Reimagining Necklace Road: exploring new forms of public space for Hyderabad City

Abstract

While straddling three scales of small, medium and large architecture should aspire to simultaneously be an object, a place and a well-fitting part of the puzzle that is the city. This architectural thesis proposal, submitted towards the completion of the ‘Contemporary Project’ specialization for Masters in Advanced Architectural studies at ETSAB (Escola Tecnica Superior d’Architectura de Barcelona), attempts to demonstrate this understanding through a hypothetical design exercise along the Hussain Sagar lakefront in Hyderabad city. The reading of architecture on three scales has been reflected in the organisation of the thesis in three parts. The first part is a non-linear assimilation of essays that aims to present a subjective reading of ‘place’ in the context of the city of Hyderabad. Albeit by distinct people from diverse backgrounds and interests, the readings on which these essays are based, are in coherence with a personal vision and help in constituting the lens through which the reality of ‘place’ and ‘city’ along with their many layers are viewed. The essays also present a way of articulating the different threads of thoughts that have led to the final design proposal. The second part is a more linear narrative that aims to present an objective reading of the physical dimension of a place in the city. ‘Place’ in the context of this thesis is the urban waterfront and waterfronts of two port cities, Barcelona and Mumbai, are studied and compared with the idea of reflecting on the urban lakefront of Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad. The third part is the design narrative that advocates for architectural intervention as a means of introducing new forms of public space along Necklace road while attempting to address urban issues related to its context.