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PROCESSES OF URBAN MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS
a. CASE description Background, basis & objectives
Urban mobility is often considered the great equalizer in terms of providing bare minimum
access to all sections of society. Freedom and improved access to mobility gives everyone,
including the urban poor, the opportunity to largely fulfil their own needs and aspirations.
However, equitable access to mobility infrastructure, though desirable, is still far from
achievable considering the diversity in forms of implementation and development models
followed. For example, the same argument for better urban mobility may give rise to a vast
pedestrian / NMT (non-motorised transit) network and at the same time a sixteen-lane super
highway cutting through the city. While there is emerging consensus about which is more
desirable from the point of view of sustainable urban mobility, the task of cross-communication
between technical experts, decision makers and the public, remains problematic. Herein lies the
criticality of the collective processes of (1) value generation, (2) agenda setting and (3) decision
making within the larger purview of public engagement.
Theories on communicative planning propose a paradigm shift and a way forward in planning
thought and practice in this regard. In communicative action values are generated through debate
and discussion. These values are then, the potential bases for agenda setting and decision making
into action. These values are far from absolute, equal or uncontested, but there might be a way to
ascertain degrees and levels of negotiated solutions, as proposed in the process of cross
acceptance. However, beyond theory, these tasks have to be (and are) carried out by individuals
and institutions with their own values, agendas and decision making power.
Within the context of a changing planning ideology and increasing popularity of urban mobility,
an analysis of past and current efforts from the point of view of the three collective processes of
public engagement will inform urban practitioners greatly towards the identification of potential
avenues for normative action in the future. Recently, achieving equal access in terms of both
affordability and pedestrian / NMT accessibility has been addressed through a number of small
and large initiatives in the NCR (National Capital Region). These include infrastructure heavy
projects such as the Delhi Metro and Bus Rapid Transit System to more socio-politically
oriented, grassroots initiatives such as Raahgiri and Aapki Sadak. Individually, each project has
benefitted the public, but has also brought up issues related to inclusiveness of different sections
of society and contestations of access to the public realm. These criticisms are also intrinsically
linked with the process of engagement followed by each.
This case is about understanding and conceptualizing class differences, perceptions of safety and
the politics of mobility at various scales of operation within the NCR. Inclusion here is not just
about activism towards a more equitable distribution of infrastructure, but about distinguishing in
what ways and at what stage exclusion happens in different cases.
Finally, in understanding this network of relationships, it is argued that values and aspirations
that are generated in Indias new neo liberal society are no longer merely state driven, but by a
set of complex forces that include film, news and print media, urban politics, NGO activism and
so on. And in this complex equation the middle class stakeholder holds significant influence if
not control on these forces, even if it is by merely being the major consumer who drives market
demand. It then seems that the urban practitioner in India is to be something of an advocative
planner, aware if not overtly pushing the concerns of the working class even as s/he negotiates
between the poor and the upper classes as well as between the state, the middle class and the
poor.
This CASE proposal is based on the argument that it is critical to be cognizant of the various
types of engagements with and representations of the poor and pro- poor concerns that
happen within the planners ambit in urban projects that attempt (or intend) to engage, be
inclusive and work for the widest social strata. This study will help to develop a more meaningful
literature on public engagement for a range of urban practitioners from the public, private and
civil society sectors.
In order to derive a comprehensive set of learnings from different scales / contexts and projects,
the following cases have been chosen:
1. Delhi BRT Project: A project conceived and designed by TRIPP, IIT Delhi resulted in the
creation of infrastructure for wider access to mobility, became controversial on account of its
prioritization of road space in favour of the bus lane, NMT and pedestrians traffic over
private vehicles. A case which became the center of significant media discourse, involving
the legal system as well as politics and is now all but disowned by the state on account of
middle class hostility towards the project.
2. Raahgiri Day: Mobilized largely by NGO activism, arguably successful in bringing together
the middle class in large numbers and popularizing the issue of NMT access and health
benefits from sustainable mobility to middle class consciousness.
3. Aap Ki Sadak: First participatory exercise of its kind in Delhi which looked at incrementally
negotiating the micro scale spatial and political dynamics through cross-communication
between, technical experts, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and a perceived middle
class dominated community.
These projects exemplify the diversity and nuance involved in the process of public engagement.
They are also demonstrative of how different scales of intervention invariably deal with different
forms of value generation, stakeholder positioning and key decision makers.
How are values generated, priorities assigned / agenda set for action and finally who
decides on what action to take?
Where does the urban practitioner sit, who does s/he engage with and in what way?
Can the urban practitioner represent or speak for the subaltern at all- whether it is to
the state or the middle class? Or does s/he provide him/her/them merely with a platform
to speak and be heard?
c. Research Plan & Outputs
Decision trees & key influences through the three stages of value generation, agenda
setting and decision making:
(6 Months)
In the case of the Delhi BRT, the research will consist of examining the discourse in the
print media from its initial reports to the controversy to its present status, as well as the
concerns and studies that resulted in the initiation and design of the project. The focus in
this component will also be on the representations of the non-vehicle owner, the everyday
cyclist and the working class.
In the case of Raahgiri the research will study the participation of the poor/ working class
in its events and also the representations among the organizers, key civil society
activists/participants and the traffic police of what the intentions/implications/results of
this program is.
In the case of Aap Ki Sadak, the workshop archives will be studied along with key
meetings which became critical junctures in the decision making process.
OUTPUTS: The study will culminate in a report that through the specific experience of
the above projects will catalog the representations of the poor and pro poor concerns by
1) Urban practitioner, 2) Activists and NGOs, 3) Governmental agencies, 4) major
community players and study how these representations influence the way, 1)
communities engage with each other, 2) the state engages with various communities as an
arbitrator of the public good.
Key concepts & perceptions will be communicated through creative infographics for
circulation to a wider audience with the possibility of replication in other languages.
+919999785221.
manasmurthy@hotmail.com
Initially drafted the project proposal for funding and led the project since its inception.
Coordination of consultant inputs, design coordination, community engagement workshops, government
and community presentations.
Chilmington Green Urban Extension: My primary role was the development of three dimensional typical
density blocks for the purpose of modeling the entire development (5700 d.u) in order to assess its
impact on the countryside and landscape context
Other roles: I helped in the preparation of business proposals and conducted site analyses for residential
and mixed use developments. I also worked extensively on three dimensional modeling for various
projects
Graduate Fellow in Sustainable Architecture & Urbanism (August 2010 - July 2011)
The Princes Foundation for Building Community, 19-22, Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG
Projects and roles:
Jinze Development Analysis: I was sent to Shanghai in order to analyse a mixed use development in a
nearby watertown. The scope of the project involved observation and documentation on site, the
production of a detailed report on the findings and giving recommendations for the future growth of the
project. It was also the first pilot project to test the Community Capital Framework developed by the
Foundation to analyse developments and communities.
Welsh Supply Chains Strategy: My roles included research on building materials from manufacturing and
procurement to distribution and pricing. I was also involved in organising a collaborative planning
workshop to set up steering groups and initiatives for strengthening local and regional supply chains
Bronllys Hospital: I was part of a charrette design team and production of urban design proposals which
looked at regeneration of a hospital site and town in Wales
Red Jacket Quarry: The site has been identified for the construction of prototypical timber houses in
collaboration with Zed Factory, to demonstrate the principles of sustainable urbanism. I have helped in
the preparation of architectural drawings and the planning application
Rugby Clubhouse: I have helped in the architectural design and submission of the planning application
for the rugby clubhouse at Coed Darcy, Wales, incorporating natural building materials and traditional
methods of construction
City Mapping Initiative, NDMC, Delhi: I was involved in the early stages of the project which involved the
complete GIS mapping of Zone-D for the benefit of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and its
departments.
Lutyens Bungalow Zone Redevelopment Scheme, NDMC, Delhi: The project involved extensive mapping
and revisioning of the existing LBZ for densification without adversely impacting its heritage value and
preserving its visual context.
Chakrata Road Redevelopment, Dehradun, MDDA: The project aimed at improving the desparate traffic
conditions around the historic Clock Tower area of Chakrata Road in Dehradun, via a complex system of
Land Pooling. It stands implemented today.
Objections & Suggestions to Masterplan, Delhi: Alternate Road Proposal on behalf of Westend Greens
Residents Welfare Association, for objections to Zone-J Zonal Development Plan. It involved the
development of alternate proposals and feasibility studies.
Member International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism (INTBAU)
An international educational charity which works to promote traditional architecture, urbanism and crafts
19-22, Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG
Dr. Matthew Hardy RAIA FRSA RIBA, Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Urbanism
The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, 19-22, Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG
E-mail: matthew.hardy@princes-foundation.org, Phone: (0)207613 8520
THOMAS OOMMEN
thumoh@gmail.com
www.thetheoryguy.wordpress.com
www.wix.com/thumoh/portfolio
EDUCATION
Master of Urban Planning
with Certificate in Sustainable Urbanism
College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, USA
Master of Architecture
College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, USA
Bachelor of Architecture
National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC), India
BN 15
Sreekrishna Nagar
Pongummoodu
Trivandrum -11
Kerala, India
August 2011
August 2009
2006
CA 07/4199
38034129
GBCI 10409989
WORK EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor
R.V. College of Architecture, Bangalore, India
Principal Architect
Collaborative Urbanism, New Delhi
Assistant Professor
Architecture - Urbanism Consultant for Sushant Research Centre
Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Gurgaon
Urban Designer
Marthas Vineyard Commission, Oak Bluffs, MA, USA
Nov04 to April 05
The Politics of Architecture, article co-authored with Shreyasi Pal, Economics and Politics
Weekly, Vol - L No. 14, April 04, 2015, India.
The Politics of Aesthetic Intention: From Modernism to the Neo- liberal city, conference
paper presented at International conference on contextual aesthetics organized by Indian
Institute of Architects and NIT Calicut to at NIT Calicut, Kerala on 31st January 2015
Appropriating Urban Infrastructure: The case of Delhi, journal article published in December
2013, Volume 20, The Future in Critical Planning, Journal of Urban Planning published
by the University of California Los Angeles . Co-authored with Radhika Singh.
Transit Oriented Development and Neighbourhood Revitalization: The case of Third Ward,
Houston, Final Study, with Prof. Shannon Van Zandt, Prof. Eric Dumbaugh, Prof. V.
Miranda, Texas A&M
Urban Design Section, Spring 2011 and Fall 2010, in the State of the Community Report
and Comprehensive Plan for the City of Richwood, Texas done as part of Texas Target
Cities program, Texas A&M University. Awarded Honorable Mention by the American
Planning Association.
Design & Transformation Redesign of the Memorial Students Center at Texas A&M using
Space Syntax, Final Study for M.Arch, with Prof.Weiling He, Prof. Sarah Deyong, Texas
A&M University
PRACTICE
New Dehradun Railway Station Urban Design and Architecture Feasibility Report as Lead
Architect with Collaborative Urbanism, for submission to Govt. of Uttarakhand and
Mussorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA)
Urban Design and Architecture Feasibility Report, Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail Transport System
as Urbanist, with Sushant Center for Research and Consultancy for submission to National
Capital Region Planning Board Delhi
Sustainable Environments for Dance, research report on dance infrastructure in Delhi for
GATI dance foundation, New Delhi as Researcher. Funded by the Goethe Institute and
Ministry of Culture, India.
Urban Design Plan for Tashmoo Hill Area, Town of Tisbury as Urban Designer and Arc GIS
expert with Mark London, Director, Marthas Vineyard Commission, Oak Bluffs,
Massachusetts, USA
TEACHING
Taught the first year long architectural theory course for 3rd year B.Arch at Sushant School
of Art and Architecture, Gurgaon. This was the first architectural theory syllabus certainly
in Delhi if not in the country which defined theory as epistemological and broke the
traditional equivalence made with theory of design. This syllabus stayed in effect for 3
batches of B.Arch. students (2012,2013,2014). I taught all the three.
Formulated the theory component in the History, Theory& Criticism track for the revised
B.Arch. syllabus at Sushant School in effect from 2014.
Conceived, initiated and moderated Propositions, a weekly forum for critical discourse
between teachers (and open to students). It continues in Sushant School.
Gurgaon studio Final year B.Arch. Urban Design studio that explored old historic core
and the new cyber city of Gurgaon in parallel.
Senior level(3rd year) architecture design studio units dealing with housing and mixed use
urban inserts at various sites in Delhi and Gurgaon at Sushant School.
B.Arch. 2013 Dissertation Committee Member, Sushant School of Art and Architecture.
The Negotiated City: Shivajinagar, 2014, Final year Urban Design Studio at R.V College
of Architecture, Bangalore.
Contemporary Architecture and Urban theory, 2014, core theory course for M.Arch
program in Urban Design, R.V. College of Architecture.
Contemporary Architecture, 2015, theory course for semester 6, B.Arch. program, R.V.
College of Architecture, Bangalore (ongoing).
Institutions, 2015, Architectural Design Studio Unit master, for semester 6, B.Arch.
program, R.V. College of Architecture, Bangalore (ongoing).
Invited panellist for public round table discussion on 50 years of modern architecture in
Kerala by Indian Institute of Architects Kerala Chapter in Calicut, Kerala in December
2014.
Invited panellist for public round table discussion on design pedagogy for International
conference on reinventing design pedagogy and contextual aesthetics, January 31st,
2015 held by Indian Institute of Architects Kerala Chapter and NIT Calicut.
Walk Leader, Modern Architectural Heritage Walk, conducted once every week from
November 2014 to March 2015 in Trivandrum, Kerala, as part of public outreach and
awareness by Indian Institute of Architects Kerala Chapter.
REFERENCES