writer : Aaditi Mahajan, Ar. Meghana Patel

Abstract: Open spaces in a Residential Neighborhood
provide scope of social interaction, an opportunity to engage
with the society and a gateway from daily routine. These
areas cater to various activities like social gathering, leisure
activities, markets etc. The activities happen in different
open areas such as street edges, community open grounds,
public parks etc. Hence open spaces can be termed as formal
and informal in terms of their character and activities.
These spaces become the essence of a neighborhood and
make it livable. The Research focuses on analyzing physical
factors affecting the quality of these areas in terms of its
user response, their social behavior. Methodology followed
is case studies, activity mapping and photographic
documentation. These cases have been analyzed based on
parameters like furniture, lighting, vegetation. The research
concludes by identification of status of such spaces as it is
critical for a cohesive design.
Key words – Open Spaces, Residential Neighborhood,
Formal and Informal Spaces, Desirable, Livable.

I. INTRODUCTION
In India out of the total population of 1210.2 million as on 1st
March, 2011, about 377.1 million are in urban areas. The net
addition of population in urban areas over the last decade is
91.0 million. (Urban Growth) In terms of absolute number of
persons living in urban areas, Maharashtra continues to lead
with 50.8 million persons which comprise 13.5 percent of the
total urban population of the country. (Level Of
Urbanisation) Hence, the process of urbanization has
intensified in recent years and has affected cities in terms of
its spatial organization. The existing land use, various changes
due to urbanization has brought different characters to each
neighborhood. These factors being dynamic change land use
constantly. This process has happened without adequate
attention being paid towards the planning of urban open
spaces, a key element affecting the quality of life of the urban
dwellers. (Dulcina QUEIROZ) Open spaces in these areas
have their own character and form basis for human
interaction, activities and behaviors

1.1 Formal Public Open Spaces
Public parks and gardens can be termed as formal open
spaces, as they have dedicated space, area and functions.
People visit these places for a specific purpose, may it be
leisure, relaxing etc. Sports centers, community gathering
places, community halls have an open area along with a built
functional space. Designation of such spaces is required to
magnify its purpose and value.
1.2 Informal Public Open Spaces
A Street with small eateries, cafes with spill over spaces
ending on the footpaths, weekly farmers market on open
grounds, retail shop foregrounds are some of the informal
public open spaces. These spaces are spontaneous and
dynamic in nature, the place of activities change constantly

1.3 Factors Affecting These Spaces
 Social factors
 Environmental factors
 Physical factors
1.4 Importance of Physical Factors in Governing The
Quality Of Public Open Space
Basic physical elements are necessary for any kind of space to
function. These elements are the fundamental factors either
making the space vibrant or completely destroying its
character. A user uses a certain space based on the
environment, visibility, spatial aspects etc. Poor spatial
Organisation may not be understood by the user but it can be
sensed and is reflected in their social behavior, hence physical
elements define a certain area, making it habitable or
inhabitable.
1.5 Case of Wanowrie
Wanowrie is an affluent neighbourhood in Pune, India. It is
located in the eastern part of Pune. It consists of historic
temples and structures like Shinde Chhatri temple. Modern
structures include Mahatma Phule Cultural Centre, Armed

Force Medical College and Hospital (AFMC), Shivarkar
Garden. (Wanwadi) The State Reserve Police Force campus
(SRPF) is situated in Wanowrie, due to which the area has
many Open Grounds and Maidan. Hence, the spaces studied
are significant landmarks of the Neighbourhood.

II. METHODOLOGY AND LITERATURE
REVIEW
In the past several researchers have studied the
significance of open spaces. Hadiseh baghi mentions
in the research paper that open space can be
categorized into undesirable, moderate and desirable
based on social, physical parameters. The paper also
mentions access to residential open spaces, its
impact on the surroundings and users. (Hadiseh
Baghi).
Methodology used for the research was case studies,
interviews and activity mapping with supporting
photographic documentation. The cases chosen are
different types of opens spaces in Wanowrie, one being a
street, an open ground a public park. Photographic
documentation was done at various hours of the day, on
weekdays and weekends. Understanding the context, the
scale, the surroundings in each cases became important to
study the activities happening there. Three various types
of public open spaces have been taken for case study, a
park, a street and an open ground. The case studies have
been analyzed on the basis of some parameters-The
furniture including seating, installations and various
equipment, the lighting pattern of that particular area and
the vegetation of the space have been chosen as the study
parameter of each case study

4.1 Open Ground
This open ground has been a private property converted
into joggers track and Maidan for community festivals,
fairs, exhibitions, flea markets and sports activities. It is
located in the vicinity of residential complexes with
eateries, restaurants and commercial plazas around it. It
was observed that nearly half of the site has dense tree
cover, used for dumping garbage and primarily
occupied by stray animals, hence not being used to its
optimum potential. Activity mapping of the informal
and formal functions in and around the ground taking
place on a weekday and on weekend was done in the
evening hours. Use pattern of the space, with respect to
the number of visitors, age group of people visiting and
different activities taking place was studied.

4.2 Shivarkar Garden
The Front portion of the garden has dense tree cover around
the play area and the central ground. The rear area of the
garden consists of open gym, jogging track and playing lawns.
The jogging track and open gym is used by frequent or regular
users, majorly consisting of senior citizens and middle aged
people. The lawn having two mounts and seating around
usually see yoga, meditation groups in the early hours of the
day. Occasional visitors comprising of families and children
mainly use the children play area and the spaces around it.
Weekdays see regular visitors and weekends are crowded with
all sectors of users, the street along the garden also sees small
eateries during the weekends.

CONCLUSION
This research attempted to study how physical factors of
an open space affect its quality. The presence of various forms
of open spaces is required for easy, active and appropriate
functioning of a neighborhood. The research suggests need of
sensitive, conscious design approach towards various types of
open spaces, be it abused, underused or densely crowded
zones.