2023_Rajvi Shah — SEA Archives

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Mobility through infrastructures of urban circulation and its spatiality

Infrastructures
Rajvi Shah, 2023

How do the infrastructures of urban circulation shape patterns of mobility in terms of bodies, goods, trade and exchange, etc? How does the idea of the public and their cultural/everyday practices reshape the concept of infrastructures of urban circulation?

During my childhood years, I often found myself restricted from visiting certain urban locations, particularly those characterized by sparse human activities and less mobility of people such as silent street corners and shadowy underbellies of bridges. These restrictions sparked a curious inquiry into the existence and purpose of these spaces within the city. It made me wonder about the transformation of these road terminations, city corners, and the concealed underpasses beneath bridges into what happens to be lifeless and cryptic voids of the city. These areas also raised concerns about the safety and security of children and women most of the time and left me questioning their contribution to the overall vitality of the urban landscape of the city. Therefore, this research aims to closely examine and comprehend how these spaces shape patterns of mobility and in turn, influence how people interact with them.

Mumbai, the financial capital of India is also known for its bustling and complex urban environment. As a result, the infrastructures of urban circulation in the city play a critical role in keeping the city moving. Mumbai’s suburban network is one of the busiest and comprises three main lines- The western, the central, and the harbor line. The extensive road network in the suburbs of the city caters to both the vehicular as well as the pedestrian circulation which is complemented by flyovers, underpasses, and bridges to manage and improve urban circulation.
Infrastructures of urban circulation are designed to facilitate the movements of bodies and goods and play a crucial role in providing mobility within the cities. These spaces afford efficiency in transportation and connectivity. However, these spaces not only facilitate physical movement but also foster social interaction and provide affordances that shape how people engage with their everyday lives. The thesis argues that some infrastructures are more conducive to social interactions than others.

Therefore, this research tries to establish the relationship between form and its affordances that facilitate social interaction. It aims to understand the everyday practices of the people using these public infrastructures and therefore, how these practices reshape the concept of public places. It traces patterns of mobility in terms of body movement, trade, exchange, and various other occupancies to establish the relationship between form and interaction.

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