Urban Design Portfolio

YOGALAKSHMI GUNASEKARAN

ARCHITECTURE

+

URBAN DESIGN

PORTFOLIO

* Brussels, Belgium

Personal Website: https://yogaguna17.wixsite. com/yogalakshmi LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ yogalakshmi-gunasekaran-104449bb/

Contents

1

Water Sensitive Urban Design

2

Urban Design

Adyar, Chennai

KK Nagar, Chennai

3 Handmade Urbanism Newington, Hull

4 Dynamic Urban Space City Centre, Sheffield

5

Integrated Project Neepsend, Sheffield

6 Illustrations

1 “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.�

Jane Goodall

Due to space constraints only an abstract is included in the portfolio. The thesis can be found online here: https://issuu.com/yoga_guna17/docs/arc6982_draft_gunasekaran_yogalaksh

The Inspiration behind the research Water crisis affects cities across the world. With depleting natural resources and shifting dynamics in global climate there is pressing need to address the issue. This particular research was based in Chennai, an expanding metropolitan city in India. Chennai faces water scarcity every summer while suffering from flooding in the monsoon season. The two extremities made life in the city harder for the residents. Being able to watch this struggle for years gave me the motivation to pursue this research.

The process explained By choosing this topic I wanted to study and understand how nature contributes to the physical fabric of a city and how the development of a city can affect the natural ecosystem and find strategies to implement so both the nature and the city can coexist.

The following are the specific research questions this thesis focuses on • To what extent are water bodies exploited in cities while planning at present? • What are the strategies and tactics that can be employed for people and nature to co-exist?

In general, when water bodies are affected it has a direct impact in the flora and fauna of the particular region. So, I believe by improving the water quality the chances of existence of flora and fauna can be improved significantly.

The study involved qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the existing issues in Chennai.

Initially to understand the water related issues in a city it is essential to understand the water demands for the city, how it is supplied, the source etc. In this case Chennai relies on three different water sources for supply which are ground water, metro water supply and lakes in and around the city. Further studying each source and its capacities it is understood that due to lack of maintenance of storm water drainage natural sources like rain water are wasted. The major three rivers running through the city are severely polluted. Apart from this there is also encroachment in water bodies due to expanding population.

Since the scope of the thesis is limited, this study is narrowed down to Adyar river. After in depth analysis of the history of pollution, sources of pollution, geomorphology etc. a case study method was approached to identify existing knowledge in this area and the solutions used in similar situations. In addition to this, the culture, the urban realm, the people living nearby and other aspect of urban design was analyzed. With all the above said data it was possible to provide context-based strategies that would eradicate these ecological problems in the future. The proposed solutions are discussed in the following pages.

Strategy 1: Identifying Pockets

Strategy 2: Broadening the Edges

Strategy 3: Landmark-Placemaking

The concept illustrated here indicates the step by step process of design. To enable connectivity between both ends and signify transition a platform is suggested which is then raised to give way for passing boats. The resulting structure will be a fusion between bridge and a building. with the functions of pedestrian walkway, camping area, learning hub and an observation deck.

Rendered Image of the Design

2

“Any town that doesn’t have sidewalks doesn’t love its children.’’

Margaret Mead

3 “Cyclers see considerably more of this beautiful world than any other class of citizens�

Dr. K. K. Doty

Rendered Image of the Study Area

4 “No one denies the place of swiftly moving traffic in the life of a town. It is the universal spread of traffic, its arrogant seizure of all roads, that calls for protest.’’

Gordon Cullen

5

“The cities have the potential to pull people apart , and they have the potential to pull people together’’ Edward Krupat

The purpose of this project is to gain expertise in different fields like planning, policy making, urban design and financial appraisal.

Neepsend is the home to Sheffield’s steel history but it’s derelict due to abandonment. The design reconnects the area with the rest of the city and improves its economic potential while making it attractive to live for the residents.

Rendered Image of the Design

Illustrations

Thank you :)