KRVIA-TU (TAIWAN) EXCHANGE: 2012

It all began with the theoretical idea of space & syntax analogue aided by software to understand & represent the urban mat based on its phenomenal properties. It began to look tentative initially since computer parameter deciding the urban phenomenon seems far from even perceptional questions. As workshop started with the site visits & bringing the data back to the studio, it gave complete new dimensions to our ignorant perception. The map began to appear with complex web overlaid along with gradation that supposes to connote the visibility & accessibility criteria. The line thickness and gradation became the representational tool for understanding complex urban phenomenon. One can change the parameter and bring in the new values or coordinates which may become subservient to the nature of research one want to carry out. It is possible to bring in the new coordinate system which is incongruous in nature and perhaps that incongruity may be an important attribute for carrying out the accord surgery. It perhaps allows the discord attributes to morph to have urban form accord.

The joint workshops with TU always have been an experience to cherish. More than any reason It’s perhaps the social & cultural seamless condition that we share. KRVIA Master’s students are definitely benefited with the exposure however It has been intellectually profiting on both side.

MASTER'S THESIS: 2011

URBAN MATRIX

Urban design is traditionally rendered with western academic forum. Its role is very often predetermined in abstraction of historicism on one hand while iconic & ideality on other hand.

Urban design, architecture & Indian cities.

A city is a palimpsest, a document with many layers of accretion & imperfect erasure, many glosses & comments and marginal notes. It is often called as collaborative art work, a strange collaborative partnership of people, civic policy makers, democratic political - legal system & socio-cultural & regional hegemony. The matrix of lattice system is an abstract idea of theoretical discourse within urban design context of Indian city. It represents the complexity of various realms seeking sense of locus & alignment to the vast reality of perceived urban order. The Thesis work perhaps demonstrated the nature of context & nature of responses are far detached from the value system that we are attempting to promote. Owen's work is perhaps takes the step forward the issue of representation and response more than iconic delineation.

TRAGEDY OR BESTOWISM

It is an interesting chapter in Indian history to see how English authority in India drew their authority from 1600-1765 by virtue of charter act of the British crown, parliament, & declining power of the great moguls and other native rulers of India.

The western countries already had their trade route via Constantinople to Asian countries. After the annexation of Constantinople by Turks, the new trade route was discovered by Portuguese via a Cape of Good Hope. They commanded the Indian Ocean and established the strategic key points. The Britishers also felt ambitious in their trade aspiration and began to relish the dream of the trade association with India.

During 1600, the meeting was held by mayor of London with the merchants and resolution was passed to form an organization or association to have direct trade with India. However within such formation of association there was no assumption of sovereignty over newly discovered lands or trading ports. By virtue of Royal Charter, company/organization was authorized freely to develop the trades with the various parts of Asia and Africa. It also gave them authority and privileges to govern themselves and their servants. The small body of merchants received the royal charter from queen and constituted the English East India Company.