Market Number 2, C.R. Park
Objectives
To design proper social and recreational space
To streamline vehicular traffic movement at 3 crossings at and near the Market
To integrate the Market with its existing social, economic and ecological networks
To give precedence to the cultural character of CR Park, a predominantly Bengali community in New Delhi
Left: Existing Plan of CR Park Market #2; Below: Existing Market photographs
Process
A combination of qualitative and quantitative tools measured four key attributes: 1. Safety and Inclusivity; 2. Comfort; 3. Economy and Infrastructure; 4. Activity. This rapid synthesis evaluation allowed us to arrive at a set of design drivers unique to CR Park Market 2.
What do the people want?
We surveyed 66 people from CR Park and other neighbourhoods of Delhi NCR to understand how people occupy, relate to, and want to see in their city’s public spaces. This gave us an important starting point, in order to:
Create a framework to guage the quality of public space
Combine different public space typologies
Identify strategies and measures to positively impact the neighbourhood and community
In collaboration with Delhi-based musicians Nowhere Station, we organised a Park(ing) Day event to reclaim car-parking spots in front of Market #2 with music, conversations, and short activities to understand how people would change their neighbourhood market.
Intervention
Taking cues from existing public life patterns at Market 2, we integrated the entire market with neighbouring Netaji Subhash Park, creating a continuous flow of movement from the busy, retail-focused fish market to the relaxed, recreational park. Dynamic recreational seating invites users to relax, grab a bite, or use tables for co-working. A community library is the focal point of the open courtyard, designed to be closed and locked when not in use. Plants and natural materials are used abundantly through the design. Mud excavated to sink the rectangular library area can be re-inforced with fibreglass and used to design public furniture, thus maintaining a sustainable material palette.
Project Details
Location: Chittranjan Park, New Delhi Type: Competition Timeline: 2 months Partners: Nowhere Station, Arjun Dutt Intersections: Design, Placemaking, Community Engagement