Canal Front Regeneration as Sustainable Approach: Bist Doab Canal

Abstract

People are drawn to water. Human interaction with water is prime feature that calls for canal front development. People have a strong desire to feel it, reach it; and thus it becomes very important that approach to water should be given, public space production along the canal shore should be primary purpose. The impact of public spaces on a canalfront can be seen in particular area’s development in economy, people’s health, recreational, sustainable & tourism activities. It promotes human contact and social activities. At canalfront such spaces establish water’s edge that is continuous, publicly accessible and magnificent. It has long been acknowledged that appropriate development of Jalandhar’s lakefront and the building of adequate infrastructure can turn the Bist canal into a major asset for the city and significantly improve the quality of life for all sections of its citizens. This paper will focus to develop a set of guidelines that contribute to the establishment of socio interactive sustainable spaces at canalfront. Research will also explore on issues, problems and notion of place identity and place making by the development of recreational spaces. Paper also provides the strategies of a successful canalfront with meaningful sustainable interactive spaces. From the synthesis of findings a set of design attributes are framed.