pramada jagtap - The urban braid: Cocreating an ecological vision, Kochi

The Mullassery canal was a thriving eco-system passing through paddy fields and wetlands, connecting the coastal backwaters to the inland Perandoor canal. Over the years, urbanisation has transformed this relationship to being served as a storm-water and waste-water drain with reduced water holding capacity. This has slowly deteriorated the eco-system of this canal. This clubbed with climate change has caused frequent flooding and a chain of externalities associated with it such as loss of life, property, businesses, affecting daily commute and overall vibrancy of the Central Business District (CBD). Canal being the spine of this precinct, the health of this water system is key to the health of urban life. Reviving the canal and creating a vibrant urban life is the goal of the project which can be done through an integrated approach. In our proposal we intend to use a biological metaphor of the ‘Urban Braid’ that evokes the vascular structure at the heart of the tree and recognises the ‘kinetic’ systems of the city. This Braid will emerge out of recognising and strengthening the assets of the site including the potential stakeholder resource groups, environmental systems, important institutions, commercial establishments, public infrastructure and heritage buildings.

The project was a competition floated by Kochi Municipal corporation. My role involved masterplanning, design conceptualisation and presentation drawings.

A large holding pond is created on the land of the Bus depot to alleviate flooding and the new building is designed by raising the structure on two sides of the canal. The building can re-house the existing programs as well as has the potential to add various needs of the CBD and surrounding neighbourhood which include parking, commercial spaces, recreational and sports area. The building has a large solar roof that generates energy for the functioning of the building. Reed-beds will be grown on canal water entering the building site for natural water purification.

We have proposed an ecological approach at the Priyadarshani park. The intention is to set an example for other such eco-sensitive coastal edges about how a landscape strategy can be imagined which braids an ecological yet public approach. The edge has been softened by letting the coastal water in and have planned an assisted restoration of a mangrove ecosystem. Keeping the Marine drive pathway and children’s park intact, there are also lightweight structures that house small public facilities like cafeteria, bird-watching tower, place for prawn culture interwoven in an aqueous landscaped park. The proposed flora consisting of mangroves and mangrove associates are indigenous to the coastal areas of Ernakulam. This park will not only cater to local residents but also will be a tourist attraction and environment enthusiasts.

Collaboration with CoDes studio

2020