MANEK CHOWK
IMAGE OF THE PLACE USERS
As the Chowk is an important commercial centre,
public space is appropriated for maximum
commercial and vehicular usage;
currently, human comfort is given secondary
importance. There are very few formal seating
opportunities for the public in the present context.
People tend to use limited secondary seating options
to rest. Due to the intensity of commercial activities,
the opportunity for pedestrians to rest along shop
fronts and under shaded parasols is limited.
Traditionally, buildings in the Walled City have
doorway seating spaces called 'otlas', which are
either one or more raised steps at shop or building
entrances. These are used as informal seating
spaces, often shared between neighbouring homes/
shops. However, in Manek Chowk the availability of
these spaces is limited and claimed by commercial
activities.
People prefer to have interesting sight lines and
vistas while in the public spaces.
While Manek Chowk is a historic precinct with
monuments of rich architectural heritage, the
presence of the monuments is not felt due to lack of
clear views.
It is observed that in the present context the views
of the Chowk are highly cluttered and does not
reflect the heritage values of the place.
SCALE
Manek Chowk is fairly a small public square of about
2500 sq. m. In general, the public spaces of the
Walled City are intimate in scale with a built form of
two-storeyed buildings opening on to public spaces
which are narrow and mutually shaded to reduce
heat gain in buildings.
The public spaces are of human scale and have been
supporting public life through centuries;however, in
the present context they are dominated by vehicles.
On an average, one person per second enters or
exits the chowk
during peak business hours. One third of the visitors
are women, and the
percentage of children and old people are very low,
6% and 13% respectively.
Cyclists, hand carts, vendors and pedestrians
negotiate the square dodging
the vehicles. It is most busy during the peak hours
in the evening time; 6-7pm.
3600 pedestrians are recorded to enter Manek
Chowk during this peak hour.
10% of the visitors come on bicycles.
SECURITY
Even though traffic movement is one-way, due to
lack of segregation between traffic, extension of
shops on to walkways, parking and presence of
hawkers, the walkability of the place is reduced.
Pedestrians are forced to negotiate with moving
traffic and are vulnerable to accidents.
Manek Chowk is a lively urban space, with several
activities and a constant thoroughfare of people
providing a feeling of natural surveillance and safety.
The presence of people in the Chowk during most
times of the day and night provide natural security
for businesses, residents and visitors. This is
primarily achieved by the relationship of the current
built form to the street.