Shelter in Shiva's Abode: Design of Pilgrimage Centre at Kedarnath

IRJET, 2022

The increasing number of natural disasters has focused emphasis on the necessity to Shelter to the population. The field research of flood-stricken villages in India's tembhipada reveals a need for emergency shelters that are comfortable, durable, and inexpensive to the affected community. This paper outlines the design process of creating an emergency shelter for displaced individuals in the tembhipada nagar post-flood settlements. The Mithi River's morphological records make it a unique geographical location that floods annually. We conducted an exploratory inquiry to examine several factors of shelter creation. A limited study of flood-affected towns was conducted to better understand their lifestyle and constructed culture. A community engagement meeting and activity were planned and implemented in order to arrive at a spatial design brief that adhered to humanitarian principles. We investigated an iterative method to developing a Shelter, with continual community consultation. The full-scale prototype is then given to a family to see how easy it is to assemble and install. The experience of using the shelter kit provides guidance for future modifications. The shelter was found to be suitable for usage in the aftermath of a flood. Because of the community's involvement at every stage of the design process, it is culturally suitable and socially relevant. Furthermore, the study's conclusions include efforts to make it transportable and material durable.

2005

The word sustainable is defined as using a resource so that it is not depleted or permanently damaged. Sustainability is one of the most significant concepts of this decade influencing the design of global government policy, economics, energy resources, technology, manufacturing, community planning and architecture. Such a concept is of prime importance in the developing countries like India where majority of population have limited resources and technical know-how. The sustainable architecture in Indian context is that which respect climate, site, culture and region. It should be cost effective, efficient and most simple solution for shelter, which is designed to cater for spatial requirements of traditional lifestyle of the local inhabitants. It should be constructed with techniques optimized to alleviate extreme climatic conditions, which prevails in majority of earthquake prone areas like, Kutch, Uttarkashi and Assam. Considering the socioeconomic aspects it is required that the...

American Journal of Construction and Building Materials, 2020

Natural disasters are counterproductive to developing countries' economic growth, as they may be accompanied by a reduction in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), rise in imports, and deterioration in fiscal balances. The research was conducted during the period from September to December 2019. The main goal of this analysis was to find out the weakness of the construction of disaster-resilient residential in and around the world. The special focus is given to Nepal. Throughout this analysis, secondary literature received from various sources such as published reports, papers, thesis, database, and manuals were collected and the conclusion is drawn based on studied materials. It is noted that 21 major natural disasters in Southern African countries led to an overall worsening of the trade balance owing to an increase in import growth and, to a lesser extent, a reduction in export growth. Due to flooding in 2000, Mozambique lost over 10% of its total viable land, as well as the crops in the field, and about 40,000 head of cattle were washed away. The study also found that the Nepal's Building Codes were not properly enforced, which resulted in poor housing., the building construction materials are another culprit of the poor quality buildings in Kathmandu Valley along with the design of the residential structures. The study would like to suggest that the building codes should be implemented and the laws and bylaws prepared by the concerned authority should be strongly enforced. Furthermore, the practice of building designing of the residential houses by the owner themselves should be banned.

Places make up the persona of the people who live in them. Imagery of a place imparts a sense of belonging to its habitants. The locals identify themselves with the surroundings, the structures, the landscape, the weather, the seasonal variations in the flora and fauna and the cycle of changes that they live with. Change spells growth. The changing moments are the memory makers. Memories grow from short-lived fun moments to everlasting remarkable moments of events that shape lives. Events inculcate joy, sorrow, pleasure, comedy, tragedy and such emotions into the memory consumers. Spirituality hails Moksha or detachment from the materialistic world. Civilizations come and go while defining their own era. The world changes for the betterment and the consumers tend to take it further from their memories of the past. In the race for growth, at times, they forget the ancestral values which were the reason for the success of their respective times. And as is the law of nature, life goes full circle. In the fast paced world, resources begin to get depleted and the consumers are forced to look back at the heritage for sustainable solutions. This paper is an endeavor to explore the folk traditions and solutions of the people of the NorthWest parts of India, where the most colorful and vibrant societies flourished, their attempts to live in harmony with ecosystem and their efforts to preserve nature. The research will bring forth the amalgamation of different styles of Architecture in the religious buildings of the region.

The landscape and topography of the Kashmir valley has resulted in settlement and house forms that are of an isolated kind. A particular way of life and building develops from this isolation and maximizes the use of local resources.This paper discusses the house form in terms of the above mentioned way of life, but particularly in terms of available local materials and the distribution of these materials through developed construction techniques into a structural system that is flexible and has the potential for seismic resistance. Key construction techniques like the 'TAK' and the 'DAJJI DEWAR', will be dealt with in detail, while derstanding their role within an overall construction system. Through this particular case study the paper will discuss the limitations of the modern method of structural analysis, and the extensions required for a better understanding of traditional structures and construction. It will discuss a need to regain confidence in traditional construction techniques, with their ability to respond to a structural requirement (seismic resistance in this case), while simultaneously responding to other issues such as local availability of material, climate etc. The paper will bring out the inclusive way in which traditional buildings deal with issues of structure, rather than viewing them in isolation

Kardameshvara (Kashi) temple, a Religious Heritage from India: Sacred Landscape, Architectural Designs and Perspectives. , 2018

Banaras (Varanasi), known as the cultural capital of India, enriched by more than three thousand temples; most of them eulogised in the puranic literature and are linked by the pilgrimage routes. Among several of such pilgrimage routes Panchakroshi is the most popular and well documented too. This route is divided into five parts symbolised with night halt stations; the first one is Kardameshvara, recording continuity since CE 10th century. This is the only surviving and functional temple with architectural grandeur and cultural expression with variety of images, viz. Hindus, Tantrics, Jains, Primordial, and auxiliaries. Notable heritage values of images are described and their landscape links are explained. The architectural and landscape characteristics, heritage values and related festivities make the temple of Kardameshvara as an example of mosaicness of culture and heritages (tangible, intangible, mixed). Taking in view the inclusive heritage development on the line of cultural sustainability, selected attributes are documented in terms of architecture and the surrounding landscapes. It is expected that this will help in preparation of overall development plan where heritage be taken as basic resource. Keywords: sacred landscape, symbolism, pilgrimage path, architectural design, religious heritage.

2017

The coastal areas of Bangladesh experienced two of the most devastating cyclones of the last decade, consequently in 2007(Sidr) and in 2009(Aila) that concluded in a devastating aftermath of at least 3786 deaths. More than 2.5 million people were left homeless and the total damage was counted to be of more than 650 million. The massive loss of life is due to the high density of population in the coastal areas, people living in poverty within poorly constructed houses and the extremely low-lying land of the coastal zone. In the name of disaster preparedness, the major response to frequent cyclonic storms has been the establishment of cyclone shelters, which considering the depth of damage forced upon by such calamities, have failed to ensure minimum loss of lives and assets. The reason behind that is, while the cyclone shelters have been proved to be useful they are more of a disaster management solution and thus is useful particularly in the event of a cyclone. But in the case of de...

Geoenvironmental Disasters, 2016

Background: Disasters like earthquakes and flood cause enormous loss of lives and property in Nepal frequently. However, during such events particular types of houses are found to be more resilient than common types of housing stocks. This paper outlines the disaster resilient vernacular housing technologies in two of the physiographic regions of Nepal. The vernacular houses are analyzed in terms of their performance and shortcomings during earthquake and flood disasters and found to be technologically resilient in many aspects of impending disasters in Nepal distributed within the physiographic regions. Using the comparative case study approach, field visits and non-structured interviews with local people, the resilient features in terms of construction technology of vernacular houses are identified in this study and the preliminary findings are highlighted as observed during the field visits without numerical modeling and analysis. The seismic performance of Rajbanshi, Gurung and Magar houses in Nepal during 1934, 1988 and 2015 earthquakes is presented in order to justify the performance of these particular housing stocks. Results: The vernacular construction technology in Terai is found to be technologically resilient in terms of floods and earthquakes, and earthquake resistant technologies are identified in the dwellings of the western mid-hill of Nepal. The traditional Rajbanshi houses in eastern Nepal are found to be resilient in terms of earthquake and flood disasters and the Gurung and Magar houses in western mid hills are found to be resilient in terms of earthquake disaster. The statistical distribution of housing stocks is presented and survival scenario is discussed with regard to specific building features. Apart from this, the field reconnaissance after Gorkha earthquake in western Nepal shows better performance of buildings with identified features in comparison to common housing stocks in neighborhoods. Conclusions: As there is no instant possibility of enforcing building codes and guidelines for earthquake and floods resistant construction technologies and replacing the structures by modern reinforced concrete construction across the country and even people throughout Nepal are not able to afford the modern aspects of disaster resilient constructions; identified resilient features of houses are instrumental in assuring safety, serviceability, cultural comfort, patrimony and resilient livelihoods in rural and suburban setups of Nepal. The vernacular constructions also incorporate the cost effectiveness with proper use of local materials and cultural reflections in housing units. Global paradigms have shown significant performance during past disaster events, so replication of such technology with due incorporation of strengthening measures may be pivotal for country like Nepal.

Architecture has long been associated with permanence, epitomized by the Vitruvian concept of firmitas. However, alongside the solidity of traditional architecture, there exists a realm of temporary structures designed for limited-time events, often linked to pleasure and commercial activities such as pavilion and expo. Yet, the temporary structures possess a more profound potential: economic feasibility, easy transportation, flexible, efficient design and quick construction. This study investigates the concept of temporality, which has often been overlooked in architectural discourse. Instead of viewing temporality and permanence as competing forces, it is proposed navigating temporality at every phase of architecture’s narrative, recognizing the value of impermanence as a unique facet of the built environment. Notably, temporary architecture has gained reconsideration after natural catastrophes, epidemics and wars. It is essential to re-evaluate its applicability in the present emergency situations given that the most recent earthquake hit Turkey. In this context, this research highlights the critical role of ephemeral shelters in providing spaces for individuals to continue their lives and eventually transition to permanent living spaces. Despite their ephemeral nature, these structures play an instrumental role in disaster circumstances, significantly enhancing recovery and reconstruction efforts. By shedding light on the significance of temporary architecture beyond its limited-time existence, this study aims to enrich architectural practice and promote the responsible integration of temporary structures into the broader urban fabric. Recognizing temporality as an essential aspect of architectural development can lead us towards a more resilient, sustainable and adaptable built environment, addressing both immediate needs and long-term aspirations.

Abstract: Earthquakes have occurred regularly over centuries in Kashmir and people have learnt to live with it. Two old construction systems known as taq and dhajji-dewari exist here side-by-side and both have tested quake-resistant features. The recorded cultural history of Kashmir dates back 3,000 years. The oldest known remains of monumental buildings are the earthquake-damaged ruins of early Hindu and Buddhist temples built of large blocks of stone. Later medieval structures, some of them religious buildings constructed by the Muslim community, were made of a more economical and lightweight combination of mud, stone and brick, well tied together with timber. This construction system with its use of masonry laced together with timber, which is mentioned in texts from the 12th century, was the beginning of the urban architecture in the Vale of Kashmir as we know it today. In our time, Srinagar and other cities and villages in Kashmir are distinguished not only by their great monuments, but first and foremost by their vernacular residential architecture. It is an architecture generated out of a distinctive use of materials and way of building which are adapted to the local climate, culture and natural environment, principally the soft soils and the earthquake risk in the region. At the beginning of the 19th century the systems evolved to become the two main traditional construction systems: taq (timber-laced masonry) and dhajji dewari (timber frame with masonry infill). In Pakistan, timber-laced masonry is known by the Pashto word bhatar. This remarkable vernacular architectural heritage of Kashmir is, however, under threat and is rapidly being lost, especially now, following the earthquake of 2005. Its inherent qualities and great architectural expression, together with its unique construction, are insufficiently recognized or considered important by the citizenry today. Thus this architecture is rapidly being displaced by non-indigenous reinforced concrete buildings, many of which are constructed in a way that has proven to be particularly dangerous in earthquakes, as was demonstrated in 2005. This paper would breakdown the false narrative of traditional construction taq and dhajji-dewari as absolute, insubstantial and symbolic of poverty. Infact paper would argue the taq and dhajji –dewari constructions are not just old buildings waiting to be scrapped and replaced, with a few worth setting aside in a theme park or museum: they are buildings that embody distinctly modern construction features – features that can save lives once they are fully researched, understood and embraced. Title: Traditional Earthquake Resistant Systems of Kashmir Author: Mohd Akeeb Dar, Sajad Ahmad International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research ISSN 2348-7607 (Online) Research Publish Journals