REVITALIZATION OF WALLED CITY, JAIPUR

Abstract

Jaipur planned in 1727 is one of the important case of living heritage city. The city has a glorious past linked with it, due to which it is well-known even today throughout the world. The urban design and rich architecture are the important characteristics of this city. Many of the heritage settlement are subjected to change and rapid deterioration of the fabric and quality, where as the Jaipur walled city still is the thriving economic centre and very much intact of its physical characteristic. The potential of the Walled City of Jaipur are immense, economically, culturally, socially and aesthetically. The city is not becoming a dead town; it is the overuse and chaotic functioning which is threatening the very basic life of the area. The city however is still offering a major economic base. The urban life in the walled city has always confronted with problems due to modernization against traditional built form. The absolute conservation and freezing of the environment cannot be the approach to the problem as it is a very much living and throbbing city. Old city of Jaipur is in its transition phase. The threat the city faces is due to the rapid conversion of land use, congestion due to increased vehicular traffic, parking requirements and the basic qualitative needs of the residential areas.. This imbalance is resulting into the environmental deterioration and possible collapse of the heritage fabric if not intervened urgently. Considering the growing population and its relative demand, there is an urgent need to focus on conserving its overall character, protecting important monuments and providing basic facilities to its residents. These problems may affect the unique characteristics, architectural value and heritage of the old city. So there is a need to work towards an action so as to restructure and revitalize the old city. The intense use and the character of the old city, strengthens the necessity to prepare a Revitalization Plan. This plan will arrest the issues and allow improving the situation qualitatively and at the same time conserve the heritage of the walled city, which is one of the rare examples in the world history. Approach of the Study: Basic approach has been first to review the literature available and study the original character of the walled city of Jaipur in terms of its city planning and architectural concepts. Then the level of transformation and its impact on physical development of the heritage areas has been studied and analyzed. This analysis has depicted how the process of transformation has impacted on land use, built form, streetscape, traffic and transport facilities, etc. Transformation has been studied under three levels, i.e. Bazaar street level, Chaupar level and Chowkri level by taking three case study areas. Based on the analysis different issues related to the Walled City have been identified. Certain conclusions are drawn from the database. The recommendations for revitalization of the walled city of Jaipur are based on the issues identified and the conclusions drawn. The author believes that these recommendations would relieve the walled city from the existing pressure.