Large-scale commercial spaces with complex layouts tend to disorient users and decrease the overall experience quality for vendors and workers. An improved pedestrian environment with better footpaths, improved geometry and traffic calming measures.

Project
Bhikaiji Cama Place

City
New Delhi (India)

Challenge
Large-scale commercial spaces with complex layouts tend to disorient users and decrease the overall experience quality for vendors and workers.

Solution
An improved pedestrian environment with better footpaths, improved geometry and traffic calming measures.

Built in 1980, Bhikaiji Cama Place is one of New Delhi’s district centres following the 1960 Master Plan of the city. The 35-acres area includes commercial and government offices, small and mid-sized retailers, hotels and other allied functions.

The complex comprises high to mid-rise building blocks developed around large plazas and courts. Before its redesign, Bhikaiji Cama Place was of an inappropriately large scale and its space, disorienting for the users. The roads and plazas were inadequately detailed and encroached upon by parked cars. Provisions for the vendors were missing and public amenities were deficient. Drainage was an issue, with water clogging during the monsoon season, and lighting was of poor quality.

Key interventions were made in order to improve the deteriorating conditions. Road markings and directional signage were developed to guide car and pedestrian traffic. Entrances were redesigned to make the plaza more accessible from the surrounding streets and pedestrian areas were elevated to keep them away from road traffic. A new storm water drainage and provision of ducts for future services were aslo installed.

Additionally, stone topped tables, benches and kiosks for additional food stalls were created to accommodate vendors and customers. Two public toilets were built and a solid waste system was developed and added alongside waste bins and garbage dumps.

The redesign of Bhikaiji Cama Place has given a new lease of life to an urban space that was degenerating. Its new layout has created a direct impact on the quality of services provided in the area and consequently draws more shoppers and businesses.

Design
Pradeep Sachdeva Design Associates

Engineers
Arvind Gupta Consultants

Client
Delhi Development Authority

Year built
2005

Image copyright
Pradeep Sachdeva Design Associates

For more information
www.psda.in