Projects | Studio | Awards
PG - MLA - Studio - 2 | Spring 2023 | Macasana Village - A Hub for Exchange
  • Student TRUPTI THANDAVESWARAN
  • Code PLA21380
  • Faculty Architecture
  • Unit L4 Studio Unit
  • Tutor/s Rahul Paul,Rushika Khanna
  • TA Revati Desai

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 Macasana, a hamlet, which got its name from being known as 'Maha-Khazans' in the past, is located along the estuarine river Zuari. Home to 2000 people, it mainly consists of the farmer and fisherman community. The farmers and the fishermen operate on the existing khazan lands, where they used to produce a diverse range of indigenous produce through indigenous practices. In recent times, these practices have been adulterated and hybrid crops have intensified, replacing the indigenous varieties, resulting in an increased dependence on other villages for produce and a lack of self reliance. The aim of this study is to restore the indentity of the precinct as a hub for exchange by diversifying its produce and by reviving indigenous practices, through way of commoning.

Understanding Commons | Commons are spaces and resources that tie communities and ecologies together. A delicate balance is established when community commonly and economically use the common resources. This balance benefits both the community and through them, the ecology. However, this symbiotic balance can be threatened by overuse and other factors like urbanism.
Ground-truthing Storyboard | The first Impressions of the chosen Precinct
Locating the Precinct | Introductions & study of the main commons - The Khazan Lands
Narrating Commons | Khazan lands - Present day Scenario and Threats
Narrating Commons | Macasana Lake & Socio-cultural node explorations
Commoning Commons | Points of inquiries and strategies to build towards the vision of restroring Macasana's identity as a hub for exchange.
Reclaiming Commons | Reviving the traditional knowledge by bringing back the traditional khazan farming with minor infrastructural and socio-cultural interventions.
Reclaiming Commons | Protecting the lake as a resource by way of active community engagement.
Reclaiming Commons | Enhancing and activating the social fabric to cater to the diverse rainge of produce obtained in the precinct, due to the commoning interventions.
Conclusion | By reviving traditional knowledge systems of the khazans, protecting lake as a resource, and enhancing the social core to which ties the former two commons, Macasana not only becomes a vibrant precinct but also can be made self reliant. Overtime, it can turn into a notable hub for exchange of indigenous ideas and produce.