HERITAGE CITY (Gurgaon) - Diagramming and analysis - smriti chauhan

HERITAGE CITY, a residential complex in Gurgaon was the ground for one of the flash mobs that we conducted.
 
The general picture of the blocks, is of high rise apartments ( height-12 floors) enclosing a courtyard, with each block having separate greens.

The particular block, where we conducted the flash mob was the courtyard - 37m x 37m flat cemented ground, with parking and a seating surrounded by few potted plants - between blocks 18, 21,14 and 17.



SITE MAP

scale - 1:100

 my observation of the problems with the space

1.  not being used for an engaging activity except thouroughfare

2. if used at all, then used for skating in the evening (around 6:00 pm, an occupancy of 5-6 people)


Feeding information from the flash mob, for analysis I start by comparing the site given above and its surrounding areas (which draw in a larger population - given the fact that both sites are enclosures with certain ammenities)
                                                                                 
                                                                                   

SITE FOR FLASH MOB - site 1

AREAS SURROUNDING THE SITE - site 2

Why  people don't come out and play/sit/engage in  any other activity out here, given this huge enclosed    area? What stops them from coming here and  propels them to occupy the surroundings ?.
                                                                                 
   MATERIALITY of the two sites is the first reason that comes across.

SITE 1  The flat cemented ground, sure provides facility for children to skate, but absence of greens stops them to willingly come out and enjoy.

SITE 2 Green fields, with a dense cover of trees, shading the adjacent roads, creates a pleasant atmosphere, drawing in people, leaving site 1 unused.


HEIGHT DIFFERENCE

 SITE 1  Another reason , i feel, is the huge vertical gap -the feeling of, being in constant view of people all around, adds to the discomfort of people.

SITE 2  whereas in case of the surrounding areas, elements like trees (say 3m high) break the vertical difference - enabling people to relate to human scale.

also talking about ACCESS

SITE 1  access to the buildings is from outside so that even in case of entering the block, encounter with the courtyard space is eliminated

SITE 2  and the greens surrounding the outer periphery further lead on to the other larger field clearly outside the courtyard space, further compelling people to ignore site 1.

and access to the surrounding greens, points out the main reason for site1 being used merely as thoroughfare, one needs to access the fields so cross over the space existing and ignore it completely. If it was to be used only as a thoroughfare, then why the need of such a huge area ???

I feel, with a courtyard geometry and perfect visual and physical access it has the potential for social/cultural intermingling (and reflecting back, courtyards are designed for such purposes ) .
Why design a space in such a fashion and reduce it to a mere thoroughfare?? ( It is sheer wastage of space and  elimination, of what could have been a high level social interaction.)