RUSHI MAISURIA ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO | URBAN DESIGN STUDIO | UNDERGRADUATE | NIRMA UNIVESITY

RUSHI MAISURIA

STUDY AREA

OLD CITY , SRINAGAR

The study area is the Old City of Srinagar, characterized by its dense urban fabric and rich heritage. This area holds significant cultural value, showcasing a variety of old heritage houses that reflect the region's historical architecture. The site is uniquely bordered by two water bodies, the River Jhelum and the Baba Demb wetland. The River Jhelum flows through the heart of the city, while Baba Demb, a wetland, contributes to the biodiversity and natural beauty, making the Old City a remarkable blend of cultural and natural heritage.

BABA DEMB

DAL LAKE

STUDY AREA

Old City Photo Collection

GHATS IN SRINAGAR

HABBA KADAL BRIDGE

MARKET PLACES IN OLD CITY

IDENTIFICATION OF GHATS ON JHELUM RIVER EDGE

JHELUM RIVER EDGE

Strength

• Historical and Cultural Heritage Significance

• Vernacular Architecture

• Tourism potential

VISION

“Revitalizingthe Historicalcore ofSrinagar byenhancing naturaledgesandprioritizing watertransportationcreating harmony and opportunities forall.”

• Traditional Art & Craftmanship Promote Participate Perform

• PoliticalInstability

• Conflict

• NaturalDisasters

• Flood & Earthquake

• Encroachment on Natural Edges

Weakness

• Haphazard Urban Growth

• Environmental Degradation

• Infrastructural Challenges

• Water pollution

• Open Drainage System

PROMOTING SRINAGAR’S IDENTITY

Discovery and Revival

• Heritage Tourism Development

• Conservationof Heritage Structures

• Revitalisationof Adaptive Reuse

• Re-introduce water Transportation & Tourism Threats

Opportunity

STRATEGIC DIRECTION PLANNING INTERVENTIONS IDENTIFIED PROJECTS

Heritage Discovery and Revival

Waterfront Improvement

Wetland Development

façade Development

HERITAGE WALK

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF HERITAGE STRUCTURES

RETROFITTING AND CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS

WATER TRANSPORTATION ALONG JHELUM

IMPROVEMENT OF GHATS ALONG JHELUM

PRIORITIZING PEDESTRIAN PATH ALONG JHELUM RIVER

BABA DEMB WETLAND DEVELOPMENT

CREATING URBAN ENCLOSURE

Walk from Baba Demb to Raghunath temple

• Proposing conflictorium, exhibition place, rejuvenating old structures into modern use buildings by changing their function.

• Restoration of old houses which can survive more years by required intervention.

Re-introduce the water transportation system from Dal Lake to Old City Jhelum river stretch

Ghats on the river act as a public realm as well as boat drop-off spot for tourists and locals.

Ghats on the river act as a public realm as well as boat drop-off spot for tourists and locals.

Floating Wet Land Interpretation

Baba Demb water quality rejuvenation

Proposing Boardwalk , walkways , children park area , maintaining encroachment on wetland edge

PROMOTING PADESTRIAN STREET IN CORE CITY , CREATES THE FEELING OF ENCLOSURE WITH CINFINED FAÇADE TREATMENTS AND CONSERVING HERITAGE ESSENCE

POMOTION

MASTER PLAN

Waterfront improvement is a major focus in urban design. In the Old City of Srinagar, many old houses have their backs facing the riverside , leading to neglect and poor maintenance of this area. This has resulted in significant garbage issues . Additionally, walking along the river is difficult due to infrastructural challenges .

To address these problems, a proposal for the Jhelum River edge development has been put forward. This project aims to promote walkability along the river and enhance the neglected area, making it more accessible and better maintained.

PROPOSED

Along the Jhelum River edge , we have identified open spaces that can be used for s mallscale community gatherings . We plan to revitalize old vacant houses , maintaining them and repurposing them to meet the city’s needs. Three old heritage structures have been selected for transformation into a conflictorium, museum, and art galleries to promote local culture and history. Additionally, we are promoting pedestrian-friendly streets to enhance accessibility and walkability in the area.

BUILDING FACADE GUIDELINE

The old houses in Srinagar showcase the charm of vernacular architecture with their intricate facade designs and thoughtful use of materials . However, modern buildings often lack this visual connection to traditional Kashmiri architecture . In some modern streets, poorly designed compound walls can also contribute to flooding issues. To preserve the beauty of the old heritage structures, we are proposing Building Facade Guidelines . These guidelines aim to ensure new constructions harmonize with the traditional architectural style and prevent designs that detract from the historical aesthetic.

OLD HERITAGE STRUCTURES

NEW MODERN STRUCTUES

` Baba Demb was a freshwater catchment , but infrastructural challenges have disturbed its natural hydrology, turning it into a wetland with stagnant water. Lack of maintenance has led to garbage accumulation and encroachment . Our proposal aims to revitalize the wetland and balance the ecosystem through thoughtful human intervention and the restoration of flora and fauna . We initially planned to create public parks and recreational spaces, but realized this would encroach on and disturb the wetland. Instead, thus we identified islands within the wetland and plan to connect these floating islands, improving the water edge without harming the ecosystem.

It is important to understand the needs of the city and its residents . We are providing spaces like jogging tracks and children’s parks, which are lacking due to the densely packed buildings . These spaces will act as buffer zones for the city, ensuring the wetland remains safe and actively engaged with people . This approach will help maintain a balance between flora and fauna, preserving the wetland while meeting the community’s needs.

| PAUSE POINTS ON BOARD WALK

BOARD WALK

RESTING SPACE

CONNECTION

TEAMWORK

“Performing the role of a leader in our urban design studio is both enjoyable and a significant responsibility. Our team always works together, and as a leader, it is my duty to understand each member’s potential and assign tasks accordingly. I am thankful to my team members for their hard work and dedication, which has allowed us to achieve excellent results throughout the semester.”