Water Resilience in the Historic Core of Jodhpur City

This study was conducted & presented as a part of a student collaboration of KRVIA & SPA Bhopal.

Overview

Jodhpur, like many cities in India, is a city of lakes. It is one of the well known, tourist attraction destinations in India. The interconnected water architecture system of the region conserved the minimal water available through rainfalls, and conserved it as reliable water resources through baoris, kunds and lakes.

The number of available water resources in the city have reduced a lot through the years. One of the major factors includes the loss of community and cultural associations with the them. Another factor includes reclamation of natural water bodies, leading to overflow of freshwater resources on the streets.

The intent of the project was to study the flooding and its causes in the historic core of the city. The study included the documentation and mapping of selected water bodies. This concluded in design propositions for easing the phenomenon

Research Themes & Methods

The Naya Talab and Toorji Ka Jhalra Baori were the two case studies that were conducted by our team. Both sites exhibited distinct urban characteristics.

Overview & Extent of the Site

In the first case, we observe disassociation of communities which is causing a complete dysfunction and misuse of the water body. Whereas, in another case, we observe a cultural association of tourism importance, but no usage. However, in both cases, one can observe the dissociation of the community with the water bodies.

Case 1: Naya Talab

Naya Talab is translated to 'New Lake'. It is located in a residential zone. The communities residing in the periphery of Naya Talab are comparatively new. It also has encroachments along the lake edge. There was another water body near this lake, known as Motikund. It had been completely reclaimed about 7 years earlier.

Site Documentation of Key Vulnerabilities & Water Drainage on Site

Moti-Kund (a water body that existed earlier) reclaimed as a Community Hall

Physical & Visual access to the lake is completely hampered at the Ground Level - Lake Walls and the garbage dumping points along the periphery of the lake is the route for the garbage collectors. The stagnant water, therefore, has formed moss and is a threat to the health of residents.

The settlements constructed along the fort wall exterior through the years

The settlements do not have legal land ownership. The building heights have been incrementally raised as years passed as the need arose, by the tenants themselves. This can be observed by the transition in the construction technique of the house levels.

Site Section 1

Source: Team & Siddhi Joshi

Over-flow of freshwater from the slopy terrain. This is hazardous for pedestrians as the route gets slippery. Incidentally, the people residing along the slope have their own methods of collecting and re-using the water. The tap is connected to their own homes.

The arrows indicate the draining direction of freshwater from the slopy terrain on to the main street. The mound located centrally is a garbage dump. The green foreground is the moss-covered lake.

Drainage Channel Leading to Lake. This is through an existing temple along the main street

Site Section - Detail at 'A'

Source: Team & Siddhi Joshi

Rising Water in the Aquifers Causes Damping Of Walls Throughout The Year

The community themselves have created punctures along the sewer access to allow the excess water to flow back into the drain chambers

Cause of Over-Flow

Source: Team & Siddhi Joshi

Community Mapping

An open space opening up to the lake edge. However, a low physical barrier has been created to restrict any movement beyond this

There is strong visual accessibility from the upper floors towards the Lake. The play in built form levels allow community engagement as well.

The main street along the periphery has an isolated appearance - mainly used for automobile movements.

Pipaleshwar Temple Ground Used As A Congregation Space At Night

Typical Street in the residential settlement along the fort wall

Interventions

The intervention included opening up the lake periphery to the residents and the public to create an association. This also involves clearing up the debris around the lake and providing a pedestrian accessible space.

Opening up the lakefront to create & enhance community associations

Diagrammatic Representation of Proposed Community Association around the Lake

Case 2: Toorji Ki Jhalra (Stepwell)

In the case of Toorji Ka Jhalra, it is considered a cultural heritage and a tourist spot. The private institutions are taking initiatives for conserving and maintaining the water body. In spite of all this, it is not being used by the locals as an element of everyday use.

Mapping the Network of Water Bodies

1- Toorji Ka Jhalra Baori. Despite its accessible location, the place is devoid of people even during the day time

2 - RAAS Hotel - Reclaimed Waterbody (Privatized Institution)

Source: Greaves India

3 - A Villa that has been reclaimed over a water body

Waterlogging in low lying areas

6 - Kuan (Well) at Indira Gandhi Market

7 - Upar Lavass - Private Family Mansion

7 - Well at Daoji Ka Jhalra. The well is located at the rear end of the complex. A temple nearby uses the water.

It is observed that some water bodies are restricted to certain communities. Above posted pictures from left to right are - A masjid (mosque), a shrine and a temple. The water bodies are used only by the visitors of the said places

The residents have adapted their lives around the phenomenon. They have a connected tap to the plinth of their home. This collects the freshwater. Hence, is used for domestic purposes. They also have raised plinths. The streets have an open drain system on either side

Inner, Residential Kuan at Lohar Galli

In the left picture, the leaf looks like it is floating in the air. The picture on the right shows that it is floating on crystal clear water. :D

Here, we observed that most water bodies are either reclaimed, privatized or are restricted to specific communities. The excess water flows to the low lying areas. This causes water-logging even during the dry seasons.

Cause of Over-Flow

Source: Team & Siddhi Joshi

Open Space Mapping

The typology of raised plinth gives people an opportunity to have direct contact with the street and with one another. The drain channels can be seen below the streets.

The inner residential chowks (interaction node) are a semi-private zone. It provides both - a sense of security of home as well as a community interaction zone

The rear end of Indira Gandhi Market. This is used as parking as well a congregation & sorting zone the vendors & their wares

Typical Busy Market Street

It is observed that some traditional structures are highlighted. This is done through bright color palettes and are adorned with traditional architectural elements. These structures are either family mansions, guest houses or traditional market buildings. These enhance the heritage characteristics of the precinct.

Interventions

The intervention included proposing green corridors along the highlighted streets. This ensured that the excess water could be harnessed and integrated with the built form technologies along the corridor stretch.

Green Corridors Proposed

Proposed Built Form Along the Corridor

Neighbourhood Enclosures (Inspirations from Traditional Built Form & Elements)

We are immensely grateful to have experienced Jodhpur under the guidance of Caron Rawnsley. He has played an active role in conserving & creating awareness about the water resources in Jodhpur for many decades. Inspite of his age, he continues to ecstatically take students around the city, and plays an immense role in sharing his knowledge and creating awareness amongst them.

All the work included here has been documented & produced by the Team: Pooja Ninawe, Rajlakshmi Dubey, Shraddha Kelji and Sanjana Mallya