B Arch students conduct urban study of T Nagar

Accordingly, this year the students did a urban study on T Nagar. The prime area of 6.95 sq km or 1,717 acres, is short listed for area-based development under Smart City Mission of India.

It has a diverse mix of residential, commercial, retail, educational and entertainment developments, thereby setting a global example for a balanced and self-sustained mixed use of modern city.

Historically T Nagar was a planned residential neighbourhood with roads and streets radiating from Panagal Park. Today, the area has shed its original character and has textile showrooms, business establishments and other commercial enterprises, leading to traffic and congestion problems.

In the study, the students observed that the congestion in the area is due to changes in the land, rapid re-densification, unplanned public transportation systems, poor traffic circulation pattern, limited pedestrian space, encroachments by hawkers, inadequate parking facilities as well as environmental issues.

A ‘Vision T Nagar’ was proposed by the students for curbing the congestion of the area through pedestrianisation, sky walks, multi-level car parking, hawker zones, feeder systems and other initiatives to make the area a world class shopping centre.

To encourage the students and to appreciate their work, St Peter’s School of Architecture with the support from the management conducted an exhibition of thestudents’ works.

This year, the exhibition got a huge response from the visitors who appreciated their work. Apart from that, the expo also saw a village study of Thirupalaivanamvillage near Ponneri, undertaken by thesecond year students of the Institute.