chambal | ravindrabhan

CHAMBAL CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS LTD., GADEPAN, KOTA

Site Development and Landscaping of Chambal Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd., Gadepan, Kota

In 1991, the area now occupied by Chambal Fertilizers' Complex at Garden was a dreary terrain on which no trees grew. It was a vast stretch of land with rock strata just 12 inches below the ground. When Prof. Bhan undertook the project of landscape of the Chambal Fertilizer Complex, it was a mess with existing housing and infrastructure . There was a complete lack of environment. The site planning was not functional and did not work.Today the Complex presents one of the most beautiful industrial landscapes in India.

Green avenues,rows of trees displaying multicolored flowers ,rolling lawns ,a small lake ,lotus pond , water bodies and shrubs that proudly flaunt their splendid inflorescence .All these contribute to the uniqueness of this garden.

The work on the greening project began even before the plans for the Fertilizer Plant were finalized. There was an effort to put things in proper perspective. It demonstrated that the company underscored the importance of environmental protection as a mainstream function which could not wait till the construction of the plant was completed.

At Chambal ecology was given priority. The total land area to be landscaped covered more than 500 acres. The planting programme was taken up not merely because of environmental regulations but was treated as a social obligation. It was based on the corporate philosophy of the company which stressed on eco-friendly environment as an important goal.

The water table in this area was quite high and a lot of areas on the site got water logged. Prof. Bhan's task involved landscaping of the individual buildings like the guest houses, the club, the administration building, the school and complete site development. He solved the problem of surplus water by providing two lakes which amount to an area of 15 acres. His landscaping required least manpower for maintenance as it was a complete system. The area was a complete desert now there is life in it and it looks like a well lived township.

Prof. Bhan being a landscape architect deals with the understanding of nature as an interacting phenomena. For a healthy interaction, aspects such as planning and designing of open spaces around built form have been undertaken. Prof.Bhan’s professional specialistion makes him conversant to deal with the siting of built form which is technically known as site planning.

This aspect of site planning forms the very basis of landscape of landscaping. In this project,landscaping goes beyond the notion of conventional landscaping.

When Prof. Bhan was asked to landscape Chambal Fertilizers Complex, it was a mess with existing housing and infrastructure. There was a complete lack of environment. The site planning was not functional. Prof. Bhan's task involved landscaping of the following:-

Administration Building
Clubhouse and Hostel block
Guest Houses
Shopping Complex
Sport's Complex
Children's Play Area
Total Site Development

His landscaping required least manpower for maintenance. It was a complete system. The landscape of Chambal chemical and fertilizers has its own special and different identity as it is a mere reflection of sustainability not only in terms of ecologically but also socially, economically and politically.

CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA

The project is located in the township of Chambal Fertilizers Ltd. In Kota (Rajasthan) spread over an area of more than one thousand acres.

The place is climatically very hostile. The temperature for most part of the summer months goes beyond 45°C , making it very uncomfortable. The design of the play area for the age group between 4 - 10 year Children conceived largely is a subterranean structure. Large concrete sewer pipes are used as main design element to create an underground maze of interconnected tunnels and courtyards which are covered over and around with earthen mound with clumps of large shady trees.

This device has reduced the temperature in the play area considerably giving the children much needed climatic comfort. The continuous play environment has been created by linking different spaces such as tunnels, internal and external courtyards flat terraces on the mound and the area on the gradually slopping play mound. The-character of each space is deliberately designed differently to induce variation of spaces in design. The linkage of spaces is also varied such as large openings, staircase , ladders, and gradual slopping mound to climb ,to reach to the top forming a play space.

Children in such a flexible environment create their own play pattern which immensely is enjoyable and satisfying to them.