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1. Phanindra (2120200092)
Prithivi (2120200111)
Maaz Ali (2120200118)
Saketh reddy (2120200094)
Urban Design and Conservation
1
3rd year, 5th sem
SPA-Vijayawada

2. 2 ATHENS OF THE
EAST

3. Madurai is administrative headquarters of Madurai District. 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 district is bounded on the north by Dindigul
district on the east by Sivaganga on the west by Theni district and on the south by
Virthunagar District.
LOCATION 3

4. 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.
INTRODUCTION 4

5. 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.
Spatial growth pattern of the city 5

6. 1 2
Pandayan Time 12 century Vijayanagara Time 16 century
3 4
Colonial Period Present Situation
Evolution of city 6

7. Boundaries in Madurai 7

8. The old city of Madurai is considered to be designed according to the Rajdhani plan, described
in Manasara, one of the Shilpasastra, and has the fivefold concentric rectangular formation
with Meenakshi- Sundareshwara Temple at a very centre point. The city was a well planned
one with bazaars and many broad streets with high and luxurious mansions on both sides.
The city was built around the temple complex as the focal point with a combination of a
concentric street pattern.
TRADITIONAL PLANNING STRATEGIES 8

9. The streets concentric to the temple complex
formed the major streets viz., Chithirai
Streets, Avani Moola Streets 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.
Street Pattern 9

10. 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.
SETTLEMENT PATTERN 10

11. In Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple is at the
center. Royal Palaces, Brahmins and Priests at
the first concentric rectangle.Traders, Kishatriyas
and Vaishnavaites on the second rectangle. The
lower caste Sudras and immigrants
zoarashitrains in the third rectangle.
Ancient Town Planning System 11

12. Central market 12

13. SAREE
WAVING
STONE
SCULPTURES
Housing Typology – Arts And Craft 13

14. SWOT Analysis 14
SWOT…..
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).

15. 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.
SWOT Analysis

16. 16
OPPORTUNITIES:
Tourism and Economic perspectives:
With the availability of good connectivity,highliteracy 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,Egovernance 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.
SWOT Analysis

17. 17
THREAT
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
SWOT Analysis

18. A temple city
18

19. Omkareshwar Temple
Location of Omkareshwar Temple
19
Madhya Pradesh

20. • First settlement at Amareswar temple- The earlier nucles
• During the same time the Omkareshwar temple and sidhwarkut ( by Bhojadeva of paramaras)
• Settlements started to increase around the temple and along the road connecting it.
Evolution 20

21. • The king constructed 8
most importance
temples at which the
settlements started to
grow
• The major growth is
around the
Omkareswar jyotirling.
Location of Temples 21

22. • The Former heir in 1165 A.D constructed wall around which is spatially located just behind
the Omkareswar temple.
• The settlement growth around these temples is inorganic in nature.
Constructions and City form 22

23.  No Building around the temple must not be higher than that
of the temple and the kings fort.
 The caves constructed must be far away from the fort wall and
must be at the river bank.
 The ghat steps of the omkareswar and Amareshwar temple
were aligned.
 The Social structure of the omkareswar is strictly followed as
such brahmins,ksatriyas,vysyas and kshudras.
Principles 23

24. 24
Vysyas
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
shudras
The Bilalas the other class
of people who are tribal
origin used to live at the
Amareshwar temple
STREET PATTERN & SOCIAL STRUCTURE AT OMKARESWAR
TEMPLE

25. • The Town fabric
around Omkareswar
temple is heavily
effected with the
myths of the people.
• No person is allowed
to leave the premises
or the fort wall and
construct near the
caves.
• The town structure is
organic in nature
sporadic and
scattered.
The city fabric around Omkareshwar 25

26.  Amareswara temple is the
start of the settlements
also can be called as the
primary nucles.
 After the construction of
Brahma and Vishnu
temples the whole place
which is called amareshwar
is divded intlo Brahmapuri
and Vishnupuri,
 This led to the seperation
of the Socila class of the
people with brahmins who
worship Vishnu and who
worship Brahma.
 Along with these there are
Bhilalis who worship hindu
gods without any
difference.
 Similarly there are
Brahmins ,Kshatriyas and
Sudras and Vysyas here
also.
Around Amareshwar temple 26

27. • Due to many social issues there is
an Organic growth in the town
which led to a very disturbed form
of a town fabric.
• Other than Social issues, the
street pattern connects the
temples very well.
• The Ghats are also well connected.
The street pattern and reasons for growth 27

28. heritage development plan.pdf
Ancient and medieval town planning in India by Prabhakar v. begde
studyofcityevolution-Madurai.pdf
Reference 28