Architecture + Urbanism_Portfolio

P O R
T F O
L I O
Sagar V. Nikam

Contents
1.
Echoes of Eternity, Revinig core of Pune, India
(Masters Studio Intervention)
2.
Wigan 2.0, Reimagining the Industrial town
(Group Studio Intervention)
“The built environment is not just a backdrop to human life; it is an active participant, shaping
and being shaped by the societal tapestry. In the dance between society and architecture,
harmony emerges when our designs mirror the values and aspirations of the community,
creating spaces that foster connection, inclusivity, and a shared sense of purpose.”
3.
4.
Respite for Soul, An Experiential Centre in Lonavala, India
(Undergraduate Thesis)
Urban Identity in the era of Globalization, Understanding Tangible and
Intangible Forces Crafting the City’s Narrative - A case of Pune, India
(Masters Dissertation)
5.
Cities and Urbanism
(Essay and Research Method)
6.
Urban Glimpse
(Poster Art)
7.
Old city Walk, Nashik
(Photography)
8.
Other works

YEAR: 2023 | LOCATION: PUNE, INDIA | TYPE: ACADEMIC (THESIS)
LOCATION
10 KM
5 KM
PUNE, MAHARASHTRA
Old City limits
Forest area
Green area
Agriculture
Neighbourhood Plots
Major Waterbody
Area Demarcation
Railway Line
Metro Route
1. Echoes of Eternity
Click to access the document
Reviving Core of Pune, India
Old Pune’s core city area, known as the Peth, bears witness to the city’s rich history and cultural heritage, yet it grapples with
numerous challenges that threaten its vibrancy and identity. Abandoned wadas, symbolizing neglect and urban decay, while
inadequate street infrastructure exacerbates congestion and compromises pedestrian safety. The bustling streets, teeming with
various activities, suffer from a lack of space management and heritage conservation efforts. Despite its profound significance,
Old Pune’s tangible and intangible heritage face the risk of fading into obscurity.
The project aims to address these challenges through a holistic approach that encompasses infrastructural enhancements,
heritage conservation efforts, and community engagement initiatives. By prioritizing pedestrian-friendly pathways, designated
bike lanes, and efficient traffic management systems, the design seek to alleviate congestion and enhance mobility. Creating
strategies for collaboration with local residents, artisans, and businesses, the design aspire to preserve the unique character of
the Peth area and promote inclusive urban development. The aim is to breathe new life into Old Pune, ensuring that it continues
to thrive as a vibrant cultural hub.
PETH AREA, PUNE

ANALYSIS
The architectural fabric of this region predominantly
features mixed-use structures, characterized by
commercial establishments on the ground floor and
residential spaces on the first floor. The high density
of pedestrian movement ensures a constant influx of
people, creating a lively atmosphere; however, it also
leads to congestion at intersections.
The significance of both tangible and intangible
heritage in the old region of Pune is profound,
as they collectively form the soul of this historical
enclave. Tangible heritage, represented by its
remarkable architecture, traditional housing
clusters, and bustling market zones, offers a visual
link to the past, preserving the city’s evolution over
time.
On the other hand, intangible heritage weaves a
narrative that transcends physicality. The beliefs,
habits, events, and rituals handed down through
generations connect the people of Old Pune to
their cultural roots.
STRATEGIES
The anchor or focal points plays a crucial role in
shaping the character and functionality of a public
space, encouraging community engagement,
allows organized placement of transient structures
such as food stalls, street vendors, tea vendors,
and flower and vegetable stalls. The proximity to
the Dagduseth Ganpati temple adds cultural and
religious significance to the site contributing to the
overall cultural identity of the area creating a sense
of place.
The strategy to enhance street infrastructure involves
identifying streets with potential for pedestrianization
in areas of high necessity. The current state of these
streets is concerning, lacking dedicated bicycle lanes
and sidewalks.
Prominent Streets
Hawkers
STREET ANALYSIS
Congestion areas
HERITAGE
CREATING FOCALS
PEDESTRIANISATION
Old Pune is a repository of tangible heritage,
where community-based commerce thrives in lively
markets. Historic structures echo tales of the past,
adorned with Maratha architecture. Traditional
‘wadas’ depict Pune’s unique housing clusters.
Dedicated market zones house bicycle, vegetable,
retail, clothing, stationery, book, and hardware
shops, weaving a tapestry of daily life and heritage.
In Old Pune, intangible heritage encompasses
beliefs, rituals, and events that intricately shape
its identity. Narrow street corners serve as hubs
for communal conversations, while diverse zones
boast unique street characters reflecting local
activities. Festival processions infuse the streets
with vibrant energy, bridging the gap between
tradition and contemporary life.
An intricate junction design developement is
necessary by considering pedestrian movement
patterns, employing a structured framework for
various crossing types, including conventional
crossings, raised crossings, traffic-calmed crossings,
and staggered crossings.
The heritage structures currently possess the
capacity to be vibrant spaces for public engagement.
However, their present state remains unchanged.
By creatively repurposing the areas within and
surrounding these structures, they can become
pivotal hubs within the city center.
Employing adaptive reuse strategies, these structures
could host art exhibitions, cultural festivities, and
offer venues for local artisans to conduct workshops
and set up stalls. These efforts would contribute to
safeguarding the cultural and communal identity of
the city.
Significant Structures
Significant Structures
Significant precincts
Common of Social Life
Important Streets
Important Streets
TANGIBLE ASPECTS
Specific Economic Activities
INTANGIBLE ASPECTS
Conversation corners
DECONGEST INTERSECTION
REPURPOSE

PROPOSED HERITAGE ROUTE
WALK THROUGH THE PAST
Identifying the routes to explore various heritage sites
according to the typology. The red route explores
the historical heritage structures and the narratives
underlying in the old residential neighbourhoods in
the city. The yellow routes explores the significant
religious structures of the core and the blue route will
introduce one to the city of street markets.
Historic Institutes &
Wadas
Comprehending the significance of heritage and
history plays a crucial role in safeguarding the old
city’s cultural legacy. To enhance this understanding,
individuals have the opportunity to take leisurely walks
along designated pathways. By utilizing QR codes
placed in proximity to historical landmarks throughout
the old city, one can delve into its rich history and
heritage. This interactive approach enables people
to grasp the importance of these cultural assets and
their historical narratives.
Religious Structures
Market Area
JOURNEY OF FAITH
AMBLING AT THE BAZAAR

EXISTING CONDITION
Lack of space for temple stalls and eateries
Bus Route
Traffic Route
Pedestrian footfall
Queue for temple on Street Lack of Pedestrian Walkways Illegal Street Parking
Absence of Bike Lanes
No distinct route to existing Market zone
Traffic Route
Pedestrian footfall
Lack of Pedestrian Walkways No dedicated Space for Street Hawkers Illegal Street Parking
Absence of Bike Lanes
0
50 100 200m
The road acts as the spine of the older city, hosting numerous
established focal points marked by substantial pedestrian
activity. In the interest of enhancing the urban environment.
Shivaji Road functions as a central thoroughfare within the
core urban area, bridging the historical segments of the city to
the Mutha River and extending towards the new city.
This location serves as a resting point for individuals visiting the market, prompting them to park their vehicles along the street. As there is no
specifically allocated space for vendors, various hawkers, including those selling flowers, vegetables, and clothing, often resort to setting up
stalls directly on the road. The designated area marked for future development has the potential to become a visual landmark in the core area,
concurrently supporting the ongoing activities on the site, such as providing space for hawkers and accommodating the needs of shopper
and people living nearby.
Primary focals
Street Spine
Secondary focals
Axis Roads
Proposed focals
Anchor Points

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
MASTERPLAN
MARKET PLAZA
J
1. Existing junction & Site 2. Pedestrian Walkways 3. Dedicated Bicycle lanes & Road crossings
4. Common green social spaces
I
5. Creating Visual Landmark depicting character
of the core
6. Access on Site
7. Ease of access through and around site 8. Dedicated space for Hawkers and parking for
Bicycle and Motorbikes
H
TEMPLE PLAZA
G
F
1. Existing junction & Site 2. Pedestrian Walkways 3. Dedicated Bicycle lanes & Road crossings
4. Common green social spaces
E
D
C
B
A
5. Built spaces adressing exisiting activities 6. Access on Site 7. Ease of access through and around site
8. Dedicated space for devotees, temple stalls,
and eateries
A.
Bus-Transit Stop
F.
Dagduseth Temple
B.
9m wide one-way Road
G.
12m wide one-way Road
C.
Hutatma Chowk
H.
Laxmi Road (12m wide one way)
D.
12m wide two-way Road
I.
Laxmi Road Intersection
E.
Temple Plaza
J.
Market Plaza

MARKET PLAZA
F
G
E
H
D
C
B
A
WALKWAY
ONE WAY
SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY
LANE SPLIT
2-WHEELER PARKING
ONE WAY
COMMON GREEN
DEDICATED
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
≥1.5m
CYCLELANE
4.0m
1.5m
2.5m
CYCLELANE
HAWKERS LANE
≥ 6.0m
≥1.5m
≥1.5m
≥ 3.0m
PEDESTRIAN BICYCLE VEHICULAR
BICYCLE
PUBLIC PLAZA
A.
Raised Intersection
F.
Visual Landmark
B.
Cycle Station
G.
Dedicated Hawkers Lane
C.
Raised Crossing
H.
Pedestrianised zone
D.
Motorcycle Parking
E.
Common Greens
The market plaza serves as a resting spot for individuals traversing the street en route to Mandai Market and the Hawkers Zone.
Additionally, it offers a designated area for hawkers and facilitates parking for motorcycles and bicycles. Functioning as a notable
landmark, a sculpted shikhara (temple spire) at the center embodies the cultural essence of the city’s core. The road alongside the plaza
is deliberately narrowed to decelerate traffic in the vicinity.
Pedestrainised Zone and dedicated Hawker’s Lane
Safe crossings and Adequate Vehicular acess

TEMPLE PLAZA
A
D
C
B
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
WALKWAY
≥1.5m
DOUBLE CARRIAGEWAY
6.8m
TWO WAY
CYCLELANE
≥2.5m
WALKWAY
≥2.0m
GREEN BUFFER
OPEN AIR VENUE
POP UP MARKETSPACE
PLANTER
PASSAGE
1.8m
M
PEDESTRIAN
VEHICULAR
BICYCLE
PEDESTRIAN
PUBLIC PLAZA
A.
Police Station
F.
Open-Air Venue &
J.
Cycle Station
B.
Dagduseth Temple
Popup Market Space
K.
Riskshaw/Taxi Station
C.
Temple Frontage/ Pinchpoint
G.
Festive Pavilion
L.
Intersection 01
D.
Exhibition Space
H.
Temple Stalls
M.
Bus Transit Stop
E.
Stepped Seating
I.
Food Stalls & Eateries
The plaza is positioned next to the Dagduseth Temple, positioning it as a potential focal point in the area. Being a corner site, it
presents an opportunity to infuse street character into the surroundings. The suggested access through the site serves as a connector,
enhancing transit connectivity. To facilitate convenient access to and from the site, a proposed taxi/rikshaw stop aims to simplify
transportation for visitors. The plaza links the site to the street, and the nearby two-way road is surfaced with block paving to moderate
traffic flow, prioritizing pedestrian safety in the vicinity.
Temple Frontage and Street Infrastructure
Street Access, Eatery and Marketspace

YEAR: 2023 | LOCATION: WIGAN, UK | TYPE: ACADEMIC (GROUP STUDIO)
BOLTON
WIGAN
MANCHESTER
LIVERPOOL
MANCHESTER
AIRPORT
2. Wigan 2.0
Reimagining the Industrial town
Wigan began as a small village, but in the 13th century, it received a charter and grew into a town. By the end of the Middle
Ages, it had a population of 2,500-3,000. In the 18th century, coal mining, ironworks, cotton weaving, and clock-making
industries brought rapid growth, and by the 19th century, the population had reached almost 32,000. Wigan Pier is a historical
landmark located in the town of Wigan, in the north-west of England. It was originally a coal loading jetty on the Leeds and
Liverpool Canal, which connected Wigan to Liverpool and other cities. In the 1930s,
The design includes the redevelopment of several key sites, including the pier itself, into mixed-use spaces for residential,
commercial, and leisure purposes, it also includes improvements to public spaces, such as parks and walkways, and the
creation of new pedestrian bridges to improve connectivity between the waterfront and the town center. The overall goal of the
plan is to create a vibrant and sustainable urban district that attracts residents, businesses, and visitors to the area.

EXISTING CONDITION
MASTERPLAN STRATEGIES
Rail Line
Canal and Culverts
Parking areas Historic Loop Commercial Centres
Post-World War II, affordable cars surged, and the UK’s 1960s motorway
construction doubled private cars to ten million. However, this disrupted
town centers, prompting some to adopt pedestrianization projects to
reduce car dependency. Wigan’s history is intertwined with the River
Douglas and Leeds and Liverpool Canal, crucial for water, power, and
transport, now a celebrated heritage attraction.
The town features various parking areas to accommodate the prevalence of
vehicles, indicating the reliance of both residents and visitors on cars. The
existing situation underscores a considerable demand for pedestrianised
spaces, emphasizing the necessity for street infrastructure to meet the
needs of the community.
Taking into account the town’s historically significant structures, it is
possible to design a historical loop that offers a tour experience for
exploring the town on foot and by boat through canal tours. The journey
begins at the town center, proceeds through the suggested community
hub, and concludes with a boat tour along the canal, reaching Wigan Pier
for artisan markets and events.
The prospective location to the east of the town center has the potential
to function as an economic and commercial hub. Its proximity to the
A49 motorway, linked to the town, creates an opportunity to contribute
significantly to the town’s economy.
2.
1.
7.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Arterial & Primary Road
Important Civic buildings
Neighbourhood Hubs
Intervention Sites
Historical Streets
Urban Dead Spaces
The town boasts effective road connectivity with well-linked arterial roads
traversing the city, and historic streets connecting significant heritage
landmarks to the main thoroughfares. Various areas within the town
exhibit urban dead spaces characterized by a lack of activities, presenting
an opportunity for proposing urban street interventions and designing
improved street infrastructure to enhance the overall town experience.
The potential of the two sites can serve as common spaces for surrounding
neighborhoods, providing possibilities for diverse activities such as parks,
recreational areas, artisan markets, commercial spaces, sports hubs, and
heritage canal tours for tourism.
1. The A577
2. Wigan Gateway
3. Cultural Economic Centre
4. Leisure and Community Centre
5. Wigan Centre
6. Rediscovering Wigan Canal
7. Wigan Pier 2.0

INDIVIDUAL SITE
DESIGN INTERVENTION
Tourist Residency
Boat Terminal
Cultural Hub
Community Park
Event Space & Cafe
Art Gallery & Artist Residency
Bicycle Parking
Site Potential
Heritage Buildings
Occupied Buildings
Vacant Buildings
Admin & Maintenance Office
Vehicle Parking
Help Centre
Performance Space
Artisan Market
Circulation and Entry points
Footfall
Design Approach

YEAR: 2021 | LOCATION: LONAVALA, INDIA | TYPE: ACADEMIC (UNDERGRADUATE THESIS)
“Our everyday life-world consists of concrete ‘phenomena’. It consists of people, of animals, of flowers, trees and forests,
of stone, earth, wood and water, of towns, streets and houses, doors, windows and furniture... But it also comprises more
intangible phenomena such as feelings.” -Norberg-Schulz
Kaivalya dham
Yoga Centre
Resorts KVN School Temporary Sheds Access Road
Mumbai- Pune
Expressway
3. Respite for Soul
An Experiential Centre in Lonavala, India
India
Maharashtra
AIM
To create a space where we can practise mindfulness to better understand our place within
the universal spectrum and our relationship with the community and most importantly, to
ourselves.
In this fast-going and digital age where there is a pressure of reaching somewhere, the meaningful and crucial information
is being ignored, there is an increasing ignorance of self-awareness, human connections and personal well-being. Growing
technological developments have harboured the mental growth of human beings. Societal pressures to acquire a particular
status in terms of materialistic ambition is seen as success, leading towards a downfall of physical and mental health.
Mindful architecture is a method and practise of architectural discovery which redirects our focus to duality of the mind and
body by focusing on the intangible and visceral qualities of the physical world. Architecture can contribute to well-being as a
form of therapy evoking thoughtful states and heightened internal and external awareness through mindfulness. The approach
of the project is to understand the role of architecture in improving the current scenario of the society facing unrealised mental
exhaustion because of the technological advancements and fast living.
OBJECTIVE
• Understanding problems faced by society due to technological advancement and social
media in various direction. eg. Stress and Anxiety, Lack of self-awareness, Lack of
healthy interpersonal relationship.
• Understanding the constituents of Architecture in context of Mindfulness.
• Designing sense triggering spaces for practising Mindfulness and creating awareness
about current condition of the society.
• Creating a mindfulness centre for people, a respite from their daily life.

APPROACH SITE CIRCULATION AERIAL VIEW
NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF SITE
Green zone, dense vegetation Mountain peak at 723m above
sea-level
Sparsely populated residential zone.
Seasonal pond, water accumalation level ≈20 inches.
Halt Areas
A
M
ZONING FOR LEVEL OF PUBLICNESS
L
J
easy access from the access road inviting flow of crowd visiting
the public plaza everyday.
for spaces designed for daily visitors and accomodated users.
Flexible for multiple type of users.
located alongside of the mountain, quiet and isolated zone.
B
D
K
H
buffer from the expressway for noise reducation and road safety.
towards Experiential
Centre and Restaurant
I
PUBLIC
ZONE
SEMI
PUBLIC
ZONE
PRIVATE
ZONE
BUFFER
ZONE
C
G
ZONING AS PER THE PROGRAM
Site Circulation
Site Circulation
F
Vehicular Movement
Vehicular Movement
Service Road
Service Road
towards
Accomodation
Accessible Road
Accessible Road
PARKING , ACCESSIBILITY & SITE CIRCULATION
Inaccessible road
Site Circulation
(Mumbai-Pune Expressway)
Parking area
Vehicular Movement
A.
Exhibition Gallery
F.
Private Stay
J.
Body & Mind Studios
Drop-off point
Service Road
towards Labyrinth,
Studios & Meditation hall
B.
C.
Experiential Centre
Restaurant & Cafe
G.
H.
Canteen
Dormitory
K.
L.
Meditation Hall
Labyrinth Garden
Entry/Exit
Accessible Road
D.
Pavilion
I.
Staff Accomodation
M.
Administration

EXPERIENTIAL CENTRE
EXHIBITION GALLERY MELLOW-TUNING WHITE SPACE AWAKE CAFE
A multipurpose hall for Art and
Mildfulness related events, workshop
and seminars. This space is easily
accessible for the people coming
only for the event.
An “im-mediate” space, exerting an influence
outside the realm of the senses and the
skin. It creates a synthesis of the organic,
of mood and space, by establishing a
continuity between architecture and human
metabolism, between space, light and the
endocrine and neurological systems.
WHITE LIGHTS
Allow brain to naturally register
current day light.
NO-MO GRAVITY
LIGHTS
SOUND ABSORBER
White furniture resembles classic
cafe style seating
MELATONIN:
NATURAL
PERCEIVED TIME:
NATURAL
SPEAKERS
BENCHES
The Gravity Room teaches that one
can’t always rely upon their senses to
discern what is real and what merely
an illusion is. The furniture placement
and the interiors are designed in
such a way that the user feels that
the space is upside down and he/she
is floating around.
To create the night during the day, a new
form of night in the continuous artificial day
of the modernity. It is to produce the night
during the day, physically. It’s a reversed
answer to the perpetual day created by the
modernity, Internet and the contemporary
globalization.
Increasing Nitrogen level
Decreasing Oxygen level (from 21% to 14.5%)
Luminous false floor made of Plexiglas.
Bright light (5,000 and 10,000 lux)
stimulates the retina
YELLOW LIGHTS
Triggering release of melatonin
produces perpetual night
Furniture is soft, closer to a
lounge typology with sofa-like
elements, thereby relaxing the
body, complimenting the onset of
melatonin
BLUE LIGHTS
Blocked melatonin release
produces perpetual day
MELATONIN:
RELEASED
PERCEIVED TIME:
NIGHT
MELATONIN:
BLOCKED
RAIN ROOM
LABYRINTH (Walking Meditation)
The wavelength upper to 570 nanometers
has no influence on the melatonin secretion
and is perceived by the brain like a night.
transmits information to the pineal gland
causes a decrease in melatonin secretion.
Decrease in fatigue
PERCEIVED TIME:
Furniture is tall, encouraging
DAY
people to stand, therefore
resembling a bar atmosphere
The possibility of live in three temporalities: The first one is natural; the other two are artificial,
physiologically produced.
Rain Room is a symptomatic
reflection. Faced with the material
and subjective effects of transforming
relations between humans and their
environment.
The labyrinth is a framework for whatever beliefs and intentions an individual brings to it, rather than imposing a set of beliefs on
participants, as well as common ground to be shared by people of differing faiths.
SPATIAL CONCEPTS
The spatial design strategy for the experiential center aims to encourage people to engage with spaces that stimulate their
senses, impacting both their physiology and psychology. These spaces are designed to prompt individuals to question their
feelings and experiences within the environment. Multiple approaches are employed, taking into account how the body reacts
to different stimuli and induces biological changes. The goal is to provide users with an opportunity to perceive and feel the
space in a manner distinct from their everyday experiences.

YEAR: 2023 | LOCATION: PUNE, INDIA | TYPE: ACADEMIC RESEARCH (DISSERTATION)
AIM
The aim of this research is to gain insight into the impact of globalization on the urban identity of Pune, as well as to comprehend
the importance of both tangible and intangible characteristics that contribute to the city’s distinct identity.
Research Questions
The proposed research attempts to answer the following questions:
• To what extent and in what ways are the tangible and intangible components of urban character characteised, and
how does this create uniqueness in a city’s built environment?
• What are the main factors, including globalization, impacting on urban character and identity and how do these affect
the interplay between the tangible and intangible components of the city?
The research primarily focuses on two sub-case studies within Pune. The first sub-case study encompasses Pune’s city core
and the older part of the city (Peth), while the second sub-case study- Kharadi is located approximately 15 km east of the city
center and had recently developed into a Modern Residential and Commercial hub.
4. Urban Identity in the era of Globalization
Understanding Tangible and Intangible Forces Crafting the City’s Narrative - A case of Pune, India
Abstract
Click to access the document
This dissertation explores the tensions between globalization and the identity of the city of Pune, India. It aims to understand
the impacts of globalization on urbanization, economic development, and the preservation of authentic identity and sense of
place in Pune. The research questions focus on the components of urban character, the factors influencing urban identity, and
the interplay between tangible and intangible elements in the city. The study employs a qualitative research methodology to
analyze the case studies of the old Pune (Peth area) and Kharadi. The research findings contribute to the understanding of how
globalization affects the uniqueness and authenticity of a city’s built environment, as well as the challenges and opportunities
faced by rapidly growing cities in developing countries. This study provides insights into the preservation of cultural identity in a
globalized world and can aid in addressing the multi-layered scenarios of globalization in cities like Pune. The literature review
examines the concept of urban character, emphasizing the complexity of place identity and the interplay between tangible and
intangible aspects. Understanding the urban character and its role in defining a city’s identity is crucial for creating sustainable
and inclusive urban environments. Overall, this research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the relationship
between globalization and urban identity, providing valuable insights for urban planning and development strategies in Pune
and similar cities.
Research Strategy
The research utilized the grounded theory approach to generate qualitative data. The findings were derived from a combination
of questionnaire-based surveys and semi-structured interviews, which allowed for a deeper understanding of the individuals
beyond the confines of a formal interview structure. The research study is based on an analytical perspective, which means that
it considers social reality as being shaped by the experiences of individuals and groups.
The study emphasizes the importance of how participants perceive and experience urban environments, as this helps to
analyse how people interpret and make sense of the world, both individually and collectively. Thus, the reciprocal relationships
between materiality and social constructs, particularly in terms of analysing the interplay between the tangible and intangible
components of urban character, and how these were impacted by factors like globalisation, was central to fulfilling these
objectives and answering the research questions.

STUDY AREA - 01
(Core of city, Peth Area)
STUDY AREA - 02
(Newly developed, Kharadi)
Tangible ‘distinctive identity and character’ of the Study Areas (Survey outcome)
The provided graph is based on a questionnaire-based survey conducted with 15 participants. The
participants were asked about the tangible distinctive identity and character of Pune, considering
different factors for the study areas selected for the research. The majority of respondents believe that
the core of the city (Study Area 01) represents the city’s distinctive identity in terms of architectural
style, marketplace, religious structures, and materiality. On the other hand, the newly developed areas
in Kharadi (Study Area 02) was chosen for its accessibility and urban layout.
Intangible ‘distinctive identity and character’ of the Study Areas (Survey outcome)
The participants were asked to share their perspectives on the intangible distinctive identity and
character of Pune, considering various factors specific to the chosen study areas. The results clearly
indicate that when discussing the city’s intangible character related to historic influences, culture, and
festivities, the participants selected the core of the city (Study Area 01) to illustrate Pune’s unique
identity. This choice can be attributed to the presence of temples, significant heritage sites, and
religious structures in Study Area 01, which greatly influence the culture and utilization of this area.

5. Cities and Urbanism
6. Urban Glimpse
Click to access the document
The document comprises works from two modules: Cities and Urbanism, and Research Methodologies. It serves as a
compilation, with the first part encompassing a book review of “Grand Urban Rules” by Alex Lehnerer, an essay integrating
insights from the book and other urban theorists, and an exploration of its implications. This section also includes a case
study focusing on the chawl neighborhood in Mumbai.
India is known for its rich diversity, offering a wide range of experiences across various facets of society. This includes
diverse elements such as cuisine, language, lifestyle, geography, weather, history, art, and architecture. The poster
provides a sneak peek into two prominent Indian cities, Delhi and Mumbai, showcasing the authenticity of each through
images capturing historic moments, cultural expressions, societal aspects, and distinctive architectural features.
The second part delves into my master’s experience, reflecting on my home city and summarizing the academic learnings
during the program. The document concludes by detailing the research methods and approach developed for my urban
design project and dissertation.

7. Old City Walk
Nashik, Maharashtra
Strolling along the historic lanes of Nashik city, I captured a series of images
showcasing its aged wadas and temples. Unfortunately, these heritage sites are not
adequately maintained or widely recognized, resulting in a lack of visitors. Despite
their neglect, these structures exude a nostalgic cultural ambiance. Engaging with
locals, who share tales of these hidden gems, evokes a strong sense of connection
and belonging. These lesser-known spaces offer a tranquil pause amidst the bustling
city surroundings.

Other works
Mental mending and Mindfulness
through Architecture
(National Conference of Research in Architecture organised by
D.Y Patil School of Architecture, Pune.)
Expression through clips
Compilation of video snippets aiming to convey my
perspectives through abstract means.
Unlike a thought
Collaboratively authored a compilation
of book with a team of 25 co-authors.
Thank you
Cities and Urbanism
Compilation of a Book review and
Mumbai Chawl Case study
Sagar Nikam
(Paper #39, Pg. 189)
Social media
@the Manushya @sagr.nikm @Sagar Nikam
Sagar Nikam
Architect, Urban Designer
ar.sagar.nikam@gmail.com