Urban Pilgrimage—Negotiating Continuity and Development in the Pilgrim Core of Guruvayur

Abstract

The research focusses on the need for negotiating conflicts and contestations in the urban spaces of Guruvayur in relation to its pilgrim core, which has been subjected to varying pressures resulting in an organic spatial growth usually disordered in character. The main objective is to achieve a symbiotic relationship between the locals and the pilgrims through mutual sharing of urban functions. The study area is confined to the temple core and its precinct comprising of the outer and inner ring roads, which are analyzed under various morphological layers resulting in the selection of potential spaces for design intervention. The design interventions mainly concentrate on land use, circulation, open space system, visual structuring, etc., in achieving a desired public realm. The outcome of this research is to develop urban design strategies and specific guidelines that are been demonstrated in the core of Guruvayur.