The New Urban Centre

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MASTERPLAN STUDIO

Studio Brief

The studio focuses on the design of large Greenfield or cleared brown field developments with an emphasis on creating an urban form for livable neighbourhoods.

Mega-events impact the development of host cities due to their scale and catalytic effects. The Olympic games offer one such opportunity for the host cities to create new landmarks, improve and invest in its infrastructure and provide a backdrop for urban renewal.

India is set to bid for the Olympic games in the coming decade and Ahmedabad has been chosen as the host city. The studio unit brief in this context is to create a Game plan and Legacy plan for the same on one of the sites proposed for the event along the Sabarmati Riverfront. The focus is to create a framework plan that can maximize the use of facilities built during the events and create an urban form that is flexible, sustainable and inclusive.

Background.

1.1

1.2 Scope

1.3 The Mega Event

1.4 Methodology

1.5 Site Contextualizaion

Project Intent

Image Credits : Wikimedia Commons

1.1 Project Intent

The project aims to understand and develop a sustainable Olympic Park Design for the mega event in Ahmedabad. This will further evolve to be a Olympic Legacy catering to the needs of the city and the people. It also intends to understand the working model of such mega events and their impacts at the local and global context.

1.2 Scope of Project

The project focuses on developing masterplans for the Olympic event and suitable legacy for the same with contextual understanding of the past, present and the future. A detailed legacy plan is developed to suit the current needs of the city featuring the mega event as a catalyst.

1.3 The Mega Event

1.3.1 Introduction

The Olympic Games are the greatest sporting event in the world, bringing together the best athletes from around the globe and attracting millions of spectators. For the athletes, the Games are often the pinnacle of their sporting careers, offering the chance to compete at the very highest level in their chosen disciplines. For just over two weeks, the Olympic host city becomes the stage for this drama, a festival of sporting excellence and a celebration which has the power to move people and inspire younger generations to take up sport and pursue healthier and more active lifestyles.

For any host country, it is also the chance to write its own chapter in the history of the Olympic Games and to share in the unique values and spirit of the Olympic Movement. And yet the Olympic Games are about far more than showcasing a city and creating great memories. For hosts, the impact can and should be felt many years after the Olympic flame has been extinguished. They provide genuine lasting benefits, which can transform an Olympic city, region and country.

Source : Olympic games framework for the 2024 Olympics by the International Olympic committee.

1.3.2 Impact of the Event

Organizing large-scale urban events, like the Olympics, have become part of urban strategies by governments to improve the urban structure, to promote the city’s image in an international showcase and create economic growth. These major events generate attention, investments and potential for the organizing city and thus act as a development engine. Many cities showed that even without actually hosting such a major event a city could already benefit from the catalytic-effect to speed up existing urban developments

.

The image, branding and identity of the Olympic Games, changed over the years, from a modest sport celebration with minor urban impact, to an enormous festival, aiming for large scale sustainable development. However, the overall image the Olympic Games want to promote is the idea of Olympism, of sport as a means to global social development.

The relation between Olympic legacy and urban regeneration lies in the possibility of the defined legacies to resolve issues related to economic, physical, social and environmental conditions.

“ Olympic legacy is the result of a vision. It encompasses all the tangible and intangible longterm benefits initiated or accelerated by the hosting of the Olympic Games/sport events for people, cities/territories and the Olympic Movement. ”

- International Olympics Committee.

Note. Adapted from IOC Olympics Framework document by International Olympics Commitee

Awareness and importance of including a well-planned legacy framework in the post-event periods across countries.

Framework on how to include urban regeneration planning principles across city-level development plans

Raises the profile of the city, increased tourist income, long-term infrastructure investments

Design strategies for better use of Olympic venues to create value to the community (Improved quality of life)

Contribute

GLOBAL CITIES

Impact

Goal

OLYMPIC GAMES

HOST CITIES

URBAN REGENERATION

Infrastructure Improvements

More public and private investments and Developments

Environment Enhancement Improved Policies and Governance

Note. Adapted from IOC Olympics Framework document by International Olympics Commitee

OLYMPIC VICINITIES CITY COUNTRY GLOBAL CONTEXT

Note. Adapted from IOC Olympics Framework document by International Olympics Commitee

1.3.3 Phases of Event

• Pre Bid Phase - Before deciding whether to bid, cities and countries should develop an initial Olympic Games concept, which can guide their feasibility analysis

• Bid Phase - During the Invitation Phase, potential host cities should focus on developing the necessary infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the event. The host cities should also take into consideration factors such as venues, accommodation,transportation and security.

• Organization Phase - When the host city has been selected in the bid the city gets the fund and time to develop the said infrastructure as a preparation for the event. The formulated plans are executed and the event is conducted successfully.

• Legacy Phase - Legacy is a major part of the vision for the Olympic Games, and it goes to the heart of determining the rationale for hosting the Olympic Games and the value to be derived from them. Hosting the Olympic Games provides a powerful catalyst for cities and countries to invest in the future, with tangible and significant benefits. A clear vision and direction for the Olympic Games, aligned with the city’s long term development plans, will a tangible legacy be released. If managed correctly and incorporated into planning from the outset, the Olympic Games can have enduring benefits on the host city’s infrastructure, environment, economy, sport and society.

Adapted from IOC Olympics Framework document by International Olympics Commitee Note.

1.4 Methodology

The development of the Olympic Game Plan and the Legacy Master Plan needs extensive research and multiple stages to achieve the objectives. The methodology outlined discusses the milestones that constitute major phases of growth in either a group or an individual, as well as the actions required to fulfill those stages.

Site Selection

Case Studies

Preparation of Olympic Game Plan

Finalization

(Group of 12)

(Group of 12)

(Group of 12) Division of 3 sites Individual Legacy Plans

1.5 Site Contextualization

The site chosen for the Mega event lies on the banks of Sabarmati River at the periphery of Ahmedabad. The Site extends from the Largest Cricket Stadium - The Narendra Modi Stadium as it being a major catalyst for the further development of sports facilities in the area.

the site

AMC

AUDA Boundary

GUDA Boundary

1.5.1 City Level Connectivity

The site is located in between the Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad city centers, along the periphery and also is in close proximity to the narendra modi stadium, sabarmati riverfront phase 2, and job centers like GIFT city, Gandhinagar, Kalol. It is well connected to BRTS, MRTS and AMTS Road Networks and also close proximity of 6km to Sabarmati Railway station, upcoming Bullet train terminal, and 6km from the Ahmedabad airport. Overall Site is very well connected providing choices and options for accessibility.

Legend

Ring Roads

Highways

Railway BRTS MRT

1.5.2 The site and connectivity

The 3.8 sq km site extends from Sabarmati River in the South and S P Ring Road on the North. The Site is flanked by the Ahmedabad - gandhi Nagar Highway on the east which further extends to the Indira Bridge and connects to the airport. This offers a good opportunity of multiple entry points for the site which is necessary to handle the population of such mega events as well as for the legacy development. The major transit systems are located along the west edge of the site and are located a walkable distance from the southern part of the site. The well connected road system offers the advantage of multiple access points to the sites from these major transit routes thus providing an opportunity to handle the huge population of these mega events .

Note. the traffic pattern around the site depicts the area of major traffic congestion

Note.

The PT network accessibity depicts the nearest PT connections and the site’s accessibility to them

Note. The site is subjected to a height restiction of 24m in the bottom part of of the site and 36m in the upper parts of the site which leads to a mid rise development in the area near riverfront.

SABARMATI RIVER

NARMADA CANAL

AIRPORT

NARENDRA MODI STADIUM

MOTERA METRO

SP RING ROAD

1.5.3 facilities around the site

Predominant parcels of open spaces within the vicinity of the site extent are either under developed or not developed in general. Observing the various sports facilities within extent of the precinct, we can observe an adequate amount of varying sports facilities. But these being mainly private , make them unusable for people of all social classes hence not inclusive and promotes an opportunity to develop such facilities in the project.

Note.

The open spaces in the precinct are limited and are predominantly paid facilities making them less inclusive

Note.

Open spaces

Under Utilized Open space

The sports facilities available are paid facilities making them less accessible.

Stadiums/sports complex

Swimming pools

Skating rink

Gym/sports centers

Tennis

Public facilities

1.5.4 Upcoming Developments

The southern edge of the site which lies along the bank of Sabarmati is to be developed as apart of the Sabarmti Riverfront Phase II project which includes the delineation of the riverbed, construction of the riverfront road, 3 levelled promenade and a vehicular bridge across the river. This makes the riverfront vibrant and creates an dasset for the development to respond and leverage. The major intervention of the riverfront includes flattening of the riverbed to the proposed road level and this hence brings changes in the topography pattern of a major part of the site.

The Proposed Sabarmati Multi Modal Hub is also located at a close proximity to the site and hence leverages the intracity connectivity to the proposed site.

Proposed Vehicular Bridge

1.5.5 Topography and watershed pattern

The majority of the site falls under a single watershed implying that it collects all the storm water falling in that area. The streams (major and minor) direct water to the nearest catchment area, with the water ultimately flowing into the river. The new riverfront development will signficantly alter these natural water flows, but there is an opportunity to avoid flooding by retaining the major streams and maintaining an outlet into the river.

1.5.6 Site Features and Points of Interest

The site features vary across with respect to its proximity to the river. While the area along the riverbed offers a great view to the motera, the northern parts of the olympic site are developed farmlands. The Indira Bridge offers a view to the site along the riverfront edge.

1.5.7 Across the Site

the site transect shows the existing site conditions with the major portion of the site being occupied by the torrent ash pond and the receding riverbed which will be developed over the period. There is a constant disconnect of the neighbourhood with the riverfront which has to be addressed in the proposals as it being one of the important public assets in the locality.

1.5.8 Context and Access points

The site thus has potentials of developing a Olympic city with the job centres around and the neccessity for a better infrastructure as the demand drivers. The site is now being rejuvenated with the Sabarmati Riverfront project phase 2 which enables the minimal intervention in terms of contours and ecology as the land is reclaimed and rejuvenated. The site with roubust connectivity in the context allows multiple entry points that can be leveraged in the game plan or in the legacy masterplan. There is a constant need to connect the major public realm - the river front to the surrounding to make it vibrant and acitve.

1.5.9 Assumptions

To overcome the issue of speculating on future infrastructural advancements,owing to the event being held in 2036, the following assumptions were made before envisioning a game plan :

• The land chosen as the site for Olympics has been acquired from AMC and is a single ownership property under a developer.

• The Olympic games are taking place in 2022 (and not in 2036) and the legacy plan will be developed for the years following that.

• The Riverfront Phase II has been completed, the riverfront road is constructed and the site is leveled to the road before the Olympic games take place.

• The ongoing metro phase construction is completed before the Olympic games take place.

• The existing Narendra Modi Stadium will be utilized as one of the permanent venues in the Olympic Game Plan.

02.

The Game Plan.

2.1 Programming of events

2.2 Vision

2.3 Goals and Strategies

2.4 The Game Plan

2.1 Programming of Events

The Olympics Game Plan design starts with developing a suitable programming for the event to curate the necessary facilities. Case studies of previous Olympic park designs such as London Olympics and Rio Olympics are analysed and understood to formulate the program based on the city. For the purpose of the design it is assumed that the capacity of the proposed olympic park is around 90,000 per day. The event spaces are thus for academic purpose taken as reference from the existing structures and the game plan was developed as a time problem in a group of 12 students.

2.1.1 The Case of London - Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The 2012 Summer Olympics was held at London with the event areas spread across the city but at an accessible distance. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was the main venue which was developed for the olympics. The olympics park is located at the intersection of four boroughs in London. The main aim to develop this formerly demolished industrial development along with the Lea valley park was to reduce the economy gap in the locality and improve the infrastructure conditions of the locals.

Development Model - In April 2012, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) was formed to deliver the long-term planning, development, management and maintenance of the park and its impact on the surrounding areas after the London 2012 Games.

Environmental Sustainability - The aim of the olympics was to reuse, repurpose and recycle 90% of the soil and materials at site. The river was desilted and decontaminated and the soil was revived. As the green areas were developed, the air quality improved providing better living conditions. This makes East London as one of the largest urban renewwal sites in Europe

Legacy Planning - Prepared to promote and deliver physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration in the Olympic park and surrounding area by maximizing the legacy of Olympic and Paralympic games. Legacy plan is responsible to ensure long term success of the facilities.

2012 Olympic Event Plan

2030 Legacy Plan

The Venues - The Olympic Game Plan was developed with a number of sports arena and allied facilities such as Ahelete village, Media Press Centre, broadcase centre etc., to cater to a crowd of 1,80,000 spectators per day. The sports arena were designed as permenant and temporary structures based on the need of the city.

• The main venues such as the Olympic Stadium, Velodrome and BMX circuit , the Aquatics Centre along with the hockey and basket ball arenas easily accessible with the network of walkways and footbridges in the park.

• The Olympic Village was located in a walking distance which allowed the atheletes to have a experience of the Olympic park through a stroll.

• Venues such as the Wembley football Stadium, All England Club in Wimbledon for tennis, Lord’s Cricket Ground for Archery and horse Guards Parade for beach volleyball were borrowed for the events.

Zones - The Olympic park was divided into Olympic Zone, river zone and the central zone which were which were later in legacy were decentralized into zones with spaces holding a specific character or activity.

• North Park: Leisure

• South Park: Leisure, Big events

• International Quarter: Commercial, Residential

• Marsh gate Wharf: Commercial, Residential, Community space

• Sweetwater and Fish Island: Mix use (residential, employment and retail

Key Takeaways

• Inclusive design strategy - Designing for a diverse population, providing flexibility in use, creating communities that offer plenty of amenities and ensuring no physical barriers that can segregate and exclude.

• Sports and healthy living - Encourage community sport, events, healthy living, active lifestyle, leisure, recreation and play opportunities in the park.

• Socio-Economic benefits - Quality neighborhood, access to jobs, promote economic development and create new jobs.

• Community engagement - Communities feel a sense of ownership, public art installations, and creative space for diverse communities.

2.1.1 The Case of Rio - Rio Olympics masterplan

The 2016 Summer Olympics held at Rio Di Janeiro was designed by AECOM with a target population 2,00,000 spectators per day. The olympic park is located centrally to the other three venues which also hosted a part of the arenas, Copacabana, Maracanã and Deodoro. The main design strategy was to develop all the permenant buildings along the Aquatics centre, Rio Arena and the velodrome. The olympic park was developed on a area of 120ha with both permenant and temporary structures.

Design Concept - The concept was to create a long pedestrian ceremonial pathway connecting different venues to the live site. The Live site is an elevated walkway planned to be retained in legacy with series of interconnected skywalks, offering access to the indigenous rainforest. Along the ceremonial pathway, five pockets of rainforest villages, inspired by rare flora found in the Atlantic Rainforest is created to celebrate the unique characteristics of the rainforest. The overall vision for landscape and ecology was to have a clean, calm, and biodiverse new urban quarter that mimics the local natural environment.

Development Phases - The development was planned in three phases on the allocated 120-ha site. The first phase was developed for the Olympic Games, the second phase emphasizes the site’s transition stage of about seven years, while the third phase is social, environmental sustainability, and economic feasibility during the legacy mode.

Key Takeaways

• Linking different venues by central pedestrian ceremonial pathway with the intention of preserving the environmental qualities

• Sustainable and Flexible Planning Strategy by establishing a transition plan that outlines development of land parcels in the legacy

• Clean and calm landscape and ecology strategy

2.1.1 The Programming

Existing structures were used as a reference for the proposed masterplan. A list of sports events were curated with the necessary capacity and olympic arenas of the past were taken as references as the proposed structures. This enabled the group to build an understanding of the capacity, scale and the typology of permenant and temporary structures in the Game plan and their significance in the legacy development.

2.2 The Vision

The vision of the Olympic Game Plan proposal is to develop an Olympic park that is ecologically sensitive with an accessible public realm that interconnects the city to its communities.

2.3 Goals and Strategies

To achieve the vision a set of goals and strategies were established which were the primary setting for the design development. The formulated goals and strategies are represented in the following graphics as:

1

Goal - The site lacks sense of connectivity to the neighborhood so it becomes necessary to develop a well connected cohesive network with the surrounding context.

Strategy - Developing multiple entry points which lead access to the nearest neighborhoods opens up the opportunity for thoroughfare movement and creates the base to handle the floating crown during the event and the locals after the event.These entry points are further articulated by either landscape design or by providing commercial facilities that aid to the activity along the edge of the site

Goal - It becomes necessary to develop multiple assets and focal points on the site as they create a point of interest around which the other elements are tied.

Strategy - Developing an iconic stadium at the highest point of the site and integrating it to the other elements via a central spine enables us to create multiple points of interest along the spine.

Goal - With the site being rich in environmental values it is important to respond to these natural asstes such as the ash pond, the riverfront and the stream.

Strategy - By leveraging the existing stream pattern into a streamline creates a foreground to develop active public realm around it. The rejuvenated ash pond is used as a focal element to which the sports arenas are anchored. By placing the iconic Aquatic centre, Velodrome and the spirutual centre along the riverfront road create signature skyline pattern.

Goals Strategies

2.4 The Game Plan

The design of the event plan evolved as a way to connect to the existing surrounding and create articulated entryways into the olympic park that will be celebrated. A single continuous spine is designed to connect the two extreme ends of the site connecting to the various larger stadiums and will also accommodate the public transit route that goes through the site and connects to the existing route forming a loop. The various natural elements are rejuvenated to act as a foreground for the planned public realm. A singular ceremonial path is designed as a way to connect the stadiums around the redesigned stream.

2.1.1 Mobility Plan

The central spine of the event plan accommodates the main transit pathway that comprises the AMTS route. This is considered in accordance with the existing routes that will be extended to cater to the Olympic park , forming a loop through Motera bhat road. There are also internal feeder systems provided to transport people in private vehicles that form a loop from and to the different parking zones provided in the event plan.

Legend

Major Roads

AMTS Route

Feeder System Route

AMTS Stops

Existing AMTS Stops

Feeder System Stops

Metro Stations

2.1.1 Retained Assets

The entire olympic event site is divided into 3 parts of areas 1.1 sq.km, 1.1 sq.km and 1.6 sq.km respectively with varying natural assets and permanent structures retained like the olympic village, aquatics center, hockey stadium, iconic tower, football stadium, media village to cater to the neighborhood and their needs.

Rejuvenated waterbody

24m Sub Areterial Road w/ vehicular bridge

36m Arterial Road

Rejuvenated Stream

Iconic Structure

Hockey Stadium

Main Football Stadium

3.1 Olympic Urban Regenration

3.2. What does Ahmedabad need?

3.3 The Legacy Vision

3.1 Olympic Urban Regeneration

A city thats bids to host Olympics uses it as a tool to aid the long term vision of the city. Olympic is a sponsored event whch later becomed a piece of the city thus directing it towards the vision. This has a profound social impact on the area and the population as the infrastructure and living conditions are developed. The mega event acts as a catalyst for the development by creating identity and assets at the city level. These identity over the years have a market led development thus creating a new urban centre filled with opportunities. To have a successful legacy it is necessary to carry forwardsthe identity of the olympics through the years

3.1 The Barcelona Model

Barcelona is one of the most succcessful olympics which has a profound legacy. What sets Barcelona apart from others is its successful legacy development through the ‘Barcelona Model of Urban Regeneration’. We can observe that the city has used this as an opportunity to revamp the industrial city with improved infrastructure and facilities. Creating social spaces in strategic areaass encourages a social mix which keeps the place active and preserving its identity.

The Barcelona Olympic Venues

Note. The city regenerated its olympics venues spread across by developing publics spaces with the acatalysts developed, such as the riverfront , etc., This helped the city to develop multiple publics spaces which became city level identity markers. Image credits - Beyond Plan B. author: G.Insausti. Source: Beyond Plan B, Garcia-Ramon, M.-D., & Albet, A. (2000). Pre-Olympic and Post-Olympic Barcelona, a ‘model’ for urban regeneration today? Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 32(8), 1331–1334. https://doi.org/10.1068/a3331

3.2 What does the city need?

For the past decade Ahmedabad is aiming to compete with other global cities in terms of improved quality of life. Quality of life is predominantly supported by quality urban spaces. These urban spaces promote social mixing which subsequently improves the vibrancy and liveability in the city. Currently the available open spaces in the city are hardly engaging and restricted by time and accessibility. Thus in future the city aims to create accessible, comfortable and appealing public spaces which are currently limited. This creates an opportunity to develop such spaces in the city which is easily accessible and engaging throughout the day. These public spaces thus act as an identity to the city which aids in the city’s vision and development.

“Cities have the capabilities of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody”

- Jane Jacobs

Legend

1. Parimal Garden

2. Law Garden

3. Kankaria Lake

4. Sabarmati Riverfront

5. Motera Stadium

6. Vastrapur Lake

7. Symphony Park

The Legacy Vision

“To create a vibrant community that acts as a new urban center with an accessible public realm that invites people from the neighborhood and the city to enhance the publicness and create an identity and imageability.”

The New Urban Centre

Creating

04. Design Development

4.1 Site for intervenion

4.2 What Remains? - The assets

4.3 Goals and strategies

4.4 The Fragments of Masterplan

4.1 The Site for Intervention

The project intent is to develop a sustainable legacy plan for the mega event. For academic purposes, the 3.8 sq.km site is divided into three parcels for which individual legacy plans are developed with the retained assets. These act as catalysts to which the design responds to in the legacy planning.

Site 1 1.1 sqkm

Site 2 1.1 sqkm

Site 3 1.6 sqkm

The chosen parcel of intervention lies along the Sabarmati river with a site extent of 1.1 sqkm and a riverfront frontage of 1.7km which provides the opportunity to leverage the riverfront development as an additional asset to the site apart from the retained elements

4.2. What Remains? - The Assets

For a sustainable legacy it becomes necessary to retain atleast 15% of the built structure which is to repurposed or reused as a asset to the neighborhood. As mentioned earlier, the assets are retained in such a way that

Note. The Aquatic centre and the Athelete village are the built assets retained. The 30m spine runs across the site acting as a main connection along with the 24m road which leads to the East west connect with the vehicular bridge. The rained water bodies dd value as an ecological asset.

4.3. Goals and strategies CREATE

Maximise the potential of existing assets to capture the value of the space and create unique identity.

Riverfront is the largest public realm in the precinct. This neccessitates a connection between the riverfront and neighborhood

Creating city level open spaces accentuates the experience of the asset inviting people at the city level.

Constant movement is facilitated by developing pedestrian connections from the riverfront to the urban centre making it safe and active locality

Activate the developed public spaces for a vibrant and safe neighborhood

Develop builtform as a response to these open spaces such as the typology and built use

The open spaces are programmed to have a mic of active and passive activities which keeps the people engaged regardless of the time

Developing character areas that cater to the edge conditions helps to leverage the plot to its fullest.

4.4. The Fragments of Masterplan

The masterplan is evolved through a process of layering of the framework with the base assets and strategies set. This enables us to identify points of interest and provide facilities accordingly. The first step is lay the programmed open sapce across the main assets and the retained thoroughfares are provided with amenities such as instituitions, public buildings and landmark buildings at strategic locations that enhance the user experience. A series of plazas are provided along the riverfront road to have the experience of built and open continuously over the 1.7km riverfront road.

The retained assets form a base of primary roads and primary anchors further providing opportunity to develop on the legacy plan.

The plaza is aligned with the mixed use district which consists of podium type mixed use and commercial buildings along the edges with an active ground floor and at the interior is the residential units which are acceses by through shared street

On the other end of the plaza is the residential district with the plaza programmed as a neighborhood park. Luxury lake view apartments are provided with eco park around the lake for a mix of active and passive experience

Stage 1

Stage 4

Stage 5

City level open spaces are created aroung the assets such as the Aquatic centre, lake and the stream, A green loop connects the site through all the important elemenst of the site integrating various activities

Anchor buildings and public amenities are developed over the existing infrastructure which forms a framework for the future developments of districts with distict characters.

The western part of the site along the Aquatics centre is the insituitional district with integrated sports complex, school and hospital along the arterial road. Affordable housing is provided at north of it with easier access to PT.

The Eastern part of the site is activated by rich cultural heritage of the Koteshwar temple and a supporting cultural centre. A farmer’s market abuts the plaza of of the koteshwar temple surrounded by calm mid rise residences.

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 6

Stage 7

05.

The Masterplan

5.1 The Masterplan

5.2 How do people live around the open space?

5.3 How do these open spaces work?

INTEGRATED MASTERPLAN

The aim of the masterplan is to preserve the identity of the place developed during the mega event. Creating city level public spaces around the assets such as the aquatic centre, the lake and the stream developed the publicness of the space . These public spaces aling with the retained arterial roads form the main framework of the masterplan over which the builtform is developed as a response. The distrcits are thus developed with a response to these assets. Intituitions and amenities are provided along the arterial and suba arterial roads for ease of connectivity. Creating anchors on the main arterial road were one of the strategies to maximise the potential of it. The Central open space, though is fragmented by the arterial road, a pedestrian connection is developed which offers multiple views and vistas over the walk. Finally, the development of the iconic structures and skylines with the central plaza alon the riverfront aids to the goal of the project.

The iconic Motera Stadium integrated with the Aquatic Centre Sports Centre post Olympics. This hence will be one of the largest sports complex in the city.

The retained athelete village is partly reused as residential apartments and commercial complex

Aquatic Centre Plaza which comprises of the integrated sports complex and the open sunken sports plaza provides unrestricted access to the sports

The landmark riverfront road is fronted with podium typology commercial and mixed use buildings. The built to edge design enhances walkability and liveability.

The central plaza connects the neighborhood and the riverfront has a robust mix of programmes ranging from play parks, foutains and food trucks to celebration ground, pop up markets, etc.,

The water sports facility is retained and reused, the deck also offers an extends a physical connect with the river.

Proposed 24m vehicular bridge for East West connection which develops parallelly with the riverfront road

The plaza that leads to the temple is flanked by the farmers market on the sides which is parallel to the pedestrian street extending to the gamtal

Precinct level clubhouse on the edge of the retention pond and the riverfront for which is protected by tree buffer

The rejuvenated stream is led to a retention pond which then connects through underground to the river. Thick landscaping and leisure spaces provides the user with a serene experience along the trail.

Serene mid rise residences along the edge of the stream. The green trail passing through the block further connects to the stream

The iconic Koteshwar temple complex is extended with the plaza towards the riverfront. The cultural centre is placed in proximity in the district which holistically combines the elements

The rejuvenated water body is located amidst the eco park which comprises of themed parks, camping areas, plazas. The floating bridge extends to the deck to enhance the experience of the waterbody

The plaza that connects to the neighborhoods is located amidst the residential district comprises of neighborhood park facilities.

Luxury lake view apartments overlooking the lake and ecopark. The terraced form provides the users multiple viewpoints to the eco park

District level clubhouse amenities catering to the residential district and shared by the neighborhood.

Hospital complx located along the arterial road flanked by the transit plaza with PT network and the green trail which acts as a release point for the visitors.

Affordable housing district is located at the western end of the site which has easy access to the PT network on the Motera Road

Iconic commercial buildings are placed at the entry point of the main road

1.7 21% 15% Achieved FSI

Ground Cover Roads

5.2. How does the builtform around public spaces

Aligned with the central plaza is the plaza district with mixed use typology. This typology is predominantly due to th edge conditions where the block is fanked by the central plaza with robust activities along with the 30m arterial road which carries the main traffic due to the restrictions on the riverfront road and the 18m sub arterial which further leads to the 12m shared street which leads to the parcel entry. The parcel is defined with a vegetative hedge to maintain connectivity. The mid rise apartments have an occupied ground floor hence the parking is located at the basement which are accessed through ramps which are located along the central open space. The central pedestraian plaza allows the locals to have a better PT network system.

Mixed use podium buildings along the edge with active ground floor

Key Plan

Central

Mid rise residential blocks with basment parking facility

Sabarmati Riverfront transit plaza that connects the PT station to the pedestrian network and the neighborhood

Riverfront Sunken plaza to facilitate diverse activities

Inner courtyards with parks, sports facilities,seating areas and greens

On street Parking

Parks along the pedestrian connection with seating areas and greens

The pedestrian bridge that connects the 3 plazas

Entry to parcels are predominantly through shared streets

Transit stop for feeder connection

Integrated cycle loop along the arterial and sub arterial road

Open space framework

4.2. Guidelines

- Minimum 75% Built to line is to be mainained along the riverfront road

- The podium typolgy it to be maintained throughout to enhance a visual connectivity to the riverfront

- A minimum podium steback of 4m is to be given on all sides for the podium buildings

- A minimum of 4m stepback is to be provided for the stepback buildings along the central plaza

- Leisure facilities such as office cafes, restuarants or open active open spaces are to be provided on the podium

- 100% built to egde is to be maintained along the plaza to aid visual contuity.

- Active frontage with formal spill over activities are permitted along the edge

- If necessary only natural vegetation can be used as a boundary defining element with height no more than 1m

- A minimum of 20% private green areas are to be provided in each residential parcel

- basement access rampsa are to be provided adjacent to the private central green

5.2. How does the builtform around public spaces

Aligned with the central plaza at the northern part of the site is the lake district which are predominantly residential. The rejuvenated lake acts as a focal element around which an Eco park is created. The luxury lake view apartment provides an opportunity with its terraced builtform with view points to the eco park. The residential units along the central plaza opwn up to the plaza but with limited or no physical access from the plaza. The edges are restricted with vegetation cover to restrict the accessibility into private property. Ther other residential unites are typical courtyard typology with inner courtyard which facilitates the parcel level amenities such as play courts, leisure areas, etc., The access to parking of all the parcels are through ramps that are provided next to the central open space in the parcel.

On STreet Parking along the 24m sub arterial road

Transit stops for buses and feerders are strategically places to ease movement in the sit

Transit Plaza along the 18m lakefront road

Key Plan

Cylce track along the central plaza that connects beyond the site

Tree lined edge along the residences too ensure privacy and safety

Entry to parcels are predominantly through shared streets

Luxury lakefront apartment with a view opening to the lake and the eco park. he terraced form provides the users multiple viewpoints to the eco park

Pedestrian bridge connecting the three central open areas facilitating pedestrian movement across the neighborhood

Floating bridge on lake with a deck which can facilitate boating in the future.

Lakefront Eco Park with themed forests and gardens. It aims to provide peace and serenity with users

Mid rise inward looking residential blocks with central open space

Plaza along the edge which acts as a wait area for visitors

5.3. How do people use the open space? - The Aqua Centre

The Aqua Centre

Key Plan

The Aquatic centre during the event is used to its maximum potential. Large plazas and green spaces are provided as release points to manage the huge crowd influx. These spaces are provided with minimal intervention to aid to the spatial dynamics during an event. The Aqua centre loes along the riverfront road and is easily accessbile from the developed arterial road.

During Non Event days the sports complex along with the sunken sports plaza aids in activating the Aqua centre, these acts like subsidiary elements which promote vibrancy in the large open space. A green trail connects this Aqua plaza to the other iconic elements of the site.

memory installation

sunken sports plaza

5.2 Learning Outcomes

6.1. Conclusion

So to conclude, it becomes necessary to develop a social mix before the builtform as it is always “ first life, then spaces, then buildings” for a successful legacy. This mix encourages the movement of people and thus activating the space. When the space is developed it adds additional value to the existing riverfront as a landmark. People synergize the spaces and thus creating a vibrant public realm which the city is aiming at. Provding a mix of ativities in open spaces keeps them predominanly occupied and vibrant. The riverfront being a landmark by itself is accentuated by the addition of the new urban centre with the iconic skyline thus creating the envisioned identity and imageability.

6.2. Learning Outcomes

The studio’s focus was to develop a successful legacy masterplan. The olympic park being a unique case for a masterplan gave the opportunity to understand the city level impact of a global event. These events act as catalysts to direct the city towards its growth.

The studio also required a new understanding about the scale as the envisioned project was a back and forth process between the 3.8sq km olympic game plan and the 1.1sq km legacy development. Through the semester these were broken into smaller modules to impart a new perspective to the scenario.

The first module included site contextualization and hence preparation of the game plan which was a group work and i would like to acknowlege my peers for the same. It gave a better understanding of how a global event is carried over at a city level and how the city prepares itself for the upcoming event even years before it is conducted. It all begins rght from land allocation, infrastructure, connectivity,etc., The game plan was prepared as a group with this understanding of the context and by developing larger goals and strategies with the legacy plan in mind.

The retained assets formed the base or the legacy development plan and the framework was developed with a legacy vision and specific strategies and goals which makes it a successful and sustainable legacy development.

The framework helped to understand the various layers of the masterplan and its development. Understanding of the context and responding to it was the primary aim of the studio. The open spces and the built form strategies were developed as a response that would cater and add value to the masterplan.

Detailing of the blocks and open spaces made it easier to understand the hierarchy of the open spaces and the builtform. The guideline framework allowed to showcase the necessary interventions for the successful execution of the envisioned form.