Role of Site Settings & Landscape in Planning of Historic Towns (Case Study of 'Amber,Jaipur' & Comparing it With 'Priene-An Ancient Greek City)

The study is intended to understand distinct layers of landscape that offer settings for historic princely town of Amber. The fort and the surrounding cultural landscape has evolved from 11th to 17th century, and the architecture represents elements of both Hindu and Islamic architecture, the surrounding landscape not only exhibits supreme defense technology but also features intelligent water conservation systems, recreational spaces & eye pleasing visuals.

Ancient Greek City Priene also exhibits similar crucial role of its landscape setting in its city plan evolution. Evolved from 3000BC onwards; the role of steep topography & adjoining river stream has been critical over its rigid geometric city plan.

Please look at the following video for entire study & comparison of the city planning & landscape settings of the two towns.

 

Nomadic Pastorals in Rajasthan- Study of Migration Between Jaisalmer to Bharatpur.

 

Villages in India has always been key focus areas for many researchers for intending interventions of development; however, Pastoralists in India have never received the due attention on account of fleeting & scattered existence. Presently 08 Nomadic groups have been identified in India that constitute almost 1 million of people comprising almost 7% of Indian population. Geographically nomadic pastoralism is highly evident in the drylands. In India nomadic pastoralism is mostly seen in Thar deserts, Deccan Plateau & Himalayan region.

The trend towards pastoralism is apparently on decline, urbanization, intensive agriculture & industrial activities could be sighted as prime causes for such consequence. However, the role of nomadic pastoralism in maintaining the ecosystem has to be accredited & at this onset it is essential to evolve a model to promote this activity with due diligence of government & other institutions that surely be one of the steps move towards sustainable development. 

Please see the following video presenting the entire study on this subject. 

Landscape Designing in a Historic Context Site: Roop Niwas Bagh, Jaipur

 

Room Niwas Bagh, located at the southern end of ‘Ghat ki Ghuni’, is one of the prominent examples of ‘Mughal Rajput Char Bagh’ garden at Jaipur. The ‘Ghat ki Ghuni’ precinct is known for its impressive assortment of 52 unique properties of great architectural grandeur and historical significance; Roop Niwas Bagh being one such among them. This garden is selected by me for our second landscape design studio project of designing in historic context.

On the selected site we were expected to perform following three interventions:

·         Relocating the pavilion or Proposing new interpretation Centre

·         Making the Entire Garden accessible for everyone, particularly the entrance.

·         Re designing the Parking lot for the Garden.

Revamping’ of ‘National Handloom Market Street’ at ‘Vaishali Nagar’ Jaipur.

 

Vaishali Nagar, one of the most affluent neighbourhood of western part of Jaipur posseses superlative physical infrastructure & civic amenities that has made the area densely populated in the past two decades.

The National Handloom Market of  Vaishali Nagar is the most dependable for local residents as it offers shopping facilities  for daily needs like garments & fashion accessories, food stalls etc.

And this street befits and suits as my area of study commencing my journey of learning Landscape design architecture.

The brief of the studio problem was very straight & clear. We were expected to identify a potential site  where a landscape architect could serve as a steward for conservation, prevention, and mitigation of a degrading landscape environment. Hence, a Site was identified for interventions that indicated environmental or social or cultural signs of stress for human beings as well as other species.