Pritam Ahirrao

Tekton
Volume 9, Issue 1, September 2022
pp. 38 – 61

Pritam Ahirrao is an Associate Professor at the D.Y. University, Pune. He received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Shivaji University and a Masters of Architecture degree (Urban Design) from R. V. College of Architecture, Bangalore. He has worked with several well-known architecture firms in Mumbai and Pune. He is currently pursuing a PhD at VNIT, Nagpur and received scholarship from Education Ministry, India for his PhD. Several of his research papers have been published in SCI and Scopus Index Journals.
ahirrao.pritam12@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Historically, public open spaces (POSs) have played an important role in people’s lives by providing opportunities for relaxation and recreation. POSs allows people of all ages to visit and participate in various recreational activities that make them happy. However, POSs in Indian cities are experiencing server issues that are affecting their performance and usability. This study focuses on ‘space responsiveness,’ a comprehensive and user-centered approach that deals with POSs’ physical, functional, social, aesthetical, economic, and environmental characteristics. Space responsiveness facilitates users to utilise, interpret and perceive the space. It provides a democratic setting and vibrant environment that enhance user experience. The study aim is to measure POSs’ responsiveness at the individual, community, and environmental levels. It identifies the strengths and deficiencies of POSs. The study aids in determining how these POSs are performing. Three parks in the fast-growing city Nagpur selected for the study. The study collected primary data using a variety of tools. First, the opinions of users were gathered via a questionnaire survey. Second, semi-structured interviews were used to elicit users’ perspectives on POSs. Third tool, observation aided in identifying physical attributes as well as user activities within the POSs. The main survey received responses from 311 visitors. The study proposes Space Responsive Index (SRI) to measure POSs. The study offers a set of practical recommendations for developing initiatives and policies to develop sophisticated POSs in cities and improve citizens’ quality of life.

KEY WORDS:
Neighbourhood Parks, Recreational Spaces, Space Character, User’s Perception