UD Research

To intervene in areas within historic precincts while retaining sense, character of street
and improved quality of life.

Arpit Jain-a/2346/2011

ABSTRACT
When an area undergoes development, a planned urban design strategy needs to be
implemented which is sensitive to street sense, character and quality of life. These factors
need not be compromised and confused with other factors such as political influence,
stakeholders unethical demands etc. Thus, Cities will need to re-orient their way of thinking
by shifting towards transit oriented designs and conserving heritage during the same. New
buildings may be designed as such they are compatible with the existing historic buildings in
the precinct.
Keywords: Sense of streets, historic precincts, strategies, new construction, quality of life

Desirable urban infill/development in an area

How to intervene in areas with historic precincts.

Retaining sense, character of street and improved quality of life

When a certain area undergoes development phase, it is very important for the stakeholders to
perform a controlled growth of the area. Growth should be as such, congestion and urban
stress is avoided at all times. Architects, urban designers and planners form an important part
in carving out the image of a city. Developers /government officials influence the designers
to make a revenue generating model to maximize the output. In the process, streets and
infrastructure gets neglected which results in traffic jam for example. We need to consider the
potential of development required in/around the site. It means conditions of roads,
accessibility, parking conditions, existing population of the area, availability of public modal
transportation, historic buildings around etc. Thus, a desirable intensity of development needs
to be identified before making the proposed masterplan of the area. It doesnt mean we will
underutilize available land and resources.
A vibrant and sufficiently dense populated urban environment is well used round-the-clock
and during all seasons. It happens when close mix of uses are performed on a land parcel and
which are accessible to diversity of users (high income, low income, senior, children etc.).
Dense mixed use neighbourhoods also allow for the effective functioning of all types of
business, social and cultural activities with very low inputs of energy for transportation and
logistics. Cities will need to re-orient their way of thinking by shifting from car oriented
urban patterns (e.g. cul-de-sacs and expressways) to transit oriented urban patterns and
developments (e.g. mobility hubs, intensified corridors, and TODs). It will not only increase
the quality of life for pedestrian, and mass transportation but it also be the reason for
economic and social success when the fuel prices will rise up.
RETAINING SENSE OF STREET IN HISTORIC PRECINCTS
Cities and neighbourhoods needs to focus energy and resources on conserving, enhancing,
and creating strong vibrant places which are significant components of the neighbourhoods
structure and identity. These vibrant places needs to be an integral part to community life and

the public realm (parks, plazas, courtyards, civic buildings, public streets, etc.), thus, creating
a strong sense of identity. Heritage resources like buildings, structures, and landscapes
represents a significant opportunity for place-making i.e. through their cultural significance
and identity. These spaces need to be designed at urban level and the following strategies can
be adopted to develop within historic precincts.
Literal Replication
This strategy will likely sustain the character of an existing
setting so long as the historic elements to be replicated are
well understood. Newer development can directly respond
to the historic precincts such that significant environmental
investment (i.e. through their embedded energy) is
conserved and leveraged.
Invention within a style

Fig1. Cultural centre near Saket district centre

This strategy, while not replicating the original design, adds new elements in either the same
or a closely related style, sustaining a sense of continuity in architectural language. The
intention is to achieve a balance between differentiation and compatibility. It can be observed
in an auditorium near Saket district centre in New Delhi.
Abstract reference
The third strategy seeks to make reference to the historic setting while consciously avoiding
literal resemblance or working in a historic style. It sees the historic urban setting as a
resource to be conserved by means of deferential massing, but it doesnt engage in traditional
formal language at the scale of the building or its constituent elements.
Intentional opposition
This strategy is to develop with intent of contrast/opposition to the
context and the determination to change its character through
architecture. Sometimes contrast is the appropriate response to a
context that is weak and unsatisfactory, but we must be careful
while making such judgments. For example: Connaught place
around Agrasen ki Baoli.
Fig2. Agrasen ki Baoli, Connaught
place

Some of these strategies are adopted worldwide to cater historic precincts and guidelines
have been laid by their respective historical commission to govern the same. For example:
Philadelphia Historical Commission states the following guidelines for development in areas
with historic precincts:

All new construction should be compatible with the size, scale, colour, material and
character of the property and the neighbourhood. Taking hints from the surroundings
is a good way to ensure sensitive new construction in the district.

Building height is one of the strongest design guidelines for new construction. The
height of adjacent buildings will help dictate the height of new construction.

Try to use brick that is similar and is the most common building material found in the
district.

A uniform setback of buildings is essential to preserve the character of the district.

New construction should respect the street line created by its neighbouring building.
The cornice line should remain consistent with adjacent buildings.

Windows and doors establish a rhythm for the street and any new construction should
be harmonious with this established rhythm. Windows should be of similar size and
overall placement as adjacent buildings.

CONSTRUCTING NEW WITHIN HISTORIC PRECINCTS

New construction are appropriate only if they are added in such a way that the new is
distinguishable from the historic fabric by informed observers or trained professionals. No
differentiation should be made that would result in an odd appearance or a broken integrity.
Where the new construction might not be distinguishable by the public at large, appropriate
difference in materials should clarify the construction history of the site rather than expecting
this to be self-evident from the appearance of the new construction alone. We need to
prioritize compatibility over differentiation which would allow historic buildings and districts
to grow and change in accordance with their historic patterns and styles. It will assure a
continuity of character through time. Also, Concept of complete communities needs to be
applied in districts to reduce carbon footprint. We should prioritize walking as the preferred
mode of travel and as a defining component of a healthy quality of life. Destinations must be
accessible within a pleasant walking distance (500m radius) i.e. people should be able and
willing to walk from home to work, to school, to shop, to recreate and to engage with the
activities of their everyday life. This, in my view, is the proper way to protect the resources to

be conserved in our historic buildings and districts while retaining sense, character of street
and improved quality of life simultaneously.

Fig 3. Skyscape of Delhi 2015. Source: www.gettyimages.com

CASE STUDY
Glaring Stone and Flowing Water, Nanjing, China by UA studio 7

Fig 4. Glaring Stone and Flowing Water, Nanjing, China. Source: http://architecturelab.net/glaring-stone-and-flowingwater-nanjing-china-by-ua-studio-7

OVERVIEW
The project site is located close to South Nanjing transportation hub which acts as a gate
between the old Nanjing City and the new developing industrial area. Nanjing City is defined
by some important natural elements such as springs, rivers, lakes and forest. River contribute
to the unique natural landscape of the city. An old Chinese proverb says that the best things
are like the water: water is softness and water is hardness. Seeing the importance of this

element, the original idea of the scheme comes from water which is the unique contrasting
temperament of the city.
The site is equally divided by 2 hectares of public green area, located on the axis that
connects the Yangtze River and the railway station central plaza.
DESIGN INTENT
8 plots designated for this new mixed use
development were clearly defined by
streets, the project manages to integrate
them into a continuous walkable urban
space. The central green space spreads
throughout the other 8 sites which connect
the public squares on each plot through
pedestrian routes designed using pavement
which hints at site interconnectivity. Also, the

Fig 5. Plan of Glaring Stone and Flowing Water

urban pedestrian area is spread over 3 layers of

roof gardens that share the view to the central park.

CONCLUSION
Urban sprawl is extremely expensive to service and maintain i.e. the amount of land, roads,
pipes and infrastructure required per capita is disproportionately large. A compact, mixed-use
urban environment is far more efficient in its demand for municipal services and
infrastructure requirements. An important design criteria for active and efficient urban
communities is to design for transit, biking and pedestrian mobility, not around the car
transit. We should design using narrower streets and smaller blocks with active, useful and
interesting street fronts. But, when we design within historic precincts, we should not ignore
Heritage resources. They represents a significant opportunity for marking place identity i.e.
through their cultural significance. Buildings from different eras and styles are compatible
when they share the same underlying principles of space, structures, elements, composition,
proportion, ornament and character. If these principles are consistent among the buildings
along a street, they will be compatible regardless of style.

References
https://www.wbdg.org/design/historic_pres.php
http://www.preservationalliance.com/publications/SenseofPlace_final.pdf
http://architecturelab.net/glaring-stone-and-flowing-water-nanjing-china-by-ua-studio-7
http://freshome.com/2014/10/23/how-architects-minimize-urban-stress/
http://www.resilientcity.org/index.cfm?id=11928