Chennai waters- from AESTIVAL to AFFLUENT

Architectural Thesis Synopsis

S. Janani 2018701013

CHENNAI WATERS: FROM AESTIVAL1 TO AFFLUENT2 aestival - seasonal affluent -rich in

PROJECT OUTLINE: The aim of the project is to understand and analyse the water problems of Chennai and suggest strategies towards water resilience for a particular water resource. Chennai has seen a major decline in groundwater levels ( a decline of 1.5m since 2016acc to Times of India) and the surface water is undergoing drastic levels of contamination. There is an urgent need to address the water problems of Chennai . The project also intends to integrate bio retention spaces to enhance water availability ( by understanding the inter –relatedness of flora and water) and increase the potentially available water. Also integrates people to make them aware of the state of resource depletion ( ecotourism and local people ).

SCOPE:    

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To study the water sources of Chennai ( especially the rivers and backwaters) and understand its clean zones and contamination points.

Analyse the agents of contamination and suggest strategies to address the same.

Explore methods and strategies to make Chennai water sufficient , by naturally replenishing its water resources.

Come up with different scales of water management in Chennai context ( street level , zone level , water body level , city level)and explore strategies that can work as modules and can be multiplied elsewhere.

Study the schemes and programmes taken up by the government to address Chennai’s water problems .

METHODOLOGY: Studying the water resources of Chennai, its capacity, usage, contamination points, sources of contamination, local usage of the water sources.

Understand the reasons for the contamination . One major reason for contamination is waste disposal. So one method would be to track down the points of contamination, locate nearby waste disposal systems and provide proposal to transfer the waste dumps to those waste disposal systems.

Water is passively connected to Flora and Fauna. Creating bio –retention spaces or green areas near the water bodies can increase groundwater levels and improve the quality of water for better utilization.

The maintenance costs could be catered by the eco-tourism that is intended to be provided as bioretention spaces. Engaging the local people for recreational purposes and tourists can help in making people understand the importance of resource management.

To provide an experiential space along the eco- corridor as a floating resort module.

Themed interventions provide a better sense of understanding about theme related issues to the users ( the theme related issue that is addressed here is water management).

POSSIBLE SITE / LOCATION / /AREA: Buckingham canal stretch BROAD ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAM:  

Green belt ( to preserve biodiversity and in-turn increase groundwater table).

Recreational areas along the green belt( for social interaction and for people to understand the essence of living in harmony with nature ).  Floating resort modules (for tourists- a nature getaway and to create awareness about the importance of preserving , living together & to experience nature and natural resource management).  USERS: 1. Water utilization by local people for domestic and industrial uses.

2. Tourists 3. local people use for recreation CASE STUDIES AND REFERENCES: Drijvend Paviljoen- The floating Pavilion, Rotterdam.

The Floating Island Complex- Seoul, Korea.

Floating Cinema- Thailand. https://issuu.com/amreenimtiaz/docs/amphibious_chennai_thesis_report https://issuu.com/subhamjain7/docs/drawings_a2878_2015 https://www.scribd.com/document/422754272/MATERIALS-OF-FLOATING-ARCHITECTUREDISSERTATION ARTICLES: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/adyar-cooum-waters-stillpolluted/articleshow/88654827.cms https://letmebreathe.in/2019/11/21/the-growing-environmental-issues-of-chennai/ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/where-adyar-is-just-a-stream-oftrash/articleshow/64152844.cms https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/restore-buckingham-canal-back-to-its-glory-hc8147459/