Experiencing Everyday Urbanism

“If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan for people and places, you get people and places.”

 

Manek Chowk is the central square of Ahmedabad’s [City in India] oldest district, The Pols.  During the day it is the liveliest market in Ahmedabad where fruits, spices, traditional steel kitchen and table utensils are sold as well as a section of bright Indian fabrics. At night the, the square is transformed into a giant outdoor restaurant complete with tables, chairs, vendor booths and hundreds of hungry patrons. This tradition of serving food every night of the year, began in the early 20th Century when hungry workers returned after late hours of work in the many nearby fabric mills.  

While doing my undergrad studies from this city the most fascinating character of this chowk that I found was the changeover that happens as the night approaches. With almost clockwork precision the street vendors execute the changeover as if the shift changes in a factory. It is busy Commercial Street during the daytime and acquires a festive character in night.

Human Scale of Public Spaces Manek Chowk is a small public square of about 2500 sq. m. Builtup mass are closely placed which helps in mutual shading. The public spaces of human scale had supported public life through centuries; however, in the present context they are dominated by vehicles. The built edge offers opportunities for trading and socializing. A multitude of businesses and their relation to the neighborhood and the Walled City provide an active, and relatable human scale to the Chowk and the way it is being used.

However old this public square is but till date it manages to be the highlight of maximum public activity in the city. There must have been something right when they say “Streets in ancient cities were the result of a vision of civilization rather than a function of the economy.”