Beyond Built Pvt Ltd.  |   Jan-May 2015
Riverfront (ghats) development for River Ganges

Location: Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, India
Client: WAPCOS Ltd., Union Ministry of Water Resources
Project Team: Khushboo Rani, Susan Abby, Aanchal Mehta

My work: Research and analysis, Concept sketching, Design Development, Graphics Development, Working Drawings for Promenade, and 3D Modelling

The Ganges’ sanctity makes it a valuable river, with a special position in the Indian ethos. The edge between the river and habitable space, called the ghat has been perceived as an invaluable interface between the river and people, with high potential for development and upliftment to become the recreational and cultural hubs of the city.

In this project, it is intended to be a space that celebrates the river as a vital component of the pilgrimage town, and aims at rejuvenating the surrounding premises. The purpose is to make the riverfront multi-functional through appropriate design practices. The proposals have a three-pronged goal:

• Environmental awareness
• Religious and Cultural Use
• Upgradation of Facilities

On religious occasion, lakhs of people trek to Ganges and after a holy dip, worship the Sun God. This requires adequate bathing and cremation ghats at the riverfront to be able to cope with the footfall. The entire riverfront has several of these ghats which are connected with a Promenade that has pause points at regular intervals. The promenade is designed to create an interactive space on the edge of the city. Ingress routes to all ghats increase when they are connected, making the edge more approachable, and safer for women. Removal of the pitching and punctuating the edge with plantation as terrace is beneficial for biodiversity, wildlife, carbon reduction, and nutrient exchange at the riparian edge.