Revitalizing Abhay Mitro Street: Balancing Tradition with Contemporary Needs

The studio focuses on learning various approaches to urban conservation that integrate existing historic fabric with today’s needs. The studio will use the case of Sovabazar Sector in North Kolkata for the demonstration. This historic neighborhood dates itself back to the origins of Kolkata located on the River Hoogly and sandwiched between the ancient canal and spine road that runs north-south along the city. The site offers an array of urban transportation options like the ghat on the river for transportation, a circular rail train station Metro station with spine road having already established bus routes.

The historic neighborhood is ripe for revitalization and development keeping urban conservation and adaptive reuse to make this is a competitive live work precinct in the core of the old city of Kolkata. This method of conservation of the historic neighborhood of buildings that can be classified for restoration as well as be tactically transformed with sensitive urban design interventions to suit the current needs will allow the team to handle urban design issues, conservation and adaptive-reuse. One can create a toolkit of policy measures and design ideas that will allow this precinct to re-invigorate the entire old city as a model development.

After a detailed analysis of the challenges identified along the selected Abhay Mitro Street, a set of regulations and recommendations is to be formulated to guide repairs, maintenance, additions, and reconstructions works. These guidelines aim to restore the traditional character of the street while accommodating contemporary needs and demands. The proposal also includes incentive mechanism to offset the loss of development opportunities that may arise from these regulations. The viability of these proposed regulations is demonstrated through the redesign of an apartment typology that currently stands in stark contrast to the traditional courtyard houses. Furthermore, the façade restoration of one residence is suggested to exemplify the implementation of these guidelines, reinforcing the conservation ethos of the street.

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