International Journal of Architecture (IJA) Volume 6, Issue 1, January-June 2020, pp. 8–20, Article ID: IJA_06_01_002 Available online at http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJA?Volume=6&Issue=1 © IAEME Publication

REVITALIZATION OF URBAN SPACES: SAIDAPET MARKET, CHENNAI

Ar. R. Ragavendira School of Architecture, Sri Manakular Vinayagar Engineering College, Puducherry, India

ABSTRACT The main objective of this is to discuss the issues related to the revitalization of urban public space and its importance in relation to the urban design study. Revitalization reintroduces activity and prominence to the most deprived and neglected part of the cities, which were afflicted with a long period of complex and interrelated problems such as economic decline, social problem, spatial and infrastructural poverty leading to the loss of urban functions and impoverishing the quality of life of the inhabitants. The case study of saidapet market demonstrates that the gradual decline of local economic activity in the Saidapet is one of the many problems faced by the city. This activity is seen on their public market that has become one of the major trading centers in Chennai before suddenly becoming unpopular to the public due to common problems and lack of facilities that could attract both locals and people from other areas. In accordance with this problem, we attempt to give the best solutions by investigating the existing public market, surveying, reading various sources, formulating case studies and exploring new concepts and technologies. As we try to involve more public participation we decided to propose redevelopment of the existing public market together with tourist facilities such as, making the market more user friendly, Parking facilities, rerouting the traffic pattern in and around the market, eatery stalls to accommodate existing street hawkers and a transportation terminal (pedestrian bridge) to revitalize the present condition of the public market. With these facilities, the local vendors have a thriving business, it will provide more job opportunities; preserve their local industries while strengthening their linkages to other economic centers in Chennai. Key words: revitalization, economic decline, social problem, infrastructural poverty. Cite this Article: R. Ragavendira, Revitalization of Urban Spaces: Saidapet Market, Chennai. International Journal of Architecture (IJA), 6(1), 2020, pp. 8–20. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJA?Volume=6&Issue=1

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1. INTRODUCTION Public markets in India often described as a dingy environment ventilated with foul odor. Consequently, these situations and conditions of public markets lead to the construction of modernized supermarkets and hypermarkets which are fully air conditioned that promotes convenience shopping that leads to its rapid popularity. However, public markets still support a pivotal role in promoting public health and local food systems. Many of the agricultural, fishery and forestry products are delivered into the public market by various traders from different parts of the country. For generations, street vending has provided vibrancy, colour and a market outlet in Indian cities. However, as the 21st century progresses, the dynamic growth of city populations, the scale of physical development, and globalizing economies create new challenges for street vendors, who face changing political, economic and social contexts and increasing competition for space. Today, modern street vending plays a vital role in the urban economy, as a source of jobs, revenue and „value added‟ to the economy. Street vending provides a flexible link in economic supply chains, gives vitality to urban streets, and provides affordable goods for many urban residents. Yet street vending exacerbates congestion at busy sites (eg: city centres where competition for space is acute) and vendors lack the facilities for „decent work‟. This project explores the challenges of managing street vending in developing streets of Chennai, and explores how inclusive urban design can generate imaginative use of space. The Design Guide adopts a „rights-based approach‟ to development, building on the paradigm of the right to the city, which argues for a right for all urban inhabitants to access the benefits of urban life, including street vendors.

2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The deteriorating condition and its lack of supporting facilities have become the predicament of the Abdul Razzak Public Market. These scenarios lead to a sudden decrease in patronage coming from the public. Moreover, the changing market pattern and interest of the consumers also adds to the situation leaving the public market and the vicinity a sickly environment. The existence of these problems may pose a threat to the sustainability of the market. Issues that can be addressed are the market environment, rerouting of traffic and livelihood as part of income and employment.

The Project Aims to Answer the Following Questions  What specific steps can be done to address and alleviate the problems in their public market?  What are the usual and common activities inside and outside their public market?  What are the factors that could affect the efficiency and capacity of their public market?  How could environment nurture the situations and conditions of their public market?  What type of environment and facilities could maximize the use of their public market?  How could their public market be transformed to invite also foreign nationals and further cater traders, sellers and consumers giving new activities and market shopping experience?

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 What are the extent needs of their public market that can be answered through architectural interventions?

Goals, Objectives and Strategies The goal is to redevelop the Abdul Razzak Market that will invite both locals and people from other area through architecture.

Objectives 1. To provide functional and well-designed spaces. 2. To reestablish and promote local market through user (public) oriented facilities. 3. To redesign the existing market in new approach.

Strategies 1. Investigating the existing public market. 2. Conducting interviews with the city local government officials, sellers and consumers. 3. Reading various sources such as books, magazines and the like. 4. Formulate both local and foreign case studies. 5. Exploring applicable solutions including concepts and technologies.

3. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The significance of the study varies from different related aspects. These include impacts on locals as part of tourism, on domestic livelihood, economic level and most importantly, its contribution to the architectural development of public market design not only in India but also globally. This study will further flourish what public space is all about.

3.1. Saidapet - Historical Significance Saidapet was founded by the Nawab of the Carnatic in the 18th century AD and was named Sayyid Khan Pettah after Sayyid Khan, the army commander of the Nawab's forces. When the kingdom began to decline, Saidapet was occupied by the British East India Company and was made the administrative headquarters of Chingleput district. The health district in Chengalpet district is split into Saidapet hud and Kanchipuram hud. Panagal building which is a part of Saidapet is a famous landmark. Saidapet is named after Sayyid Shah (Sayyid Musalman Sahib), a high-ranking 18th-century official of the court of the Nawab of Arcot. The then Nawab of Arcot gifted these parts to Sayyid Shah in 1730. However, Saidapet at that time also included Kotturpuram and Nandanam. The Maraimalai Adigal Bridge (previously the Marmalong Bridge) connects the northern banks of the Adyar River with the south. This bridge was originally built in 1726 by Coja Petrus Uscan. The dilapidated old bridge was replaced by a new one in the 1960s built as part of the reconstruction and modernization efforts. Saidapet was obtained by the British East India Company in the 1700s along with the jaghir of Chingleput. From 1859 to 1947, Saidapet served as the district headquarters of Chingleput District. In 1947, the headquarters was shifted to Chengalpattu. Saidapet was included in Madras city during 1945-46 and since then forms a part of the corporation. Saidapet had a large weaver population and handlooms were in operation as late as 1990. It was quite notorious for filariasis in the olden day.

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3.2. Saidapet – Transportation Railway station The Suburban Railway station in Saidapet is located between the stations of Guindy and Mambalam. It is easily accessible from the main road. Buses Saidapet has a MTC bus terminus located on Anna Salai. There are frequent bus services originating from this place to other important parts of the city and outskirts. Many buses also pass through this area and offers excellent connectivity to various places and West Saidapet has a MTC bus terminus located on West Jones Road. Metro Rail Plans have been finalised by the local government to build a Metro Rail which connects to Alandur in the South and Chamiers road in the North as part of the Chennai Metro Rail Scheme. The tentative year of completion is 2013. Bridges  The bridge located near the market on Jeenis road serves as a vital link to Mount Road from West Saidapet.  Jones road underpass serves an important link for West Saidapet and Jaffarkhanpet.  Aranganathan subway serves to connect Ashok Nagar and Mambalam.  Alandhur bridge to connect Guindy Industrial Estate and West Saidapet, it helps to by- pass Guindy Katipara bridge to reach Mount road from 100 Feet road

3.3. Why Saidapet Fish Market? From fishes and meat, and from fruits and vegetables, the bazaar sells it all, despite the fact that size and state of the roads make it almost impossible for vehicular traffic to move”.lack of footpaths and congestion making it a challenging prospect to even walk”. Those who live here share from their evening tea to toilet facilities in an atmosphere that is “full of life”. It is another matter, however, that Saidapet is “one of the most under-developed and neglected areas of the city” and is “serviced by an infrastructure that is nearly a sixty years old”. “Built for another time, the area is deprived of footpaths or roads navigable by cars. No system for waste disposal exists even today. Residents receive water for only a few hours a day the official. Out-dated sanitation and inadequate fire and safety measures leave the population very vulnerable to natural and man-made calamities. Visitors are met with heaps of rubbish and rodents scurrying around. Two-storied structures, designed to retain the street shopping experience, which will make the Saidapet market a mini-Koyambedu for residents in the south of the city. Inspired by the urban wet markets of Singapore, where old fashioned commerce has been transformed, Abdul Razzak Vegetable Market in Saidapet, into a modern yet traditional vegetable retail center. The market has in the recent past been beset by problems : Congested shops, flies and mosquitoes, shops with sacks serving as canopies, inadequate lighting and toilet facilities. Vendors say they are happy that the corporation will build a new structure for them.

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4. DOCUMENTATION OF SAIDAPET 4.1. Classification based on the total number of households / unit area

HIGH DENSITY HOUSING- 60% MEDIUM DENSITY- 32% LOW DENSITY- 8%

4.2. Why high density of population? High density of population is due to the settlement of the people since the evolution of saidapet. This includes most of the people belonging to the weaving profession, fishing and also people settling because of the devotion to family land. This majorly has an effect on the urban context as it plays as an important role in determining the scope for the future expansion to meet the urban needs. Unfortunately, Saidapet lacks the flexible nature of accommodating more open spaces, public gatherings or plazas or parking in future .Hence giving rise to the increase in the verticality development for accommodating the urban requirement.

4.3. Existing Market This market is situated near Saidapet railway station which is one of the very busiest areas in Chennai. We were astounded to note the street vendors and shop keepers belong to the 4th generation Roofing -Sloped roof with mangalore tiles and temporary tarpaulin roof over the pedestrian path.

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Circulation Map Existing Zoning within the Market

4.4. Documentation Photos

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5. THE SOLUTION 5.1. Market Redevelopment Proposal Market Redevelopment projects can be small or large ranging from a single building to entire new neighborhoods or "new town in town" projects. Other terms sometimes used to describe redevelopment include urban renewal (urban revitalization). While efforts described as urban revitalization often involve redevelopment, they do not always involve redevelopment as they do not always involve the demolition of any existing structures but may instead describe the rehabilitation of existing buildings or other neighborhood improvement initiatives.

5.2. Concept- Grid planning The corridors run at right angles to each other, forming a grid. This grid planning makes it inherently walk able.  A grid adds better alignment, balance, and equality in spacing better visual experience.  It is a great way to avoid confusion of paths  It is a straight-forward, easy approach to creating a modern looking market, avoiding confusion in paths  The planning helps in avoiding congestion at one particular place equally diving the crowd and making it look well organized  Outcome  Clarity/Order.  Efficiency  Economy  Consistency/Harmony

Grid Planning of Vegetable Market

Issues Faced In the Existing Market Solutions Traffic congestion Flyover & Pedestrian Bridge Waste disposal Pedestrian pathway Traffic Re-routing Redevelopment of market

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5.3. Expansion of Pedestrian Pathway

Providing Pedestrian pathways, bollards and parking spaces on Zenis road to decongest pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

6. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS The steps shaded by beams covered by small creepers to filter the sunlight while still allowing light to penetrate. It's closed on both sides supported by the roofs of the fish stalls on either side. The wooden rafters add shade and act as a transitional area while preserving the sense of openness of the fish market. It complements the outdoor space. The combination of foliage, flower, scent and color provide a sense of continual change and freshness.

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Proposed Section for Fish and Meat Market

Proposed Section for Vegetable Market

6.1. Materials Use of polyester fabric as a shading device. Polyester is the most commonly used material in the instant canopies because it is durable and water resistant. Very light so easy to install Low maintenance

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Reflects UV rays lessening heat gain Highly coated therefore easy to clean High light transmission or lower if required Has more insulation compared to single skin fabric

6.2. Pedestrian Bridge and Flyover “The point of the city is the multiplicity of choices” – Jane Jacobs

6.3. Pedestrian Bridge There is an increased pedestrian traffic from the railway station to the market and due to this pedestrian traffic the junction near the subway is heavily affected. To avoid this, we have devised a plan which includes a pedestrian overhead bridge which starts from the railway station and lands inside the market and also on Zenis road. This will help us eliminate traffic congestion and allow smooth movement of traffic. The ramp ratio is 1:12. This makes it easy for even the disabled to use the overhead bridge. Width of the Pedestrian Overhead Bridge= 3m.

6.4. Discovery of the “Centralized motion method” Principle Most curving escalators once proposed around the world were based on methods for movement in a concentric circle. But none ever made it to market. Even though the speed of horizontal movement when creating a semi-circle is regular, making it possible to move concentrically, the structural problem is that movement in the horizontal direction slows to the extent that there is vertical movement in the inclined section. This issue has been overcome by developing the "centralized motion method," in which the central point moves in stages based on the angle of incline.

6.5. Innovation Supporting 3D Movement Unique technologies were required to achieve the complex three-dimensional (3D) movement of the spiral escalator. For example, a special chain capable of supporting a wide variety of angles required for the spiral orbit was introduced to move the steps. Horizontal rollers are installed on the outer-side of the chain, enabling the structure to manage the inward force generated by the arching configuration. This enables the escalator steps to move along the fixed orbital plane with high accuracy.

6.6. Concept Bezier Curve: It is a parametric curve frequently used in computer graphics and related fields. From the common place to the sublime, the Bezier Curve delineates to contemporary aesthetics because it is lingua franca of design, engineering and structural roofing component of the Pedestrian Overhead Bridge.

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6.7. Materials Fiber Reinforced Concrete: Mushroom shaped concrete columns which contain fibrous material which increases its structural integrity. It contains short discrete steel fibers that are uniformly distributed and randomly oriented.

6.8. Thermoplastic Fabric  Roof of the Pedestrian Overhead Bridge  Good low temperature flexibility and high tolerance.  Inherently fire resistant.  High impact resistance  Easy to repair  Available in a spectrum of colors and we used Golden yellow for the roof fabric.  Durable against rooftop contaminants and soiling.

6.9. Recyclable Steel – Bracing Steel is not completely consumed once made. It can be reused multiple times. Hence the use of steel in projects is actually a long term investment that does not go to waste. Steel is the only truly cradle to cradle recyclable material available.

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7. CONCLUSION The existing conditions of Saidapet has been surveyed and documented and the problems prevailing in the site were addressed. Suitable solutions like the redevelopment of market to make it more users friendly and enhance the economic scenario of the market were proposed. Pedestrian bridge and flyover made it more efficient to reach out to the market. Relocation of hawkers from busy commercial roads helped ease the vehicular movement in and around the market. Street furniture was provided along the Jenis road in front of the market to avoid congestion of hawkers. Open spaces provided within the market acting as a visual barrier between the vegetable and fish market. This makes the market more accessible, clean and active.

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