Design Dissertation: Sumedh Gangurde
Guide: Siddharth Shirur
Urban Manifesto: A term coined by the author, by combining two words to describe a new concept which briefly means creating a public declaration of policy and aims but of a physical form circulating the urban environment.
Aim
This dissertation debates about the current socio-political conflict often sprung and dominated by how there’s a trend in building statues and icon for propaganda purpose and how it’s just a façade and doesn’t quantify. so, a place based on their identity would have more impact? The aim is to challenge the government proposal and give an alternative that addresses core issues and indulges more into the value of a person its built on, making a democratic space that’s public and that would help suppressed voices to
come up in these tough times giving power to bahujans to overthrow the institutional discrimination.
Process of the Design
Statue of equality at Indu Mills in Dadar, Mumbai was selected to critique and intervene on after the analysis of 3 prime proposals from government. As the place is going to be designed on Dr.B.R.ambedkar’s ideas it was necessary to formulate a concept and program which is powerful. Through various site analysis and literature analysis of Dr.Ambedkar’ writing a holistic draft was made which made the design flow and allows this land to become a democratic public space which is given back to the city, reclamation of land by nature and by prejudiced minorities in a high real estate and an
upper class zone. The concept came from Dr. Ambedkar’s literature where he urges to “educate, organize, agitate”, where in the design will have a form of education, a form of organization and a form of agitation against minorities oppression. Intervention Such as, blurring the edges by taking the boundaries inside and making pockets w.r.t vegetation present and opening up to public, using the present mill structure footprint and existing trees placement to define where structures will come yet not letting it restrict the design process to make minimum damage to the site vegetation and retaining the two ponds. The program was developed on the basis of Educate, organize, agitate. Where educate is – Museum for Dalits, LGBTQ+, Women, Muslims, Dr.Ambedkar’s history and a space where various constitution can be
debated and educated, a library, auditorium, studio for youtubers etc . Organize is- NGO’s of 4 communities each, a start-up centre of business for communities, a social media cell for outreach, meeting rooms. Agitate is- Place of protest, deck, light bollards resembling candle light march and the whole of the site. Other than this a dormitory for marginalized student and a temporary housing that turns into shops are provided.
What this space becomes is a form of democratic public space that brings in reforms which provides knowledge and information and educate them, gives employment. Provides space for organization to help the people in need. And a platform to agitate and discuss then for the changes to come to fruition. With solution by public linked directly to govt bodies. This is basically a reclamation of public space in concrete hegemony a reclamation of place by bahujans in an upper caste society.
Site location: Dadar, Mumbai
