Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony (Master's Degree Thesis - Joanne Lim)

R E G E N E R AT I N G

I N F o r m a l i t y I N

M A C H A R

Public

Spaces

&

C O L O N Y

Aggregates

as

Catalysts

J o a n n e L i m C h i n g Y e e

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Author:

Joanne Lim Ching Yee joannelimcy@gmail.com

University: Department: Programme:

Politecnico di Milano School of Architecture Urban Planning Construction Engineering Masters of Science: Architecture & Urban Design

Thesis Supervisor:

Pierre-Alain Croset pierre.croset@polimi.it

Date:

18th December 2019

To my beloved parents for their unconditional love, encouragement and support my whole life, for this would not be possible without them Special appreciation to my colleagues and supervisor for their knowledge, motivation and inspiration And lastly, all the hard work and devotion for this final hurdle

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Image of children playing in Machar Colony (Photo taken by KTKhan @ Flickr, 2009)

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ABSTRACT

Slum living became a manifestation out of desperation and despair from the urban poor and neglected, but why do governments ignore this phenomenon? Many argue that informal settlements are actually a solution to insufficient housing supply in the city especially for the less privileged who still sought out for the urban life with grand job opportunities and higher standard of living, or so they thought. The scenario is particularly worse in developing countries where there is incompetent assistance or social welfare system, these enthusiasts quickly come to a realization that the city will fail them. I personally come from a developing country, and have seen many struggles from the urban poor to sustain an acceptable lifestyle in an overpopulated and dense city - which that being said, I wanted to use my knowledge and ability to tackle this issue in my research on how to embrace informality and the gesture of basic yet sustainable living.

Karachi is one of the highest populated cities in the world and home to many refugees and immigrants, most of which resides in slums or ‘katchi abadis’ around the city. The chosen site for my thesis is Machar Colony, one of the biggest unregulated informal settlements in Karachi, with little to no bare amenities and poor living conditions - yet where 1 million people would still call their home when they are rejected elsewhere. However, Machar Colony has a very advantageous location with close proximity to the port and city center as well as connection to the sea and resources. Although due to reclamation of land overtime on the mangrove forest has caused a huge impact on the natural ecology of the environment, prompting the site to be susceptible to natural hazards such as flooding and extreme heat. Apart from physical and environmental flaws, there is a lot of social tension and inequity with rising crime rates and safety issues.

This thesis aims to tackle not only concrete and environmental issues but also socio-economic-political unjust through a series of urban and architectural interventions and strategies. The research uses catalysts such as public space and aggregates to reactivate urban vitality and empower community living in Machar Colony. The organic fabric of the settlement proves flexibility in the intervention for public space design, with highlighted multifunctional, adaptive, and participative qualities - through flood resilience guidelines, the newly adaptive streets and urban spaces responds to hazards appropriately. The architectural intervention reorganizes densification by introducing new housing typologies and demolition of aggregates to increase open space in the settlements. As a slum settlement with a prominent local industry of fishery and manufacture the proposal intent to devise a self-sustainable community by strengthening the economy through provision commercial grounds that connect Machar Colony to the city, and constructing decentralized amenities to provide basic services such as sanitation system, water supply and waste disposal. Because of the complexity in density of the site, the design intervention starts from scale: overall site - district - neighbourhood unit, where each strategy is implemented accordingly to the needs of the scale.

All in all, the ultimate vision is to improve the conditions and situation of Machar Colony and regenerate its essence, not to completely reconstruct and displace but to recognize the opportunities and to cultivate them - this is embracing informality for the informals.

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

CONTENTS

1 Introduction Urban Informality South Asia & Pakistan Karachi Macro Analysis

7 9 13 17

Site Analysis Problem statement Scale Intervention Brief

23 29 33 34

Redensification Morphology Public Spaces Streetscape Water

35 36 37 39 41

Precedent studies

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2 Machar Colony

3 Design Strategies & Guidelines

4 References

5 Project Development Overall Masterplan & Proposal Site Synthesis

6 Sources

Street Typologies Flood Resilience design Mangrove Fishing Village Mauripour Street & Public Transportation Commercial & Production Hub Neighbourhood Unit 1 Neighbourhood Unit 2

45 47 49 59 63 69 71 73 81

Bibliography

91

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INTRODUCTION Urban Informality

Currently, 55% of the world’s population lives in cities or urbanized areas (Fig 1.1), and this figure is expected to increase every year. Studies according to the United Nations, states that by 2050, the global population is expected to reach 9.8 billion, and 68% of this would become potential urban dwellers.

(United Nations, 2018) Urbanization saw a massive acceleration since 200 years ago until today - before the 1800s most of humanity resided in rural areas and agriculture and trade was predominant in the economy worldwide.

Rapid economic growth due to expanding urbanization elevated millions out of poverty, however this dynamic also produced some negative impacts. Due to inadequate and poor urban planning and structure, most developing cities are unable to integrate the mass amount of migration and density influx into its existing society. This then leads to another epidemic of urban poverty for people who do not have any access to housing or other options such as affordable or social lodging that is subsidized by the government or so, thus succumbing to informal and crude living situations.

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Now, an estimate of 900 million to 1 billion urban dwellers are living in slums around the world (Fig 1.2).

But, what is a slum? Is there a concrete definition or indicator?

According to the UN-Habitat’s definition: a slum household is a group of individuals living under the same roof in an urban area who lack one or more of the following (UN-Habitat, 2002c: 12): 1. Durable housing of a permanent nature that protects against extreme climate conditions.

2. Sufficient living space- not more than three people sharing the same room.

3. Easy access to safe water in sufficient amounts at an affordable price.

4. Access to adequate sanitation in the form of a private/public toilet shared by a reasonable number of people.

5. Security of tenure that prevents forced evictions.

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

No data

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Fig 1.1 Percentage of Population living in Urban areas - 2018 (Diagram: Our World in Data - Source: UN World Urbanization Prospects 2018)

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Fig 1.2 Percentage of Urban Population living in Slum areas - 2014 (Diagram: Our World in Data - Source: World Bank – World Development Indicators)

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South Asia & Pakistan

The region of Asia is currently facing the highest rural-to-urban migration over the past few decades.

Specifically, South Asia’s urban populace is expected to rise up to 250 million people by 2030. In most cases, or in theory, when population increases - it leads to urban economic growth and overall prosperity. This is evident with the average GDP per capita increasing by 56% from 2000 to 2012 in South Asia (World Bank, 2016).

However, this urban growth also experienced a heightened poverty level in the metropolis. Largely due to the inability of the cities to meet the needs of the sprouting new inhabitants and immigrants - inadequate infrastructure, lack of affordable housing, inaccessible public transport, shortfall of job opportunities for the lower class, and failure of governance to provide basic necessities for the less privileged - all these factors contributes to the urban poverty.

The entire then manifests and drives the impoverished into informal slum living out of desperation for a roof over their head while still trying to pursue the ‘better life’ in the city. Slum living introduces other types of issues like segregation and exclusion from society, faulty building construction, deteriorating environment, rising crime rates, heath problems, lack of services, and overall low quality of life.

In most developing countries, their urban policies have failed to expand opportunities to include the ‘urban poor’ and to cultivate productivity through agglomeration of people and ventures, impacting the country’s economic growth potential. Although, over the years, in many nations like China, India, Brazil and Nigeria, the amount of urban dwellers living in slums are decreasing progressively.

This is not the case in Pakistan, one of the most dense South Asian country, and it is also home to some of the biggest informal settlements in the world. Almost half the urban population, 45%, are still residing in slum conditions, and these figures are still steadily increasing.

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

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Fig 1.3 Schematic Map of Asia (Diagram: FreeVectorMaps.com)

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Boundary of British Indian Empire (1939) Union of India Pakistan (1947) States not acceding to either country upon independence

 

Inter-communal conflict Movements of Hindu and Sikh refugees Movements of Muslim refugees

0

1 000 km

Pakistan was created from the separation after the fall of British India in 1947. Pakistan is now the sixth most populous country in the world, at 203.6 million people, of which 39.7% are urbanized. After independence, there was a massive migration movement in and out of the country. Seven million Muslims migrated to Pakistan from India, and 6 million Hindus and Sikhs moved out. This whole ordeal happened within a 3 month period, causing chaos from the sudden burst of density in the urban areas all over the country, particularly in Karachi where the population doubled in numbers and was facing a major housing crisis.

Initially refugees invaded all open public spaces and fabricated their own shelters without any access to services, until they were removed into displaced people’s colonies which were regulated and facilitated by organizations that eventually turned into permanent settles with tenure rights. However, this was only seen in some cases, these informal settlements or ‘katchi abadis’ continue to increase and spread through the nation as more immigrants and refugees enter the country during the war in Afghanistan and other conflicts in neighbouring countries and the inevitable rural-to-urban shift.

As a result of ill-fitted political and administrative institutions and legislations, and absence of civil society organisations to balance the system, the state was unable to counter all the problems, the demand-supply gap in housing, health, education and employment continues to widen.

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Fig 1.4 The Partition of India (1947) (Diagram: Themightyquill via WIkiMedia)

Density Study

Expected population in 2030 = ±263 million

250 million

Current population in 2019 = 216.56 million

200 million

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50 million British colonization in 1839 = 14.53 million 0 1830

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Urban Slum Population percentage comparison between Pakistan, Nigeria and Brazil

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million

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1950

Fig 1.5 Population Growth in Pakistan (Diagram: OWID, Source: Gapminder, HYDE (2016) and United Nations Population Division (2019)

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After independence in 1947 = 34.05 million

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Fig 1.6 Urban Population living in Slum households (Diagram: OWID based on World Bank, World Development Indicators)

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Karachi

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Fig 1.7 Map of Pakistan

Karachi started as a port for the South Indian-Central Asian trade 3 centuries ago. The British Empire conquered Karachi in 1839 and developed perennial irrigation schemes in Punjab and Sindh which increased agricultural production that was exported through the port in Karachi and transportation and connections widened further to other provinces and neighbouring lands.

The city continued to expand until liberation from the British colonial rule. Karachi received an abundant amount of refugees from India, the population increased by a staggering 161%, changing not only the entire city demographically but also culturally and ethnically.

Karachi is divided into planned areas and unplanned areas. Unplanned areas are known as katchi abadis (non-permanent settlements). The earliest katchi abadis were established with the refugee migration of 1947.

Fig 1.8 Map of Sindh region

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts 

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 

Fig 1.9 Image of Downtown Karachi (Photo taken by Aliraza Khatri)

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Timeline of Karachi

Fig 1.10 Sequence of images showing Urbanization in Karachi (Image source: Google Earth)

1840

1860 - 1880

1920

British occupation and beginning of township

Port of Karachi built and railway line connected, rapid urbanization

Airport built and used as main entry to British India, city continues to expand

Population: 80,000

Population: 200,000

Population: 14,000

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

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Fig 1.11 Map of Karachi

1950 - 1960

Now

Independence in 1947 large influx of Muslim immigrants and refugees, 161% increase in density and manifestation of informal settlements

Increasing urban sprawl and expansion outwards, Lack of affordable housing and immigration leads to continuous informal settlements emerging in the inner city and vacant lands are being encroached.

Population: 1,000,000

Population in 2000: 9,800,000 Current Population: 15,700,000

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Macro Analysis

Density Map Slum Settlements High Density areas Low Density areas

Fig 1.12 Diagram showing population density in Karachi (Source: EOWORLD by GISAT - World Bank Mapping of South Asian Cities)

About 50 per cent of the city consists of informal settlements created by the illegal subdivision of state land by middlemen. An additional 20 per cent of the population lives in formally planned settlements who have built their homes informally through financial and technical support of small contractors. They have also acquired their infrastructure informally through “self-help”.

The city requires 79,000 housing units per year. However, an average of about 26,000 housing units per year have been produced through formal processes over the last 5 years. The rest of the demand has been met through informal and illegal subdivision of state land or through densification of existing homes and settlements. As such, the informal settlements in Karachi expand at the rate of 9 per cent per year against a total urban growth of 4.2 per cent per year (Arif Hasan, 1998).

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Land Use Map Commercial Harbour Nature Urban Green Fig 1.13 Diagram showing land use mapping in Karachi (Source: EOWORLD by GISAT - World Bank Mapping of South Asian Cities)

Disaster Risk Diagrams

Extreme Heat Map

Water Scarcity

Coasting Flooding Risk

Rainfall & Urban Flash Flood Risk

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Fig 1.14 Diagrams showing common disaster risks in Karachi (Source: ThinkHazard.ord - World Bank Group)

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"Why Machar Colony?"

Machar Colony is a squatter settlement situated in the south of Karachi next to the harbour fisheries.

It has an area coverage of approximately 1.7sqkm with a staggering population between 700,000 to 1 million people - majority of them being children between ages 5 - 15 and predominantly migrants.

Machar Colony is also amongst the biggest of Karachi’s over 550 unregulated settlements, What really grabbed my attention to study this particular settlement is its location - close proximity to the main business hub of Karachi, coastal frontage towards mangrove forest and sea, and access to the main intercity connections - plenty of opportunities and potentiality to be integrated into the city, if properly regulated and upgraded, Machar Colony could really flourish.

However. for years, authorities in Karachi have neglected it on the pretext that it is an ‘illegal’ settlement, without any proper maintenance, government investment or assistance.

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Fig 2.1 Satellite image of Machar Colony (Photo taken from Google Earth)

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Fig 2.2 Map of Karachi (Author’s diagram)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Mapping study

Milan Land size: 181.76 sqkm Population: 1,395,274 Density: 130 sqm/person

Amsterdam Land size: 219.32 sqkm Population: 866,737 Density: 253 sqm/person

Machar Colony Land size: 1.785 sqkm Population: 700,000 - 1,000,000 Density: 3 sqm/person Fig 2.3 Map of Milan, Amsterdam & Machar Colony (Author’s diagrams)

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MACHAR COLONY Site Analysis

BIHAR COLONY

AGRA TAJ COLONY

MED-RISE APARTMENTS

IR

IV

ER

KACHI COLONY

LY

AR

DARYA ABAD

HOSPITAL

L CIA MER S COM NTER CE

MACHAR COLONY

SPORTS COMPLEX

MANGROVES

MUSA LANE NULLAH

Fig 2.4 Site map of Machar Colony (Author’s diagram)

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WEST WHARF PORT & FISHERIES

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Site Photos

Characteristics

Mauripour Road

Store front

Fig 2.4 (Photo by Martin Roemers)

Fig 2.10 (Photo by Zeeshan Lahkani)

Mangrove Forest

Street vendors

Fig 2.5 (Photo from The World in Crisis)

Fig 2.11 (Photo by Zeeshan Lahkani)

Ahmad Shah Bukhari Road

Outdoor activities

Fig 2.6 (Photo by Zeeshan Lahkani)

Fig 2.12 (Photo by Zeeshan Lahkani)

People’s Football Stadium

Sinking houses

Fig 2.7 (Photo from Google Maps)

Fig 2.13 (Photo by Mansoor Raza)

Wazir Mansion Station

Mode of transportation

Fig 2.8 (Photo from The Karachi Walla)

Fig 2.14 (Photo by Zeeshan Lahkani)

Harbour Fisheries Fig 2.9 (Photo from Google Maps)

Shrimp peelers Fig 2.15 (Photo from Dawn)

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Site Analysis

Density

Access

Infrastructure

The site has a high density of approximately 700,000 - 1 million inhabitants in a 1.78sqkm

Entry points from Mauripour Road and from West Wharf

Abandoned railway track with Wazir Mansion Station borders the site running along Mauripour Road

Building blocks

Entry points

Station

Open space

Main roads

Railway

Streets

Fig 2.17 Site analysis diagrams (Author’s diagram)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Nature

Neighbourhood Context

Unused Spaces

Mangrove forest on the site’s coast, Lyari River on the north and Musa Lane Nullah on the south - with an elevation of 2 metres

Across from Mauripour Road are residential buildings, a hospital, shopping center and stadium, along the coast are fishing villages and boat building. Connection to the port from West Wharf

Vacant land used for parking and waste dump site around the railway and station

Mangrove Water body

Vacant

Key buildings Boat building Fishing West Wharf

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Fig 2.18 Photo of children in Machar Colony (Photo taken by Lucy Monro)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Machar Colony was formed due to the absence of lowcost housing for the poor elsewhere in the city. Despite a failure of governance in providing housing or amenities, it is still an expanding locality with great demand for residential dwellings as population continues to increase.

It also presents the typical issues of a slum in the city — poor hygiene, spread of diseases, lack of public spaces, unorganized urban fabric, no amenities and scant attention to aesthetics.

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Problem Statement

Poor construction & lack of voids Machar Colony’s population is estimated to be up to 1 million living in an area of 1.78sqkm. Houses are typically 75-150sqm, shared among 1-4 families and built poorly, most houses have little to no windows. This size of houses constructed are very small for single families let alone joint families. With the increasing population, new houses are being built on any available vacant land, leaving no open spaces for ventilation, leading the spread of diseases and overheating.

Fig 2.19 Photo of children in Machar Colony (Photo source from The Citizens Foundation - TCF)

Lack of public space and parks With the extremely high density and compactness of the settlement, there is no designated public spaces for recreational use, and no sports facilities or parks for sports activities either and a safe place for social interactions. This is largely due to the fact that the residents’ main priority is shelter instead of leisure needs.

Fig 2.20 Aerial photo of Machar Colony (Photo taken from Google Earth)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Conditions of streets Streets in Machar Colony are in very poor conditions with no paving or construction at all. Also, due to it being an unregulated settlement and having large unplanned expansions, there is inconsistency in the urban fabric and road circulation, as new construction encroached streets, making it very narrow and discontinuous. People also use streets as extension to their household activities - cook, wash, work and play outside.

Fig 2.21 Photo of people on the street in Machar Colony (Photo taken by Zeeshan Lakhani)

Lack of water drainage system

Because Machar Colony is located on the coast and the streets are not properly constructed, there is no water drainage system, Karachi is highly susceptible to flood risks as the city generally does not much strategies to tackle urban flood issues during rainfall seasons.

Fig 2.22 Photo of flooding in Machar Colony (Photo taken by Nadir Burney)

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Pollution Machar Colony is infested with open pollution - garbage is being dumped everywhere openly, outside of homes, on the streets and along the rivers. Without any waste disposal system or awareness, people succumbs to these measures. Pollution causes poor hygiene, diseases, contaminations and stagnant water, impacting daily life wellness.

Fig 2.23 Photo of pollution on the street in Machar Colony (Photo taken by Zeeshan Lakhani)

Lack of amenities Like most informal settlements, there is no direct water supply and sanitation system.

Machar Colony was built before services were being connected, and for the longest time, the government has overlooked these issues.

Currently only electricity is being supplied in certain hours of the day and water is bought from shops or being distributed by trucks.

Fig 2.24 Photo of shop selling containers of water in Machar Colony (Photo taken by Zeeshan Lakhani)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Deterioration of mangrove forest

Unplanned and rapid expansion of the settlement has led to depletion of the mangroves over the years from illegal land reclamation, has increased the risk of natural disasters and has threatened the ecology of the area.

Fig 2.25 Photo of mangrove site in Machar Colony (Photo taken by Paras Sidiqui)

Lack of facilities

Poorly funded schools and healthcare centres that do not suffice the needs of the habitants and the lack of education and awareness heavily impact the daily life and wellness of the people. Safety is also a big problem in Machar Colony due to gang wars and territorial control.

Fig 2.26 Photo of children sitting outside in Machar Colony (Photo taken by Zeeshan Lakhani)

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Scale Intervention

Defining edges and Main circulation

Total Land Size: 1.425 sqkm land + 0.36 sqkm encroached = 1.785 sqkm

Intervention on site boundary, connection towards the city and towards the mangrove forest

Segregating Land Area into Districts

1 2

3 5 4 8

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Providing and organizing environmental strategies, transportation, water supply and waste services on a precinct level

Setting up Neighbourhood units This scale deals with community level needs, public buildings, parks, social activities, safety, self-sufficiency and decentralized services

Fig 2.27 Diagrams showing scale intervention strategies (Author’s diagrams)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Total Population: 700,000 - 1,000,000 2 - 3 sqm / 1 person

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

District Land Size

Population ± per District

89150 sqm 94500 sqm 148000 sqm 108500 sqm 221100 sqm 146800 sqm 117770 sqm 112670 sqm 117750 sqm 150800 sqm 109200 sqm 262400 sqm

44,000 47,000 74,000 54,000 110,000 73,000 58,000 38,000 40,000 75,000 55,000 130,000

Neighbourhood Unit Land Size: 20,000 sqm - 35,000 sqm Population per Unit: 10,000 - 30,000

= 5000 people

Brief

"How to improve urban vitality and tranquility and solve environmental issues without displacement in an informal settlement like Machar Colony?"

Machar Colony is one of the many informal settlements scattered all around Karachi. Urban life does exists in the settlement, but with along many issues like safety, lack of awareness, poor health, social segregation, natural disaster risks and inadequate housing conditions.

This thesis aims to tackle not only concrete and environmental issues but also socio-economic-political unjust through a series of urban and architectural interventions and strategies.

Vision

The intention of this research is to improve the current situation of Machar Colony, not to displace or complete reconstruct but to seize the opportunities and cultivate them for the people giving them a sense of real belonging.

Community

Prevention

Growth

Sustainability

Quality

Harmonious communal living and connection

Resilience strategies against hazards

Self sustain economy and industrial

Sustainable living through recycling and awareness

Improve standard of living and provide services

Redensification

Open Spaces

Resilience

Strategy

Edge Treatment

Fig 2.28 Diagrams showing strategies (Author’s diagrams)

34

DESIGN STRATEGIES Redensification

Demolition

New construction

Fig 3.1 Diagrams showing demolition and reconstruction (Author’s diagrams)

100% ≈ 1,010,000 sqm

- 20%

Machar Colony faces typical planning issues like most slum settlements does: overcrowding, high density, irregularity, encroachment, inadequate housing, no public spaces and lack of infrastructure.

demolished for development

Reclaiming 10% of the total built-up area allows space for future developments such as public transportation, boulevards, green parks and open spaces.

10%

The demolished shelters and buildings will be replaced by new medium to high rise social housing and retail blocks on vacant lands and voids, for the displaced residents and even potentially new dwellers.

built-up replaced

+10%

for open space and circulation Fig 3.2 Diagrams showing demolition and reconstruction (Author’s diagrams)

35

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Morphology

1. Courtyards Demolition is required to create functional and voids for parks, courtyards and plazas, as well as for road access for vehicular or pedestrian circulation and ventilation.

Rearrangement of the informal urban aggregate to define negative and built spaces better increases efficiency and output in spatial design, and hierarchy between built and void spaces.

Dense and compact arrangement

Create courtyards to allow ventilation, natural light and shared communal space for residents

2. Accessibility Streets lead to dead ends and has no direct linkage to other nodes Breaking block to allow continuity in circulation and improve accessibility

3. Defined vs Undefined Unorganized composition of negative space and urban blocks

Rearranging blocks to define hierarchy of open space and maximize built layout

Fig 3.3 Diagrams showing morphology strategies (Author’s diagrams)

36

Public Space

Fig 3.4 Diagrams showing What Makes a Great Place?

(Diagram taken from Project for Public Spaces)

Less than 5% of the overall site is dedicated for circulation and public spaces, as the main priority for residents is shelter and housing.

With that being said, the quality of the urban life and context extremely minimal, this causes issues like safety, social segregation, accessibility, diseases and environmental well-being.

Establishing importance of community and urban features creates a new dynamic between the users and the space, and users with each other in the space. It paves way for new opportunities and social interaction.

Block

User x Open space

(Users + Users) x Public Space = Community

Fig 3.5 Diagrams showing public space strategy (Author’s diagrams)

37

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

(Nodes + Nodes) = Networking

Public Space placemaking elements:

1. Urban Pockets

Irregular rad access design, undifferentiated street space

Create urban pockets from underutilized spaces

2. Public Plazas

Low-quality design of void vs. built space allocation Transform left over spaces in street intersections into public plazas

3. Parks

Unorganized and dense arrangement

Demolish buildings for large public parks for community and environmental enhancement

Fig 3.6 Diagrams showing morphology strategy (Author’s diagrams)

38

Streetscape

"In a city the street must be supreme. It is the first institution of the city. The street is a room by agreement, a community room, the walls of which belong to the donors, dedicated to the city for common use. Its ceiling is the sky. Today, streets are disinterested movements not at all belonging to the houses that front them. So you have no streets. You have roads, but you have no streets."

- Louis Kahn, The Street Streets should be designed as a place, it shapes the urbanity and livelihood of an area both physically and psychologically. It plays not only a role in connectivity but also a communal space with social, cultural and political significance. It is particularly important in slums, as minimal living space has driven most household and daily activities out on the streets - meeting place, play area, sell and buy, even chores like cooking and washing.

Fig 3.7 Sketch of The Street (Sketch taken from Louis Kahn’s The Street)

Street design and reconstruction guidelines: 1. Encroachment

2. Widen streets for services

With little to no prior urban planning nor standardized plot sizes, most streets are encroached with illegal and uninspected extension of buildings and household activities, causing access paths to be extremely congested and narrow.

Demolition of said encroachments allows a clear access way; which gives pedestrians and drivers a better sense of orientation, spacious circulation and improved ventilation.

39

Irregularities in street size and typology gives pedestrians and drivers a poor sense of coordination.

Widening or combining streets to create spaces for services such as public transportation, linear parks and boulevard creates a level of hierarchy in circulation and identity in the urban space.

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

3. Ground floor connection to streets

4. Streets to connect public nodes

Currently there is very poor connection between the ground floor level of the buildings and the streets.

Using streets as a body of network between the different public nodes and a series of communal spaces and activities, as opposed to just a linkage from one point to another.

Commercializing or “publicizing” the ground floor level to shops, restaurants and other services and integrating pockets of open spaces and pedestrian paths, reactivates and improves the quality of the circulation space

5. Streets as a safe and multifunctional urban space Due to lack of open spaces or parks, streets act as a meeting place, play ground for children, market for vendors and access for vehicles all at once with no particular order.

It is important for streets to be multifunctional, however with dedicated pedestrian paths, urban space for activities, and separate vehicular access, to ensure safety and to respond to all needs and activities

The streets itself should also be treated as an whole urban entity for pedestrians.

6. Recycle waste for street construction A tremendous amount of waste is spread all around the settlement and this could be recycled. Plastic waste and bricks can be used to construct or renovate streets. Plastic roads are developed by incooperating plastic waste or composites into asphalt mixture, it is eco-friendly, more durable and offers higher weather resistant against rainwater and temperature

Fig 3.8 Diagrams showing street design strategy (Author’s diagrams)

40

Water

Water management is a huge issue in the informal settlement, without reliable infrastructure or construction methods for water drainage system, this site is highly susceptible to urban and coastal flooding. Most of the settlement is built on reclaimed land from, what used to be mangroves and wetlands thus causing subsidence as well. With increasing rainfall and as sea level rises, Machar Colony is suffering from high disaster risks every year.

Response to natural disasters in Machar Colony

1. Primary Drainage System Main water outflow towards natural water bodies

Fig 3.8 Graph showing response survey to natural disasters (Graph taken from IIED’s Human Settlements Group)

Average monthly rainfall in Karachi

2. Secondary Drainage System Flow from inner streets towards the main drainage Fig 3.9 Graph showing average monthly rainfall in Karachi (Graph taken from Weather Spark)

41

Fig 3.10 Diagrams showing water outflow strategy (Author’s diagrams)

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Flood Resilience Design Elements:

Retention Pond

Street Drainage System

Rainwater or surface runoff collection turns into a water park for a period of time - with stormwater treatment plant to provide greywater supply to households

Inclined street surfaces creating a series of “valleys” as sustainable drainage system that leads towards a natural water body or to a stormwater treatment plant

Elevated Ground Floor & Footpath

Permeable Surfaces

Pathways and ground floors are elevated from the street level to prevent flooding on the pedestrian level and water from entering into the building

Brick paves or perforated materials used for pavement construction and natural green/ground cover allows water to be absorbed into the earth thus reduces surface runoff

Coastal Flood Plains

Floating Buildings

; A setback of 20 to 30 meters from the coast allows space for high tides and natural flooding, this setback area puts a limit on buildings or extension to prevent flood damage risks to construction

Vernacular style “fisherman” houses on stilts allows water to pass or “flood” naturally underneath the building without causing any significant construction damages and minimizes risks of danger

Fig 3.11 Diagrams showing flood resilience strategy (Author’s diagrams)

42

REFERENCES Precedents

Copenhagen Strategic Flood Masterplan Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl designed a “Cloudburst Concretization Masterplan” addressing main problems of flood management and water quality of the city. The aim of the blue-green infrastructure is to sustain a long-term resilience plan whilst providing mobility, recreation, health and biodiversity.

Fig 4.1 Sectional diagram of cloudburst boulevard

Fig 4.2 Sectional diagram of cloudburst park

Weiliu Wetland Park Weilie Wetland Park is located by Wei River near Xianyang designed by Yifang Ecospace. The deterioration of the riverside landscape was caused by urbanization nearby. The strategy was to develop a green infrastructure for flood control, stormwater management, water quality improvement, waste water reuse and biodiversity restoration.

Fig 4.3 Bird Eye view of overall masterplan (Image taken from Landezine)

Fig 4.4 Photo of riverbank walkway (Image taken from Landezine)

Decentralized Urban Sanitation Designed by Julia King and CURE to improve people’s lives by building a community sanitation system in Savda Ghevra in Delhi. The design consists of a series of septic tanks and upflow filters black waste in households for reuse. The system can also be converted to conventional treatment plants if the government intervene.

Fig 4.5 Photo of reed bed from sanitation system in Savda Ghevra (Photo taken from LafargeHolcim Foundation)

43

Fig 4.6 Photo of underground septic tank under construction (Photo taken from LafargeHolcim Foundation)

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Maison du Brésil This project was designed by Le Corbusier, a high density housing complex. It is a residential hall for Brazilian academics and artists and exhibition space for cultural events. It is 5 floors with the ground floor elevated on piloti, with openings on either side of the building for light and ventilation.

Fig 4.7 Photo of facade of Maison du Brésil Photo taken maisondubresil.org)

Fig 4.8 Photo of courtyard in Maison du Brésil Photo taken maisondubresil.org)

Empower Shack Project This is an informal settlement upgrading project by Urban Think Tank, initiated in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Their proposal is to reduce existing building footprint by introducing a second floor and allowing more room for open space. The low cost housings are arranged around a sanitation and has incremental design for future expansion.

Fig 4.9 Photo of Empower Shack project houses (Photo taken from Dezeen)

Fig 4.10 Photo of Empower Shack housing prototype (Photo taken from arcspace)

NACTO Design Guides Guidelines provided by National Association of City Transportation Officials, a non-profit association for street design to improve urban scene and stormwater management.

Fig 4.11 Cover image of Urban Street Stormwater Guide (Image taken from NACTO)

Fig 4.12 Cover image of Urban Street Design Guide (Image taken from NACTO)

44

PROJECT PROPOSAL Overall Masterplan

Fig 5.1 Mangrove Fishing Village Plan SC 1:10000

Site Synthesis

Districts

Access

Infrastructure

The site is divided into districts and neighbourhood unit with own administration and services

Main boulevards and secondary streets established for hierarchy in circulation

Railway track used as new transit line that goes along the main ring road servicing all districts

District boundary

Main roads

Transit stop

Neighbourhood boundary

Streets

Transit line

Neighbourhood unit

Parking

Fig 5.2 Site synthesis diagrams (Author’s diagram)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Nature

Activities

Commercial & Production

Main parks and plazas in boulevards and restored greenery along coast to preserve and protect mangrove

Fishing village, boat building centre and jetties built on the coast to protect boundary and strengthen local industry

Development on vacant land to activate peripheral edge and increase economic value

Mangrove

Fishing village

Public park

Boat building

Water body

Jetty

Development

48

Streets 







 









Fig 5.3 Circulation & access masterplan (Author’s diagram)



Entry points

Primary Streets

Secondary Streets

Access roads

Railway

Boundary setback

Machar Colony is well linked to the major access roads of the city.

Mauripour Street runs along the perimeter of the site, this road is a connection between the West side of the city to the Port, and adjoining to Lyari Expressway. The main entry to Machar Colony from the city center is Ahmad Shah Bukhari Road which is perpendicular to Mauripour Road. Another entry point is from the West Wharf, the Port side of the city.

The main boulevard/grand streets in the settlement are identified and used an as “anchor” for inner streets to connect towards, these streets serves as a boundary and a reformation of the new district zones.

All streets are renovated and expanded according to its function pedestrian pathways, shared streets, access roads and main boulevards.

49

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Mobility

Street construction toolbox

Build access streets

Leftover space as plazas

Recycle

Existing fabric

Build

Using plastic waste found in site as material for road construction

Fig 5.4 Diagram of the wet and dry processes in an asphalt plant (Source: Brasileiro, Luzana; Moreno-Navarro, Fernando; Tauste, Raúl and Rubio-Gámez, Maria. 2019.

Reclaimed Polymers as Asphalt Binder Modifiers for More Sustainable Roads: A Review by the authors.)

50

Typology 1 - Alleyways These are small streets found behind and in between houses, they are intimate and solely for pedestrian.

Originally, the alleys are unpaved and full of construction debris and garbage, the proposed renovation is to first widen the alleys to allow more open space and ventilation, then pave it with grasscrete or brick and landscaping to allow a quality and secure environment for neighbourhood children to play with each other and for other social interactions.

Fig 5.5 Street Typology 1 - Perspective view (Author’s image)

51

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Fig 5.6 Street Typology 1 - Existing site photo (Photo taken by Zeeshan Lakhani)

6 - 20

1-2

8-

6 - 20

Fig 5.7 Street Typology 1 - Existing Section SC 1:250

6 - 20

1.5 - 3 1

6 - 20

6 - 20

Fig 5.8 Street Typology 1 - Proposed Section SC 1:250

Fig 5.9 Street Typology 1 - Proposed Plan SC 1:250

52

Typology 2 - Shared Residential Streets These streets are about 2.5 to 4.5 meters wide usually only meant for one-way traffic access to the houses and pedestrians circulation. The proposed design is to pave the street and build platforms or foyers in front of the houses for pedestrians only and as a buffer between street and home. The raised platform also acts as a prevention measure from water entering buildings from the street.

Fig 5.10 Street Typology 2 - Perspective view (above) (Author’s image)

Fig 5.11 Street Typology 2 - Existing site photo (left) (Photo taken by Zeeshan Lakhani)

53

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

8 - 20

2.5 - 4.5

8 - 20

8-2

Fig 5.12 Street Typology 2 - Existing Section SC 1:250

6 - 20

1 - 2.5

2-3

1

8 - 20

6 - 20

Fig 5.13 Street Typology 2 - Proposed Section SC 1:250

Fig 5.14 Street Typology 2 - Proposed Plan SC 1:250

54

Typology 3 - Access Roads Two-way traffic streets with commercial frontages on the ground level, in the existing situation, there is no differentiation or separation between different mobility needs. The proposed design has layers of space functionality - designated pathways and pocket plazas for pedestrians and vendors, the access roads are inclined towards the drainage for a more efficient stormwater runoff system. Landscaping such as planter boxes, trees and street lights increases quality of the urban space.

Fig 5.15 Street Typology 3 - Perspective view (Author’s image)

Fig 5.16 Street Typology 3 - Existing site photo (Photo taken by Zeeshan Lakhani)

55

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

8 - 20

6-8

8 - 20

Fig 5.17 Street Typology 3 - Existing Section SC 1:250

8 - 20

1.3

2.5

3

3

1.7

8 - 20

Fig 5.18 Street Typology 3 - Proposed Section SC 1:250

Fig 5.19 Street Typology 3 - Proposed Plan SC 1:250

56

Typology 4 - 'Green Corridor' Boulevards These streets are the widest, with two-way traffic, between 2 to 4 lanes and are has the highest amount of vehicular movement. One of the main streets in Machar Colony is Ahmed Shah Bukhari Street that connects to Mauripour Road and is one of the entry points into the settlement. It is the most bustling street aligned with shops and street vendors, it is also used as a dumping site for garbage. The proposed design is to turn these streets into boulevards with a linear park and clusters of pockets plazas, it is meant to be the main line of circulation and destination for social life and interactivity. Some buildings are demolished to create more space for pedestrian pathways and platforms outside the shops. It is a place for all users - pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and markets.

The linear park has a square that also functions as a floodable park during rainy seasons. It is a recreational hub, meeting place and the spine of the urban vitality in Machar Colony.

Fig 5.20 Street Typology 4 - Perspective view (Author’s image)

Fig 5.21 Street Typology 4 - Existing site photo (Photo taken by Zeeshan Lakhani)

57

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

8 - 20

20 - 40

8 - 20

Fig 5.22 Street Typology 4 - Existing Section SC 1:250

8 - 20

1.5

3

1

2

10

2

1

3

4

Fig 5.23 Street Typology 4 - Proposed Section SC 1:250

Fig 5.24 Street Typology 4 - Proposed Plan SC 1:250

58

Flood Resilience Design Shown is a schematic representation of the proposed water drainage system in correlation to flood prevention design. The main strategy is to direct surface water run off quickly to natural water bodies or collection sites in a low cost and sustainable way, This is applied in the multifunctional street and public design of the site.

Fig 5.25 Diagrams of water outflow and collection design (Author’s diagrams)

1. Primary Drainage System Main water outflow towards Lyari River on the north and Musa Lane Nullah on the south and the mangrove

2. Secondary Drainage System Water outflow from inner streets towards the main drainage that continues on to the natural water body

3. Water Storage and Collection Retention ponds and flood parks collects water runoff for stormwater harvesting and prevents streets from overflowing and natural lagoons store rainwater and coastal flooding

4. Green Permeable Surfaces Landscape parks and planter surfaces around the streets and urban pockets allows water to be naturally absorbed into the ground to aid against surface runoff

59

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Regularly used as a multifunctional park with recreational and sports activities for children and adults likewise. Also a gathering point, marketplace and space for events and etc.

Transforms into a floodable water park during rainy season and high risk disaster periods with surround green cover

Stormwater run off from connection streets to flood park, the retention pond collects water going through the treatment plant and reused as greywater for households

Fig 5.26 Exploded axonometric view of flood park (Author’s diagram)

60

Permeable surfaces green cover & pavers

Floodable park with retention pond and stormwater collection & treatment plant

Recycled greywater for irrigation

Elevated ground and pedestrian level to street level

3

1

3

2

10 - 20

1.5

3

1

3

2

10 - 20

Vehicular access

Footpath

Green park

Foot & Cycle path

Fig 5.27 Flood park section with resilience design SC 1:100

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Main Square

1.5

Pedestrian pathway

Drainage to water treatment plant

Permeable surfaces green cover & pavers

Elevated ground and pedestrian level to street level

Recycled greywater for irrigation

Inclinated street for water flow

Drainage to water treatment plant

3

6

0

2

1

3

6 Vehicular access

1

Footpath

2

Green park

0

Foyer & Pedestrian plaza

Stormwater collection & treatment plant

62

Mangrove Fishing Village The shoreline of the site is mostly poorly reclaimed land for building new houses, the aim is to limit the settlement from expanding outwards and to preserve the mangrove forest which has a very important role in the ecosystem of the site and protection against coastal flooding.

The fishing village is designed to cater to the fishermen and builders of the community and as a new agricultural and aquatic hub to the settlement. A new typology of piloti houses are introduced to the site - minimal damage to the land during construction and allows water to flow beneath and multiple other naturally/artificially built resilience systems.

Waterfront Park

Open green space with floodable area allowance, providing protection against buildings and upland regions against coastal

Fishing Village

Clusters of stilt houses and structures with connection to the river and mangrove for fishing activities

Natural Embankment

Levees built along the shoreline as a natural barrier against coastal flooding

Lagoons & Wetlands

Lagoons are built to regenerate the natural ecosystem and wetlands acts as a natural filtration for stormwater and defense against storm surge

Boat Building Village

Residents of Machar Colony are highly involved in the boating industry, including building, repair and sale, use for fishing

Jetty Ports

Parking for boats and entrance by sea to the settlement

Fig 5.28 Mangrove Fishing Village Plan SC 1:10000 Fig 5.29 Diagrams of coastal flooding resilience design (Author’s diagrams)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

4. Fishing and boating building villages as new agricultural and aquacultural hub of Machar Colony

3. Regenerate natural site and ecosystem by creating a green belt all along the perimeter, and invites recreational activities

2. Setback of minimum 30m from natural shoreline to allow flood plain areas, and to create a boundary limit with physical obstacles - like buildings or embankments

1. Define natural edge and water flow

Fig 5.30 Diagrams of mangrove site (Author’s diagrams)

64

Stilt buildings inside mangrove forest, with vernacular design elements and minimal disruption to the site Fig 5.32 Mangrove Fishing Village Zoom-in Section SC 1:250

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Fishing Village

Fishing Godown

Natural edge

Mangrove forest

Fig 5.31 Mangrove Fishing Village Longitudinal Section SC 1:750

Lagoons as natural water collection and filtration system, and for ecological revitalization

Settlement

Boundary edge

Embankment

Lagoon

Floating houses

Levee embankment along the coast between the mangrove forest and sea and the boundary of the settlement

66

Floating House Configuration

6m x 18m

6m x 6m

3m x 3m

A modular building typology is introduced to the village, with elevated ground floor on exposed piloti to allow construction on wetlands and in the water, at the same time allow water to naturally flow through without causing damage to the building or the site, a very vernacular and adaptive design.

The modular system begins with a 3x3m block.

The combination of these blocks creates different systems and functionalities. The simplicity of the modular system eliminates need for complex design and allows a more sustainable approach.

Size

Functionality

Structure

Configuration

Elevation

Volume

Built vs Void

Space

Production center

Living quarters

Formation

Storage

Mass

Fig 5.33 Fishing Village housing typology diagram (Author’s diagram)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Thatched roof made from multi-layers of straw or water reed

Timber roof structure

Recycled bamboo beams and columns

Woven bamboo walls and openings

Timber floor deck with attached services

Exposed bamboo piloti columns

Fig 5.34 Axonometric view of a Modular Housing block (Author’s diagram)

68

Local transit line to connect each node and point of interest along Mauripour Street and within the settlement itself, strengthening the urban importance and input of the belt

Important landmarks and public buildings social housing, mosques, centres, factories, along the belt corresponding to the landmarks across Mauripour Street to create clusters of nodes, redefining experience and attraction along the boundary of Machar Colony

Urban belt along Mauripour Street with recreational attractions to aid in stimulating urban activity and improve quality of space with green cover and pedestrian accessibility.

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Mauripour Street & Public Transportation There is very low connectivity and activity between Machar Colony, Mauripour Street and the neighbourhood context.

Although located very strategically, Machar Colony is still isolated from the city. Placing nodes along Mauripour Street act as a catalyst to trigger urban vitality in the area, and allows integration between different plots. These nodes are

Fig 5.35 Axonometric diagram of peripheral edge (Author’s diagram)

70

Commercial & Production Hub

Currently, this vacant plot is used as a dumping site for waste disposal and parking lot for cars and trucks. The design proposal is to reactivate and connect the boundary between Machar Colony and the neighbouring towns with a new commercial hub of housing and services for the site.

A new commercial hub helps boost the self-sustainable local economy and creates jobs and opportunities for residents.

Existing Plot Unoccupied void currently used as dump site and parking

Phase 1 Regenerate site with transit point and line

Phase 2 Commercial hub production warehouses and market place for local fisheries and waste recycle center

Phase 3 Residential hub - Med to high rise social housing for increasing new habitants

Fig 5.36 Diagrams of phases in commercial hub (Author’s diagrams)

Landmark building Lyari Sports Complex & Football Stadium

Social Housing Med-High rise affordable housing

Production Warehouses Boating, fishery or construction materials manufacturing Wazier Mansion Station Refurbished transit line & overhead connection

Marketplace Dedicated local fishery for fishermen to sell their products to residents or neighbouring towns

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Treatment & Recycling Waste management and recycling center

Fig 5.37 Axonometric diagram of commercial hub (Author’s diagram)

Fig 5.38 Commercial & Production Hub Masterplan SC 1:5000

72

Neighbourhood Unit 1 This neighbourhood unit is in the District 5 with a estimated population of 22,000 people. It is adjoining to Mauripour Road, and connected to the other part of the town by pedestrian links, transit points and public plazas that serves both parts.

A series of public squares and courtyards are designed to increase quality of space socially and environmentally, and new social housing blocks are built for the displaced residents.

Fig 5.39 Neighbourhood Unit 1 Overall Masterplan SC 1:2000

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Existing morphology Total built area: 26400 sqm

100%

Demolition diagram Demolished built area: 4900 sqm

-20%

Construction diagram New total built area: 24700 sqm

90%

Main boulevard street Access street Pedestrian path Public plazas Fig 5.40 Diagrams of urban morphology (Author’s diagrams)

Green pockets New buildings Demolished buildings

Proposed masterplan 10% added open space and voids

+10% 74

Fig 5.42 Neighbourhood Unit 1 Zoom-in Section SC 1:250

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Transit line

Transit stop

New Social Housing complex

Fig 5.41 Neighbourhood Unit 1 Longitudinal Section SC 1:750

Public square of new blocks

Mauripour Road with Pedestrian Bridge

Green Buffer

Key Plan

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Key Plan This centralized square is designed to serve the community and create a space for social interactions and activities for residents to gather in the neighbourhood unit. This space acts as a melting pot for residents of all ethnicity, age and cultures to engage with each other harmoniously, it aids in reducing social tension and class segregation as it open to the public and used by all.

Existing Plot Open space void and negative space with undefined functionality

Proposed Design New public square design for neighbourhood with landmark building that responds to the void

Open Space Urban space with surround greenery and open circulation towards the square

Fig 5.43 Diagrams of urban morphology (Author’s diagrams)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Main Square

Green pockets Landscape design to enhance environmental wellbeing

Central Square Multifunctional public space for activities - Gathering point - Market place - Community - Recreation - Urban vitality

Services Underground space for necessary services like sanitation or treatment plant

Landmark Building Social housing complex for displaced residents

Fig 5.44 Sectional axonometric perspective view of square (Author’s diagrams)

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Key Plan

1

2 1

3

Existing Plot

Dense irregular plots with inadequate accessibility

Proposed Design

Space for ventilation and access streets

Access street Pedestrian path Public plazas

Open Space

Green pockets Demolished buildings Circulation Ventilation Fig 5.45 Diagrams of urban morphology (Author’s diagrams)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

New streets and circulation

Morphology Sequence

2

3

Uneven encroached streets causes disruption in continuous circulation

Compact aggregate with no ventilation and undefined void

Allows for continuity and clear pathway

Rearrangement of aggregate to create courtyard allowing cross ventilation and quality of space

New streets and circulation

New courtyards and open space

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Neighbourhood Unit 2 This neighbourhood unit is in the District 11 with a estimated population of 13,000 people. It is adjacent to the main boulevard - Ahmad Shah Bukhari Street, the ‘green corridor’ designed for flood prevention.

Although this site is smaller, it is highly dense and provides little open spaces. The aim is to demolish buildings to create courtyards and pedestrian pathways for better circulation and quality of space.

Fig 5.46 Neighbourhood Unit 2 Overall Masterplan SC 1:2000

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Existing morphology Total built area: 23000 sqm

Demolition diagram Demolished built area: 4000 sqm

Construction diagram New total built area: 1700 sqm

100%

- 20%

90%

Main boulevard street Access street Pedestrian path Public plazas Green pockets New buildings Fig 5.47 Diagrams of urban morphology (Author’s diagrams)

Demolished buildings

Proposed masterplan 10% added open space and voids

+ 10% 82

Key Plan

Fig 5.48 Neighbourhood Unit 2 Longitudinal Section SC 1:500

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

84

Service Park

Existing Plot Demolish blocks to create open space for park and sanitation

Proposed Design Serves as an public green park on the surface

Proposed Infrastructure Space for sanitation system implementation underground - septic tank and reed bed

Fig 5.49 Diagrams of urban morphology (Author’s diagrams)

The shortage of open space in the neighbourhood units implements void into multifunctional spaces. This park also serves as an infrastructure for the decentralized sanitation sewerage system that serves the neighbourhood unit using septic tank treatment plants and reed bed system for waste water management, The schematic diagram of the sewerage system in the neighbourhood unit shows sewer lines running from blocks around the streets directing into the sanitation plant and the treated recycled greywater is distributed back into the houses for usage or water tanks for storage.

Fig 5.50 Schematic plan of sanitation system (Author’s diagrams)

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Key Plan

Outflow

Urban Space Open plaza and circulation

Inflow

Bio-treatment Effluent treated by reed bed

Treatment Underground chamber septic tank

Park Neighbourhood green park on the surface

Fig 5.51 Sectional Axonometric perspective view of sanitation park (above) (Author’s diagrams)

Fig 5.52 Schematic diagram of sanitation system (below) (Source: Decentralized Urban Sanitation: a proposal for Savda Ghevra resettlement colony, Delhi by Centre for Urban and Region Excellence (CURE) and Julia King)

1 drain field trenches Option to incorporate up flow filter into last chamber

Option to incorporate sullage (grey water) in septic sank

2 Small / shallow bore sewage to canal Toilet waste only

Outlet

Slope 1:50 Sewer

Scum

Planted grave filter Sludge

Outlet to: Re-use or option 1 & 2 above

3 Root zone (DEWAT) to clean water

1

2

3

4

Individual family houses with in-house WC

Intermediary stage connecting clusters of houses with the larger septic tank

Multiple-chamber septic tank or similar

Options for effluent disposal (in no Particular order)

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Key Plan

3

1

2 1

Existing Plot

Dense irregular plots with undefined void

Proposed Design

Space for ventilation and circulation with new landmark building

Open Space Access street Pedestrian path Public plazas Green pockets

New open space and circulation

Demolished buildings Circulation Ventilation

87

Fig 5.53 Diagrams of urban morphology (Author’s diagrams)

Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Morphology Sequence

2

3

Dense irregular plots with no open space

Dense irregular plots with no open space

Open space for ventilation and urban pockets

Create a series of courtyards between aggregates

New open space and circulation

New courtyards and circulation

88

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Regenerating Informality in Machar Colony: Public Spaces & Aggregates as Catalysts

Image of children playing in Machar Colony (Photo taken by KTKhan @ Flickr, 2009)

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