RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT OF ALLAHABAD -THE KUMBH CITY

Abstract

While a river flows, it supports many human activities & their habitation..All over the world river valleys have been cradles of civilization because all the major civilizations -Egypt on the Nile, Mesopotamia on the Tigris and Euphrates, Mohenjodaro and Harappa on the Indus flourished along the river banks. Due to their importance to human civilization, rivers have been held sacred and worshipped in India since time immemorial. The riverfront development has played a key role in the life of the many cities. Like veins and arteries, rivers and canals are channels of connection and communication. The flow of rivers establishes a continuum, so that in communication they link ideas and expressions, and in connection they link space and time. Although their positions remain essentially the same, the rivers are kinetic elements - the flowing water constantly renews itself. The river flowing in the urban areas have been a major source of attraction in providing relief and refreshment for the people. Yet many cities turned their back to rivers during industrial revolution and rivers were used as sewers and the riverbanks as slum and squatter settlements causing serious environmental degradation as well. As a result many rich flood plains and riparian systems have disappeared from many areas of the world and have now turned into degenerated entities in the backyards, calling for immediate attention and revival. This needs to look at the river system as a whole as a `space', which could be possible through a rational approach for planned development of the area falling within the river area/zone. The river cuts up cities in patches of development by providing the major movement corridor. This linear system of rivers threading through diverse districts can stitch this sprawling patchwork of districts i.e. can integrate developments. Considering the potentials of the river and proactive participation of people they can be made into the most attractive place.