Detailed presentation on the tangible and intangible layer associated with madurai wrt to Urban Design subject

1. URBAN DESIGN
SOCIO-CULTURE
GROUP 4
Anoop Gowda | H L Shreyas Gowda | Karthik Gowda | Narasimha Modi | R Vinayaka

2. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
Social Cultural Approach
Study of social and cultural layer that influence urban design and Architecture
“Culture embraces complex ways of living, value systems, traditions, beliefs and habits; including knowledge, morals, law
and customs, acquired by those within that Society.
These provide for a set of ‘cultural objects’, which symbolise a shared schematic experience, and which we recognize as
having cultural value.”(Report, 2011)

3. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
The relationship between culture and architect
“The culture of each society is identified through its manifestations such as language, art, and architecture, and analysis
in the field of culture is related to the study of cultural manifestations (Ettehad et al., 2014).”
Barcelona culture
Culture and Architecture

4. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
Culture and Architecture
• The relationship between culture and architecture
• “Architecture as a matter of human life reflects the culture in every
society interacting closely with structural, historical, political, economic
and social features of society. People in every country try to follow their
norms and maintain their values in making of architecture by applying
the material things. Changing the cultural and social attitudes in
communities has the greatest impact on the architecture. Therefore,
the role of culture in promoting architectural identity seems essential
(Ettehad et al., 2014).”
• “The result is that the culture of each community defines the
identity of the community and architecture as a social phenomenon
was originated from the culture and its effects. Art and architecture
are of the most important symptoms and characteristics of each
nation and every historical period that indicate the environment
human’s lives at any time.” (Ettehad et al., 2014)
• “Architecture is the portray of a nation’s culture integrated with all
aspects of human life and has a profound impact on it. Architecture is
the results of the culture of the society” (Parvizi, 2009)

5. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
What is socio culture?
A set of beliefs, customs, practices and behavior that exists within a population. International companies often include
an examination of the socio-cultural environment prior to entering their target markets.
How is socio cultural environment formed?
The social environment, social context, sociocultural context or milieu refers to the immediate physical and social
setting in which people live or in which something happens or develops. It includes the culture that the individual
was educated or lives in, and the people and institutions with whom they interact.
What is socio cultural structure?
The term "sociocultural system" embraces three concepts: society, culture, and system. ... A culture is the learned
behaviors that are shared by the members of a society, together with the material products of such behaviors.
What are examples of sociocultural factors?
Sociocultural factors are customs, lifestyles and values that characterize a society. More specifically, cultural aspects
include aesthetics, education, language, law and politics, religion, social organizations, technology and material culture,
values and attitudes.

6. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
Factors that affect a society
culture:
• Religion
• Identity
• Social life
• Politics
• Globalization
What is the meaning of religion?
• "the religious person is one who seeks
coherence and meaning in his world, and a
religious culture is one that has a clearly
structured world view.
• The religious impulse is to tie things together. ... All human
beings are religious if religion is broadly defined as the
impulse for coherence and meaning. The strength of the
impulse varies enormously from culture to culture, and from
person to person (Tatum and Sommers, 1975).“ Religion can
be defined by reflecting on what people seek in, from or
through religion

7. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
Religion
Religion leaves an imprint on the city, as it effects human culture and lifestyle.
Religious structures - such as places of worship, and other sacred sites -
dominate many landscapes.
Religious traditions leave their mark on the physical appearance of an area.
For example:
Hindu ritual bathing in the Ganges Religious observance – church
attendance

8. URBAN DESIGN
SOCIO-CULTURE

9. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
LOCATION
• Country; India
• State; Tamil nadu
• District; Madurai
• Area; 248km sq
• Elevation; 101m
• Population; 1017865
• Official language; Tamil
• Settlement; nuclear (planned based on caste and occupational hierarchy)

10. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
MULTIPLE FACETS OF LIFE IN THE CITY

11. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
INTRODUCTION
• Madurai, as a city with multiple hues, has rich historical significance.
• The city which emerged as planned settlement along the southern bank of R. Vaigai, has now expanded almost equally on either sides
• Literature, Art, Commerce, Religion, Administration, Tourism all holds relevance with city.
• the unorganised urbanism of today implants pieces that in no-way can become part of the whole and strengthen the urban fabric.
• MADURAI , popularly known as the Temple city, also called as ATHENS OF THE EAST, City of Junction, City of Jasmine, CITY THAT
NEVER SLEEPS and City of four junctions.
• Madurai is third major economic, industrial, commercial, political centre and a major transportation hub for the southern Tamilnadu.
• The city is renowned for tourism, festivals and vibrant cultural life in general and is considered to be the states cultural capital.
• The rich and vibrant natural and cultural landscape with different linguistic and cultural groups coexisting together in its UNIQUE
CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS, AND ART FORMS make it a classical example of an urban environment wherein diversity becomes the source
of strength rather than conflicts.
CASE STUDY - MADURAI

12. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
THE HISTORICAL TIMELINE
• Madurai has a long and well recorded history. As early as the 3rd century BC, Megasthenes visited, the city being
referred to as "Methora".
• Madurai has been described as the seat of the Pandyan Dynasty.
• The capital of the Pandyan kingdom was initially Korkai, around 600 BCE and was later moved to Koodal ie, Madurai
during the reign of Nedunj Cheliyan.
• The city was home to the third and last Tamil Sangam between 300 BCE and 200 CE.

13. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
Present Situation
THE EVOLUTION OR CITY DEVELOPMENT
Pandayan Time 12century
Vijayanagara Time 16century
Colonial Period

14. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
FESTIVALS – A MEDIUM FOR URBAN TRANFORMATION

15. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
FESTIVAL
R. VAIGAI
TEPPAKULAM
MASI STREETS

16. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
FESTIVAL IN MADURAI
Pongal (Harvest Festival) – January :
Jallikattu (Taming the Bull) – January :
Chithirai Festival (April/May) :
Festival of the Cradle (June- July) :
Avanimoolam Festival (August / September) :
Navarathri (Nine nights) Festival (September) :
Dance Festival (January/ March/ November/ December) :

17. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
CITY STRUCTURE
A POTPOURRI OF CULTHURES

18. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
LANDMARK PATTERN

19. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
TRANSIT NODES AND INTERCHANGING POINTS

20. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
MOVEMENT NETWORK

21. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
STREET PATTERNS
• The streets concentric to the temple complex formed The
major streets viz.,
1. Chithirai streets,
2. Avani Moola Streets
3. and Masi streets.
• The next order of streets is perpendicular to the above
streets and lead to the temple entrances.
• The developments within and beyond these streets are on an
irregular pattern.
• A definite hierarchy of street pattern was adopted with the
width of the Streets decreasing as they branched out, ending
up in stone paved streets and lanes – the width of some being
just 0.60 m.
• The entire city was enclosed within the fort walls and
surrounded by a moat.
• The fort walls have been razed down and the moat filled up
to form the present day Veli Streets.

22. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
SETTLEMENT PATTERN
The settlement pattern of Madurai is planned according to the ancient system of town planning which is based on caste and occupational
hierarchies. The map shows the present settelemnt pattern and its relavance with the ancient town planning system. Ancient south indian
temple towns are designed by placing the temple complex at the centre with concentric rectangle pattern of streets around. This can be seen
in another southern temple town srirangam also.

23. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
PUBLIC REALM
• The term 'public realm' is often used loosely, sometimes interchangeably with 'public domain', to refer to external urban spaces that
are publicly accessible.
• The public realm provides a setting for community life. It includes all parts of the urban environment that people can experience or
access - public space and buildings, and those parts of private development that impact on public space.
EXTERNAL PUBLIC SPACES :
Are the public places which has accessibility to all , like temple , markets , lakes ,streets etc.
INTERNAL PUBLIC SPACES
Various public institutions and transport facilities , like museums , library , bus stops , railway stations , etc.
EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL SPACES:
Institutions , Restaurants , Theatres , Malls ETC
3
2
1
1. GANDHI MEMORIAL 2. Thirumalai Nayak Palace 3. RAILWAUNCTION

24. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
ARCHITECTURAL CHARECTERISTICS
Transition with
lower volumes
Central courtyards
Pillared halls
Flat roof with projected eves Chettinad houses

25. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
RESIDENTIAL FABRIC PUBLIC- OPEN SPACES
CONTEMPORARY GLIMPESE OF MADURAI

26. URBAN DESIGN
GROUP 4
SOCIO CULTURAL INFLUENCE
SWOT ANALYSIS OF MADURAI
STRENGTH:
Conservation
The city represents a rare Mandala concept of traditional
Planning systems,.
Declared as heritage city under JnNURM scheme.
City is known for its veneration factor (pilgrimage tourism).
Economic perspectives
The city is also commercial and official headquarters of the
region drawing around 2.5lacs floating population per day.
According to Census 2001, the urban workforce participation
rate(WPR) (percentage of main and marginal workers to the
total population) is 34.18 percent (including 1.35 percent
marginal workers). Nearly 92% of the work forces are
employed in tertiary sector (tourism and related industries).
WEAKNESS:
Conservation:
Lack of information base for the heritage properties and
historical layers pose a great difficulty in managing the heritage
property. Lack of awareness of the heritage properties is
another main cause for its deterioration.
Urban environment:
Degradation of River Vaigai, Girudumal River and other water
channels in the city.
Location of Non compatible uses such as whole sale vegetable
markets, hardware shops, sanitary wares etc. within the
historic precinct. These activities attract more number of
vehicles inside the historic area.
OPPORTUNITIES:
Tourism and Economic perspectives:
With the availability of good connectivity ,high literacy it can
attract more investors and tourists in the region.
The local arts from across the region can be show cased for
attracting
the tourist and local people.
Capacity to attract many tourists as it is rich in heritage and
culture. High Literacy rates with many educational institutions in
the region.
Proposed projects in pipeline:
City is initiating reforms such as shifting of whole sale
markets, Governance and other projects under JnNURM scheme.
The projects in BSUP clearly indicate the unemployment factor in
the city. The heritage aspects/strength can be used as a lever for
the face lift of the people.
THREA
T
Conservation:
Lack of repair and maintenance of heritage buildings can lead to
rapid deterioration of built fabric in the core city.
Continued negligence of heritage are as can also lead to loss in
tourism revenues