School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi

About: School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi is a education organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Smart city. The organization has 278 authors who have published 347 publications receiving 1665 citations.

China’s Urban Century – Governance, Environment and Socio-Economic Imperatives

Abstract: Speed, scale and economic outcome of China’s post-1978 urban transformation, has received much global attention. Between 1978 and 2013, China’s urban population increased from 170 to 730 million; w...

The Architecture and Beyond of Tread and Riser

Abstract: The primary constitution of stairs is the arrangement of horizontal and vertical measures known as tread and riser. This is the simplest arrangement that essentially conveys people from one level to the other with required comfort and safety. Steps are a universal symbol with multiple interpretations. They are the most generally used similes in art, philosophy and psychology. Stairs occupy a unique status in the built environment because they not only convey people, but also symbolize the psychological, spiritual and artistic aspects of human nature. The mental significance and symbolic connotations of steps are deeply rooted. Understanding the role of stairs in different spheres of human need and expression is crucial in approaching its design. The pattern of stairs is dependent on the type of materials and other related design considerations. It is one of the unique architectural entities that reflect the various facets of social, psychological, artistic, metaphysical and religious dimensions. The importance of physical activity in the rising sedentary life styles is linked to the design of building elements, especially the staircases. The advancement in technology has displaced the role of stairs into an inconsequential means of emergency escape. But the importance of physical activity in the rising sedentary lifestyle has revitalized the concept of stairs as an active building component. The mono functional approach to staircases in high-rise buildings, especially as the means of escape in emergency situations, indicates that the design of staircases as multi functional element is still under the confines of design explorations. This paper is an attempt to understand the concept of stairs not only from the evolutionary point of view, but also the associated metaphoric meanings and its emerging multi facet identity. The concept of vertical accessibility in the form of tread and riser arrangement makes stairs a timeless phenomenon. The approach to multi utility architectural elements stretches beyond physical functions and should integrate the various dimensions of space making and society. In this regard stairs are a pioneering entity that has a potential to relate to many spheres of human thinking. It is clearly evident that stairs are not bound within the confines of architecture. Their origin, utility and design have far more influential qualities that travel beyond the realms of function and symbolism. It is further discussed that in the present age stairs have become as an inspiration for physical well being. The issues involved with age based capabilities demand a certain design approach that satisfies the sensitive relation between built environments and building elements. The primary constitution of stairs is the arrangement of horizontal and vertical measures known as tread and riser. This is the simplest arrangement that essentially conveys people from one level to the other with required comfort and safety. Steps are a universal symbol with multiple interpretations. They are the most generally used similes in art, philosophy and psychology. Stairs occupy a unique status in the built environment because they not only convey people, but also symbolize the psychological, spiritual and artistic aspects of human nature. The mental significance and symbolic connotations of steps are deeply rooted. Understanding the role of stairs in different spheres of human need and expression is crucial in approaching its design. The pattern of stairs is dependent on the type of materials and other related design considerations. It is one of the unique architectural entities that reflect the various facets of social, psychological, artistic, metaphysical and religious dimensions. The importance of physical activity in the rising sedentary life styles is linked to the design of building elements, especially the staircases. The advancement in technology has displaced the role of stairs into an inconsequential means of emergency escape. But the importance of physical activity in the rising sedentary lifestyle has revitalized the concept of stairs as an active building component. The mono functional approach to staircases in high-rise buildings, especially as the means of escape in emergency situations, indicates that the design of staircases as multi functional element is still under the confines of design explorations. This paper is an attempt to understand the concept of stairs not only from the evolutionary point of view, but also the associated metaphoric meanings and its emerging multi facet identity. The concept of vertical accessibility in the form of tread and riser arrangement makes stairs a timeless phenomenon. The approach to multi utility architectural elements stretches beyond physical functions and should integrate the various dimensions of space making and society. In this regard stairs are a pioneering entity that has a potential to relate to many spheres of human thinking. It is clearly evident that stairs are not bound within the confines of architecture. Their origin, utility and design have far more influential qualities that travel beyond the realms of function and symbolism. It is further discussed that in the present age stairs have become as an inspiration for physical well being. The issues involved with age based capabilities demand a certain design approach that satisfies the sensitive relation between built environments and building elements.

Neighborhood Urban Green Spaces for Senior Citizens and Children, Case Study: Delhi

Abstract: Due to rapid urbanization trend, the distance between city inhabitants and nature is increasing day by day and it is necessary to bridge this gap by promoting urban green spaces in the city. Green spaces are important for sustained well-being of people from different age groups, ensuring diverse benefits including improved health, social bonding, recreation, and sheer experience of nature while being in the city. During the past few decades, the Master Plan of Delhi has made efforts in improving and increasing the provision planned green spaces. Delhi is the greenest city in India with 19% green cover having different types of green space at different levels such as regional, city, district, community, neighborhood, and housing play area. Now, the research question is that, are the neighborhood parks accessible to senior citizens and children, if they are accessible then, are they usable to senior citizens and children? How much is the usage? This paper describes how the parks are designed? And what are its components? What issues are coming in using the parks? The aim of the study is to analyze the utilization pattern of neighborhood urban green spaces by our target age groups and develop a plan for better utilization in Delhi. Only the neighborhood level parks (daily use parks) are taken into account for the study. There are three parameters used for the calculation of urban green spaces usage: (i) number of users, (ii) length of stay (time spent), and (iii) frequency of visits. There are three parameters used for calculating the usability of the selected parks: (i) ease of accessibility, (ii) provision of facilities, (iii) maintenance. To assess the usage of neighborhood green spaces in Delhi, the primary survey of senior citizens and children was conducted. Analysis of the collected data shows that the sector-6, Dwarka neighborhood park has a higher number of users than the sector-8, Dwarka neighborhood park due to availability of facilities, distance traveled by the users, and the population living near to the park. Issues related to maintenance and availability of facilities in both the parks are also observed.

Scholarly Communication Cycle: SWOT Analysis

Abstract: Communication (formal/informal) is the key for making society attentive and advance scholarly communication (SC) worldwide openly. Components of SC (accumulation, creation, evaluation, publication, dissemination and preservation) are cycling towards elevation of education, research and innovation. Stakeholders have critical role in managing the SC cycle. In this study, SWOT analysis is used to evaluate strengths, weaknesses,opportunities and threats of SC and its components emphasizing the internal and external ecosystem. Based the SWOT analysis, the stakeholders potentials, resources, drawbacks, advantages, risks etc. are drawn in order to make strategic decisions to manage system effectively. Results revealed that accumulation of resource infrastructure facilitations brings an idea into creativity, reviewed it for quality, originality and publication (stamp of validity) that was disseminated through various media & modes and preserved for longevity. Imperatively, the SC carries authenticity and recognition globally. It also shown that an inactive infrastructure, mentorship and policies often indulge scientific creativity through misconduct and biased decisions of reviewing make futile or fake publication that will always spoiling the system. Taking opportunities to create and access resource repositories, helping to publish research to innovation monetize into products marketing globally with cloud safe and security. Finally, handicap of intellectual infrastructure vacuum (brain-drain) pressures the academia to leap into predatory journals crediting no transparency and accountability.

History of Indian Human Settlements—Lessons for Planning Education

Abstract: In India, the pedagogy of planning education usually starts with Mohenja-daro–Harappa period and shifts to the colonial history of urbanization and city planning, skipping an important historical time period of Indian civilization that placed the subcontinent at the global stage. Many of India’s past cities were globally networked with the Roman, Persian, and other emerging global cultures of that time. Deccan Kingdoms that ruled little more than four centuries influenced the art, architecture, and city development processes that attracted traders from across the globe who became colonial masters over a period of time. Techniques used in the production systems that existed in urban centers, especially pertaining to textile, spices, and high-quality silk, got transmitted world over generating more demand for these commodities, consequently perpetuating spatial spread of these urban centers. This chapter analyzes some of the elements of ancient, medieval, and colonial urbanization in the Indian context that are necessary to understand urbanization in today’s India. I have divided the analysis into three periods: pre-Buddhist, post-Buddhist, and colonial period for discussing urbanization and its spatial manifestations using archaeological evidence. This chapter starts with the great Indian controversy of movement of the Aryans from North to South and ends up with the urban centers and urbanization in Tamil Nadu showcasing the economic, religious, and other aspects. At each point of history, the chapter makes a connection with planning education and points out how the existing planning theory or settlement analyses can be taught differently.