URBAN RENEWAL STRATEGIES FOR CUTTACK CITY

Abstract

The need of the hour is to understand the growing problems of the inner city areas of historic cities of India. With this view it is of utmost importance to study Cuttack, one of the oldest cities of India and to have a holistic vision plan developed that would create a better living condition. Cuttack, the Business/Commercial Capital of Orissa, also known as the "Millennium City", is the cultural centre of the state. It lies near Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark. More than a thousand years old (formed in 989 A.D.), it was the capital of Orissa for almost nine centuries, before Bhubaneswar was made the capital city in 1948. Cuttack and Bhubaneswar are collectively known as the "twin cities" of Orissa. The 1000 years old silver city has achieved the status of multi-functional centre for administration. It is the most important regional commercial hub 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. Moreover, rapid urbanisation has created blight and serious congestion problems as increasing pressure due to migration of people to the city for employment. The old pattern is organic with narrow streets and lanes which are inadequate for the increasing vehicular traffic. The study aims to frame urban renewal strategies for three select areas which are important as well as degraded due reasons like excessive concentration of population, old dilapidated buildings, disorganised spaces, poor condition of roads and infrastructure. The first area is in the core of the city having tremendous commercial value. The second area is the main wholesale market and warehouse near the railway station and Taladanda canal. The third area has the historic Barabati fort and some important features like Barabati Stadium, indoor Stadium, etc. The final strategies are framed taking the above issues in to consideration and they are derived after studying the select areas carefully and the recent trends of urban renewal worldwide.