This project develops a socially mixed, pedestrian friendly, and resource efficient neighbourhood for 50.000 residents on 280 hectares in the rapidly growing periphery of Hyderabad, India. By carefully working with the conditions of local topography, culture, and climate, the project aims to generate a holistic social, ecological, and economic approach to sustainable development that arrives at and merges into a distinct vision of urbanism. The project‘s focus is a distinct concept of social mix and integration. Four characteristic socio-economic groups (low income groups and ‚weaker sections‘) are accommodated in three blended housing typologies. This solution provides answers to their diverse needs concerning employment, habitation, life styles, social interactions, education, recreation, and shopping.
Shared infrastructure connects different zones. A pedestrian network lies at the heart of community life and circulation. It caters to women, children, the elderly, and small businesses, joining a system of green neighbourhood parks and arteries. This results in an Open District following a multi-scale design approach with highly concerted solutions: the context of local agriculture and local villages is carefully accommodated, superior green networks and co-systems are respected and reinforced, and public transport systems are gently integrated in order to facilitate access for all.
Franziska Fischer
