Sophie's World

I am reading this book described as the history of philosophy- Sophie's world!! What a wonderful course in its subject it is! Besides making me realize of all the wonderful words that we take the meanings of granted as- materialism, rationalists, stoic, cynics, epicureans etc etc- it almost walks you through the gamut of human thoughts in the matters of concern that haven't  changed- especially the question- who are we!! And does so without attempting to answer the question at all!! 

As somewhere in the book- maybe what the world requires is a course in philosophy - for everybody!! At the early school level!! That scientific thinking is a philosophy in itself, that has developed as an idea only about four centuries back may come in a revelation to many! Or that we are all sparks from the same light may help promote tolerance!

The writing could be read as a description of western thought - but not necessarily - for those acquainted with the eastern history of thoughts - it shows the universal nature of thought in human civilization! And that all of it is a result also of syncrenization- of all thoughts- western , eastern and others!

So, the philosophy has always been in between the contrast of Plutonian and Aristotelian thought- read Mahavira and Buddha, Christianity and others, Descartes and  Spinoza etc etc. To me it looks like the description of reality as either from accepting the unknown or describing from the known! The state of human knowledge has changed the explanations but the duality of the approach has been constant.

Much like the formation of the society has remained a dual proposition- between the settled and the nomadic! Since the times before of Kane and Able!! The struggle between the ways of chengis khan and the settled societies, between the rural and the urban!! That, is a subject of another day!

On the Origin of Phrases & all that!!

Wanting to start this erudite exploration into the genesis of words and phrases! Those that we are so well aquatinted and know the purpose for- but come across in their history as strange, quaint or just startling!! In the language English and all others! All are welcome to contribute, correct, contradict !!

Id start with these one:

Catharsis: known to me as purging/removal of a body part , usually cancerous etc. Came across recently as the pope sponsored genocide of an entire decimation of the tribe of cathars - in France- for their refusal to toe the line of parity of son of god and god as equal!! While devout Christians, they had to be culled - against the Christian spirit of brotherhood- in the name of protecting Christianity!! Rings a meaning to the present status of the word?!

The Great Game: and I thought it was about hunting game in Africa!! Looks like it meant the drawing room/parlor games between Gr. Britain and France- keeping Germany out- about dividing the rest if world between themselves!! Led to to world wars, I reckon!!

The " Boys" played well!!: etc.!! The phrase referred by captains, boss managers , team owners etc!! Referring themselves as other than them!! Well, the term comes from apartheid Africa- the landowners referring the slave help as boys- not deeming them fit to be equal- men!! It does sound different when viewed like that, no?! The term is now used in Hindi too- " apne ladken Bhej doonga"- I shall send my boys!!

"mera number kab aayega" : made famous from the Pepsi ad!!?!! Well, its Hindi for the WW2 phrase- when will my number come?!! A kind of despondent phrase, full with despair & referring to the inevitability of young men being called for recruitment to the never ending supply of personnel for the armies!! More like- when am i going to get killed!!

Assassins : Now, this one is cool!! This is after a Islamic sect in former Mesopotamia, now in about Syria.The people of this sect have lifestyle that includes liberal usage of "Hashish" - dope!! & therefore the reference to them as 'Hashashians' - anglicized to Assassins.These were used by the British rulers of that time for doing what assassins now are known to do!!

Nepotism- for you & I!!

Nepotism works!! At least in the privileged situations we are placed in!! & I love it- till at least the times it works for me!! Which reminds me to not crib about it when it doesn't!!

& so, this trip to get my Driving licence- the fourth in my life time- the first three being have had made without my finding out where they came from- and at one time two of them ( the documents) at the same time!!

But this time is an eyeopener. A instant moral booster. A reminder of ones position in the scheme of things. A , one would like to believe, a reward of all the friends of the system one has spent time on cultivating!!

So, while the last trip to the office had me got acquainted with how one reaches the RTO, who , in turn is the most civilized & helpful person one can know- doing all checks required, ensuring all problems solved- and letting everyone know that you are the "sachiv" s ( secretary's) friend!! & lo behold- you have those documents in hand- with polite & embarrassed requests to come back in exactly one month- the minimum time after which the govt. rules allow them to give you a "pucca" licence!! Embarrassed? Because they have to follow that rule - even for you!! what will the 'sachiv' ji think?
& this time you walk in to the gentleman office- and are pleased to know that he remembers every bit of conversation you had with him last!! & that he wants to fill the form for you- & paste your picture!!- Mind you- pasting picture is the overt sign of being friendly!! Why else would someone dirty their hands for you?!!
& then your greatness arrives- right in your face!! From the white pant shirt wearing tough guy ( who normally would look you down so haughtily), the assistant, who will most reverentially take you for the paperwork- watch the sea of people separate in front to lead you in, push the ones in the queue- so that you can do the business!! Well, & while it embarrasses your sense of fair play that you have spoken this society requires, come on- you did say sorry to the guy who just got shoved!! & then, everyone, in the room- certainly including the officials, know you are the VIP!!& your feudal lordship is in place!! You sit on the chair cleared for you, picture taken, the fee deferentially asked & given!! My, suddenly the crowd looks like the natives!!
& then my lordship makes his way back to the officers office!! & After the regrets of inconvenience caused are accepted & the offer for home delivery of the licence agreed!! Oh- one leaves!!! Mind you, not unimpressed with the intellectual capabilities of the officers, or without sympathy for their work & work conditions!! 

& then the parking attendant does it!! Ask you for double the amount & then you have to tell him about asking the RTO about the right price, from whose office you have just come out from!! He doesn't believe it!!
So what?!!
Its another day in paradise!! - For you & I.

The Housing Unit- role & assumptions.

-The basis of the Unit

Modern planning processes assume the Family as a basis for deriving the housing unit- a blanket assumption that has resulted into residential areas derived of repetition of the resultant Housing unit. In urban situations, along with the variables of the size of the ‘ family’, are coupled other versions of the Housing requirements- the Single person unit, requirements for the Elderly, shared accommodation for affordability, and so on. The percentage requirements that these other versions make on the Housing stock seems, even without statistical information, substantial- examples being numerous. Non- cognisance of these requirements loads them on to a un-appropirate Housing typology, within which transformations seek to answer the situations ( Houses being shared for affordability, rooms wihen houses being rented, Etc.,)

While many of these requirements demand the development of other housing Types, on a zonal development basis, & therefore a revision of the Planning assumptions, the exigencies of Affordability ( & therefore the capacity to hold Housing space), Family sizes& Requirements demand variety & choice in size, location 7 specifications of the available Housing stock.

-Economic Categorisation

The existing planning programme also adopts variations in size & specifications to create Housing stock for various affodabilities, This, applied to a family unit type, is expected to create economic ( & therefore ‘class’) categorisations- namely H.I.G, L.I.G, & E.W.S.

The assumption fails in appreciating the role of LOCATION, and its various attributes of land prices, civic amenities available, gentrification etc., , in creating Urban parts defined by economic class- issues that can be addressed on a master plan level only. A gross overlooking of the locational aspect  in area level development, in the urban economic ( & Social) structure, along with application of Housing types based on economic categorisation has, unarguably, failed to address the housing demands of economic classes. A host of examples show urban forces 7 transformations resulting in gentrification processes completely dislocating the non viable economic class from its designated housing ( usually L.I.G. & E.W.S. from well located areas). If the vice- versa as true is not so apparent, the reason lies in the short supply & non- availability of options of the housing stock for the M.I.G & H.I.G. designated class, alone.

Housing requirements based on affordability of distinct economic classes cannot be answered on a basis of size & specifications of space allotment-  it requires their development on a locational basis. Area level development within contextualised locations can effectively address to socially compatible economic classes alone.

Crisis of The Field.

Continuing on posting from almost two decade old articles!!

CRISIS OF THE FIELD- The Residential Urban pattern within in the contemporary city form.

“ In the corbusian city it is only Housing that can legitimately act as the background to representational buildings’

- Alan Colquhon. Le Corbusier & the paradox of reason.

“ In trying to imagine an appropriate Urban form for the post colonial India, Le Corbusier found himself caught between the megalopolitan thesis of his three human establishments & the rather rigid principals of the Athens charter. The last insists, as you know, on the division of a modern city into separate zones for work, dwelling& recreation, while relying upon the transport infrastructure as the sole agent that was capable of uniting these zones into a workable & perceivable whole”.

- Kenneth Frampton. Inaugural address, Chandigarh celebrates 50 years.

Chandigarh, as the resulting prototype of the modern city, & the physical model of subsequent urban development in India, completed the process of the disjointment of the various city activities, resulting into their zones. The residential within the ensuing urban form assumed the role of the Field- a role natural to the scale & size of its activity, & for the same reason the commercial, institutional & recreational became the Object, qualifying the Field.

- Bedroom cities

A Field characterised  by single activity type, resulting into a handful Building types- the exigencies of the demand & growth in this zone vastly outpacing the possibilities of new building types, resulted in repetition & duplication. This in turn characterised it with, besides monotony, lack of other qualifiers to a ‘ Good City Form ‘- paths, edges, landmarks, nodes etc.,.

Insertion of other activity types has been attempted in these zones ( e.g., mixed land use), but the zonal level principals carried directly to area developments have created mini zones within the overall zone- failing to influence the surrounding form.

It is the Grain of the zone that requires re- addressing by a process of inducing other activity types within, developing structuring principals of the zone & its parts and by devising growth principals that would continually re- vitalise the parts.

Wihen the existing planning process that quantifies the activity within areas, it is to be a process of re- mixing activities, structuring city parts apprehending transformations and devising Urban controls- all about the ensuing Building Type.

- The city part

“ because of his fixation on the Athens charter, corbusier & his colleagues arrived at a sector ( 800 x 1200 m) that comprised the neighbourhood units, surrounded on all sides by the V3 road system “- defining the city part derived out of a road infrastructure. A city part far away from the physical size based ‘ quartis’ of Paris, or the socially derived parts of Jaipur- a resultant of the planning ideas of the early century that defined on a statistical derivations of physical distances from sociological requirements like schools, shopping & parks.

The derived city part ( sector) has unquestionably been inappropriate, especially in the socio- economic context of India. But it has continued in the planning process as a unit of city formation.

Even without its cultural moorings, the Chandigarh city part attempted the resolution of the problem of the automobile invasion within the physical environment of f the neighbourhood- a task continually becoming difficult to tackle in future developments& in most cases, given up on, save symbolic references.

Upon this process has been recent invasions of non- physical dimensions- security & insufficient infrastructure. Together a new type in City part seems to be manifesting- one defined by its physical size for self defence& maintainability, often reacting to the automobile by rejecting it & characterised by restraining its physical ( and thereby Social, civic & architectural) integration with the othercity parts ( e.g. Asiad village housing, press enclave, defensive formations in lajpat nagar), all together resulting in a fractured city pattern.

While accepting City Part as a unit of the perceivable structure of the city form, the socially, occupationally or demographically derived City parts of the pre modern planning era are out of consideration In contemporary urbanism. Yet, we have available various Forms-  trasmutated from the physically defined & sociologically derived city part of Chandigarh-  the Sector.

With reference to case example ‘ Master plan Delhi & the resulting city form’- there exist city parts that are statistically derived & administratively defined( e.g., Greater Kailash, vasant Kunj, Dwarka, Sarita vihar etc.), that are distinguishable by scale & building typology. Though there exists a planning process ( zonal plans) That attempts to derive sub-units of this part, it fails(in mots cases) to result them as perceivable parts( e.g., pockets, societies, colonies etc.,). The available planning processes stop at the level of this scale. Thence, the non- planned social processes, addressing the issues of security & infrastructure needs modify their physical sizes & definitions , attributing them qualifications of being parts. The city form becomes a additive result of these parts, with the transport system uniting  them!

While no consistent physical dimensions of this part are available, it is characterised by its restraint to physical integration & similarity in response to the issues of the Automobile, Security & insufficiency of infrastructure - issues that are pertinent!!

The scale, structuring & relationships of this city part requires review, to be able to answer the pertinent issues, while creating a continual city pattern that is ‘ workable & perceivable.

The existing planning process will than be reviewed for ‘ another level of” plans that start attention from a smaller scale of city part.

Arrest of Change.

This is rewritten old article. About eighteen years old!! Amazingly, could well have been written today!!

ARREST OF CHANGE & OUR ABILITY FOR STATUS QUO

                                          THE UNCHANGING URBAN SPACE

THE CITY HEART

Obvious exclamations to the phenomenal growth  in Indian cities is, on closer scrutiny, a response to the fringal change in their size. So while this proclamation of growth is heralded as the product of our urbanization efforts, the result is a quagmire of city parts, juxtaposed with unsolved problems of their growth.

The resultant growth, with their own problem of identity, character & architecture, is a subject question of our urbanization principles. The concern here is that this tremendous effort at growth has not changed the Indian city, beyond the marvel & measure of the city size. (Take a walk along most of Lutyen’s New Delhi & it is as if the British left yesterday!)

The new growth of parts has refused to coherently come together,  to be identified with the city and have left the onus of city identity and character on the older parts which has resulted in their qualifying for the popular `city heart’ idea. That these hearts in themselves contain important urban institutions like museums, galleries, cultural zones, market places etc., furthen their position in the resulting new city pattern.

THE UNCHANGING PATTERN

The new pattern is open to scrutiny, and change is to be understood as distinct from growth - change is to be accompanied by an altered nature, function and character of the subject. With such qualifications for change, the city hearts (referred by many as city proper!) are, at best, an unchanging pattern. The whole of Lutyen’s Delhi, is as if in a time wrap of a bygone era - an archaic idea of a different socio-political system - while burdened with its new position in the overall pattern.

STATUS QUO

There exists a status quo - `Leave it as is’ blanket policy. That it has not helped in positive continuation of urban areas is best exemplified in the squalor that has engulfed Shahajahanabad (Old Delhi). Lutyen’s Delhi continues to look functioning at the cost of vast underutilization of a tremendous potential, while the fringes of urban growth squirm under pressure.

That the status quo approach is a negation of the historic process of development, is to be understood. International  examples of continual re-building and re-shaping have happened in spaces like piazza San Marcos, Della Signoria etc.., And more lately, urban reorganization of an inner city area in Paris to Park la Villette highlight the need to continually change city parts for dynamic incorporation of contemporary needs.

That the Indian traditional space is a result of continual change and reorganization is an accepted principle, and is fortified by many examples of temple cities, religious centers etc.

So the status quo in urban areas is a recent idea in city development process - aided much with uncontextualised western ideas on conservation.

If the status quo process was restricted to city development, one would have attempted to write it off as an exigency of the economics of growth. But questionable is the pervasive mentality in all spheres of socio, cultural and political activity. So we have unchanged judicial laws that pre-date this century and editorial sentiments against a more contemporary rendering of the title `Vande Matram’ - that it can now be sung by a lot more people, notwithstanding. Obsolence seems to be an issue not to be debated and is preserved in the shield of continuity. But such continuity is unsuitable for contemporary scenarios.

NEED FOR CHANGE

Reverting back to status quo in our built environment, it is noticed that it has resulted in the non-assimilation of  the past and the present. Take for example, the central vista or the Kingsway (now called Rajpath) in front of Viceroy’s Palace (now called Rashtrapati Bhawan) culminating in the India Gate precinct (now called August Kranti udyan). This imperialistic vision, aptly designed to symbolise the dominance of the  power structure existing then has virtually remained unchanged in the new democratic structure. While it is accepted that the architectural splendour of this great urban space is a firm case of care and conservation, but that its highly altered role in the contemporary city has failed to influence the conception seems more a matter of status quo controversy. From a ceremonial route symbolising the relationship between the Viceroy on one side and the Indian princes on the other, the space is now functioning as an Indian maidan catering to public rendezvous, political gatherings and recreation. The architecture of yesterday have become monuments of today, but the quality of space is all a result of chance, than of acceptance of this new role of the maidan (symbolic efforts by changing names notwithstanding). What is of concern are the controversies generated each time the development bodies initiate a change in this space. These controversies if accepted as public opinion and psyche, somehow all gather to blanket preservation of the area - against the hypothesis of continually adapting and reforming urban spaces.

So are we, as a society, scared of change - or more so - of our ability to control change? There seems to be a lack of optimism to produce change for a better scenario. If there is fear of our own capabilities, or the lack of them, then we must investigate the agents responsible for change. If the bodies responsible for development, strategies and opinion are defunct of ideas, then there is no dearth of professional talent, already rearing to contribute.

If this seems like a daunting task, it has not to be seen as a weakness, but an optimist strength that has to be generated, against which the constraints of development will be offset. Status quo will never rid the need for change, as Lutyen’s himself said  “ We cannot get rid of the body of tradition, murder it how we may. ”

The Un public works!!

Now, before we begin with the thinking stuff, i d like to write about my pet peeve- the public works department!!
Here is why. 
There must be  various ways of developing/improving a society. From where i stand- the best way is to develop, improve & maintain public spaces!! Doesn't take much to see the relationship of developed periods of societies/ civilizations & see their expression in the Public space Quality!! Not harking on the Mohen ja daro likes only- or ujjain, or shahjahnabad, or NYC or etc. The relationship is two way- society effecting public spaces & vice versa!!
And now, look around us!! barring isolated examples ( very very few!!) of some spaces, we are living in a state of shambles in the name of public structures/spaces. A large blob of uncivic quality marked by poor quality of design & unmentionable worksmanship. A system that has somehow developed a way of going archaic & in disrepair almost as soon as it is built.
No dearth of evocative examples here. See the curbstones fall off everywhere.The pavements are an anarchists delight!! Roads which are default designed to break up every monsoon- of course they forgot to account for draining the water!! Anything like delight & visual empathy in the works?- oh, whoever heard of that!!& the Design quality of all this?- Ah, one could detain a college student for such quality of work!!
So, who is responsible?
Prima facia, its the pubic works authority/ties!! That they have an undisclosed amount of money at their disposal & discretion is a study that is unknown!! I cant even fanthom to figure how to get the information of such kind- about how much of the GDP is spent through public works!! The agencies include the PWD, CPWD, METRO co., Irrigation departments, NHAI, Etc Etc. That a model of converting all development into becoming a construction program me, majorly, exists as seen!! So, Health is converted to hospitals, and Rural development to roads & school buildings!! That it helps a lot of people seems quite likely- see why median railings get converted to different designs almost every year in cities & why pavements come up where no pedestrians exists- for example!!

Personally speaking , great spaces make great minds!! & great public spaces make great societies!! & someone at the top requires to get this in order!! On priority!! An audit of the public works to begin with? & a national level development of the need for public/civic spaces?

So that when a public park comes up in Noida, even if it is developed by a political ideology, we realize that civic architecture is important to city building!! & for once in many many years we have a Quality public space that the citizens take pride in!!

Agenda

Not Exactly the famed architect zaha hadid this is, nay case an architect non so ever!! Now, that deserves a mention on very introductory note on this blog, since architects are creatures in themselves- or others may think so!! So, there might be a commonalty of view, attitude, ways of seeing etc. that might draw parallel to lots others in this creaturedom- therefore all accusations of plagiarism within this subset shall not apply!! & of course, the appropriation of choice of topic will run limitless & still be considered a domain of the community- only because- oh, we all know, Architects are megalomaniacs!! & to save time- lets all agree that we are always right!!-)

So, i am going to tell myself my favorite topics that i may need to dwell on ( of course, the right to change/not follow the list/etc.) is reserved!!

1. The Concept of God. 

Now why would an architect want to dwell on that?!! Simple, Because God is required in all possible concepts to get his work done!!-) & who are we but instruments ( direct though!!) of his will!!?!!

In this i wish to explore, explore my own self, of the historical idea of God in religions & in time. The relationship between the God & Men ( yes yes women too!!), anticipated roles & responsibilities etc. Drawing from no authentic research, this two hundred or so word of thinking is to be based on all other readings & meetings with all around!! Oh, i can already see myself running out of steam on this one!!-) so whats new!!

2. The Politics of Public space.

Wonder why there is "dhrana" always on at the jantar mantar in New Delhi? & why Arvind Kejriwal wants to be sworn in at the Ramlila grounds & Narendra modi at Vijay Chowk ( The Grand place)? Or why ever increasing no. of people/communities want to do "visarjan" on the yamuna banks in Delhi? Or why the PM of India makes speeches from the ramparts of Red Fort & not, say, from somewhere else?!! Its all about appropriation of meanings & symbols, no?!!

3. I need a third one!! Odd no.s are an architectural play. Three is especially sacred!!-) Arches, for example!! & when one wants to make a point- its usually three adjectives!! No?!! Oh, i d figure out the third topic- some time soon!!