Not a fence for lalbagh, but a compound wall!
If visual connect for the "super busy" who zoom past in cars not finding time to get down and walk inside is the argument, then it is a very weak one. First, visual connect is a very vague and undefined thought, hardly quantifiable. Pitching for the increase in visibility for the hurried lot, to throw glances at greenery when they ought to be concentrating on their driving and threaten pedestrians less, is dangerous. It does not balance the needs of those who walk, exercise, meditate and study inside after having come there from distances, just to savour the ambience and the greenery. As much as "exposing" the greenery inside for the glimpses of snobs in their air-conditioned and sealed cars, the see through fencing would also spoil the view for the people in the park forcing them to view things which they came there especially to avoid: urban sprawl, honking vehicles, snobs in their cars throwing glances, vehicular lights at times, smoke, dust and the very distracting movement of vehicles itself. Architects and architectural practice should evolve beyond looking at everything as a facade meant to titillate the motorist caught in the intentionally installed red lights in front. They should learn to look holistically outward from the core, and encompass local ecology, functionality and efficiency in their creations, which sadly today, come to have so little rationality.
Moreover, humanity also has a responsibility to other life, and as the Indian Constitution says, a responsibility to cultivate scientific temper and improve the natural environment. Lalbagh still harbours many wild birds and other life, which a sizable number of people go to see, learn about and often photograph. The entire urban wildlife in the garden would be at threat with the increased disturbance and pollution this opening up would bring about, if it happens.
KRISHNA MB
14.3.20
Also read: https://krishnamb.blogspot.com/2017/06/making-lalbagh-greener.html?m=1
= in good faith, krishnamb.
making free time is culture!
If visual connect for the "super busy" who zoom past in cars not finding time to get down and walk inside is the argument, then it is a very weak one. First, visual connect is a very vague and undefined thought, hardly quantifiable. Pitching for the increase in visibility for the hurried lot, to throw glances at greenery when they ought to be concentrating on their driving and threaten pedestrians less, is dangerous. It does not balance the needs of those who walk, exercise, meditate and study inside after having come there from distances, just to savour the ambience and the greenery. As much as "exposing" the greenery inside for the glimpses of snobs in their air-conditioned and sealed cars, the see through fencing would also spoil the view for the people in the park forcing them to view things which they came there especially to avoid: urban sprawl, honking vehicles, snobs in their cars throwing glances, vehicular lights at times, smoke, dust and the very distracting movement of vehicles itself. Architects and architectural practice should evolve beyond looking at everything as a facade meant to titillate the motorist caught in the intentionally installed red lights in front. They should learn to look holistically outward from the core, and encompass local ecology, functionality and efficiency in their creations, which sadly today, come to have so little rationality.
Moreover, humanity also has a responsibility to other life, and as the Indian Constitution says, a responsibility to cultivate scientific temper and improve the natural environment. Lalbagh still harbours many wild birds and other life, which a sizable number of people go to see, learn about and often photograph. The entire urban wildlife in the garden would be at threat with the increased disturbance and pollution this opening up would bring about, if it happens.
KRISHNA MB
14.3.20
Also read: https://krishnamb.blogspot.com/2017/06/making-lalbagh-greener.html?m=1
= in good faith, krishnamb.
making free time is culture!
