Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Reshaping karumbukadai - A Resilient Neighbourhood in Coimbatore

Nelson Babu, Sakthi Niranjana LU (2025) ASBM01 20251
Department of Architecture and Built Environment
Abstract (Swedish)
Rapid urbanisation has intensified socio-spatial inequalities in cities of the Global South, leading to the growth of informal settlements that remain excluded from formal planning systems. In India, this condition is increasingly evident in rapidly urbanising cities such as Coimbatore. This thesis investigates how sustainable urban design strategies can be employed to rehabilitate informal settlements without displacing existing communities, using Karumbukadai—an informal neighbourhood in the urban core of Coimbatore—as a case study.

The research explores how affordability, resilience, and quality of life can be improved through design-led interventions, with particular emphasis on incremental housing, tenure security, and phased... (More)
Rapid urbanisation has intensified socio-spatial inequalities in cities of the Global South, leading to the growth of informal settlements that remain excluded from formal planning systems. In India, this condition is increasingly evident in rapidly urbanising cities such as Coimbatore. This thesis investigates how sustainable urban design strategies can be employed to rehabilitate informal settlements without displacing existing communities, using Karumbukadai—an informal neighbourhood in the urban core of Coimbatore—as a case study.

The research explores how affordability, resilience, and quality of life can be improved through design-led interventions, with particular emphasis on incremental housing, tenure security, and phased in-situ redevelopment. It further examines the role of public spaces and activated streetscapes in fostering social cohesion, safety, and environmental sustainability. Informed by a review of global and Indian slum upgrading precedents and detailed site analysis, the thesis proposes a master plan integrating housing, mobility, public space, and green infrastructure. Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, the study demonstrates how context-sensitive urban design can support inclusive and resilient neighbourhood transformation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nelson Babu, Sakthi Niranjana LU
supervisor
organization
course
ASBM01 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Sustainable Urban Design, In-situ Redevelopment, Affordable Housing, Informal Settlement Upgrading, Coimbatore, India, Urban Resilience, Slum Upgrading, Phased development
language
English
id
9220771
date added to LUP
2026-01-26 10:11:47
date last changed
2026-01-26 10:11:47
@misc{9220771,
  abstract     = {{Rapid urbanisation has intensified socio-spatial inequalities in cities of the Global South, leading to the growth of informal settlements that remain excluded from formal planning systems. In India, this condition is increasingly evident in rapidly urbanising cities such as Coimbatore. This thesis investigates how sustainable urban design strategies can be employed to rehabilitate informal settlements without displacing existing communities, using Karumbukadai—an informal neighbourhood in the urban core of Coimbatore—as a case study.

The research explores how affordability, resilience, and quality of life can be improved through design-led interventions, with particular emphasis on incremental housing, tenure security, and phased in-situ redevelopment. It further examines the role of public spaces and activated streetscapes in fostering social cohesion, safety, and environmental sustainability. Informed by a review of global and Indian slum upgrading precedents and detailed site analysis, the thesis proposes a master plan integrating housing, mobility, public space, and green infrastructure. Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, the study demonstrates how context-sensitive urban design can support inclusive and resilient neighbourhood transformation.}},
  author       = {{Nelson Babu, Sakthi Niranjana}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Reshaping karumbukadai - A Resilient Neighbourhood in Coimbatore}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}