Building with Nature To balance the urban growth of coastal Kochi with its ecological structure P2 Report | January 2013 Delta Interventions Studio | Department of Urbanism Faculty of Architecture |Delft University of Technology Author: Jiya Benni First Mentor: Anne Loes Nillesen Second Mentor: Saskia de Wit Delta Interventions Colophon Jiya Benni, 4180321 M.Sc 3 Urbanism, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands email: [email protected] phone: +31637170336 17 January 2013 Contents 1. Introduction 5. Theoretical Framework 1.1 Estuaries and Barrier Islands 5.1 Building with Nature (BwN) 1.2 Urban growth 5.2 New Urbanism + Delta Urbanism 1.3 Ecological Structure 5.3 Landscape Architecture 5.4 Coastal Zone Management and Integrated Coastal Zone 2. Defi ning the Problem Statement Management 2.1Project Location 2.1.1 History 6. Methodology 2.1.2 Geography 6.1 Literature Review 2.1.3 Demographics 6.2 Site Study 2.1.4 City Structure 6.3 Workshops and Lectures 2.1.5 Morphological Evolution 6.4 Modelling 2.1.6 Importance of the City 6.5 Consultation with Experts 2.2 At the Local Scale 2.2.1 Elankunnapuzha: Past,Preset and Future 7. Societal and Scientifi c Relevance 2.2.2 Elankunnapuzha as a Sub-centre 7.1 What is New? 2.3 Problem Defi nition 7.1.1 Integrating different variables 2.3.1 Background 7.1.2 Geographical Boundaries v/s Political Boundaries 2.3.1.1 New Developments 7.2 Societal Relevance 2.3.1.2 Coastal Issues 7.3 Scientifi c Relevance 2.3.1.3 Ecological Issues 2.3.1.4 Climate Change 8. Involved Disciplines 2.3.2 Urban Analysis 2.3.2.1 Understanding the Layers 9. Time Schedule 2.3.2.2 Settlement Pattern 2.3.2.3 Analysing the West 10. References 2.3.2.4 Analysing the East 2.3.2.5 Spaces for Recreation 2.3.3 Summary of Conclusions Appendix 2.4 Problem Statement 3. Research Questions 3.1 Main Research Questions 3.2 Secondary Research Questions 4. Urban Assignment 1. Introduction The World Bank in a 2010 report notes that ‘Thirteen of the world’s 20 largest cities are located on the coast, and more than a third of the world’s people live within 100 miles of a shoreline. Low-lying coastal areas represent 2 percent of the world’s land area, but contain 13 percent of the urban population (McGranahan et al. 2007). This clearly indicates how attractive coastal areas are for human settlements and urban growth. But on the fl ipside, in the light of climate change and natural disasters, these regions stand more to lose than any other. Of these, more than developed countries, the regions in the developing countries seem to be in more danger. A recent study of 136 port cities showed that much of the increase in exposure of population and assets to coastal fl ooding is likely to be in cities in developing countries, especially in East and South Asia . (Nicholls et al. 2008). Due to its high economic value on the national and local scale, coastal areas are developed and inhabited inspite of impending sea-level rise and coastal fl ooding. Thus in these areas, it becomes impertinent that water safety be an important criteria in planning and designing. 1.1 Estuaries and Barrier Islands 1.3 Ecological structure Prichard (1967) presents one of the more commonly cited As should be clear, the socio-economic conditions at defi nitions of an estuary: a “semi-enclosed coastal body of water both scales are dependent on the ecological structure of the which has a free connection with the sea and within which sea water coastal area. The ecological structure here implies a healthy is measurably diluted with freshwater derived from land drainage. [4] coastline where there is little beach erosion so that locals gain from These aqua systems exhibit a wide variety of life forms which depend the presence of the beach for fi shing and recreation, it implies on saline conditions including salt marshes, mangroves and a huge optimum conditions for breeding fi sh so that local as well as variety of fi sh and shellfi sh. Because of their sensitivity and complexity, national fi sh industries can grow. It implies regulated estuaries are highly susceptible to human infl uence.[4] saltwater intrusion so that agriculture can continue. It also implies ample coastal green so that tourism and the afore mentioned Barrier islands are formed of loosely consolidated materials, activities can thrive. Thus we see a dependency of primarily sand, and generally include a sandy beach, frontal and socio-economic growth on the ecological structure. secondary dunes, interior wetlands and maritime forest, a backshore zone, and the lagoon or sound that separates the island from the The graduation project ‘Building with Nature: To balance mainland. [4]. These structures are so vulnerable to the forces of wind, the urban growth of coastal Kochi with its ecological struc- waves, storms, hurricanes and sediment transportation that their size, ture’ charts out development strategies for the predicted ur- shape and location keep changing. ban growth of the coastal village of Elankunnapuzha such that they are fl ood resilient. The rapidly industrialising village is lo- 1.2 Urban growth cated on one of the barrier islands of Kochi in south-west India. The urban growth of coastal areas are dependent on coastal and waterfront acitivities. Sea-based industrial activities can trigger the keywords: estuaries, barrier islands, Kochi, India, socio-econom- urban growth of coastal areas. These result in a change in the socio-eco- ic, ecological, coastal fl ooding, sea-level rise nomic conditions. Port and industries are added to socio-economic fac- tors that predominantly consisted of tradiotional fi shing and agriculture. It is interesting to note that the processes that maintain the socio-economic conditions in the national scale are not always the same as that in the local scale. At the national scale, coastal areas are important due to the presence of one or more of these - a harbour, a port, marine export industries, other coastal industries, sand mining etc. While at the local scale, coastal areas are important because of these - immediate environment, traditional fi shing industry, agricul- ture etc. But the parameters at the local scale ensures a self-sustained coastal population which put little stress on the national scale. View of Kochi city from the islands 2. Defi ning the Problem Statement Kochi, nicknamed the Queen of Arabian Sea, a coastal port city on the south-west coast of India in the state of Kerala was chosen as the project location. The city’s barrier islands and its interaction with the sea were studied to understand the dynamics and the problems of the region. 2.1 Project Location - Kochi, India “A city born in storm, nurtured in rivalry and established as battling ground for European empires.“ Kochi in 1663 during the Dutch rule The Kochi harbour was born in 1341 AD after a massive fl ood in the Periyar River silted the historic international port of Kodungallor. Ever since then, Kochi has been a centre of international trade. Project Location- Kochi 2.1.1 History The princely state of Kochi was formed in 1102 AD after the breakup of the Kulasekhara Empire to which it belonged. The kingdom was ruled from elsewhere north of Kochi at that time. It was after the 1341 fl oods when the natural harbour was formed in Kochi that the Royal Kingdom shifted its base to Kochi. Later in the 1500s, Vasco da Gama arrived in Kochi and subsequently established the Portuguese rule. Kochi was the capital of Portuguese India until 1530 while they ruled Kochi until 1663 through the Kochi Raja. The Portuguese rule in Kochi was followed by the Dutch from 1663-1773 and the British from 1814-1947 when India became independent. Under all the colonial Kochi in 1800s during the British rule kingdoms, Kochi fl ourished and grew as a port city. Map of Kochi Estuary by the Dutch VOC 2.1.2 Geography Kochi’s islands on its west constitute the intervention area of this project. The islands on the west between the Periyar River on North and the Andhakaranazhi inlet on the South are taken for the regional study while the Vypin Island with the Periyar River on the North, Arabian Sea on the West, Cochin Estuary on the East and the Cochin barmouth on the south is considered for interventions. These lie between the coordinates N10º11’4” E76º09’55” and N9º45’9” E76º 16’50”. 2.1.3 Demographics Zone II AZone III A Zone II B Zone III B Zone Kochi city on the mainland has a population of 601,574 according to the 2011 Census of India with a density of 6340/ sq.km while the population of the metropolitan area is considered to be at 2,117,990. The islands on the west have a density Zone I Zone of approximately 2000/sq.km. 4000-4500 3500-4000 2.1.4 City Structure 3000-3500 2500-3000 2000-2500 The mainland is urban in character and comprises of 1500-2000 1000-1500 residential buildings, banks, commercial areas, areas for <1000 recreation, educational institutions, administrative institutions and also Map showing population the High Court of Kerala. density The islands on the west, south of the barmouth are fully utilized for port activities and heritage and tourism. Further south occupation changes to fi shing and agriculture. The islands north of the barmouth were predominantly used for fi shing and agriculture. Of late it has been used for tourism and recreation and very recently, port activities have expanded onto these islands.