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Urban space revitalization is an initiative to ameliorate neglected urban spaces. India has accomplished milestones in infrastructure development in the past few decades. From the world?s tallest Statue, The Statue of Unity and the longest highway, the Atal Tunnel, to the world’s highest railway bridge Chenab Bridge, India has embarked on a journey to bolster its connectivity reinforcing the economic development.
One such kind of infrastructure development is the flyovers. Numerous flyovers have been extensively built over these years to connect regions, cities, and many more. What comes along with a design and project are the allied spaces and how they are catered. Likewise, with faster and easier connectivity, what this infrastructure brought with itself is the space beneath them. Over the years, the vacant space underneath the flyover bridges has become a home to the squatters or has been filled with litter.
The underutilized spaces, if refurbished, can adorn the urban fabric even more. Architects and urban designers have made efforts in transforming urban infrastructure by efficient use of the voids underneath the flyovers as public spaces to engage the community in numerous activities.
Probable community engagement through remodelling
Innumerable vacant spaces exist in the cities and towns yet they go unnoticed. For instance, voids between buildings, spaces under the flyovers, bridges, and verges alongside the railway tracks and roads have grown weed grass and heaps of garbage collecting on them. Ergo, functional repurposing of such spaces is crucial. Curating innovative public spaces on such vacant spaces gives an identity to these voids.
What impact does it have on not just the urban fabric but the community as well? It enhances the social engagement between communities and generates harmony. There is a massive scope for social cohesion between communities promoting cultural interactions. Integrating innovative recreational spaces ensures delightful urban environments. Isolated spaces bring a sense of fear for potential illegal activities and raise safety concerns. A safe environment is generated for people with these urban projects. Such projects have the potential to boost the economy significantly by providing opportunities for local businesses to grow with the increased footfall.
Besides achieving a beautified urban environment, flyover space utilization contributes largely to boosting a better environment, bringing down pollution levels. Adding green cover and plantation helps improve the air quality and reduces the urban heat. These attributes altogether help bolster urban biodiversity by unfolding innovative and sustainable solutions.
Going the extra mile with ?One Green Mile?
One of the urban beautification projects is being implemented on a buzzing street of Senapati Bapat Marg in Lower Parel, Mumbai. This unique project has gone the extra mile and set the bar high for future innovations in urban design. Designed in collaboration with MVRDV Architects and Studio POD, ?One Green Mile? is a remarkable streetscape design that has made its mark in the collective of urban design. This project refurbished the under-spaces of the BMC flyover. A creative and efficient public space is created underneath the bridge for pedestrians to spend some time away from the traffic and noisy streets. It also serves as a small playful space for little children and a space to pause and chit-chat for the elders. Unique features of this project, like a wide pedestrian walkway, independent cycle track, seating spaces, play area, adequate green cover, and overall functionality, draw people’s eyes. The varied concepts and functionality of this urban streetscape have become a design model that can be implemented in cities to improve the public realm.
Collaborative integration of architects and local communities
Architects, in collaboration with the local communities, can jointly work in refurbishing the vacant spaces. Practice through which we can formulate creative urban design is by opting for a holistic approach, taking into consideration the plausible attributes that could add or hamper the end goal. The involvement of local communities is the key to a conscious and responsive design. Incorporating the requirements and inputs of the end users ensures a successful and functional design. The primary intent of architects and planners shall focus more on broader aspects of community integration than mere structural integration. Functionality and aesthetics together formulate a notable spatial experience.?
Is revitalization of the underutilized spaces a worthy initiative? Reimagining the disregarded spaces into vibrant public spaces can foster communities and their participation. Neglected spaces often impose a negative impact on the community, environment, and the urban fabric. Mitigating the detrimental impact is crucial and has become a pressing priority for our community. Effective utilization of spaces underneath the flyovers can benefit urban inhabitants immensely. Identification of overlooked spaces is primary, proposing a functional repurposing that embraces the intent and context of its surroundings. Moreover, refurbishing the spaces beneath the flyovers and bridges not only benefits the urban setting but also helps enhance and preserve the natural environment and urban biodiversity. Ingenious planning of architects and urban planners and conscious efforts of the community can together aid the establishment of robust infrastructure and an inclusive public realm.