CHAPTER 4: CASE STUDIES AND ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 4

CASE STUDIES

4.1 Indira Niketan Working Women Hostel, Delhi 4.2 Low Cost Widow Housing, madipur, West Delhi 4.3 Frauen-Werk-Stadt, Vienna, Austria 4.4 Rudolph- Bednar Park, Vienna, Austria 4.5 The Lightbox- Restroom for Women, Thane 4.6 Women’s Opportunity Center, Rwanda

4.1 Indira Niketan Working Women’s Hostel, Delhi

Introduction

Indira Niketan Working Women’s Hostel was established in 1995 and is governed by NDMC (North Delhi Municipal Corporation). These hostels provide accommodation to women when they are working in other cities or their family members are not present in the specific city.

Objective of Working Women Hostel

The purpose of hostels is to • Provide accommodation to women whether they are married, divorced, widowed, working or their families do not live in the same city • Due to changing socio economic conditions and problems of finding an accommodation, the Government of India introduced a scheme in 1972-73 of grant-in- aid for construction of new/ expansion of existing buildings for providing hostel facilities to working women in cities, smaller towns and also in rural areas where employment opportunities for women exist. • Availability of safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women.

Though the Conditions of staying and the limits, rents are to be followed which are given in the norms for Working women hostels.

Under the Government of India, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is accountable for the laying down of such hostels and schemes.

Location

The building is located near the Sarojini nagar market, so that it caters to the needs of women and is surrounded by both institutional and residential buildings.

4.1.1 Location of the Hostel Edited By Author

The site has a singular built mass receding at the back with a recessed entrance. The site planning included dense vegetation, green parks, car parking and open gym for the residents. The interaction area is not developed and designed as per needs of women.

Fig 4.1(a) Site Plan

4.1.3 Entrance 4.1.4 Open Gym 4.1.5 Parking

4.1.6 Boundary The boundary conditions of the building are left untreated which could concern the safety and security of women residing in such areas. The edges could have comparatively denser vegetation and inclusion of spaces which could serve as resting or interaction spaces.

Common Facilities 1. Dining 2. Library 3. Study Room • Services 1. Kitchen 2. Storage 3. Service Quarter 4. Admin Office 5. Record room

Fig 4.1(b) Ground Floor Plan

Norms

For hostels to be constructed on public land, provision of a day care centre would be mandatory. Normally, for a 100 bedded hostel provision of 30 children should be made in day care centre. The Day Care Centre should have (15-20 sq. ft) per child including a small wash room.

Scheme for Working Women Hostel

The Ground floor of the hostel has different functions which are based on different needs of a hostel. The planning is not strategic and does not offer much interaction. Considering the needs of different women who comes along with their children, their is no day care facility and also visitor’s lounge.

4.1.7 Projected Entrance 4.1.8 Reception 4.1.9 Dining

4.1.10 Kitchen 4.1.11 Study and Common Area 4.1.12 Staircase

Fig 4.1.3 First Floor Plan There are total of 64 beds on the first floor and there is 1 toilet each for every 8 bed. a total of 8, 8 seater rooms.

4.1.13 Shelves 4.1.14 8 Seater Room 4.1.15 Common Bathrooms

There are total 18 4 seater rooms on the second floor and 1 toilet bathroom for each 4 seaer room.

Fig 4.1.4 Second Floor Plan

4.1.16 4 Seater room 4.1.17 Bathrooms

4.1.18 Balcony 4.1.19 Corridor 4.1.20 Skylight

The balconies are the major source of light and ventilation into the rooms and are majorly used for drying clothes. The skylight above the staircase for having central lit space.

Table1 Guidelines for Working Women Hostel

As per the scheme it is mandatory on the part of the organization to follow the norms of construction of building for WWH i.e. Government approval to building plan, construction as per approved plan, prior approval to make any changes in the plan or at the time of construction, estimate and rates as per schedule rates of PWD of the State, furnishing of certificates to that effect, certificate of acquisition of land by the respective organization etc. In regard to norms of construction of hostel building it was found that by and large, in majority (96 per cent) of the cases the hostel building is constructed as per the approved plan and by fulfilling the norms of the Governments. By and large, in majority (57 per cent) of the cases the management made changes in the hostel-building plan with the prior approval of the Dept. of Women & Child Development.

Needs

Safety and Security

Interaction

Landscape

The functions are not according to the needs like • Proper space for washing and drying clothes • No facility for day care and visitors • The need of medical care facilities • Proper hygiene and cleaning

Ensuring safety through • Informal Surveillance • Boundary walls • Visual Connectivity between Spaces

• Maximizing social Interaction by providing intermediate spaces for standing and talking • Continuous flow of movement through interactive spaces

• Increasing activities according to the needs and requirements of women in the landscape • plantations and tress • More benches and seating spaces ensuring visual connectivity with the outside and the surroundings.

Interaction can be increased without compromising with the safety and security factors.

Visual connections maintained between the residents

Fig 4.1.5 Promoting Interaction and visual connection in the Existing Landscape

The norms does not discuss the needs of interactive spaces and the areas according to the needs and behavior of women.

4.2 Low- Income Widow Housing, Madipur, West Delhi

Introduction

Madipur widow colony in west Delhi, built as part of the UN International Year of Shelter for the Homeless in 1987. Madipur widow colony was designed by in-house architects at HUDCO (instead of DDA as is common for resettlement schemes).

The housing has changed in appearance, as well as its surroundings, the housing was empty in the year 1994, but has changed completely over the years because of failure of housing to provide needful spaces for widows.

Objective and Idea behind design

The housing was designed with lower densities (161 units/hectare) to provide courtyards and followed a system of courtyards with rear pedestrian lanes. Each unit is of 20 sqm. consisting of • A multipurpose room • Bathroom • Toilet The houses were built with ‘low-cost’ technologies • low grade cement • wooden planks for doors • Brick latticework for windows The site planning relied on a strict separation between working and living spaces and a uniformity of dwelling sizes, designs, and courtyards. s. The presence of courtyards and a community hall reflected the fusion of public and private realms into a community realm; something that might be expected of elderly widows who could provide support to each other.

Location

SPACES

4.2.1 Location

The site area is 1.63 hectares, which was comparatively less than other housing projects( 5 Hectares). The amount of space (20sqm) in each plot was in keeping with other colonies. Each unit consisted of a multipurpose room, bathroom, and toilet on the ground floor and a provision for expansion on the first floor, reflecting an ‘incremental housing concept. The site planning relied on a strict separation between working and living spaces and a uniformity of dwelling sizes, designs, and courtyards.

Proposed and Earlier planning

Fig 4.2.1 Site Plan

The presence of courtyards and a community hall reflected the fusion of public and private realms into a community realm; something that might be expected of elderly widows who could provide support to each other.

The units comprised of 18 rooms with a central courtyard and a bathroom and toilet in each room.

The visual transparency of the brick latticework (instead of shuttered windows) and the oneroom dwelling was based on a resident who was single, and did not desire privacy. There is also an external entrance into the toilets.

With the absence of spaces which are crucial for widowed women, most of the housings were either empty or sold to others. The design does not include the possibility of widows with extended families or their children and relatives. The location of the widow colony made it difficult to access basic facilities such as grocery stores and public transport at that time. Third, community services such as the hall and market had not been built.

The widows which kept the houses with them, after having enough money transformed the spaces, along with different sources of income. The edge to the road was majorly developed into commercial area.

Fig 4.2.3 Transformed Plan

A positive aspect observed in this housing was the availability of space to their family’s use which they used to earn money by setting up small business or shops. It created spatial opportunities for the same.

Wooden plank for doors

Brick Lattice work for Windows

4.2.2 Unoccupied houses

4.2.3 Shops Residence

Shop

4.2.4 Small Businesses

4.2.5 Elevated Houses 4.2.6 Small Works by Tenants

Safety and Security

Since the site itself was not orthogonal, the orthogonal shape of the courtyards meant that there were triangular areas left out along the edges of the site. Thus creating unsafe places in the corners which are usually untreated and left dark. Can become an opportunity for people to hide in.

The external access to the toilet reflected a confidence both in the secure boundaries of this colony and in the lack of threat that the residents in this colony might pose to one another.

Spatial Opportunity

Interaction

Fig 4.2.4 Unsafe Edges on the site

Edited By Author

Though the plan does not prove helpful, but after the income it seemed to be quite helpful for the families of widows who could transform the space according to their needs.

The courtyards at the center of each unit, surrounded by houses, does proves interactive with a sense of security.

4.3 Frauen-Werk-Stadt, Vienna, Austria

Introduction

Frauen-Werk-Stadt I in the 21st municipal district was the first model project in this field implemented in Vienna (1993-1997). With 357 dwellings Frauen- Werk- Stadt I has promoting good neighborly contacts and promoting the works of women planners.

Objective and Idea behind design

The government of Vienna, Austria has taken up Gender Mainstreaming to transform their spaces which becomes safe and interactive for all its users. The key objective lay in supporting women in their care giving tasks, housework and family chores. Good-neighborly contacts were to be stimulated, and the housing environment was to be made attractive and safe. The main objectives of it being • Respecting the requirements of daily life means that all plans and designs must be evaluated according to the needs of different user groups and the effects they will have on these persons • Safeguarding frame conditions for high housing quality in the neighborhood • Tightly-knit route network due to appropriately sized building volumes • Differentiated availability of public sites, squares and open spaces

Location

Situated in the urban expansion area, the housing offers various interaction spaces for its residents, and safety security even in night, so that the residents could move freely.

4.3.1 Location and Built mass

The flats are designed in a way that they could be transformed according to the changing needs of the families and users, and different phases of life.

Fig 4.3.1 Flexible layout of Flats

4.3.2 The wide pathways and green areas 4.3.3 Buildings facing each other

4.3.4 Lifts provided so that pregnant women and women with children find circulation easier 4.3.5 Cantilevered kitchens to allow light and ventilation and also maintain a visual connection

List of criteria to evaluate the gender equity and suitability to meet everyday needs of housing projects by the planners

• Clearly organized Entrance Zones, allowing for contact with the surrounding flats • Barrier free entrance • Natural lighting for corridors and staircases • Communication enhancing circulation areas • Clearly organized car parks with direct access • Natural Lighting for car parks

4.3.6 Well lit staircases and entrances 4.3.7 Interactive spaces during circulation

Safety and Security

Needs

Landscape

The natural lit areas provide comfort and security More interactive spaces, pose to be safer due to more frequency The maintenance of visual connection from the apartments, informal surveillance is maintained.

The layout and other public spaces are designed in accordance with the needs of women, providing flexibility in apartments.

Attractive green spaces which makes everyone feel inclusive and promotes interaction

Fig 4.3.2 Visual Connectivity maintained

4.4 Rudolph Bednar Park, Vienna, Austria

Introduction

The park is a central open space of this inner-city development area. With a site of 3 hectares, competition for its design was with the main objective of gender sensitive park design was floated. The winning team is the Zurich-based studio Hager complied all the requirements by proposing a differentiated and well thought-out zoning concept for the park with tranquil zones (“neighborhood gardens”), sports zones and areas for play and exercise for all age groups.

Objective and Idea behind design

The government of Vienna, Austria has taken up Gender Mainstreaming to transform their spaces which becomes safe and interactive for all its users. The gender-sensitive design of public parks in Vienna may be called an ideal-typical process for the implementation of gender mainstreaming in planning. Based on a scientific study of 1997, which found that girls tend to withdraw entirely from parks and public open spaces starting at age 10 to 13. a study on gender mainstreaming in the design of parks and exercise offerings for elderly persons in public space was moreover carried out as well (cf. tilia 2007), placing an added focus on the diverse needs and possibilities to foster movement and exercise on behalf of older women and men.

Location

Located in 2nd Municipal district of Vienna , Austria, Rudoplh-Bednar Park is surrounded by residential buildings.

4.4.1 Location

SPACES

Fig 4.4.1 Site Plan

Moreover, a clearly structured footpath network, adequate visual axes and efficient illumination were included as well. A multi-functional plaza that is also partly shaded and covered as well as spacious multi-functional lawns provided additional important design features. The revised version of this winning project took further account of gender-sensitive planning criteria. Thus the footpath network was expanded to allow for circular walking routes in the park.

4.4.2 Vegetation not too dense 4.4.3 Wider Pathways and Visual Connectivity

4.4.4 Park Surrounded by residences Edited By Author

4.4.6 Ring Shaped Benches 4.4.5 Flexible Sub-zones for multiple Users

4.4.7 Toilets in Park

4.4.8 Well lit at night 4.4.9 Aerial View

KEY FINDINGS

Safety and Security

Needs

• Good visibility and clearcut organization of footpath system. • Visual Axes creating links to lively areas • Efficient lighting of main footpaths • Well maintained and clean public toilets

Spatial and Play related offerings • Play • sports games • Communication • Relaxation • Roaming, rambling, strolling • Taking account of interaction between different groups

Spatial Structure

Spatial and functional networking of open spaces and popular gathering places of children and young people by means of urban design Combination of smaller and large scale sub zones Design of spatial boundaries- Zoning of public open spaces by means of multi-functional boundaries that are also suitable for play Use of integrative play equipment

4.4.10 Different Sub Zones

4.5 The LightBox- Restroom for Women, Thane

Introduction

Designed by Rohan Chavan, with the client Sahej mantri the founder of AGASTI. The project is a restroom and a place of meeting for people passing by. It is constructed at various destinations in Thane, Maharashtra.

Objective and Idea behind design

The main idea behind the project is to add an intervention into the urban fabric of city, which would help especially women as well as people passing by. The concept behind it being to provide a ‘chattri’ shade for the users. Here a Restroom is a public toilet that is unique in terms of both form and function. Beyond the obvious toilet blocks, the Restrooms aim to provide women an exclusive social space, something that is a typical of urban landscape in India.

Providing a safe environment for women was as important as providing hygienic toilets. We have created space for an ATM machine and are looking to collaborate with banks that can provide this facility along with a security guard to make the restrooms more secured.

Fig 4.5.1 Conceptual Idea of shade

Location

The first prototype was built at Teen Hath Naka, due to the success of the prototype, it was replicated in 14 different locations. Each within a radius of 1 Km so at any given point the pedestrian is at a distance of 500m from the restroom.

Fig 4.5.2 Location of restrooms

HIGHWAY

Fig 4.5.3 Plan of Restroom

1. Indian W.C. 2. European W.C. 3. Niche for baggage/Babies 4. Wash Basin 5.Vending Machine 6. Bench 7. Gravel pit for trees 8. ATM 9. Nursing station 10. Bench 11. Diaper changing Tray 12. Handicapped Toilet 13. Main entry to restroom 14. Ramp to Handicap toilet 15. Folding door

4.5.1 Restroom At day time 4.5.2 Restroom At night time

“As a result of this intervention during the day the natural light filtering through the trees lights up the box and at night the box lights up the surroundings.”

ArchDaily

Fig 4.5.4 Planning of Restroom Edited by Author

Interactive space

Necessities

The center of the restroom is a garden measuring 15’ x 10’ that is used for various activities like a place to rest, a free gallery to display art for amateur artists, a place for lectures and awareness campaigns, celebrating festivals, seasonal activities and events. The central garden is a metaphor to spaces where people can sit and relax under a tree in shade and socialize.

Fig 4.5.5 Section of Restroom Edited by Author

The Restroom with toilet blocks is fitted with a bio digester to reduce use of fresh water and improved waste management.

KEY FINDINGS Safety and Security

Needs

Material

4.5.4 View of restroom

Colour Schemes

Polycarbonate Sheets

Stainless steel with perforations

Aluminium Composite panel

Stainless steel sheets

Polyurethane floor

4.5.3 Images for different material

• Good visibility and in the central area • Well maintained and clean public toilets • ATM and cctv cameras ensures safety and security

• Ramp and washrooms for the elderly • Changing trays and niches for the babies and their baggage • Charging points • Resting space for people waiting for bus, or need stop while walking • The roof of the Restroom is made up of polycarbonate sheets which allow natural sunlight to come in. Natural lighting reduces the production of harmful bacteria and organisms and is recognized as a natural disinfectant • The polyurethane flooring is not only an economical option but the industrial usage of the material makes it a good fit for a public toilet. The seamless nature of the floor eases mopping and sweeping and eliminate any dirt saturation that is common in tiled flooring. • High durability, water resistance and ease of cleaning make it fit for public toilets. While the ease of changing single panels help keep the maintenance economical. • The perforated walls help in cross ventilation of air while letting sunlight in. The perforated sheets also allow creepers to grow on them providing a fresh dose of oxygen in the day.

The red colour used in the centre of the restroom along with the Grey surrounding of the stainless steel, the red color intensifies and grabs more attention.

4.6 Women’s Opportunity Center, Kayonza, Rwanda

Introduction

Commissioned by Women for Women International, Women’s opportunity center was designed by Sharon Davis Design in Kayonza, Rwanda. Site: 2 Hectares Area: 2200 sqm The project was built in order to provide opportunities for women that would not only provide learning but would also empower them as a community.

Objective and Idea behind design

The most fundamental principles behind the design of the projects are:

Empowering Community

Create Economic opportunities

Rebuild Social Infrastructure

Fig 4.6.1 Basic Principle behind design

4.6.1 Images demonstrating design principles We chose the idea of a vernacular Rwandan village as our organizing principle: a series of human-scaled pavilions clustered to create security and community for up to 300 women.

Location

One hour from the Rwandan capital of Kigali, Kayonza is like much of this strife-torn nation: a place with few means but great promise. The site of the new Women’s Opportunity Center, located at a crossroads above a fertile valley, is an ideal arena for architecture that opens a new world of opportunity.

4.6.2 Location and Aerial view

SPACES

1. Gathering Space 2. Classrooms 3. WCs 4. Partner rooms 5. Administration 6. Guard house/ entrance 7. Rent-able/ market 8. Staff lodging 9 Guest lodging 10. Kitchen 11. Farm

Fig 4.6.2 Site Plan

4.6.3 Outside View of classrooms 4.6.4 Inside View of classroom

The center’s circular structures are modeled after the historic King’s Palace in southern Rwanda, whose woven-reed dwellings were part of an indigenous tradition that the region had all but lost.

Fig 4.6.3 Section of classroom The design draws on the delicacy of this vernacular Rwandan construction method with rounded, perforated brick walls that allow for passive cooling and solar shading, while maintaining a sense of privacy.

4.6.5 Farming and Plantations

4.6.6 Fields to learn and practice Farming The project also includes a demonstration farm that helps women produce and market their own goods. This Commercial Integrated Farming Initiative teaches women to produce income from the land through organic techniques geared toward commercial production.

4.6.7 staff Lodging 4.6.8 Partner Rooms

MATERIAL

Bricks were made on site by the center’s future users; in crafting the 450,000 clay bricks needed for construction – using materials found on site and a new, more durable manual press method we adapted from local building techniques

4.6.9 Bricks casted on site with WfWI logo

Inside Outside 4.6.10 Roofing Corrugated sheets are locally available in Rwanda, which is used for roofing.

Independent Roof structure, to create lightweight canopies, supported on tapered steel girders, which float above the masonry.

SUSTAINABILITY

Fig 4.6.6 Collection Through pipes 4.6.11 Collection through pipes Fig 4.6.5 Rain Water Harvesting System

Corrugated metal rooftops will harvest rainwater into a cistern before it evaporates. To save water all covers act as collectors sending the collected water reservoirs located underground to keep it cool and protect from light. Later this water is filtered through a filter that work with solar energy

Fig 4.6.7 Utilizing Animal Waste

Fig 4.6.8 Utilizing waste In place of pit latrines typically found in Rwanda – which pollute groundwater aquifers and are vectors for disease – simple, hygienic composting toilets that reduce water use while capturing nitrogen-rich solid and liquid waste. Our easily managed system naturally produces fertilizer that can nourish the farm or be sold as part of the site’s revenue-generating strategies.

KEY FINDINGS

Safety and Security

There are no windows in the classrooms offering a sense of security, the space between the bricks allow light inside. The design also keeps it insulated and prevents them from harsh sunlight, creating a sense of community.

Fig 4.6.9 Longitudinal Section through Classrooms

Fig 4.6.10 Creating opportunities for learning and empowerment

Flexibility

There are spaces which are used for gathering and learning, while the shop areas are flexible for promoting different crafts and selling of different items.

Needs

The needs are taken care of as per the common occupations and crafts that prevail in Rwanda. • The training farms for animals • Plantation farms to teach women the basics of farming • The basic concepts of business, hygiene and balanced diet These considerations eventually help women grow and make their own living

The involvement of the women during the construction of the project, and teaching them brick making includes them into the project, which helps the space feeling more inclusive. the guest lodges invite donors and visitors to partake in the experience of the program with the women. it is meant to build relationships between the students and sponsors around the world, helping to expand the facility’s social footprint.

Involvement and Participation

4.6.12 Local Women’s Participation

Material (locally available) Teaching, learning and including locals Empowerment

Opportunity Opportunity