UrbanPlanning:Implementstricterzoninglawsandpromote verticalgrowthtomanagesprawl

-HeritageManagement:Establishheritageconservationzones andpromoteadaptivereuseofhistoricalbuildings

-EconomicDiversification:Encourageindustriesbeyond administration,suchasITandeducation,tosetupin Gandhinagar

-FlexiblePlanning:Reviseplanningcontrolstoallowformixedusedevelopmentsandprivatesectorparticipation

-Public-PrivatePartnerships:Engageprivateentitiesinthe maintenanceofgreenspacesandpublicamenities

-IntegratedDevelopment:Developinfrastructureprojectsthat respectheritagesitesandpromotetourism

-PublicTransport:Expandandmodernizepublictransportation systems,includingmetroandbusservices

-WaterConservation:Implementrainwaterharvesting, wastewaterrecycling,andefficientirrigationsystems

-InclusiveHousingPolicies:Developaffordablehousingschemes andincentivizedeveloperstoincludeaffordableunitsinnew projects

-EnvironmentalProtection:Enforcestrictenvironmental regulationsandpromotegreenbuildingpractices

-ProjectManagement:Streamlineapprovalprocessesand ensuretimelycompletionofinfrastructureprojects

Thesesolutionsaimtoaddresstheuniquechallengesfacedbyeachcity,ensuringsustainableandharmoniousurban developmentwhileintegratingVastuShastraprinciples.

5. Conclusion

TheintegrationofVastuShastraintomodernurbanplanningcreatessustainableandharmoniouslivingenvironmentsby aligning human dwellings with natural energies. Cities like Chandigarh, Gandhinagar, Jaipur, and Navi Mumbai highlight successful applications, incorporating green infrastructure, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient designs. However, challenges like population growth and infrastructure development require balanced solutions, including economic diversificationandpublic-privatepartnerships.

Table 2: Solutions for Challenges Faced by Vastu-Compliant Cities

Gandhinagar

Jaipur

Navi Mumbai

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

VastuShastraofferstimelessprinciplesforeco-friendlyurbanplanning,promotingresilienceandsustainability.Itsongoing relevanceensuresalastingimpactonurbanplanninginIndia.

6. Refrences

UrbanHousingDesignwithVastuShastra-kaarwan.com

ModernVastuShastra:HowtoApplyAncientPrinciplesinToday’sHomes

UrbanLivingWithVastu:PracticalTipsForCityApartments-OmegaAstro

GreenCitiesofIndia:LeadingtheWayinSustainableUrbanLiving

IntegratedandSustainableMultimodalTransportSystemsinIndianCities

Top10GreenCitiesofIndia2025:EcoFriendlyCitiesListe

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