Urban Memory and Morphological Evolution in Nagpur: A Narrative Approach to Reading Spatial Evolution in an Indian City
Journal: Architecture Engineering and Science DOI: 10.32629/aes.v6i3.4354
Abstract
This paper presents both spatial morphology and narrative urbanism to analyze the development of Nagpur's urban fabric. Nagpur, a typical second-tier Indian city, exhibits intricate layers of sociopolitical, historical, and infrastructure change. The study pursues three goals: (1) to chart the morphological development of the city over time; (2) to assess how migration, religious beliefs, and historical events have shaped spatial identity; and (3) to identify important perceptual indicators incorporated into the urban landscape. Drawing on fieldwork and oral histories, the process combines historical analysis, qualitative narrative mapping, and GIS-based morphological mapping. According to the findings, Nagpur's built environment has seen several periods, each leaving its own spatial and symbolic marks, ranging from dense Gond settlements to colonial restructuring and post-independence sprawl. The paper presents a conceptual framework that integrates material and mnemonic elements, encouraging planners to consider both form and memory for a more culturally informed urban design.
Keywords
urban morphology, urban memory, spatial transformation, narrative urbanism, second-tier cities, Nagpur, India
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[7]Lynch, K. (1960). The Image of the City. MIT Press.
[8]Norberg-Schulz, C. (1980). Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. Rizzoli.
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[10]Rapoport, A. (1982). The Meaning of the Built Environment: A Nonverbal Communication Approach. University of Arizona Press.
[11]Rendell, J. (2006). Art and Architecture: A Place Between. I.B. Tauris.
[12]Sandercock, L. (2003). Cosmopolis II: Mongrel Cities of the 21st Century. Continuum.
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