CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE: CHANDIGARH

10^TH SEMESTER B.ARCH.SESSION 2008-2009
TENTATIVE LIST OF APPROVED THESIS TOPIC 

CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE ,CHANDIGARH
10^TH SEMESTER B.ARCH.SESSION 2007-2008
TENTATIVE LIST OF APPROVED THESIS TOPIC

CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE ,CHANDIGARH
10^TH SEMESTER B.ARCH.SESSION 2006-2007
TENTATIVE LIST OF APPROVED THESIS TOPIC

LIST OF THESIS TOPICS (SESSION 2005-2006

LIST OF THESIS TOPICS (SESSION 2003-2004)

Unpublished Thesis on Chandigarh

Chandigarh College of Architecture – through collaborative as well as individual efforts of its students and faculty members – has contributed to many a study on Chandigarh over the past thirty years.  A number of Thesis Projects on various aspects of the city form a rich resource and have been used as reference material by good number of scholars. 

List of B.Arch. thesis projects related to Chandigarh
 

Individual Research

 M.Arch. thesis:

Prof Rajnish Wattas

Mrs Harkirat R Singh

Mrs Sangeeta Bagga

Mr Sujay Sengupta

A Study Of Tree As Elements Of Design In The Urban Environment With Special Reference To Sector 22 & 17 by Prof Rajnish Wattas

A thesis submitted for the degree of M. Arch, University of Queensland , 1985

This thesis is concerned with the study and evaluation of tree plantation in Chandigarh that was undertaken as part of its planned landscaping. The study has two purposes: firstly, to assess the validity of the tree plantation concepts as evolved at the inception of the city; secondly, to examine the tree plantation as presently developed and evaluate its usefulness in shaping the city’s outdoor environment.

The criteria for evaluating the tree plantation is broadly its: I) micro-environmental values; ii) functional value. Iii) Interrelationship with architecture and iv) aesthetic value. The trees are studied in relation to their built-up surroundings and not as individual elements in isolation.

The structure of the thesis has four major sections. Section one covers the I) original landscape character of the Chandigarh site ii) resume on Chandigarh iii) early concepts and policies regarding tree plantation in Chandigarh  and iv) value of urban trees a review.
Sections two and three of the thesis consist of case studies of tree plantations in selective and representative areas of sectors 22 and 17. These case studies cover the typically divergent urban situations in Chandigarh , where tree plantation is of significance. Sector 22 the oldest and one of the most densely populated residential areas in the city with its intimate scale of buildings streets and open spaces, contrasts with the urban design characteristics of the monumental City Centre, Sector 17.
Section four of the thesis contains the conclusion and recommendations based on the evaluation made in the detailed case studies, regarding the usefulness of the existing tree plantation, in the context of the criteria established for examining it.
The thesis concludes that tree plantation in Chandigarh barring a few positive results mostly fails to fulfill its potential role of; ameliorating the adverse micro-climatic conditions, establishing interrelationship with architecture an affecting a better use of the city'’ streets and civic spaces. Undue stress on the aesthetic value of the trees at the expense of other essential purposes undermines their contribution in improving the city’s outdoor environment. They remain, at best ornamental embellishments and counterfoils to the ambient brick and concrete architecture of the city.

Recommendations are made regarding possible improvements in the selection, arrangement and management of trees in different locations, to produce better results than a t present. The lessons from Chandigarh tree plantation can be easily applied to the development of human settlements elsewhere in India , with similar physical, climatic and socio-economic conditions.

Spatial structure of modernist cities: A critique through redesign in Chandigarh by Mrs Harkirat R. Singh

M.Arch Urban Design Thesis ,S.P.A.Delhi.

The thesis entitled “Spatial Structure of Modernist cities: A Critique through redesign in Chandigarh ” in an effort to prepare a design guidelines for the city of Chandigarh to reinterpret its built form open space relationship. No doubt the city provides reasonably good services and utility like water supply, drainage, sewerage, excess of greens, wide roads. But it lacks the intrinsic quality of the Indian environment-- like quality of enclosure, density, sense of coherence, and a meaningful figure-ground relationship, with little regard to distinction between inside and outside.

The suburban kind of an environment resulted in lack of satisfaction on the part of the users as regards to character, coherence and imageability aspects.  The author assumed the city to be an example of modernist movement as it was design by one of the pioneers of the movement – Le Corbusier.  The intention was to retain the city as such along with attaining the qualities mentioned above, which it lacks in.

The attempt to do so was demonstrated by redesigning a new sector in the third phase of Chandigarh , consisting of four neighborhoods that would form an urban extension to the city. 

Identifiable Structure For Chandigarh Through Integrated Recreational Places by Mrs Sangeeta Bagga

M.Arch Urban Design Thesis , S.P.A.Delhi.

The contemporary city unlike its monofunctional limited sized traditional counterpart must fulfill a variety of functions in response to its peoples’ needs. The contemporary city may thus be perceived as a series of opportunities for its people. The parts of the city are the physical manifestations of these opportunities.
A major part of the city, which qualifies for attention, is its matrix of Open Spaces with an activity, which is predominantly recreational in nature. Very often these vital lungs of the city are prone to misuse, disuse and overuse. In some instances, the open spaces are taken over by other city functions regardless of their compatibility to functions existing in the vicinity. Eventually the verdure of the city is replaced by a masonry jungle. The open space matrix is a vital component of today’s city from physical and non-physical standpoints:

As lungs of the city, open spaces fulfill physical as well as psychological needs of the people.
The visual blight and adverse microclimatic effects produced by masonry jungle seal the fate of the city’s verdure.
Open spaces through their form, use and location posses the inherent potential of providing ‘identifiability’ to the contemporary city, which is otherwise, criticized for its anonymity.
In light of the above premise, it is time of examine Chandigarh . A brainchild of Le Corbusier and Pandit Nehru and a ‘symbol of India ’s new found freedom..’ Chandigarh is a bold experiment and one of the fine examples of post independence cities.  Fifty years since its inception, if Chandigarh is to continue to fulfill the aspirations of its people, it needs an in-built system of review and revision of its existing framework in light of the city’s peoples changing needs. People associate themselves with the variety of open spaces in Chandigarh . As crucibles of activity, these open spaces can become highpoint identity builders on the otherwise flat canvas of the city. The recreational places of the first phase of city development are evaluated for their performance vis-à-vis a large user base. Further their inter dynamics with other city parts is analysed to generate an urban form which could aim towards evolving an Identifiable city structure.

Urban Renewal of Oriyabazar, Cuttack , Orrisa by Sujay Sen Gupta

M .T .R.P .Thesis, Calcutta University .

The 1000 years old silver city of Cuttack is the former capital of Orissa. But, it has achieved the status of multi-functional centre for administration. It is the most important regional commercial and transportation made in the entire state. Due to its geographical location, the city has expanded horizontally to accommodate residential areas, while the C.B.D. has got restricted within the hub of the old city, covering areas like Baxi Bazar, Oriya Bazar, etc. The main problem with Cuttack is the limitation of roads. The existing ones are extremely narrow and congested, with practically, no breathing space within the city.

The main objectives of the thesis is to revitalize the urban spaces by improving circulation pattern, providing utilities and services for future, generating more floor space under different uses and provide a proper guideline for future growth in orderly direction and organized manner.

The process of renewal is not a simple task. The first phase of redevelopment can only start from a public land, which can demonstrate the willingness of the Development Authority to actually revitalize the city.

  Publications on Chandigarh :

• Trees of Chandigarh

•   Chandigarh Informograph

• Documenting Chandigarh – Volume I

Trees of Chandigarh :
A book authored by Chhatar Singh, Rajnish Wattas,  & Harjit Singh Dhillon
Published by B. R. Publishing Corporation , Delhi .
 

Chandigarh , one of the greatest experiments in urban planning of the 20th century, is today as much famous for its landscaping, as it is for its architecture.  An important feature of its planning was the recognition accorded to landscaping as an integral component of its master plan from the very inception.  Today, Chandigarh presents a visual delight of a harmonious blend of buildings, trees and other landscape elements embellishing the skyline.

Thus, it was significant that the valuable lessons obtained from the tree plantation experience of Chandigarh , be recorded and preserved for posterity.  Therefore this book is an attempt to bring together in a single volume basic information about the tree plantation of Chandigarh .The book is broadly divided into two components comprises critical essays on the inception, planning and the actual results as visible today, of Chandigarh’s tree plantation; as visible today and the second components is a directory of major tree species growing in Chandigarh, to enable their easy identification in the city.  Nearly 200 color pictures supplement the text to make the book more useful.

It has been designed primarily for the lay reader with a keen interest in: where, why and what trees exist in Chandigarh ; and how they integrate with its overall landscape.  It is in fact, a user-friendly reference book for all tree loving people of Chandigarh and elsewhere.

The publication is available at Capital Book Depot, SCO –3, Sector 17-E, Chandigarh , Phone # 2702554, 2702260.

Chandigarh Informograph   

Address purchase enquiries to:

The Principal,
Chandigarh College of Architecture,
Sector 12,
Chandigarh : 160 012 ( INDIA )
Fax No.0091-172-2746260
E-mail:cca@chd.nic.in

Documenting Chandigarh – Volume I: The Indian Architecture of Pierre Jeanneret, E. Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew

Concept and Text by Kiran Joshi.  Mapin Publishing, Ahmedabad, in association with Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh , 1999, 286 pp., with 317 photographs and 327 drawings.  Rs.2,000/-  

About The Book

Chandigarh is valued universally as a landmark construction of Modernism and a pacesetter for post-independence architecture in India .  In contrast to the undifferentiated sprawl of contemporary Indian towns, Chandigarh is endowed with a specific identity -- given by its picturesque setting, the well-ordered, orthogonal matrix and, above all, a distinctive architectural vocabulary.

This book, coming 50 years after the city’s conception, is an attempt to record various built elements that created the city’s urban image.  Foremost among these are works of Pierre Jeanneret, E. Maxwell Fry and Jane B. Drew – the three associates of Le Corbusier who, with true pioneering spirit, braved the desolate plains of Chandigarh and ushered the city towards civilization.  Their creations were a large stock of ‘people’s architecture’ – places for living, work and play -- whose low-rise, low-density cubic forms and experimental constructions in local brick and stone, were to form the vocabulary of the “Chandigarh Style”.

Part of a two-volume series, this book is the first comprehensive documentation of the original form and present-day status of ninety individual and type – designs created by he three architects between 1951-1965.  Each design is covered through detailed drawings, photographs and analytical text.  Also included are details of the fourteen “Heritage Zones” – the key- areas signifying the historicity and cultural content of Chandigarh ’s image.The book aims to bridge an existing gap in the recorded history of Post-independence Indian Architecture.  It will, in the process, serve as a useful database for a more intensive investigation of the social history of the city and, more importantly, for deliberating on issues of its conservation, development and change.

Address purchase enquiries to:

The Principal,
Chandigarh College of Architecture,
Sector 12,
CHANDIGARH : 160 012 ( INDIA )
FAX NO.0091-172-746260
E-mail:cca@chd.nic.in

Mr. Bipin Shah
Mapin Publishing (P) Ltd.,
31, Somnath Road,
 Usmanpura, Ahmedabad – 380 013 (INDIA)
FAX NO.0091-79-7550955
E-mail:mapinpub@vsnl.com

Corbusier’s concrete: Concerning Modern Heritage of Chandigarh – Proceedings of Seminar on Conservation of Le Corbusier’s work in concrete Chandigarh 11-13 February, 2002.

Appreciation of Modern Heritage has also directed attention to technical aesthetic and philosophical issued of conserving histroric concrete.  What kind of methods can be applied to restore these structures, ensuring their long life as well as cultural significance?  Are the dictums of ‘minimum intervention’ and ‘reversibility’ any less relevant for modern constructions, especially so for monolithic concrete?  These were some of the questions addressed during the seminar “Conservation of Le Corbusier’s Work in Concrete” organized in Chandigarh by the Chandigarh Administration and the “Foundation Le Corbusier”.

Citing key examples, this publication highlights the rich diversity of exposed concrete I  Modern Heritage, lists its common failures, the difficulties of conserving its structural and design authenticity, and compares usefulness of available options for repair.  Case studies of Le Corbusier’s work in Chandigarh and France put across practical problems of restoring ‘Corbusier’s Concrete’ and outline a cost-effective and non-destructive repair system that can be carried out without loss of visual character or material integrity. Round-table discussions reveal conservation dilemmas confronting Chandigarh , including limitations of its experimental’ constructions, changing functional requirements, outmoded urban controls, and users’ disenchantment with its social ideology as well as the all-pervading aesthetic simplification.  Though emerging from Chandigarh , many of these issues would interest custodians of Modern Heritage the world over and find universal application.

Documenting Chandigarh , Volume II: Currently Ms Kiran Joshi is working on the 2^nd volume of the book which shall contain detailed information on drawings of the complete works of Corbusier- realized and unrealized -in Chandigarh .