Specialization Course

Design and Material Experiment

with Hunnarshala

Bhid Gate, Bhuj

by Parth Agrawal, Samkit Racca, Sanskriti Agrawal

The course intends to complete a design and material experiment exercise in Bhuj and looked at value chain dynamics of different vendors (street or otherwise).

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Site Demarcation

Site Transactions

The density of different stakeholders throughout a day.

The density of different stakeholders on sundays.

Existing condition at Bhid Gate

Existing condition at Azad Chawk

Focused Group Discussions

Dinesh Mishra

Dinesh took over his uncle's business a few years ago when he moved from Rajasthan. He provides a personal dustbin for his customers to throw away the plastic glasses used for serving the shakes. His cart is located next to the nallah, which causes difficulties for him during the rainy season. He also mentioned the inconvenience caused by the lack of toilets in the area.

Mohammad Riyaz

One of the primary issues Mohammad Bhai faces is the overflow of the nallah, particularly during the monsoon season. The excessive rainfall causes the nallah to flood.. Dealing with waterlogged surroundings not only affects the hygiene standards but also creates an unpleasant environment for customers.
Another challenge stems from the narrow road where Mohammad Bhai's cart is situated. The continuous flow of vehicles passing through the area leads to traffic congestion during the day.

Geeta Ben

She lives with her husband, her 3-year-old daughter, and her mother-in-law. Every alternate week, she travels to Ahmedabad to purchase bangles, cosmetics, lingerie, and other beauty products for women, which she sells at Bhid gate road. Since she doesn't own a cart, she arranges her crates and uses them to display her goods.

Lata ben

Ramesh Bhai

He belongs to the Sathwara community and lives with his mother, wife, daughter, and son. He buys old clothes from residents in nearby colonies and exchanges them for utensils. He purchases these utensils from the Kansara Market, which is a wholesale utensil market.
Ramesh Bhai offers residents rupees 150 worth of utensils for every 10 clothes they provide. He stores the acquired clothes in a cart situated right behind his main cart, which he uses to sell the clothes. Conveniently, Ramesh Bhai's stall is located in front of a tailor shop. The tailor helps him repair any torn or ripped clothes, allowing him to sell them to his customers.

Usman Bhai

a vendor who sells water pots in the Bhid gate area, has been involved in this business since 1975. His family has been running this business for many years, starting with his ancestors. Usman Bhai mentioned that they make some of the pots themselves, while others are purchased from Anjar, Kutch.
Recently, Usman Bhai's nephew has been assisting him in the business. They operate from 9 am to 9 pm, serving their customers throughout the day. Usman Bhai lives with his wife, his sons, and his four grandchildren. Unfortunately, they faced a tragic loss around 13 months ago when Usman Bhai's son passed away.

Rehman Bhai

Problems identified

Lack of toilet

Water Clogging during monsoons

Too many flies in the area

No proper disposal methods for over ripened or unsold fruits / vegetables

Overflow of nallah during monsoon

Foul smell and flies because of the nallah

Narrow road, causing traffic jam

Lack of waste disposal methods

Program list

Parking Space

Toilets

Sitting Spaces

Utility Spaces

Stakeholders

Vendors

Buyers

Shop Owners

Auto drivers.

Design Intent

The design intent involves relocating the carts from the congested Bhid road to areas around the Chabutro and the Bhid Gate. This will improve the flow of traffic on the narrow Bhid road and. it creates a designated area for the carts, which can enhance their visibility and accessibility for customers. Additionally, placing the carts around the Chabutro and the Bhid Gate can contribute to the activation and revitalization of these areas, making them focal points of community interaction.

In addition to relocating the carts, the design intent includes the creation of sitting spaces and utility areas at both sites. These spaces provide a comfortable and inviting environment for visitors, allowing them to sit, relax, and enjoy their food or beverages. The utility areas can accommodate amenities like water stations, handwashing facilities, and waste disposal units.

Managing the parking spaces: In order to address the parking needs associated with the increased and existing activity in the area, the design intent includes a focus on managing the parking spaces effectively. This could involve designating specific parking areas nearby or implementing a parking management system that ensures efficient utilization of available parking spaces. Clear signage and markings can guide visitors to designated parking areas, minimizing congestion and ensuring a smooth flow of traffic.

Iterations

Design Views