Cities for Play
A project initiative to make Chennai a child-friendly city
Kannagi Nagar, Pilot Project Detailed Project Report
Prepared by
“
Play is not a luxury, play is a necessity. - Kay Redfield Jaminon
CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT 2. NEED FOR THE PROJECT 3. CASE EXAMPLES 4. TYPES OF PLAY 5. DESIGN PRINCIPLES 6. PROJECT SITE LOCATION 7. EXISTING SITE CONDITION 8. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS 9. DESIGN PROPOSAL
Image Source: 3:0 Landscape Architecture
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01 INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT School Low income housing (High density)
Convenience store Hospital Large format retail stores
Bus stop
Apartments (High Density)
Play ground
Park School
Business centre Parking lot Shopping mall
Residence
Gated community
Mapping a typical day in the life of a child The spaces & routes that are required to be safe and accessible for a child to be able to access them independently as a part of his/her daily routine
CITIES FOR PLAY is a vision rooted in the realization that very little has been done in the public realm to fulfill the needs of children in our cities. Children typically spend 16 hours or more in a day in their homes and community settings. Effecting change in the public realm through play not only contributes positively to their cognitive and motor skills and eventually their overall holistic development but also encourages ownership and responsibility towards maintaining our public realm.
Learn
Live
Play
Countries like USA, Russia, Germany on an average win 10 medals per million in Olympics India with a population more than 1000 million we should have had at least 10,000 medals But we have only 35. Can Chennai lead the revolution?
CITIES FOR PLAY is an initiative that places children as catalysts for reimagining our urban commons.
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02 NEED FOR THE PROJECT IMMEDIATE BENEFITS As an immediate offering, Cities for Play will result in the following SIX visible and tangible benefits:
1
2
New / Improved places for play in the existing
Clean neighbourhood
open areas in the neighbourhood.
Image source: ST+ART
Image source: KaBOOM
3
4
Places for sports
Places for active recreation & fitness
Image source: samacharjagat
Image source: KaBOOM
5
6
Places for intergenerational interactions
Safe access to the school & play spaces
Image source: KaBOOM
Image source: Urban Design Collective
6 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
CITIES FOR PLAY ALIGNS WITH MEDIUM TERM BENEFITS Child development • Children gain confidence by stimulating the imagination, social skills, empathy, resilience, motor skills, cognitive skills, logical thinking, speech • Learning problem solving, assessing risks, etc. through play • Interaction with built environment Health • Promoting physical activities thus improving health & fitness •
•
Promotes independent mobility , bone health, reduces risk of obesity and diabetes, motor skills. Brain development
Community development • Ownership of play spaces • Opens up career in sports • Opens up employment opportunities through sports quota • Improving passive surveillance • Develop & strengthen social linkages Waste management • Litter free surroundings LONG TERM BENEFITS • •
Creation of a sports hub in Chennai Uplifting low income settlements
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Individual level impacts
Community level impacts
•
Enough opportunities of play to ensure a holistic development of children in low income settlement where play is often overlooked as a essential element in everyday life
•
Wide beneficiary pool - Spaces that work for children work for every age group.
•
Turning unused spaces/residual pockets into a vibrant public realm focusing on children will allow them to develop the sense of ownership of public good.
•
Investing in children’s holistic development is investing in the future.
•
Allows effecting change for the entire neighbourhood incrementally instead of a piecemeal approach to improving development.
•
These neighbourhoods could turn into local talent scouting base for sporting franchises like Chennaiyin FC and eventually make Chennai the sporting capital of India
•
A unique approach to uplifting the quality of life in low income settlements.
•
Potential for scalability across several such settlements/ neighbourhoods across the city.
CITIES FOR PLAY WILL TRANSFORM CHENNAI TO BE
SAFE
HEALTHY
CLEAN
GREEN
Investing in children today For a better tomorrow 8 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
SECURE
03 CASE EXAMPLES OPPORTUNITIES IN PLACES OF LIVE
In between buildings Sports based play
In open spaces Adventure based play
Image source: dwell.com
Image source: Landezine
In open spaces Fitness based play
In open spaces Fun based play
Image source: KaBOOM
Image source: KaBOOM
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OPPORTUNITIES IN PLACES OF LEARN
In open spaces Learning based play
In open spaces Sensory based play
Image source: Urban Thinkscape
Image source: Pinterest
In open spaces Learning based play
In open spaces Learning based play
Image source: Urban Thinkscape
Image source: gehlpeople
10 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
OPPORTUNITIES IN PLACES OF PLAY
In open spaces Sensory based play
In plazas Fun based play
Image source: KaBOOM
Image source: Urban Thinkscape
In playgrounds Sports based play
In playgrounds Fitness based play
Image source: samacharjagat
Image source: kiddo.edu.au
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OPPORTUNITIES WHILE COMMUTING
In sidewalk Fitness based play
In bus stops Fun / Learning based play
Image source: KaBOOM
Image source: Bloomberg
In intersections Safe crossings
In crossing Safe crossings
Image source: 3m.com
Image source: designweek.uk
12 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
04 TYPES OF PLAY
Imagination based play
Fitness based play
Image source: gehlpeople
Image source: KaBOOM
Adventure based play
Tactical & Sensory based play
Image source: Landezine
Image source: KaBOOM
Fun based play
Sports based play
Image source: KaBOOM
Image source: NY Times
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05 DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Multifunctionality of space Image source: fiafoundation.org
Lighter Quicker Cost effective approach Image source: Anthill Creations
Using locally available materials Image source: Qnewshub
Using locally available skills/ expertise for construction Image source: Alarmy
Using recyclable materials e.g. End of life tyres (ELT) Image source: Anthill Creations
Juxtaposition of play spaces for different age groups to encourage cross-learning Image source: rethinkingchildhood
14 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
06 PROJECT SITE LOCATION Kannagi nagar has been identified as the first location to demonstrate the concept of cities for play based on the various parameters listed below and based on the willingness from Greater Chennai Corporation and Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board officials. Others parameters are:
Low income settlements
•
Based on need
•
Based on availability of public land
•
Potential for maximum impact
First row above: Images of children playing in Kannagi Nagar. Till January 2020 KANNAGI NAGAR One of India’s largest resettlement units
Since March 2020
In 2021
KANNAGI ART DISTRICT
KANNAGI NAGAR SPORTS DISTRICT! Prepared by Urban Design Collective | 15
ABOUT KANNAGI NAGAR Map of Chennai with Kannagi Nagar and localities from where they were relocated
No designated/ designed play areas in the walking proximity
Original locations from where all people were relocated
Girls are not found playing on streets
Kannagi Nagar
Zone Ward Households Population
15 195,196 24,057 > 1 lakh
Kannagi Nagar is one of Chennai’s earliest and largest resettlement colonies. Though it is collectively known as Kannagi Nagar, it is actually comprised of 3 resettlement sites - Kannagi Nagar, Ezhil Nagar and Tsunami housing - implemented in a phased manner since the early 2000s. Today, the area has a total of 23,700 houses and a population of around one lakh. Most of the people living in the tenements are slum dwellers who were rehabilitated between 2000 and 2010 by the state government. Following the 2004 tsunami, fishermen who were living along the coast in different parts of the city were also moved here. As a result, Kannagi Nagar has come to house people who were previous inhabitants of several different parts of Chennai. Residents of the neighbourhood face several civic issues and social issues on a daily basis for nearly two decades now owing to deficits in the physical and social infrastructure. Growing up in such an environment, children of Kannagi Nagar end up becoming the most vulnerable demographic. While several indicators of development are found lacking in Kannagi Nagar, the Cities for Play initiative seeks to address the aspect of child development as a way to bring about social sustainability to the neighbourhood. 16 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
Lack of employment opportunities
Residual spaces in the newly designed housing blocks could potentially become negative spaces
They are trying hard to break that stigma associated with them over the past
Legend Religious places Amma Unavagam Shop Ration shop Market Nursery school Schools Parks Vacant land Amenities
Suitable sites for the pilot intervention were identified after a detailed mapping of all the open spaces in the neighbourhood, lands ownership already transferred to GCC or if the process of transfer was initiated . In addition to the two CPS pockets, the pilot area also has a school and GCC owned park and proposed sports ground suitable for the entire Cities for Play concept to be demonstrated here.
TNSCB tenements Two storey Three storey Four storey Tsunami rehabilitation Tow a
rds
OMR
Polices station
CPS 2 CPS 1
Police boys and girls club
Government Hospital
Kannagi Nagar bus stand
Map of TNSCB tenements in Kannagi Nagar and Ezhil Nagar Prepared by Urban Design Collective | 17
Towa rd
Corporation Park
s Poli ce sta tion
Satellite map of the pilot project location
11607
Childr
en Pla
11661
- 1166
0
12417
y Spa
- 1171
4
ce - 2
Childr
y Spa
s Bus
stand
- 1241
Towa rd
18 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
0
en Pla
12363
Children Play Space - 1
- 1247
Children Play Space - 2
6
ce - 1
Sports Ground
07 EXISTING SITE CONDITION
Garbage dumping and sewage outfall along the building edges creating mosquito breeding spots
Water logging in site occurs even after light showers
Lack of adequate lighting and programming, leaving the site unused in the night and thus
Lack of green cover along CPS 1, reducing the opportunities for the space to be utilized during the day.
turning into a space for anti social elements
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Play areas not designed as per master plan even though the land is designated as Childrens play space (cps)
Damaged fencing making it hazardous for children using the space
20 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
08 PROJECT REQUIREMENTS METHODOLOGY Existing usage of site
Holistic development of a child
Design Principles
02
03
Other sports in Kannagi Nagar
Types of play
Project requirement
04
01
Existing site Condition
HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF A CHILD
Fine motor skills The ability to make movements using hands and wrists. eg: Throwing & catching activities, Hand eye coordination
Basketball
Mound Gross motor skills The ability to do tasks involving the whole body movement - large muscles, legs & arms. eg: Walking activities, Balancing activities
Skating
Calisthenics Endurance The ability to do something difficult for a long time
Outdoor gym equipments
Strength The quality of being physically strong
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CURRENT & PROPOSED SPORTING ACTIVITIES IN KANNAGI NAGAR OVERLAID ON A FITNESS MATRIX STRENGTH 100m sprint Swimming
Silambam
Football
Basket ball
TECHNIQUE
Tennis
Cricket Badminton Table Tennis
Karate
Skating
LUNG POWER
Volleyball
Kho - Kho Kabaddi
Marathon Boxing
Cycling
PAIN TOLERANCE Currently played in site
Played in Kannagi Nagar and accommodated in design
Currently played in Kannagi Nagar
Currently not played but accommodated in design
Played in site and accommodated in design
Currently not played but not accommodated in design
AREA REQUIREMENT Component Basketball court Kabaddi Fitness activities Calisthenics Mound Badminton court Skating corridor
Area requirement 30m X 17m 15m X 12m 7m X 3m 15m X 10m 10m X 6m 8.1m X 15.6m 2.5m wide
22 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
SITE CONDITION BASED REQUIREMENTS 1. 2. 3. 4.
Fencing Landscaping Cleaning & leveling Storm water drain
09 DESIGN PROPOSAL
List of drawings: 1. Existing layout - CPS 01 2. Proposed layout - CPS 01 3. Existing layout - CPS 02 4. Proposed layout - CPS 02 5. Proposed site plan 6. Proposed views - CPS 01 7. Proposed views - CPS 02
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Existing toe wall
Building number 12417 - 12470
5.7 m wide road
+/- 0 mm
+/- 0 mm
+/- 0 mm
Building number 11661 - 11714
CPS 1 - Existing Layout
T Polic owards e sta tion
Key plan (Not to scale)
CPS
2
CPS
1
Towa rd bus s s tand
SDAT
24 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
groun
d
CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project)
5.7 m wide road
SDAT sports ground
Existing fencing
Legend: Existing Inspection Chamber Trees Light pole
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3
Outdoor Gym Equipment (compacted red soil) A - Arm and Shoulder Wheel B - Double Cross Walker C - Twister and Leg Trainer D - Arm and Leg Strengthener All dimensions as per GCC playfield SOR
6
Proposed Storm water drain 55m length X 0.69m wide
2
Proposed Fencing (chain link) 17m X 5m & 30m X 5m
5
Fitnes (Ceme
Building number 12417 - 12470
+/- 0 mm
5
4
3
1
2
0
JUMP
+100 mm SQ
UA
T
MP
10
x
C
+100 mm
LU
NG
B
ES
10
x
JU
5.7 m wide road
S
IN G 10 JA x CK
D
S UP SH 0x 1
PU
A
+/- 0 mm
Building number 11661 - 11714
CPS 1 - Proposed Layout 4
Silambam/ Karate/ Kabbadi Zone (compacted red soil) 15.70m X 19m
T Polic owards e sta tion
Key plan (Not to scale)
CPS
2
CPS
1
Towa rd bus s s tand
SDAT
26 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
groun
d
5
Fitness Corridor (Cement flooring w
ss Corridor - 46.20m X 1.2m ent flooring with paint finish)
2
CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project)
Proposed Fencing (chain link) 17m length X 5m height
+100
SDAT sports ground
5.7 m wide road
m
+100 mm
- 46.20 m X 1.2m with paint finish)
1
Basket ball court - 30m X 17m (Cement flooring with paint finish)
Legend: Existing Inspection Chamber Trees Light pole
Proposed Trees
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Towards Police station
Building number 11607 - 11660
16m wide road
Shop
+/- 0 mm
Towards Bus stand
+/- 0 mm
+/- 0 mm
Building number 11661 - 11714
CPS 2 - Existing Layout
T Polic owards e sta tion
Key plan (Not to scale)
CPS
2 CPS
1
Towa rd bus s s tand
SDAT
28 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
groun
d
CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project) Existing fencing
Legend: Existing Inspection Chamber Trees Light pole SWD Manhole
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6
Proposed Fencing (sports net) 23m length X 3m height
5
Proposed Storm water drain 45m length X 0.69m wide
4
F C
Towards Police station
Building number 11607 - 11660
+80
+/- 0 mm
+900mm
16m wide road
Shop
+100 mm
+100mm
+900mm
Towards Bus stand
+/- 0 mm
+8 Building number 11661 - 11714
CPS 2 - Proposed Layout
1
Badminton Court 8.56m X 15.86m (Clay court)
T Polic owards e sta tion
Key plan (Not to scale)
CPS
2 CPS
1
Towa rd bus s s tand
SDAT
30 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
groun
d
4
Fitness / Skating Corridor (Cement flooring with paint finish) 46.20m X 2.50m
2
Mound - 10m X 6m (Brick & Ferro cement with pai finish)
Fitness / Skating Corridor - 46.20m X 2.50m Cement flooring with paint finish
6
CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project)
Proposed Fencing (sports net) 23m length X 3m height
0mm
+ 80mm
B
F
C
A
Existing SWD
D
+100 mm
5.7 m wide road
E
+ 80mm
80mm
int
3
Cube - 16.20m X 11.62m (MS structure on compacted earth floor) A - Swing Corridor B - Rope Climber C - Calisthenics D - Parallel Bar E - Balancing Beam F - Ring Bar
Legend: Existing Inspection Chamber Trees Light pole SWD Manhole
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Police S
tation
2nd M
ain ro
ad
1st M
ain ro
ad
Park
Sump
Towa r bus s ds tand
Prima ry schoo l
32 | Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report
Shop
T Polic owards e sta tion
CITIES FOR PLAY (Pilot project)
14th
cross
Build in 1160 g number 7 - 11 660
t
Build in 1241 g number 7 - 12 470
2
JUMP
0
1 2 3 4
5
1 KS
CPS
Build in 1166 g number 1 - 11 714
SQU
AT
10x
JUM
JAC G PIN 10x
CPS
stree
S
GE
LUN 10x
Build in 1236 g number 3 - 12 416
13th
cross
H UPS PUS 10x
SDAT
groun
d
stree
t
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CITIES FOR PLAY | KANNAGI NAGAR Proposed Views Site Location: CPS 01 Cities for play interventions (A) (i) Basket ball court (ii) Fitness area (Outdoor Gym) (iii) Silambam / Karate / Kabaddi zone (iv) Fitness corridor (v) Landscape Site development requirements (B) (i) Basket ball court fencing (ii) Storm water drain
44 | Cities forDesign Play - Detailed Project Report © Urban Collective
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CITIES FOR PLAY | KANNAGI NAGAR Proposed Views Site Location: CPS 02 Cities for play interventions (A) (i) Badminton court (ii) Mound (iii) Cube (iv) Fitness area (Outdoor Gym) (v) Fitness/ Skating Corridor Site development requirements (B) (i) Fencing (ii) Storm water drain
46 ©| Cities for Play - Detailed Project Report Urban Design Collective
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Investing in children today For a better tomorrow