Dissertation | Exploring Urban Voids | 2018

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The achievement and ultimate result of this research paper required a ton of direction and help
from numerous individuals and I am to a great degree advantaged to have this up and down the
culmination of my paper. All that I have done is just because of such supervision and help and I
would not neglect to express gratitude toward them.

I owe my profound appreciation to my guide Ms. Sobia Ahsan, who took distinct fascination on
my research subject and guided me from the start, till the fruition of my exploration work by
giving all the important data.

I am grateful and sufficiently lucky to get consistent consolation, support, and direction from all
Department employees which helped me in effectively finishing my research. Likewise, I might
want to stretch out my true regards to all staff in the library for their convenient help and loaning
some assistance at whatever point required.

At long last, I thank my parents who have offered help sincerely and ethically, took care of every
one of my needs and my companions for furnishing me with useful feedback to help shape my
research structure better.

i
 Dissertation | Exploring Urban Voids | 2018

ABSTRACT

A city is a cluster of buildings and areas of activity. The spaces between urban structures are
often treated as a side effect, an accidental phenomenon present due to the location of buildings.
However, in contrast to the buildings that have their functions established once they are erected,
urban voids contain the potential for rapid change of use constituting an important element of
both planned and unplanned activities. Empty spaces are possibilities for future arrangements
and the evolution of needs that are often unknown at the time of construction. The main
objective of the research is to define the concept of ‘urban void' and to analyze the hidden
potential of it. And also to perceive the presence of these 'lost spaces' in the urban context of
Delhi, to find the factors responsible for the creation of lost spaces in an urban space and to
recommend solutions for the same.

These reactions to the social, economic and architectural parts of urban renewal will be exploited
by an intensive investigation of hypotheses, theories, concepts, ideas and writing that will
authorize the perfect methodology towards ‘EXPLORING URBAN VOIDS TO ENHANCE
THE POTENTIAL OF URBAN PUBLIC SPACE IN CONTEMPORARY CITIES'.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How would you consider inventive approaches to scoop out the capability of urban voids to add
to the public space of the city and accordingly enhance the nature of the city?

Subsidiary Questions:

1. What is Lost Spaces in an Urban Space?

2. Why do ‘Lost spaces' exist in the urban fabric?

3. What criteria identify the characteristics of a specific ‘Lost Space?'

ii
 Dissertation | Exploring Urban Voids | 2018

AIM

To identify the components that add to the underutilization of spaces or urban voids in the city.

To highlight how underutilized spaces can be and have been misused as open space.

To restore the nature of Public Space and improve the public realm of an urban space in
connection to urban voids.

OBJECTIVES

1. To understand/define lost spaces.

2. How economical, physical and social factors effect lost spaces.

3. Parameters that lead to the creation of lost spaces and its impact on the immediate
environment.

4. To find out the importance of lost spaces and its potential in urban intervention.

5. Factors responsible for the creation of lost spaces in an urban space.

6. To analyze different examples of the same and how further these spaces can be utilized for
greater use.

SCOPE

 Presence of Urban Voids in Cities and Urban spaces are unavoidable.

 The usage of the term Urban Voids and Lost spaces are used interchanging.
 Delhi would be utilized as a basis for my investigation of urban voids, because of its
variety of spaces and their ease of use. A direct research and perception of spaces in
Delhi would help improve viewpoint of its present usage.

iii
 Dissertation | Exploring Urban Voids | 2018

 Definition of urban voids, its development and its varieties are totally hypothetical and
may vary in practical conditions.
 All contextual analyses done under this exploration will be exclusively identified with
Delhi and along these lines, its correlation with some other setting may contrast.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research uses the synoptic method of collecting and analyzing data which is often referred
to as rational methods. Systematic design in this method consists of several steps depending on
the complexity of the case. This method prioritizes the structured steps in problem-solving by
integrating several alternatives to reach the conclusion with respect to suggested motions.

This approach helps to determine to clarify of sequential details of the findings in order to extract
the accepted suggestion in the discussions. The best solution is seen from the quality or value
that has the possibilities to give a better impact on the study.

The steps are summarizing as follows: Primary and secondary data collection includes:

 Observations at different edges by describing, sketching, and photographing the existing

condition of the building and its context in relation to the urban context. Observations are
made on weekdays, weekends, holidays and other peak hours according to the cultural
pattern of the community. Physical data will be presented in the form of maps,
photographs, and pictures
 Literature studies on the urban-related phenomenon in the published materials are
significant secondary data to enhance and support the argument related to the findings
and discussions in the paper.

During the urban reconnaissance, several problems on site through observations is done
according to the elements of urban design principle, covering land use and buildings, public and
social activities, street and pedestrian ways, as well as activity support The integration of the

iv
 Dissertation | Exploring Urban Voids | 2018

prospect of the region is done according to the four elements of urban space are which include
accessibility and linkage; comfort and image; uses and activities and sociability in order to find
the factors related to the new activity as regional generator.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The spaces that the author will characterize as voids in this exploration are exceptionally
personal. It may vary starting with one individual then onto the next.

The author's information on urban setting is constrained and this may limit the examination of
spaces on an urban scale.

Only direct perception of voids would help us give a clearer photo of their reality and
convenience. In this manner, the insight into these spaces outside Delhi would be restricted.

v
 Dissertation | Exploring Urban Voids | 2018

LIST OF TABLES/ FIGURES/ ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1. Diagram of Urban Design (Source: Roger Trancik; Finding Lost Spaces, 1986)
Table 1: An overview of under managed space (Source: Roger Trancik; Finding Lost Spaces,
1986)

Figure 2. Inverse Figure Ground Theory (Source: Unknown)

Figure 3. Creation of Urban Voids (Source: Unknown)
Figure 4. Types of Solids and Voids (Source: Roger Trancik; Finding Lost Spaces,1986)
Figure 5. Five points (Source: Lynch, Image of the City)
Figure 6. Urban Edge (Source: Unknown)
Figure 7. Urban Edge (Source: Unknown)
Figure 8. DDA Proposal (Source: Time of India, Delhi)
Figure 9. Yamuna Riverfront (Source: Unknown)
Figure 10. Yamuna Riverfront (Source: Unknown)
Figure 11. Sabarmati Riverfront Development (Source: Unknown)

vi