A walk across the Plaza

And architect,Housing Board Haryana,Archana Chaudhary has done a thorough research on it to present a paper on the Plaza on the theme,‘Sustainable Humane Habitats: Revitalizing City Centres and Promoting Transit Area Development’. “From the architectural design,problems to remedies,all will be discussed here,” she tells us adding that the conference is being hosted by Rizvi College of Architecture,Mumbai. The 97 hectares of area,two zones of Sector 17 — north eastern for commercial and civic functions and south- western for functions of local administration and catalytic influence on the citizenry…all finding reference in her presentation,it’s the differences in the use of the plan she lays emphasis on. “The shops have been sub-divided and not proportionately segregated. As for the bus stand,it has expanded beyond its original size and acquired status of an Inter-State Bus terminus,when it was originally designed as a small bus stand,” Archana points out.

As for Le Corbusier’s design elements,Archana feels these are posing a problem,as the concrete pavements are uncomfortable for walking in summers,with tree plantation providing limited respite,“Because of the character of open spaces,facades of buildings and their uniform heights,the place lacks essential landmarks which can give a sense of direction to visitors,’’ the architect feels that the basements of open spaces in Sector 17 can be used as shopping complexes like that of Palika Bazar of Delhi or a parking area,” suggests Archana.