VICTORIA GARDEN

“The Victorian Era lasted from 1837 to 1901. The Golden years during the Mid-Victorian Era - specifically from 1850 to 1870 - saw a surge of industrialisation. The Gardens, then, became a reflection of the ensuing social, economic, and political changes within the society. There was a perceptible shift in the design of gardens from functionality to aesthetics; a signifier of the culture to which they belonged.”

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Location
Ahmedabad

Typology
Public Garden

Site area
28,260 m²

The Victoria Garden in Ahmedabad is one of 3 in the country - with the others in Mumbai and Kolkata. The Garden’s redesign has been undertaken as a part of the Pratiti Initiative funded by the U.N Mehta Foundation - a program conceptualised in 2016 with the aim of creating a model for the reimagination of public parks, and public spaces in the country. Its design has been envisioned under the auspices of the Studio’s research arm - LEAF - with the execution being supported by Anjali Jain of SharedGround.

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This garden was initially proposed in 1897 as a way to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Also known as the Lokmanya Tilak Udyan - it is a compendium of history; telling the story of a moment in time.

Landscape India Project Image

Landscape India Project Image

Spread over approximately 28,260 sq.m, the garden is located in an area that is highly dense. It is surrounded by spaces of distinction. The Ellis Bridge - the oldest bridge in the city, for example; it is edged by the Ravivari or the Sunday Market - a legacy that has been passed on from the 15th century; and the Bhadra Fort which served as a prison during the British era.

And then, within its compound, are located elements of historic significance - a statue of Queen Victoria - executed by Mr. H.G Mhatre - was unveiled in 1910, and is now located in Sanskar Kendra. A statue of Lokmanya Tilak, executed by Mr. M.K Kotharkar, and unveiled by Gandhiji, or Bapu - was established in 1929 to celebrate the many contributions he made towards the development of the country.

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Landscape India Project Image

It is within this context, with the aim to preserve this sense of history, while respecting the formality of the form, that the present design has been undertaken - while also demonstrating an understanding of user demographics, and activity.

The Garden is also home to a Memorial Fountain that commemorates the untimely demise of a beloved son, along with a monument that marks perhaps one of the biggest struggles for independence in a post-independent country. These monuments, along with the more intangible experiences that the park offers, are subtle reminders of times gone-by.

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Landscape India Project Image

A part of the garden has been envisioned almost as a woodland - a forest - within which are various seating decks; forming walkways that traverse through the entire garden. Three water bodies have also been revived, and then planted with aquatic plants as a part of the design process.

The compound of the Garden, and the city against which it sits is linked by the City Plaza that brings together all the monuments that the Garden is home to.

Landscape India Project Image

Landscape India Project Image

Another modified reminder of the past is the band-stand - which has been envisioned in M.S; a structure over which creepers will ultimately take over.

The garden also incoporates a Children’s Play Area that has been designed keeping in mind the many developmental stages of its users, as well as forms of play. And then, much like the other gardens that are a part of the Pratiti Initiative, this garden allows for conversations on biodiversity, and the preservation and healing of native habitats.

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The complete design expresses an inherent desire to preserve what was lost due to the hapazard, and ill-planned manner in which the surrounding urbanity was envisioned

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Victoria Garden | Ahmedabad | Landscape India