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COMPARISION

from Significance and Experiential Qualities of Urban Wilderness: Case study in Vadodara

from Significance and Experiential Qualities of Urban Wilderness: Case study in Vadodara, page 4

DOCUMENTING SITES

Nature provides various life supporting and life enhancing contributions to people in the city. Because of nature, the human life is possible and worth living. All cities are dependent on the nature and its interconnected ecosystem within and around it, so it is essential that nature is considered as an integral part in urban Planning and development.

Many times when we think about Nature, with think of places which are untouched by humans. We also think as if it always exists far from the cities, but in reality the nature and the City are very well linked with each other. There is nature all around the city.

What is wilderness?

Wilderness can be defined as an area that is uncultivated, uninhabited or an area that has not been greatly affected by human activity. It is usually an undisturbed piece of land kept in its natural form.

Fig. 1.1 Meaning and definition of wilderness 1. Natural Wilderness 2. Urban Wilderness

Fig. 1.2 Difference between Natural & Urban Wilderness

In the course of this thesis, I have tried to see how wilderness can be found in urban areas and have focused more on it.

Presence of wilderness in the cities

As rural population starts growing, cities start to develop. Cities are often seen as urban areas with dense population, construction of large buildings and other structures.

In these types of dense urban settings there also lies small pockets of nature which are usually unnoticed and neglected by the humans.

Due to urbanization the nature has started to adjust itself with the human interventions. Only those species of nature exists which are able to adapt to the human domination.

Nature in its ecosystem, adapts itself to the change in season throughout the year. But, however human activities have caused a disruption to the biodiversity where many species are unable to keep up with such changes, resulting in habitat extinction.

Through urban areas have small pockets of nature, where the human domination is least and the areas are kept abandoned where nature has its own freedom to grow.

Human impacts on nature

In the book "Silent Spring", Rachel Carson tries to draw her attention to the undoubtedly dangerous effects of insecticides in the environment.

First, author describes an ideal American town where nature is preserved, the birds and orchards are busting with plants and animal lifestyle.

The pesticides we use have harmful effect, they are like nuclear radiation, invisible with fatal consequences that often appear more only after a long time. They are usually much deadlier and riskier then it's predecessor: 1. Higher potency 2. Slower decomposition 3. Tendency to pay attention to adipose tissue

The author also stress to highlight the damage done by humans to water.

With the unintended runoff of agricultural spraying adipose which go into the ground has contaminated groundwater with one or more toxins.

Pesticides which were sprayed which drowned into the fields with toxic chemicals, divested aquatic life in streams, estuaries, etc.

Humans have become so harsh towards nature that they have started killing birds, trees and other wild animals. Because of their extreme domination the natural ecosystem gets disturbed.

Importance of wilderness

Urbanization is a major cause of habitat loss and a major loss of biodiversity. With thoughtful city planning one can try to save biodiversity in the city limits where humans as well as nature have equal chance of expansion.

Plenty of more trees can help in improvement of air quality, connection of humans with nature can help improvement of physical as well as mental health. Small pockets of nature in the city can also help in boosting moods of the humans.

In the "Urban era", the relationship between city and the nature is a key challenge. Conservation of nature becomes necessary for the humans to have a balance between them. Protecting such natural pockets (wilderness) in the city can be beneficial for the people and will also help to protect the biodiversity.

There are no places entirely free from human impacts, but in wilderness areas human activities aren’t the dominating forces. Wilderness is extremely important and essential for human civilization. It is not only important in terms of their economical values but are also important for the ecological, environmental, cultural and experiential values. Some benefits of wilderness include protecting air quality, water quality, wildlife habitat, unique wild plants and animal species.

Economic Value:-

An economic analysis of wilderness may consider its direct and indirect values as commodities. Wilderness areas not only help us in protecting the environment but at the same time it is beneficial in local and national economics. Humans are dependent on natural resources for their survival, which are easily available in wild areas and hence natural resources can also generate economy from it.

Timber is the biggest source of revenue from forests. There are several communities for whom forest produce is the most important source of income.

It is said that "if it cannot be cultivated it must be extracted". That includes water, it is one of the most important resources for humans. It is needed in each and everything, from building of roads, dams, bridges to the things like plates, toasters and phones. Wilderness areas are a good source of water because of the minimum intervention from the humans. Many mineral and energy resources also come from earth, including fossil fuels, metal ores etc. But the process of extraction of these resources result in removal of forests and strong impact on biodiversity.

Ecological Value:-

Wilderness is usually seen as habitat for plants and animals which do not find their place in human modified geographies. Ecological values of wilderness include sustenance of water, minerals and biodiversity. These values help both humans and other animal species in t variety of ways.

As these areas are free of human intervention, they have clean air and water, which in return help humans for their wellbeing. They also help other plant and animal species to survive because these areas have balanced ecosystem where everyone has potential natural health and equal life support.

Cities also have such ecological spaces, which are packed with trees and vegetation and are home to many living organisms such as birds, insects, mammals, etc. Such spaces in the city not only help those living organisms but may also help create an overall balance in the ecosystem which are overstressed by human intervention.

Experiential Value:-

Urban areas usually consists of noise, pollution, crowds, etc. which create a negative effects on moods of human and somewhat effect health of people. Experiencing wilderness in different states i.e. viewing it from window to going outside in contact with the nature helps in mental wellbeing of the humans.

Wilderness can be experienced physically as well as visually, they both have qualities which are helpful for humans such as: - providing calmness, relaxation, mental resilience, etc. In different cultures, Wilderness is believed to help in cleansing mind and soul, connecting with supernatural powers or strengthening traditional values.

• In Bible, wilderness is stated to have several meanings: Land created by god, which needs to be preserved • Wilderness as a place of encountering god • Wilderness as a place for spiritual renewal.

Wilderness is also seen as a place for recreation by some. Across culture and history, people have attached many symbolic values to wilderness, where some may see these places as emblematic of other values they cherish, such as freedom and opportunity, or nature in general.

Value of Wilderness in Urban Areas:-

We are dependent on wild areas for our survival, from the air we breathe to the wood we use. Forest not only offers habitats for animals but also helps humans in protecting watershed, preventing soil erosion and also to mitigate climate change. Despite our dependency on wild areas, we are easily allowing it to disappear for the so called "development" of the city.

For a better quality of life of humans, there should be a balance in development as well as in preservation of such wild areas in the city so that it can help humans in many ways such as: - reducing urban heat island effect, providing fresh air, preventing soil and water pollution, etc. With thoughtful planning of the cities we can preserve wilderness areas with the city which would not only help humans but will also help the flora and fauna of that region, which otherwise would have been extinct.

Wildness is meant by an area where nature and its community of life is not disturbed by men. There are many efforts given in preventing and preserving this pristine, untrammelled wilderness. The concept of wilderness is not natural its human invention and it's build on myths. But all these myths are not bad, myths sometimes help nature to heal itself and also helps in creating a balance in ecosystem.

Sacredness

Sacredness means “Committed or devoted to a god or to some strict reason”.

It also means, uninhabited land, a "great and large terrible wilderness" in which people wander and desire great. This may be a place cursed by God. However, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness and later angels served him, it could also be a place of cleanliness and fellowship with God.

On the other side, the idea of wilderness in the Middle Ages is largely negative, wilderness are places where humans have to fight, where demons, monsters, trolls and demons live. They need to be tamed, civilized and live in harmony with divine order.

Biblical wilderness

Words that are interpreted as "wilderness" show up several times in Bible. The ‘wild’ was an exceptional spot where the Israelites set up their way of life as God's people by seeing God's grace, discipline and power.

Wilderness focuses on wildness, which is rich in biodiversity and has a quality of being unmodified by the humans, while in Hebrew memory, wild nature emphasizes primarily dryness (dessert) and human absence as a secondary feature. A "wilderness experience" gives feeling of eagerness and spiritual attack.

Jesus had an excessively "wild experience". After Jesus was baptized, the soul once sent him into the wilderness and he was there for forty days, tempted by devil.

Following are the meanings associated with wilderness one may derive from Bible: • An area for uncommon encounters • Absence of food and water • Isolation • Risk and incredible freedom • Recovery • Experiences with God

This records a search for isolation, for self-disclosure, for divine presence, but this process crucially appears to require the ambience of the natural environment. Tapovana: The Sanskrit word tapa means spiritual practice and Vana means forest. So, Tapovan are deep forests or wilderness far away from the worldly desires, ventured only by Rishis and Tapasvis towards achieving spiritual enlightenment. The Ramayana Ramayana is an epic story about the prince Rama whose is banished to wilderness for 14 years. Hence, numerous forests are the settings for a large part of the epic. Dandakaranya is one such forest considered sacred in Hinduism. It means the forest of punishment. It is considered sacred because many Hindu people and deities lived as refugee in that forest. The idea to uproot the rakshasa from the land was formed over here. It was believed to be a place where many deadly creature's and demons resided.

The Mahabharata

The instance of ascetics achieving nirvana or pleasing Gods are mostly located under trees, near rivers or lakes located deep in the wilderness.” The peace and purity of the wilderness helped the intellectual evolution of people towards achieving enlightenment.

Ephemerality:

The term ephemerality means “enduring a brief time-frame". It is often used to convey the temporal qualities of nature.

Artists have tried to capture the temporality and change in the nature through miniature paintings. They have tried to show the seasonal in nature throughout the year in the form of Barahmasa paintings.

Due to ephemeral nature of wilderness a visitor experiences different qualities of nature depending on the season.

Barahmasa Paintings – Indian depiction in miniature paintings

Barahmasa correspond to the length of a year which is a span of a time. “Barah” means twelve and “masa” means months. During these months, several seasons have occurred in nature, and human activities and landscapes with various elements (sky, birds, reservoirs, animals and vegetation) have changed.

Barahmasa in miniature paintings were created or executed in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The seasons are recognized and represented in all forms in the arts and literature of India and in its cultural landscape in general. Poetry, painting and sculpture have impressive depictions and descriptions of the seasons. The seasons in India are part of his ethics and life. Festivals are also celebrated in connection with the seasons. Barahmasa is a genre of poetry, a concept that has received many contributions. Indian paintings are closely related to literature.

Many important literary works have been represented in art and sculpture since ancient times.

The Barahmasa theme was performed in the Pahari Schools.

The Barahmasa series typically follows the Hindu lunar calendar, which begins in March, heralding the arrival of spring.

Fig.2.1 Chaitra (MarchApril), Barahmasa, Bundi, 1675-1700 AD Fig.2.2 Jyeshtha (MayJune), Barahmasa, Uniara, Rajasthan, 1775 AD Fig.2.3 Ashadha (JuneJuly), Folio from a Barahmasa, Kota, and 1700-1725. Fig.2.4 Jyeshtha (MayJune), Barahmasa, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 1800 AD

Fig.2.5 Bhadon (AugustSeptember), Jaipur, 1800 AD Fig.2.6 Bhadon (AugustSeptember). Barahmasa, Jaipur, 1800 AD Fig.2.7 Shravana (JulyAugust), Barahmasa, Jaipur, 1800 AD

The word ‘horror’ means things that are stunning or terrifying.

Magnificent experience has been characterized as a blend of feelings of excitement, pleasure and spiritual along with sensations of fear, which may also be seen as amazing, tremendous and complex.

Experiencing fear and pleasure during a wilderness perceived as powerful. Nature inspires sublime emotion. This is often produced by “horrid” landscapes like oceans, deserts, mountains, untamed jungles, and volcanoes have qualities that awaken fear, fright, and goose bumps, also as superhuman dimensions like eternity, infinity, and the divine.

The Ruins

Ruins are the remaining parts of a civilization's architecture, structures that were once unblemished have fallen as time passed by into a condition of halfway or absolute breakdown because of absence of support or conscious demonstrations of destructions.

Ruins are not actually acceptable indications of the fantasy world. These may represent trouble, pain, fear, threat, distresses, heartbreaks, misfortunes or substantially. From ancient settlements and miracles of the antiquated world to classical palaces and whole urban communities, a portion of the planet's most amazing sights bowed down to the powers of nature.

These present and growing ruins are the topic of conversation, through which the audience can reflect on the connection with the environment and therefore the balance between them.

Romantcism

Nature is very much associated with the romantic poets like Williams Wordsworth, who is also regarded as father of English romanticism. For him, nature did not only consist of mountains, trees and flowers but was also very special with powers and forces of its kind and also very divine. Many romantic poets regarded nature as a source of truth that provided deep insights into the human condition.

Not only poets but painters also had their own romanticism towards the nature. In romantic art, nature was seen as an uncontrollable power, unpredicted and has potential of extremes.

Many artists had a romantic ideation towards ruins where there felt that whilst nature can destroy humanity and it remains permanent and is impenetrable to man. They had also seen ruins as a "Nostalgia" which is obsessed with the sentiments of the humans. Hence romanticism of nature and ruins was explored by both poets as well as the artists and both had their own association with it.

In the 18th century, Romanticism aestheticized the ruin especially through the theories of brilliant and pleasant. Experts believe that this is the idea and image of ruins caused by certain catastrophic events or disasters, significant of the pattern of life and demise, emblematic of the certainty of life passing. Pompeii and Romanticism: A little more than a century later, during the 1700s, the remaining parts of Pompeii were recognized interestingly. It was the start of the Romantic period, and nothing offered more impeccably to the Romantic rationality than the mix of horror and amazement evoked by the scene of the smoking mountain approaching over the debris stifled city. -JSTOR Daily

Fig.2.8 Eruption of Vesuvius with destruction of a Roman city, 1824, Sebastian Pether

. Harmony

The term harmony refers to the point when things appear to be acceptable or appropriate together. - Collins Dictionary

Visual harmony is defined as a set of comfortable elements in the landscape, usually due to the sense of visual order, compatibility and the integrity of the topography, water shape, vegetation or structure visible in the landscape.

The expression "landscape" really gets from the Dutch word “landschap”, which initially signified "district, lot of land" however gained the creative meaning, "a picture depicting scenery on land" in the mid-1500s.

The advancement of the term in the Netherlands as of now was legitimate in light of the fact that the Netherlands was one of the principal puts that landscape had gotten a well-known subject for painting. The progression of decent canvas subjects put history painting, which included traditional, strict, fanciful and symbolic topics over any remaining subjects. Portraits genre (scenes of regular daily existence), still life and scenes were viewed as substandard subjects for painting.

Even as scenes got worthy as subjects in the 17th century, they were still frequently made just as settings for biblical, mythological or historical scenes.

Fig.2.9 Bridge with a Sluice, Jacob van Ruisdael, 1648–1649 In Bridge with a Sluice, Ruisdael made a conventional article amazing by making it bigger than the wide range of various components in the composition, in this way pointing out its utilization and situation in the open country. The slanting development of the rough street at the left draws the eye up toward the floodgate and afterward down to the land underneath. A solitary figure populates the scene, however the conduit represents the human presence in nature and human endeavors to control it.

-The J.Paul Getty Museum

. In the 17th century the classical landscape was born. These landscapes were influenced by classical antiquity and sought to illustrate an ideal landscape recalling Arcadia, a legendary place in ancient Greece known for its quiet pastoral beauty. In a classical landscape the positioning of objects were created; every tree, rock, or animal was carefully placed to present a harmonious, balanced, and timeless mood.

Fig.2.10 Classical Landscape with Figures and Sculpture, Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes, 1788 This is a charming and romanticized relic where human movement and design are in harmony with each other and with the common world.

-The J.Paul Getty Museum

. Later, photography acquired acknowledgment as a fine art craftsmen utilized the medium to make translations of the land through pictorials impacts and later, through proper pieces of close-up, edited perspectives on the landscape. In the second half of the 20th century, the meaning of landscape was tested to incorporate ideas like urban landscapes, cultural landscapes, industrial landscapes and landscape architecture.

Today, the landscape keeps on being a subject that specialists plan to examine the manners in which individuals identify with the spots and the effect we as people have on the land.

Fig.2.11 Ontario, California, Robert Adams, 1983 Two dead palm trees structure an X against a cloudy sky in Robert Adams' perspective on a vacant lot, east of Los Angeles. The trees were being evacuated to clear a path for advancement. As Adams went about making this photograph, he faced not only the harsh terrain but the hostility of neighbors. Despite such challenges, Adams often sees beauty in such places. This iconic image seems to underscore his philosophy: "the better the picture, the more disparate things are reconciled.”

-The J.Paul Getty Museum

. Earlier depiction of landscapes was done through paintings, where artists usually created their own perception of landscapes. Later photography of landscape came into existence where photographer captured the actual scene through photos.

Nature as resource

Resource is something that can be utilized for a reason.

Natural resources are resources that exist without any actions of humankind. This includes the sources of valued characteristics such as commercial and industrial use, aesthetic value, scientific interest and cultural value

The Mahabharata

In the Anushasana Parva (Book of Instructions) of Mahabharatha, after the incomparable Conflict, Ruler Yuddhistira, on the guidance of Shri Krishna, approaches Bhishma Pitamaha to gain from his rich experience and information in various fields. They examine finally on the different parts of administration and the subtleties of Dharma. Yudhishtira is quick to know from Bhishma himself, the prizes one would get for planting trees and burrowing tanks. Laying extraordinary attention on the benefits of planting trees, Bhishma clarifies that planting trees is praised as an incredible act of charity and would prompt distinction and wellbeing in this world and beyond. He also clarifies the significance of landscaping and surrounding the water bodies with trees and says that building such tanks would prompt the total of three: Dharma (Nobility), Artha (Wealth) and Kama (Pleasure).

The Ramayana

Chitrakoot means ‘the hill of many wonders’, and rightly so. Much of this region is made of ancient lava fields, but there are stretches of woods interspersed with streams and rivers. Chitrakoot is a lovely forest loaded up with organic product bearing trees where Rama spends the initial segment of his exile. Chitrakoot implies hills of many wonders. Quite a bit of this district is made of ancient lava fields, yet there are stretches of woods scattered with streams and waterways.

This backwoods is supposed to be loaded up with jackfruit and mango trees and deciduous in nature. Chitrakoot is treasure holding back to be found and Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana went through right around 12 years in this forest utilizing is most extreme resources. Ramghats run along the Stream Mandakini, the perpetual wellspring of water for Chitrakoot. The Smash Ghats are accepted to have been the supported washing spot of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. Param Kutir, said to have been based on the site of the cottage that Lakshmana developed utilizing woods from trees.

Forests as a Resource

During the 1950s and 1960s, as the American transportation system was on the rise, worry for clean air and water quality started to develop. A preservation development started to happen with the expectation of setting up assigned wilderness areas.

3 September 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act of 1964 into law. This achievement was accomplished by the endeavors of environmental conservationists committed to the insurance of probably the most stunning terrains in the US. In the US, public lands, for example, forests and fields frequently contain watersheds that have been minimally changed by human disturbance.

Forest Conservation in the US, as a movement started with the American athletes who went to the acknowledgment that deliberate misuse of wildlife and their habitat had led to the extinction of certain species, while different species were in danger.

Forests provide an array of benefits to human societies above and beyond their pivotal roles as habitat and environmental regulators in natural ecosystems. Forests provide clean water and air, timber for wood products, wildlife habitats, stable soil, and recreational opportunities, and they beautify the environment. Furthermore, they are also an important economic resource producing marketable timber. On the other hand, lands that have been designated as wilderness areas or parks will continue to provide many environmental and scenic benefits.

Natural Wonder

Sense of wonder is a natural site that was not made or modified by people.

Nature is the lovely and attractive world with many beauties and wonders. It is created by god for the purpose of human beings. In nature, no effort is made to create anything; the beauty on it comes naturally.

The beauty of nature is the simplicity, complicate, yet splendorous way of seeing character, environment, and the universe. It’s an immense and endless admiration.

Idea of National Parks

Many of the world's most scenic and historic places have been set aside for the use of the public as national parks. As Devereux Butcher so eloquently put,

"National Parks are spacious land... areas essentially in their primeval condition and so outstandingly superior in beauty to average examples of their several types as to demand preservation intact and in their entirety for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all the people for all time." The idea of national parks was perhaps the most mainstream thoughts the US at any point delivered. It originated from desire to protect unique spots for visitors’ present and future delight.

Since Yellowstone was assigned in 1872, the idea of what establishes a national park has extended significantly. The original focus on natural wonders has developed to incorporate sites that record human history set of experiences, teach, and raise the quality of life.

The improvement of American national parks reflected contemporary intellectual, social and economic changes that to a developing appreciation for wilderness and wildlife, a craving to get away from the increasingly urban places that resulted because of industrialization and the advancement of the automobiles.

With increased awareness of and sensitivity towards nature came the desire to save probably the wonders of landscapes and significant historical and social destinations for the happiness of future generation. There was a strong belief that people should have the right to visit these spots to experience.

Environmental Art movement

The environmental art movement emerged in the 1960s and early 1970s and primarily celebrates the artist’s connection with nature. Pioneers of the movement such as NilsUdo, Andy Goldsworthy, etc. became famous for creating site-specific sculptures and installations from found natural materials, then documenting his works with photography.

Environmental artists seek to investigate the human relationship with the environment through embedding their artistic practice within it. This changes the way one thinks about the site of artistic production. Environmental artists engage the natural world in a much more active and immediate way either by working in new ways outside, or by bringing natural materials into new settings.

In the twentieth century, close by rising worldwide concerns encompassing the condition of the climate's wellbeing, and our effect as people upon it, numerous specialists began making works as a team with the actual world to raise awareness of the dangers facing the planet and promote its conservation. Encourage communication and citizen participation to protect nature.

They aim to work in harmony with the natural environment rather than disrupt it.

Fig.2.12 Nest, Nils-Udo.

Fig.2.13 Sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy.

Vadodara is the largest in Gujarat and was earlier known as Baroda. The city is situated at the banks of Vishwamitri River. When it comes to the population of this city, it is near about 2 million as per the survey. The palace is a residence to the entire Gaekwad Dynasty and also the place where Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda stands.

When talking about the climate of Vadodara, Gujarat, the city experiences semi-arid climate. The hottest summer months here are April, May and June while the coldest ones are December and January. However, even the extremist of temperatures are bearable without causing any troubles to your regular life. In addition to this, the rainfall here is 93 centimeters or 37 inches on an average.

Places in Vadodara were explored considering the following points:

Search for wilderness

• Vacant lots (Public-Private) • Areas adjoining parks and sports grounds • Natural settings like river, streams and lakes • Roadside • Ruins • Grazing Areas • Religious, Historical • Spaces between the buildings

Fig.4.1 Vadodara Map. Vacant lots

Vacant lots

(Private properties)

Areas adjoining parks and sports grounds

Natural settings like river, streams and lakes

Roadside

Fig.4.2 Reconnaissance study.

Grazing Areas

Religious Historical

Spaces between the buildings

Some beautiful experiences

Fig.4.3 Reconnaissance study. • Least modified sites where wilderness has strongest experience • Spaces which give opportunity for people to connect with wilderness or are already being frequented • Variety of experiential qualities • Potential of experiencing biodiversity • Accessibility

PARAMETERS OF ANALYSIS FOR EXPERIENTIAL QUALITIES OF WILDERENSS

Parameters are derived from the literature survey and from reconnaissance study

1. Disconnection is felt when one is detached, isolated or have lost link to something. A quality or state of being remote from society.

Keywords: Isolation, Separation, Solitude

2. Boundaries indicates lines that marks the limits of something and divides it from other places or things. The most obvious type of restriction is the physical restriction. The physical boundary is a natural barrier between the two areas.

Natural and Man-made boundaries

Keywords: Barrier, division, control

3. Temporality and change is state of having some relationship with time. The temporal changes can point out a lot of parameters varying with time, such as seasonal changes or a change in day, noon, evening and night. Which allows temporality in trees, smell, transparency, colors.

Keywords: Sense of time, different, transition.

4. Complexity is the quality or condition of being difficult to understand or of lacking simplicity the complexity of a problem.

Keywords: Difficult, confused

5. Contrast is the difference in brightness or color that makes an object (or its representation in a picture or screen) unique.

Vegetation, elements

6. Variation is change or minor difference in condition, quantity or level, typically within certain limits.

Ground Levels

7. Biodiversity refers to the diversity of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, which is generally considered to be important and desirable.

8. Human Interaction means that occupies a particular place regularly, or for a period of time. How people perceive the space, responds to a space, intervention, activities.

Keywords: Adjustment, modification, Adaptation

SITE -1 Khada, Near MSU Fine Arts, Vadodara DISCONNECTION

Fig.5.1 Site-1 – Site Plan

Tea center is situated at a small place near MSU Fine Arts Faculty. The Tea center is not at the level of the Road but at a lower ground that slopes towards Bhukhi Nala, which is a tributary of Vishwamitri River. Close to the road edge, there is a tea stall which is frequented by people. The tea stall occupies a space which is Spacious and can accommodate large number of people on stone slabs kept at various levels flowing the natural ground.

Fig.5.2 Site-1 – View from site. Fig.5.3 Site-1 – View from site. Fig.5.4 Site-1 – View from site. Fig.5.5 Site-1 Analysis - Disconnection.

This space creates ambience which disconnects people from their routine life and gives an experience of solitude and closeness to nature. The sense of enclosure is emphasized due to the sloping ground that disconnects with the road at higher level and directly connects with the wild spaces at lower level, providing for variety or personal experiences. The slope plays a very important role in experience of the place.

BOUNDARIES

Fig.5.6 Site-1 Analysis - Boundaries

In this site, two boundaries are created, one is man-made and other is naturally formed by the vegetation. The boundaries which are created naturally have seasonal changes which allows one to experience different visual appearances. Whereas man-made boundaries remains steady and constant.

The space has a direct sense of boundary, manmade and natural. Urban areas used with idea of clear boundaries, whereas natural boundaries keeps changing providing opportunity to explore more.

TEMPORALITY AND CHANGE

Fig.5.7 Site-1 Analysis - Temporality and Change.

On the site, the group of trees define the spaces. Foliage of trees helps to prevent harsh and direct fall of sunlight on the ground. Also change in the density of foliage allows the sun-rays to fall as a mosaic of light and shadows. Sun creates patches of light on the ground depending on the way trees cover the sky and time of the day. Hence, the spaces are occupied differently through the day. The experience through the day is never constant due to change in sun direction.

COMPLEXITY

Fig.5.8 Site-1 Analysis - Complexity.

Fig.5.9 Site-1 Analysis - Complexity.

Fig.5.8: The tree here was fallen, it refuses to die and comes back with even more beautified presence. It also helped humans to interact with nature more closely. Fig.5.9: Whereas here is a complete different scenario as the growth appears violent and extreme creating a confused visual. Sun creates patches of light on the ground as the way trees covers the sky.

CONTRAST

Fig.5.10 Site-1 Analysis - Contrast.

Wilderness allows different viewpoints.

On this site, the contrast is seen in elements like tree trunks, sky and foliage of the tree. Large contrast is between foliage and sky. Due to hierarchy in vegetation, transparency is sensed which allows glimpse of sky. Contrast also occurs due to slope. Saturation, brightness is clearly visible, nature making the space photogenic.

VARIATION

Fig.5.11 Site-1 Analysis -Variation.

Levels of ground and growth of the trees allows one to experience dynamic and varied nature of the space. As the space is accessible, the variation in ground levels and the growth of the vegetation is strongly legible. Variation in sound heard throughout the day like in morning chirping of birds, in afternoon noise of traffic and in evening both is heard together.

BIO-DIVERSITY

Fig.5.12 Site-1 Analysis - Biodiversity

Here the biodiversity coexist with the human activities, by maintaining their respectable boundaries.

On this site nature is more dominating, yet humans are appreciating it. Bio diversity present on site attracts humans to visit such places.

HUMAN INTERACTION SITE -2 Behind SayajiBaug, Opp. Kamnath Mahadev Temple, Vadodara

Fig.5.13 Site-1 Analysis - Human Interaction

. Where the human activities takes place on a daily basis nature adapts the situation and grows in accordance to it. Where there is less or no human interference, growth of vegetation remains the same.

Experiences of visitors were recorded. People appreciate such kind of ambience. They feel this because of the presence of the tea center and the place is maintained and well known.

Most of the people love to spend more time. Though this site lack facility of seating, people are comfortable in sitting on different spots such as stone slabs, wooden logs.

Fig.5.14 Site-2 Site Plan.

The Vishwamitri River originates on the west and south slopes of the Pavagadh Hills. It flows west through the city of Vadodara. It has a unique ecosystem with a multitude of beautiful gorges from start to finish. Of great importance for ecology is the presence of the heavily protected species, the Indian crocodile. This place has a widespread quality which shows the vastness of bio diversity and varied experiences in the center of the city.

Fig.5.15 Site-2 View form site. Fig.5.16 Site-2 View form site. Fig.5.17 Site-2 View form site.

DISCONNECTION

Fig.5.18 Site-2 Analysis - Disconnection.

This pocket of nature in the center of the city is widespread, filled with various species of flora and fauna. Here the river acts as a clearance which allows the wider view.

One can hear chirping of birds, cows grazing and crocodiles basking on the river edges thus, this space gives an adventurous quality. All of these aspects helps human to disconnect from their ordinary life.

BOUNDARIES

Fig.5.19 Site-2 Analysis - Boundaries

This man-made boundary acts as a connection between nature and the city. People passing by take a pause to experience the nature from distance. The trio of water, land and vegetation creates natural boundaries which acts as a physical and visual barrier. Though city and nature coexists together human interference will not hinder the nature completely and nature will also make a way in the development of the city.

TEMPORALITY AND CHANGE

Fig.5.20 Site-2 Analysis - Temporality and Change.

This place goes through a noticeable seasonal change which allows different activities in the surroundings. In monsoon, growth of vegetation increases and water level rises up due to which, as seen in the first picture, basking and grazing activities gets a temporal pause. It seems to be that birds balances the scenario of the space in the absence of other regularly visible animals.