Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public spaces. A case study of Chandigarh

Tanima Bhattacharya, Joy Sen

doi:10.37190/arc210306

Abstract

“Urban space” exemplifies the synergy of space in an urban location and its structural or compositional elements from the social and institutional forces. Contemporary public spaces tend to perform commemorative functions related to different activities for the users, starting from physical, social, to psychological and aesthetic concerns. These public spaces add dynamism to social life; hence, public spaces need to be built in a way that promotes healthy interaction and community well-being. However, in contemporary urban scenarios, the expeditiously booming population is deliberately encroaching the open spaces in and around the city, making it more claustrophobic, cramped, and oppressive which further affects the physical and mental health of the stakeholders. As a result, imageability and happiness associated with public and semi-public urban spaces are choking. Therefore, to cope with the situation, urban public spaces need to get rejuvenated through the infusion of the sense of connection, emotional attachment, aesthetic sensitivity that promotes public interaction and exchange. Considering the scenario, the present paper aims to explore the possibilities of integrating art in urban design to rejuvenate public spaces and promote happiness among the stakeholders. The findings of the paper argue and further establish that the installation of the artistic elements alters the visual perception of the space, activates public participation and involvement of the local community, which finally aids to rejuvenate local identity associated with the public spaces. To establish the proposed argument, the paper assesses the public spheres of the first planned city of India, namely Chandigarh, and attempts to demonstrate the potential of art elements of design along with physical infrastructure in securing happiness and urban rejuvenation. Assessment of the public spaces of Chandigarh, the happy city of India, confirms the perception that only integrated application of infrastructure and art elements of design can ensure good imageability and secure happiness through balanced urban rejuvenation.

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2021

3(67)

DOI: 10.37190/arc210306

Tanima Bhattacharya*, Joy Sen**

Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation

of public spaces. A case study of Chandigarh

Introduction

As I look around I see the crumbling ruins of a proud civi-

lization strewn like a vast heap of futility. And yet I shall not

commit the grievous sin of losing faith in Man. I would rather

look forward to the opening of a new chapter in his history after

the cataclysm is over and the atmosphere rendered clean with

the spirit of service and sacrice.

Rabindranath Tagore [1]

Technological advancement has caused an increase in

the urban population, which in turn is creating pressure

on urban spaces [2]. Increasing pressure on urban space

and infrastructure with the increasing number of oating

populations created dystopic imageries. It causes degra-

dation in terms of social infrastructure and urban spaces

[3]–[5]. Thus, dystopic imageries prevail, and imageabili-

ty decreases. Hence, the public space reeling under the in-

frastructural pressure needs to design, evolve, re-design,

amend and adjust [6], [7].

Increasing urbanization, population influx creates

pressure on urban space and infrastructure (on both of its

technological/ and normative dimensions). Especially in

the case of developing countries like India, the rapidly

changing demographic pattern aects the socio-cultural-

ethnic background that has further altered the sense of

rootedness, ownership, and connection between the place

and its stakeholders [8]–[10]. The imageability of public

spaces starts to alter and, therefore, transforms the visual

and emotional characteristics associated with them. To

cope with the increasing degeneration of the public spaces,

intervention needs to be introduced [11], [12]. Interven-

tions can be proposed attempting the shift in the thought

process since the inception of these spaces, or design inter-

ventions can be introduced to rejuvenate the present con-

ditions of public spaces [13]–[15]. Shifting focus from the

physical infrastructure-oriented public space design to the

consideration of the emotional context of the space has

become the need of the hour [15], [16]. Hence, designing

public spaces considering their emotional context (consid-

ering its forms and functionality) boosts the sense of place

by promoting diverse usability, intimacy, acceptability,

and happiness

[17]. So, to concentrate on the rejuvenation

of public places and squares, the paper forwards the idea

of implementing the integrated set of elements of design.

Elements of design can broadly be divided into two sec-

tions: i) Technological elements of Design, ii) Art elements

of design. Technological elements of design (T-EoD) con-

sider physical infrastructure to secure the necessary amen-

ities and services [18], [19]; whereas, artistic elements of

design reect the aesthetic, socio-cultural, and emotional

aspects of human life [20]. The holistic rejuvenation of

public spaces necessitates considering the both physi-

cal-technological along with aesthetic, functional, and so-

cio-cultural dimensions conceived as a process [21]–[23].

Urban happiness can be dened as a concept that gives a positive

perception of a place to the people who live in it and which induces them

to spend a long time there and/or to opt to live there again with the same

experience. In his 2013 book Happy City, Canadian writer and urbanist

Charles Montgomery wrote that “cities have always been a happiness

project”. They evolve and adapt based on the needs of the people who live

there. As urban designers, we are focused on the human experience and

guided by our communities, so we must look to them directly for input.

* ORCID: 0000-0002-8874-3364. Vellore School of Architecture

(V-SPARC), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) and SRF, RCGSIDM,

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India, e-mail: Tani.bhattacharya1

@gmail.com

** Department of Architecture and Regional Planning, Chairper-

son, Centre of Excellence for Indian Knowledge System, Indian Institute

of Technology Kharagpur, India.

56 Tanima Bhattacharya, Joy Sen

Hence, this paper attempts to reconsider the rejuvena-

tion of public spaces integrating technological and artis-

tic elements of design in the process. To explore the idea,

Chandigarh, a beautiful city (called City Beautiful) has

been explored. Three popular public spaces of Chandi-

garh, India, have been considered for the detailed study.

To fulll the aim to explore the possibilities of integrat-

ed design elements considering urban rejuvenation, the

paper forwards the discussion in two parts, i.e.,

– The rst section deals with the visual analysis of the

elements of design and how it is connected to the rejuve-

nation of urban spaces by securing happiness.

– The second section explores the detailed study on the

three public spaces of Chandigarh and attempts to demon-

strate the potential of art elements of design in rejuvenat-

ing urban spaces.

SECTION I

Designing public space

The measure of any great civilization is its cities and a meas-

ure of a city’s greatness is to be found in the quality of its public

spaces, its parks, and squares.

John Ruskin [24]

Public spaces in any city are the breathing zones of in-

teraction and activity that demonstrate the quality of life

of the city [16]. Great public spaces are the living room of

the city – the place where people come together to enjoy

the city and each other. Public spaces enhance the quality

of life and form the stage, backdrop and add dynamism

to life. Public spaces range from grand central plazas and

squares to small, local neighborhood parks [25]. To assure

rejuvenation to these public areas, parks, and squares,

elements of space design play a vital role. According to

Montgomary, the subtle elements of design, modulated by

aesthetics and sensitivity, lead a public space to ensure

happiness amongst its users [26].

Components of design: Space

Implementing the elements of design to rejuvenate pub lic

spaces concerns “space” as an element. Space is a continuous

area or expanse which is free, available, or un occupied [11].

Ideally, public space should be designed as it advocates the

functionality of the space along with retaining its indigenous

character to enhance the sustainability potential [27]–[29].

Design of space integrating art elements of design attributes

the quality to it, as functional space incorporates usability,

activity, public participation, and interaction, public spaces

need to strengthen social interaction, emotional connection,

history, and memories of the users associated with the place

[13], [15], [30]. Artistic elements of designs concerning the

normative aesthetic components have the potential to acti-

vate a space to attain successful rejuvenation [16], [31].

Art driven elements of Design

(backed up by technology)

Technology driven elements

of Design (Supported by Art

and aesthetics)

Fig. 1. Elements of design proposed to ensure urban rejuvenation (elaborated by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 1. Elementy projektowania zaproponowane w procesie odnowy przestrzeni miejskiej (oprac. T. Bhattacharya)

Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public spaces. A case study of Chandigarh 57

Elements of Design

(EoD)

Elements of Design (EoD) concerning public space

re juvenation can be divided into two genres mentioned

in Table 1; namely, elements of design predominant-

ly inuenced by technology and partially backed by art

and elements of design that are predominantly art-driv-

en. The former group deals with the physical infrastruc-

ture that considers the fundamental requirements of any

public space, whereas the latter aims to incorporate the

aesthetic-normative, humane elements to space. Most of

the time, while conceptualizing public space, the two gen-

res of elements are posed in contradiction to each other

[32]. Especially in the case of public spaces of develop-

ing countries with economic crunch only considers the

phy sical infrastructural development, deliberately over-

looking the humane elements attached to it; hence, it fails

to attain sustainable urban rejuvenation of urban public

places and squares [8]–[10], [33]. Therefore, the present

paper attempts to establish a dire need of the art elements

of design to ensure balanced urban rejuvenation promot-

ing a shift from a paradigm to the paradigm of comple-

mentarity.

As evident from Figure 1, complementarity between

the art and technological elements of design can transform

general public spaces. Table 1 forwards the predominant

qualities of both the sets of EoDs. The features mentioned

in Table 1 reect that the T-EoDs concerns more tangible,

physical infrastructure, whereas the A-EoDs considers

the human being as the centroid of any design conception

[34], [35].

Spaces designed through integrated technical and artis-

tic elements of design can become a focus for community

pride [36]. Sensitively designed places reect community

values, ideals, and achievements [36], [37].

The conceptual diagram of Figure 2 shows that the

artistic element of design recognizes and installs the es-

sential characteristics of a space that nurture the sense

of community and promotes ownership. Therefore, the

absence of real or perceived barriers (enhanced through

design) transforms the shared spaces to be increasingly

inviting, attractive, and comfortable. Hence the present

paper attempts to rejuvenate public space by integrating

artistic elements of design within already available phys-

ical infrastructure and facilities [27], [38], [39]. To best

understand the need and potential of the EoDs, the fol-

lowing section elaborates on the study focusing on the

popular public spaces of the city of Chandigarh.

Methodology followed

To understand the need and impact of the integration

of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public

spaces, the public spaces of Chandigarh have been stud-

ied. To explore and establish the aim of the present paper

the following methodology has been followed.

1. Initially, reconnaissance and visual analysis have been

done to understand the imageability and quality of space.

2. A questionnaire survey has been done amongst the

users of the places based on the artistic and technological

elements of design.

The set of EoD is identied majorly from internation-

al literature, case studies, and design directives. The set

of EoDs applied for analyzing the imageabilities of the

public spaces of Chandigarh as a specimen to address the

issues of public spaces in Indian urban scenarios. The sur-

vey scores have been assessed using the Weighted sum

method (WSM) using the following formula,

Table 1. Elements of design driven by art and technology (elaborated by T. Bhattacharya, taken from Chandigarh master plan 2031)

Tabela 1. Rodzaje elementów projektowania urbanistycznego (oprac. T. Bhattacharya, na podstawie planu głównego Chandigarh 2031)

Elements driven by Art Elements driven by Technology

– Art and aesthetical elements and objects

– Urban heritage as social, cultural, and normative assets

– Architectural elements of design

– Intangible elements associated to human emotions and happiness

– Physical infrastructure, constructions, and patterns of structures

– Material and resources

– Utilities, communication, and services

– Transportation and commercial activities

Art based design elements

Technology based art

driven design elements

Unexplored elements

Sustainable rejuvenation

of public space

+ =

Fig. 2. Integration of elements of art and design (elaborated by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 2. Przykłady połączenia elementów sztuki i designu urbanistycznego (oprac. T. Bhattacharya)

WSMscore

WjAiji m







,,,,...,for123

58 Tanima Bhattacharya, Joy Sen

where:

WSM – Weighted Sum Model (a multicriteria analysis),

Wj – denotes the relative weight of importance of the

criterion,

– is the performance value of alternative Ai when it

is evaluated in terms of criterion,

m – alternatives,

n – decision criteria,

W – weight.

The calculated scores forward the idea that integra-

tion of art elements triggers the balanced rejuvenation of

public spaces and works well in mitigating urban issues

of developing countries like India. The scores of Chandi-

garh show that the design elements can perform far better

when applied in integration with art elements, as present-

ed in the design semantics of Corbusier.

SECTION II

Chandigarh:

Elements of art and design in public spaces

This section primarily deals with the background and

history of the city that justies the importance and contri-

bution of the design elements. This study aims to establish

the public spaces of Chandigarh as welcoming, attractive,

and as a space that connects the stakeholders, imbuing

a sense of ownership to the place. Chandigarh has come

up as the prototype of the new aspiration of India. The

city is the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana and the

symbol of new political, gurative, regional, and iconic

aspirations of post-independent (post-partition) India.

Background and aspirations

In Chandigarh, Le Corbusier has brought modern city

planning, urban space design to India. At the end of the

industrial revolution, Chandigarh has exposed concrete,

large space design, massive constructions to Indian build-

ing construction and design. Chandigarh has come up as

a new aspiration of India, the combined capital of Punjab

and Haryana. During the partition in 1947, India got di-

vided between the Indus and the Gangetic valley, and the

making of Chandigarh was considered as the balancing

act between the two. It has come up as the epitome of new

political, gurative, iconic (expressions), and regional as-

pirations.

It was a step to balance the moral degradation amongst

folks immediately after the partition of India and Paki-

stan. So, huge public buildings, designed corridors, elab-

orated interconnections, creation of spaces between the

buildings, connection between the spaces have come up

as the new aspiring idiom of urban rejuvenation. Cor-

busier attempted to connect the space design, building

interfaces, and the relationship between the constituents,

i.e., buildings and spaces around, to incorporate a sense

of joy. The connection and interdependency of the con-

stituents inseminate a sense of joy that aects image-

ability and ensures rejuvenation. For instance, the open

hand monument symbolizes regaining the condence of

India’s western region is psychologically impactful. The

newly designed urban space incites a sense of Happiness

through well-designed urban space that balances the built,

semi-built, and un-built spaces, nature and human needs,

vertical and horizontal expansion of the city premise, and

most importantly, balanced aesthetics with a technologi-

cal dimension added to it, as

– Pouring of Concrete to create vistas,

– Integrated urban design and planning,

– The modular co-ordination,

– The measurement principle,

– The gridding of the buildings,

– The rhythm of the huge complexes,

– Datum-Principles of repetition, vistas, and the views.

Along with the eort to infuse the sense of joy in ur-

ban spaces, Chandigarh as a city oers a sense of proper

urban health and freedom with the possibilities of rejuve-

nation (with the establishment of Chandigarh University,

Law University, and the overall capital complex). This is

a journey of urban space from dystopia to utopia. There-

fore, Chandigarh, as the living example of the integration

of artistic elements of design into infrastructure, has been

selected to validate the elements of design aiming at sus-

tainable rejuvenation of public spaces.

As it is evident from Figure 3, Chandigarh is the rst

planned city in India with a population of 9.01 lakh in

2001. It is also the fastest-growing city with a population

growth rate of 40.30%. The construction of the capital city

of Punjab has been started back in the early 1950s. The

City Chandigarh has been declared a Union Territory in the

year 1966 with the joint capital of both the states of Punjab

and Haryana. The area of the Union Territory of Chandi-

garh is 114 sq. km, located at the foot of Shivalik hills.

Population Projection: Chandigarh

The Technical Group set up by the Census of India has

made projections for Chandigarh’s population for the peri-

od 2011–2026. As evident from the population projection of

Table 2, Chandigarh had a population of 1 054 686 in the year

2011, which becomes 1 467 834 in the year 2021 and pro-

bably will be doubled to around 2 092 952 in the year 2031.

These projections are based on assumed growth rates

of 59.67% for the period 2001–2011, and 54.80% for

2011–2021. Hence, the planned city of Corbusier starts

to extend on the peripheries while trying hard to main-

tain the balance between the character of the city and the

growing needs of its users.

Basic Land Use pattern: Chandigarh

The city Chandigarh because of its unique concept, is

known as “City beautiful” considered as one of the green-

est cities of India with its 1400 nos. of green belts/parks/

gardens (Table 3).

After the partition of India and Pakistan, the site was

chosen because of two reasons, as below

1. The state of Punjab was left without any capital.

2. Partition led to the migration of people of west Pun-

jab to the eastern towns within India.

Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public spaces. A case study of Chandigarh 59

Fig. 3. Locational details of Chandigarh and land-use pattern of Chandigarh

(elaborated by T. Bhattacharya, taken from Chandigarh Master Plan 2031)

Il. 3. Lokalizacja Chandigarh oraz sposób zagospodarowania terenu Chandigarh

(oprac. T. Bhattacharya, na podstawie miejscowego planu zagospodarowania miasta Chandigarh 2031)

No. Method 2011 2021 2031

1. Arithmetic Progression 1 054 686 1 241 647 1 428 608

2. Geometric Progression 1 054 686 1 474 694 2 061 962

3. Incremental Increase 1 054 686 1 272 457 1 521 039

4. Exponential 1 054 686 1 882 540 3 360 200

Average 1 054 686 1 467 834 2 092 952

Table 2. Projection of population growth of Chandigarh from 2011 to 2031

(elaborated by Census of India)

Tabela 2. Prognoza wzrostu populacji Chandigarh od 2011 do 2031

(oprac. Census of India)

Table 3. Land-use pattern of Chandigarh

(elaborated by T. Bhattacharya, taken from Chandigarh master plan 2031)

Tabela 3. Sposób zagospodarowania terenu w obszarze Chandigarh

(oprac. T. Bhattacharya, na podstawie miejscowego planu zagospodarowania przestrzennego Chandigarh 2031)

Category Area [%] Area [km

]

Residential 64.82 73.90

Commercial

Industrial 5.04 5.75

Public/semi-public 8.92 10.71

Recreational

Transportation 1.12 1.28

Agricultural & water bodies 9.96 11.36

Special area* 9.65 Forest 11.00

Total area 114

60 Tanima Bhattacharya, Joy Sen

A committee was set up to choose a suitable site, keep-

ing in mind various factors like:

– military vulnerability,

– drinking water,

– climatic conditions.

Finally, a site has been selected at the foothills of

Shivalik. The city got its name from Chandi, the Goddess

of power, and Garh, meaning fortress. Figure 4 shows

the gradual development of the land use pattern of the

city Chandigarh from 1956 to 1996. It reects the site

from the point of its initiation to settlement, urban

growth, and development at the peripheries, planned

extensions of the city catering to the escalating need

of its users.

Fig. 4. Evolution of land-use plan of Chandigarh (source: Chandigarh Master Plan 2031)

Il. 4. Ewolucja zagospodarowania przestrzennego terenu Chandigarh (źródło: Chandigarh Master Plan 2031)

STRENGTH WEAKNESS

– Alluvial plains are apt for vegetation

– The area is naturally drained by two seasonal rivulets, viz Sukhna Choe in

the east and Patiala-Ki-Rao Choe in the west

– Since its inception, military vulnerability, drinking water, sewerage, storm

water drainage, city roads, solid waste management has been well taken

care of

– Climatic condition is moderate with a gently sloping land apt for irrigation

– Portions of the periphery witnesses a disordered and haphazard

growth due to the spillover of the abadi deh of the peripheral

villages

– In Chandigarh, more than one-fifth of the population resides

in slums, squatters, and other rehabilitated colonies

– The increasing pace of migration of slum population

OPPORTUNITY THREAT

– The Master Plan of the fully planned Union territory of Chandigarh covers

an area of approximately 114 km

–

The city and the periphery have clearly defined boundaries and function plan

– Large open areas are available, and well designed public spaces are

an integral part of the community and neighborhood life

– One of the greenest cities of India with its 1400 nos. green belts/parks/

gardens

– While designing the city, factors like pollution, traffic, travel and tourism,

and other environmental aspects are carefully considered

– Portions of the periphery are fully urbanized

– The city and the rest are dotted with pockets of spillover of

urban uses, which hampers the overall imageability of the city

– During the last six decades (1951–2011), Chandigarh has

witnessed a population increase of more than forty-four percent

– A clear juxtaposition of the have and have nots can be seen

between the planned and the extended portions of the city

– The economic disparity between the users is also evident

Table 4. SWOT analysis of Chandigarh (elaborated by T. Bhattacharya)

Tabela 4. Analiza SWOT dla Chandigarh (oprac. T. Bhattacharya)

Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public spaces. A case study of Chandigarh 61

Art driven elements of design Abbreviations Technology-driven elements of design Abbreviations

Availability of adequate green space GS Transportation Facility TF

Availability of adequate open space OS Availability of Drinking-Water DW

Adequate facility to use and promote recreational spaces RS Availability of Sanitation Facility SFM

Visibility of color-scape CS Availability of Waste disposal SWM

Presence and maintenance of water body WB Availability of adequate Healthcare facility HCF

Presence and maintenance of heritage structure HS Availability of Education facility EF

Presence and maintenance of topiary TO Visibility of Information center IC

Visual augmentation by Using/applying murals MU Availability of adequate/Proper lighting SL

Visual augmentation by Using/applying graffiti GR Availability of Common Utilities CU

Visual augmentation by Using/applying paintings PA Inclusive design AAI

Visual augmentation by Using/applying sculptures SC Facilities for Pollution check FPC

Visual augmentation by Using/applying art installations AI Availability of IOT facility C&IOT

Adequate facility to arrange art performances AP Accessibility to mass media MM

Adequate facility to arrange Performing arts PA Ensuring safety and security SS

Facilitating the stakeholders

with economic regenerative opportunities

ERH Consideration of economic activities

concerned to the place

Facilitating the stakeholders with community space

to promote community interactions

Table 5. Elements of design and their abbreviations as found in art and technology-based design of Chandigarh (elaborated by T. Bhattacharya)

Tabela 5. Elementy projektowania urbanistycznego i skróty występujące w projektowaniu opartym na sztuce i technologii w Chandigarh

(oprac. T. Bhattacharya)

SWOT analysis of Chandigarh

This section presents the fundamental strength, weak-

nesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the

place (Table 4). Understanding these four aspects aids in

understanding the elementary qualities of its public spac-

es and their constituent design parameters.

Applied design principles: Chandigarh

The applied design principles of urban spaces of Chan-

digarh can be divided into two parts,

– Art-driven EoD,

– Technology-driven EoD.

Integration of both art and technology-driven (physi-

cal infrastructure) elements of design in natural, public,

semi-public spaces of Chandigarh has contributed to en-

hance the imageability of the city higher than the other

cities of India [40]. Public spaces of Chandigarh

ideally

A city with elevated levels of happiness is often one that has in-

vested in the simple pleasures: in creating a sense of community and

meaning, and in ensuring freedom to move about exibly. A happy city,

it appears, is a city that designs an infrastructure that supports elementary

concepts of human connection. The latest India Happiness Report 2020

is based on a study conducted by Dr Rajesh Pillania, Professor of Strat-

egy at Gurugram’s Management Development Institute, and his team in

March–July 2020. A total of 16,950 responses were collected from all

over India. Chandigarh emerges as one of the happiest in the rankings.

reect the intangible principles of happiness, namely, Joy,

Health, Freedom, Resilience, Equity, and Social Connec-

tion based on the integration of the tangible elements of

T-EoD & A-EoD [26]. Therefore, Chandigarh claimed

to be the rst in the list of happiness quotients of Indian

cities, whereas the three megacities, i.e., Delhi, Kolkata,

and Mumbai, ranked subsequently as 3

, 10

, and 15

the list. Thus, the design principles of Chandigarh need

to be studied and replicated to create more welcoming,

inclusive, happy spaces promoting social interaction and

exchange. Table 5 forwards a list of elements of design

predominant visible in the public spaces of Chandigarh.

As evident from Table 5, elements related to art and

technology that help to trigger the sense of joy in urban

spaces are clustered together. As Joy has the principle of

nature into design, color scape, Murals, Grati as elements

of art and maintenance of the space, availability of infor-

mation kiosks can be considered as elements that trigger

Joy. Likewise, Health, both in individual and community

level can be maintained by overall green scape, pollution

check and hygiene of the city. Freedom as an element of

happiness gives the opportunity to express, choice and in-

terconnectedness in terms of technology-driven elements.

The point when an urban space can be dened as joy-

ful, healthy, and free, only then can it be resilient be-

cause resilience demands both governmental and public

participation. In the case of Chandigarh, sustainable de-

sign and technological support add resilience to the city.

The next element of design, Equity can be seen through

62 Tanima Bhattacharya, Joy Sen

homogeneity, common recreational spaces, open perfor-

mances, and mass communication system. Social con-

nection acted as the culminating point for community and

neighborhood building that can be exemplied through ar-

chitecture, community planning, mass media, etc. Hence,

each element of happiness has its positive contribution in

making the overall imageability of Chandigarh.

Visual analyses of the public spaces of Chandigarh

Chandigarh has been selected for validation of EoDs as

both places oer unique lenses to judge and contextualize

the potential of elements of design (EoD). Both the areas

have come up as a necessity of the time catering to the

needs and aspirations of the users.

In Chandigarh, Le Corbusier has brought modern city

planning, urban space design to India [41]. During the

partition in 1947, the Indian subcontinent got divided at

the Indus valley and the Gangetic valley and that lead to

the making of Chandigarh which was considered to be one

of the balancing acts of many. Chandigarh then came up

as a new aspiration of India, as the combined capital of

Punjab and Haryana, to epitomize the political, gurative,

iconic (expressions), and regional aspirations.

Chandigarh was a step to balance the moral degrada-

tion amongst folks immediately after the partition of In-

dia and Pakistan. Therefore, Le Corbusier attempted to

establish a connection between the space and its people

through modern urban design and rejuvenation. Chandi-

garh then pioneered in presenting large vistas of concrete,

the creative interplay of open and semi-open spaces, bal-

anced planning, and zoning considering healthy ratios of

nature and built forms against the backdrop of Sukhna

lake and the Shivalik Himalayan ranges. Besides huge

horizontal vistas in the capitol complex, Corbusier also

carefully designed small but meaningful constituents to

create functional spaces as building interfaces, spaces

around, and the reciprocity between the two. The con-

nection and interdependency of the constituents started

to inseminate a sense of happiness of independent India

that further enhanced imageability. For instance, the open

hand monument (refer to Fig. 5) still visually represents

hierarchy and symbolizes regaining the condence of the

Indian mass.

As evident from Figure 6, Corbusier has implemented

basic design principles that enhance the visual and functio -

nal dimension of his huge concretized public complexes.

Two important applications are evident, namely.

Fig. 5. Views of the Capitol complex of Chandigarh showcasing the open hand monument (left)

and large vistas of concrete in front of the Palace of Assembly (right) (drawn by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 5. Widoki zespołu Kapitolu w Chandigarh z pomnikiem otwartej dłoni (po lewej)

i wyłożoną betonowymi płytami przestrzenią widokową przed Pałacem Zgromadzenia (po prawej) (rys. T. Bhattacharya)

Fig. 6. Glimpses of basic design principles as the use of repetition in Le Corbusier’s architectures (drawn by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 6. Szkice prezentujące podstawowe zasady projektowania – elementy powtórzenia w architekturze Le Corbusiera (rys. T. Bhattacharya)

Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public spaces. A case study of Chandigarh 63

The use of horizontal vistas as portrayed in Figure 7 rep-

resenting the rhythm of the large to small complexes reects

the inuence of the “international style” of architecture.

The use of grids in zoning, positioning of the hierar-

chy of buildings, stressing arrangements highlighting an

axis, application of datum principles, repetition of forms,

as a whole, create examples of good and liveable urban

design.

Corbusier used modular coordination in his built forms

based on humane dimensions [42]–[44]. Corbusier experi-

mented with mathematical proportions of the human body

to propose Le Modulor [45] as a standard for the human

scale in architecture. Chandigarh, therefore, became a liv-

ing example of his belief that there is no separate natural

order and man-made order; instead, man is a part of nature

and, therefore, a part of the natural order as well [46]. He

also celebrated the humanistic dimensions while design-

ing architectures and their adjacent spaces. Describing

Corbusier’s buildings as landmarks, Pritzker prize winner

Balakrishna Doshi states that: Not just space and struc-

tures, these buildings have profound meanings, tell their

own stories and narratives. This is heirloom heritage, one

that initiates a dialogue with the soul and makes us look

at the value of creation. Our responsibility is to create

a murmur, fairytales, and listen to the symphony [47].

Therefore, the newly designed urban space of Chandi-

garh excites a good sense of happiness through well-de-

signed urban spaces that balance the built, semi-built, and

unbuilt spaces. Two further observations are evident in

Figure 8, Vertical and horizontal expansion of the city in

terms of the built form and urban design have emerged,

integrating urban design and town planning. Additionally,

Chandigarh forwards a variety of elements of design con-

cerning nature and human needs.

Stating the signicance of humanistic elements in Cor-

busier’s planning and design, Doshi shares that […] as

architects, we need to remember we are doing everything

for human beings, not machines. Corbusiers’ philosophy

was to live, move, do work, and establish connections be-

tween body, mind, and spirit, and the Capitol Complex is

a ne example of it [47], [48].

An initial visual analysis exemplies that Chandigarh,

as a whole, is a result of a balanced approach to urban

planning and urban design aiming at a rejuvenated mod-

ernization process. The sensible distribution of the ele-

ments of design assures good imageability and therefore,

enhances happiness. Hence, based on the combination,

distribution, and application of the EoDs, Chandigarh has

been selected as one case study area. Public spaces of the

city have been studied to validate the elements of design

(EoD) before its application in understanding the imagea-

bilities of the study areas.

Assessment of EoDs of urban rejuvenation

In this section, assessments of the current imagea-

bilities have been done based on T-EoDs and A-EoDs.

A visual assessment has been done initially to observe

Fig. 7. Buildings as design units exemplifying Le Corbusier’s design principles. Gandhi Bhawan (left),

Chandigarh Architecture Museum at Le Corbusier’s Pavilion (middle), Shopping complex (right) (drawn by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 7. Budynki jako jednostki projektowe ilustrujące zasady projektowe Le Corbusiera. Gandhi Bhawan (po lewej),

Muzeum Architektury Chandigarh w Pawilonie Le Corbusiera (w środku), zespół centrum handlowego (po prawej) (rys. T. Bhattacharya)

Fig. 8. Integration of urban design and town planning incorporating technological and artistic EoDs (drawn by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 8. Przykłady połączenia projektowania i planowania miejskiego z technologicznymi

i artystycznymi elementami projektowania urbanistycznego (EoD) (rys. T. Bhattacharya)

64 Tanima Bhattacharya, Joy Sen

the design elements that prevailed in the public spaces of

Chandigarh, and to nd out to what extent they assure re-

juvenation of public spaces.

To tap on the current imageability, a questionnaire sur-

vey has been conducted among 30 respondents of the age

group of 18–65. Opinions have been recorded in three dif-

ferent locations, i.e.,

a) Sukhna Lake area, a predominant source of natural

water and ecologically sensitive zone,

b) Istara-Sector 17, an economic, recreational, and

transportation hub,

c) The market area of Sector 8, an area designed to be

repetitive in all the residential sectors of Chandigarh as

Chandigarh has gridiron planning.

The survey aims to record the presence and impact of

the elements of design (A-EoD and T-EoD), which can

further be modied as per the six recipes of Charles Mont-

gomary, i.e., Joy, Health, Freedom, Resilience, Equality,

and Social Connections. The survey has been conducted

on a 1–9 point Likert scale; thus, ve or the above score

can be regarded as signicant enough to be considered.

Analysis of obtained data provides an opportunity to eval-

uate the existing locational attractiveness, imageability

and identify the potential of artistic elements as means of

rejuvenation of public spaces.

Analysis Based on Artistic Elements of Design

(A-EoD)

Scores attributed to the art elements of designs reso-

nate with the need for specic elements according to the

land-use and functionality. Table 6 summarizes the scores

of A-EoDs in all three areas. The following observations

can be forwarded based on the artistic elements of design

evident in Chandigarh reected in Figure 9.

Observations

– Welcoming and accommodating horizontal stretch of

pavement (with minor alterations/ shift in the pavement/

slope) oers inclusiveness.

– Childrens’ park, portable vendor shops, open sitting

arrangements at the adjacent area of Sukhna lake enhance

the imageability of the space and attract people of all age

groups.

– Public art projects add dynamism, increase the attrac-

tion and acceptability of the spaces.

– The scores reect that the availability of green and

open spaces are the two vital elements that received the

highest scores in all three areas. Though Chandigarh epit-

omizes wide vistas of concrete, huge buildings, the scores

reect that Chandigarh is one of the best examples of

a planned city that created the perfect balance between the

built, semi-built, and unbuilt areas.

– The art element of design that emerges as important

in securing the imageability of public spaces is the pres-

ence and maintenance of water body (8.9) in the Sukhna

lake area, availability of recreational space (7) in Is-

tara-sector 17, and facility for community interaction (7)

in sector 8 got prominence as it is a residential area.

– The scores presented in Figure 10 reect the choice of

the user according to the physical and artistic need, func-

tionality of the space. For instance, sector 8, being a resi-

dential space, stresses more on community space to promote

community interactions. Sukhna lake area is an ecological-

ly sensitive zone that cares for green open space along with

the water body, and sector 17 gives importance to the rec-

reational spaces. Such hierarchy of one element over others

based on the basic functionality and land-use pattern aptly

presents a thoughtful distribution of balance between top-

down and bottom-up approach, urban design and urban

engineering, artistic and technological elements of design.

Fig. 9. Socio-normative elements of design evident in Chandigarh (photo by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 9. Społeczno-normatywne elementy projektowania widoczne w Chandigarh (fot. T. Bhattacharya)

Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public spaces. A case study of Chandigarh 65

Obtained scores Normalized scores

A-EoD

Sukhna

Lake

Sector 17 Sector 8

Sukhna

Lake

Sector 17 Sector 8

Availability of adequate green space

8.5 6.8 7

1.58 0.83 1.71

Availability of adequate open space

8.6 6.9 6.8

1.70 0.94 1.53

Adequate facility to use

and promote recreational spaces

6.8

5 –0.45 1.05 –0.10

Visibility of color-scape 6.5

6.8

5.1 –0.80 0.83 –0.01

Presence and maintenance of water body

8.9

5.2 5 2.06 –0.97 –0.10

Presence and maintenance of heritage structure 6.8 4.8 3.5 –0.45 –1.42 –1.46

Presence and maintenance of topiary 7.8 6.7 5.2 0.75 0.72 0.08

Visual augmentation by Using/applying murals 6.9 5 5 –0.33 –1.19 –0.10

Visual augmentation by Using/applying graffiti 6.2 4.8 4.8 –1.16 –1.42 –0.28

Visual augmentation by Using/applying paintings 7 6.5 5 –0.21 0.49 –0.10

Visual augmentation by Using/applying sculptures 6.5 6.6 5 –0.80 0.60 –0.10

Visual augmentation by Using/applying

art installations

7 6.6 5.3 –0.21 0.60 0.17

Adequate facility to arrange art performances 6.6 6.5 3.5 –0.69 0.49 –1.46

Adequate facility to arrange Performing arts 6.7 5 3.4 –0.57 –1.19 –1.55

Facilitating the stakeholders

with economic regenerative opportunities

6.5 5 5.2 –0.80 –1.19 0.08

Facilitating the stakeholders with community space

to promote community interactions

7.5

6.8 7

0.39 0.83 1.71

Mean

7.175 6.063 5.113 – – –

Standard Deviation 0.839 0.891 1.105

– – –

Table 6. Scores of the three case study areas in Chandigarh based on A-EoD

(surveyed and analyzed by T. Bhattacharya)

Tabela 6. Wyniki z trzech obszarów studiów przypadków w Chandigarh związanych z artystycznymi elementami

projektowania urbanistycznego A-EoD

(analiza i oprac. T. Bhattacharya)

Fig. 10. A-EoD wise distribution of score (left) and normalized data distribution of Chandigarh Based on A-EoD

(surveyed and analyzed by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 10. Diagram prezentujący wyniki związane z artystycznymi elementami projektowania urbanistycznego A-EoD (po lewej)

i schemat danych związanych z artystycznymi elementami projektowania urbanistycznego A-EoD dotyczący Chandigarh

(analiza i oprac. T. Bhattacharya)

66 Tanima Bhattacharya, Joy Sen

Analysis Based on

Technological Elements of Design

(T-EoD)

The rejuvenation potential of the public spaces of

Chandigarh has also been mapped based on the T-EoDs,

as the technological elements of design assure the basic

requirements of any public space to function properly. It

helps to understand the present status of imageability of

the case study areas. The assessment helps to understand

the extent of the quality of public spaces that technologi-

cal elements of design can secure. Based on the extent of

T-EoDs, Artistic elements need to be integrated to ensure

rejuvenation of public spaces and squares.

Fig. 11. Integrated technological-artistic elements of designs prevailed in Chandigarh (photo by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 11. Zintegrowane pod względem technologicznym i artystycznym elementy projektowania urbanistycznego dominujące w Chandigarh

(fot. T. Bhattacharya)

Obtained scores Standardized scores

No. T-EoD

Sukhna

Lake

Sector 17 Sector 8

Sukhna

Lake

Sector 17 Sector 8

1 Transportation Facility 7.3 8.8 6.8 –0.02 1.65 0.84

2 Drinking Water 6.9 5.5 5.8 –0.62 –1.04 0.06

3 Sanitation Facility 6.5 5.3 5.5 –1.21 –1.20 –0.18

4 Waste disposal 6.8 6.7 5 –0.77 –0.06 –0.57

5 Healthcare facility 7

7.5 6.8

–0.47 0.59 0.84

6 Education facility 7 6.4

6.8

–0.47 –0.30 0.84

7 Information centre 6.5 4.8 3.2 –1.21 –1.60 –1.98

8 Proper lighting

8.5

7 5.2 1.77 0.18 –0.41

9 Common Utilities

7.1 6 1.03 0.27 0.21

10 Inclusive design

8.4

7.5 6.3 1.62 0.59 0.45

11 Pollution check 6.8 6.5 5.2 –0.77 –0.22 –0.41

12 IOT facility 6.7 4.8 3.2 –0.92 –1.60 –1.98

13 Accessibility to mass media 7.8 8 6.2 0.73 1.00 0.37

14 Ensuring safety and security 7.7 7.5

7.9

0.58 0.59 1.70

Consideration of economic activities

concerned to the place

7.8

8.2

6 0.73 1.16 0.21

Mean 7.313 6.773 5.727

Standard deviation 0.670 1.230 1.276

Table 7. Scores of the three case study areas in Chandigarh based on T-EoD (surveyed and analyzed by T. Bhattacharya)

Tabela 7. Wyniki z trzech obszarów studiów przypadku w Chandigarh związane z technologicznymi elementami projektowania urbanistycznego T-EoD

(analiza i oprac. T. Bhattacharya)

Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public spaces. A case study of Chandigarh 67

Fig. 12. T-EoD wise distribution of score (left) and normalized data distribution of Chandigarh Based on T-EoD

(surveyed and analyzed by T. Bhattacharya)

Il. 12. Diagram prezentujący wyniki związane z technologicznymi elementami projektowania urbanistycznego T-EoD (po lewej) i schemat danych

związanych z technologicznymi elementami projektowania urbanistycznego T-EoD dotyczący Chandigarh (analiza i oprac. T. Bhattacharya)

Glimpses of the initial visual assessment are evident in

Figure 11. The assessed results of the questionnaire sur-

vey are presented in Table 7. The scores reect the fol-

lowing observations.

– Public spaces are well maintained, aiming at increas-

ing interactions and building a strong sense of commu nity.

– Technology-aided designs, as seen in Figure 11,

added a dimension to the vitality of the places, as proper

lighting enhances the imageability of the space.

– The presence of technological elements is not over-

powering, instead it is presented in complementarity to

the artistic elements. The complementarity between the

two enhances the eect of both T-EoDs and A-EoDs, as-

suring good imageability catering to boost happiness.

The successful implementation of T-EoDs and A-EoDs

secures the aspirations of the users positively reected in

the scores assigned to each element in Table 7.

Observations

– Table 7 shows the obtained scores of three dierent

places, where the Sukhna lake area is assigned the highest

scores, followed by sector 17 and sector 8.

– The scores reect that the importance is attributed to

dierent elements based on the form, functionality, and

land use of individual areas. For example, proper light-

ing (8.5), standard utilities (8), and inclusive design (8.4)

score highest in the Sukhna Lake area as it is an ecologi-

cally sensitive public space meant for recreation.

– In the case of transportation and recreational hub Is-

tara-Sector 17, transport (8.8), healthcare (7.5), consider-

ation of economic regenerative possibility (8.2) become

more important and the highest scorer. The same inclina-

tion toward form and functionality also gets reected in

the scores of sector 8, as the demand for safety-security

(7.9), transport (6.8), healthcare (6.8), and education fa-

cility (6.8) received the highest importance.

– As forwarded in Figure 12, the scores reect the per-

fect balance of the need and aspirations of the stakehold-

ers and the facilities provided as per location, form, and

functionality of the areas (resultant of good planning and

policies maintained).

– Except for the presence of IoT facility and Informa-

tion center in sector 17 and sector 8, none of the elements

of design scored less than ve that reects the satisfaction

of the users with the present condition of the spaces and

testimony of good imageability.

Conclusion

Analyzing the data set surveyed reveals that art and

design elements contributed signicantly in ensuring the

rejuvenation potential to public spaces, parks, and squares

of Chandigarh and further seem to be equally impactful

in other public spaces of India. Considering the results,

the paper forwards the idea of promoting the art elements

of design to augment the imageability, sensitivity of pub-

lic spaces beyond the reach of the physical infrastructure.

Technological elements have the potential to make the

place equipped with utilities, services, and maintenance,

whereas artistic elements of design cater to establish the

connection between the place and its people. Art elements

nurture the sense of place by considering the aesthetic,

cultural, historical, emotional anecdotes as the humane

elements.

Hence, the assessment done considering the public

spaces of Chandigarh reveals that A-EoD and T-EoD in

complementarity to each other act as a whole. Implement-

ing both of the design elements suce the basic (Physical)

and the aesthetic (psychological) need of the places meant

for public interactions and activities. The integrated artis-

tic and technological elements of design aid to restore the

sense of happiness, promote physical and psychological

health, ensure freedom by generating the sense of assimi-

lation, enabling to make the space more inclusive. The art

elements of design activate the public spaces to be more

inviting, acceptable to people beyond the discrimination

of gender, caste, age, status, and assure social connection

and cohesiveness amongst the users. So, to conclude, it

can be said that Chandigarh, as a case study, proves that

integrated implementation of the design elements aids to

ensure balanced urban rejuvenation and hence, happiness.

68 Tanima Bhattacharya, Joy Sen

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Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public spaces. A case study of Chandigarh 69

Abstract

Integration of art in urban design for balanced rejuvenation of public spaces.

A case study of Chandigarh

“Urban space” exemplies the synergy of space in an urban location and its structural or compositional elements from the social and institutional

forces. Contemporary public spaces tend to perform commemorative functions related to dierent activities for the users, starting from physical,

social, to psychological and aesthetic concerns. These public spaces add dynamism to social life; hence, public spaces need to be built in a way that

promotes healthy interaction and community well-being.

However, in contemporary urban scenarios, the expeditiously booming population is deliberately encroaching the open spaces in and around the

city, making it more claustrophobic, cramped, and oppressive which further aects the physical and mental health of the stakeholders. As a result, im-

ageability and happiness associated with public and semi-public urban spaces are choking. Therefore, to cope with the situation, urban public spaces

need to get rejuvenated through the infusion of the sense of connection, emotional attachment, aesthetic sensitivity that promotes public interaction

and exchange. Considering the scenario, the present paper aims to explore the possibilities of integrating art in urban design to rejuvenate public spac-

es and promote happiness among the stakeholders. The ndings of the paper argue and further establish that the installation of the artistic elements

alters the visual perception of the space, activates public participation and involvement of the local community, which nally aids to rejuvenate local

identity associated with the public spaces. To establish the proposed argument, the paper assesses the public spheres of the rst planned city of India,

namely Chandigarh, and attempts to demonstrate the potential of art elements of design along with physical infrastructure in securing happiness and

urban rejuvenation. Assessment of the public spaces of Chandigarh, the happy city of India, conrms the perception that only integrated application

of infrastructure and art elements of design can ensure good imageability and secure happiness through balanced urban rejuvenation.

Key words: urban art, imageability, urban space design, public space, art and rejuvenation

Streszczenie

Włączenie sztuki do projektowania urbanistycznego w celu zrównoważonej rewitalizacji przestrzeni publicznych.

Studium przypadku: Chandigarh

„Przestrzeń miejska” oznacza synergię przestrzeni w krajobrazie miasta i jej elementów strukturalnych lub kompozycyjnych tworzonych przez

społeczne i instytucjonalne czynniki. Współczesne przestrzenie publiczne coraz częściej pełnią różnorodne funkcje odpowiadające ściśle działaniom

i potrzebom użytkowników, począwszy od zycznych, społecznych, po psychologiczne i estetyczne. Takie przestrzenie publiczne dynamizują życie

społeczne, dlatego też muszą być projektowane w sposób, który promuje zdrowe interakcje i dobre samopoczucie mieszkańców.

Niestety we współczesnych rozwiązaniach miejskich szybko rosnąca populacja wypełnia otwarte przestrzenie w mieście, czyniąc je bardziej

klaustrofobicznymi, ciasnymi i uciążliwymi, co dodatkowo wpływa na zdrowie zyczne i psychiczne ludzi. W rezultacie zarówno czynniki reprezen-

tacyjne, jak i społeczne związane z publicznymi i półpublicznymi przestrzeniami miejskimi zostają zdławione. Dlatego, aby poradzić sobie z tą sy-

tuacją, miejskie przestrzenie publiczne muszą zostać odnowione poprzez wprowadzenie poczucia więzi społecznych, emocjonalnego przywiązania,

określonej wrażliwości estetycznej, które promują publiczne interakcje. Biorąc to pod uwagę, autorzy niniejszego artykułu postawili sobie zadanie

zbadania możliwości włączenia sztuki do projektowania urbanistycznego w celu rewitalizacji przestrzeni publicznych i podnoszenia odczucia szczę-

ścia wśród korzystających z przestrzeni miejskich. Wyniki pracy dowodzą, że wprowadzenie elementów artystycznych zmienia wizualną percepcję

przestrzeni, aktywizuje partycypację społeczną i zaangażowanie lokalnej społeczności, co ostatecznie pomaga odnowić lokalną tożsamość związaną

z przestrzenią publiczną. Za przykład posłużyły przestrzenie publiczne pierwszego planowanego miasta we współczesnych Indiach, tj. Chandigarh.

Próbowano w nich wykazać potencjał elementów artystycznych w powiązaniu z infrastrukturą technologiczną w projektowaniu urbanistycznym.

Ocena przestrzeni publicznych Chandigarh, szczęśliwego miasta Indii, potwierdza, że tylko zintegrowane zastosowanie infrastruktury i elementów

sztuki w projektowaniu urbanistycznym może podkreślić pozytywny wizerunek i przynieść zrównoważoną rewitalizację miasta.

Słowa kluczowe: sztuka miejska, wizerunek, projektowanie przestrzeni miejskiej, przestrzeń publiczna, sztuka i rewitalizacja

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Acknowledgements

The preparation of the publication was nanced by the Senior Research

Fellowship (SRF) of UGC-NET, Ministry of Human Resources (MHRD),

Government of India.

Leogang (Austria), Senhoog hotel complex,

north façade, design and construction

management by W2 Manufaktur,

Bmstr. A. Waltl, arch. B. Krynicka

(drawing by B. Krynicka)

Leogang (Austria), kompleks hotelowy

Senhoog, elewacja północna, projekt

i prowadzenie budowy W2 Manufaktur,

Bmstr. A. Waltl, arch. B. Krynicka

(rys. B. Krynicka)