Adaptive Reuse Architecture in Historic Indian Markets: Redefining the Urban Fabric of Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad
An adaptive reuse architecture proposal revitalizing Manek Chowk through heritage-led urban design, public spaces, and market-driven regeneration.
Historic Indian markets are living urban organisms—dense, layered, and constantly evolving. Manek Chowk, located in the heart of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is one such marketplace that has thrived for centuries as a cultural, commercial, and social nucleus. The project “Redefining the Urban Fabric of Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad” by Nilay Desai explores how adaptive reuse architecture can be employed as a strategic tool to rejuvenate this historic market precinct while preserving its architectural heritage and socio-economic vitality.
The proposal addresses the pressing challenges of congestion, unplanned growth, lack of visual permeability, and diminishing public open spaces that commonly affect high-density Indian markets. Through a careful reworking of built form, circulation networks, and public realms, the project envisions a renewed urban fabric that balances continuity with transformation.
Understanding the Context: Manek Chowk as a Heritage Marketplace
Manek Chowk is embedded within Ahmedabad’s historic core and is surrounded by significant heritage structures such as Rani no Hajiro and Raja no Hajiro. Over time, intense commercial activity, informal extensions, and ad-hoc construction have gradually eroded spatial clarity and pedestrian comfort. Narrow streets, bottleneck entrances, and overlapping pedestrian–vehicular movement have resulted in a congested and visually fragmented environment.
The project begins with an in-depth urban analysis of existing shop typologies, housing patterns, street networks, and heritage axes. It recognizes Manek Chowk not as a static monument but as an evolving market ecosystem shaped by daily commerce, religious activities, and informal social interactions.
Key Urban Issues Identified
- Lack of visual and physical permeability around heritage structures due to dense, unplanned construction
- Congested pedestrian and vehicular circulation causing frequent choke points
- Absence of meaningful public open spaces within the market fabric
- Incompatible shop and housing typologies developed through incremental, ad-hoc growth
- Weak connection between historic monuments and everyday market life
These challenges form the foundation for proposing an adaptive reuse architecture approach that integrates conservation with contemporary urban needs.
Design Approach: Adaptive Reuse as an Urban Strategy
Rather than isolating heritage buildings, the project reframes them as anchors within an interconnected public realm. Adaptive reuse is applied not only at the building scale but also at the urban scale—transforming how streets, plazas, shops, and housing interact.
Key strategies include:
- Retaining and restoring heritage structures while enhancing their visibility and accessibility
- Reorganizing shop and housing typologies to improve spatial efficiency and urban coherence
- Introducing new public functions such as a library, museum, exhibition spaces, and textile studios
- Creating stepped plazas and open courts as breathing spaces within the dense market fabric
This layered approach ensures that heritage conservation becomes an active driver of urban regeneration rather than a restrictive constraint.
Reworking Streetscapes and Public Open Spaces
The proposal emphasizes walkability as a core design principle. Streets are reimagined as shared public spaces rather than mere corridors of movement. Strategic widening at nodal points, removal of obstructive informal structures, and realignment of shop fronts help improve pedestrian flow and visual continuity.
A network of interconnected open plazas is introduced around key heritage monuments. These plazas function as social condensers—supporting daily market activities, religious gatherings, cultural events, and tourism. Covered arcades along plaza edges provide climatic comfort while maintaining the traditional bazaar character.
Housing and Shop Typologies in High-Density Markets
One of the defining aspects of the project is its reconfiguration of mixed-use typologies. Existing ground-level commercial activities are retained, while upper floors are reorganized to accommodate improved housing units. Elevated housing modules reduce pressure on street-level spaces and allow for better light, ventilation, and privacy.
Shops are redesigned with modular logic, enabling flexibility for different scales of trade—from small vendors to established merchants. This adaptive typological framework respects existing livelihoods while improving overall spatial quality.
Integrating Cultural and Institutional Programs
To strengthen Manek Chowk’s identity beyond commerce, the project introduces cultural and institutional functions deeply rooted in the site’s heritage. A museum and exhibition spaces narrate the history of the market and the city, while a library and textile studios support learning and craft-based economies.
These programs activate the precinct throughout the day, extending its relevance beyond peak market hours and fostering a stronger connection between locals, artisans, and visitors.
Sectional Urbanism and Spatial Experience
Through detailed sections, the proposal illustrates how new and existing structures coexist vertically and horizontally. Stepped plazas, shaded arcades, and layered circulation systems create a rich sectional experience that responds to human scale despite the surrounding density.
This sectional strategy allows heritage structures to be perceived from multiple vantage points, reinforcing their presence within everyday urban life.
“Redefining the Urban Fabric of Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad” presents a thoughtful exploration of adaptive reuse architecture as a catalyst for revitalizing historic Indian markets. By addressing spatial, social, and economic challenges through heritage-sensitive urban design, the project demonstrates how dense market environments can evolve sustainably without losing their cultural essence.
The proposal by Nilay Desai offers a compelling model for future interventions in heritage precincts—one where conservation, commerce, and community are seamlessly interwoven into a resilient and inclusive urban fabric.
