Rapid urbanisation in cities continues to spur architects and planners to create new solutions. Some old ideas, however, are being dusted off and given a modern twist. Mixed-use developments go back to ancient times. Today, no planner can get away with simply designing a stand-alone office or residential building. The mixed-use development not only sustainably utilizes resources and precious space, but also provides city inhabitants with neighbourhoods that integrate work, home, shopping, transportation, and even green spaces. The concept also allows planners to flexibly adapt building uses as times change. The 40 acre site near the C.M. house and bharat mata chowk, Raipur is proposed to be developed as a mixed use project having administration, commercial, residential, retail and other infrastructural buildings.The mixed use proposal at Raipur is important for enhancing the modern city by making it into a commercial and residential hub. The site being in close proximity to the railway station (5 km) and airport (12 km) also increases its value and visual scope. The entire site is adjacent to Canal linking road and Shankar Nagar main road stretching around 40 Acres in area majorly aligned facing the road. The hierarchy of spaces were defined from the axis derived from the Major junction nodes. The proposal was prepared with 70% residential and 30% commercial area mix and designed after taking inspiration from colonial art and architecture, namely by the architecture of Connaught Place and the crescent.
The main design driver was to create playful masses where a visual connect can be established through the built form. A combination of factors, including changing demographics, real estate market, and slow economic recovery from the Great Recession are driving demand for high-quality, compact and walkable communities. Local governments need to plan for a diverse range of land uses and development to sustain a diverse economy.Environmentally conscious individuals favour mixed-use developments for their sustainability. Being able to walk to their desired destinations also saves them the costs of having a car. With fewer cars on the road, the environment benefits from a lower carbon footprint. One of the best arguments for mixing retail, offices and apartments is the live/work/play dynamic.
Keeping all factors in mind such as which functions complement each other the final zoning was arrived at. Interactive open spaces and colonnade style retail was planned out.
