UNIT FOCUS Liveable Urbanism is a group of researchers and masters’ students from…
XIII Liveable Urbanism
TUTOR: DR SHIBU RAMAN
The Liveable Urbanism studio unit aims to develop an understanding of cities as a complex system and respond to urban challenges found especially in rapidly transforming cities. Kochi, a South Indian city with a population of around half a million, is the focus of the 2019-2020 studio. Working closely with the members of Indian Institute of Architects and other specialists, the studio unit developed a comprehensive and progressive vision for Kochi to set it towards a path to become liveable, sustainable and resilient city.
With an aim to develop an in depth understanding of Kochi and its complex social, spatial, institutional, environmental, economic systems and their dynamics we set out to develop a comprehensive analytical model of the city. One of the main challenges to our research was the lack of available geospatial, social and environmental data. The unit therefore deployed our own data collection tools and methods to develop the datasets. These include surveying the city, drawing up the base map, and combining it with existing data, survey of air quality across the city, documentation of details of urban fabric using 3D scanner and drone surveys, public opinion surveys using social media and questionnaires to create an up to date and comprehensive dataset that aided in our understanding of the city and the processes behind its transformations. This data collection was supported by extensive interviews with stakeholders which proved key to understanding the systems dynamics and complexity in Kochi.
Supported by this comprehensive and multifactorial analysis of Kochi, the unit developed a cohesive urban strategy that is inter-connected and flexible to drive the city towards a liveable, sustainable future while addressing current challenges and predicting future issues that the city may face. A particular themes within unit’s comprehensive urban strategy was detailed by each individual student who then went on to develop a detailed architectural proposal, acting as a catalyst to trigger Kochi’s transformation towards a more sustainable, liveable city.
JACK COWDREY
“THE CITY OF INNOVATION” Reacting to Kochi’s socially and environmentally unsustainable economic growth,…
SHANNAN KAMALANESON
“REVIVE THE WATERWAYS” The invasive Water Hyacinths have contaminated the waterways of Kochi; reducing biodiversity,…
KRISTAN LACY
” LIFE BETWEEN THE MARGINS IN KOCHI “ The project aims to address…
BECKY MAYO
“THE COOPERATIVE CITY” The city of Kochi is rapidly transforming into a commercial…
ELIZABETH MILLER
“Living with the Urban Monsoon” This thesis aims to increase resilience to floods,…
PARISHA PATEL
“Ārēāgyattinreyumṁ sandhustiyūteyum keācci [Kochi of Health and Well-being]” Non-communicable diseases account for 61.8%…
ZIYAAD OOZEER
“[RE]CONNECTING KOCHI” As per TomTom’s Congestion Cities Ranking, India is represented in the…
ALEKSANDER WAGA
“The Urban Regenerative Network” Kochi is a city of water, where commerce and…