Ecological Rejuvenation of Maharashtra Nature Park and Mithi River
Mithi River, Mumbai, India 2020
Undergraduate Thesis
Chandigarh College of Architecture
Best Undergraduate Thesis Award
Rivers are a very crucial part of the urban fabric of a city. It provides the city with the most important source, water, that contributes to the culture of a place, its economy, the biodiversity surrounding it, and the overall environment in which it is set. It has been established that rivers have played a significant role in shaping human civilizations. However, now it is seen that the condition is deteriorating, and efforts have been made to improve the current situation. However, these efforts have made very little difference.
To bring back the lost relationship between the river and the city, there is a need to approach the issue sustainably. This can be done by following a structured framework that looks holistically at the development. The rivers in India have been put down in master plans very recently since there is a need to ensure proper development of the river and be a significant part of the cityscape.
This thesis aims to develop and create an ecological framework in developing a riverfront, keeping in mind the various river edges supporting it and how these edges will impact the river.
The Site
Site Mapping
Exhibition Spaces
In design, it structures the nature’s Golden Ratio theory into a tangible experience for the visitors. It is aesthetically aligned in design to create a sense of je ne sais quoi- a sense of curiosity for the following views and visual experience, thereby bringing a sense of appreciation of beauty through architectural harmony and proportion to the observer. It is the perfect portrayal of the sense of artistry and the X- factor the Golden Ratio brings to a structure when applied to design.
Conceptual Framework
The Exhibition Spaces/Galleries were planned keeping in mind the course of a river.The movement of pedestrian traffic is like a moving stream that is meandering,slow, the marsh and oxbow. The qualities of the stream help to generate a little motion plus interest in motion; interest, rather in things and details.
The modulation of a view. From a glimpse through loose foliage, to en framing a slot, to wider sector, to reverse interest, to vista, to object seen against the view, to reverse interest, to reverse interest, to recessed to full. The meandering pathway allows to frame view at points making the user curious to explore around.
The main idea of making a person go through the exhibition is done through controlled movement process where a person is forced to move along a path which guides their movement.
Community Outreach
The Community Outreach Center was to draw the people from the local communities - Dharavi; It was to engage the housewives and the unemployed members of Dharavi in earning a living for themselves through locally available materials and also through holding workshops teaching different types of skills, and also making them aware about the importance of conservation of forests and the importance of rivers in our world. This would intern help in generating a source of income for these communities.
Aquaponics
